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

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

2. PDAP: Career Development Workshops

3. Agenda • Introduction • Resumes • Preparation • Possible Sections • Statements • Organization • Resume Tips • 3. Cover Letters • Preparation • Format • Buying Motivators • Cover Letter Tips • 4. Summary

4. Introduction to Resumes Resume Quiz • How long should a resume be? • What size should your margins be? • What font size should you use? • What font style is best? • Should high school be on your resume? • Should references be on your resume? • Which of the following pieces of information should be included on your resume: • Name, address, phone number, email • Nationality, age, marital status 1 – 2 pages 1 inch 10 – 12 font size Professional, legible No (usually) No • Name, address, phone number, email

5. Introduction to Resumes • What is a resume? • What is the purpose of a resume?

6. Preparing to Write a Resume • Review • Company/Organization • Job field • Job description

7. Preparation: Company Research

8. 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

9. Preparation: Review Job Description Qualifications: • Food Handlers Certificate • Knowledge of food preparation, safe food handling, storage • Knowledge of principles of hygiene around food, sanitation, safety procedures, equipment care and use • Proven ability to foster good public relations and effective working relationships with team • Excellent interpersonaland oral/written communication skills.  • Demonstrated organizational, time management, prioritization, and conflict resolutionskills; ability to work under pressure • Ability to perform the physical demands of the position.  • Proven good attendance record with the capability of maintaining this same standard; must be able to work shifts.  • Previous food preparation experience an asset.  • Completion of a Food and Nutrition/Food Service Program from an accredited institution, an asset.

10. Possible Resume Sections

11. Key Resume Sections • Review: • Header • Summary of Qualifications • Education • Work Experience

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

13. Header • JOHN DOE • 213-47 York Street ● Toronto, ON ● M5K 2L3 ● (416) 783-3298 ● john.doe@ryerson.ca

14. Header • John Doe, BASc • 213-47 York Street ● Toronto, ON ● M5K 2L3 • (416) 783-3298 ● john.doe@ryerson.ca ● http://ca.linkedin.com/in/johndoe

15. 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

16. Education • Degrees, diplomas, certificates • Name of school • Date completed

17. Education Bachelor of Applied Science, Nutrition and Food Expected June 2014 Ryerson University, Toronto, ON Relevant Courses: Advanced Nutrition Management of Human Disease, Food Security Concepts and Principles, Health Promotion and Community Development General Arts and Science Diploma 2010 George Brown College, Toronto, ON

18. Work Experience • Patient Food Tray Auditor May 2013 – August 2013 • Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON • Assessed accuracy, rate of tray delivery and food temperatures by auditing food trays for food service department • Categorized data from patient tray tickets based on amount of food left on tray (0%, 50% or 100%) and analyzed information using SPSS • Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare team to ensure quality control measures and patient satisfaction with meals

19. Duty vs Accomplishment Statements Which statement has more impact? • Counselled diabetic youth on different topics • OR • Provided nutrition counselling to youth on treatment strategies to increase diabetes management and awareness • OR • Increased diabetes management and awareness by providing nutrition counselling to 20+ youth on treatment strategies, such as diet and exercise

20. Accomplishment Statements Action Verb Duty Result + + Overview • 1 – 2 lines per bullet point • Results oriented – not only focused on duties and responsibilities

21. Accomplishment Statements Example: Final Statement: • Planned, implemented, and instructed a fun new fitness class that increased gym memberships and attracted 24 participants per class

22. Accomplishment Statements Qualify and quantify your activities (when applicable): • Performed a literature review using 3 online databases and earned an A on final year project “Whole Foods: Enhancing Diet Through Choice” • Collaborated with Canadian Nutrition Society members to organize community fundraising events, such as annual bazaar, and raise $10,000 • Increased weekly attendance by 45% at ABC Fitness Centre by incorporating zumba and hot yoga into youth programming • Coached peewee hockey team of 15 children ages 11-12, winning regional championship

23. Demonstration

24. Practice • Think of a skill you possess that is valued in your industry. Practice writing an accomplishment statement. • Skill: • Action Verb: • Duty: • Result: • Resume Statement:

25. Organizing Your Resume “Big 3” Resume Styles • 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

26. 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!

27. Cover Letters What is the purpose of a cover letter?

28. Preparing to Write a Cover Letter • Review • Company/Organization • Job field • Job description • Focus on approx. 3 main reasons why you

29. Cover Letter Format Your Name Address Telephone # Email address Today’s Date Contact Person Title Company/Organization Address City, Province Postal Code Dear _________________:

30. Cover Letter Format 1st 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 – giveone or two tangible examples (STAR) 3rd Section: • Thank them for their time, request an interview • Sincerely, • Your Signature • Full Name

31. Buying Motivators • 1. Make Money • Exceeded daily sales quota by an average of $150 each day • 2. Save Money • Reduced paper costs by $1400 by initiating ‘scrap’ paper boxes next to printers • 3. Save Time • Performed the work previously required of two full-time employees • 4. Make Work Easier • Initiated the reorganization of filing system, making information more easily accessible • 5. Solve a Specific Problem • Reduced number of customer questions by establishing a “Frequently Asked Questions” page on website Source: Interview Magic, Susan Britton Whitcomb

32. Buying Motivators 6. Be More Competitive • Translated marketing materials into Spanish and Hmong, gaining dominant presence in markets left virtually ignored by competitors • 7. Build More Relationships • Collaborated with a neighbouring centre to hold a Job Fair which attracted over 600 people • 8. Expand Business • Acquired 3 new partnerships for ABC company worth $1.5M • 9. Attract New Clients • Wrote proposal to open new branch of Autism Support Centre to attract clients from a wider geographic area • 10. Retain Existing Customers • Implemented direct-mail follow-up program for new customers; data reflects a 55% increase in repeat customers Source: Interview Magic, Susan Britton Whitcomb

33. 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!

34. Summary What are employers looking for?

35. Summary • 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

36. Resources Career Resource Centre – POD60A

37. Connect With Us! Contact Information: Location: POD 60 Phone: (416) 979 – 5177 Email: career@ryerson.ca Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 6:30 pm Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm www.facebook.com/RyersonCareer www.twitter.com/RyersonCareer www.youtube.com/RyersonCareer Ryerson University Career Development & Employment Centre instagram.com/ryersoncareer www.ryerson.ca/career