RSUMWRITING

THATWORKS

CaliforniaState
University,Chico

AGENDA
Differentdocumentsservedifferentpurposes

Application
SupplementalQuestions
Rsum
CoverLetter

KeyConsiderations
Topics/CategoriestoInclude
RefiningContent
Tips
Examples

PURPOSEOFTHE
Application
HRusestoseeifyoumeetminimumqualifications
GetsyoupastHRtothesearchcommittee

SupplementalQuestions
Exampleofyourwriting
Canyourexperiencecanhelpussolveproblems?

Rsum
Answershowandhowmanyquestions
Howdoesyourexperiencetranslatetohelpingus?

CoverLetter
Yourchancetopersuadeus,translateyourexperiencetohowyoucan
helpus,andansweranyquestionswemighthave

CurriculumVitae(CV)
Usedinacademia,comprehensive(everytermofemployment,academic
credential,publication,contributionorsignificantachievement)

THEAPPLICATION
ANDSUPPLEMENTALQUESTIONS
Completeeverythingonacomputer,typeontheirdocumentif
possible
Considerthisisatestofyourabilitytofollowdirections
Neverassumetheyknowwhatyoudooryourmeaning
CompleteanswersTheyareaskingforspecifics
CopytheSupplementalpage,fillintheanswers
Grammar&Spelling:Thisisyouropportunitytoimpressoryour
opportunityforfailure

RSUMVS.COVERLETTER
Rsum:
MatterofFactdocument
Skills,Experiences,Education
IncludeScope,Size,Achievements

CoverLetter:

Enthusiastic,Passionate,Persuasive
Whyyourskillsfitpositionneeds
Howcanyouhelpandwhy
AKA;Letterofintroduction,LetterofInterest,Letter
ofApplication

KEYCONSIDERATIONSFORA RSUM
Nospellingorgrammaticalerrors
Usuallyonetotwopages
Isitaneasyread??

OTHERCONSIDERATIONS
Paper:qualityandcolor?
Consistencyofphrasing(tenses)
Bulletsvs.paragraph
Linesandcoloroftext
Consistencyofentireapplicationpacket

TOPICS/CATEGORIESTOINCLUDE
Education

Internships

Coursework

Experience:Work&
Volunteer

Projects
ComputerSkills

Leadership/Activities:
University&Community

REFINING CONTENT
(NOTA TODOLIST,BUT*HOW*YOUDIDTHEJOB)
Usethejobdescriptiontogatherideasofwhattheyarelooking
for
DontbereluctanttousetheAnnouncementsphrasing
Bespecificandgiveexamples
Yourrsumandallmaterialsshouldfitthejobyouareapplying
for!

INSUMMARY

Triplecheckforspellingandgrammaticalerrors
Asageneralrule,limittooneortwopages
Havesomeonereviewittobesureisitaneasyread
Besureyouhaveconsistencyofphrasing(tenses)
Bulletsvs.paragraph
Besurethereisconsistencythroughoutentireapplicationpacket

10

 Students
&Alumni

EXAMPLES
www.csuchico.edu/careers/

Rsums,
Cover
Letters
Samples

SAMPLECOVERLETTERS
LinktoCareerCenterexamples

RSUM REVIEWEXERCISE

Correctgrammarandspelling
Checkforconsistentverbtense
Isitneatandeasytoread
Useofbullets?
Doesitsummariesknowledge,skillsandabilities(notjusttasks)
Addnumberswhenpossible
Doesitanswerquestionsfromthevacancyposting?

MatterofFact document
Skills,Experiences,Education
IncludeScope,Size,Achievements

27

COVERLETTERREVIEWEXERCISE

Correctgrammarandspelling
CheckforconsistentverbtenseandjudicioususeofI
Isitneatandeasytoread
Doesitsummariesknowledge,skillsandabilities(notjusttasks)
Doesitanswerquestionsfromthevacancyposting?
Consistentlookwithrsum
Enthusiastic,Passionate,Persuasive
Whyyourskillsfitpositionneeds
Howcanyouhelpandwhy
AKA;Letterofintroduction,LetterofInterest,Letterof
Application

28

INREVIEW
1. Whatisthepurposeofthe

Application?
Supplementalquestions?
Resume?
Coverletter?

2. Doyoureallyneedtocompleteanapplicationjobhistorywhen
youveattachedyourrsumstatingthesamething?
3. Whatdoyouputinacoverletter?
4. Whathelpsyourapplicationpacketstandoutfromothers?

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS?
HumanResourcesServiceCenter, KendallHall220
BeverlyGentry,Manager,ProfessionalDevelopment
EmploymentService,KendallHall213,x4664
DeniseFarrell,InterimManager
TamiToon,Recruitment&SelectionManager

CareerCenter
ForStudentsandAlumni