The “Wow” Factor: Resumes and Cover Letters that Stand

Out

Location: POD 60Phone: (416) 979 – 5177Email: career@ryerson.caHours: Mon – Thu 8:30 am – 6:30 pm/Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Career Development WorkshopsGet Ready

Know yourself and what you want

Get SetPresent yourself with style

GOMake your move

• Discover Your Career Passion

• The “Wow” Factor: Resumes & Cover Letters that Stand Out

• Job Search Strategies that Maximize Results

• Pinpointing Resources for Career Planning

• Interview Techniques that Land the Job

• Leveraging Social Media for Your Job Search

• Grad School Application Essentials

• LinkedIn: Developing Career Connections & Effective Profiles

• Keep It Pro: Business Etiquette & Dress

• Make it a Breeze: Transitioning from School to Work

• Don’t Slurp the Soup! Tips for Dining Etiquette Success

• Showing Achievements: Crafting an Engaging Portfolio

Agenda1. Introduction2. Resumes

• Preparation• Possible Sections• STAR• Organization• Resume Tips

3. Cover Letters• Preparation• Format• Buying Motivators• Cover Letter Tips

4. Summary

Introduction to Resumes

• What is a resume?• What is the purpose of a resume?

Preparing to Write a Resume

Review• Company/Organization• Job field• Job description

Preparation: Company Research

Preparation: Find Industry Key Words

• National Occupational Classification (www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC)

• Working in Canada (www.workingincanada.gc.ca)

• Career Cruising (www.careercruising.com)

Username: ryersoncruise

Password: 00ru01f

• Ontario Job Futures (www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/ojf/)

• O*Net (http://online.onetcenter.org)

• Professional association websites

Preparation: Review Job Description

• Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental studies, political science or social science preferred

• Demonstrated experience in door-to-door canvassing and willingness to work outdoors with the elements

• Great interpersonal skills, ability to answer questions and interact with public

• Comfortable asking members of the public for one-time/monthly financial contribution in a direct and enthusiastic manner

• Ability to “close the deal” and sign up donors on a monthly basis• Great confidence and verbal skills, able to monitor success and

change the messaging approach for greater results• Available to work irregular hours (e.g. evenings & weekends)• Understanding of environmental sector, a valid driver’s licence

Qualifications:

Possible Resume SectionsObjective Achievements /

Accomplishments / Awards

Summary of Qualifications Certifications

Education Courses Academic Projects

Professional Memberships

Work Experience Relevant Personal and Community Experiences

Volunteer Experience Publications and/or Presentations

Extra-Curricular Activities Workshops/Conferences Attended

Technical / Computer Skills Interests

Key Resume Sections

Review:• Header• Summary of Qualifications• Education• Work Experience

Header

• Name• Address• Phone number• E-mail address• LinkedIn URL (optional)

Header

JOHN DOE213-47 York Street ● Toronto, ON ● M5K 2L3 ● (416) 783-3298 ● john.doe@ryerson.ca

Header

John Doe, BASc213-47 York Street ● Toronto, ON ● M5K 2L3 (416) 783-3298 ● john.doe@ryerson.ca ● http://ca.linkedin.com/in/johndoe

Summary of Qualifications

• Relevant experience • # of years

• Hard/technical skills• Soft skills

• Conference Board of Canada “Employability Skills”

• E.g.) time management, organization, leadership

• Assets• E.g.) languages, First Aid Certification

• 4-7 bullet points

Education

• Degrees, diplomas, certificates• Name of school• Date completed

Education

Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Expected June 2013Ryerson University, Toronto, ON

Relevant Courses: Communication Systems, Sensors and Measurement, Engineering Design, Law and Ethics in Engineering Practice

General Arts and Science Diploma 2008George Brown College, Toronto, ON

Work Experience

Student Public Health Inspector May 2011 – August 2011Perth District Health Unit, Toronto, ON• Organized a work plan for a team of 4 to treat a designated number of catch

basins within a specified time frame• Identified and mapped mosquito breeding sites using global positioning system

units during city park scans • Conducted city parks scan to undertake larval surveillance • Ensured a healthy and safe environment during special events that took place in

both of the public places and within the agency locations

Duty vs Accomplishment Statements

Which statement has more impact?

• Offered guidance and counselling to youth on different topics

OR

• Used excellent cross-cultural communication skills to provide guidance and counselling to at-risk youth on topics ranging from substance abuse to retraining options

Accomplishment Statements

•What was the context?

•E.g.) Worked at a gym

Situation•W

hat was the goal?

•E.g.) To initiate a new fitness class

Task

•What did you do?

•E.g.) Organized the class from beginning to final product – planned, implemented, instructed, evaluated

Action

•How can you prove you did this well?

