Job & Internship Guide 13-14

22
Resume &
Letter Writing
Job & Internship Guide 13-14
Resumes are often your rst impression to employers, so if I
were to give anyone advice on their resume I would say always
target your resume to a specic position, never make them
general.
Guadalupe J., Senior, Psychology
Its really important to tailor your resume. I suggest
making a master resume so that you can copy and
paste the most relevant experiences on to the resume
you send to employers.
Amy L., Senior, Psychology/Integrative Biology
to
do
Keep track of your achievements.
Save any positive written feedback
you receive. This will come in handy
when creating resumes and cover
letters and help you stand out
Get an early start. Carve out time
to develop and edit your resumes
and cover letters before submitting
them. To be competitive, your
materials need to be error free
Access proven examples and tools.
Beyond this Job & Internship Guide,
you can access the Resume Builder
within Callisto to create eective
resumes
Use your own words. Do not borrow
content from others resumes or you
will have a hard time talking about it
in an interview
See a peer advisor or career
counselor for resume and cover
letter critiques
Recruit an English major or other
word whiz to perform a nal
grammar and content review. Have
two other people read your resume
for good measure
Follow up with employers
youve submitted your resume
and cover letter to within two
weeks.
Watch our Online Resume and
Cover Letter Workshops, available
24/7 on career.berkeley.edu
A
other candidates. Strong resumes do more than summarize your educational
background and work history; they emphasize the results of your eorts and
draw clear parallels between your skills and experience and an employers needs.

THE 5 STEPS OF RESUME DEVELOPMENT
Step 1: Analyze the Job Description
Read job descriptions thoroughly and then highlight all of the keywords which
indicate required and preferred skills, abilities, attributes, and qualications. If an
employer is looking for somebody who is innovative, punctual, and attentive to
detail, use these same or similar words in your resume.
Step 2: Generate a List of Accomplishments
Create an inventory of your accomplishmentstasks that you enjoyed doing, did
well, and are proud of. Include education/training, volunteer experience, jobs,
projects, school assignments, travel, and group or team activities. Focus on the
outcomes of your eorts. Quantify your results if possible. Dont be humble!
Resumes are promotional tools.
well crafted resume and cover letter can set you apart from

Chapter Action Items
more info: career.berkeley.edu
23
career.berkeley.edu
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Step 3: Identify Relevant Skill Areas
Frame your experience so that it focuses on skills and achievements that are desirable for that particular position.
Make sure each accomplishment you list highlights a skill the employer is looking for.
Step 4: Write Descriptive Phrases
Using action verbs (see p. 27), write concise phrases to describe experiences that demonstrate your relevant skills.
The accomplishments on your resume should ultimately be targeted to address an employers needs. Do your best to
place them in order of relevance with the most relevant information as close as possible to the top.
Step 5: Choose a Format
While resume templates may be tempting, they tend to be inexible; also, employers are often familiar with them and
may perceive you as lacking ingenuity. Heres a chart to help you select a format.
Selecting a Resume Format
Chronological
Lists your experience in reverse
chronological orderfrom most
recent to least recent.
Works best when your work,
volunteer, and academic
experience relate directly to the
type of job youre applying for.
Illustrates consistency in your
work history. If there are wide
gaps in your experience, this may
not be the best format for you.
Most popular resume style. The
majority of on-campus recruiters
and business employers prefer
this style.
Skills
Lists your experience based
on skill headings, which relate to
the job you are applying for.
Works best when you are trying
to break into a eld where you
have little or no experience. A
good choice for career shifters.
Actual work history is
summarized in a brief section at
the bottom of the page.
Focus is shifted away from
where and when you developed
particular skills.
The skills themselves are the
main attraction.
Hybrid
Combines the other two formats.
Can be organized in dierent
ways, but usually displays
experiences with descriptions
in reverse chronological order
grouped under skill headings.
Works best when there are
some consistent themes to
your experience (teaching,
leadership, marketing, etc.)
The benet of this format is that
it provides employers
with easily identiable skill
areas and a sense of your
history.
RESUME TIPS FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS
You may include work, leadership, and academic achievements from high school. By your third year in
college, college experiences should replace those from high school.
Dont worry about having limited work experience. You may highlight other accomplishments, such as those
listed under Resume Components, p. 26. Include some of the components marked optional.
First resumes require extra time to assemble. Expect to spend a few hours creating a rough draft, and make an
appointment with a career counselor or see a peer advisor to review your document.
Be patient with the process! Resumes are always a work in progress.

Job & Internship Guide 13-14
24
RESUME DOs AND DONTs
Do
Tailor your objective to include elements of the job
description for each position you are applying for
Focus on the specic results of your work, signicant
achievements, and recognition received
Use action verbs such as created or coordinated to
describe your experience
Get feedback from several people, including a
career counselor
Have somebody whose writing skills you trust proofread
your resume for spelling and
grammatical errors
Remember to describe both your paid and unpaid
positions and volunteer experiences
Exercise restraint rather than cramming too much
information onto a resume
Tailor your resume to each specic position
Use readable and common fonts
Dont
Use phrases such as Responsibilities included
Use resume templates included in word processing
software
Manipulate margins or font size to accommodate
information in place of proper editing
Include routine job duties such as making copies
Use long sentences or paragraphs
Submit the same resume to every employer, regardless of
the position
Write long objectives such as, To nd a sales position
at a medium sized corporation where I can grow and
develop my management skills
MAKING A CAREER SHIFT
Lets say you worked as a restaurant host for the past
two years; now you want to nd an internship in human
resources. How can you make the switch? By using your
transferable skills! Transferable skills are skills that youve
developed that can be used in many dierent settings. Here
are some examples:
Customer service and conflict resolution
Analytical and problem solving ability
Teamwork and leadership
Written and verbal communication
Organizational skills and attention to detail
Research and presentation
Your list will be unique. Prior to writing your resume,
consider what skills youve developed that may translate
from one work environment to another. As you search for
jobs or internships, target job postings with these skills. Then
write out in detail the ways in which youve developed each
one. The case below illustrates how a restaurant host could
demonstrate some of the transferable skills that an employer
is seeking. Use it as a model for developing your own list of
transferable skills.
The Job Posting:
Join the Human Resources Team of Company X in the East
Bay as a Recruiting Intern. Must:
be eective at written and verbal communication
be procient in Word and Excel
be able to quickly learn computer programs
have ability to travel locally when needed
have punctual and consistent attendance
be willing to perform administrative duties
Relevant Skills Developed as a Restaurant Host
Written and Verbal Communication
Two years of assisting customers in a fast-paced, hectic
restaurant environment
Mediated conflicts using a customers rst approach to
ensure resolution and satisfaction
Developed a customer service handbook for hosts and
waitsta. Initiative resulted in being awarded Employee of
the Year.
