Job Seekers

WRITING YOUR RESUME SHOULD BEGIN WITH YOUR DETAILS:

You can't get that job you've been seeking without a resume that gets noticed. Learn how to write a resume to get you in the door for a job interview.

Name, Address, Telephone Number and E-mail Address (Optional)
Begin your resume with your real name (not nickname) and a permanent address. Include the area code with your phone number. If you are not at home during the day, make sure an answering machine or voicemail is available for messages.

YOU SHOULD THEN INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Objective
This is the focal point of your resume - the position you are seeking in specific terms. Your objective should be simple yet directly related to your qualifications and accomplishments.

Education
List your most recent educational experience first. Be sure to include your degree (AS, BA, BS, etc.), major, institution attended, graduation date, minors/concentrations and any other major course work or projects. Special awards and commendations should be noted.

Work Experience
Always include the title of your position, name of organisation, location (town, state) and dates of employment. Describe your work experience and responsibilities using strong action words. Volunteer work, internships and student teaching should be listed here.

Additional Information
This is the place for extra information that doesn't fit into other categories, such as special interests, computer knowledge and activities. Multilingual and medically trained people should list their experience here.

References
When resume writing, you may wish to include on your resume: "References available upon request." Always ask for permission before listing someone as a reference. List three people, including name, title, employer, address, and business and home telephone numbers.

WHAT IS A COVER LETTER?

A cover letter is a letter of introduction that highlights your key accomplishments and qualifications for a job opening. A cover letter adds focus to your resume and should leave the reader with an understanding of the type of position that you are seeking.

Unlike your resume, your cover letter is an opportunity to reveal why you are passionate about the position, and should be used to convey pertinent information not captured in a traditional resume format. Even though much of the job application process is now online, few employers seriously consider a resume that is not accompanied by a cover letter. Don’t treat the cover letter as an afterthought in the application process—make the time investment so that you increase your chances of receiving the coveted interview invitation.

COVER LETTER FORMAT

Use the following template to help you write an effective cover letter introduction, main body, & closing.

Your name
Mailing address
City, State, and Postcode
Telephone number(s)
Email address

Today’s date
Addressee’s name
Professional title
Organisation name
Mailing address
City, State, and Postcode

Dear (First name) (last name),

Introduction:
Begin with a statement that establishes a connection with your reader, such as a headline or a probing question. Briefly state what job you are applying for.

Main body:
The body should be one to two short paragraphs that make relevant points about your qualifications. Do not summarize your resume! Choose some qualifications that really target the position you are interested in, but fight the tendency to oversell at this point. Demonstrate your passion and quickly share any additional information about yourself that could be relevant to the position.

Closing:
Your closing should initiate action by explaining what you will do next (e.g., call the employer) or motivate the reader to contact you to set up an interview. Always close by showing appreciation.

Sincerely yours,
Your signature (handwritten)
Your name (typed)
Enclosure: Resume

Good luck!

Resignation Letter Guide

The purpose of a resignation letter is to advise your employer of your intention to resign from your current position within the company.

Your resignation letter should be kept brief but should at least include the following:

• The name of the person you are addressing it to

• An explanation for your resignation

• The effective date of your resignation

• The date of your last day of work

• Your name and signature

You will need to check your company policy or your employment contract to find out how many weeks notice you need to give upon resignation. Some companies will terminate an employee immediately, so be prepared for this.

You should also consider including a positive statement about your employer and perhaps even thank them for the opportunities they gave you or wish them well for the future. Whatever your reasons for resigning, you want to leave on good terms. It is important to remain professional as your resignation letter will be kept on file and could be accessed for future reference.

RESIGNATION LETTER TEMPLATE:

Use the following template to help you write an effective cover letter introduction, main body, and closing.

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Post Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email (optional)

Date

Name
Title
Organisation
Address
City, State, Post Code

Dear First Name Last Name,

I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my position as (position held) for the (XYZ Company), effective (Leaving date).

Thank you for the opportunities for professional and personal development that you have provided me during the last (number) years. I have enjoyed working for the agency and appreciate the support provided to me during my time with the company.

If I can be of any help during this transition, with training or hiring please let me know as I would be happy to make myself available.

Sincerely,
Your signature
Your name