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Resume Writing

A resume is a short document that tells an employer who you are and what you can do. It helps you get an interview. A resume is usually one page. It lists your contact information, your skills, your work history, and your education.

Most resumes have 5 parts:

1. Contact information — your name, phone number, email address, and city/state.
2. Summary — 2–3 sentences about your experience and what you are looking for.
3. Work experience — your past jobs, with dates, job titles, and what you did. List the most recent job first.
4. Education — your school, degree or diploma, and year.
5. Skills — a list of things you can do, like speaking French, driving, or using a computer.

Formatting tips:

• Keep it to one page.
• Use a simple font (like Arial or Calibri), size 11 or 12.
• Use bullet points, not long paragraphs.
• Start bullets with action words: cleaned, organized, delivered, helped, trained.
• No photo, no birthday, no family information.
• Check your spelling. Ask a friend or teacher to read it.
• Use real information. Never lie on a resume.

Resume Template A — First Job / Little Experience (skills-based)

Use this template if you have no job experience yet in the United States. It puts your skills first.

Resume Template B — Experienced Worker

Use this template if you have worked before — in your home country or in the United States.

Resume Template C — Student / Recent Graduate

Use this template if you recently finished school or a training program.

Cover Letters

A cover letter is a short letter you send with your resume when you apply for a job. It introduces you and explains why you want this job and why you are a good fit. A cover letter is usually 3 short paragraphs. It is more personal than a resume.

Structure:

• Greeting — "Dear Hiring Manager," or "Dear [Name]," if you know it.
• Paragraph 1: Which job — Say which job you are applying for and where you saw it.
• Paragraph 2: Your skills — Explain 2–3 skills or experiences that match the job.
• Paragraph 3: Thank you — Thank them for reading, say you want an interview, and give your contact information.

Example Cover Letter

Interview Checklist — 10 Quick Tips

This is a short summary. The full guide with 50 common interview questions and sample answers is on the Interview Preparation page.

1. Arrive 10–15 minutes early. Late arrival makes a bad first impression.
2. Bring copies of your resume and a list of your references.
3. Dress neatly and cleanly — simple, professional clothes.
4. Smile, shake hands, and make eye contact.
5. Listen carefully before you answer. It is okay to pause and think.
6. Give real examples from your work or life when you answer.
7. Stay positive. Never say bad things about a past employer.
8. Ask 1–2 questions about the job at the end — it shows interest.
9. Thank the interviewer when you leave.
10. Send a thank-you email the same day (see the Interview Preparation page for an example).

Workplace English — 25 Useful Phrases

Understanding Your Pay Stub

A pay stub (also called a pay slip) is the paper or online document you get with your pay. It shows how much you earned and how much was taken out. Here are the important words:

• Gross pay — the total money you earned before anything is taken out.
• Deductions — money taken out of your gross pay. The most common deductions are:
  • Federal income tax — tax you pay to the U.S. government.
  • State income tax — tax you pay to New York State.
  • Social Security — money that goes to a U.S. program for retired workers and people with disabilities. You pay in now; you may get benefits later.
  • Medicare — money that goes to a U.S. health program for people 65 and older.
  • Other deductions can include health insurance, retirement savings, or union dues.
• Net pay (also called take-home pay) — the money you actually receive after all deductions. This is the most important number.

Example pay stub (example numbers only — your real stub will be different):

Tips:

• Always check your pay stub. Make sure your hours and pay rate are correct.
• Keep your pay stubs. They are proof of your income.
• Your employer must give you a pay stub every pay period.
• If something looks wrong, ask your employer or supervisor for an explanation.

Workers' Rights

This information is general education, not legal advice. For help with a specific problem, contact the New York State Department of Labor (dol.ny.gov) or a legal aid organization.

In New York State, all workers have rights — including immigrants, no matter their immigration status. Here are the most important rights:

• You must be paid for all hours you work. Your employer cannot ask you to work "off the clock" for free.
• Overtime pay: If you work more than 40 hours in one week, you must be paid 1.5 times your normal pay rate for the extra hours. For example, if you earn $18/hour, overtime hours must be paid at $27/hour.
• Minimum wage: New York has a minimum wage. The amount changes, so check the current NY minimum wage at dol.ny.gov.
• Safe workplace: Your employer must give you a safe place to work. A federal agency called OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets safety rules.
• Breaks: New York requires meal breaks for most workers. The rules depend on your shift length and job type.
• Protection from discrimination: It is illegal for an employer to treat you unfairly because of your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. This includes hiring, firing, pay, and promotions.

What to Do If You Are Not Paid

1. Keep records. Write down every day you worked, your hours, and what you were paid. Save pay stubs, texts, and schedules.
2. Ask your employer in writing (text or email) for the wages you are owed.
3. Contact the New York State Department of Labor. You can file a complaint about unpaid wages. Their website is dol.ny.gov.
4. Do not wait too long. There are time limits for filing complaints.

You have the right to complain about unpaid wages or unsafe conditions. It is illegal for your employer to fire you or punish you for filing a complaint.

Professional Email Writing

Email is how you communicate with employers. Professional emails are short, polite, and clear. Structure:

• Subject line — one short line that says what the email is about.
• Greeting — "Dear [Name]," or "Hello,".
• Body — 2–4 short sentences. Say what you need.
• Closing — "Thank you," or "Sincerely," then your name.

Tips: Use your full name in a professional email address (for example, [firstname].[lastname]@email.com). Never use ALL CAPS. Check spelling before you send.

Example 1 — Applying for a Job

Example 2 — Following Up After an Interview

Example 3 — Calling in Sick by Email