Resume, Cover, and Business Letters
Resumes
Communicating your value – by showing skills in their context
Program Resume/Cover Letter examples
Click on the PDF below to download or scroll through the “Writing an Effective Resume” Presentation
- Resume class talk recording – focus on Ophthalmic Medical Technician – (content is transferable to any career)
- Recording Medical Assistant target – Presentation covers strategy and how to transfer experience to any target
The Resume
The resume is a targeted presentation of skills you want to use in your future not a litany of your past. Current styles address accomplishments versus a laundry list of duties or responsibilities. Please avoid cutting and pasting your job description as your information. It will sound like what it is – flat and impersonal. You can begin to round out that duty list by adding details such as:
- What the purpose of the project or task was?
- Did you work as part of a team or independently, was it your idea?
- Whom did it benefit or serve?
Recruiters are really interested in looking at the substance in the resume, not reading a cover letter that speaks to capabilities. We want to see actions, achievements, outcomes, work history, and an individual’s capabilities based on tangible evidence and skill set.
Preparing to Write Your Resume or CV
A trick to describing your past experiences is to ask yourself, what was my relationship to people, data, things, and ideas? Then think about what is transferable to the new career target. That is the only subject matter you list on the resume!
- Competencies employers look for – Compliments of U Michigan
- Transferable Resume Skills Video
- Transferable Skills Article
- Skills Lists for Resume Writing
- Career Readiness Skills
- Soft Skills for the Resume
- Writing a Resume
- Resume Worksheet (for brainstorming)
- Different Resume Worksheet – From The Muse
- Curriculum Vitae
More Resume Writing Tips
- How to Write a Modern Resume
- Job Scan – System that will help you improve your keyword match from resume to job posting JobScan is free here: www.portlandtech.org
- Job Scan Resume templates – www.jobscan.co/resume-templates – Job seekers can get a free upgrade for Jobscan services if they go through Oregon Worksource. They just request the upgrade after setting up the Jobscan account, but they’ll need to have an account with Worksource as well and will need to use the same email for both. Once approved, they’ll have full access to scans.
- Self-Study Guide from National Assoc. of Colleges and Employers
- The Balance – Resume Mistakes to Avoid
- Great Information and Examples from the University of Iowa
- Differences Between Federal and Corp resumes
- Proper use of Capital letters
- Tips for moving through writer’s block
- Detailed Stats that may answer your resume FAQs
Tools for Accomplishment Statements
Accomplishment Statements
- Evaluation questionnaire to help you develop accomplishment statements
- Dig Deep Questions – To Build Your Resume
- Article on how to brainstorm accomplishments
- Work Experience Questions
- Resume Academy’s favorite phrases
- Sample Resume Accomplishment Statements using P.A.R. Formula (Problem, Action, Results)
- Work it Daily Article on Quantifying Anything
- The Balance – www.thebalance.com/tips-for-including-accomplishments-on-a-resume-2061917
- Money Magazine – www.time.com/money/4171054/resume-tips-advice
- Accomplishments – www.careerealism.com/visualize-accomplishments-tools/#8FLdZG7sZtEXjIq1.99
PAR Statements
(Problem – Action – Results)
Samples of a PAR formula statements
Verb List
From Emerald Publishing – www.cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1025/0017/files/Verb_List.pdf?5917869711963636450
Resume Checklists and Word Tips
Resume Checklist
- Resume Checklist from Chemeketa Community College
- Resume Critique – Self Check List
- Checklist from Boly Welch
- Below are a few common MS Word processing trip-ups and how to fix them:
- Article on punctuation for a resume www.careerealism.com/resume-punctuation-tips
- Line Spacing
- Bullet Points
- Adjusting the Margins
- Checking Grammar – Grammarly
Federal Resumes
Information and workshops from The Office of Personnel Management
Federal Resume Tips
Federal resumes are very different from corporate resumes – they can be 4-6 pages and are very detailed. Explain everything, even if it is repetitive. If it is not listed on your resume the human resources staff will not make assumptions.