Quick Learner/Computers
Mastered proprietary table service management system in
less than one week, increasing food service accuracy
Punctual/Good Attendance
Maintained perfect attendance record as a host and as a
residence hall peer counselor over a 3 year period

25
career.berkeley.edu
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EMAILING RESUMES
Before emailing your resume, try to nd out the
employers format preference. Some accept attachments;
others prefer your resume in the text of the email
message. If you cant nd out the employers preference,
send it both ways in one message. Unless you are told
otherwise, include a cover letter. Send the resume
and cover letter in one email message. See p. 37 for an
example email format.
When submitting a resume via an organizations website,
use the formatting and display style recommended by the
website.
To send your resume as an attachment:
Convert your document to a .pdf le to ensure
formatting stays intact
Give the document a name the recruiter will associate
with you, such as MillerJennifer.pdf Dont give it a
generic name like Resume.pdf
Be sure your document is virus free
To send your resume in the text of the email
message:
Save both the resume and cover letter as text
documents (.txt)
Put the cover letter rst
Do not use bold, underlining, bullets, distinctive fonts,
colored text, or html codes. Use asterisks, plus signs (+),
dashes, all capital letters, and combinations of these to
highlight text
Text resumes look plain and ordinary, but employers are
used to this. They are more concerned with whether
the content meets their needs
To make your resume scannable:
Some employers use resume database tracking systems.
They scan incoming resumes (sometimes letters, too)
into a database and when they have openings, retrieve
resumes using relevant keywords. Some companies will
indicate on their website if they scan resumes and often
provide formatting tips.
Include industry or job-specic keywords, especially
relevant skills, major, specic areas of study, and
experience (e.g., marketing research, java, html, sales,
gel electrophoresis).
Use 10 to 12 point font size. Do not use italics,
underlining, fancy fonts, bullets or multiple columns.
Use all bold or capitals for emphasis.
When submitting a hard copy by mail, print it on white
paper with a laser printer.

RESUME CHECKLIST
STOP! Dont submit your resume until you have
checked o this list!
Are your name, address, city, state, zip code, phone
number and email address at the top of the page?
Is the resume pleasing to the eye with an easy-to-
read font, and good layout? Can an employer learn
the basics about you with a 10 second glance at it?
Did you use bullets, bold, all capitals, and
underlining to highlight the parts you want to
emphasize (e.g., job titles)?
Did you tailor your resume for the position by
including key skills and experiences the employer
wants?
Is information listed in order of importance and
relevance to the requirements listed in the job
description?
Does the resume avoid generalities and provide
specic information about context, actions taken,
and results?
Do most phrases begin with action verbs such as
developed, initiated, etc.?
Have you been accurate and truthful about your
accomplishments rather than being too modest or
exaggerating?
Did you check the spelling of every word and make
sure the grammar and punctuation are correct?
If you know your resume will be scanned, did you
omit columns, underlining, and bullets?
Have you had a Career Center counselor or peer
advisor critique it?
If you were the employer, would you call you for an
interview?
to
do
Job & Internship Guide 13-14
26
RESUME COMPONENTS
COMPONENT BASICS COMMENTS
Identifying Data Put name, street address, email address and
phone or message number at the top of the
page (include area codes and zip codes).Can also
include personal web page if relevant.
Voicemail message, email address, and website content
should be appropriate for a potential employer. Dont
answer the phone during a job search unless you are in an
appropriate environment.
Education Name of school, major, degree received,
graduation date, projected graduation date, or
dates of attendance if degree was not completed.
Include any course titles relevant to the targeted position.
Honors and grade-point average are optional; include if
among your strong points. If you attended more than one
school, list the most recent rst. You dont have to list all
the schools you have attended nor high school. Additional
education and training may either go here or under a
separate heading.
Experience/Work
History
Paid and unpaid work qualify as experience.
Emphasize tasks, skills, abilities, and
accomplishments related to the targeted position.
Give the job title, employing organization, and
dates of employment.
Present achievements, contributions, and results (e.g.,
streamlined a procedure or made a cost-saving suggestion).
Optional componentsuse if appropriate for your background and the employers youre targeting
Job Objective A one-line description of the type of position you
want.
Follows your name, address and phone number at the top
of your resume. Should be specic rather than a general
statement of your interests.
Skills & Abilities
or Summary of
Qualications
Foreign languages, computer skills, oce
skills, lab techniques, or transferable skills not
mentioned elsewhere in the resume.
Skills and abilities can be combined under one heading or
listed separately. Make sure your list includes concrete
examples of your abilities.
Languages Mention if you are procient or fluent in a foreign
language.
If you understand a language but are not fluent, still
mention it. For example: fluent in Russian, conversational
Spanish, or basic French.
Activities & Interests In reverse chronological order, list student
activities/organizations,professional associations,
and committees in which you have participated.
List any oces that you held with the skills you
used.
Include activities and interests that show leadership or
initiative or that pertain to your career focus.
Community
Involvement/
Volunteer Activities
List oces held, organizations, projects, and
accomplishments.
If the setting is political or religious, you may want to use
generic descriptions (e.g., Youth Leader for church, Speech
Writer for City Council candidate). If substantial, these may
be listed under Experience.
Honors Recent graduates and continuing students can
include academic honors such as Deans List,
honor societies, and scholarships.
Can be listed separately or under Education.
Research &
Publications
Briefly describe relevant research projects. List
published articles, papers or books.
Class Projects List relevant projects completed in college
classes. List any research, lab skills, or software/
programming languages used.
This shows that you have hands-on experience and is a good
strategy for younger students with limited experience.
Travel Include if your career interest involves travel or
knowledge of other cultures.
You can use this as a way of distinguishing yourself if you
have signicant travel experience.
References/Portfolio It is not necessary to end your resume with
the phrase, References Available on Request,
but this is the best place to state that you have
Portfolio and/or writing samples available on
request.
Create a separate page for references, see p 38. List names,
titles and contact information. Always ask permission
before using anyones name as a reference. Include people
who know about your work-related abilities, such as former
employers, volunteer project supervisors, and faculty. Do
not use relatives or friends.
