How to build a resume and cover letter

When preparing your resume, keep the following tips in mind:

• Clearly demonstrate that you qualify for the position – Explain in detail the duties you performed and your level of responsibility as they pertain to the position you are applying for. Focus on accomplishments, not just activities. Always include month and year dates relating to your work history and whether you worked full time or part time.
• Identify yourself in your documentation – Make sure your name and contact information is on all documents you submit. Be sure to include your address, email address, and a good phone number to reach you at.
• Identify where you worked and when – Include the employer’s name and dates of employment (use month/year format). Identify any periods of unemployment.
• Unpaid/volunteer work – Include all relevant experience whether it was paid or unpaid and the approximate hours per week or month you performed the work.
• Avoid jargon or acronyms – Explain information in commonly used terms to make the message clear.
• Presentation – Make sure your resume looks professional and is easy to read. Use 12-point Arial or Times New Roman for your font with one-inch margins on a plain white document with black ink, so that if it is copied, it will look good. Also, unless the announcement instructs you otherwise, there is no correct number of pages. Make it legible; if the reviewers cannot read your resume, you may not be considered further.
• Proofread – Make a good first impression by using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Make sure to run a spell check.
• Don’t forget to attach your documents – Be sure to attach your resume to your online application if it is requested. Forgetting to attach your resume will keep your application from being considered further.

When creating your cover letter keep the following tips in mind:

• Presentation/content – Hiring managers look at how the letter is formatted (such as a business letter or memo), the organization of the topics covered (whether or not the sentences transition well from one thought to another), and if all the requested information is included in your letter. They also look for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Make sure to run a spell check.
• Length – most cover letters can be up to two pages unless otherwise indicated. Use the full two pages to expand on the ideas in your resume. Use situation, task, action, and result (STAR (PDF)) stories to address the requested skills in the announcement and demonstrate your abilities.
  
• Use the word "I" – Do not just write about the process or what "we" did. Tell the hiring manager what you did and be sure to include your accomplishments and responsibilities.
• Avoid vague language – Responses such as "I was involved in the budgeting process" do not provide enough information. When creating your letter, think about the following: What were your duties? What was your level of responsibility? What did you do to achieve results? Also, jargon and acronyms tend to detract from the clarity of your response, so spell out acronyms the first time you use them.
• Be concise, yet thorough – It is okay to describe a scenario (if it is pertinent), but do not describe philosophies or what "experts" say on a subject. Also, unless the announcement instructs you otherwise, there is no correct number of pages. Remember your audience: If you are too brief or if you ramble too much, it could affect how you will rank in this process.
• Make it legible – Make sure your cover letter looks professional and is easy to read. Use 12-point Arial or Times New Roman for your font with one-inch margins. Make it legible; if the hiring manager cannot read your letter, you may not be considered further. If your cover letter is engaging and easy to review, it will get more attention.
• Don’t forget to attach your documents – Be sure to attach your cover letter to your online application form if it is requested. Cover letters are an important part of the application process for some positions. If it is requested, and you forget it, your application will not proceed further in the process.