Bookkeeping  1.   MPCU  Medicinal  Careers    

Date:  Tuesday  March  4th  6:30-­‐8  pm  Where:  SCC  115  (Student  Centre)  Food:  Catering  provided!  

3.  WISE  Conference  (U  of  T)    

Date:  Saturday  March  22  

2.  Ryerson  Science  Café    

Date:  Thursday,  March  6  @  7pm  

5.  FoS  Alumni  Mentoring  Event    

Date:  Wednesday  April  9th,  5-­‐8pm  Where:  Alumni  Lounge,  MAC  

3.  WHMIS  and  BioSafety  Training    

Formal  Session  –  March  18  

Three easy tips on how to get the references YOU need!  FACULTY OF SCIENCE  

 A reference letter is an essential part of any career path you chose! When applying to

professional schools or jobs your reference letter leaves an everlasting impression. You only get one chance to make a first impression, so here are some tips that will help you get a great

reference letter:  

1. How do I ask my referee for a reference letter and when?   It's important to ask your referee in person in order to really be able to talk to them and get a sense for how strong the support letter is likely to be. It is best to ask for a reference letter in person and if your selected referee cannot write you a good letter try another person. It is better to get someone who knows you well to write a letter. If your referee agrees to write you a letter, you should follow up with the necessary information in a hard copy or an e-mail depending on your referee’s preferences. Give your referee enough time to write your letter. Let them know 2 to 4 weeks in advance of the deadline. You may send them a gentle reminder the week before the deadline.

2. Who should I ask for a reference letter?  

You support letter may be from a professor, a senior graduate student, post-doctoral fellow, or your supervisor depending on where you are applying . You are more likely to get a strong letter from a professor who taught a course where you excelled. A professor is more likely to remember you if you have done well in their course, participated in class, go to their office hours, and have preferably taken more than one course with them. It is very beneficial to volunteer or work for a professor in their lab so that they get to know you better as a good letter from someone who has taught you a course and has also seen you in the laboratory can be much stronger.

3. What information do I need to give to my referee?

include your full name and student number your résumé, cover letter, and transcript (unofficial) your resume should be tailored based on your application what you are applying for (send application) and the deadline tell the professor that you were in their course(s) ABC in 20XX so they know which

results list to check (you may choose to include what you liked about the course and incorporate what your professor did to enhance your experience)

Tip: It is best to include all information in one e-mail and remember to follow up with a thank you letter. Reconnecting with your referees and letting them know what you are currently doing is a

great idea to show them how they have made a difference in you life!

Special  thanks  to  Dr.  Coe,  Dr.  Heyd,  Dr.  Killeen,  Dr.Koivisto  and  Dr.Botelho    for  helping  me  put  this  letter  together.  –Monika  Madik

Location: POD 60 Phone: (416) 979 – 5177 Email: career@ryerson.ca Hours: Mon – Thu 8:30 am – 6:30 pm/Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Career Development Workshops

Get Ready Know yourself and what you

want

Get Set Present yourself with style

GO Make your move

• Discovering Your Career

Passion

• The “Wow” Factor:

Resumes & Cover

Letters that Stand Out

• Job Search Strategies

that Maximize Results

• Exploring Careers

Outside of Academia

• Interview Techniques that

Land the Job

• Networking On & Offline

• Grad School Application

Essentials

• LinkedIn: Developing

Career Connections &

Effective Profiles

• Cultural Adaptation:

Working in Canada

Agenda

1. Introduction to

Technical Writing

2. Introductory e-mail

3. Curriculum Vitae

(CV)

4. Personal Statements

5. Summary

Introduction

• Tailored to a specific audience

• Focused

• Factual

• Easily accessible

Technical Communication:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

What is a Curriculum Vitae or CV?

CV vs. Resume

CV

Resume

Length

Content

Use For employers

outside of academia

or research

No page limit

Emphasis on academic

experience (e.g. research,

teaching, publications)

Skills, experience,

education

1 or 2 pages

For academic or research

positions, grad school,

fellowships, grants

CV: Tips & Formatting

• Clear, well-organized and logical

• Relevant and necessary info (concise)

• Full name and page #’s on every page

• Professional font, size 11-12 (body)

• 1 inch margins

• Consistent formatting

• Reverse chronological order

When writing your CV, aim for:

CV: Possible Sections

Applicant Information Presentations

Education Professional Experience

Honours and Awards / Grants

/ Fellowships / Patents

Professional Affiliations /

Associations

Research Experience Conferences / Seminars

Attended

Teaching Experience Travel / Study Abroad

Academic Experience Languages

Publications References

Research Interests Extracurricular Activities/

Interests

CV: Academic Experience

Combine research and teaching under “Academic

Experience”, if you have less experience.

CV: Publications & Presentations

Publications section can be divided into:

• Books

• Book Reviews

• Abstracts

• Peer-Reviewed Articles

• Work Submitted

• Work in Progress, etc.

• Include dates, locations, presentation titles

For publications and presentations, use appropriate

citation form for your field.

Presentations

Introductory e-mail

When e-mailing a professor for the first time:

• Be direct, but not blunt

• Be polite

• Be genuine

• Tailor your message to

the professor

Personal Statements/Statement of

Interest

What is a personal statement?

Statements of Interest

• Why you?

• What makes you unique?

• Highlight relevant experience, skills,

qualifications, achievements

• Research interests? (If applicable)

• Academic background – how have you prepared?

• Why that program?

• Why that professor/school?

• Career goals (short and long term)

• Address discrepancies (e.g. grades, program change)

• How would you be an asset to the program?

Topics usually addressed:

Writing Statements of Interest

• Research schools and programs

• Look up research interests of potential supervisors –

ensure they are a good fit with your own

• Contact / speak to potential supervisors in advance

(Introductory e-mail)

Tips:

Writing Statements of Interest

• Interesting intro paragraph with a “hook”

• Details, details, details – use specific examples / stories

• Write clearly – avoid run on sentences and jargon

• Proofread! No spelling or grammar errors

• Avoid clichés

• Avoid controversial subjects (e.g. religion or politics)

• Get feedback from career centre, professors, individuals

in field

Additional tips:

Summary

Before sending out any written commumication,

remember to tailor your message to your audience and

keep your writing focused and factual.

Connect With Us!

www.facebook.com/RyersonCareer www.twitter.com/RyersonCareer www.youtube.com/RyersonCareer

Ryerson University Career Development & Employment Centre

www.ryerson.ca/career

Contact Information: Location: POD 60 Phone: (416) 979 – 5177 Email: career@ryerson.ca Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 8:30 am – 6:30 pm Fri. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

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