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Management
administered
analyzed
assigned
attained
chaired
consolidated
contracted
coordinated
delegated
developed
directed
evaluated
executed
improved
increased
organized
oversaw
planned
prioritized
produced
recommended
reviewed
scheduled
strengthened
supervised
Communication
addressed
arbitrated
arranged
authored
collaborated
convinced
corresponded
developed
directed
drafted
edited
enlisted
formulated
influenced
interpreted
lectured
mediated
moderated
negotiated
persuaded
promoted
publicized
reconciled
recruited
spoke
translated
wrote
Research
claried
collected
critiqued
diagnosed
evaluated
examined
extracted
identied
inspected
interpreted
interviewed
investigated
organized
reviewed
summarized
surveyed
systematized
Technical
assembled
built
calculated
computed
designed
devised
engineered
fabricated
maintained
operated
overhauled
programmed
remodeled
repaired
solved
upgraded
Teaching
adapted
advised
claried
coached
communicated
coordinated
demystied
developed
enabled
encouraged
evaluated
explained
facilitated
guided
informed
instructed
persuaded
set goals
stimulated
trained
Financial
administered
allocated
analyzed
appraised
audited
balanced
budgeted
calculated
computed
developed
forecasted
managed
marketed
planned
projected
researched
Creative
acted
conceptualized
created
customized
designed
developed
directed
established
fashioned
founded
illustrated
initiated
instituted
integrated
introduced
invented
originated
performed
planned
revitalized
shaped
Helping
assessed
assisted
claried
coached
counseled
demonstrated
diagnosed
educated
expedited
facilitated
familiarized
guided
motivated
referred
rehabilitated
represented
Clerical or Detail
Oriented
approved
arranged
catalogued
classied
collected
compiled
dispatched
executed
generated
implemented
inspected
monitored
operated
organized
prepared
processed
purchased
recorded
retrieved
screened
specied
systematized
tabulated
validated
More Verbs for
Accomplishments
achieved
expanded
improved
pioneered
reduced (losses)
resolved (problems)
restored
spearheaded
transformed
from The Damn
Good Resume Guide
by Yana Parker,
Berkeley:Ten Speed
Press
Words in bold are
especially good
for pointing out
accomplishments.
VERB LIST FOR
RESUMES & LETTERS
Job & Internship Guide 13-14
28
Your Name
Street Address
City, State Zip
student@berkeley.edu
contact phone
OBJECTIVE
If included, it should be specic to the job you are applying for
QUALIFICATIONS
Number of years relevant experience, noting skills gained
An important accomplishment that directly relates to the job
A quality or characteristic of yours that supports this goal
EDUCATION
University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts/Science, Name of Major Graduation date: Mo/Yr
Minor or Concentration
Overall GPA and/or Major GPA
Related Coursework: Course Title, Course Title, Course Title
EXPERIENCE
Position Title Mo/Yr Mo/Yr
Company/Organization Name, City, State
Use bullet points to describe your accomplishments (paragraphs can work as well, although bullets will lead the
readers eyes easier)
Always start your statement with action verbs add adjectives to emphasize
State an accomplishment that demonstrates your skills in this eld/position
Illustrate a problem you solved using relevant skill(s) and the results
An example of when you used your skills to positively aect the organization, the bottom line, your boss, or your
clients
Leadership Title Mo/Yr Mo/Yr
Student Organization, UC Berkeley
A project youre proud of that supports your objective
Quantiable results that point out your skills
Awards, commendations, publications, etc. that speak to your accomplished skill
Volunteer Title Mo/Yr Mo/Yr
Community Service Organization, City, State
Be consistent with punctuation and format
Use present tense verbs for current positions and past tense verbs for previous positions
LEADERSHIP
Title, Student Organization Name, UC Berkeley Mo/Yr Mo/Yr
Volunteer, Community Organization, City State Mo/Yr Mo/Yr
SKILLS
Demonstrated experience with
Procient in
Use an appropriate
email and voicemail.
RESUME TUTORIAL
chronological format
A Qualications
section is optional.
Use only if you have
signicant skills that
relate to the job
description.
Other Possible Section Headings
Research Volunteer
Professional Aliations Interests
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Anna Lee
333 unlverslLy Ave.|8erkeley, CA 94720|(333)333-3333|sLudenL[berkeley.edu
OBJECTIVE
1o obLaln a full-ume posluon as a nanclal analysL
EDUCATION
University of California, Berkeley
Haas School of Business
8achelor of Sclence, 8uslness AdmlnlsLrauon (CA: 3.64) May 2014
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
- SLrong background ln research and analysls developed Lhrough work experlence and courses
- Lxperlence worklng on case pro[ecLs ln nanclal accounung and corporaLe nance classes
- roven ablllLy Lo muluLask ln a busy corporaLe envlronmenL
- roclenL ln Lxcel, owerolnL, and 8loomberg
EXPERIENCE
Investment Intern, 8AL llnanclal Servlces, Crange, CA May 2013 - AugusL 2013
- ueveloped and lmplemenLed nanclal plans for lndlvlduals, buslnesses, and organlzauons by uullzlng knowledge
of Lax and lnvesLmenL sLraLegles, securlues, lnsurance, penslon plans, and real esLaLe
- repared and submlued documenLs Lo lmplemenL plan selecLed by cllenL, and malnLalned conLacL wlLh cllenL Lo
revlse plan based on modled needs of cllenL or changes ln lnvesLmenL markeL
- ConducLed research on varlous lnvesLmenL company funds ln Lhe markeL Lo recommend Lhe besL posslble
producLs Lo cllenLs
Case Compennons, Paas School of 8uslness AugusL 2012 - May 2013
1st Place: Morgan SLanley 1echnology lnvesLmenL 8anklng Case Compeuuon, lall 2012
- ConducLed dlscounLed cash ow and publlc comparables analyses Lo deLermlne Lhe besL sLraLeglc
recommendauon for Llnkedln's lC, analyzed compeuuve landscape, lndusLry Lrends and lC markeL
Finalist: Coldman Sachs lnvesLmenL 8anklng Case Compeuuon, lall 2012
LEADERSHIP
Treasurer, undergraduaLe llnance Assoclauon AugusL 2012 - presenL
- LxperLly manage cash ows of Lhe organlzauon from membershlp fees, ASuC alloLmenL and annual evenLs
- Acuvely auend weekly meeungs, conLrlbuung Lo conversauon and sharlng lnformauon wlLh peers abouL
opporLunlues and acuvlues surroundlng careers ln nance
Acnve Member, lnLernauonal Assoclauon of 8uslness CommunlcaLors AugusL 2012 - presenL
ADDITIONAL SKILLS & INTERESTS
Computer: 8loomberg, Lxcel, Access, owerolnL, Word, C++, P1ML
Languages: lluenL ln Mandarln
Interests: Avld vocallsL, palnLer and phoLographer
A summary may be
included if you have
specic skills and
experiences the job
description asks for.
