Application
Tips

Whether you are applying for college admission, a job, or a loan, you’ll want to make a favorable impression. Often, someone will make a decision that affects your life based only on your application.

Tips for a paper application…

•	Make a photocopy of the form, and use it for practice in pencil.
•	Fill in all blanks. Write N/A or place a hyphen in the space of any question that doesn’t apply to you.
•	Give only the information requested of you.
•	Answer all questions honestly and accurately.
•	Use only the space provided.
•	Proofread for spelling, punctuation, and accuracy. There should be ZERO errors.
•	Print neatly with black or blue ink on the error-free submitted application. 
•	Mail or hand-deliver to the appropriate individual.

Tips for an online application…

•	Same rules apply for content.
•	Assure that the application you’re filling out is legitimate.
•	Include no financial information like bank account information or credit card numbers.
•	Make sure you meet character counts when provided.
•	Be sure to have a professional email address. bgates@gmail.com is more professional than chewbaccafeet96@yahoo.com or cvbubblybabe18@hotmail.com 
•	Ensure your social profile—Google+, LinkedIn, Facebook—is current.
•	Remove any inappropriate content, references, or images from your social profile.
•	Have online versions of your résumé and references readily available.
•	Reread your complete application before hitting “SEND.”

Cover Letter Instructions

When submitting a résumé, you need to include a cover letter, which introduces yourself to the employer, explains why you are seeking the position, and highlights your qualifications.
	
Use full block form. Don’t indent any part of the letter. Double space between all sections and paragraphs.

P.O. Box 12
Carmel, CA 93922
September 3, 2013

Ms. Greta Grayson, Owner
The Dog Spa
2020 Denali Ave.
Monterey, CA 93940

Dear Ms. Grayson:

I learned about your job opening for a dog groomer on craigslist.com. The Dog Spa has an excellent reputation for customer service and grooming expertise, and it would be a privilege to work for you. I believe that my experience qualifies me. 

As you can see from my résumé, I am experienced in the care and grooming of dogs. I have three dogs of my own, for which I take complete responsibility. During middle school I also operated my own dog walking service. For several years I walked two large dogs, a Bernese mountain dog and a golden retriever, each twice a week for my neighbors. This experience prompted me to volunteer at the Monterey SPCA on the weekends where I exercised both the small and medium sized dogs. When I took a position at Pets-R-Us, I enhanced both my dog and people skills. I learned about pet products, customer service, and inventory. In addition to working as a sales clerk, I trained as an assistant dog groomer. My responsibilities included washing and brushing the dogs as well as trimming their nails. I also initiated a frequent grooming rewards program, which offers a free grooming session after every tenth appointment. For my good work, I was recognized as Employee of the Month in June.

While my long-term plans include studying biology at UC Davis and eventually becoming a veterinarian, my current goal is to gain hands-on experience with cutting and styling techniques by working as a groomer. I am grateful to Pets-R-Us for their training, but I would prefer to work for a small, privately owned business, such as yours. Because I am just completing my junior year at Carmel High School, I can commit to working full time during the summer, but I will need to cut back to part time when school resumes in August. 

I am available for an interview any weekday after 3:00 P.M. You can reach me at 277-1212 (cell) or by email at ehansen1234@gmail.com. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to becoming part of The Dog Spa team.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Hansen

Encl. résumé

Heading: Your address
City, State and Zip code
Full date

Four to seven spaces

Inside Address: Owner or manager, 
business name, address

Greeting, followed by a colon

Indicate the position, how you heard
about it, and your qualifications.

Show how your skills meet the
employer’s needs.

Request an interview, indicate how
to contact you, and thank the reader.

Closing

Leave four spaces to sign name

Print name

Indicate enclosures

Résumé Tips

The purpose of a résumé is to obtain an interview. It is like a personal advertisement, and in today’s competitive job market, you’ll need to create a résumé that is vivid and dynamic. You accomplish this by producing a succinct yet appealing document of your skills, performance pattern, and objectives.
	
