Cover Letters and Resumes : A Research Guide

Many times your cover letter and resume open the door to an interview. Cover letters must be crafted so that they spark an interest in the person who reads it—among all of the others that they receive. The cover letter should address the needs of the company and identify some of the corresponding talents of the applicant. The resources listed below will help get you started in creating an outstanding cover letter and resume. The resources listed below are available in the library and online. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library's catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.

175 High-Impact Cover Letters, 3rd ed. by Richard H. Beatty. New York : John Wiley & Sons, 2002. ISBN: 0471210846.
Includes step-by-step instructions and many samples. Covers the five different types of cover letters: employer broadcast letters, search firm broadcast letters, advertising response letters, networking cover letters, and resume letters.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume by Susan Ireland. Indianapolis : Alpha Books, 2003. ISBN: 0028644409.
Offers strategy for your job hunt and how to polish and refine a resume.

Cover Letter Guide
www.susanireland.com/coverletterwork.htm
Brief instructional on writing cover letters with sample letters for you to use.

Cover Letters, Etc., Monster Resume Center
http://resume.monster.com/archives/coverletter/
Offers articles, tips, and information on all aspects of writing cover letters.

Cover Letters that Knock ‘Em Dead, 5th ed. by Martin John Yate. Boston: Adams Media, 2002. ISBN: 1580627935.
Shows you how to create a compelling cover letter that will land you the interviews that you want.

The First and Best Cover Letters on the Internet, CareerLab
www.careerlab.com/letters/default.htm
Features 200 free cover letters to use in your job hunt.

10 Minute Resume
www.10minuteresume.com
Free service to write and publish a resume including posting to the Web, faxing your resume, and printing a copy.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume by Susan Ireland. Indianapolis : Alpha Books, 2003. ISBN: 0028644409.
Learn how to package yourself to potential employers by finding your strengths and selling points. Lots of sidebars, tips, and hits.

High Impact Resumes and Letters: How to Communicate Your Qualifications to Employers, 8th ed. by Ronald L. Krannich and William J. Banis. Manassas, VA : Impact, 2002. ISBN: 1570231893.
This unique book provides step-by-step guidance on how to develop a personal profile that clearly communicates patterns of performance and accomplishments to employers.

Monster Resume Center
http://resume.monster.com
Offers resume tips by industry, dos, don'ts, and dilemmas.

The Overnight Résumé, 2nd ed. by Donald Asher. Berkeley, CA : Ten Speed Press, 1999. ISBN: 1580080413.
Basic guide to resume writing.

Resume Catalog: 200 Damn Good Examples, reprint ed. by Yana Parker. 1988. Berkeley, CA : Ten Speed Press, 1996. ISBN: 0898158915.
Includes sample resumes for adaptation or inspiration. Cover all levels of experience and a wide range of careers.

Resume Magic: Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer, 2nd ed. by Susan Britton Whitcomb. Indianapolis : JIST Works, 2003. ISBN: 1563708914.
This guide gives techniques to improve resumes. Includes “before and after” samples.

Resumes in Cyberspace: Your Complete Guide to a Computerized Job Search, 2nd ed. by Pat Criscito. Hauppauge, NY : Barron's, 2000. ISBN: 0764114891.
Covers the different types of electronic résumés: scannable, e-mailable, and Web-formatted resumes.

Resumes that Knock ‘Em Dead, 5th ed. by Martin John Yate. Boston: Adams Media, 2002. ISBN: 1580627943.
Shows you how to create a compelling resume that will land you the interviews that you want.