If you include an
objective, make it clear
and concise.
CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME
Job & Internship Guide 13-14
30
CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME
with project highlights
Diana Ross
555 Cedar Street diana.ross@berkeley.edu
Redwood City, CA 94077 (650) 555-5555
OBJECTIVE Environmental Engineer
EDUCATION University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Science: Civil & Environmental Engineering (Cum. GPA 3.15), December 2014

Caada College, Redwood City, CA
Studied general engineering curriculum (Cum. GPA 3.5), August 2010 - December 2012
SKILLS Computer: AutoCAD, MATLAB Programming, MS Oce Suite
Language: Fluent in Spanish
DESIGN Design of Environmental and Water Resource Systems Course
PROJECTS Designed a system that consisted of pipes, pumps, and a reservoir to transport water
from one location to another. Devised a water supply system in a ctitious town to provide
potable water. Developed a restoration project for a portion of Peralta Creek in the city of
Oakland along with expanding an existing park located near the creek.
Math, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) Program
Planned, designed, and constructed a wheelbarrow storage for the community of the
Homeless Garden Project, a non-prot organization that helps homeless people in Santa
Cruz help themselves. Observed the clients concerns and needs and examined all possible
solutions. Built the most favorable design within allocated budget.
EXPERIENCE San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Bruno, CA, June 2013 - August 2013
Intern
Conducted lter inspections to ensure proper lter performance and maintenance. Eciently
and professionally assisted lab chemist with chlorine decay tests every month. Operated lab
equipment to test concentrations of chemicals. Independently developed a monthly lter
performance report.
LEADERSHIP Caada College, Redwood City, CA, August 2010 December 2012
Campus Ambassador, Outreach Department
Provided courteous and helpful assistance with campus resources, to new and continuing
students. Helped coordinate outreach programs for high school students, setting up events,
scheduling sta and communicating details to managers. Gave weekly tours to 50+ visitors
at a time and participated in student panels. Provided guidance to students about the
admissions and nancial aid processes.
Workshop Facilitator, MESA Program
Tutored and facilitated academic workshops with Physics and Calculus students. Advised
and motivated students about college success and resources.
Peer Counselor, Psychological Services
Collaborated in the development of a new program for at-risk adolescents. Visited community
agencies throughout the county to promote this program in the community. Formed and
organized a group of students and solicited their opinions and ideas to implement into design
of program. Created a community resource guide. Served on the Advisory Committee for
the program.
Include a Projects
section to show
applied experience and
knowledge.
You may choose to
include community
college if you studied
a complementary
subject or have
siginifanct
experience there.
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Jayden Hien Yoon 5555 Dwight Way Berkeley, CA 94704
(916) 555-5555 student@berkeley.edu
EDUCATION
University of California, Berkeley (12/14)
Major: Bachelor of Science in Integrated Biology; emphasis in Human Biology
Minor: Chemistry; Theatre, Dance, and Performance studies
GPA: 3.54
Coursework: General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology, Biology of Human Reproduction, Comparative
Endocrinology, Hormones and Behavior, Physics, Calculus
LAB SKILLS
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Thin Layer Chromatography
Mass Spectrometry Polymerases Chain Reactions
Gel Electrophoresis Dissection
Organic Synthesis
EXPERIENCE
Chemistry Tutor (9/12-Present)
Student Learning Center, UC Berkeley
Work with a team of experienced students to tutor both individually and in groups in subjects such as General
Chemistry and Organic Chemistry
Prepare mock lectures to teach complex Organic chemistry reactions to Berkeley students
Develop original problem sets to further illustrate concepts; well-received by students
Grader (Chemistry lab) (9/11-5/12)
American River College, Rockland, CA
Meticulously checked and graded over 100 lab books per week, paying close attention to details and returning to
professor on time each week
VOLUNTEER
Volunteer, Urgent Care at San Francisco General Hospital (7/12-Present)
San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco
Using care and compassion, assist healthcare providers and nursing sta with patient care
Direct patients and their families to specic departments of the hospital, answering
questions and making referrals to other departments
Monitor the health conditions of patients in the waiting room and report any dangerous
changes in the health or behaviors of the patients to nurses
Volunteer, Vitas Innovative Hospice Care (7/12-Present)
Various locations, Berkeley
Assist elders with their daily needs related to mobility, food-serving, and cleanliness
Aid in emotional and spiritual support for patients with life-limiting illness and bereavement support for families
Prepare weekly reports for Hospice Care regarding behavioral and physical changes of elders
Mongolian Community/Mission Service Trip (Summer 2010)
Mongolia
Collaborated with seminary students to understand and communicate with native speakers more eectively
Worked with a team of 11 American and 9 Mongolian studentsto build tents and ranches for the Nomads
Executed a variety of programs to engage and teach college students at Mongolian State University of Agriculture,
taking initiative to connect and interact with them
CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME
Include a summary
of lab skills for an
employer to quickly
showcase your skills.
Related volunteer work
can show both applied
knowledge and care
for the community.
Job & Internship Guide 13-14
32
Edward Vigil
123 Main Street | Los Gatos, CA 95032 | student@berkeley.edu | (408) 555-5555
EDUCATION
University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts, Cognitive Science and Linguistics | GPA 3.79 May 2014
Pontical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Study Abroad. July-December 2012
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Research Assistant, Aective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, UC Berkeley January 2013-present
Collected, manipulated, and classied images into emotional and semantic categories for experimental stimulus sets
Assisted fMRI scan sessions with subjects, including careful and ecient pre-scan equipment set-up and attentive eye-
tracking and bio-data collection during scans
Used SPM software to accurately dene specic brain area as Region of Interest from previous fMRI scans
Helped design and co-execute two-part behavioral study, collecting behavioral data from a total of 60+ subjects (and
counting) for honors thesis project
Attended and actively participated in weekly two-hour lab meetings, in addition to initiating and participating in smaller
group meetings to communicate ongoing updates and issues of tasks in progress
Extern, North Oakland Community Charter School, Oakland January 2013
Observed special education resource teacher duties, including meetings with parents and teachers, lessons with
individual students and small groups, and ad hoc academic and behavioral guidance of students in class
Assisted in reading, writing, and math tutoring and behavioral guidance of troubled students in grades 2-8 during
lessons
Volunteer, Ruca Rayn School (for severely disabled youth), Santiago, Chile August-November 2012
Cheerfully assisted class of 5-10 students in daily activities
Provided one-on-one help with meals and hygiene, participated and guided students in games, songs, and crafts
Volunteer, Fundacin San Nectario (school for autistic children), Santiago, Chile August-November 2012
Assisted with PE class and recess, crafts and cooking, occupational therapy, school-wide cultural activities; maintained
positive attitude and mentoring demeanor
Research Assistant, Infant Cognition and Language Lab, UC Berkeley January 2011-May 2011
Recruited and patiently managed infant and toddler subjects
Designed and set up studies, created experimental stimuli
Mentor, Longfellow Middle School, Berkeley September 2010-May 2011
With dedication and reliability, tutored and mentored one middle school student, punctually chaperoned weekend
events
and enthusiastically volunteered at concession stands
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Traveled internationally since 1992. Places visited include Canada, Mexico, India, France, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Scotland,
Netherlands, Switzerland, Paraguay, Chile, and Argentina.
