1. Your Portfolio: The Main Elements
The Cover Letter
The Resume

2. 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)

3. 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 !!!!

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

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

6. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

11. 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!!)

12. 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.

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

14. 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………...

15. 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

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

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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??

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

22. 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

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

24. 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

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

26. Sections of a Resume Chronological
The Details….

27. 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
address
Telephone Number
Contact info is positioned below your name
Should be formatted with ½” top margins
-(Page Layout options in MS Word)

29. 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.

31. 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

32. 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

34. 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

35. 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

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

38. 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

40. 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

41. 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.

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