We provide workshops for job search strategies, cover letter and resume writing, and effective interviewing skills.

Resume Writing

Identifying Information

The top of the resume should include:

Name
Current address & telephone number, including area code
Permanent address and phone number
Email address
Optional: your Web page address

Objective

Although the objective is optional, it has the advantage of informing the recruiter or hiring manager, at a glance, the type of position you are looking for.

The resume objective should state:

1. the specific position you are seeking
2. the skills you wish to use on the job
3. The field or organization type by which you wish to be employed.

It is important to strike a balance between too much and too little information, taking into consideration the following: providing enough specific information for the reader to determine where to direct your resume, reserving your in-depth employment objective for the cover letter, avoiding phrases like “... a position in public relations or advertising”. Use a separate resume if you are applying in different fields with an objective appropriate for each field.

Education

As a current student or recent graduate of the American University of Beirut, you will probably want to highlight your education by placing this section near the top of your resume. This section must include the first three items listed below. The other entries are optional.

• Names of the degree granting institutions, listing first the most recent degree earned.
• Degree received and major.
• Graduation date or projection graduated date, or dates of attendance if no degree was completed
• Any minors, specialization or focus areas
• Overseas academic experience
• Courses that are relevant to the positions for which you are applying
• Honors and GPA are optional, although recommended if they are a strong selling point.
• Be sure to indicate GPA as based on a 4.0 scale. (e.g. 3.6/4.0)
• Senior research/ honors thesis title and often a brief description.
• This can also be listed in the EXPERIENCE section, if relevant.
• Unless you are a freshman or sophomore, high school is not generally listed.
• Exceptions do exist: if you received an award especially relevant to your job objective
• if you attended an extremely noteworthy high school
• if you are applying for a job in the geographic region of your high school

Experience

When describing your experiences, include:

• Title and description of the position
• Name of organization and location with city and country
• Dates of employment/involvement

Suggestions for Describing your Experiences

• Describe your experiences in terms of accomplishments including the variety of tasks performed and progressive increases in responsibility
• Be action oriented.
• Begin each sentence with an action verb (organized, developed, directed, etc.)
• Use nouns that convey key skills or knowledge areas
• (e.g. familiar with C++, proficient with Excel, fluent with English)
• Keep personal pronouns out of your description
• Quantify your experience whenever possible to demonstrate the scope of your responsibilities.
• For example, “planned and managed a budget of $10,000” or “supervised a crew of four.” Include paid jobs, internships, volunteer community service, extracurricular projects involving leadership or teamwork, special academic research or honors projects, etc.

High school experiences are usually more appropriate for freshman and sophomore students. However, important high school experiences which have some relevance to your job objective, and are not repeated or expanded upon in college, may be appropriate.

Additional Information(Optional)

This section can include languages, computer skills, interests, sports, extracurricular activities, volunteer experiences, etc. However, if one of these areas is especially relevant to your objective, you may choose to put it into a separate section.

Other Possibilities for Sections

Choose your headings based on your background and the qualifications you believe will be important or of interest to the employer. Be descriptive in your selection of a heading. Sample headings may include:

• Honors and Awards
• Professional Affiliations
• Publication
• Community Service
• Outstanding Accomplishments
• Summary (usually included near the top, listing specific skills, past experience, etc.)

References

If references are well will known to your reader, you may want to include their names on you resume. Usually, if references are requested, a separate reference sheet is paper clipped to your resume (or presented later in your job search if you are a finalist for a position). This should have your name at the top and list the names titles, addresses and phone numbers of you references. Remember that it is important to contact your references prior to submitting their names to potential employers.

Resume Format and Layout

There is no single, best way to set up your resume – the resume format you choose should present your strengths clearly. There are three basic resume formats: chronological, functional/skills, and combination.

Cover Letter

In essence, the cover letter provides you with an opportunity to:

• Introduce yourself and state your objectives
• Personalize your resume
• Highlight information that addresses the needs and interests on the employer

Bear in mind that the letters you write not only convey your interest and qualifications, but also give the employer an opportunity to observe your attentiveness to detail, spelling, grammar, and the overall quality of your written communication. Flaws in your letters will often be interpreted as flaws in your qualifications.

Checklist for Writing Good Cover Letters

A GOOD LETTER IS:

• Focused on the needs of the employer, not just your own.
• Individually typed and addressed using business-letter format and a letter-quality printer.
• Aesthetically appealing with careful attention to spacing and format
• Without errors or obvious corrections.
• Generally limited to one page, using paper identical to the one used for your resume (letter-quality printer paper or high quality bond is fine for both).
• Addressed to a specific individual with name, title, organization, and address all correctly spelled. Use “Dear Human Resource Manager” only as a last resort. Ideally you should try to identify the actual hiring manager and address your letter to that individual.
• Well worded, concise, and controlled in the use of the pronoun “I”.
• One that highlights your skills and abilities, and goes beyond being a mere restatement of what’s already on your resume.
• Able to demonstrate your knowledge of the organization.
• Clear on your objective.
• Originally worded and not copied verbatim from the attached samples.

Guidelines for the Basic Cover Letter

The best cover letters are short and to the point. Generally they contain three paragraphs, possibly four, as follows

OPENING PARAGRAPH: Who You Are and What You Want

Briefly introduce yourself, your major and degree anticipated. If you are aware of a specific opening, refer to it. If you are not aware of a specific position, state your area of interest. This paragraph can also be used to refer to the individual who recommended that you contact the organization, or other factors that you prompted you to write. If possible, convey why you are interested in the organization and anything you know about their products or service.

MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(S): Why You Are a Good Candidate

In one or two paragraphs, describe highlights from your background that would be of greatest interest to the organization. Focus on skills, activities, accomplishments, and past experience you can contribute to the organization and its work. If possible, demonstrate that you know something about the organization and the industry /field. Use action verbs that describe relevant skills/expertise you can contribute. Mention specific knowledge you may have, i.e, computer applications, foreign languages, lab techniques, writing/editing capabilities, etc. You are attempting to create a match or “notion of fit” between the employer’s hiring needs and your interests and experience.

CLOSING PARAGRAPH: Next Step You Will Take

Close your letter with a statement that you would like to discuss employment opportunities or other information with the individual and that you will call to follow up on your letter (demonstrates your initiative and follow-through, as well as helping you maintain some control of your efforts). Other points that can be made in the last paragraphs:

• Express your willingness to provide additional information
• State a specific time that you will contact them by phone
• Let them know if you are going to be visiting in their area on given dates
• Thank the person receiving your letter for their time and interests.