SKILLS AND INTERESTS
Programming: Fluent in Java, Scheme. Procient in Jess, Python, Matlab
Software: Microsoft Oce, Macromedia Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Mathematica, SPSS (introduced Spring 2013)
Languages: Fluent English, Bengali, Spanish; Procient Hindi
Interests: singing, piano (14 years), karate (9 years), reading ction, knitting

Using a Relevant
Experiences section
shows the employer the
direction you want your
CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME
Always include study
abroad experiences.
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CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME
Lawrence Liu
5678 Dwight Way Apt #101 Berkeley, CA 94704 858.555-5555 student@berkeley.edu
____________________________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATION
University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (GPA: 3.73); Bachelor of Arts, Cognitive Science (GPA: 3.40), expected May 2015
Relevant Courses
-Negotiation and Conict Resolution, Spring 2014 -Personality Psychology, Fall 2013
-Diversity in the Workplace, Spring 2014 -Social Psychology, Summer 2013
-Intro to Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Fall 2013 -Clinical Psychology, Spring 2013
-Research & Data Analysis, Fall 2013
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Clinical Research Intern, July 2013- Present
STAR Tobacco Research Study with Professor Taylor, Stanford University School of Medicine
Administer psychological assessments and a quit-smoking computer intervention program to
psychiatric patients in a sensitive manner
Maintain 300+ patient data with an online client management database (ACT!)
Schedule longitudinal follow-up appointments at Alta Bates Medical Center using Outlook
Research Assistant, June 2013- Present
Culture and Family Lab with Professor Zhou, UC Berkeley
Accurately translate and back-translate assessment materials (Mandarin Chinese and English)
Recruit preschool-age bilingual children and conduct one-on-one language and psychological assessments
Research Assistant, May 2012- June 2013
Relationships and Social Cognition Lab with Professor Ayduk, UC Berkeley
Recruited and interacted extensively with research participants while safeguarding their condentiality
Operationalized participants verbal and non-verbal behavior into quantitative data
Performed scrupulous data collection, data entry and data analysis; maintained records of research procedures and results
Expertly managed databases such as, Qualtrics, Psychology RPP, and Survey Monkey
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Administrative Assistant, January 2012- Present
Department of English, UC Berkeley
Provide excellent administrative support to 57 faculty and 11 sta with demonstrated ability to improvise and meet
demanding deadlines
Respond to a high volume of both telephone and walk-in inquiries with friendliness and professionalism, referring clients to
appropriate resources
Extensive use of Filemaker database for book ordering and record keeping
Pioneered method to store paper-based and electronic documents properly for future reference; improved eciency
LEADERSHIP
Public Relations Committee Chair, August 2012- June 2013
Taiwanese American Student Association, UC Berkeley
Developed committee goals to achieve the clubs public relations goals and enhanced personal relations among members
Publicized club activities and projects among the community through yer designing and distributing
Promoted the image and the mission of the organization through extensive event publicity and outreaching
SKILLS
Computer skills: Excellent with Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Filemaker Database and Adobe Photoshop
Language skills: Native prociency in both spoken and written Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese; Intermediate spoken and
written French
Adding a Courses
section can beuseful
when applying to
internships to show
employers your
academic foundation.
Job & Internship Guide 13-14
34
SKILLS RESUME S
Lucy White
6789 uwlghL Way ApL. 3, 8erkeley, CA 94704 | sLudenL[berkeley.edu | (408)333-3333
Lducanon
University of California, Berkeley
uegree: 8.A. Applled MaLhemaucs ( CA:3.862) May 2014
Ponors: uean's Ponors LlsL, nauonal MerlL Scholarshlp Wlnner
Coursework: uaLa SLrucLures and rogrammlng MeLhodology, ConcepLs ln Compuung wlLh uaLa, ulscreLe
MaLhemaucs, LmclenL AlgorlLhms and lnLracLable roblems
UC Lducanon Abroad rogram, ek|ng Un|vers|ty !une 2012 - !uly 2012
Coursework: Chlnese language
Summary of ua||hcanons
- rogrammlng: Skllled ln programmlng ln yLhon, !ava, and 8, famlllar wlLh unlx, SCL, xML, and !SCn
- CompuLer: Lxperlenced ln uslng MS Word, MS owerolnL, MS Lxcel, and Adobe hoLoshop
- Leadershlp: Led and worked ln groups of volunLeers conslsLenLly LhroughouL hlgh school and college
- Communlcauon: CuLsLandlng skllls obLalned Lhrough professlonal work and leadershlp acuvlues
- Language: lluenL ln Mandarln Chlnese, baslc speaklng, readlng, and wrlung skllls ln Spanlsh
Skills and Accomplishments
Programming
- ueveloped games and a Scheme language lnLerpreLer ln yLhon
- SlmulaLed an Lnlgma clpher machlne and loglc puzzle solver ln !ava
- CbLalned ample experlence ln debugglng programs ln yLhon, !ava, and 8
- erformed algorlLhmlc analyses on programs ln order Lo lmprove emclency
Data Analysis
- SynLheslzed daLa lnLo an lnLeracuve map uslng 8 and a Coogle LarLh map uslng kML
- Acqulred daLa by daLa mlnlng webslLes and organlzed lnLo daLabases uslng SCL
- erformed daLa slmulauons and used sLausucal modellng Lechnlques Lo analyze large seLs of daLa
Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills
- 1uLored and communlcaLed eecuvely wlLh sLudenLs of dlverse backgrounds and grade levels, ensurlng
undersLandlng of maLerlal
- Led volunLeer acuvlues aL nonproL evenLs and local communlLy cenLers
- CollaboraLed wlLh a Leam of employees aL Lhe uC 8erkeley SLudenL Learnlng CenLer and Lconomlcs
ueparLmenL Lo provlde excellenL servlces Lo sLudenLs wlLh academlc need
Crgan|zanon and Adm|n|stranve Sk|||s
- CoordlnaLed weekly semlnars by promlnenL speakers aL Lhe uC 8erkeley ueparLmenL of Lconomlcs
- AsslsLed ln organlzlng a Lwo-day conference, a slx-monLh pro[ecL requlrlng excellenL ume managemenL skllls
- LxecuLed Lasks wlLh mlnlmal Lo no supervlslon whlle produclng deLall-orlenLed and accuraLe work
Work History
Student Assistant, uC 8erkeley ueparLmenL of Lconomlcs !uly 2011 - resenL
Math Tutor, uC 8erkeley SLudenL Learnlng CenLer !anuary 2012 - resenL
D|sab|ed Students rogram 1utor, uC 8erkeley ulsabled SLudenLs rogram AugusL 2012 - resenL
Choose skills and areas
tohighlight based
onwhat's listed in the
job description.