Do								     Don’t

•	Keep it to ONE page.
•	Type it.
•	Design each résumé to fit the job or objective.
•	Use specific names, dates, numbers.
•	Use an attractive, accessible format.
•	Use clear language and concise phrases.
•	Use fragments.
•	Use active verbs and keywords.
•	Use proper spelling, punctuation, and usage.
•	Emphasize with bold type, underlining, white space, color, and indentations.
•	Communicate a sense of purpose, professionalism, competence, honesty, and enthusiasm.

INCLUDE:
•	Personal data (name, address, phone, email)
•	Job objective
•	Skills summary
•	Relevant work/volunteer experience
•	Educational history
•	Awards and achievements
•	Extracurricular activities
•	Hobbies (related to your objective)

•	Include false information.
•	Call attention to negatives.
•	Include lengthy phrases or sentences. 
•	Include personal pronouns.
•	Include irrelevant information.
•	Use clichés.
•	Include references.
•	Include salary history or expectations.

Sending Your Résumé

o	Proofread your document, and fix any errors.
o	Have your résumé proofread by another person.
o	Print your résumé on ONE side of an 8½-by-11 sheet of white, off-white, ivory, or light grey 20 to 50 lb. bond paper.
o	Include a letter of application or cover letter.
o	Direct your letter to a specific person. 
o	Send your documents in a matching No. 10 business envelope or a 9-by-12 envelope.
o	Type the mailing and return addresses.
o	Send your documents First Class or Priority Mail.	

Résumé Keywords       

If you want your résumé to be noticed, be sure to use keywords that showcase your skills and accomplishments. Active verbs do this best! Consult the list below in developing your résumé.

Achieved
Adjusted
Administered
Advised
Analyzed
Applied
Appointed
Appraised
Assessed
Assisted
Attended
Awarded
Built
Calculated
Catalogued
Chaired
Clarified
Communicated
Completed
Conceived
Conducted
Constructed
Controlled
Coordinated
Correlated
Corrected
Created
Defined
Delegated
Delivered
Demonstrated
Designed
Developed
Devised
Directed
Discovered
Earned
Edited
Effected
Encouraged
Engineered
Enlarged
Enlisted
Established
Evaluated
Excelled
Executed
Expanded
Explained
Familiarized
Financed
Formed
Fostered
Founded
Gained
Generated
Graduated
Guided
Headed
Highlighted
Identified
Implemented
Improved
Included
Incorporated
Increased
Initiated
Installed
Integrated
Interviewed
Interpreted
Introduced
Invented
Investigated
Launched
Led
Maintained
Managed
Mastered
Maximized
Modified
Motivated
Negotiated
Observed
Operated
Ordered
Originated
Participated
Performed
Planned
Prepared
Presented
Processed
Produced
Programmed
Proofed
Proposed
Provided
Purchased
Rated
Received
Recommended
Recruited
Reduced
Reorganized
Reported
Researched
Revealed
Reviewed
Revised
Selected
Served
Simplified
Solved
Spearheaded
Stated
Streamlined
Strengthened
Submitted
Succeeded
Suggested
Supervised
Supported
Targeted
Tested
Totaled
Tracked
Trained
Transformed
Transferred
Translated
Tutored
Unified
Updated
Verified
Won
Wrote

Reference 
Tips

It is important to develop a list of good references. Your references will be critical in helping you obtain jobs, college admission, or             acceptance to special programs.

•	The format and heading of your reference sheet should match your résumé.
•	Do not include your references on your actual résumé.
•	Include at least three references, but typically no more than five.
•	Update your reference list annually.
•	All references should be responsible adults who know you in a supervisory capacity.
•	References should be able to speak to your character, skills, and work habits.
•	Always ASK whether someone is willing to be a reference for you.
•	Once you have received approval to use someone as a reference, verify the address and phone number your reference wants you to use.
•	Most reference checks will be done by email, though some are still done by phone.

