Hearts & Minds - Information for Change

Helpful Job Search Advice
A sample of the advice we provide our volunteers

See also other benefits of volunteering with us.

       To start, here are some general guidelines for resumes and cover letters. We can then help with ideas specific to you. Be honest, but think of the best ways to highlight:

  • The size of the organizations and/or projects you worked on. For example, "Handled 57 of the most important clients in company with $50 million in annual billings"
  • It is good to give specific statistics, facts and figures that summarize the size and value of your capabilities, what you worked on and accomplished.
  • List your specific successes, accomplishments, improvements and initiatives
  • Honors, awards, GPA, dean's list, etc.
  • Volunteer and extracurricular activities, especially if relevant
  • Quotes, testimonials, letters of recommendation from people impressed with your work
  • Skills developed
  • Computer programs and capabilities
  • Language skills
  • Use bullet points when there are three items or more; this is more attractive to read than a large paragraph

       For your cover letter, summarize:

  • The most important points from your resume
  • What you have to offer - why they should hire you
  • Why you are interested in working for them

       In most cases, it is better to keep your resume and cover letter to one page each. Don't use type size smaller than about 11 points. You can eliminate or combine less important details of each job to make it fit. Consider adapting your presentation for specific types of jobs you apply for.

       Additional ideas are in books on marketing and job hunting. For career direction, we also suggest an assessment like the Strong Interest Survey or Myers-Briggs. Even after you graduate, your school may offer these free, as well as additional job search and career help. Of course, all kinds of helpful information is available online and in your local public library.

       If you volunteer with us, we provide additional help, letters of recommendation, and more. In addition to our letter of recommendation, ask other places where you have worked or volunteered, too. Then, keep the originals and make copies to send with your resume or bring to interviews. This can be a good source of quotes for your resume and cover letter, too.

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http://www.heartsandminds.org/howto/jobsearch.htm - online August 12, 1998, latest text changes February 24, 2006

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