Preparing Effective Resumes and Cover Letters %28w12 Student Copy%29

8/3/2019 Preparing Effective Resumes and Cover Letters %28w12 Student Copy%29

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PREPARING EFFECTIVE

RESUMES AND COVER

LETTERSTips for Pharmacy Technician and Retail Pharmacy Assistant Students


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RESUME APPEARANCE

Resumes should not exceed 2 pages in length

Use point form as much as possible

Colour of paper should allow for clear photocopies

Resume paper should be 8.5X11

IMPORTANT: Have your resume proofread before distribution to

ensure it is error free


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RESUME TIPS

Ensure the employer can figure out WHO you are and WHAT you

can OFFER them in 20 seconds

Make sure that there are no gaps of time in your resume

Start with your most current experiences and education, awards

etc. (use reverse chronological order)

Use white space, highlighting. capitalizing and underlining to make

your resume attractive and easy to read


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RESUME STYLE

Be consistent with your style and format

Make sure that your name is on both pages (in case the pages get separated) Used action verbs and measurable terms

Be brief but specific (highlight in point form your best skills, abilities, and

accomplishments)

Be positive and honest

Prepare a list of references (on a separate and have them ready to present upon

request)

Always include a cover letter


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R ES U M E THI NGS TO AVOID DOIN G

Avoid the pronoun I

Omit any indicators of race, religion or membership

Be careful using abbreviations and acronyms

Avoid mentioning salary expectations etc.

Dont lie or exaggerate


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Achieved

Adapted Advised Attained Build Classified Coached Complied Composed Controlled

Coordinated Demonstrated Determined Developed

RESUME ACTION WORDS

Employers look for achievers when hiring. Use action words to describe responsibilities, skills and

accomplishments:

Implemented

Improved

Increased

Indexed

Installed

Led

Maintained

Measured

Monitored

Negotiated

Obtained

Operated

Directed Discovered Edited Eliminated Ensured Established Estimated Evaluated Facilitated Formulated

Founded Generated Hired Identified


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Competence Ability to

Proficient

Aptitude for

Practical approach to

Mastered

Comprehensive knowledgeof

First hand knowledge of

Ability to handle details Precise

Orderly

Accurate

Systemic

Follow through

Fastidious

Detailed minded

Adept with figures

RESUME STATING YOUR ABILI TIES

Use the following words/phrases to help you describe your abilities


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Assume responsibility Alerted

Created

Devised Guided

Generated

Controlled

Demonstrated Established

Coordinated solid foundationin

Management ability Administered

In charge of

Directed

Headed

Closely supervised

Leadership ability

Take initiative

Decision-maker

Successful with people

R E SU M E S TAT I NG YO U R ABILITIE S CO NTINUED

Use the following words/phrases to help you describe your abilities


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RESUME FORMATS

The most common resume formats used in our profession are:

Chronological

preferred by most employers, students, and new grads Emphasizes dates, education and work history in reverse chronological order

Functional

Highlights groups of skills or competencies Work history is included after skills section Effective when there are gaps in employment history or limited work experience

Combination

A combination of chronological and functional formats Usually starts with career objective followed


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R ES U M E CON TEN T SUMMARY SECTIO N

Use nouns and adjectives, not action verbs

Draw upon your work experiences, education and other activities Tips:

State your related work experience (example: 30 hours volunteer experience ina retail pharmacy)

Describe your working knowledge (example: Proficient in the use of Kroll,Flexipharm and Zadall dispensing software systems)

State your various skills (example: typing speed of 35wpm, familiar with federaland provincial legislation, extemporaneous compounding etc.).

State your academic training List any personal characteristics required by the job (example: the ability to

speak another language etc.)


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R ES U M E CON TEN T ED U CATI ON S ECTI ON

Begin with your most recent education

Include:

Dates

Full and proper name of the program(s)

Relevant core courses


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R ES U M E CON TEN T - AWARDS/SPECIAL SKILLS SECTION

Include any relevant project, report, award or accomplishment

Categorize any additional or special information that supports your

overall goals for this resume which you haven`t already included in

another section

List courses and awards by name, in reverse chronological order


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R ES U M E CON TEN T -WORK EXPERIE NCE SECTION

Chronological format:

Begin with your most recent work experience and work backwards

Dates (days and months may be omitted)

Note if it was a coop work term, contract, or part-time position

Job title (create an accurate one if you had none)

Name of company or organization and location (city/province only) do not include your supervisors name, company

address, reason for leaving, salary etc.

