Resume and Cover Letters

To conduct an effective job search, you need the following communication tools:

• Having a resume that highlights your value and talents.
• A cover letter that will motivate a potential employer to want to talk with you.
• A LinkedIn profile that establishes your personal brand.
• A portfolio that highlights all of your great creative work.
• Create a “brag book”.

What is a Personal Brand?

A personal brand is a short (one to two sentences) summary of what you do and why you excel at it. Many people develop personal brand statements that they use for introductions and networking. In addition to a brand statement, your personal brand will be defined by your resume, cover letters, LinkedIn and all other social media, and interviewing. Your personal brand will be how you want the world to see you.

Resumes

The purpose of a resume is to:
• Provide your contact information
• Showcase your competencies and credentials
• Tell a story about your experiences and accomplishments
• Generate interest from someone that leads to an interview
• Create a positive image for you

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Resume Do's and Don'ts

Do This	Don't Do This
Focus on skills, knowledge, and accomplishments	Misrepresent yourself
Keep to a manageable length	Include a photograph
Write in short phrases	Use small font sizes
Use strong action verbs	Use a lot of graphics
Avoid personal pronouns	Include any personal data
Be consistent, mistake free	Use acronyms without info
Use a reverse chronology format showing your most recent job first	Use buzzwords or abbreviations

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Resume/CV Templates

Traditional Resume: Resume Template

Note: Students shouldALWAYSrequest a critique of their resume.While this template gives a general idea of appropriate resume formatting, it is important to note that no two resumes are alike and that all resumes should be tailored to the position for which you’re applying.Email us to make an appointment with theCareer Center:careercenter@lyon.edu.

CV Template

While CVs and resumes are similar in many ways, a CV provides a more expansive summary. A CV is common in academic areas where there are lot of publication and research information. While a resume is typically one to two pages, it is acceptable for a CV to be a much longer document.

Personal Statement Template

The personal statement is typically required when applying to graduate school programs.

Your personal statement should provide:

• Why you want to continue your academic studies.
• What areas of research you plan to focus on.
• What makes you unique and someone worthy of graduate program acceptance
• What career plans you have after graduation.

Portfolio/Creative Resume

While a traditional resume format is effective and expected when applying for business and technical jobs, a creative resume design can help you when applying for opportunities where you will need to show creative expertise (graphic design, advertising). The Career Services Center recommends student go to Canva or Wix to find creative resume, portfolio, and website templates.

Cover Letters: Cover Letter Template

The purpose of a cover letter and resume package is to gain the interest of an employer so that they want to interview you.

Cover letters should do the following:

• Explain who you are and what you are currently doing.
• Highlight how your qualifications match up with the qualifications listed in the job listing. This requires that you take the time to personalize the cover letter to the job.
• Ask the employer for the opportunity to interview.

Tips for college student resumes!