| Printing and photocopying resumes
and vitae |
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When your resume
or vita content is final, use a laser printer to get the highest
print quality and professional appearance. If your own printer
won't do the job, use a computer lab on campus or a professional
copy service. Even if you're submitting resumes to employers electronically,
when you have interviews it's always smart to show up with hard
copies. |
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Paper stock selection for photocopying |
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Choose resume bond paper
available at various local copy centers. |
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The paper can have a textured or smooth
finish; but avoid flecks or heavy texture that will not produce
a clear second generation photocopy. If recipients of your resume
want to copy it, make it easy for them. |
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Choose a conservative paper color
such as white, ivory, beige or ecru. |
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Don't use papers that are extremely
dark, bright or pastel. They don't convey a professional appearance. |
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You may also wish to buy a matching
paper stock for your cover letters, and matching envelopes. |
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Mailing your resume or vita |
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It is permissible
to fold your resume and mail it in a standard sized business envelope;
however, there are a number of good arguments for mailing your
resume in a 9 x 12 inch envelope, unfolded: |
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If you have used heavy resume paper
to reproduce your resume, folding sometimes causes the print to
crack on the fold line. |
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An unfolded document is easier to
photocopy. Make it easy for the employer to reproduce your resume
if s/he wants to. |
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If you are mailing a lengthy vita,
and/or have other enclosures when you mail your resume or vita,
it simply makes sense to use a large envelope and mail the materials
unfolded. |
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The cover letter |
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Never mail your resume
or vita without a cover letter. Even if you just spoke to
an employer on the phone, at a career fair, or otherwise, and put
your resume in the mail that same day, a cover letter is essential
for several reasons: |
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Don't assume you are the only person
to whom the employer has spoken. Busy people need a reminder of
why your resume is arriving in the mail. |
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Don't assume the person you spoke
to is the one who will open your envelope. A cover letter explains
why your resume is showing up in the mail. |
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A cover letter is a basic professional
courtesy. You are trying to present yourself as a person who is
ready to enter the professional world. You will be evaluated on
every detail of your behavior, conduct, presentation, and communication
skills. A cover letter exhibits your communication skills and reflects
your judgment and maturity. |
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A cover letter is an opportunity to
call attention to your strengths, interests and qualifications in
a different manner than you do in your resume. |
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A cover letter is personalized to
the individual to whom you are writing, while your resume is not. |
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| Also see: |
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Correspondence
for the job search for instructions and samples. |
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E-mailing
resumes |
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Purpose of the resume |
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Resume formats and samples |
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Resume software and templates |
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Vitae (curriculum vitae) |
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Length of your resume or
vita |
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Content / sections of your
resume |
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"Should I include
my GPA?" and other FAQs |
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Most frequent resume mistakes |
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Scannable resumes |
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Resume critiques |
