1. Karen McClughan myCareer Centre– A218-15 Lambton College 519 542 7751 Ext. 3386 karen.mcclughan@lambtoncollege.ca Resume Workshop myCareer Centre Lambton College

2. Objectives Resumes Optimal Resume How to create your resume using Optimal Resume Cover Letters 2 myCareer Centre Lambton College

3. RESUMES How many of you have created a resume? How many of those resumes are currently up-to-date? How many of those resumes are up- to-date & absolutely perfect? 3 myCareer Centre Lambton College

4. CHRONOLOGICAL Organized according to time in reverse order Most recent education/experience first Focuses on dates and job experiences Most widely used type of resume Most suitable for students and recent grads 4 myCareer Centre Lambton College

5. FUNCTIONAL RESUME Organized according to types of experiences or functions you have performed Spotlights key traits or qualities Provides details & examples of above qualities Requires more thought & planning Most useful if you do not have continual employment/experience Focuses the reader onto what you’ve done rather than where or when you did it 5 myCareer Centre Lambton College

6. TARGET YOUR RESUME Targeted toward: Job objective Position applying for Program Industry key words Relevant skills May need to be tweaked for every position you apply for. 6 myCareer Centre Lambton College

7. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY Resumes scanned by a computer Very focused Basic Key words Resumes posted on the internet Refer to the individual website instructions provided by the employer Txt resume or MSWord Email attachments PDF’s- combined 7 myCareer Centre Lambton College

8. GUIDELINES Resume is a sales tool – YOU are the product! Crucial that your sales tool be the BEST it can be Particular attention to content and layout Blend of good content and attractive format Easy to follow & consistent Attract immediate attention (5 – 10 seconds) 1 – 2 pages in length DO NOT use complete sentences & lengthy paragraphs USE sentence fragments to express complete thoughts (Bullets; No Periods) 8 myCareer Centre Lambton College

9. GUIDELINES CON’T. Appropriate past and present tense Never use the word “I” in your resume Be accurate (do not estimate or guess on details) Proofread meticulously (Spelling; Grammar; Typos) NO MISTAKES! NO MISTAKES! Professional paper choices – if required No graphics/photographs 9 myCareer Centre Lambton College

10. ACTION VERBS Action verbs help to build complete thoughts out of sentence fragments Word pictures Build confidence in the reader 10 myCareer Centre Lambton College

11. achieved acquired adapted addressed administered analyzed anticipated assembled assisted audited budgeted calculated centralized changed collaborated composed condensed conducted constructed contracted converted coordinated created cultivated demonstrated designed developed devised discovered doubled drafted edited eliminated enforced established evaluated expanded explained forecasted formed founded generated guided hired implemented improved informed Insured interpreted interviewed launched maintained produced programmed promoted provided publicized published recruited managed marketed minimized motivated negotiated obtained operated organized originated oversaw performed planned prevented reorganized reported researched resolved reviewed selected separated set up simplified solved surveyed staffed supervise taught tested trained used ACTION VERBS 11 myCareer Centre Lambton College

12. SCOPE & ACHIEVEMENT STATEMENTS Demonstrate the scope of responsibility and accomplishments on the job Duty Statement: Handled cash (too brief…doesn’t sell you!) Scope Statement: Accurately handled in excess of $5000 cash per shift Achievement Statement: Accurately handled and balanced in excess of $5000 cash per shift Posted all debit and credit card transactions for 2 years 12 myCareer Centre Lambton College

13. “Sell It to Me…Don’t Tell It to Me” TELL IT Simply states facts BORING!! SELL IT Promotes Advertises Draws Attention To Impacts Virtually Every Single Word on Your Resume Adds Value 13 myCareer Centre Lambton College

14. 14 It is easier for an employer to “ELIMINATE” than to hire myCareer Centre Lambton College

15. J ANE D OE 1400 London Road, Sarnia, ON N7S 6K4 519 542 7771 c000111@mylambton.ca Jonathan B. Doe 1400 London Road, Sarnia, ON N7S 6K4 519 542-7771 jdoe@mylambton.ca J ANE D OE J ANE D OE 519 542-7771 1400 London Road, Sarnia, ON N7S 6K4 jdoe@live.ca 15 myCareer Centre Lambton College

16. 16 Objective A clear and concise statement of the specific position or career area you are seeking. Co-op accounting assistant at ABC Corporation

17. myCareer Centre Lambton College 17 Branding Statement An introductory written statement for individuals with professional experience related to their targeted career. Recent graduate eager to provide strong interpersonal, organizational and problem solving ability along with exceptional computer skills to your organization in a front line customer support role

18. EDUCATION Reverse Chronological Order (Most recent first) Program name Bold Make sure you have the proper name of your program!!! SCHOOL NAME, City, Province Dates 18 myCareer Centre Lambton College

19. 19 EDUCATION: 2014 – present Business Management International Business LAMBTON COLLEGE, Sarnia, ON G.P.A. – 3.7/4.0 2013 Ontario Secondary School Diploma NORTHERN COLLEGIATE, Sarnia, ON myCareer Centre Lambton College

20. S SKILLS & QUALIFICATION S SELL YOURSELF! Use bullets (not ticks) Proof statements for transferable skills PROGRAM SPECIFIC TECHNICAL SKILLS Specific computer skills (i.e. MS Word) Skills most relevant to your objective should appear first 20 myCareer Centre Lambton College

21. SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS Certifications Awards/scholarships Achievements Outstanding personal characteristics Languages WARNING: BE PREPARED TO BACK UP ANY STATEMENT OR CLAIM YOU MAKE ON YOUR RESUME IN YOUR INTERVIEW! SELL! SELL! SELL! 21 myCareer Centre Lambton College

