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Cover Letter and Resume Writing
to Get You Noticed
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INTRODUCTION TOCover Letter & Resume Writing
•Why it is important to have a Cover Letter•Keywords•The do’s and don'ts of a Cover Letter•Format of a Resume•What companies are looking for in their employees•What to put on Your Resume•How to word Your Resume•Ideas to help you•Tips and pointers
WHY A COVER LETTER?
A well-written cover letter
distinguishes your application.
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The Basics to start you off
• No more than 1 page
• Standard fonts, size between 10-14, single spaced
• Print on Quality paper either white or off white
• Make a pdf. if emailing to avoid track changes showing up
• Strive for neatness and personality
J O B
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Some skill keywords include: wrote, planned, programmed, designed, provided, created, built, enabled, taught and trained. Some results oriented keywords include: increased, reduced, redesigned, upgraded, initiated, implemented, generated and produced.
Some recognition related keywords include: honored, awarded, promoted, selected, lauded for, recognized, chosen and credited.
USE KEYWORDS from the job description in your
Cover Letter and Resume
Do’s and Don’ts of writing a cover letter
DON’T SEND A Cover letter with errors
DO CHECK Grammar & spelling
DON’T SEND A Generic cover letter This is not one size fits all!!
DO MENTION The Job you are applying for Skills, Experiences and Qualities that would best let
you STAND OUT at this job.
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DON’T SEND A letter with the incorrect contact
Or company
DO Address it to the right personMake sure you use the right
company name
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DON’T USE
Out dated greetings like
SIR OR MADAM
DO USE
Dear Human Resources Manager
or a woman as Ms. not Mrs.
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DON’T Have it too short or too longToo short = No Enthusiasm
Too long = Over bearing
DO No longer than 3 to 5
paragraphs and no more than 6 lines in each one.
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THINGS TO REMEMBER
•Cover Letters are Important•Include Keywords•Follow the Do’s and Don’ts for Cover Letter Content
Example Cover Letter Included in Backup
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Basic Rules for the Resume
MANY OF THE SAME RULES APPLY TO BOTH THE COVER LETTER AND RESUME
• No more than 1 page• Print on Quality paper either white or off white• Standard fonts, size between 10-14• Do not Underline, Italicize, or Script• Make a pdf. if emailing to avoid track changes showing up• Strive for neatness and personality• Do not fold or staple Resume• If you are mailing it use a large envelope
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What is a RESUME?
Is a brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications, often submitted with an employment application.
By a dictionary definition
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A Resume is a self portrait you paint for an employer.
It is a well-structured, easy-to-read presentation of your own skills, capabilities and accomplishments. Its purpose is to intrigue a prospective employer to the point where he or she invites you
for an interview.
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Top 10 Employee Skills
1. Communication skills verbal, written, and listening2. Analytical and research skills3. Computer & Technical Literacy4. Flexibility/Adaptability/Managing Multiple Priorities5. Interpersonal Abilities6. Leadership/Management7. Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness8. Planning/Organizing9. Problem-Solving/Reasoning/Creativity10. Teamwork
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Your resume should be adapted and customized
for each job application. This
is why it is important to know the skills that each
job entails especially the one
you desire.
Job Categories:Life GuardOffice ClerkFood PrepStock PersonConstructionChild CareLawn Service
Customize Each Job Application
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LIFE GUARDIf you have Life guard certificationCPR and AED certification
Or
CLERICALIf you have computer skills and haveknowledge of MS Office
*These skills should be stated in your resume. You are tailoring Your resume for the job.
Include Your Specific Qualifications
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THE TOP 10 QUALITIES EMPLOYERS SEEK
1. Communication Skills2. Honesty3. Technical & Computer Competency4. Work Ethic5. Flexibility6. Determination and Persistence7. Teamwork8. Eager and willing to add their knowledge and skills9. Problems Solving or Analytical skills10. Loyalty
These skills and qualities are so very important and should appear in your resume. Many employers will scan your resume. The software program will scan for
key words / skills that pertain to the job.
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A resume pulls together your education, experiences, skills,classroom accomplishments,
extra-curricular activities, andvolunteer work and presents them to the employer.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
WHAT DO I PUT ON MY RESUME?
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1.0 The Heading
Your full name include middle initial At least 14 pt and bold.
Full address do not abbreviate street, avenue or boulevardYour city, state, and zip.
You can use state abbreviation (AL)Your telephone number home and cell
But make sure your voice message is professional; E-mail address - chose an appropriate email address.
6 Main Sections of a Basic Resume
William S. Smith25 Euclid AvenueAthens, AL 35622Home: 256-555-5555 Cell: 256-555-5432Email: [email protected]
SAMPLE
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2.0 JOB OBJECTIVE
This states what job you are seeking.Keep it short and sweet
Each resume you send out should be tailored to the job you are applying for.
Seeking part-time employment in the restaurant industry.
orWeekend employment at a retail store specializing in books.
