Could some of you kind people help me with my resume and letter of application?

This is my first resume and I'm beyond confused! I saw an ad in the paper for a student general office assistant for the municipality and I'd really like to apply for the job but I'm having a lot of trouble making my resume look and sound professional when all I have is volunteer experience. Also, I don't even know where to start with the letter of application.

Here's what I have so far for my resume (I've blotted out the personal info, though) The format's out of whack, but I'm just getting my feet wet:

Jennifer Lynn ****
House Address
PO Box Number
Phone Number
Email Address

OBJECTIVE: Seeking employment which allows me to work with others and gain new skills.


QUALIFICATIONS
Completed the St. John Ambulance Safety Oriented Standard First Aid Course, Red Cross Babysitter's Course


EDUCATION
2002-2003 Attending Grade 11, ********* Secondary School. ********, Ontario.


EMPLOYMENT AND EXPERIENCE:
\t
\t2000-present\tVolunteer, ******* Manor.
\tDuties include preparing, calling, and assisting Bingo games, socializing, cleaning, light cooking and serving.

2001-present\tVolunteer, ****** Library.
\tDuties include arts and crafts activities, helping young children to read books for fun and enrichment, planning and performing puppet shows.

1997-2002 Babysitter, various households.
\tDuties include supervising and entertaining young children, light cooking, cleaning


_______________________________________________________________

And that's it! Now, do I include the stuff about the puppet shows and stuff, or leave that out? How do I even start the letter of application? Do you have any sites or help you can give me?

I feel really dumb posting such a topic, but this board has the smartest, savviest people I know on the Internet, lol.

Thank you very much.

Hi Jenn!

If you don't mind, i would like to lend you a hand.

Just email me your ORIGINAL resume, and i will email you back a revised one.


Cheers!

GurlPower, thanks so much for the offer!

Uhmm...is it okay if I PM it? I don't know your email addy.

It still needs something about yourself, like "I enjoy working with people of all ages" and And what you strenghts are. That you can handle resposibilities on your own, are you organized? pay attention to details? work well in a team enviroment? Stuff like that. I hope that helps. Good luck.

Just email me at [email protected], Jenn, in microsoft word format.

Also, add your strong traits for me, like dependale, responsible, etc, etc.

Also include volunteer experience. i hope to revamp it for you.

i am not too crazy about pm as much, as it tends to get full, etc, and i hardly checks it.

Cheers!

Okay, GurlPower...will do! I'm sorry I'm being such a ditz here guys...lol.

Jenn,

i respect you for even willing to seek others for assistance and opinions.

i think it is the SMART thing to do.

i feel it is so important to learn something new everyday, especially from people with experience and qualifications.

i constantly seek feedback and learn from everyone i know. When you seek knowledge, you seek wisdom. Wisdom is above all things, Jenn. So, don't worry about having to ask anything. i respect you for that, and that is why i hope to help you out. i really hope you will do very well.

SMiles to Jenn and hugs for Jenn's kitties!

Cheers!

I think it looks pretty good Jenn. If they are hiring a student assistant, they have to know you won't have extensive professional experience.

I would beef up your skills section, though. Be sure to put down what computer programs you are familiar with. Put down your typing speed if it's decent. You can test it for free at http://www.typingtest.com/ I would say if you speed is over 35 WPM put it down. (I do this professionally, and I type at about 55 WPM, at least on typing tests. ) Put down if you are organized, flexible, able to follow direction, stuff like that. They love that.

Thanks so much for your encouragement, guys!

I'll be sure to test my typing speed and put it down. I'm an internet dork so I can type fairly fast.

And GurlPower, I've just sent it to you. I hope I attached it correctly...

I got 66 WPM with 91% accuracy (I missed a couple of commas).

Wow, you're better than me and I do this all day! DEFINITELY put that down!!

LOL! But... that was the Tom Sawyer test. I went to the called "Strategic Alliances with Competitors" and I got 52 WPM. It had bigger words!


Uhm... does "written letter of application" mean hand written as opposed to typed? I know that's a really dumb question, but is that what they mean by "written"?

"Fishing In Finland" test -- 64 WPM w/ 94% accuracy. Should I just average these numbers out?

i would interpret it as hand-written, unless indicated otherwise. Pen it in black or blue ink, unless it is specified. Also, use ballpoint point, to ensure the minimal mess.

i will check now, and email you back with suggestions, changes, etc.

Take care!

Cheers!

Pick the highest number you feel comforable with. I think my written letter of application they just want you to apply in a letter , like,
I would like this job because....... , you can type it.

I would think they want to see your actual writing skills, how you put your thoughts on paper. Generally speaking, companies want everything typed. Instead of you filling out an application, they want you to apply in a letter, like Tamara said.

That's how I interpreted it.

I meant to say, like in a letter that you compose yourself.

Jenn, i can't open your attachment, which i believe is in wordperfect. Is the body the same as your fist posting?

Did not hear from you. Oh well.. i just sent you the revised as an attachment. Also included in the body of the letter itself, in case you can't open the attachment.


i hope you will send an accompanying letter of application, indicating your strong interest in the position, and WHY they should hire you.

Hopefully, i am of some help. If not, just dispense everything.

Good luck, and take care. Study hard!

Lots of smiles!

Cheers!

Hey! I just got hired for a full time job this summer, so I just went through all the resume and cover letter stuff. I go to Georgia Tech, and their career aid is excellent. There are a lot of web pages that have good guidelines; you may want to take a peek at a couple of them.

Also, have your parents read it. They know the most about you, and may think of something important that you could put that you didn't think of.

Here's a few links that I found helpful:

This is a site for critiquing a resume:
http://www.career.gatech.edu/envoy/E...E_CRITIQUE.doc

This just has some general guidelines:
http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~gpalmer...ingaResume.htm

Hope this helps! Lemme know if there's anything else I can do for you!