Winning Resumes and Cover Letters

Meg Alexander Career Development Consultant

The Careers and Employer Liaison Centre has put together one week dedicated to all the stuff you need to know about careers,

work experience, networking and getting the dream job.

No need to register, just turn up

Get all the details at: www.flinders.edu.au/careers

It’s all about you and your career week

12 - 16 Oct 15

It’s all about you and your career week

12 - 16 Oct 15

Prize Draw/PPT To enter your details for the prize draw, complete the form and return to your facilitator Session ppt will be available at: www.flinders.edu.au/careers/students/events/careers-week-2015.cfm

Overview

• Introductions/About Us • Interpreting the job advertisement • Self Assessment – Your Offer • The Resume • Cover Letters • Questions

Where we are

Top floor – Student Centre (down the corridor from Health, Counselling & Disability)

Tel: (08) 8201 2832

Email: careers@flinders.edu.au

Web: www.flinders.edu.au/careers

Open: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

Services we offer

• Advertised jobs emailed to you GradJobs and Enrolled Student jobs

• Mentoring from Professionals • Assistance from Career Consultants • Employment Skills Development Programs • Careers Fairs and other Employer Events • Work Experience and Volunteering

Opportunities • Online resources

www.flinders.edu.au/careers

Resources

Flinders Career Centre Guide Pg. 32-33: The resume – your passport to an interview Pg. 34-35: What’s your cover story

Resources

Application Guides: www.flinders.edu.au/careers/students/careersadvice/careersadvice.cfm

Interpreting the job advertisement

Interpret the Job Advertisement

How many skills can you find in this internship advertisement? Summer Internship Program At Australia Plus Bank, we are committed to helping our people reach their capabilities. Our Summer internships offer students real responsibility. You will need to be able to learn quickly, as you will be fully contributing members of a team and develop your skills for the financial industry. You will work alongside, and learn from, leaders within finance and be mentored by your team leader. Through working with other bright, motivated people from the firm and undertaking responsibility you will gain valuable insights and experience to help you in your future career.

Interpret the Job Advertisement

How many skills can you find in this internship advertisement? 1. ‘reach their capabilities’, skill – ambitious/driven; 2. ‘responsibility’, skill – responsible; 3. ‘contributing members of a team’, skill – teamwork and communication; 4. ‘learn from leaders’, skill – ability to learn quickly; 5. ‘mentored by your team leader’, skill – interpersonal and relationship building skills; 6. ‘motivated people from the firm’, skill – self-motivation. .

Self Assessment: Your Offer

Your Offer

Academic

Extra Curricular

Casual/Career Employment

Degree related work

exp

Match your skills Skill Evidence Reach capability; motivation Responsibility Teamwork Communication Ability to learn

Grades, exceed performance goals in casual work Open/close shop in owner absence Uni projects, community/sports, volunteer Customer service, committee work Placements, employment,

From notes to phrases: “My three years employment in customer service with Apple highlights my strong interpersonal skills, and ability to relate positively and professionally with clients and team members. With high levels of technological proficiency, I am able to rapidly learn about new products, demonstrating my capacity to learn effectively on the job.”

The Resume (CV)

“Today's resume establishes a brand relevant to targeted employers. The branding expressed in your resume should capture your career identity, authenticity, passion, essence, and image.” Branding Your Resume: Tips for Job-Seekers by Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., and Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. www.quintcareers.com/resume_branding.html

Research Each Employer

Why do you want to work at XYZ?

Instructions - Examples

> Your resume should be no more than 2 pages A4 in size

> Please send resume in WORD FORMAT ONLY (our scanning

systems do not accept any other format)

> Upload your resume (5MB is the maximum file size limit) *

> Upload your resume: Please note: when uploading your resume, only attach .pdf, .rtf or .doc files. Do not upload encrypted or password protected files, or your attachment will not be accessible for assessment.

Preparation tips • Limit to 3 - 4 pages • Create a positive profile that highlights what you have to offer • Pay attention to layout:

use bold headings (size 14) and dot points; spacing • Limit bulleted lists to 5 -7 items • Use easy to read fonts: Arial/Calibri, size 11-12 • Avoid the use of acronyms or abbreviations • No borders, tables and other distracting formatting • Leave out any information that is not required or necessary • Don’t forget page numbers!

