Basic Information On Resumes, Cover Letters, And Thank You Letters


Resume Basics

  • Do not lie
  • Resume should be 1 to 2 pages
  • Eliminate errors
  • Use good quality paper
  • Use action words and stress accomplishments
  • Write your resume yourself
  • Do not exaggerate
  • Never include a negative
  • This is no place to be humble
  • Use short sentences and simple words
  • If it does not support your job objective you should probably omit it
  • Emphasize skills
  • Highlight accomplishments and results
  • Look at sample resumes for ideas
  • Do drafts of your resume
  • Edit, Edit, Edit!
  • Get someone else to review your resume for errors


Resume Categories

  • Heading
  • Job Objective
  • Work Experience
  • Education
  • Licenses and Certificates
  • Professional memberships
  • Honors
  • Activities
  • Special Skills
  • References

Return to top

Thank You Letters

  • Send before your interview to thank employer for being willing to see you
  • Send after your interview because it:
    • creates a positive impression and show that you have good follow-up skills
    • creates another opportunity for you to remain in the employer's consciousness
    • should they have buried, passed along or lost your resume, you have one more chance for them to find your number and call you
  • Send within 24 hours after your interview.

Tips For Superior Cover Letters

  • Write to someone specifically –never send to "To Whom It May Concern"
  • Spell name correctly
  • Personalize the content
  • Present a good appearance
  • Use an appropriate format
  • Provide a friendly opening
  • Target your skills and experience
  • Define the next step

Return to top

Ohio Job and Family Services

Lima
799 North Main Street
P.O. Box 1808
Lima, OH 45802
419-222-3138

Findlay
1644 Tiffin Avenue
P.O. Box 360
Findlay, OH 45840
419-423-2980

Defiance
1931 East 2nd Street
Defiance, OH43512
419-782-6050

Hours: 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. – M,T,R,F
8:00 A.M. – Noon – W

Provides information on job openings, career prospects, and job training programs.

  • Appointments are taken on a walk-in basis
  • Will need two forms of identification and a resume may help you with the job search process
  • For unemployment services you will also need your most recent pay stub
  • Monday and Friday are the busiest days; expect to be there two hours

Programs offered:

  • Job Search Assistance- helps job seeker learn critical job search techniques.
  • Job Interview Referrals- match job seeker with employers for an interview.
  • Job Training (JTPA)- helps out of work adults and youth get training and find jobs.
  • Information and Child Care- can find out about licensed child care centers in the area.
  • Targeted Jobs Tax Credit-offers financial incentives to employers to encourage them to hire and train job seekers in specific targeted groups.

Also offers special services to:

  • Ex-offenders
  • Migrant workers
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Veterans
  • Women

OBES is the only source in Ohio through which eligible unemployed workers can receive unemployment compensation benefits.

Flexible Personnel
481 North Perry St.
Ottawa, OH 45875
419-523-9094


Hours: 7:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M.- M,W,R,F
7:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. – Tues.
  1. Schedule appointment (can walk-in, but best to have an appointment)

  2. Bring with you:
    1. picture I.D.
    2. Social Security card or certified copy of birth certificate
    3. 2 addresses and phone numbers of present/past employers.

  3. Will take about ½ hour to 1 hour to complete paperwork.

  4. Will then do interview to see what type of work your looking for, what skills/qualifications you have, what your experience is, etc.

Return to top

Job Club

Department of Human Services
1225 East Third Street
Ottawa, OH 45875
419-523-4580

Contact Nancy Hughes or Kim Diamond.

DHS hours: 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. – M-F
Job Club: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. – M to F

Classes are required if unemployed. Job club helps you with resume, prepare for interview, how to dress, helps with possible job leads, support, etc. Watch tapes and has a lot of resources and educational material. May also be required to work at a site. Must show proof of your search for a job. Job club may allow general public to participate if there is room. Needs approval.

Green Thumb
1011 North Defiance Street
Ottawa, OH 45875
419-523-4305

Hours: 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. –M-F

Green Thumb is an employment and training program for older Americans.

Eligibility:

  • Age-55 years or older.
  • Residency-must be resident of state where enrolled.
  • Income-family income must not be more than 125% of the Federal Poverty income guidelines.
  • Participant may work, on the average, 20 hours per week. The pay is minimum wage.

Call the Green Thumb Office to set up an appointment. They will take a short application over the phone and forward to area supervisor. (This area is Toledo.)

Private Industry Council
1225 East Third Street
Ottawa, OH 45875
419-523-4580

Hours: 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.- M-F

Contact: Ann Marie Bakle

Takes approximately one month to get enrolled. Based on income and family size. Information to bring with you:

  • Proof of residency
  • Driver's License
  • Social Security card
  • Proof of Citizenship
  • Proof of age
  • Documentation on income for 6 months

May be able to help with tuition for a two-year program or less. Helps with resumes, preparing for interview, job contracts, etc. Will have approximately four appointments before being enrolled in order to get basic information on services, to do application, do profile of possible job area, and to develop an employment plan.

