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Resume Writing

Resume Writing Made Easy

Welcome to your roadmap for crafting a standout resume and an attention-grabbing introduction letter or email. Whether you're a high school student diving into career exploration or gearing up for your first professional gig, this webpage is your secret weapon. We'll walk you through each step, offering tips and tricks to make your resume shine and your introduction irresistible. Get ready to unlock opportunities and take your first steps towards success!

Resume Writing

Why You Need a Resume

A resume is like your superpower in the job world—it shows off your skills and makes employers go, "Wow, we need this person!" It's a short document that tells your story and helps you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs or internships.

What Your Resume Should Include

  1. Your Contact Stuff: Put your name, phone number, email, and maybe your cool LinkedIn profile (if you have one).

  2. Your Goal or About You: Say a little about what you're aiming for in your career or sum up what makes you awesome in a few sentences.

  3. School Stuff: Drop your school name, when you're graduating, and any cool stuff you've done there (like clubs or projects).

  4. Job Stuff: List any jobs you've done (even if it's babysitting or mowing lawns), volunteer gigs, or stuff you've done at school that shows you're a superstar.

  5. Your Skills: Talk about what you're good at, like teamwork, being organized, using computer stuff, or anything else that makes you awesome.

  6. Wins and Trophies: Brag a bit about any awards or cool things you've achieved that make you stand out.

Things to Remember

  • Make It Yours: Change your resume a bit for each job you apply for to match what they're looking for.

  • Keep It Short: Try to keep it to one page so it's easy for employers to read quickly.

  • Use Awesome Words: Start your bullet points with strong words like "organized," "led," or "created" to show off your skills.
  • Check It Twice: Make sure there are no typos or mistakes—ask someone to read it over for you too!

Making your resume is like creating your superhero identity—it's all about showing the world how amazing you are!

 

Resume Templates

Creating a resume doesn't have to be daunting. Start with a template and make it your own! Below are three templates to kickstart your resume journey:

Simple Version: Google Doc Template Linked Here

  • This template is super easy to use. It has spaces for your name, contact info, dream job, school details, work experience, skills, and standout moments. It's like a quick snapshot of your awesome self!

2-Column Version: Google Doc Template Linked Here

  • Want your resume to look cool and professional? Try this two-column layout. It begins with your name, contact info, and job goal, then dives into your education, work history, skills, and standout achievements. It's all about making your skills pop!

Colorful Version: Google Doc Template Linked Here

  • Add a splash of color to your resume with this vibrant template. It includes sections for your name, contact details, career objective, education background, work experience, skills, and cool achievements. It's like showcasing your talents in a colorful rainbow!

Reviewing and Sharing Your Resume

Now that you've crafted your resume, it's time to make sure it shines! Follow these steps to ensure your resume is polished and ready to impress:

  1. Check for Perfection: Take a close look at your resume to catch any spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes. Make sure everything is correct and looks great.

  2. Save and Print: Save your resume as a PDF to keep its formatting intact. Print a copy to see how it looks on paper. Check that everything lines up neatly and looks professional.

  3. Seek Feedback: Ask two or more adults you trust to review your resume. Consider their suggestions and feedback while staying true to your unique skills and experiences.

  4. Finalize Your Best Version: Save your polished resume as a PDF and give it a name that includes "Final." This version represents your best work and should reflect who you are as a candidate.

 

Watch the video below to be walked through how to write your resume.

Resume Demo

ResumeDemo.mp4

This video walks through how to use the Sun Prairie Schools Resume Templates and complete them for a students first professional job.

Intro Letter / Intro Email / Cover Letter

Why you need an Intro Letter

Your cover letter or introductory email is like your job application's superhero cape. It goes beyond your resume, showing off your personality and why you're excited about the job. It's your chance to highlight your best skills and experiences and show how awesome you are at talking with people and being professional.

What your Intro Letter should Include:
  1. Start with a Strong Opener: Begin your email/cover letter with a clear and engaging introduction. Mention the specific job or opportunity you're applying for and briefly state why you're excited about it.

  2. Highlight Your Skills and Experience: In the body of the email/cover letter, highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. Use examples to demonstrate how your background aligns with the requirements of the job.

  3. Show Your Interest and Enthusiasm: Express genuine interest in the position or opportunity. Explain why you are passionate about it and how it fits into your career goals.

  4. Customize for Each Application: Tailor your email/cover letter for each application. Mention specific details about the company or organization and explain why you are a good fit for the role.

  5. End with a Strong Close: Conclude your email/cover letter with a strong closing statement. Express your eagerness to discuss further in an interview and thank the recipient for considering your application.

  6. Proofread and Edit: Before sending your email/cover letter, proofread it carefully for any errors or typos. Ensure that your writing is clear, professional, and free of grammatical mistakes.

Writing an Intro Letter is your chance to tell the person reviewing your application how excited and dedicated you are to getting this position.

Intro Letter Templates

Below are three different templates for an intro letter.  What you are going to notice is that they are the exact same just using the version of the resume.  Make sure your Intro Letter and Resume are of the same Template.

Simple Version: Google Doc Template Linked Here

2-Column Version: Google Doc Template Linked Here

Colorful Version: Google Doc Template Linked Here

Reviewing and Sharing Your Resume

The same thing you did for your resume you will also do for your Intro Letter.

Now that you've crafted your Intro Letter, it's time to make sure it shines! Follow these steps to ensure your intro letter is polished and ready to impress:

  1. Check for Perfection: Take a close look at your intro letter to catch any spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes. Make sure everything is correct and looks great.

  2. Save and Print: Save your intro letter as a PDF to keep its formatting intact. Print a copy to see how it looks on paper. Check that everything lines up neatly and looks professional.

  3. Seek Feedback: Ask two or more adults you trust to review your intro letter. Consider their suggestions and feedback while staying true to your unique skills and experiences.

  4. Finalize Your Best Version: Save your polished intro letter as a PDF and give it a name that includes "Final." This version represents your best work and should reflect who you are as a candidate.

 

Watch the video below to be walked through how to write your resume.

Intro Letter Demoi

IntroLetterDemo.mp4

This video walks through how a student can use any of the Intro Letter Templates linked above to write their own Intro Letter for a job they are applying for.