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WRITER’S CHECKLIST

Click each checklist item to read more about it.

Résumé

Does the résumé include appropriate keywords?

Does the identifying information contain your name, address(es), phone number(s), and email address(es)?

Does the résumé include a clear summary of your qualifications?

Does the education section include your degree, your institution and its location, and your (anticipated) date of graduation, as well as any other information that will help a reader appreciate your qualifications?

Does the employment section include, for each job, the dates of employment, the organization’s name and location, and (if you are writing a chronological résumé) your position or title, as well as a description of your duties and accomplishments?

Does the interests-and-activities section include relevant hobbies or activities, including extracurricular interests?

Have you omitted any personal information that might reflect poorly on you?

Does the résumé include any other appropriate sections, such as skills and abilities, military service, language abilities, or willingness to relocate?

Job-Application Letter

Does the letter look professional?

Does the introductory paragraph identify your source of information and the position you are applying for, state that you wish to be considered, and forecast the rest of the letter?

Does the education paragraph respond to your reader’s needs with a unified idea introduced by a topic sentence?

Does the employment paragraph respond to your reader’s needs with a unified idea introduced by a topic sentence?

Does the concluding paragraph include a reference to your résumé, a request for an interview, your phone number, and your email address?

Does the letter include an enclosure notation?

Preparing for a Job Interview

Did you

study job interviews?

study the organization to which you applied?

think about what you can offer the organization?

study lists of common interview questions?

compile a list of questions you wish to ask?

rehearse for the interview?

Follow-up Letters

Does your letter of appreciation for a job interview thank the interviewer and briefly restate your qualifications?

Does your letter accepting a job offer show enthusiasm and repeat the major terms of your employment?

Does your letter rejecting a job offer express your appreciation for the offer and, if appropriate, explain why you are declining it?

Does your letter acknowledging a rejection have a positive tone that will help you maintain good relations?