Cover Letter: This tool may make the difference between you and the competition. State clearly your objectives in forwarding your resume. Be brief and give a short statement as to why you think you’re the best person for that particular position. Leave pertinent details in the body of your resume, i.e.; “given my experience in the automotive field”..., etc.
Resume: Name, address, email, and available phone contact number. You don’t want to leave your home number if you’re never there or if someone has a chance to erase messages before you get yours. Also; Don’t ever put your Social Security Number and /or birth date on your resume. With identity theft becoming rampant out there, you don’t know whose desk your personal info may be laying on for someone else to have their eyes on your personal data!
List Your Education Experience: Start with “High School graduate” then list college(s) and majors or minors. You don’t have to state year of graduation(s). This can lend to age discrimination in certain instances. List any technical schooling or training outside of a formal classroom and certifications attained.
Summary of Qualifications This is where you state how qualified you are, how easy you are to work with and why you’re “The Right Woman/Man for the Job”! Give a brief summary of your personality traits that qualify you for the position or should be considered as a trainee for the position.
List Employment Experience: Start with your most recent employer and work your way back. Use start and end dates as month/year. Exact start and end dates aren’t really necessary. Don’t be embarrassed by multiple employers or multiple careers. Prior employment experiences can be great conversation tools during a formal interview.
List Hours of Availability: If you can only work certain days of the week, or certain times of day, this is where you need to say so. You shouldn’t have to state why until you get to an interview. Also list an available start date.
Salary Requirements: You may want to state this as “open” if you want to get your foot in the door for an interview.
List of References: A short list of reliable references with a person’s name and relationship (like their business name). You may reserve their phone numbers as a request item by the interviewer.
List of Outside Interests: Areas of community involvement or professional organizations (past and present) may serve you well here. Note areas of personal achievements such as scholarships received or awards earned either inside or outside the business world. These items can serve as essential “ice breakers” at interview time.
Save Your Resume! Keep your resume stored on a personal computer or a hard copy in a safe place. Occasionally update information, possibly yearly, depending on your work/life experiences.