Including Work History
shows employers where you
developed some of
your skills.
35
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HYBRID RESUME
James Davis
123 East Street San Leandro, CA 94578 (510) 555-5555 student@berkeley.edu
EDUCATION: University of California, Berkeley
5/2014 B.A. Molecular and Cell Biology, Minor in Psychology, GPA: 3.70
EXPERIENCE: RESEARCH/WRITING
8/12-5/13 Research Assistant, Comparative Endocrinology Lab, UC Berkeley
Planned, organized and carried out long-term and short-term research
projects with minimal supervision; Quickly learned complicated laboratory
procedures; Analyzed and studied evolution of hormones, developing
expertise in metabolic pathways of thyronines
9/11-5/12 Research Assistant, Childrens Hospital of Oakland
Successfully executed molecular biology experiments involving DNA
sequencing and gene analysis; Maintained detailed records for procedural and
statistical purposes; Gained independent research and writing experience
1/11-5/11 Campus Relations Intern, UC Berkeley Oce of Public Aairs
Compiled Fellow articles from a variety of journals, magazines and
newspapers; Used InDesign to create pages; Developed proofreading skills

TEACHING
5/13-8/13 Teaching Intern, Break the Cycle, Berkeley, CA
Improved 1st grade students math skills through consistent and creative
teaching and curriculum development; Motivated 15 underachieving students
toward success in their annual district exams; Designed individual curricula,
focusing attention on methods that work well for this specialized population
9/11-12/11 Tutor and Teachers Aide, Edna Brewer School, Oakland, CA
Conceptualized and implemented a yearlong project for ESL students resulting
in a journal of autobiographical works for use as a learning tool for other ESL
instructors, historical archive, and a source of inspiration for other ESL
students; Drafted proposal to nance project, resulting in a full grant support
LEADERSHIP
9/12-12/12 Rush Chairperson, Chi Omega Sorority, UC Berkeley
Coordinated team of 10 in planning sorority recruitment; Implemented
marketing strategies promoting the benets of membership, resulting in
chapter membership increasing by 35%; Eciently managed budget for Rush
preparation week and Rush week
ACTIVITIES: Saxophone, UC Berkeley Jazz Band
Baseball, UC Berkeley Club Team
This hybrid resume combines
strengths of both skills
and chronological resume
formats.
Job & Internship Guide 13-14
36
FEDERAL RESUME TUTORIAL
The federal resume is not the same as a private industry resume: it averages 4 pages (for experienced
professionals); it MUST match a target announcement to stand out and eventually get referred to a supervisor.
Federal resumes must include month and year for experiences; list up to10 years of details about supervisors
and salary; education and certications listed in details (if you have that much). You can nd information about
federal positions here:
STUDENTS RECENT GRADS
usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads opm.gov/HiringReform/Pathways/program/graduates
FOR BEST RESULTS
Use the resume builder on usajobs.gov to create your resume; edit your resume before submitting
Read the vacancy description carefully for all duties and qualication
You must show that you have the minimum listed requirements - more is better
Review specic instructions to any status that may apply to you: student, disability and veteran
ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN A FEDERAL RESUME
JOB INFORMATION
- AnnouncemenL number and uLle and grade(s) of Lhe [ob you are applylng for.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
- lull name, malllng address (wlLh zlp code), and day and evenlng phone numbers.
- veLerans preference (lf appllcable a 00-214 ls requlred).
- 8elnsLaLemenL ellglblllLy (lf requesLed, auach Sl-30 proof of your career or career-condluonal sLaLus).
- CounLry of Cluzenshlp (mosL federal [obs requlre uS cluzenshlp).
EDUCATION
- College or unlverslLy. lnclude name, clLy and sLaLe, ma[ors, and any degrees awarded (only send college
LranscrlpLs lf Lhe posluon specles Lo do so).
- Plgh School. lnclude name, clLy and sLaLe, and daLe of dlploma or CLu.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- 8ead Lhe CuALlllCA1lCnS secuon of an announcemenL carefully.
- rovlde Lhe followlng lnformauon for your pald and non-pald work experlence relaLed Lo Lhe [ob
you are applylng for: [ob uLles (lnclude serles and grade lf a federal [ob), duues and accompllshmenLs,
employer's name and address, supervlsor's name and phone number, sLarung and endlng daLes (monLh
and year),hours per week and salary. lndlcaLe wheLher your currenL supervlsor can be conLacLed.
- locus on Lhe mosL recenL and relevanL posluons. Add accompllshmenLs, separaLe Lhe accompllshmenLs
from duues. lnclude Lhe duues rsL Lhen Lhe shorL llsL of accompllshmenLs.
- Add Lhe keywords from Lhe uu1lLS Anu CuALlllCA1lCnS SLC1lCnS lnLo your resume.
- PlghllghL key skllls ln ALL CAS or bold Lo lmprove readablllLy ln Lhe bullders.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
- !ob-relaLed Lralnlng courses (uLle and year).
- !ob-relaLed skllls, e.g., languages, compuLer soware/hardware Lools, machlnery, Lyplng speed.
- !ob-relaLed cerucauons and llcenses (currenL only).
- LlsL [ob-relaLed honors, awards, and speclal accompllshmenLs, for example, publlcauons, membershlps ln
professlonal or honor socleues, leadershlp acuvlues, publlc speaklng, and performance awards.
37
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EMAIL RESUME
Dear Ms. Simmons,
I enjoyed meeting you yesterday evening at the information session you held at UC Berkeley. Learning about
the manufacturing position and your company's goals for the future solidied my interest; I am certain that
my strong mechanical engineering training and work experience in a manufacturing setting make me an ideal
candidate. Per your advice, I submitted my application on-line this morning, but wanted to follow up with you as
well.
