the wow factor resumes & cover letters that stand out - online
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The “Wow” Factor: Resumes and Cover Letters that Stand
Out
Location: POD 60Phone: (416) 979 – 5177Email: [email protected]: Mon – Thu 8:30 am – 6:30 pm/Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Career Development WorkshopsGet Ready
Know yourself and what you want
Get SetPresent yourself with style
GOMake your move
• Discover Your Career Passion
• The “Wow” Factor: Resumes & Cover Letters that Stand Out
• Job Search Strategies that Maximize Results
• Pinpointing Resources for Career Planning
• Interview Techniques that Land the Job
• Leveraging Social Media for Your Job Search
• Grad School Application Essentials
• LinkedIn: Developing Career Connections & Effective Profiles
• Keep It Pro: Business Etiquette & Dress
• Make it a Breeze: Transitioning from School to Work
• Don’t Slurp the Soup! Tips for Dining Etiquette Success
• Showing Achievements: Crafting an Engaging Portfolio
Agenda1. Introduction2. Resumes
• Preparation• Possible Sections• STAR• Organization• Resume Tips
3. Cover Letters• Preparation• Format• Buying Motivators• Cover Letter Tips
4. Summary
Introduction to Resumes
• What is a resume?• What is the purpose of a resume?
Preparing to Write a Resume
Review• Company/Organization• Job field• Job description
Preparation: Company Research
Preparation: Find Industry Key Words
• National Occupational Classification (www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC)
• Working in Canada (www.workingincanada.gc.ca)
• Career Cruising (www.careercruising.com)
Username: ryersoncruise
Password: 00ru01f
• Ontario Job Futures (www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/ojf/)
• O*Net (http://online.onetcenter.org)
• Professional association websites
Preparation: Review Job Description
• Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental studies, political science or social science preferred
• Demonstrated experience in door-to-door canvassing and willingness to work outdoors with the elements
• Great interpersonal skills, ability to answer questions and interact with public
• Comfortable asking members of the public for one-time/monthly financial contribution in a direct and enthusiastic manner
• Ability to “close the deal” and sign up donors on a monthly basis• Great confidence and verbal skills, able to monitor success and
change the messaging approach for greater results• Available to work irregular hours (e.g. evenings & weekends)• Understanding of environmental sector, a valid driver’s licence
Qualifications:
Possible Resume SectionsObjective Achievements /
Accomplishments / Awards
Summary of Qualifications Certifications
Education Courses Academic Projects
Professional Memberships
Work Experience Relevant Personal and Community Experiences
Volunteer Experience Publications and/or Presentations
Extra-Curricular Activities Workshops/Conferences Attended
Technical / Computer Skills Interests
Key Resume Sections
Review:• Header• Summary of Qualifications• Education• Work Experience
Header
• Name• Address• Phone number• E-mail address• LinkedIn URL (optional)
Header
JOHN DOE213-47 York Street ● Toronto, ON ● M5K 2L3 ● (416) 783-3298 ● [email protected]
Header
John Doe, BASc213-47 York Street ● Toronto, ON ● M5K 2L3 (416) 783-3298 ● [email protected] ● http://ca.linkedin.com/in/johndoe
Summary of Qualifications
• Relevant experience • # of years
• Hard/technical skills• Soft skills
• Conference Board of Canada “Employability Skills”
• E.g.) time management, organization, leadership
• Assets• E.g.) languages, First Aid Certification
• 4-7 bullet points
Education
• Degrees, diplomas, certificates• Name of school• Date completed
Education
Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Expected June 2013Ryerson University, Toronto, ON
Relevant Courses: Communication Systems, Sensors and Measurement, Engineering Design, Law and Ethics in Engineering Practice
General Arts and Science Diploma 2008George Brown College, Toronto, ON
Work Experience
Student Public Health Inspector May 2011 – August 2011Perth District Health Unit, Toronto, ON• Organized a work plan for a team of 4 to treat a designated number of catch
basins within a specified time frame• Identified and mapped mosquito breeding sites using global positioning system
units during city park scans • Conducted city parks scan to undertake larval surveillance • Ensured a healthy and safe environment during special events that took place in
both of the public places and within the agency locations
Duty vs Accomplishment Statements
Which statement has more impact?
• Offered guidance and counselling to youth on different topics
OR
• Used excellent cross-cultural communication skills to provide guidance and counselling to at-risk youth on topics ranging from substance abuse to retraining options
Accomplishment Statements
•What was the context?
•E.g.) Worked at a gym
Situation•W
hat was the goal?
•E.g.) To initiate a new fitness class
Task
•What did you do?
•E.g.) Organized the class from beginning to final product – planned, implemented, instructed, evaluated
Action
•How can you prove you did this well?