22. WORK EXPERIENCE Job Title Proper Company Name City, Province Dates Relevant job descriptions Highlight transferable skills Use action verbs Use scope/achievement statements 22 myCareer Centre Lambton College

23. EXPERIENCE Put most important FIRST Relevant Experience (anything related to your objective) Co-op/ Internships Work Volunteer Other Experience Volunteer Experience (Current & Ongoing) 23 myCareer Centre Lambton College

24. EXPERIENCE : 2014 – present Server BOSTON PIZZA, Sarnia, ON Awarded “Employee of the Month” 3 times Provide friendly and efficient customer service Demonstrate strong multi-tasking skills to efficiently handle multiple tables in a fast paced environment Excellent knowledge of all 110 menu items which enables me to answer customer questions Motivated team player Accurately handle cash, debit and credit card transactions 24 myCareer Centre Lambton College

25. VOLUNTEER/INTERESTS Demonstrate physical activity both solo and team Active in team sports including soccer and baseball Active perennial gardener Demonstrate use of skills that you are training for outside of school Prepared tax returns for seniors at XYZ retirement home Volunteer Should be recent or current and active 25 myCareer Centre Lambton College

26. REFERENCES 3 references Faculty, Employers preferred with complete mailing address Phone # with area code E-mail address 26 myCareer Centre Lambton College

27. Any Student 1450 London Road, Sarnia, ON N7S 6K4 519 542-7771 REFERENCES: John Smith, Instructor LAMBTON COLLEGE 1457 London Road, Sarnia, ON N7S 6K4 519 542-7751 ext. 4567 jsmith@lambton.on.ca Dianne Holdaway, Manager BOSTON PIZZA 1400 Exmouth Street, Sarnia, ON N7S 1W9 519 542-7500 holdaway@bostonpizza.com Brett Marsh, Owner THE HELPFUL GUYS COMPLETE COMPUTER SYSTEMS & MORE 1123 Lakeshore Road, Brights Grove, ON N0N 1C0 519 869-2532 brettmarsh@helpfulguys.ca 27 myCareer Centre Lambton College

28. Optimal Resume Create a professional and attractive resume You create the content; Optimal Resume assists in the formatting and styling of resume Step by step instructions Provides examples in each resume section Internet based, available to you 24/7 Offers a variety of style options Transfers your resume into MS Word for further manipulation https://www.mylambton.ca/mycareer/Home/ 28 myCareer Centre Lambton College

29. https://lambton.optimalresume.ca / 29 myCareer Centre Lambton College

30. Click Here 30 myCareer Centre Lambton College

31. Must be your Lambton College e-mail 31 myCareer Centre Lambton College

32. Scroll down or click html to get your code myCareer Centre Lambton College

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45. NOTE: Take your time here and check out all of the pre-styled options before you download into Word. 90 percent of students will choose the first one – do you really want it look like everyone else's? 45 myCareer Centre Lambton College

46. Download to Word Modify in Word Print from Word myCareer Centre Lambton College 46

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49. HELPFUL TIPS Stylize your header School address only applies to those living here from out of town Recommended font size for body of resume is 11 Keep job together on page 1 or 2 but don’t split it – use a page break NOTE: double check section heading and dates to ensure consistency 49 myCareer Centre Lambton College

50. QUESTIONS?

51. Cover Letters

52. COVER LETTER CHARACTERISTICS Introduces you to the potential employer Makes a good first impression Original and specific to each job application situation Direct and to the point 1 page or less Paper, Font & Style match your resume Sets the tone for your resume Can contain information not included on your resume ANSWERS “WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU?” 52 myCareer Centre Lambton College

53. COMMON PITFALLS Overuse of “I” statements Suggesting that the employer should hire you so that YOU gain experience Failure to market yourself according to the job requirements Lack of technical skills that relate to the job requirements Improper spelling/sentence/paragraph structure 53 myCareer Centre Lambton College

54. COVER LETTER STRUCTURE Your Address Date Contact Name & Company Address Salutation Paragraph Structure Closing 54 myCareer Centre Lambton College

55. MARKETING YOURSELF Focus on the employers JOB REQUIREMENTS Demonstrate how YOUR education, experience & skills make you a QUALIFIED CANDIDATE for the job 55 myCareer Centre Lambton College

56. INTRODUCTION (1 ST Paragraph ) This is the purpose of your letter. What position are you applying for? How did you find out about the opening? Example: “Please consider my application for the position of____________ advertised at ___________on September 15, 2014.” 56 myCareer Centre Lambton College

57. EDUCATION (2 nd paragraph ) Discuss what have you gained from your post secondary education that qualifies you for the position. Example: “Currently I am enrolled in the Child and Youth Worker program at Lambton College through which I have gained a solid working knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act ”… 57 myCareer Centre Lambton College

58. BE SPECIFIC! Provide specific details and examples of your qualifications, training and experience Include skills you are currently learning in your program Include specific employment information and skills/accomplishments 58 myCareer Centre Lambton College

59. EXPERIENCE & SKILLS (3 rd paragraph) What specific experience and skills have you gained from work, volunteering, recreational activities etc. that qualify you for the position? Example: “ While working as a Customer Service Representative at Marriott, I developed excellent interpersonal skills and was able to manage customers’ problems and offer effective solutions”… 59 myCareer Centre Lambton College

60. CLOSING (4 TH Paragraph) Thank the reader, request an interview and include contact information. Example: “Thank you for reviewing my resume. I look forward to further discussion of my qualifications at an interview. I can be reached at 519 555 2222.” 60 myCareer Centre Lambton College

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62. QUESTIONS?

63. Thank You!!!