Cover Letters, Resumes, and Teaching Portfolios

PET 489 Student Teaching SeminarCollege of Physical Activity & Sport SciencesFall Semester 2012

Lesson Purpose

To introduce you to the basic mechanics of writing an effective cover letter and resume

To get you started on preparing a cover letter, resume, and portfolio for your mock job interview assignment

Lesson Advance Organizer

What questions do we need to answer today about writing an effective cover letter, resume and portfolio?

What is the purpose of the cover letter?

Purpose of the cover letter Introduce yourself to employer Demonstrate interest in vacancy Draw attention to resume Motivate reader to interview you

Cover letter is often your first contact with an employer!!!

How should cover letters be organized? Introduction (Paragraph 1)

Capture reader’s attention and identify how you learned about the position

Body (Paragraphs 2 and 3) Include a brief description of your background and why you

are interested in working for that employer Demonstrate understanding of the position and highlight

how your qualifications relate to it Include specific examples when possible!!!

Closing (Paragraph 4) Describe your follow-up plans for the employer Establish flow of communication that leads to an interview

Signature Line

General guidelines for effective letter writing?

Use an accepted business letter format

Personalize each letter

Use non-sexist language

Avoid overusing the word “I”

Limit your letter to one page

Vary your writing

Use attention getting action verbs and adjectives

Proofread!!!

How can I best describe my qualifications? Phrases from performance appraisals, and

letters of recommendation

Current and past job descriptions and standards of performance that clearly reflect job expectations and responsibilities

Desirable characteristics and requested skills for similar jobs

Newspaper editorials and business sections to help write paragraphs about your industry, occupation, or the economy

Other suggestions for writing your cover letter? Attend cover letter writing workshop

Visit Career Services for help with your cover letter

Match paper and font with presentation resume

Indicate additional enclosures with resume packet

Retain a copy of each cover letter in a file

Develop 2-3 paragraphs that work and modify them slightly to personalize each letter

Remember to sign all of your cover letters!!!

Take-home Messages I

The cover letter is an important extension of your resume

In many instances it represents your first contact with an employer

Use the structure discussed in class to communicate key information

What is a resume? A summary of your qualifications for

employment – “picture of you” in words only

Resume Types Working resume Presentation resume

Chronological Functional Combination

Chronological Resume Traditional resume

Recommended for new college grads

Chronological resume order Start with current position and

work backwards

Points of emphasis Objective Work history Education

Feedback regarding the sample traditional resume provided? Layout/appearance Order of elements Written content Overall impression

Functional Resume Functional resume

Recommended for people making career changes and/or those with gaps in work history

Functional resume order Experiences grouped according to

qualifications rather than time

Points of emphasis Highlights of qualifications Experience or qualifications Abbreviated work history Education

Feedback regarding the sample functional resume provided? Layout/appearance Order of elements Written content Overall impression

What information could I include in my own resume?

Heading

Professional Objective

Education

Experience

Special Skills

Awards and Honors

Activities

References Separate sheet Provide if requested

In what order should information be presented?

Heading is always first

Objective is second, when used

Present rest of information in order that best supports your objective and qualifications

Should I provide personal information or disclose a disability?

Personal Information

Disability Disclosure

Additional Topics

Length of resume Resume templates Proof-reading Quality of resume paper Sending your resume School district applications Additional support on campus

Take Home Messages II

Be clear and concise in your writing

Formatting must be consistent and error free

Do not over-inflate qualifications or experience

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIOS

Purpose of a Professional Portfolio

To demonstrate one’s professional knowledge & skills

To provide evidence of one’s growth and achievement over time

To showcase one’s ability to reflect on educational / professional experiences

Campbell, Melenyzer, Nettles, & Wyman, 1997

Portfolio Formats Electronic Pros:

Accessible from any location

Interactive artifacts Cost effective A send-ahead tool

Cons: Internet connectivity

problems Technical difficulties

(incompatible programs) Non-tech savvy

administrators

Printed Pros:

Physical artifacts to prompt interview responses

Portable

Cons: Expense (printing,

copying, binding, organizing tabs)

Difficult to send-ahead

Essential Elements Professional credentials Teaching philosophy Sample instructional materials (i.e., unit/lesson

plans) Sample assessment artifacts (i.e., assessment

plans, FITNESSGRAM student/parent report, developed skill rubrics)

Sample student work Evidence of self reflection Evidence of professional involvement

Sample: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/amandafletcher/welcome_to_my_eportfolio_

3-steps to Assemble

1. Collect

2. Select

3. Reflect

Collect Collect and file artifacts/evidence from

educational and professional experiences that best represent your qualifications and abilities

Suggestions: Evaluations by professors, peers, and supervisors Field experience evaluation forms Student learning artifacts (i.e., completed worksheets,

rubrics, student projects) Photographs of you teaching Conference booklets from attended conferences

Select Evaluate your artifacts and select the

ones that represent your BEST work

Things to consider: When, where, why, and how was the artifact

used/developed? Is the artifact hands-down your best? Will the artifact leave a positive impression? Do the artifacts showcase your comprehensive skills? How to best showcase and organize the artifacts

Reflect Reflect on what you learned through your

experiences and describe how the artifacts showcase your skills, knowledge, and lessons learned

Showcase your learning: Explain each artifact AND how it reflects your skills

and/or knowledge Connect artifacts to proficiencies outlined by national

standards/guidelines Communicate areas of improvement linked to career

goals or teaching philosophy

Share … But First Proof-read!!!

Ask for Feedback Is the portfolio easy to navigate? Are attachments labeled clearly? Do all attachments open? Are there spelling & grammar errors? Are there extraneous OR missing artifacts? Is the clarity and length of narratives

appropriate?

Share

Sharing your LiveText Portfolio1. Click on Visitor Pass link on right side of screen (in Quick

Links)1. Create a New Visitor Pass

Title should include your name

2. Go to your LiveText portfolio document1. Click on Share icon

Search for “Viewer” – type in the name of new Visitor Pass you just created

Select “Add”

3. Go back to Visitor Pass page to ensure your document is attached to the Pass.

4. Record the PASS CODE (i.e. XIST97S)5. Share with others by:

1. Providing this url: www.livetext.com2. Providing the PASS CODE for your Visitor Pass3. Instruct them to click on “Visitor Pass” icon on top of LiveText

homepage

Take Home Messages III

Portfolio should reflect your best work

Organization must be easy to navigate and logical

Poorly constructed portfolio may do more harm than good

What about follow-up? Follow-up of your application is essential

Consider preparing a script for your follow-up call Call between T and TH early in morning or late

afternoon Leave a message on voicemail – let them

know that you would like a return call and state where you can be reached

Be persistent – call back within a week if you don’t

Thank You & Acceptance Letters

Mock Job Interview: Cover Letter, Resume, and Portfolio You cover letter, resume,

and portfolio resume are due during the last week of seminar

Needs to be rated as “Satisfactory” Rating of 3 out of 5

point Likert scale

Evaluation criteria Layout/appearance Order of elements Written content Overall impression