•E.g.) Class was very popular with members and some brought new friends – 24 participants/class by end of 4th week
Result
Accomplishment Statements
A resume needs to present this information in a concise way:
• Planned, implemented, and instructed a fun new fitness class that increased gym memberships and attracted 24 participants per class
Accomplishment StatementsUse action verbs, and qualify and quantify your activities (when applicable):
• Performed a literature review using 3 online databases and earned an A on final year project “SARS Effect on Tourism in Toronto”
• Drew detailed floor plans for 3500 square foot custom designed home using AutoCAD
• Implemented performance and availability monitoring resulting in uptime from 99.5% to 99.95%
• Coached peewee hockey team of 15 children ages 11-12, winning regional championship
• Designed and sold jewellery at community craft fair, earning $1,500
Practice
Think of a skill you possess that is valued by recruiters in your industry. Follow the S.T.A.R. model to write your accomplishment statement.
Skill:
Situation: Task: Action: Result:
Resume Statement:
Organizing Your Resume
Chronological• Focus is on experience• Each section is organized with the most recent experience
Functional• Focus is on skills and competencies• Skills are highlighted and proven through examples of
experience
Combination• Aspects from both chronological and functional styles• Highlights skills and indicates experiences in reverse
chronological order
“Big 3” Resume Styles
Resume Tips
• Highlight accomplishments• Tailor your resume for each job• Quantify and qualify
• #, %, $• Use industry specific language/technical terms• Consistent formatting• Avoid personal pronouns (“I”, “me”, “my”, etc.)• Avoid jargon and uncommon abbreviations
Proofread, proofread, proofread!
Cover Letters
What is the purpose of a cover letter?
Preparing to Write a Cover Letter
Review• Company/Organization• Job field• Job description
Focus on approx. 3 main reasons why you
Cover Letter Format
Your NameAddressTelephone #Email address
Today’s Date
Contact PersonTitleCompany/OrganizationAddressCity, Province Postal Code
Dear _________________:
Cover Letter Format1st Section: • What position are you applying for and where/when did you hear of the
opening? Why, generally, are you qualified? Why do you want to work specifically in this position and for this company?
2nd Section: • Why should the employer believe that you can do the job?
Indicate past or current experience, specialized knowledge, education, appropriate skills and abilities, suitable work related values, appropriate personal attributes – give one or two tangible examples (STAR)
3rd Section:• Thank them for their time, request an interview
Sincerely,Your SignatureFull Name
Buying Motivators
Source: Interview Magic, Susan Britton Whitcomb
Buying Motivator #1: Make Money• Exceeded daily sales quota by an average of $150 each day
Buying Motivator #2: Save Money• Reduced paper costs by $1400 by initiating ‘scrap’ paper boxes next
to printers
Buying Motivator #3: Save Time• Performed the work previously required of two full-time employees
Buying Motivator #4: Make Work Easier• Initiated the reorganization of filing system, making information more
easily accessible
Buying Motivator #5: Solve a Specific Problem• Reduced number of customer questions by establishing a “Frequently
Asked Questions” page on website
Buying Motivators
Source: Interview Magic, Susan Britton Whitcomb
Buying Motivator #6: Be More Competitive• Translated marketing materials into Spanish and Hmong, gaining
dominant presence in markets left virtually ignored by competitors
Buying Motivator #7: Build More Relationships• Collaborated with a neighbouring centre to hold a Job Fair which
attracted over 600 peopleBuying Motivator #8: Expand Business• Acquired 3 new partnerships for ABC company worth $1.5M
Buying Motivator #9: Attract New Clients• Wrote proposal to open new branch of Autism Support Centre to
attract clients from a wider geographic area
Buying Motivator #10: Retain Existing Customers• Implemented direct-mail follow-up program for new customers; data
reflects a 55% increase in repeat customers
Cover Letter Tips
• Tailor your cover letter to each job• Highlight 2-3 main reasons why you are the
best candidate• Use specific examples to demonstrate results• Show your personality• Communicate interest, motivation, and self-
confidence• 1 page maximum
Proofread, proofread, proofread!
Summary
What are employers looking for?
Summary1. Can you do the job?
• Skills, knowledge, abilities, experience, background
2. Will you do the job?• Interest, commitment, desire, drive, ambition,
capability, willingness
3. Will you fit in?• Work-related values, common
goals/objectives, personality
Resources
Career Resource Centre – POD60A
Connect With Us!
Contact Information:
Location: POD 60
Phone: (416) 979 – 5177
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Mon. – Thur. 8:30 am – 6:30 pm Fri. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
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www.ryerson.ca/career