Tips for Writing Your Cover Letter and Resume

When submitting an application for employment to Franklin & Marshall College, you are encouraged to include a concise cover letter with your resume. You may want to keep these guidelines in mind when writing your cover letter:

• When applying for a vacant position at Franklin & Marshall, you will submit your cover letter and resume via an easy-to-use online process.  You will upload your cover letter and resume; we accept Word (.doc), Adobe PDF (.pdf), and Text (.txt) files.  (If you are unable to submit your cover letter and resume via our online process, you may obtain an employment application from the Human Resources office at Franklin & Marshall.)
  
• Try to keep your cover letter to one page.
  
• Be sure to mention the title and department of the position for which you are applying, and where you saw the job advertisement. Include this information in the first paragraph of your cover letter.
  
• Tell us why you are interested in the job we have available.
  
• Briefly explain how you are qualified for the position for which you are applying; highlight your training and education, and relevant skills as related to the minimum necessary qualifications listed in the job ad.
  
• Be sure to summarize what you have accomplished for your prior employers and/or through your involvement with professional organizations. And, concisely explain why you are a good candidate for the position we have available; how will your efforts benefit the College.
  
• Include your minimum salary requirement in your cover letter.
  
• Include the name, phone number, and job title of at least three individuals who can provide a professional reference for you (current or former employer, a recent teacher or professor, etc.).
  

When preparing your resume, consider the following:

• Type your resume or use a word processing program if you have access to a typewriter or computer, and be sure to carefully check spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
  
• When applying for a vacant position at Franklin & Marshall, you will submit your resume via an easy-to-use online process.  You will upload your resume; we accept Word (.doc), Adobe PDF (.pdf), and Text (.txt) files.  (If you are unable to submit your resume via our online process, you may obtain an employment application from the Human Resources office at Franklin & Marshall.)
  
• Limit your resume to one or two pages unless you have significant, prior relevant experience.
  
• Include your full name, mailing address, and a phone number where you can be reached during normal business hours.
  
• Summarize your top three or four skills, abilities, and accomplishments as bullet points at the beginning of your resume. Highlight what you can do for the prospective employer.
  
• List the name, address, and phone number of your previous employer(s), with your dates of employment and job title. List your current or most recent employer first.
  
• Briefly describe your main job responsibilities for each previous employer listed, and your most notable accomplishments. Focus on previous work experience that has prepared you for the position for which you are applying. Don't forget to list your accomplishments - the results you achieved for your previous employer(s).
  
• If you have not previously been employed, list relevant internships, agencies which whom you have volunteered your time, or other activities that have allowed you to develop relevant job skills. Summarize what you have accomplished through these activities.
  
• Include a section outlining your formal education - name of school/institution, degree received, major and minor course of study, relevant awards or recognition you received.
  
• List extracurricular or non-work-related activities only if such activities have helped prepare you for the position for which you are applying. For example, list professional, work-related associations to which you belong, or organizations in which you have taken a leadership role.
  
• Please do not include personal data on your resume, or in your cover letter, such as marital status, family status, health status, religious affiliation, non-work-related club memberships, or hobbies and interests unless such hobbies/interests have provided you with necessary work-related skills or experience.

Please note, the information above should be considered only suggestions, not requirements for submitting an employment application to Franklin & Marshall.