Resume and Interviewing Skills

Find Your Path. Take The Next Step.

Everything you need to get an interview and land the job.

Reving Up Your Resume
Read how to create the perfect résumé to apply for a job.
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Cover Letters

How to write a cover letter/application letter to accompany your resume.

Why Create a Résumé?

You must create a résumé to apply for a job. This document is crucial to landing an interview (and should be perfect before sending to a potential employer).

What to Include in Your Résumé (in order of appearance)

  • Résumés should be no longer than one page document, but if you have been in the workforce before, think strategically about organizing information that may exceed that page limit.
  • Basic information– Name, current address, phone number (optional), and email. You may also list your tribal affiliation in this section, placed on top of the page.
  • Objective– A brief statement of why you are creating this document and what you hope to achieve by sharing it.
  • Education– List schools attended. Recent high school grads should list high school. Recent college grads should list college or university, degree, major, and GPA (optional).
  • Experience – List previous jobs and internships. Include name of employer, job title, dates of employment, location (city and state), and responsibilities/achievements.
  • Honors/Awards– List the awards and honors you received in and out school.
  • References– Most interested employers will want references, but you do not have to include here. You may just add the phrase “References provided upon request.”

New to the Workforce?

  • Consider adding sections for your skills outside of your job experiences, such as speaking a second language or technology skills and activities, such as clubs or sports, and leadership roles in and out of the academic setting.
  • Ask a career advisor, faculty member, or working professional to review it and give critical feedback. This document is crucial to landing an interview and should be perfect before sending to a possible employer.

Different occupations have different styles of résumés.

Cover Letters

The cover letter, or letter of application, accompanies your résumé when applying for positions.

General Guidelines

  • Customize each cover letter; match your skills and experience to the position.
  • Identify the name and title of the person to whom the letter should be addressed. For online postings, include the name of the contact person and/or title that are listed.
  • Remember, a cover letter may NOT be required for ALL online postings.
  • For ads with no contact information, attempt to identify the organization. Only address the letter to “Dear Hiring Manager” if you are unable to find the necessary contact information.
  • If the employer asks for salary requirements, always state them in a range and add that you are open to negotiation. Research salary figures for the position and geographic area.
  • If an employer asks you for salary history, he or she is looking for consistency. Explain gaps or salary cuts in general terms.
  • Your letter must be well written, free of errors, and grammatically correct. Do not overuse the word “I.”
  • Read your letter aloud to ensure that your ideas flow and to catch any awkward sentences or overuse of words or phrases.
  • A cover letter is NOT needed when handing your resume directly to an employer.
Recommendation Letters

Providing professional letters of recommendation allows trusted colleagues, faculty, or staff to testify to your skills, achievements, and character.

You will often be asked to provide professional letters of recommendation or a list of people to be contacted in the future by the prospective employer.  These individuals should be able to testify to your skills, achievements, character, and more.

Key Tips

  • Does the organization want letters of recommendation or a list of reference names to contact?
  • Know how many letters of recommendation or reference names are requested.
  • Update your references on the status of your employment search regularly.
  • Keep references current (update every three-five years).

Choosing Your References

References should include people able to provide valuable input into your abilities based on the position for which you are applying.  Customize your list based on their relationship to you and what they might share to advance your chances of landing your desired opportunity.

  • Past and present supervisors who can speak to your professional abilities, work, internship, or volunteer experiences.
  • Faculty members/professors (supervising teacher for student teachers) who can speak to your academic abilities and class involvement.
  • Mentors and coaches.
  • Do NOT use people who know you only in a social setting, such as family or friends.
  • If multiple references are needed, select people based on their ability to showcase your different experiences.

Information to Provide to References

  • Examples of information you would like highlighted (i.e. projects or strengths they have seen you display which are relevant for the position).
  • Copy of the advertisement, including the name of the organization, position title, and position description.
  • Current résumé.
  • Person the letter should be addressed to and how to submit the reference letter (scanned online, mailed, etc.).
  • Deadline for submission. Allow your reference plenty of time for the reference to write the letter by deadline (three-four weeks is suggested).
  • If a list of reference names has been requested, include contact information. (This list is typically included as part of an application or as an additional sheet to the cover letter and résumé.)

