Date:         Spring 2002

To:             English 307 Students

From:        Rick Van Noy, English 307 Instructor

Subject:   Resume Set

This memo explains the guidelines for the resume set.

This assignment asks you to produce a working resume and letter of application to be used for job searches. 

Using models provided by the textbook and me, develop a resume for a specific position suitable for a new college graduate (If you plan to immediately enter graduate school, you may also write a personal statement).  The ad needs to be current even if it won't be open when you finish the assignment.  Having an appropriate ad or description will help you develop a strong resume a letter tailored to the "you's" needs.  Create your resume as you are now (in other words, don't make up stuff like licenses or certifications--find another ad).. You may write your letter as if you would be graduating. 

Consider carefully how you highlight the document’s information: will you stress functional hierarchies or organizational descriptions? Educational background or work experience? How will you integrate special skills (computer sophistication, leadership roles) within the resume? What design elements and styles—boldfacing, bulleting, italicizing—will make your information more visually appealing?

The cover letter should complement the resume, expanding upon and clarifying the résumé's outlined information. Each paragraph should serve specific purposes, and your suitability for a job or position must be delineated in the body paragraphs. It should use a proper letter format, and should be written to a specific position (attach ad).

Also include a thank you or follow-up letter for a make-believe interview. Finally, attached to the resume and cover letter will be a memo to me (with subject line, "Strategies Used in Resume, Cover Letter, and Follow-Up"), explaining why you have chosen a particular format or choice (for both): how do the documents’ designs and arrangements make them effective? Explicate your reasons behind your format, structure, language and tone.  

You should: 

• Show what you know, and what you've learned, about writing employment correspondence. 
• Show the decisions you've made about organization, design, language, tone, etc.  
• What techniques did you employ?  How, for example, did you try to "fit" the resume to your ad? 
• Organize either around these parts (or whatever principles are important to your resume set), of by the three pieces (resume, cover letter, follow-up). 
• Account for discrepancies between the assignment and what you did. What do I need to know when reading your resume set (for example, you included an ad you aren't yet qualified for, you wrote a personal statement, you wrote a scannable resume with no design features). 
• Discuss your process. What did you go through?  What suggestions did you get in peer review (include the two sheets). Close with how you feel about the finished product. 

When reading each other’s resumes, please carefully examine for certain features:

• Is the name visible and appropriately placed?
• Are addresses (including e-mail) accessible yet unobtrusive?
• Is there enough white space? Are sections balanced?
• Are headings clearly defined and consistent?
• Are the typefaces legible, readable, aesthetically pleasing?
• Do the sections follow a smooth, fluent pattern? Are they clearly separated?
• If there is a job objective, is it concisely stated?
• Has the writer properly highlighted educational background, relevant courses, significant professional training?
• Are the job descriptions adequate, active, parallel?
• Are the dates of employment clearly marked?
• Has the writer noted requisite skills?
• Has the writer overused certain words or phrases?
• Are minor sections like "Personal" or Extracurricular Activities" given enough detail, specificity?
• Should the writer include memberships more?
• Is there an indication that references or a dossier are available? Should there be?
• Can anything else be included to explain the writer’s capabilities and experience? Summary qualifications?

Slide Show on Resumes and Cover Letters

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