Welcome to “How to Write the Best Résumé and Cover Letter” Led by

1. To ensure the best audio recording quality, all phones lines have been muted. • You may type your questions into the chat log on the left side of the screen. • If you lose your connection, consult the instructions provided to you at the timeof registration and re-enter the webinar using those directions. If you need additional assistance, please contact memberservices@pdkintl.orgor call 1-800-766-1156. Welcome to “How to Write the Best Résumé and Cover Letter” Led by Jean Wyer, Career Services Program Coordinator The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

2. How to Write the Best Résumé and Cover Letter Presented by Jean Wyer Career Services Program Coordinator College of Education and Human Ecology The Ohio State University

3. Three components of an employment application • Résumé • Cover Letter • Application Form • Each has a different purpose • Each should be able to stand alone

4. Résumé Purpose: Quickly communicate information relevant to the desired job, resulting in an invitation to interview Key Elements: Format – Above the fold, consistent placement Content – Informative, matches the job, accurate Appeal – Organized, bullets

5. Format • “Above the fold” - most relevant information • Summary (if there is room) • Contact information (personal letterhead) • Education (with license and graduation date) • Teaching experience (start above the fold) • Consistent placement of data fields: • Organization Name Position/Title • City, State Dates

6. Content Informative: Tell me something I don’t already know Action + Object + Reason or Results Matches the job: Transfer skills and experiences to the desired job Use professional terms: methods, technologies, etc. Accurate: Grammar, punctuation, verb tense, dates, name

7. Appeal Organized: Descriptive labels (Ex: Teaching Experience) Limited embellishments (bold, CAPS, italics) Professional (no photos, clip art, limited color) White space with justified margins Bullets: Action phrases that start with a verb One thought or sentence per bullet

8. Elizabeth A. Student ________________ eastudent@gmail.com 123 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43210 Cell: 614-555-7516 SUMMARY As a licensed teacher of French and Spanish, with experience living and learning abroad, I am able to teach all grade levels of foreign languageswith pedagogical and applied perspective. EDUCATION • Master of Education in French and Spanish with K-12 Teaching LicenseJune 2012 • The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish June 2011 Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York Summer Session Abroad May-August 2009 University of Dijon, Dijon, France TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teacher, Urban Valley High School, Urban Valley, Ohio March-June 2012 • Assume teaching of French I,French II, and Spanish I classes • Serve as faculty advisor to French Club and Spanish Club to encourage continued understanding of the cultures • Implement a cooking project to explore cuisine of French and Spanish speaking countries around the world • Practicum Student, Best Ever Middle School, Columbus, Ohio January-March 2012 • Developed long range unit and lesson planning skills for beginning French and Spanish classes • Assisted with annual Spanish culture arts festival • Aided teacher in general classroom activities such as setting up instructional technology, monitoring group work, and • assisting with individual verbal skills

9. Cover Letter Purpose: Demonstrate writing ability and spotlight the most important messages Key Elements: Introduction Body Close

10. Introduction: Similar to résumé summary Include how you’ve been introduced to them Body: Write for the reader (limited use of “I”) Consider two experiences that best meet their needs Closing: Thanks and recommended next steps

11. Elizabeth A. Student _________________________ eastudent@gmail.com • 123 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43210 Cell: 614-555-7516 • March 20, 2012 • Mr. Jack Hermmann, Director of Personnel • City Public Schools • 15125 Farmington Road • Best City, MI 48100 • Dear Mr. Hermmann: • I recently read of Best City Schools’ decision to expand the foreign language program to the newly created grades 4-6 buildings. Please consider this letter and the attached resume as my application for a foreign language teaching position. As a licensed teacher of both French and Spanish, who has studied and lived abroad, I am able to provide the enthusiasm and experience needed to play a role in the start of this exciting new program.

12. Application Form • Purpose: Employer determines the information to be submitted in a standardized format • Key Elements: • Data the employer requests • Behavior-based questions • Teacher Insight • Ventures for Excellence • Keyword search: “Teacher Interview Questions”

13. For additional examples, action words, and Dos and Taboos of Résumé Writing, visit: http://ehe.osu.edu/career-services/job-search-documents.php Q & A

14. This webinar was brought to you by Educational Horizons, the official magazine of Pi Lambda Theta. Questions? Email edhorizons@pdkintl.org.