I believe that my problem-solving skills related to my strong technical coursework will enable me to be a strong
addition to your team this summer. As you can see from my resume, I have taken several relevant courses that
will give me the foundation needed to begin work quickly with your team. In addition, my internship at Raytek,
Inc. has given me a chance to not only perform in a professional environment, but exposed me to many similar
scenarios with product implementation that Widgets International will face.
I'd welcome the opportunity to talk further with you about how my skills and experience could benet Widgets
International. Please refer to my resume below for further evidence of my qualications. I look forward to
talking with you soon.
Sincerely,
John Chang
(510)555-5555
student@berkeley.edu
RESUME
EDUCATION
University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, May 2014
Honors: Pi Tau Sigma (Mechanical Engineering Honors Society)
PROJECTS
*Modeled aluminum tubing framework of a DNA machine and provided cost analysis, vendor information, and
component and assembly drawings
*Conceptualized and developed a prototype for a device used to prevent the disastrous eects of household gas
leaks
EXPERIENCE
RAYTEK, INC., Fremont, CA, May 2013-present
Manufacturing Engineering Assistant
*Performed daily maintenance and troubleshooting of a manufacturing line
*Researched and tested hardware and software scenarios for implementation
SPACE SCIENCES LABORATORY, Berkeley, CA, May 2012 - present
Mechanical Design Intern
*Designed a vacuum chamber and redesigned an oven hood for assembly of neutrino detectors for the Argonne
Labs
*Constructed a portable, modular high voltage power supply unit for use with detectors while testing
*Familiarized with high level clean room practices and procedures required for the cleaning of space systems
assemblies
Keeo text simple and
easy to read with no
bold, underlining, or
tabs. All text is justied
left. See p. 25 for more
guidelines.
Job & Internship Guide 13-14
38
REFERENCES
to give to employers upon request
MICHELLE ANDERSON
1253 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA 92134 510.555.4457 mander@berkeley.edu
REFERENCES
Deborah Smith
Director of Marketing
ADworks Corporation
2 Sacramento Plaza, Suite 2434
San Francisco, CA 94311
(415) 555-0477
deborah.smith@adworks.com
Philip Blass, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of California, Berkeley
Department of Psychology
3210 Tolman Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
(510) 555-3175
pblass@berkeley.edu
Sylvia Nunez
Tutoring Programs Coordinator
Berkeley Tutoring Center
695 College Ave.
Berkeley, CA 92431
(510) 555-4892
snunez@berkeleytutoring.com
For a polished look,
use the same header
style for your contact
information on your
reference sheet that
you use for your
resume and cover
letter.
In almost all cases,
you will NOT submit
references with your
resume. Instead
bring them to your
interviews to furnish
upon request.
Secure 3-5 references prior
to interviews. References
should be people who
have supervised you in an
academic or hands-on setting
like a job, internship, or
volunteer position. Friends,
family, and well-known people
who do not know you well are
not good referencesthey
can say little about your
potential for success.
39
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COVER LETTERS
A well written cover letter should always accompany
your resume or application. Its purpose is to introduce
you and expand on the experience in your resume. A
good cover letter should:
Include specic information about why you want to
work for the employer
Exemplify clear and concise writing skills
Demonstrate your knowledge of the position
Align your experience with the desired qualications of
the employer
Cover Letters for Job or Internship Listings
1. Know the employer
Research the employers organization to see how your
experience, skills, and abilities meet its needs. In your
cover letter, show why you are a good t. Send the
letter to a specic person whenever possible; otherwise,
use Dear Hiring Manager or Dear Members of the
Selection Committee.
2. Analyze the job description
Review the job responsibilities and qualications
carefully and design your cover letter to match these as
much as possible. Sometimes job listings are vague. In
these cases, draw from your experience of similar jobs
to infer what skills and abilities might be required or
research similar positions online.
3. Analyze your background
Think about your background in relation to the job
responsibilities and qualications. Ask yourself, What
have I done that is similar to what this job entails?
Consider courses taken, classroom projects, work
experience, summer jobs, internships, volunteer
experience, extracurricular involvement, and travel.
Be sure to indicate in the rst paragraph what position
youre seeking. If a specic person recommended you for
or alerted you about the position, include their name and
title up front. For example Jason Ryner, your Marketing
Manager, recommended that I apply for this position.
Prospecting Letters
If you are inquiring about possible openings, you are
sending an Inquiry or Prospecting Letter. Address your
letter to a specic individual, usually the person who
supervises the functional area where youd like to work.
Be as specic as possible about the type of position that
interests you. Ideally, your research will reveal the job
titles used by this employer. If not, use generic job titles
commonly understood in the eld.
COVER LETTER CHECKLIST
STOP! Dont submit your cover letter until
you have completed the following:
Write an original targeted cover letter for each
employer and position
State in the rst sentence why you are writing
Show that your career goals are aligned with both
the position and the organization
Make your points succinctly; every point should
support your readiness to contribute
Proofread for typos and accuracy of contact
information. Have another set of eyes review it too
Run Spell Check before sending your nal copy,
but remember that it does not catch everything
Follow up with the employer if you hear nothing
after 2-3 weeks. Inquire if any further information
is needed and reiterate your interest
HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER THAT
GOES NOWHERE
Make your introduction long winded and dont
include your job objective to cause confusion
about what youre applying for
Dont proofread your letter or use Spell Check.
This is very useful for those who claim to be
detail oriented
Ramble on about your experiences without
explaining why they are relevant. Dont mention
details that will let the employer know that you
understand what their company does or what the
job entails
Write more than one page, forcing employers to
hunt for your qualications
Explain what the employer can do for you, instead
of what you can do for them
Dont encourage the employer to contact you,
leave out contact information, and dont sign your
name at the end of the letter
Send the same generic cover letter to all employers
to
do

Job & Internship Guide 13-14
40
The following is intended as a guide. Cover letters should be unique and original.
?our name
SLreeL Address|ClLy, SLaLe Zlp|(Area Code) hone number|sLudenL[berkeley.edu
MonLh uaLe, ?ear
Lmployer's name
osluon or 1lLle
Company name
Lmployer SLreeL Address/.C. 8ox
ClLy, SLaLe Zlp Code
uear Mr./Ms./ur. LasL name of Addressee:
(noLe: lf no name ls avallable use a generlc uLle such as Puman 8esources Manager, Selecuon Commluee or
search Llnkedln for a P8 conLacL name)
Opening Paragraph
SLaLe Lhe posluon you are applylng for, how you found ouL abouL lL, and ask for conslderauon based on your
skllls and experlences you have Lo oer. lf you were referred by someone, sLaLe LhaL here. Make a general
sLaLemenL abouL belng a good candldaLe for Lhe [ob.
