Resumes & Cover LettersAHSS 4080 Transition to Work

January 25th 2007

Janet Wolstenholme & Fred Evers

Agenda

• Resumes• Examples and Practice• Cover Letters• Examples and Practice• On-line Resources

Resumes

• What is a Resume, what is its job?• What to include on a resume?• What not to include?

Resume Types

• Chronological• Functional• Combination• CV

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

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

Resume Types

• Combination• Hybrid of the chronological & functional

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)• More for professional or academic positions

• Are more lengthy

Resume Types

• Examples• on overheads

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

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

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

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/jobAppl

ications/resumes/badResume.aspx

Cover Letters

• What is the job of a cover letter?

• What to include on a cover letter?

• What not to include?

Cover Letters

• Typical business letter• Basically 4 short paragraphs of content

• Introduction• Body—qualifications • Body—skill match• Closing

Cover Letters

• Examples • On overhead

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

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

Cover Letters—Exercise

• From Overhead:• In pairs, create a

cover letter for this opportunity

Cover Letters—Exercise

• Continued:• Still in pairs, Exchange cover

letters with another pair and critique

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