Always proof read your resume and get a second opinion

Resume / CV Jane Smith

22 Paved Way, Suburbia SA 5678 Telephone: 0123 456 789

Email: jane.smith@internetprovider.com.au Career Statement (see next slide) Professional Membership 20XX Student Member X Professional Association Qualifications Tertiary Mar 20XX- Dec 20XX Bachelor of XYZ Flinders University, Grade Point Average: X out of 7.00 Key Subjects/Key Projects/Technical Skills/Field Work: Key Achievements:

• Invitation to Golden Key Honour Society for academic excellence Professional Development 2014 Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate Adelaide TAFE Secondary 2012 Secondary - extracurricular

More significant details on first page: Snapshot of what you have to offer

Career Statement

A positive, brief statement allowing the reader to gain a quick idea of your suitability for the job

Dedicated and energetic Nursing Graduate seeking an entry-level position that will enable me to utilise my knowledge and experience in critical care, oncology and emergency, in order to contribute to (hospital/institution) effectiveness in ________(mission)

Career Statement

To obtain a ____ position in ____ organisation/industry/field/sector that will enable me to use my skills and experience in ____ and provide the opportunity to contribute/develop ____. With XYZ (evidence) I can offer : • Highly developed XXXX as a result of XXXX • Demonstrated competencies in XXXX • Specialised knowledge in XXXX • Advanced XXXX skills with the ability to XXXX

Competency Statements

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: • Highly effective interpersonal skills developed through course

placements combined with 5 years experience in hospitality and service to community organisations.

• Excellent written communication skills demonstrated by achieving credits

and distinctions in over 70% of my coursework. • Proficient Computer skills: MS Office (Word, Visio, Excel, PowerPoint),

NetBeans, Visual Paradigm, PSPad, BlueJ, etc.

Tailor these to what the employer wants – refer to job ad

Making the Most of Your Experience

Ways to describe Employment

Peter Vogt provides some interesting examples in his article ‘Avoid These 10 Resume Mistakes’ http://career-advice.monster.ca/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/ten-resume-mistakes-canada/article.aspx

A. Worked with employees in a restaurant setting. B. Recruited, hired, trained and supervised more than 20 employees in a restaurant with $2 million in annual sales.

Describing Experience: Compare

EMPLOYMENT 2013 - 2014 Bar Attendant, Hotel Flinders • Provided a welcoming atmosphere and

confident customer service. • Processed beverage orders promptly, and

assisted guests in making choices. • Increased profitability of the organisation

through conducting effective bar-based promotions.

• Collaborated in a team of 6 to achieve successful functions of up to 100 people.

EMPLOYMENT 2013 - 2014 Bar Attendant, Hotel Flinders • Customer service • Mix drinks • Order stock • Tidied bar and washed

dishes • Attend functions as required

Describing Experience Community Arts Sector Experience Nov 2014 – Current Youth Arts Theatre Administration Volunteer

• Designing marketing materials, managing website and social media platforms, media relations

• Coordinate team of 10 volunteers • Liaison with participants, internal and external project

stakeholders, staff, venues • Manage, produce and program events including creative,

technical and financial aspects

Customer Service Employment Jan 2013 – 2014 Food and Beverage Attendant Gusto

• Provided customer service for a 60-seat, fine dining restaurant specialising in Mediterranean cuisine

• Consulted with customers regarding appropriate menu choices for special dietary requirements

• Compiled part-time worker schedules and ensured compliance with OH&S Standards

Be creative with your headings!

Pay attention to tense

Other details to include Community Engagement Jan 2012 – Current Bicycle SA Marshall – Grand Slam Series

• Coordinated team of 10 volunteers • Comply with Road Transport Legislation to ensure the safety of

riders and other road users. • Use radio communication to update race director, marshals,

escort vehicles and organizers • Apply Emergency Procedures when accidents occur and

prepare Incident Reports • Exercise judgment when directing riders and other road users • Signal directions clearly and confidently

Personal Interests: (Brief and interesting) •Participant in City to Bay Fun Run, 5 years in a row •Extensive travel experiences throughout Europe and Asia

Be creative with your headings!

Referees

EXAMPLE: “Your application should include the names of at least two referees who can comment on your work

performance and assess your abilities in terms of the selection criteria.”

• Standard is 2 or 3: always check

• Get the permission of the person you are using and confirm

availability and contact details

• They are your advocates so choose wisely

• Work/placement and academic referees preferred to character referees.

