You've just graduated and are ready to land your first real job after college or high school. But how do you write the first r sum and cover letter of your career if you don't have any previous jobs to list? How do you stand out above the other applicants--including people with more experience who are out of work--with your summer job at the diner, internship at the local paper, or spot on the Ultimate Frisbee team?

Dr. Q to the rescue For two decades, communication professor Quentin Schultze has been teaching r sum -writing to college students and recent graduates, helping them identify their strengths and transferable skills from their unique life experiences--from extracurriculars to part-time jobs to internships to volunteering. With R sum 101, you'll discover the secrets to composing strong, impressive resumes and cover letters, such as:

What to include when you lack professional experience

How to get great references and recommendations

Why to use a summary rather than objective statement

When to include hobbies, travel, and technology skills

What to do if your GPA isn't sky-high

Which designs and basic formats work the best

Where to find the perfect verbs and adjectives for a specific job

With Dr. Q's help, you'll soon have a r sum and cover letter that will show hiring managers who you really are, why you're prefect for your dream job, and why they should choose you.