Cover Letter, Resume and References - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Cover Letter, Resume and References

Slide2

What is a resume?

1-2 page summary of your high school education, activities, volunteer and paid work experience, and skills

You should add to and update it with your most recent achievements often.

This is a “live” document that is always changing and improving.

You can tailor your resume for the job you are applying for.

Slide3

Why is your resume so important?

To complete your class assignment



Land a co-op or work-study opportunity

Get into college, university

Get a scholarship

Get a job

Keep track of education, special courses, project and activities

Record paid and unpaid work experience

Recognize your skills, interests and accomplishments

Slide4

The Resume

The resume is a

selling tool that outlines your skills and experiences so a potential

employer can see, at a glance, how you can

be a valuable member of their organization.

It may be odd to think about, but you are a

product

that you are marketing to businesses.

Slide5

Your resume has to

sell you in short order.

While you may have all the

necessary requirements and skills for

a particular position, your resume is a failure if the employer does not

instantly come to the conclusion

that you "have what it takes."

The

first hurdle your resume has to pass--whether it ends up in the "consider file" or the "reject file"--may take less than thirty seconds.

Slide6

The most effective resumes are

clearly focused

on a specific job and addresses the employer's requirements for the position.

Remember that you can

tailor your resume

to a specific job. One resume will probably not be sufficient for each job you apply for.

The

more you know about the duties and skills required for the job--and organize your resume around these points--the more effective the resume.

Slide7

You will

need information

to write a good resume. Not just information about jobs you've held in the past but also information

most

relevant

for

THIS

position. The more you know about the employer and the position, the more you can tailor your resume to fit the job.

you

job

Slide8

The Basic Student Resume

Beginner resume that can be expanded, developed, focused and changed depending on your

objectives.

Major headings will include:

Personal information

Education, including courses, activities, and awards

Work Experience

Community service/volunteer activities and jobs

Slide9

Employability Skills

Employability skills are the same as Transferable skills – so what are Transferable skills

?

Transferable skills are those skills that you can take with you from job to job. Example: Communication skills, computer skills, and organizational skills.

Slide10

Employability Skills

are the

same as Transferable skills

Friendly

Team player

Flexible

Highly organized

Multitasker

Meets deadlines

Public speaking

Tutoring

Community organization

Computers

Patience

Discipline

Excellent communication

Self-motivated

Sense of humor

Operating registers

Customer service

Positive attitude

Reliable

Punctual

Slide11

Retail Sales

(

ie Associate at America Eagle)

What skills do you think would be useful in this job

?

Good

customer service skills

Good communication skillsEnergetic and outgoing

Punctual and reliable

Cash register operation

Slide12

Let’s Begin with the Resume

Please go to this

handoutSkills

Have you Got Skills?

On the back of your

Writing a Resume

you will see a skills and abilities list. Using this list pick 5 skills/abilities that you have and provide proof that you have them. Use examples and stories that you can recall how you attained this skill or ability. I expect a paragraph for each.

Slide13

Choosing the Type/Font

The two most common fonts are Times New Roman (more conservative) and Ariel (more contemporary).

Use

Bold,

italic,

bold italic,

and CAPS to emphasize certain text such as headings and job titles.

Be consistent with the type used for headings and other information.

Use 12- or 11-point type. Set your name in 14-point type so that it stands out.

Slide14

Resume Do’s

Do state your

objective/tag line

carefully.

Do keep your resume to one page.

Do proofread carefully.

Do have someone else read over it for you, such as a parent or teacher.

Do use good white paper

Do be honest...always.

Update the content of your resume at least once a year.

Slide15

Resume Do Not's

Don’t include your birth date or a photograph of yourself

. Unless you are looking for a modeling job.

Don’t include statements about your health unless required.

Don’t include your Social Security number.

Don’t write anything negative about a past employer or position

.

Don’t fold, bend or soil your resume.

Don’t use scented or colored

paper.

Slide16

Writing Tips

Avoid using the personal pronoun “I.” We know that your resume is all about you – it has your name at the top!

Start your sentences with strong verbs (present-tense for current job, past-tense for past jobs).

Slide17

The world of resumes is changing…

It’s still necessary for us to have paper copies of resumes, because technology has not caught up to everyone.

Here are some resumes that you will probably see in your career work places:

P

Pictures are hyperlinked.

Slide18

The Cover Letter

A cover letter is a formal letter that accompanies your résumé. Use it to introduce yourself to potential employers, and to convince them that you’re the right person for the job.

Your cover letter doesn’t simply re-state your résumé—it offers some new information, and it highlights the skills you have that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Slide19

Cover Letter

Your cover letter

summarizes the best of what you have to offer.

The goals of the cover letter are:

Get the

readers attention

Impress the employer

Use

keywords and skills

you think they are looking for

Show

genuine interest

in the company/place

Show you have

employability skills

Slide20

A Good Cover Letter Has…

Your

contact informationThe

potential

employers

contact information

A

Greeting

Intro paragraph

Middle paragraph with

important

skills that are relevant to the job

Closing paragraph with

logistics info

A

Signature

Slide21

Top 10 Cover Letter Tips

Do

your homework. Learn what you can about the company or

organization.

Follow

instructions.

Be sure to include any information that was requested in the job posting.

Don’t just restate your résumé. Use your letter as an opportunity to make a great first impression.

Personalize

your letter.

When possible, address your cover letter to a specific person.

Tailor your letter to the job.

Make sure the skills and experience you highlight in your cover letter are clearly connected to the job you’re applying for.

Slide22

Top 10 Cover Letter Tips

Presentation counts.

Use a font that’s easy to read, like 12-point Times New Roman or Arial. Using 8.5 x 11-inch white paper is usually a smart choice.

Break it down.

Make your cover letter easier to read by breaking the text down into short paragraphs.

Use a professional tone.

Be sure to use professional and respectful language when writing your cover letter.

Be brief. Your cover letter should be no more than one page long—the best strategy is to keep it short and to the point.

Proofread.

Review your cover letter several times; don’t just rely on spell-check. Ask someone else to proofread it as well.

Slide23

Let’s read a cover letter together

Dana Power’s

Cover Letter

Slide24

Cover Letter Example

Her address at top

DateEmployers address

Salutation

3 paragraphs

(see details of each

On draft copy)

Finish with closing

Slide25

Cover Letter Jobs

Using the handout provided, write a cover letter that fits one of the criteria

given.

Slide26

Cover Letter – Opening Paragraph

State

why you are writing and what position you are applying for. Mention any mutual contacts you might have. Be sure to sound professional and enthusiastic.

 

_____________________________________________________

 

_____________________________________________________

 

_____________________________________________________

 

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Middle Paragraph

This

is the most important paragraph. State your academic and work experience that is most relevant to the position you are applying for. Emphasize your key skills. Be sure to incorporate keywords. Provide details whenever possible.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Slide28

Closing Paragraph

Include

any details about your availability. Mention again how much you would like the position. Thank the individual for his or her time and express interest in future contact.

 

____________________________________________________________________

 

____________________________________________________________________

 

____________________________________________________________________

 

____________________________________________________________________

 

____________________________________________________________________

Slide29

Where do I apply?

Use my job listings for your example cover letter.

Remember, these are jobs that I’ve made up, but treat them as real job ads that you’ve found on

Kijiji

or through the business’ website

Note what qualifications the employer is looking for and try to use that in your cover letter.

Slide30

References

Refer to this

handout

Slide31

References

Handout “References Outline”

Fill in the Reference Page template with THREE REFERENCES.

You should have two personal references and one personal reference.

You will need to get information/phone

numbers/etc.

tonight for homework if you do not have it here at school.