•	If you need an actual letter of recommendation, you should write a letter of request to the reference. Clearly explain the purpose of the letter. Provide your reference with a résumé or brag sheet, unless specifically indicated otherwise, as well as a stamped, addressed business-sized envelope, a contact name, and a deadline for mailing.
•	For college letters of rec., teachers should not require a brag sheet. Be sure to provide teachers with at least two or three weeks’ notice of your earliest deadline. The clock doesn’t start until teachers receive an email from the Common Application or the school itself, so plan ahead.
•	If someone writes you a recommendation letter, always follow up with a thank you letter or small gift.
•	Some recommendation letters are kept private. This is not a conspiracy against you. Rather, employers and colleges often feel the letter will be more honest if you are not privy to its contents.

Who makes a poor reference?

•	Anyone under 18
•	Personal friends
•	Family members
•	Anyone who cannot 
speak highly of you

Who makes a good reference?

•	Teacher
•	Coach
•	Counselor
•	Former employer
•	Religious leader
•	Family friend (with credible perspective)

Job Interview
Tips

Perhaps the most crucial step in being hired is a successful job interview. This is when you meet your potential employer face-to-face, and it is important to make a good impression.

Interviewing etiquette:

Be well groomed. Like it or not, your appearance affects the interviewer’s impression of you. Always bathe and wash your hair before an interview. Style your hair so that it doesn’t obstruct your eyes. Use deodorant, but avoid perfume. Brush your teeth. Groom and clean your fingernails. If you are applying to a conventional business, dress appropriately and conservatively. Women are advised to wear a dress or pant suit, low-heeled shoes, simple jewelry, and light make-up. Men are advised to wear a suit or dress shirt, tie, and slacks. For both genders, gaudy prints, tennis shoes, shorts, and provocative clothing should be avoided.

Be prepared. Think ahead of time about your responses to typical questions, such as the following: What are your strengths, weaknesses, and goals? What do you have to offer our company? What do you know about our company? Why do you want to work for us? What skills do you have to perform this job? Although the interviewer should already have a copy of your résumé, bring additional copies. Also bring your list of references, a copy of your application, driver’s license, school transcript, work permit, a pen, and even a writing sample. Arrange these documents in a nice folder or brief case. If you bring a purse to the interview, it should be small enough to keep in your lap.

Be on time, and go alone. Call ahead for directions, and leave early. Better to wait outside in your car for ten minutes than to be late and risk forfeiting your interview and your potential job. Plan for traffic. If you are using public transportation, check to determine the closest bus or train stop to the interview location. Find out whether you will need to walk a significant distance, and plan for this in your scheduling. If tardiness is unavoidable, contact the interviewer immediately to reschedule.

Be friendly. Greet each person you meet with a smile and a friendly, courteous tone. Introduce yourself, and state your purpose. If you are asked to wait, do so patiently. When you are called for your interview, introduce yourself to your interviewer, look her in the eye, and shake her hand firmly. Remember your interviewer’s name. Remain standing until you are invited to sit down. Set your briefcase or purse to the side of your chair, or keep it in your lap; do not put anything on the table, including your hands. Maintain good posture and eye contact throughout the interview. Be proper, but relaxed. Don’t fidget or stray from the conversation. Listen carefully and speak clearly. Avoid slang, profanity, and negativity. Let the interviewer lead the conversation. Elaborate on your answers, but don’t ramble. If you need clarification on a question, ask for it. Communicate confidence, but not arrogance. Only bring out documents if they are requested.

Be persistent. Before closing the interview, tell the interviewer how she can reach you. Find out the follow-up procedure, and respect it. If she says you will be contacted within three days, and you aren’t, then it is appropriate to call. Otherwise, be patient. Within a day of your interview, send a follow-up letter thanking the interviewer and reinforcing your interest in the job and company. This will keep your name fresh in the interviewer’s mind. If you don’t get hired, don’t be discouraged. Learn from the experience, and examine why you may not have gotten the job. Did you follow proper etiquette? Did you have the proper qualifications and skills for the job? Did you know enough about the company? Did you communicate confidence? Be honest with yourself, and apply what you have learned to your next interview. Don’t blame or disparage the company.