UWF WRITING LAB

How to Write a Cover Letter
By Amy Woodland

Cover letters are used to relate information not appearing on your resume to prospective employers.

• Use standard business format.
• Type the cover letter on letterhead or on plain paper.
• Use the same paper for both your cover letter and the resume.
• Address the cover letter to an individual or use an attention line. (ATTENTION: Human Resources Department).
• Include a "SUBJECT" line. (SUBJECT: Internship Position).
• Remember that the salutations "Dear Sir or Madam" and "To Whom It May Concern" are out of date and impersonal.

First Paragraph:

1. Where you learned of this job opening.
2. What position you are seeking and your basic qualifications.
3. Any other specific information. Most announcements will make clear the information the company is seeking in your cover letter.

Second Paragraph:

1. Brief summary of your work history.
2. Any information not listed in your resume.

Third paragraph: Information about how to contact you.

Proofreading Tips:
Make sure that type styles and relative type sizes are consistent.
Turning pages upside down or sideways will help alert you to spacing and other formatting errors.
Watch out for commonly mispelled words and mechanical errors, such as inappropriate abbrev.

How to Write a Memo
By Amy Woodland

A memorandum, or memo, is a document used to convey a simple and relatively small bit of information.

A memo should be

• simple and short
• used within organizations
• typed on the organization's letterhead or on plain 8 1/2" x 11-inch paper

Your organization may have a preset format that it would like to use; however, all memos will include the following information in this order:

1. The heading "MEMORANDUM" typed in upper case; may be bold or regular type.
2. The "TO" line--the appropriate recipient of the memo.
3. The "FROM" line indicating the individual sending the memo.
4. The "DATE" line--the date the memo is sent.
5. The "SUBJECT" line--a brief title or header indicating the subject matter of the memo.
6. The body should be single-spaced.
7. Your memo may also include a "cc" (courtesy copy) or "c" (copy).

Proofreading Tip:

Typographical errors are not the same as grammatical errors.
This is a typo (transposed letters):
     He is director of Children's Services at Scared Heart 
     Academy.
These are not typos:
     Career Opportunity's
     Merritte, Inc. cordially requests your presents....
     The company is celebrating it's 25th anniversary.

How to Write a Resume

By Amy Woodland

Resume paper should be

1. white, gray, or ivory in color
2. thicker than the paper you would use in a copier or in your computer printer
3. standard 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper

Information to include in your resume:

1. Objectives may be used, but they are not necessary. (Seeking a position in sales)
2. Work experience in reverse chronological order -- listing present job(s) to past jobs. (Current work experience is more helpful than work experience over ten years ago.)
3. Volunteer work
4. Military experience
5. Internships
6. Education -- colleges, universities and technical schools you have attended in chronological order
7. Professional certifications (under the heading "Education and Certification" or "Education and Training")
8. Academic Awards
9. Recognition -- community service, media, or other recognition
10. References -- Use your professional judgment when deciding whether or not to include references. If you include references, do the following: List at least three. This list should include employers or other persons familiar with your skills or work. Include their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses. Request permission from your references before including them on your resume. Create an additional sheet or include a statement such as "References available upon request."

Do's and Don'ts of Resume Writing

DO'S

• Proofread.
• Be consistent with fonts and format.
• Use action verbs ("Managed team of eight employees").
• Try to keep your resume ONE PAGE.
• Include your name, address, phone number and email address in your header.

DON'Ts

• Do not use graphics and drawings (A portfolio will be requested if necessary).
• Do not include information such as sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
• Do not use preformatted resume builders.
• Do not tell an employer everything on your resume.
• Do not list your reasons for leaving former employment.
• Do not use your nickname or a catchy email address.