Referees

Title (Ms/Miss/Mrs/Mr/Professor/Doctor etc) Name ( e.g. Dr Alex Supervisor, Ms Jane Director, Mrs Sophie Employer)

Manager Blah Blah Company Address: Telephone: Email: Relationship:

The cover letter: Stand out with Your Offer

Cover letter – your mindset in 4 S’s

• Sensitivity: Put yourself in the reader’s shoes

• Strategy: Prioritise the most relevant information

• Service: Avoid “I want” and focus on “What I can offer you” – how you can contribute

• Self-Confidence: Be comfortable articulating your offer – if you use concrete examples you are never overselling yourself!

Standard Business Layout 10 February 2015 Ms. M Smith Human Resources Coordinator Ibiz Networks 6 Careers Lane Adelaide SA 5000 Dear Ms Smith, Re: IT Support/Help Desk Technician Opening Paragraph ……………………………………………………….. Middle Paragraph 1………………………………………………………… Middle Paragraph 2………………………………………………………… Closing Paragraph…………………………………………………………. Yours sincerely, Signature Name

Matt Flinders 24 Flinders Road Bedford Park SA 5042 Mobile: 1234 567 890 Email: mflinders@gmail.com

Format of letter – straightforward!

Para 1: Why are you writing? Why are you interested in the job and in the particular sector? Para 2: Why them? – why do you want to work for this particular organisation Para 3 and 4: Why you? - Evidence of suitability via skills/achievements relevant to the role. Final Para: Positive Close

First Paragraph Example: Why the role?

Dear Ms Smith, I am writing to apply for the IT Support/Help Desk Technician position with IBiz Networks, as advertised on your website. I am currently in my final year of a Bachelor of Information Technology degree at Flinders University, majoring in Applications Development and Networks. I am keen to apply my knowledge and key skills gained through both university study and industry related work experience, particularly with regard to the management and support of computer networks and network management.

2nd Paragraph example: Why them?

My enthusiasm to work at IBiz Networks has been encouraged by your reputation of working creatively to provide customers with excellent technical support. Solving clients’ computing related problems to ensure that their IT use is effective and efficient would be very satisfying. I thoroughly enjoy the technical challenges of problem solving and working with clients to bring about speedy resolutions. IBiz Networks also appeals to me because it is a company which is expanding and this will bring the challenges and growth I am looking forward to within my career.

3rd & 4th Paragraphs: Why you?

My studies have assisted me in gaining relevant technical skills and my employment experience in the retail sector has enabled me to extend my skills in the areas of communication and problem solving. My experience as a volunteer has been based around my motivation to become involved and ensure that programs are delivered effectively. I enjoy taking the initiative to create positive outcomes for people. Through my part time employment in the retail sector, selling laptops at Laptop City, I have a proven strong customer focus with the ability to communicate and deal with people from a diverse range of backgrounds. I have had to handle many challenging customer enquiries and have learnt to resolve them in a professional and timely manner. This has also developed my ability to explain IT concepts to people who do not have a technical background.

Closing Paragraph

Thank you for reviewing my application. Enclosed are my resume and academic transcripts. I believe that I have demonstrated the qualities and skills that you seek and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application in more detail at an interview.

Cover Letter Tips Do Don’t • Find out the name of the person you

need to write to. • Research the employer and show

that you know something about them.

• Highlight your key skills/experience related to the job.

• Complement and develop the information in the resume and add personal touch

• Same font size/type as CV • E-mailing – send the letter as an

attachment with your CV (sensible file name!)

• Don’t start with: ‘My name is X and etc. etc.”

• Write more than a page. (unless instructions indicate otherwise)

• Use the same letter for different jobs/organisations.

• Send a letter containing spelling or grammatical mistakes.

• Just repeat what you have put in your CV.

• Start every sentence with ‘I’.

Tips Integrate your experiences to achieve a punchy, dynamic, varied and flowing writing style. Examples With five years experience in hospitality and retail sectors, combined with my extensive background as a sports coach, I can demonstrate a confident approach to communication, teamwork, planning and organisation.

Through placements in diverse settings ranging from X to Y to Z, I have gained experience in …. In particular, my placement at X, gave me the opportunity to hone my knowledge and skills in working with clients presenting with … This included ….

Coming up… Wednesdays, Health Sciences Building: 1.09 Lecture Theatre, 1:00-1:50pm. 21/10/15: Effective Resumes 28/10/15: The Cover Letter 4/11/15: Supporting Statements and Selection criteria 11/11/15: Acing the Interview

Remember You can still access GRADJOBS and Career Development Consultant services until 18 months post course completion…

Any Questions ?