PREPARING FOR THE SEARCH

PREPARING FOR THE SEARCH: Finding a job requires persistence and ingenuity. You will need to be patient and creative in preparing for your job search. To be properly prepared you will need to have three things at the ready:

- Your Cover Letter

- Your Resume

- Your Possible References

YOUR COVER LETTER : A good cover letter is an important portion of your application materials. This will advise potential employers of your interest in the position you are applying for while showing your knowledge of their company/corporation/institution. Each resume that is sent should have its own personalized cover letter. To find out more about writing a great letter of intent you can examine the following sites:

Cover Letter Etiquette: http://resume.monster.com/articles/letteretiquette/

Cover Letters That Sell: http://resume.monster.com/articles/lettersthatsell/

JobStar Central-Sample Cover Letters:
http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/clet-ex.cfm

CCLC's Resume/Cover Letter Info: http://careerservices.class.umn.edu/students/careerandmajorinfo/FAQ/rrq4.html#2a

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YOUR RESUME: A well written resume can open or shut doors for your career. Here are some wonderful websites that will assist you in the process:

CCLC's Resume site: http://careerservices.class.umn.edu/students/workopportunities/resume/index.html

1-2-3 Resumes: http://www.1-2-3-resumes.com/

College Grad Resumes: http://www.collegegrad.com/resumes/index.shtml

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YOUR POSSIBLE REFERENCES: A good reference is an essential portion of your application materials. This will assist potential employers in better understanding your interests and potential abilities in the position you are applying for while showing your impact on those around you. Great references should be on standby and ready upon request. References that you may want to have are:

Former/current employers that have been happy with your work

Faculty/Graduate Students with whom you have a good relationship

Internship supervisors with whom you have worked closely

It is always a great idea to include information about the job you are applying for (perhaps your cover letter) and a copy of your resume to potential references when asking them to write a letter of reference for you. You should also include a short letter asking them for a reference letter and thanking them for their efforts.

Great information on ways to gain respectable references through CCLC: http://careerservices.class.umn.edu/students/workopportunities/

Great information on ways to gain respectable references through Psychology: http://www.psych.umn.edu/undergrad/hb3.htm

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Updated 7/13/05