Preparing Application Materials
Before writing and editing your resume, cover letter, other application materials, and preparing for an interview, you should have an understanding of how your skills and experiences translate to the position you are applying to. One way to do that is through a skills comparison table like this:
| Duties listed in a job description | Your Skills/Experience |
| Apply analytical techniques and approaches in carrying out responsibilities for the budget development and budget execution process. | Worked with the Town of Chapel Hill to analyze and prepare budget documents taking into account competing requests. |
| Participates as part of the team to develop and execute of Department’s annual budget in compliance with state and federal law, State Board of Education policy, OSBM guidelines, and internal division policies. | Collaborated with budget team to develop budget documents, with an understanding of applicable budget law. |
| Work independently to provide regular, clear, informative status updates on budgets to relevant program areas within the Department to assist programs with strategic decision-making for their annual operations. | |
| Review procurement requests for programs within the Department to ensure funds are available and items use appropriate budget codes. | |
| Analyze expenditure and receipt patterns to identify, forecast, and resolve existing and potential problem areas in the Department; to develop and present options and recommendations to the Divisions and Deputy Superintendents. | |
| Develop, prepare and deliver training materials and resources for program staff to assist them in monitoring their budgets. | |
| Assist the Budget Section Chief and Project Analyst II with requests and inquiries from the Office of State Budget and Fiscal Research Divisions, as needed. |
Common Application Materials and Communication to Consider
A Résumé or a CV is…
- A highlight of your background
- Used by employers as a screening device
- Used to obtain an interview by communicating to employers the value you will bring their organization
Cover Letters allow you to:
- Introduce yourself
- Highlight information that addresses the needs and interests of the employer
- Tell the employer why you are excited about this particular job at their organization!
Other Communication & Correspondence
You’ll have many other instances where you will need to communicate professionally. They may involve thanking someone after an interview or networking meeting (informational interview), arranging an informational interview, communicating at work, or seeking references
Please contact Allison Binkley, Director of Career, Alumni, and Employer Engagement and/or Shauna Hines-Farmer, Assistant Director of Career, Alumni, and Employer Engagement, with any questions regarding your career planning and development on the above topics or anything else related to your career.