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Welcome to Co-opSkills, Resumes, & Cover Letters
Environmental Technician –Field & Laboratory (Co-op)
Hello NC Co-op Student, thank you for joining us for today’s prep class!
Before we begin please read the following:
Please ensure you entered your full name at time of joining session.
Students Rights and Responsibilities Office
www.niagaracollege.ca/srro/
❑Remember good citizenship, respect, and civility are everyone’s responsibility when engaged in online learning
❑Proper online etiquette helps to maintain a respectful online educational environment.
THE CO-OP TEAM
Wayne Sadlak
Co-op Consultant
Elizabeth (Liz) Roy
Co-op Consultant
Cheryl Evans
Employer Relations Consultant
Ali Weir
Co-op/Employer Relations Consultant
What are skills?
4
What is a Skill?Skill: Skill is a term that encompasses the knowledge, competencies and abilities to perform operational tasks. Skills are developed through life and work experiences and they can also be learned through study.
Examples: Communication skills, leadership skills, organizational skills, essential skills, etc.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
What are some examples of Hard Skills that would benefit you in this industry?
Hard Skills
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
What are some examples of Soft Skills that would benefit you in this industry?
Soft Skills
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Most Desirable Soft Skills of 2021
• Adaptability • Work Ethic• Innovation –
imagination, creative thinking, problem solving
• Active Listening
• Communication• Teamwork• Emotional Intelligence –
understanding one’s self, ability to have empathy, motivation, self-awareness, social skills
Top 5 Essential Soft Skills employers are looking for in this industry…
1. Communication Skills
2. Collaboration
3. Project Management – manage people and resources
4. Report Writing
5. Attitude & Professionalism
Also looking for that analytical thinking piece and the ability to think ‘outside the box’. As you progress in your careers, employers are looking for leadership and conflict resolution.
TRANSFERABLE & RELATED SKILLS
Transferable skills - these are skills that you have been developing throughout your life and that you would use in a wide variety of situations.
Job related skills - also called technical skills, these are skills that are used in a particular job or cluster of jobs
Your college education will provide you with the opportunity to develop specific job-related skills.
Essential Skills – What are they?
• Skills that people need for work, learning, and life
• Provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable individuals to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change
• Not technical skills but they are skills applied in all occupations
Essential Skills –Nine Key Areas
Essential Skills – Benefits of Investing in Yourself
Improved self-confidence
Increased job prospects
Higher earnings
Increased productivity
Increased motivation
Improved decision making
Let’s talk about Resumes
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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Do you have a draft resume?!?
• When you look at this document, do you think an employer would like it?
• Is it highlighting your best skills? What about skills related to this industry?
• Is it a true reflection of you and your capabilities?
• Does it represent your personal and professional brand?
Look at your current resume…
A Resume is a Selling Feature!
There are many different styles and types of resumes
Let’s BREAK down the Resume!
This is the first thing the employer will notice! Make sure this stands out
• Include your Name• Phone number (905) 641-2252 properly spaced out –
Ensure you have voicemail set up on your phone• Student email address – looks professional and
connects you to Niagara College • Address or Region
Body of the Resume
When creating the body of the resume, use your skills sheet to ensure all your hard and soft skills are added- employers are looking for these skills
to be on your documents• Look at the job posting• Tailor your skills towards the company and the
position • Use skills you have developed from your
academics• Include your Niagara College education, add
courses to expand your knowledge and skills• Previous education • Accomplishments/ Achievements • Job Experience/ Volunteer Experience
Do NOT Include….
Why Not?
You do not want
to give the
employer a
reason to not call
you...this type of
information can
lead to forms of
discrimination.
Let’s talknew age resumes
vs traditional style
resumes
Traditional Style Resume
Traditional resume with a little flair
Modern or New Age Style Resume
Make sure your cover letter and
resume compliment
each other
Resume Templates/Samples
Where can you find existing templates?
• Microsoft Word
• Niagara College Career Coach Resume Builder
• NiagaraCollege.ca/CareerCoach
• Canva.com• It’s FREE and Fun
• Create an account
• Search resumes
• Pick a template
• MyCareer – Career Services – Job Search Resources – Resume Samples
- Now that you have created the content, you can add this information to a resume template!
What is a Cover Letter?
33
COVER LETTERS
• Powerful job search tool
• Formal Letter that accompanies your resume
• Indicates the job you are applying for and why
• Demonstrates your written communication skills
• Cover letters set you apart from your competition
• Proves you are serious about your career -Professional
• Highlights your essential skills and how they relate to the job
• Reflects your attitude
•IntroductionPowerful
•Your skillsPersonalize
•Yourself as a great matchPosition
• A meeting or interviewPropose
Remember the 4 Ps
Introduction
Start
Start with a strong sentence to show/develop mutual interest
Indicate
Indicate why you are writing and how you learned of the position
Provide
Provide some indication that you are a co-op student from NC
Body
• Sell yourself; mention qualifications that make you a good fit (3-5 from job posting)Sell
• Provide a summary of your content and transferable skills and how they relate to the positionProvide
• Demonstrate how the employer will benefitDemonstrate
• Expand/validate/relate key skillsExpand/validate
Close
Ask for an interview Commit to follow up
Offer to provide any additional information
Include up to date and reliable contact information
#1
#2
#3
#4
Cover Letter Checklist
Good quality print Targeted/customized to the
position
Font is 10 to 12 point Must be clear, concise and
organized
Make sure you spell-check the letter When possible, address the
letter to a specific person
Remain consistent (font and format) Don’t forget to list your
contact information
Should not exceed one page Read it over aloud
Academic Co-op Integrity All co-op documentation and information submitted by you, and an employer, is subject to verification for validity and authenticity.
Falsification of information may result in academic penalty.
NC Virtual resources
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) has become a core element of post-secondary instruction and a crucial means by which applied and experiential learning is infused into curriculum in highly meaningful and professionally relevant ways. This comprehensive set of 31 open access, learner-centered modules supports WIL preparedness among post-secondary students.
Check out the free modules available to you as an NC Student:
https://www.niagaracollege.ca/cae/wil/
• Check out our handy Q&A document
• Go to MyCareer – Co-op-FAQ
Create or edit your draft resume and begin tailoring it to this industry.
Let your creative juices flow and create a document that showcases your personal brand!
Due Date: Prior to 1-1 session (starts mid-October)
Mark your Calendars!
• Job Search & Networking
• September 29th… same time…same link!
Save the Date!
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
6:30pm, Virtual Event
Join us at this exclusive event for co-op students as we kick off the academic year! Meet the Career Services team and hear from past
students about their co-op experiences.
Keep checking your NC email for an official invitation to register
Co-op Night 2021