In point form list what you and what you accomplished

Indicate the level of responsibility with witch you had (key holder, making bank deposits etc.)

Begin each point with an action verb

Prioritize points in each job as they relate to your current job objective (not as they relate the job that you are describing)

Always think and write in terms of accomplishments or contributions to the organization

In less relevant jobs emphasize the transferable skills (example: cash handling at McDonalds)


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WORK EXPERIE NCE SECTIONCON TI N U ED

Functional format:

Work experience is typically laced after a Skills and Qualificationssection

Work experience is listed in reverse chronological order with dates,job title, company/organization, location

Identify 3-6 major function/skill areas related to the job in whichyour applying

Under each functional skill heading list 3-6 points that prove or

validate that you possess the skill Draw upon employment, academic, extracurricular and volunteer

activities


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R E S U M E C O N T E N T P R O F E S S I O N A L M E M B E R S H I P S S E C T I O N

List only those with relevance to the career which you are pursuing

Don`t forget that most professional associations (CanadianAssociation of Pharmacy Technicians, Ontario Pharmacists

Association etc. provide discounted student memberships)


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R ES UM E C ON TE NT LANGUAGES SECT ION

Only include those in which you are fluent or possess a working

knowledge of Only include languages other than English

Indicate if you can speak, read or write the language


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R ES U M E CON TEN T ACTIVITIES & INT ERESTS SECTION

Include volunteer work (you may want to include a separate

heading for volunteer work if your experience is extensive)

List activities (include positions held of you were elected or

appointed to them, name of organization and dates (if appropriate)

Include interests such as hobbies, sports or leisure activities


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R ES UM E C ON TE NT R EF ER EN CES S ECTI ON

Prepare a separate sheet to supply to the employer

Include your name at the top

Identify at least 2 ideally 3 references

Choose someone who has seen you work (employer or teacher or a

respected member of the community)

Be sure to ask that person for permission to use them as a reference


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COVER LETTERS

A cover letter accompanies your resume to introduce you to a

prospective employer.

It helps the employer focus on your strongest qualifications and it can

determine whether the employer turns the page to read your resume

Cover letters can be used for jobs which are advertised (solicited) or to

apply to possible jobs which are not advertised (unsolicited or broadcastletter)


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TIPS FOR WRITING YOURCOVER LETTE R

A cover letter is an application for a job

Keep it short and simple (150 words or less no more than 1 page length)

Let your confidence and personality show through

Must be letter perfect

Must be original (individual)

Keep the employer`s needs in mind

Use correct business letter format (include your return address, sign your name)

Paper used should match your resume paper


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SOLICITED LETTER

One page in length, business form, addressed to a specific person (if known), introduce yourself,

state why your are writing, excite the reader on your credentials, mention your resume, refer to some

follow-up Address the letter: Dear Mr./Ms. (last name)

FIRST PARAGRAPH: Mention the name of the job that you are applying for and where you read

the advertisement

MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(S): use employers words whenever possible; document your qualifications

by using themes and prove points using examples; organize paragraphs putting the most important ones

first

LAST PARAGRAPH: refer to your enclosed resume; mention you would like an interview to

provide more information


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BROADCAST LETTER

One page in length, business form, addressed to a specific person (if known), introduce yourself, state why

your are writing, excite the reader on your credentials, mention your resume, refer to some follow-up

Address the letter: Sir/Madam:

FIRST PARAGRAPH: name the job or area that you are interested in applying to and the potential start

date; include a reference to the person you spoke to about the organization; state what interests you in the

organization and position

MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(S):document your qualifications by themes and prove points through examples;

organize paragraphs putting the most important ones first

LAST PARAGRAPH: refer to your enclosed resume, mention the follow-up you will do (example phone toarrange a mutually convenient time to meet or to discuss career opportunities within the organization)


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REFERENCES

Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Cooperative Education and Internship Manual

(August 2010 Edition)

Documents

Preparing Effective Resumes and Cover Letters %28w12 Student Copy%29