resumes & cover letters ahss 4080 transition to work january 25 th 2007 janet wolstenholme &...
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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