More Tips

1) Ask for the letter at least two weeks out AND send gentle reminders

2) Prepare a list of three items you’d like the writer to elaborate on – almost customizing the recommendation letter for the specific scholarship/internship/admittance

3) ALWAYS always ask for a hard copy of the letter. Yes, have them send it “signed and sealed,” but it’s a good idea to know what they wrote about you.

Thank-You Letters

How to write a thank-you letter after your interview to help you stand out.

Writing a thank-you letter after a job interview will help you stand out from other candidates. Use the following guidelines to confirm your interest in the position after your interview:

  • Address the letter to the person(s) with whom you interviewed. Ask for your interviewers’ business cards, or write down their titles and the proper spelling of their names before leaving the interview.
  • Prepare your letter on high-quality paper using a business letter format.
  • Mail your letter in a matching envelope within 24-48 hours following the interview.
  • If your handwriting is legible, you may also choose to use a high quality, thank-you card and hand write your note.
  • If you have previously corresponded with the employer by email, it is acceptable to send your note via email.
  • Keep your letter brief and concise. Mention the date of your interview and your interest in the position and organization.
  • Reiterate your most important skills and qualifications, how you expect to contribute to the organization, and any unique points of interest discussed during the interview.
  • Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview, tour the facilities, meet other employees, and confirm follow-up procedures. Leave no doubt in the interviewer’s mind about your enthusiasm for the position.
  • A few weeks after your interview, give the hiring manager a pleasant nudge to keep yourself top-of-mind. If you are connected to voicemail, leave the following information in your voicemail:
    • Name (twice)
    • Phone number (twice, slowly)
    • Reminder that you recently interviewed and/or previously interacted
    • Upbeat message
    • A pleasant reiteration of your interest
    • A graceful exit

Related Pages

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News & Events

American Indian College Fund Honors Tribal College Students of the Year and Coca Cola Scholars

American Indian College Fund Honors Tribal College Students of the Year and Coca Cola Scholars

Denver, Colo., March 14, 2024—The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) honored 35 Tribal College and University Students of the Year and 35 Coca Cola First Generation Scholars at a ceremony held on Sunday, March 10 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Dr. Charles M. Roessel, President of Diné College, was also named the College Fund’s 2023-24 Tribal College and University President Honoree of the Year.

The Adolph Coors Foundation sponsors both the Tribal College and University Students of the Year and the Tribal College and University President Honoree of the Year. Each Tribal college and university (TCU) selects one student to represent their institution and the College Fund selects the TCU President Honoree. Students receive a $1,200 scholarship and the president is awarded a $1,200 honorarium.

The Coca-Cola Foundation provides scholarships for first-generation Native students who attend a TCU. The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded almost $3.6 million in scholarship support to the College Fund since 1990 to assist more than 500 students with their college education. Students can reapply to the scholarship each year if they maintain a 3.0 grade point average and are active in campus and community life.

Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, said, “We are so proud of our students who are representative of the amazing and talented students who attend our tribal higher education institutions. Our values and vision are reflected in each of them. We look forward to all the ways that they will continue to contribute to the self-determination and wellbeing of our Tribes and families.”

The 2023-24 Tribal College Students of the Year are:

  • Aaniiih Nakoda College: Alexis Bigby
  • Bay Mills Community College: Alysandra Gonzales-Flora
  • Blackfeet Community College: Gwynne E. White Quills
  • Cankdeska Cikana Community College: Tyrese Leaf
  • Chief Dull Knife College: Jozette Limpy
  • College of Menominee Nation: Chenoa Webster
  • College of the Muscogee Nation: James Gray
  • Diné College: Gwyneth Shorty
  • Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College: Anthony Sam
  • Fort Peck Community College: Gib Medicine Cloud
  • Haskell Indian Nations University: Justine Butterfield
  • Iḷisaġvik College: Vincent Elkins
  • Institute of American Indian Arts: Isabella Edmo
  • Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College: Rachel Ritchie
  • Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University: Andre’Anna Acosta
  • Leech Lake Tribal College: Darrin Brown Jr.
  • Little Big Horn College: Kayle Addison
  • Little Priest Tribal College: Denise Milford
  • Navajo Technical University: Layla James
  • Nebraska Indian Community College: Jiah Marks
  • Northwest Indian College: Karla Miller
  • Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College: Kacey Murdock
  • Oglala Lakota College: Austin Red Dog
  • Red Lake Nation College: Angeline Harris
  • Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College: Tamara Lawson
  • Salish Kootenai College: Bryce Norling
  • Sinte Gleska University: Michal Beardt
  • Sisseton Wahpeton College: Jana Isburg
  • Sitting Bull College: Elena Rodriguez
  • Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute: Dominique Bluehorse
  • Stone Child College: Jazmyne Torres
  • Tohono O’odham Community College: Ashley Mccreery
  • Turtle Mountain Community College: Aaliyah Selburg
  • United Tribes Technical College: Jennifer Fragua
  • White Earth Tribal and Community College: Lauri Zupan

