Prewriting for Résumés and Cover Letters
Though your reader begins with your cover letter and ends with your résumé, you need to work the other way around. Your first step is to create a general résumé that captures the most important details about your experience and education, for any job. Once you have a résumé, you can adjust it to fit a specific job opportunity. And then you can write a separate cover letter to apply for the job. Start by thinking about who you are.
Prewriting to Gather Details About Yourself
Before you write your résumé, you should think about your experiences and skills. At this point you don't need to worry about résumé sections or parallel structure or "telegraphic style." You just need to think about what you've learned, and what you have to offer employers. Answering questions can help.
- What three words would friends use to describe you and why?
They would call me "funny and intense and weird." I like to make jokes to get friends to laugh, but when I'm serious about something, I'm super serious. Also, I'm serious about things most people aren't, like whether food can touch on a plate or whether your toothbrush can go in a cup with others (it shouldn't).
- What three words would teachers use to describe you and why?
They would call me "hard-working, smart, and nice." I want to get good grades, so I work hard in class and on homework. That makes me come off as smart because I'm well prepared. But I'm also nice. I help other people who are having trouble.
- What would your dream job be?
I'd like to be an air-traffic controller, preferably in the Navy on an aircraft carrier. I love everything about airplanes, especially military airplanes, but I get motion sick, so I'd rather be controlling them than piloting them. An aircraft carrier is probably big enough I wouldn't get motion sick.
- What job are you best suited for right now?
I've been a lifeguard for two summers, so I know that job really well. I'd like to move up to be pool manager. It's a lot more hours but also a lot more pay. I could use the money for college.
- What experience do you have that suits you for the job?
Guarding, cleaning up the pool, staffing the front desk, being in the locker-rooms, repairs, filter cleaning, working with everybody, you name it. Also, I've been a stocker and bagger at Rioldi's for two years, so I know about hard work and following directions.
- What education do you have that suits you for the job?
I'm about to graduate high school. They want someone with at least a high school diploma. Also, I have Lifeguard Instructor certification. That's the latest one.
- Have you gotten any awards or honors?
I'm in National Honor Society and I've got a letter for Swim Team.
Gather details about yourself.
Answer the following questions to think about jobs you could do and the experiences and education that prepare you.
- What three words would friends use to describe you and why?
- What three words would teachers use to describe you and why?
- What would your dream job be?
- What job are you best suited for right now?
- What experience do you have that suits you for the job?
- What education do you have that suits you for the job?
- Have you gotten any awards or honors?
Prewriting to Explore Employment Opportunities
Next, you should find out what employment opportunities exist for you. You should start by asking people you know and trust if they are aware of any job openings that you should apply for. Often, friends, parents, teachers, and others will have inside information or would know a good point of contact. You can also think about local businesses that you like and might enjoy working for. Then, make sure to check local newspapers and online job postings.
You can use a gathering grid to collect the information you need.
|
Source of Information |
Possible Places to Work |
Jobs |
Points of Contact |
|
Friends |
Six Flags Moose Mountain |
Ride Operator Lifeguard |
Jacob's brother works there. Manager Jill Revel |
|
Parents |
Campground Pool New Wal-Mart Rioldi's Market |
Pool Manager Cashier/Stocker Stocker/Deli |
Mr. Carlson, Board Liaison ? General Manager Max Steiner |
|
Teachers/Coaches |
Vision Center Warehouse Oh-Kai-Dah Camp |
Warehouse Help Counselor |
Linda's dad does their IT. ? |
|
Favorite Businesses |
La Campanella Restaurant David's Sporting Goods |
Bussing/Dishes Stocking/Sales |
Janita is their daughter. ? |
|
Local Newspapers |
Parks Department |
Cleaning Crew |
Matt Becker, Director |
|
Online Job Posts |
Private Citizens |
Lawn Work Tutoring |
Mrs. Heime Peter Boone |
Find employment opportunities.
Complete a gathering grid like the one above. For each source of information, write one or more possible employers, jobs, and points of contact. If you don't have all the information, place a question mark and research to find answers.
Teaching Tip
To complete this activity, students will need to have access to the Internet. If all of them have cell phones, they could search at their desks. However, you might want to schedule this assignment in the computer lab or when students have access to tablets or other Internet devices.
Prewriting to Take the Employer's View
So, you've done a lot of thinking about your experience and education as well as jobs you might like to do. Now it's time to pick one or two of those jobs and think about the employer's perspective. Fundamentally, every employer wants employees who make life easier, not harder.
Go back to your gathering grid and pick an employer and a job. Then answer a set of questions to think about the employer's perspective.
- What employer and job will you profile?
Methodist Campground, Pool Manager
Job: Pool Manager
- Who is the contact person?
Contact Person: Mr. Carlson, Board Liaison
- What kind of employee would make life better for this contact person?
A pool manager who knows and does every aspect of the pool job, from guarding to scheduling to maintenance and even hanging and folding the flag. The manager should be able to run the whole place without the Board, but should report to them often and take direction from them. The manager should be reliable, hard working, fair, and punctual, and should get along well with everybody, from staff to patrons to daycare kids.
- What kind of employee would make life horrible for this contact person?
A supposed know-it-all who doesn't really know anything, who is too lazy to work, who won't listen, who causes drama, who is always late, who leaves the pool a filthy mess and makes patrons mad
- What would be a bad day in the life of this employee, and what would the contact person expect the employee to do about it?
A bad day for a pool manager would be a serious injury, like a broken neck. The manager should lead the team in rescuing the person using a back board to minimize trauma, while someone calls 911. The manager should lead the team in administering first aid while waiting for first responders. After EMTs take the person away, the manager should fill out an incident report, report to the Board, and follow up with the patient. The manager also should be prepared to offer appropriate comments to local press while respecting patron's rights and avoiding legal trouble.
- What experiences, education, skills, and qualities do you have that would make life better for this employer?
I have my Lifeguard Instructor certification and am working on EMT certification. I can lead teams, stay calm in crisis situations, and solve complicated problems. I work hard to do things right.
Take the employer's perspective.
Answer the following questions to think about the employer's point of view.
- What employer and job will you profile?
- Who is the contact person?
- What kind of employee would make life better for this contact person?
- What kind of employee would make life horrible for this contact person?
- What would be a bad day in the life of this employee, and what would the contact person expect the employee to do about it?
- What experiences, education, skills, and qualities do you have that would make life better for this employer?
Teaching Tip
Point out to students that many interviewers ask a question based upon item 5 above: "Suppose a diver broke his neck one afternoon. Tell me what you as pool manager would do." This worst-case scenario approach assesses a person's ability to handle the stresses of the job in a constructive, appropriate fashion. If students have worked through a few such scenarios in their heads, they will be better prepared to answer such a question.