Create A Professional Resume And Cover Letter
Create A Professional Resume And Cov
Create a professional resume and cover letter for a position within your selected industry, and attach a copy to this discussion forum. Respond to at least three of your classmates’ posts by Day 7, providing both positive and constructive feedback. If you do not have a resume or cover letter, you may access helpful resources by logging into your Ashford University Student Portal. From the Student Portal homepage, locate Career and Alumni Services (look for the blue “Career” word cluster image) and click on the link to My Career: Career and Professional Development Center to review resume and cover letter resources.
Paper For Above instruction
Creating a professional resume and cover letter tailored for a specific industry is a fundamental step in the job application process. This exercise involves multiple stages, including understanding the structure and content of effective resumes and cover letters, drafting personalized documents, and engaging with peers through feedback.
The first step in developing a strong resume is to identify the industry and position of interest. For example, if one is targeting a role in healthcare management, the resume should highlight relevant education, certifications, work experience, and skills pertinent to healthcare administration. Conversely, a resume targeting a marketing role should emphasize creative projects, digital marketing skills, and campaign management experience. The resume should be concise, typically one to two pages, with clear headings for Sections such as Objective or Summary, Education, Experience, Skills, and Certifications.
The objective or professional summary is crucial, providing a snapshot of the candidate’s career goals and key qualifications. This section must be customized to align with the specific role and employer. The body of the resume should detail work experiences with quantifiable achievements, using action verbs to describe responsibilities and accomplishments. Education should be listed in reverse chronological order, including degrees, institutions, and graduation dates. Skills should highlight technical competencies and soft skills relevant to the industry.
After completing the resume, the next step is drafting a cover letter. This document should be addressed to a hiring manager and tailored to the specific job posting. The cover letter typically consists of an introduction, a body paragraph explaining why the candidate is suitable for the role, and a closing paragraph expressing interest and requesting an interview. The tone should be professional yet personable, exhibiting enthusiasm for the position and the organization.
Once the documents are prepared, they should be attached to the discussion forum as part of the class assignment. Engaging with peers by commenting on at least three classmates’ posts fosters a collaborative learning environment. Feedback should be both positive—highlighting strengths in their documents—and constructive—offering suggestions for improvement, such as clearer formatting or more specific accomplishments.
For students lacking existing resumes or cover letters, resources are available through the Ashford University Student Portal. The Career and Alumni Services section provides guidance on best practices, samples, templates, and tips for effective resume and cover letter writing. Utilizing these resources can significantly improve the quality of the documents submitted.
In conclusion, creating tailored resumes and cover letters enhances employment prospects by clearly demonstrating qualifications and enthusiasm for the role. The process requires thoughtful customization, careful editing, and a professional presentation—all critical components in the competitive job market. Engaging with classmates’ work and providing feedback further refines skills and fosters a professional learning community.
References
1. Broughton, G., & Miller, C. (2019). Resumes that get interviews. Career Press.
2. Brown, P., & Hesketh, A. (2017). The Essentials of Career Development. Routledge.
3. Roberts, D. (2020). How to Write a Cover Letter that Gets Noticed. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/
4. Clark, J. (2018). The Complete Guide to Resume Writing. Career Development International.
5. Smith, J. (2021). Effective Strategies for Job Application Documents. Journal of Career Planning and Employment.