Resumes & Cover Letters How to Get the WOW Factor 2017 - Resumes Cover... · • often considered...
Transcript of Resumes & Cover Letters How to Get the WOW Factor 2017 - Resumes Cover... · • often considered...
Resumes & Cover Letters How to Get the WOW Factor
February 15, 2017
Presented by: Monica Giorgini, Career Program Coordinator
Overview of today’s session
4 Essential Elements of a resume - Relevant & targeted - Accomplishment based - Easy to read - Error free Cover Letters - Standard Formats Services available on campus
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Resumes
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
4 Rules of Resumes
- Relevant & targeted
- Accomplishment based
- Easy to read
- Error free
Relevant & Targeted
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Reflect what employers are looking for to show your “fit”
Prepare your resume for the right audience
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Accomplishment Based
“Accomplishment statements” show skills, actions and outcomes of your work.
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Write an Accomplishment Statement
• An accomplishment is the action you took and the result that came from it • Be honest when describing your accomplishments; provide specific examples • When possible, quantify with numbers (# hours saved, amount of money raised)
Use the acronym CAR in your statement:
C - What was the CHALLENGE you faced? What was the problem(s) or issue(s)? A - What was the ACTION that you took? What did you do in response to the problem or issue? What skills did you use? R - What were the RESULTS you obtained? What was the benefit of your actions? (Qualitative: improved staff morale / Quantitative: increased participation by 50%).
Graded papers of 300 undergraduate Biology students, providing written feedback and opportunities for additional help at weekly drop-in sessions.
Researched and wrote a paper on the effects of cyber bullying on pre-teenagers, and was invited to present findings at a national conference for Safe Schools.
More Accomplishment Statements • Facilitated groups of 5 - 15 first year students in activities and discussion which
helped them in their transition to university.
• Organized a fashion show fundraiser which raised $1200 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and increased student awareness.
• Maintained clear, concise and accurate records, ensuring compliance with organizational and professional standards
• Grew new product sales 100% in 120 days and sustained 20% annual sales growth for five consecutive years by introducing new marketing initiatives, forging effective strategic alliances, and implementing innovative sales techniques
• Participated in planning recreational events at Boys and Girls Club, to engage children in productive after school programs
• Wrote 44 page review of existing research that formed the rationale for requesting and winning a $2,000 research grant
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Use Effective Skill Action Verbs
Accelerated
Analyzed
Assessed
Assisted
Audited
Balanced
Bought
Budgeted
Calculated
Enabled
Encouraged
Enforced
Facilitated
Forecasted
Founded
Guided
Increased
Influenced
Inspired
Instructed
Integrated
Interviewed
Led
Managed
Mentored
Monitored
Motivated
Planned
Prepared
Prioritized
Produced
Re-invented
Reported
Reviewed
Revitalized
Simplified
Practice Activity Accomplishment Statement
• Take a few minutes to reflect on one example of work from your past
- paid, unpaid, school projects, extracurricular
• Formulate an accomplishment statement - what skills you used - what task you worked on - the results of your work
• Share with a partner - feedback
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Easy to Read
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Average time an employer/recruiter
takes to read a resume is 6 seconds!
Easy to Read
DE-CLUTTER YOUR RESUME
• Use an organized layout and a strong visual order
• Avoid distracting formatting such as oversized font, heavy lines or overuse of highlighting
• Consider the visual centre of the page & how recruiters read resumes
• Make it aesthetically pleasing
6 seconds!
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Formats
Chronological • most common and traditional format • experience listed in reverse chronological order • works well for people with years of related work experience
http://success.uwo.ca/careers/pdf/chronological_resume1.pdf
Functional/Skills Based • highlights relevant skills and abilities • best for someone who has skills but no related work experience • hides gaps in employment
http://success.uwo.ca/careers/pdf/FunctionalResume.pdf
Combined/Hybrid • frequently best for new graduates • highlights and organizes skills & experiences in most relevant way • more time-consuming to prepare, but very effective http://success.uwo.ca/careers/pdf/combined_resume1.pdf
Chronological Format
Functional
Format
Combined Format
Content
Profile / Summary Section • Summary of Qualifications, Profile, Proven Competencies, Strengths, Skills • short summary of your skills and relevant experience • often considered to be one of the most important parts of your resume
Education • reverse chronological order • include the month and year of completion; list concentration • relevant coursework or advanced level classes showing key skills Experience • list in reverse chronological order • use action verbs, focus on accomplishments and industry specific language • target appropriate keywords so that hiring managers don’t have to guess
Other considerations
Margins • between .5” - 1” around the entire document
White Space • avoid crowding but include enough details of skills and achievements
Line Spacing • maintain consistency throughout document for a balanced look
Font • use simple fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri throughout
• 10 - 12 point size (name slightly larger; contact information slightly smaller)
• keep it simple; avoid excessive formatting
• left justify text
Bullets
• use basic round bullet points. • try to limit bullets to five or six per category/position
Punctuation • consistent throughout
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Error Free
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Grammar checkers can miss errors!
• Accomplishments: Instrumental in ruining the entire operation for a Midwest chain store
• Skills: Strong Work Ethic, Attention to Detail, Team Player, Self Motivated, Attention to Detail
• Job Duties: Provided superior in-person customer service using the telephone
• Awards: Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year
Cover Letters
What Makes
a Good Cover
Letter?
Do’s - One page - Concise and clear - Demonstrate confidence - Positive tone - Show your research - Demonstrate how you are a great fit for the position - Use several short paragraphs – for easier reading - Personalize your letter by addressing it to the appropriate contact person - Proofread your letter ......and Don’ts - Repeat your resume in your cover letter - Send a resume without a covering letter - Use same cover letter to apply to every position - Use Dear Sir or Madam..… or To whom it may concern
Standard Format For a Cover Letter
• Your name, address & contact information
• Date
• Contact’s name, title, organization name & address
• Salutation
• Body
• Closing
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Standard Cover Letter Format
Sample Cover Letter
Resources
• Website: Resumes, CV's & Letters (resources and examples) http://success.uwo.ca/careers/resumes__letters/resumes/index.html
• Western’s Employment Resource Centre (WERC) UCC 210
No appointment required! Mon - Fri from 10:00am – 4:00pm http://success.uwo.ca/careers/career_counselling/westerns_employment_resource_centre.html
• Check Internet for more resources / examples For example, do a Google search: - “sample job description for Employment Counsellor” - “sample job posting for Software Developer” - “sample resume for Civil Engineer”
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
Visit success.uwo.ca Career and Employment Events
Employer Information Sessions
Workshops
Employment Listings
Career Counselling
Interview Help Transition & Leadership Experiential Learning Information and Resources
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca
UCC 210 • WSS 210 | 519-661-3559 • success.uwo.ca