Resume Project

Resume Assignment
(25 points)

Assignment:

Find an advertisement in a newspaper, on the Internet, or through the office of Career Services. Find a position in your field, for which you might be qualified. Write a resume, a cover letter, and a letter of reference in response to the advertisement. Also assume you had an interview with this company and write a thank-you letter to the interviewer. Finally, answer the 10 most commonly asked interview questions. While this resume is a class assignment, you should consider updating your resume to be a process that will be on-going throughout your career. More specific instructions and examples are listed below.
All six parts of this assignment are due at the beginning of class on Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10.
1. Resume
2. References (3 to 4) - people who can verify and elaborate on your professional experience
3. Cover letter
4. Letter of reference
5. Thank you letter
6. Answers to interview questions

Resume (9 points)

Length: At least 1 complete page (not including references). Use 12-point font and 1" margins.

References: As part of your resume, include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three or four references. These are people who can verify and elaborate on your professional experience.

Format:

The following list provides some ideas for the content of your resume.

Personal Information (name, address, phone number, and e-mail address)
Education (major, subjects taken)
Skills

Technological - computer applications and software
Communication
Leadership

Work Experience

Full/part-time work
Volunteer work

Publications/Presentations
Honors and Professional Affiliations
Interests and Activities
References

It is recommended that you use action verbs to start each sentence on your resume. A list of action verbs can be found at the following address. http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~rosener/teaching/action-verbs.html

Cover Letter (4 points)

Length: At least 200 words.

Format:

Your cover letter must contain at least the following parts: return address, dateline, inside address, salutation, body, and a complimentary close.
Below is a typical breakdown of the body:

Your first paragraph should include a statement that you are interested in the advertised position and your desire to obtain an interview.

The second paragraph should include any major accomplishments this company would be interested in hearing about. You should also list your overall skills.

The third paragraph should include any specific skills/accomplishments that are listed in your resume, but need to be flushed out for this particular advertisement.

In your final paragraph, tell them that you look forward to hearing from them soon.

Your closing should typically be Sincerely.

Letter of Reference (4 points)

Length: The letter of reference must be at least 200 words.

Format:

The letter of reference should appear as though someone else wrote it on your behalf. It must contain at least the following parts: return address, dateline, inside address, salutation, body, and a complimentary close.

Thank You Letter (4 points)

Assume you had an interview with the company addressed in your cover letter. Write a follow-up thank you letter to the interviewer. Minimum of 150 words.

Commonly Asked Interview Questions (4 points)
Briefly answer the following commonly asked interview questions. Assume you are interviewing with the company you addressed in your cover letter. (4 points)

What is your greatest strength?
What is your biggest weakness?
What academic subjects did you like best?
What have you learned from your mistakes?
What led you to choose your field of major study?
Describe your most rewarding college experience.
Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your academic achievement?
How do you work under pressure?
Why did you decide to seek a position with this company?
What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?

A sample of a resume, references, a cover letter, letters of reference, and a thank you letter can be found at the following addresses:: Resume (http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~rosener/resume); References (http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~rosener/samples/references.html); Cover letter (http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~rosener/samples/cover-letter.html); Letter of reference #1 (http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~rosener/samples/reference-1.html); Letter of reference #2 (http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~rosener/samples/reference-2.html); Thank you letter (http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~rosener/samples/thank-you.html)

	Length:	At least 1 complete page (not including references). Use 12-point font and 1" margins.
	References:	As part of your resume, include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three or four references. These are people who can verify and elaborate on your professional experience.
	Format:	The following list provides some ideas for the content of your resume. Personal Information (name, address, phone number, and e-mail address) Education (major, subjects taken) Skills Technological - computer applications and software Communication Leadership Work Experience Full/part-time work Volunteer work Publications/Presentations Honors and Professional Affiliations Interests and Activities References
	It is recommended that you use action verbs to start each sentence on your resume. A list of action verbs can be found at the following address. http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~rosener/teaching/action-verbs.html

	Length:	At least 200 words.
	Format:	Your cover letter must contain at least the following parts: return address, dateline, inside address, salutation, body, and a complimentary close. Below is a typical breakdown of the body: Your first paragraph should include a statement that you are interested in the advertised position and your desire to obtain an interview. The second paragraph should include any major accomplishments this company would be interested in hearing about. You should also list your overall skills. The third paragraph should include any specific skills/accomplishments that are listed in your resume, but need to be flushed out for this particular advertisement. In your final paragraph, tell them that you look forward to hearing from them soon. Your closing should typically be `Sincerely`.

	Length:	The letter of reference must be at least 200 words.
	Format:	The letter of reference should appear as though someone else wrote it on your behalf. It must contain at least the following parts: return address, dateline, inside address, salutation, body, and a complimentary close.