1. Resumes & Cover Letters AHSS 4080 Transition to Work January 25 th 2007 Janet Wolstenholme & Fred Evers

2. Agenda Resumes Examples and Practice Cover Letters Examples and Practice On-line Resources

3. Resumes What is a Resume, what is its job? What to include on a resume? What not to include?

4. Resume Types Chronological Functional Combination CV

5. Resume Types Chronological Primarily a list of your education and employment history in reverse chronological order Pros »Shows logical progression »Employers are familiar with style Cons »Can highlight employment gaps »Show unrelated job experiences

6. Resume Types Functional Essentially your key skills, knowledge and related accomplishments Pros »Good for job changers »Highlights related skills Cons »Does not show career progression »Employers are not always use to style

7. Resume Types Combination Hybrid of the chronological & functional Curriculum Vitae (CV) More for professional or academic positions Are more lengthy

8. Resume Types Examples on overheads

9. Resumes—Remember Include any licenses or certifications you hold Note the languages you speak Include your volunteer work List memberships and any community involvement or awards

10. Resumes—Remember Employers like to see how you have: Cut costs Increased revenue Used creativity and leadership skills Improved quality, productivity, services etc Saved time, resources etc

11. Resumes—Remember Tips: Think of yourself as a product and this is your marketing tool Use a bulleted summary of transferable skills Proof read Spell check, spell check, spell check Use Canadian spelling More on handout

12. Resumes—Exercise From Overhead: In groups of 3 or 4, note all the mistakes from the example of a bad resume Online: http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/careerEd/jobApp lications/resumes/badResume.aspxhttp://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/careerEd/jobApp lications/resumes/badResume.aspx

13. Cover Letters What is the job of a cover letter? What to include on a cover letter? What not to include?

14. Cover Letters Typical business letter Basically 4 short paragraphs of content Introduction Body—qualifications Body—skill match Closing

15. Cover Letters Examples On overhead

16. Cover Letters—Remember Do some research on the company Address the letter to a specific person Each cover letter must be original and address the particular job you are applying for A cover letter should “mirror” your resume— same font, paper etc

17. Cover Letters—Remember Same rules as resume—spell check, proof read Be specific about your qualifications Try not to over use “I” State how you will follow up & carry through! Sign each letter by hand

18. Cover Letters—Exercise From Overhead: In pairs, create a cover letter for this opportunity

19. Cover Letters—Exercise Continued: Still in pairs, Exchange cover letters with another pair and critique

20. Online Resources Sheridan http://www1.sheridaninstitute.ca/services/career/index.cfm Human Resources & Social Development Canada http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/individuals/cluster/cp.shtml Career Builder (www.careerbuilder.ca) http://www.careerbuilder.ca/CA/default.aspx?siteid=sep_cgps_ontgeo_ontario