Return to top

Preparing for the interview

How to dress and appearance when job hunting

  • Dress they way you think the boss is most likely to dress – only neater!
  • You never get a second chance to make a first impression!!!


What to wear:

Women

  • Nice dress, skirt or slacks with a nice blouse
  • Suit
  • Dress flats or 2" heels
  • Small to medium purse
  • Minimal makeup and jewelry

Men

  • Shirt (no bright colors)
  • Tie (should match your slacks)
  • Slacks (black, brown, tan, navy, gray)
  • Suit

What not to wear:

  • Hats or caps
  • Unusual hairstyles
  • Sunglasses
  • Sportswear
  • Skirts or dresses with thigh high slits
  • Jeans
  • Dirty clothes
  • Hair rollers
  • Heavy eye make-up
  • Excessive jewelry
  • Mini-skirts
  • Low cut blouses or dresses
  • Sandals
  • Evening clothes
  • Sleeveless tops
  • Long, dirty, or chipped nails
  • Boots and boot accessories
  • Tight pants
  • Fancy lace or fishnet stockings
  • Dirty eyeglasses
  • Dirty fingernails

The interview

  • Be on time and look sharp
  • Firm handshake
  • Address interviewer by name
  • Be positive
  • Smile when appropriate
  • Good eye contact
  • Try not to be nervous
  • Find out information on company
  • Relax and be yourself
  • Think before you speak
  • Practice interviewing
  • Prepare questions for interview
  • Say thank you after your interview
  • Have a good attitude
  • Bring a copy of your resume
  • Sit up straight
  • Speak clearly
  • Use good grammar
  • Be truthful

Do Not:

  • Chew gum or smoke
  • Say anything negative
  • Ask about salary
  • Lie
  • Call the interviewer by first name (unless invited to do so)
  • Fuss with hair, clothes, make-up
  • Use slang

Return to top

During The Interview

  • First impressions count
  • Communicate carefully
  • Participate, don't dominate
  • Shake hands and thank employer
  • Restate your interest
  • Cite your primary qualifications

After The Interview

  • Write a thank you letter within 24 hours
  • Stay in pursuit
  • Don't wait too long to follow-up
  • Remember, there are no failures, just lessons

Common Interview questions

  1. Tell me about yourself?
  2. Why did you select our company as a prospective employer?
  3. How do you solve problems?
  4. What is your most significant accomplishment?
  5. How would you describe yourself?
  6. What are your outside interests?
  7. How would you describe your short-term/long-term goals?
  8. What are your greatest strengths?
  9. What are your weaknesses?
  10. Why should we hire you?
  11. What will your former employer/references say about you?

When being asked the above questions, remember that you need to:

  • Understand what is really being asked (Can I depend on you?, Are you a good worker?)
  • Answer the question briefly in a non-damaging way
  • Answer the real concern by presenting your related skills
  • Base your answers on your key skills and give examples to support your skills

Return to top

Area Educational Institutions

Technical And Business Colleges

Lima Technical
4240 Campus Drive
Lima, OH 45801
(419)-221-1112
Adm.: Ext. 320
Fin. Aid: Ext. 299

Owens Comm. College
P.O. Box 10000
Toledo, OH 43699
Adm.: (419)-666-3282
Fin. Aid: 666-0580

Northwest State Community College
22-600 S.R. 34-R.1
Archbold, OH 43502
(419)-267-5511
Adm.: Ext. 319
Fin. Aid: Ext. 329

Owens Comm. College
300 Davis Street
Findlay, OH 45840
(419)-423-6827
or 1-800-346-3529

Northwestern College
1441 North Cable Road
Lima, OH 45805
(419)-227-3141

UT- Comm. Tech
Scott Park Campus
Toledo, OH 43606
Adm.: (419)-537-3157
Fin. Aid: (419)-537-3133

4-Year Colleges

BGSU
P.O. Box 993
Bowling Green, OH 43402
Adm.: (419)-372-2086
Fin. Aid: (419)-372-2651

The Defiance College
701 North Clinton Street
Defiance, OH 43512
(419)-784-4010

University of Toledo
2801 W. Bancroft
Toledo, OH 43606
Adm.: (419)-537-2696

Findlay University
1000 North Main Street
Findlay, OH 45840
(419)-424-4540

Ohio Northern University
Ada, OH 45816
(419)-772-2260

Ohio State University
Lima Branch
4240 Campus Drive
Lima, OH 45801
Adm.: (419)-995-8369
Fin. Aid: (419)-995-8800

Adult Educational Programs

Apollo Career Center
3325 Shawnee road
Lima, OH 45806-1454
(419)-998-2908

Four County JVS
22-900 SR 34 R-1
Archbold, OH 43502
(419)-267-3331
or 1-800-589-3334

Vantage Vocational School
818 North Franklin – P.O.Box 531
Van Wert, OH 45891
(419)-238-5411 or 1-800-686-3944

Return to top