 

The 2023-24 Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars are:

  • Aaniiih Nakoda College: Lyle Stiffarm
  • Bay Mills Community College: Oona Burton
  • Blackfeet Community College: Brandi Harwood
  • Cankdeska Cikana Community College: Marissa Baer
  • Chief Dull Knife College: Kyla Kwandibens
  • College of Menominee Nation: Melissa Wescott
  • College of the Muscogee Nation: Deidre Yarbrough
  • Diné College: Vanesha Cleveland
  • Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College: Anthony Sam
  • Fort Peck Community College: Sherry Ross
  • Haskell Indian Nations University: Tilda Hubbell
  • Iḷisaġvik College: Kacey Woodruff
  • Institute of American Indian Arts: Brianna Waukau
  • Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe Community College: Gabrielle Picciano
  • Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University: Desmund Lapointe
  • Leech Lake Tribal College: Torrey Kingbird
  • Little Big Horn College: Dvera Tolbert
  • Little Priest Tribal College: Dawn Makesstrongmove
  • Navajo Technical University: Rebecca Yazzie
  • Nebraska Indian Community College: Bridgette Hoshont’Omba (Jameson)
  • Northwest Indian College: Julie Bosch
  • Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College: Cassandra Hopkins
  • Oglala Lakota College: Conner Roubideaux
  • Oglala Lakota College: Summer Afraid Of Hawk
  • Red Lake Nation College: Kyleisha Garrigan
  • Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College: Ayla Sisco
  • Salish Kootenai College: Bobbi Brooks
  • Sinte Gleska University: Sunshine Brings Plenty
  • Sisseton Wahpeton College: Dora Jones
  • Sitting Bull College: Nicholas Peters
  • Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute: Audrey Weebothee Magdalena
  • Stone Child College: Kaycee Chiefstick
  • Tohono O’odham Community College: Christy Mcgaughey
  • Turtle Mountain Community College: Quentin Brien
  • United Tribes Technical College: DaSean Marquese

 

About the American Indian College Fund The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 34 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided $17.4 million in scholarships and other direct student support to American Indian students in 2022-23. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $319 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of academic and support programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators and is one of the nation’s top 100 charities named to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org.

Reporters: The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.

Dr. Charles M. Roessel, President, Diné College, Named as the American Indian College Fund 2023-24 Tribal College and University President Honoree of the Year

Dr. Charles M. Roessel, President, Diné College, Named as the American Indian College Fund 2023-24 Tribal College and University President Honoree of the Year

Denver, Colo., March 12, 2024—The American Indian College Fund selected Dr. Charles M. Roessel, President of Diné College, as its 2023-2024 Tribal College President Honoree of the Year. This award is granted to a distinguished individual who has made a positive and lasting impact on the tribal college movement.

Dr. Charles M. Roessel, President, Diné College.

Dr. Charles M. Roessel, President, Diné College.

Dr. Roessel grew up on the Navajo Reservation. His parents, Robert and Ruth Roessel, played key roles in creating Navajo Community College (now Diné College), the first tribal college, in 1968. Although his father served as the institution’s first president, Dr. Roessel never expected to follow in his footsteps.

After graduating from Chinle High School and setting aside his dream of becoming the first Navajo major league baseball player, he attended the University of Northern Colorado to earn a bachelor’s degree in photo communications. This degree was his introduction to the field he calls his first love, photojournalism, which he went on to receive a Master’s in at Prescott College. Roessel spent the next few years working with various publications such as Arizona Highways, Time, and National Geographic Society. His photography was only one aspect of his broader philosophy of respecting history and providing accurate depictions of the past and connecting them to the present.

