Surveys

Thank you for completing the survey a few weeks ago regarding utilizing math within your program area.

Please complete the two following surveys regarding utilizing reading and writing within your program area.

• Reading Survey
• Writing Survey

Resumes

Have you created a resume in an easy to read professional format?  You should include a heading at the top of the resume that includes full name, full address, phone number and email address.  Sections of your resume may include qualification summary, education, licensure, work experience, additional skills, professional memberships, community activities, honors and awards, and references.  Be sure to use formatting that allows the reader to easily distinguish between the different sections.  Proofread your final copy.  Sometimes it is easier to download a document and work in Microsoft Word and then re-upload to the Google Drive than utilize Google Docs.  You may choose whichever method is easiest for you.  Links to sample resumes are available on the Resumes page – –  (http://nwtech.edu/alvacc/resumes/) –  of the Career Center website.

Be sure to…..

1. Put a copy of your resume in stored in the Google Drive folder I have created for you!  Do not “share” your resume with me from a different folder.  You may need to download it and then drag it into that folder I created but have a copy of your resume stored in the folder I have shared with you.
2. Put the most important sections towards the top of the resume.
3. Put most recent information within the section at the top of the section.
4. Include certifications such as WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (if you scored at least a three or higher on the WorkKeys tests)
5. Include Northwest Technology Center (not Alva Votech  or Northwestern Technology Center) and your program name in the education section.
6. Use an easy to read font but not the standard Times New Roman that many other people may use.
7. Ask me to look over your resume before printing your final copy.

Some of the most common corrections/suggestions for resumes include:

• Include hyphens or bullets to separate areas of the address and contact info in the heading section.
• An example of formatting for city, state, and zip is:  1801 11th Street, Alva, OK 73717 which includes the comma after the name of the city with the two letters in abbreviation for state capitalized.
• Use either (580) 327-0344 as a format for telephone numbers or 580.327.0344 but not (580)-327-0344 .
• Include a qualification statement what explains what your goal is or leave it out.  This is not a two or three word area.
• Education section should include the most recent education at the top of the list. Be sure to include the city and state of the school.
• The section headings should be in a larger font than the information in the sections.
• Be consistent with font and font sizing.  Section headings can be a larger font than section information however the headings for all sections need to be consistent in size and font.
• Be consistent with spacing (such as spacing between sections and between bulleted items, etc.)
• Be consistent with date formats.  If you spell out the names of months then be consistent throughout the resume.
• Information in sections should be bulleted if possible and not in sentence format.
• Include information for three references. References cannot be friends.  Include your relationship for each reference such as instructor, previous employer, etc.
• Be consistent in capitalization.
• Be accurate in job titles and descriptions (aid, aide, nurses, nurse, etc – ex. Long-Term Care Certified Nurse Aide)
• Be consistent in tense of duties (managed, manage, assist, assisted, etc.)
• Include dates in the education section.
• Have all dates listed at the right side.  Ask me for help with setting a right align tab.
• Include degrees or program areas in the education section.
• Include the following sections:  Qualification Summary, Education, Licensure or Certifications, Experience (Work Experience), Professional Memberships, Community Activities (Community Service), Honors (Awards), Skills (if not included in work experience), and References

Sample resumes  – Nursing Student Sample Resume  – Resume For Nursing Student With Clinical Experience

Cover Letters

Upon completion of the resume, students will start working on a cover letter.  Information about cover letters can be found on the Cover Letter page of the Career Center website.

Cover letters are important because they tell employers the type of position you’re seeking and exactly how you’re qualified for it. Your cover letter can also explain things that your resume can’t.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a one-page document that, along with your resume, is sent with your job application. A cover letter is your chance to tell a potential employer why you’re the perfect person for the position and how your skills and expertise can add value to the company. The letter should be professional but personable, and serve as a sort of introduction.

A lot of job seekers today wonder if a cover letter is still appropriate to send with your resume—and the answer is yes! Even if an employer doesn’t ask for a cover letter, it couldn’t hurt to send one. In fact, it can help you get someone’s attention in a different way, and it can be a great way to display your enthusiasm for the job and company.

Basic Elements of a Cover Letter

The following should be included in the cover letter:

• Your name and address preferably in the header area of letterhead that resembles or matches your resume.
• Current date.
• Name and address of the person/company you are sending the letter to.
• Greeting – Address your cover letter to the proper person.
• Opening – Write a personable, inviting opening paragraph that notes which position you are applying for and how you learned of the job opening.
• Achievements and Skills –  Highlight your past achievements as they relate to the job you’re applying for. Emphasize additional relevant skills and certifications which show you meet the job requirements.
• Closing: Briefly recap your strengths as a candidate, why you want to work for the organization, a call for action or next steps, and your contact information.

Search for a job opening that resembles something you may want to pursue once you have completed your career training.  Create a PDF file (ask me how) that has the job opening and job description.  Drag that PDF file into the file folder I created for you on the Shared Google Drive.

Create a letterhead using Microsoft Word that will be used in writing your cover letters.  You will need to provide your contact information within the letterhead.  Be creative but professional.  Use the header and footer sections of the Microsoft Word document.  After creating the letterhead be sure to save it and upload a copy to the Shared Google drive into the folder I created for you.

Create a cover letter for the job opening that you have found for an acceptable career position of your choice.

Be sure to upload your cover letter to the Shared folder on the Google Drive.