Your Portfolio: The Main Elements The Cover Letter The Resume

2 Important Elements….. Resume: A working document that highlights your skills and experiences. (Today) Cover Letter: A succinct introduction for your future employer. Highlights your strongest points (Day 2)

The Resume 45 seconds maximum !!!! Content and Format The initial amount of time an employer takes to review an applicant’s resume: 45 seconds maximum !!!!

Why do you need a resume? A marketing tool To obtain an interview, not a job Requirement of many organizations

Functional Chronological Combination Resumes in General There are 3 main types of resume that you can create Functional Chronological Combination

Functional Isn’t presented in chronological order. Based upon competencies or skills. Might say “Sales Experience” then list it. Typically brief with a simple list of positions held, etc. De-emphasizes importance of specific jobs. Drawbacks to this system: not as popular.

When to use a FUNCTIONAL Resume…. A functional resume is particularly useful for people who: Have gaps in their work history.   Are reentering the workforce.   Have frequently changed jobs.   Are looking to transition into new careers.   Don't exactly fit the mold of what recruiters are looking for in the positions they want.

Chronological Resume usually contains an objective and/or summary statement Includes a chronological listing (from most recent to past) of all your employers along with related accomplishments. Educational information is included along with certifications and special skills are included.

When to use a CHRONOLOGICAL Resume…. -If you have experience relevant to the position you are applying for. -If you want to highlight different skill sets and when you developed them/at which position you developed your skills. -If you have skills which are time sensitive-e.g. First Aid, teaching, Certifications which need to be renewed, computer and programs skills (programs change all of the time!!)

For any type of resume, you need to know about your skills!! What Skills do You Have? For any type of resume, you need to know about your skills!! Learning to describe your skills will help you to: -introduce yourself to an employer -write your resume and cover letter -prepare a calling/business card -answer interview questions Talking about oneself is a little bit difficult for everyone. For a job search you need to practice talking about yourself.

Types of Skills Job Specific Skills 2) Transferable Skills 3) Personal Qualities or Attributes

Job Specific Skills AND Transferable Skills answer the question: What can you do? I can……………… Personal Qualities or Attributes answer the question: What kind of person are you? I am………...

Job Specific Skills Answer the question: “What can you do?” “I can………………” sometimes called hard skills or technical skills skills that we use for one job skills that we usually learn from courses at school or training on the job

Examples of Job Specific Skills Preparing reports with Microsoft Office programs Navigating an airplane Drafting blueprints Operating a chainsaw

Transferable Skills Answer the question: “What can you do generally?” “I can………………” Transferable skills are the skills you acquire during any activity in your life, that can be applied at a later stage in new situations i.e they can be transferred.

Examples of Transferable Skills Willingness to Learn Commitment Dependability/Reliability Team-work Communication Skills Co-operation Drive/Energy Self Management Desire to Achieve/ Motivation Problem Solving Ability   Analytical Ability Flexibility/Adaptability Taking Initiative Summarising Key Issues Logical Thinking Numeracy Coping with Deadlines Time Management Research Skills

Why do employers look for them? With your Transferable Skills, employers see you as a very valuable source of skilled labour. Once you have acquired a skill, they know you have the capacity to transfer it into their organization and to develop it further i.e. Skill Progression. In your CV and at Interview, employers look for concrete evidence that you have the skills they are looking for i.e. Skill Match

Personal Qualities When you have the right personal qualities, you will fit in to the organization. Sometimes we call these personality traits or attributes. Important to be honest when describing your personal qualities-Why??

Examples of Personal Qualities patient creative empathetic accurate persistent calm A calm and persistent troubleshooter Accurately processed documents Patiently instructed clients with disabilities

Nurse Job Specific Skills starting an intravenous taking a blood sample sterilizing equipment recording patient charts   Transferable Skills good oral and written communication skills well organized and able to multi-task  Personal Qualities empathetic, gentle, trustworthy

Scientist Job Specific Skills laboratory procedures scientific calculations chemical properties   Transferable skills handling dangerous materials safely planning troubleshooting   Personal Qualities innovative, methodical, open-minded  

Receptionist Job Specific Skills operate a multi-line phone use a computer and appointment scheduling software identify the names and functions of all departments in the company   Transferable Skills working under pressure good communication skills solving problems  Personal Qualities cheerful, friendly, courteous

Complete Cataloging Your Skills Booklet We will discuss sections of a resume in detail after this

Sections of a Resume Chronological The Details….

The Header What should be included? Name-bold, larger text. You will use the same font for all of your headings. Alternatively, you may choose a heading style in MS Word. Permanent and present address E-mail address Telephone Number Contact info is positioned below your name Should be formatted with ½” top margins -(Page Layout options in MS Word)

Objective Statement Purpose Examples Communicate the type of position you are interested in . Examples Management trainee position with a specialty retailer. Technical sales with an energy related industry in the Southwest. Long range goals of regional sales management. To obtain a position as field service representative with XYZ Software Corporation.

Education Name of Institution Name of your degree and major Include city and state if not part of the title Name of your degree and major Bachelor of _________ in ___________ e.g. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Accounting List degrees in reverse chronological order Most recent degree is listed first

Education Date or expected date of graduation GPA /Average Graduation Date: May 2014 Expected Graduation Date: May 2015 GPA /Average Major or overall at least 3.0 Round down to the nearest tenth 3.0 not 3.062 Academic average: 90% High School Information

Experience Use the term "experience" Information to include What is considered experience? Full and part-time jobs Self-employment Volunteer work Practicum, field, and cooperative education Information to include Job Title Dates of employment Company name City & Province

Listing Responsibilities Use bullet points Start of each line with an action verb Present tense if currently employed Past tense if no longer employed Vary your choice of verbs Tailor skills and experiences to the position for which you are applying Be concise while providing enough detail

Honors & Awards Reverse chronological Order by dates Rank order by importance to the career objective

Professional Affiliations & Activities Order by date Reverse chronological Rank order by importance to the career objective Do not say Member of …, try “ Performed the role of secretary with the 4H club” Emphasize your leadership roles Spell out the organization’s name: Do not use abbreviations or acronyms

Use action verbs : see list!!!!! Use short, concise sentences Resume Dos Use action verbs : see list!!!!! Use short, concise sentences Use #, %, $ amounts Keep resume easy to read Keep resume about one page

Resume Don’ts Do not use the pronouns such as I, me, my, etc. Do not include references Do not clutter your resume with nonessential information Do not make any misrepresentations Do not include personal information SSN, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, photograph, etc.

Resume- hidden messages You Neat Well-organized Attention to detail Careful & Competent Neat Well-organized Error free Professional appearance