He later became Superintendent of Rough Rock Community School. During this time, Dr. Roessel worked in the evenings to earn his doctorate in educational administration and supervision from Arizona State University. He also served as cochair of the No Child Left Behind School Facilities and Construction Negotiated Rule-making Committee. Having seen what he described as “broken promises” from the federal government about its support of tribal schools, Roessel said this knowledge helped him decide when asked to become the director of the 66 Navajo schools for the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). He later served as director of the BIE.

One of his first actions after being appointed, was to visit the site of the old Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania, the country’s first Indian boarding school. He says the development of tribal colleges and universities truly began with Carlisle. He believes one has to know this part of history to understand the importance of tribally-led education and the full potential of TCUs. His knowledge of the history of Diné College and the context of the tribal college movement prepared him for taking on the role of Diné College president.

“I was honored to take on the role. It was a job my dad held so I know what it was like and what TCUs stand for, as more than just colleges.” TCUs, according to Roessel, have a different mission from other colleges. They are not simply places of higher education but examples of tribal sovereignty where you build up people to build up the nation. Since his appointment as president of Diné College in 2017, Dr. Roessel has expanded the college’s support to students and the community alike.

Under his leadership, Diné College has grown into a four-year institution with a focus on creativity and innovation. He opened the School of Transformation, a non-degree seeking certificate program that provides professional development, continuing education units, training programs, and self-directed courses. The goal is to encourage students to develop a passion for lifelong learning, reach their full potential, and become employed within the Navajo Nation.

Dr. Roessel has also sought out alternative revenue streams to develop businesses on the reservation. The Aspen Institute has even recognized Diné College for its direct economic impact within the community. Dr. Roessel was also one of the first to highlight students’ needs for internet access and technology, such as laptops, during the Covid pandemic. “It isn’t just about access,” he explained, “but what comes after access to address the lack of capacity with technology.”

Looking ahead, President Roessel is leading the college toward several goals: enroll 3,000 students by 2030, offer three master’s programs by next year, and be relevant for both the Navajo nation and the region. “We are changing the conversation from being a transactional college to a global perspective and gaining a seat at the table. We want to help find solutions.” As a reflection of the community, he wants to see Diné College make a bigger impact on preserving Navajo language and culture. After all, in Dr. Roessel’s words, “Diné College is the Navajo Nation.”

When he isn’t fulfilling his duties as college president, Dr. Roessel keeps himself busy with his family and hobbies, such as golfing. He still teaches a few photography courses and is working on a photography project that allows people to share their own boarding school experiences. His greatest joy is spending time with his grandchildren who call him “Chei Chei” and “gramps,” which melts his heart.

President Roessel received a $1,200 honorarium, sponsored by the Adolph Coors Foundation, for his dedication to tribal college education.

Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, said, “All of the educators, students, and their families who work within our communities to make education accessible and meaningful are deeply grateful for the vision and hard work of Dr. Roessel. We appreciate him and look forward to his continued leadership with tribal education.”

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About the American Indian College Fund The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 34 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided $17.4 million in scholarships and other direct student support to American Indian students in 2022-23. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $319 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of academic and support programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators and is one of the nation’s top 100 charities named to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org.

Reporters: The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.

Read Across America

Today marks the beginning of National Reading Month, a time to acknowledge the importance of literacy. Reading can take us to fantastical lands, expand our understanding of the world we live in, and provide us with perspectives we may otherwise not have. Tomorrow, March 2, marks Read Across America Day, a time to specifically celebrate the books that educate and inspire youth across the country. One of the goals of the day is to help children connect the stories that they read to their own lived experiences. In recent years, the number of Native authors has grown to help Native youth see themselves represented and to share their experiences with their peers, teachers, and the general populace.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your own understanding of Native cultures or introduce the little ones in your life to Native storytellers, we’ve got a book recommendation for you. Feel free to peruse the suggested titles at https://standwith.collegefund.org/native-american-heritage-month/read/ where you can find books appropriate for readers of all ages. And don’t forget to join our virtual book club discussion with American Indian College Fund President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull, and PEN Award-winning author, Mona Susan Power, on March 26. They’ll be discussing Power’s new book, A Council of Dolls. Learn more and register at https://standwith.collegefund.org/native-american-heritage-month/read/mona-susan-power-a-council-of-dolls/.