- www.fedshirevets.gov
- www.opm.gov
- www.usa.gov
- www.usajobs.gov/Notification/Events
- April 2022 YouTube presentation on Federal Resumes (for professional resume writers)
Applicant Tracking Systems and Resumes
Tracking System Info
- Winning the ATS Game hosted by Job Scan
- Resume Writing Academy 2021 Trends
- Guide to Applicant Tracking Systems – Article
- Who Uses ATSs? – Article
- How to beat an ATS – Video
- www.wired.com/story/job-applicants-hack-resume-reading-software
- ATS – Resume Tips
- ATS information
- More Resume Tips
- Quintessential Careers Article
- How to Write a Resume that Passes the AI Test
- 2 ATS Myths That Are Hurting Your Resume Results
Cover Letters and Correspondence
In short, this is a professional correspondence where you will present your relevant skills, education, knowledge of the organization and work/volunteer experience.
Cover Letter Webinar Recording – Covers purpose of a cover letter break down of information with a few references to addiction counseling related skill sets as an example.
Cover Letter Tips
- Cover Letter Worksheet
- Worksheet #2
- Cover/pre-employment letters
- Cover letters for career changers
- Social Work Examples
- Video “Work it Daily” – personalizing your cover letter
- Cover Letters That Make the Hiring Manager Smile…
- 31 Tips
- The Perfect Cover Letter Template
- 10 Steps
- How to Start a Cover Letter
- How to get the Hiring Manager’s Name – Work it Daily
Professional Email and Business Letters
Professional Writing Tips
- Formatting a professional Email message – from The Balance
- Ending/Closing a professional email message – The Balance
- How to Write a Resignation Letter
- Guide to measure readability – www.hemingwayapp.com
- Get the Employer perspective – www.thebalance.com/why-resume-cover-letters-should-matter-to-employers-1919132
- Purdue University Online Writing Lab has put together useful information regarding how to write a business letter and several formats check out www.owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/653/01
- Article on Improving Your Writing Skills
- Email Templates – Starting New Job
Effective Writing Tips
LinkedIn – Job Search 2.0 Group – a blog from Sharon Russel
Writing Tips
- Tip #1: Never write in lengthy sentences
- Tip #2: Be clear about what you want to say
- Tip #3: Keep your ideas well-organized
- Tip #4: Proofread your writing
PCC – Sample Resumes by Program
- Honor Roll Policy
- Honor’s List – 3.25-3.49
- Dean’s List 3.50-3.74
- President’s List 3.75-4.0
- Highest Honors 3.75-4.0 Cumulative average awarded upon graduation
Addiction and Human Services
Sample Skills and Competencies
- Sample – Education Focus
- Sample with mentor experience – volunteer work
- Sample with case management experience
- Sample Resume – Di Clemente
- Prevention Resume – Fritz Perls (program no longer offered at PCC)
- Post Practicum
- Sample Cover Letter 1
- Sample Cover Letter 2
- Sample Cover Letter 3
- Sample Cover Letter 4
- Sample Cover Letter 5
- Sample 6 HUS with recovery slant
- HUS Case Mgmt
- HUS Youth
Business Administration
- Accounting Clerk Example (1)
- AAS – OAS Resume
- Gen Business Resume Example
- Sheesa Organized – admin
- Marketing Certificate Resume Example – ImaKualifyed – General
Criminal Justice Administration
Transferable skills – active listening, speaking/communication, critical thinking, service orientation, perceptivity and diversity, coordination, and monitoring.