SAMPLE
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3.0 EDUCATION
Include name of school and projected graduation date.
Include your average if greater than 80.
Include any academic honors
Include perfect attendance if applicable since this displays punctuality and reliability
If you are an upcoming senior state your future plans. For example, I will be attending St. Lawrence College,
Cornwall Campus this fall majoring in Nursing.
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SAMPLE of EDUCATION
EDUCATIONHoly Trinity Catholic Secondary School, Cornwall ONHigh School diploma anticipated June 2015Next fall I will be attending St. Lawrence College, Cornwall Campus majoring in Nursing
High School Awards and RecognitionHonour Roll 2013-15Dual Credit classes at St. Lawrence CollegePerfect Attendance Certificate 2013
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4.0 WORK EXPERIENCE
Non- paid internshipsLawn Care ServiceChild care- baby sittingElderly care (Grand Parent)VolunteeringChurch GroupsShadowing a careerPet Sitter
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What is Work Experience?Maybe you have Volunteer Experience
SAMPLES
Volunteer Experience-Big Brother / Big Sister-MS Society of Canada, Run to endMS participant
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Use Action Words to Describe Your Experience
Briefly give the employer an overview of work that has taught you skills.
Use action words to describe your job duties.
ACTION WORDS EXAMPLES
AchievedArrangedCollectedCommunicatedDeterminedGuided
InfluencedHandledMotivatedSelectedTutoredUtilized
Listing Work Experience
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Guidelines for Listing Work ExperienceMost recent firstTitle of position,Name of Organization, Location: City, State, Dates of employmentDescribe work responsibilities. Emphasis on specific skills. Also check job description on website for ideas.
Pet Sitter2004 - Present• Provide pet sitting services including dog walking, feeding and yard care.
Child Care2002 - Present• Provide child care for several families after school, weekends and during school vacations.
Cashier, Big City Grocery Store, Madison, AL Sept. 2012 – Sept. 2013•Greeted incoming patrons, offering assistance with locating items and properly using coupons•Managed cash register, handling debit, credit, check, and cash transactions•Awarded “employee of the month” three times for reliability and exceptional customer service
SAMPLES
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• Member of sports teams• Member of church group• Member of the Band / Choir• Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts• Clubs or youth organizations
5.0 INTERESTS / ACTIVITIES
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6.0 Skills
Taking a foreign language Communication skills Child caring Researching and resource skills Computer Skills
SKILLS• Spanish – Beginner• Communication Skills• Experience in child care- Intermediate• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Internet
SAMPLE
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RESUME WRITING CHECK LIST
How to ensure your resume does not get thrown out.
4 Essential Steps!
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#2 Have a teacher or someone you know proof read it.
#1 Grammatical and Misspelled wordsPLEASE
do not just rely on spell check
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#3 IS IT ONE PAGE?
#4 DOES IT SELL YOUR ABILITIES FOR THE JOB?
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•Format of a Resume•Top 10 skills employers seek•Top 10 qualities employers look for•What to put on Your Resume•How to word Your Resume•Some ideas to help you•NO grammatical or spelling errors
SUMMARYPOINTS TO REMEMBER
Example Resume Included in Backup
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First Name Last Name Address
City, Province, Postal Code Phone Number
Cell Phone Number Email
Name orTitle or Human Resource ManagerCompany Address City, Province, Postal Code
Date
Dear Hiring Manager, or Ms. Smith
I am interested in the summer position at Walmart Super Store advertised in The Standard-Freeholder.
I have excellent communication skills and an aptitude for customer service. My past experience as a volunteer at Cornwall Community Hospital made it necessary for me to focus on providing quality customer service, and also enabled me to work with all types of people.
I believe that my communication skills, customer service abilities, and positive work ethic would make me an asset to your store.
Thank you for your consideration. I can be reached at email address or 256-222-2222. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Employer Contact Information
Your Contact Info
Date
Greeting
Introduction
What you offer them
What happens now
and close
SAMPLE
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Sample Paul R. Langevin
25 Awesome AvenueCornwall ON, K6J1Z3
Home: 256-555-5555 Cell: 256-555-5432Email: [email protected]
EDUCATIONHoly Trinity Catholic Secondary School, Cornwall ONHigh School diploma anticipated June 2015Next fall I will be attending St. Lawrence College, Cornwall Campus majoring in NursingHigh School Awards and RecognitionHonour Roll 2013-2015Perfect Attendance Certificate 2013
OBJECTIVESeeking part-time employment in the retail service industry.
EXPERIENCECashier, All Purpose Grocery Store, Long Sault, ON Sept. 2012 – Sept. 2013•Greeted incoming patrons, offering assistance with locating items and properly using coupons•Managed cash register, handling debit, credit, check, and cash transactions•Awarded “employee of the month” three times for reliability and exceptional customer service
INTEREST / ACTVITIES• Member of Holy Trinity CSS Badminton Team• Boy Scout• Piano
SKILLS• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Internet• Spanish – Beginner• Experience in child care- Intermediate