Middle Paragraph(s)
ln Lhls secuon, you wanL Lo bulld a connecuon beLween Lhe company's needs and your background and skllls.
Lxplaln why you have LargeLed Lhls parucular organlzauon. SLress whaL you have Lo oer, noL whaL you wanL
from Lhem. ldenufy Lhose parLs of your experlence LhaL wlll lnLeresL 1PlS employer. ?ou can draw auenuon Lo
relevanL course work, speclal pro[ecLs and campus acuvlues lf Lhey show dlrecL relauonshlp Lo Lhls posluon. uo
noL resLaLe whaL's ln your resume, raLher expand upon a speclc pro[ecL or accompllshmenL.
Closing Paragraph
8esLaLe your lnLeresL ln Lhls posluon and how your unlque quallcauons L Lhe posluon. 8equesL an lnLervlew,
or Lell Lhe reader LhaL you wlll conLacL hlm/her soon ln order Lo schedule a muLually convenlenL ume Lo meeL.
1hank Lhe reader for hls/her ume and conslderauon.
Slncerely,
1ype your name
The simplest way to
lay out your cover
letter is to align all
text to the left. Not
only is it simple, but it
looks professional and
polished.
Your Signature
COVER LETTER
suggested content & layout
41
career.berkeley.edu
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COVER LETTER
for an existing opening
Marty Lewis
345 Channing Way Apt #101 Berkeley, CA 94704 650.555-5555 student@berkeley.edu
________________________________________
October 1, 2013
Patricia Scott
Director, Human Resources
Yahoo!
896 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95003
Dear Ms. Scott:
I am excited to submit my application for the Training Specialist position I saw listed in Callisto. I am condent that my qualications
for this position merit your consideration.
As you can see from my resum, I will complete my bachelors degree in Business Administration from UC Berkeley in May 2014.
While this degree has provided me with a strong background in many aspects of business, it has also given me the opportunity to
demonstrate my abilities through practical experience.
As a Training Department Intern with UCSF, I was responsible for a new computer software education program. This project allowed
me to develop and rene my training and organizational skills while designing a program to teach basic software applications to users
with limited experience working with computers. The success of this program has been so overwhelming that the department has
integrated it into their new sta training course.
Although the enclosed resum thoroughly outlines my education and experience, I would appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate
in an interview my knowledge of employee training and development, initiative, and interpersonal skills. You can contact me at
(650)555-5555 to set up an interview. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Marty Lewis
Enclosure
Although its more
assertive to indicate
that you will call, its
best to wait for a
call if the employer
specically states no
calls in their listing.
Marty Lewis
Job & Internship Guide 13-14
42
COVER LETTER
prospecting for a position
333 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94765
susantdavis@berkeley.edu
(555) 555-7777
December 1, 2013
Mr. Earl Jones
Goodworks Agency
234 E Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 94567
Dear Mr. Jones:
I learned about Goodworks in the process of researching nonprots online. I have been seeking an organization whose
mission matches my desire to help low-income clients with practical matters and emotional support, and was inspired
by Goodworks range of services and successful track record. I am writing to see whether you would be interested in
hiring an intern this summer.
I am a junior at UC Berkeley, pursuing my BA in Sociology and a Spanish Minor, and considering an eventual career in
social work or nonprot management. Since August, I have been conducting HIV test counseling sessions as a volunteer
at the Berkeley Free Clinic. It has been rewarding working with people from diverse backgrounds, many of whom are
struggling to meet basic life needs, and to use my Spanish speaking skills. I would love to apply and further develop my
counseling skills while making a positive contribution at Goodworks.
I will be available to work up to 20 hours a week this coming summer and would welcome the opportunity to meet with
you to discuss the possibility of interning there. I will follow up on this letter in a week to see if we can set up a time.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Sincerely,
Susan T. Davis
Susan T. Davis
Keep the letter short
and to the point. The
reader is probably
very busy, and the
letter is just to get his
attention. Be assertive
in the closing.
Since you dont have a mutual
contact, you have to nd
another way to form a bond
with the reader. Establish that
you are interested specically
in this organization and
explain why you are targeting
them.
43
career.berkeley.edu
COVER LETTER
to a mutual acquaintance
Logan Silva
555 Rodeo Drive
Berkeley, CA 94532
logans@berkeley.edu
(510) 555-8765
December 17, 2013
Ms. Mary Smith
Striped Bass, Inc.
1010 Avenue of the Stars, Ste. 900
Los Angeles, CA 90000
Dear Ms. Smith:
Jane Jones, a friend and Senior Financial Analyst at Striped Bass, suggested that I forward my resume to you. Based on a
review of your website and my conversations with Jane about my educational training, work experience, and professional
interests, I believe I would t right in at Striped Bass. I am highly motivated to build a successful career in nance and hope
to contribute to the team at Striped Bass as a Financial Analyst.
My fascination with nance has grown steadily during my business school studies, driven mostly by my desire to understand
how business decisions are made. Beginning with my rst nance class and continuing with more in-depth study of
corporate nance and managerial accounting, I have come to see how nancial data can be used to make business decisions,
whether in launching a new product or acquiring a new company. I have also learned how important it is to keep a big-
picture perspective during the decision-making process. This duality appeals to me tremendously as it follows directly from
what I have been studying: business with its detailed focus on the company, and economics with its broad perspective on
industry and the marketplace. Working as a Financial Analyst with Striped Bass would be a natural extension of the academic
foundation I have gained.
My work experiences also reflect my desire to become involved with challenging projects such as those oered by your
organization. The opportunity at Striped Bass to participate in executing senior stas complex projects as well as eventually
leading my own is very appealing to me. At Boston Scientic, I created numerous forecast and inventory reports for the
Global Supply Chain Management team. This required signicant attention to detail and analytical work. I further developed
my communication and nancial skills by working on numerous cost eciency projects for the Microbiology department,
including the creation of a corporate-wide standing order matrix.
I would build upon these skills and experiences at Striped Bass and am condent that I would do outstanding work as
a Financial Analyst. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, as I would like to meet with you at your
convenience to discuss the possibility of full-time employment.
Sincerely,
Logan Silva
Logan Silva
Draw
attention
to relevant
skills and
demonstrate
when and
how you
used them.
For a unied look, use the
same presentation style for
your cover letter contact
information that you used
on your resume. Logan
centered all of his contact
information here as well as at
the top of his resume.
Begin with the name of your
mutual acquaintancethis
creates an immediate
connection.
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