Creating Job Search Materials

1. Creating Job Search Materials Your resume is the most important job search document. It is a written summary of your work-related skills, experience, and education. A cover letter is sent along with your resume. It introduces you to a potential employer and highlights the qualities that make you suitable for the position. A list of references includes the names and contact information of people who know you and your qualifications, and who are willing to speak about you to potential employers. Employers often consider tens or even hundreds of candidates for every job opening. 1 13

2. Preparing YourJob Search Materials • A cover letter should be short and to the point. Customize it to the job opening for which you are applying. • A reference is someone who knows you well and is willing to speak to employers about your qualifications. • Create a reference list to include in your career portfolio, and have it available for employers when they ask. • Select at least three people, and ask them for permission to use them as a reference. • Everyone looking for work should keep a career portfolio for storing documents such as a resume, cover letter, personal data sheet, and list of references. 2 13

3. Your Job Search Portfolio • A portfolio that includes samples of your current work is an important part of your job search materials if you are looking for a position in a creative career. • Keep your job search materials organized in a folder or binder will help you follow up every possibility: • Keep a to-do list of tasks you want to accomplish each day, such as people you want to contact, resumes you have to send out, and thank-you notes to write. • Contact some people in your network every day. • Follow up on all leads. • Set up folders for storing documents that relate to your job search. 3 13

4. Preparing a Resume You want your resume to describe you in a way that makes the employer want to meet you. There are many ways to organize or format a resume. Choose a format that highlights your experience and skills so they stand out to someone glancing at it quickly. Sometimes you will mail your resume in an envelope with a cover letter. Other times you will send it electronically by e-mail. A resume is a document that provides a snapshot image of your qualifications. It summarizes you, your skills, and your abilities. It is a statement of who you are, what you have done in your life, and what you hope to do next. Your resume may be the first communication between you and a potential employer. 4 13

5. Organizing Your Resume • A typical resume has four main sections: • Contact information • Objective • Education • Work experience • You may also include a Skills section for listing jobs skills and a Personal Information section that lists extracurricular activities, awards, and honors. • Action words are verbs that describe your actions in a way that makes them stand out to the reader. When you use action words to describe your responsibilities and skills in a cover letter or on your resume, it will bring your actions to life. 5 13

6. Resume Dos and Don’ts

7. Resume Types

8. example of chronological resume Dana Pareau2256 Main StreetAnywhere, Ontario K9Q 2P2613 555-1234dana@internet.com Personal Profile I am an enthusiastic, energetic person who enjoys sports and coaching children. I’ve also had two years' experience on my school’s basketball team. Employment History 2010-2012 Newspaper carrier * Collated 3 to 5 sections of the newspaper for delivery * Served 75 homes daily * Collected cash and provided receipts for 75 customers Volunteer Experience 2011-present Sports Program, Community Centre * 45 hours as assistant coach for junior soccer team * 10 hours helping at Sports Registration Day Education completing grade 10 Monroe High School Awards Received 2011 Top Newspaper Delivery Certificate Interests Exploring the Internet, playing basketball, reading References available upon requests.

9. example of functional resume Dana Pareau2256 Main StreetAnywhere, Ontario K9Q 2P2613 555-1234dana@internet.com Job Objective To use my strong interpersonal skills in a sales clerk position Highlights of Qualifications * Reliable daily newspaper delivery to 75 customers * Internet and computer skills * Excellent School attendance record Accomplishments and Awards * Received 2011 Top Newspaper Delivery Certificate * Sold 300 tickets for class play and handled all cash transactions Employment History 2010-2012 Newspaper carrier * Collated 3 to 5 sections of the newspaper for delivery * Served 75 homes daily * Collected cash and provided receipts for 75 customers Volunteer Experience 2011-present Sports Program, Community Centre * 45 hours as assistant coach for junior soccer team * 10 hours helping at Sports Registration Day Education completing grade 10 Monroe High School Interests Exploring the Internet, playing basketball, reading References available upon requests.

10. Activity #1 Decide on whether you want to use a chronological or functional resume. Then prepare a hand written draft of your resume that you can use to apply for a summer job this July. Review it and once you are happy with it, type it up and submit for evaluation.

11. Example of a cover letter to apply to video game store manager

12. Example of a cover letter to apply to video game store manager

13. Activity #2 Prepare a hand written draft of your cover letter that will accompany the resume you prepared in Activity #1. Review it and once you are happy with it, type it up and submit for evaluation.

14. Applying for a Job Applying means that you present yourself as a candidate for the position. Applying usually starts with sending in your resume and a cover letter. When you apply for a job, your short-term goal is to get invited for an interview. A job application is a standard form you fill out when you apply for a job. You might fill it out in person or online. A personal information card holds the information you might need to fill out a job application accurately. You may want to store the information in your cell phone or handheld device. 14 13

15. Interviewing for a Job • A job interview is like a test—if you pass, you are offered the job. • Use these four steps to prepare for a job interview: • Research the company or organization where you are going for the interview. • Make a list of questions an interviewer might ask you • Prepare answers to the questions and be specific. • Make a list of five to ten questions you can ask the interviewer. • Practice for the interview by rehearsing your behavior and answers to questions helps give you confidence. A job interview is a formal meeting between a job seeker and a potential employer. 15 13

16. Preparing for a Job Interview • To best use the interview time to get a job offer: • Dress neatly and professionally. • Be clean. • Arrive ten minutes early. • Be polite and respectful to everyone you meet. • Shake hands with your interviewer when you arrive, and before you leave. • Listen carefully, using positive body language. • Use proper English when you speak; no slang. • Avoid chewing gum, cell phone calls, and texting. • At the end of the interview, shake hands again, and thank the interviewer. 16 13

17. After the Interview Telephone interviews are used to screen, or make a first decision about, potential employees. After the interview, write a thank-you note to the interviewer. Follow up the interview by a call or an e-mail. Being called back for a second interview means you passed the first test. If you are offered the job, make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision. Use the decision-making process to decide whether to accept the position or not. If you do not get a job offer, it may be helpful if the interviewer can explain why you were not selected. 17 13

18. Activity #3 • Working in pairs you will prepare a mock job interview skit and act it out. • Jobs will be random chosen • One person will be the interviewer, the other the interviewee. Prepare appropriate interview questions (open and closed) and the responses. • The skit will be 3-5 minutes long

19. Evaluating a Job Offer • The most important consideration when evaluating a job offer is usually the monetary compensation. • Base pay is the hourly wage or annual salary that you earn. • A commission is a payment based on a percentage of sales. • A bonus is a lump sum paid in addition to base pay. • Make a budget to identify expenses to know how much income you need. • Benefits are things other than wages that have value. Most companies offer some benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, vacation time, and so on. Employment needs range from compensation, or wages and benefits, to recognition; from training to accommodations for disabilities. 19 13