- Sample Skills and Qualifications
- Article on CJA Resumes
- Juvenile Justice
- Probation
- Corrections Technician
- Entry Level with Security Experience
- Cover Letter
EMT
Fire
Health Information Management
- A review of HIM Competencies for resumes
- Example – Write up of program activities
- Sample 1
- Sample 2
- Sample 3
- Sample 4
- Sample 5 – career changer
- Sample Cover Letter
Medical Assistant
The AAMA recommendations to CMA’s and students for resumes. www.aama-ntl.org/membership/career-center#.U1bmQPldWSo
Information on DP and MA Employment Resumes
This is how to list your program certificates:
- Patient-Centered Medical Home, Oregon Health Authority, date expires
- HIPAA Compliance Training, Portland Community College, date expires
- Immunization Training for Adults and Pediatrics, Portland Community College, date expires
- Vaccines for Children, Oregon Immunization Program, date expires
- BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers, American Heart Association, date expires
- Bloodborne Pathogens Training, Portland Community College, date expires
This is an example of how to write up your Education, Health Fair, and Poster Presentation:
Portland Community College Medical Assisting Program expected certificate Mo/Year
Eligible to sit for the CMA (AAMA) national exam Mo/Year
Poster Presentation – PCMH Model – Medical Assistant Accountability mo/Year
- Researched (list the part) and shared results with the team to develop a poster presentation
- Will present to healthcare audience survey findings and EHR systems and/or documentation
Community Health Fair and Screening Event, Portland Community College mo/Year
- Created patient education material using health literacy guidelines. Performed the following screening procedures; blood pressure, BMI, distance, and color vision screening
Pre-Directed Practice Resumes
Post-Directive Practice – Job Search Resumes and Cover Letter
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Assistant – Back Office
- Advanced Medical Assistant Resume
- Experienced Medical Assistant Resume
- Medical Assistant with CNA Experience
- MA – Directed Practice CL w/CNA experience
- MA Cover Letter
Medical Laboratory Technologist
Review MLT Skills
Resume Tips – Remember to list: Your rotations and hours. Rotations vary depending on the discipline:
- HCU = Hematology/Coag/UA (18 days = 144 hours)
- CH = Chemistry (14 days = 112 hours)
- BB = Blood Bank (10 days = 80 hours)
- PH = Phlebotomy (12 days = 96 hours)
- M = Micro (10 days = 80 hours)
MLT Resumes and Cover Letters
- Entry Level Sample
- Lab Experience Sample
- Phlebotomy Experience Sample 3
- Sample 4
- Sample with Biology background
- Sample 2 with Biology background
- Sample Advanced with Chemistry Background
- Cover Letter Sample
- Cover Letter Sample 2
Ophthalmic Medical Technology
- OMT Student Skills Inventory
- Review skills
- OMT Resume Class talk www.cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/823192/uiconf_id/45472902/entry_id/1_3w1dfy6j/embed/dynamic
Note – federal resumes are different than corporate resumes – list everything even if it is repetitive.
Resume Tips – Remember to list
- Child screening experience and list your certificate in the education section Certificate Children’s Vision Screener – Prevent Blindness America
- OMT scribe certificate
- The date you plan to sit for the exam
Write-up for vision screenings
- Community Vision and Eye Health Screening Event, Portland Community College 2/2018
- Created patient education material using display boards to share knowledge on conditions that can cause blindness such as AMD and Glaucoma. Also presented a low vision education board, and “how vision works board”
- Screened patients visual acuity, checked their peripheral vision, screened for AMD, imaged the retina and optic nerve, and screened patients for high eye pressure (IOP). Demonstrated patient education and soft skills, and provided community resources for vision and eye health care.
- OHSU Community Vision Screening
- Participated in a community vision screening event in partnership with the OHSU mobile van program. Check patients into the exam, screen patients for vision abnormalities or eye diseases, perform VA, IOP, CVF, EOM, check angles, autorefraction, refractometry, and dilate patients for an ophthalmologist. Help patients choose glasses if needed, and check patients out of vision events with referral information.
- Jikei Japanese Student Exchange
- Intercultural exchange with Orthoptist students from Osaka Japan. Give a tour of the OMT lab showing Jikei students tools used in the US, present examination techniques that are done in the US, and share Pacific NW culture.
OMT Resumes and Cover Letters
- Sample Resume 1
- Sample Resume 2
- Sample Resume 2a – different look same info as #2
- Sample Resume 3
- Sample Resume 4
- OMT alum who shared her VA-oriented resume
- Sample Cover Letter
- Sample Cover Letter 2
- Sample Cover letter- relocating
Paraeducator
Paralegal
Sample Skills and Qualifications
- Remember to include employer-related training if relevant
- Your resume needs to address your skills and experience in communication, client service, analytical/logical reasoning, research, technology, legal procedures, and time management
- Typical skills you will need to show on a PL resume are:
- Analytic, critical thinking and research, oral and written communication, and technology skills. Ethics, time and project management; teamwork, personal and interpersonal skills. Here is a list of skills from a job opening 10.2022 – PL skills 2022.docx