•E.g.) Class was very popular with members and some brought new friends – 24 participants/class by end of 4th week

Result

Accomplishment Statements

A resume needs to present this information in a concise way:

• Planned, implemented, and instructed a fun new fitness class that increased gym memberships and attracted 24 participants per class

Accomplishment StatementsUse action verbs, and qualify and quantify your activities (when applicable):

• Performed a literature review using 3 online databases and earned an A on final year project “SARS Effect on Tourism in Toronto”

• Drew detailed floor plans for 3500 square foot custom designed home using AutoCAD

• Implemented performance and availability monitoring resulting in uptime from 99.5% to 99.95%

• Coached peewee hockey team of 15 children ages 11-12, winning regional championship

• Designed and sold jewellery at community craft fair, earning $1,500

Practice

Think of a skill you possess that is valued by recruiters in your industry. Follow the S.T.A.R. model to write your accomplishment statement.

Skill:

Situation: Task: Action: Result:

Resume Statement:

Organizing Your Resume

Chronological• Focus is on experience• Each section is organized with the most recent experience

Functional• Focus is on skills and competencies• Skills are highlighted and proven through examples of

experience

Combination• Aspects from both chronological and functional styles• Highlights skills and indicates experiences in reverse

chronological order

“Big 3” Resume Styles

Resume Tips

• Highlight accomplishments• Tailor your resume for each job• Quantify and qualify

• #, %, $• Use industry specific language/technical terms• Consistent formatting• Avoid personal pronouns (“I”, “me”, “my”, etc.)• Avoid jargon and uncommon abbreviations

Proofread, proofread, proofread!

Cover Letters

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

Preparing to Write a Cover Letter

Review• Company/Organization• Job field• Job description

Focus on approx. 3 main reasons why you

Cover Letter Format

Your NameAddressTelephone #Email address

Today’s Date

Contact PersonTitleCompany/OrganizationAddressCity, Province Postal Code

Dear _________________:

Cover Letter Format1st Section: • What position are you applying for and where/when did you hear of the

opening? Why, generally, are you qualified? Why do you want to work specifically in this position and for this company?

2nd Section: • Why should the employer believe that you can do the job?

Indicate past or current experience, specialized knowledge, education, appropriate skills and abilities, suitable work related values, appropriate personal attributes – give one or two tangible examples (STAR)

3rd Section:• Thank them for their time, request an interview

Sincerely,Your SignatureFull Name

Buying Motivators

Source: Interview Magic, Susan Britton Whitcomb

Buying Motivator #1: Make Money• Exceeded daily sales quota by an average of $150 each day

Buying Motivator #2: Save Money• Reduced paper costs by $1400 by initiating ‘scrap’ paper boxes next

to printers

Buying Motivator #3: Save Time• Performed the work previously required of two full-time employees

Buying Motivator #4: Make Work Easier• Initiated the reorganization of filing system, making information more

easily accessible

Buying Motivator #5: Solve a Specific Problem• Reduced number of customer questions by establishing a “Frequently

Asked Questions” page on website

Buying Motivators

Source: Interview Magic, Susan Britton Whitcomb

Buying Motivator #6: Be More Competitive• Translated marketing materials into Spanish and Hmong, gaining

dominant presence in markets left virtually ignored by competitors

Buying Motivator #7: Build More Relationships• Collaborated with a neighbouring centre to hold a Job Fair which

attracted over 600 peopleBuying Motivator #8: Expand Business• Acquired 3 new partnerships for ABC company worth $1.5M

Buying Motivator #9: Attract New Clients• Wrote proposal to open new branch of Autism Support Centre to

attract clients from a wider geographic area

Buying Motivator #10: Retain Existing Customers• Implemented direct-mail follow-up program for new customers; data

reflects a 55% increase in repeat customers

Cover Letter Tips

• Tailor your cover letter to each job• Highlight 2-3 main reasons why you are the

best candidate• Use specific examples to demonstrate results• Show your personality• Communicate interest, motivation, and self-

confidence• 1 page maximum

Proofread, proofread, proofread!

Summary

What are employers looking for?

Summary1. Can you do the job?

• Skills, knowledge, abilities, experience, background

2. Will you do the job?• Interest, commitment, desire, drive, ambition,

capability, willingness

3. Will you fit in?• Work-related values, common

goals/objectives, personality

Resources

Career Resource Centre – POD60A

Connect With Us!

Contact Information:

Location: POD 60

Phone: (416) 979 – 5177

Email: career@ryerson.ca

Hours: Mon. – Thur. 8:30 am – 6:30 pm Fri. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

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www.twitter.com/RyersonCareer

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www.ryerson.ca/career