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Resumes & Cover Letters

Learn how to write a winning resume and cover letter with today's objectives, including defining the purpose of a resume, exploring sections to include, and explaining how to write an action statement. Understand the employer's perspective and how to showcase your skills, knowledge, and attitude. Discover tips for passing resume scanning software and writing a compelling cover letter.

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Resumes & Cover Letters

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  1. Resumes & Cover Letters

  2. Today’s objectives… Define the purpose of a resume Explore sections to include Explain how to write an action statement Discuss references Define cover letters

  3. In the employers shoes… • What can you do for me? • Needs & Wants • Experience • Skills, knowledge, competencies • How will you fit within my organization? • Attitude

  4. What is a résumé? • Marketing tool • First impression • Document of your experiences • Communicates skills & knowledge

  5. What sections can I include?

  6. Contact information Jenny Jobseeker 226 Vernon Street Truro, Nova Scotia B3R 5T9 (902) 897-9760 jennyjobseeker@dal.ca

  7. Objective Statements Amy Smith123 Main Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, N4J 2B8Home: (902) 434-5934, Cell: (902) 293-532, Email: asmith@dal.ca Objective Seeking a position as a Library Assistant where I will be able to contribute my organization and customer service skills.

  8. Summary of Skills • Summary of Skills • Possess three years experience delivering excellent customer service • Excellent organization skills as evidenced by extracurricular involvement • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks • Experienced in writing and editing documents • Ability to communicate and listen effectively as a member of a team

  9. Education Education Diplomain Enterprise Management (Equine) 2011-PresentDalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia

  10. Associations/Memberships Memberships Student Member, Canadian Equestrian Association 2011-Present

  11. What is experience? • Realizing WHO the reader of your résumé is • Realizing WHAT the reader of your résumé is looking for • Part time/Full time • Summer • Experiential Learning • Volunteer • Extra-curricular • In the classroom • Internships/Co-ops • Life

  12. Employment

  13. Volunteer Experience • VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE • Fundraiser • Blue Hills School, NS, May – Oct 2011 • Raised money in support of local charities in cooperation with Senior Administrators at the Blue Hills School • Utilized online social media to promote fundraising events resulting in a 30% increase in funds raised • Successfully led a team of 12 volunteers ensuring a cohesive team environment • Conducted post event surveys to improve upon future fundraising endeavors

  14. Academic Projects • Academic Projects • Project: Assessment of the Impacts of Community Organizations in Nova Scotia • Class: Senior Seminar • Collaborated with a team of four students to assess the effectiveness of local community groups • Conducted a series of interviews with community members that measured the perceived effectiveness of community programming • Made recommendations on future policies in community programming which were accepted by the United Way

  15. Action Statements What I did How or Why Result Created and implemented a new youth mentoring program by assessing the needs of youth in the community through one-on-one interviews and focus groups resulting in an 80% participation of local high school students

  16. Resume checklist • Are you “proving your fit”? • How does your résumé look? • Does the person reading your résumé know you are effective? • Is all your relevant experience included? • Only you can write your résumé • Proofread carefully – ask a friend • Organize in a logical fashion • Approximately two pages • Be honest

  17. References Professional Personal A person who can attest to your work experience, skills, character and personality.

  18. Reference example

  19. References Submitting references appropriately will allow you to: • Gauge where you are in the job search process • Increase the likelihood of a more position-tailored dialogue between the employer and your reference

  20. Things to Exclude • Title page • Photos • Subjective Text • Personal Information • Politics • References • Objective • Hobbies / Interests • List of Classes • Languages

  21. How Employers View Your Resume Visually Scanning Software

  22. Resume Scanning Software • Types of organizations • Fortune 500 • Large organizations • Sophisticated HR functions • Government

  23. Why is it used? Overwhelmed HR department, cutbacks Sheer numbers of resumes Software's impartiality Assume that a digital "eye" will see your resume before any human eye sees it -- if a human eye sees it.

  24. Tips for Passing the Scan Key phrases Mention successes and skills early and frequently Do not worry about too much repetition Keywords Do NOT use fancy fonts, symbols, text boxes or try imbedding words

  25. Cover Letters Always Overview Concise

  26. Anatomy of a Cover Letter Introduction • Position • Where you learned about it • Hook the reader in Main Body • 2 – 3 paragraphs • Prove it! • -State Skill • -Give example Conclusion • Thank reader • Show Enthusiasm • Provide contact details

  27. Cover Letters

  28. Q & A

  29. Career Services Centre • Drop-in • MyCareer.dal.ca • Job postings • Career calendar • Book an appointment 11 River Road Dalhousie University, Truro Campus 893-7895 rosanne.chapman@dal.ca

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