Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Chapter 11 The Job Search, Résumés, and Cover Letters

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Evaluating Your Qualifications What computer skills can I offer? What other skills have I acquired in school, on the job, or through activities? How can I demonstrate these skills? Do I work well with people? What proof can I offer? Am I a leader, self-starter, or manager?

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Evaluating Your Qualifications Do I speak, write, or understand another language? Do I learn quickly? Am I creative? How can I demonstrate these characteristics? Do I communicate well in speech and in writing?

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Choosing a Career Path Visit your school career or counselling centre. Search the Internet. Use your library. Take a summer job, internship, or part-time position in your field. Interview someone in your chosen field. Examine the classified ads. Join professional organizations in your field.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Using Traditional Job Search Techniques Study classified ads in local and national newspapers. Check announcements in publications of professional organizations. Contact companies in which you’re interested. Sign up for school interviews with visiting company representatives. Ask for advice from your instructors. Develop your own network of contacts.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Using Electronic Job Search Techniques Canada’s Job Bank JobsEtc.ca Charityvillage.com Workopolis.ca Monster.ca

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Writing a Persuasive Résumé l Choosing a Résumé Style Chronological Functional Combination

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Chronological l Lists work history job-by-job, starting with the most recent position. l Quickly reveals experience and education. l Works well if you have experience in the field and steady career growth.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Functional l Focuses attention on skills rather than on past employment. l Groups skills and accomplishments in categories. l Can de-emphasize employment history. l Good for those who have changed jobs frequently, have gaps in employment, or for recent graduates.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Combination l Draws on features of chronological and functional. l Gives a complete job history that focuses on abilities. l Good choice for recent graduates.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Arranging the Parts of a Résumé l Main Heading Name, address, telephone number, address l Career Objective (4 choices) Include only for a targeted job. Omit. Include a general statement. Omit on résumé, but include in cover letter.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Arranging the Parts of a Résumé l Education Name and location of schools Dates of attendance Major fields of study Degrees, diplomas, and certificates received Give information about your studies, but don’t list all your courses

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Arranging the Parts of a Résumé l Work Experience or Employment History List recent jobs Employer’s name, city, and province Dates of employment, including month and year Most important job title Major duties, activities, accomplishments, and promotions

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Arranging the Parts of a Résumé l Work Experience Describe your experience. Use action verbs to summarize achievements and skills. Be specific. –Prepared tax returns for individuals with incomes under $30,000. –Served 40 or more customers each day. –Worked in a team to develop 25-page manual for temporary employees..

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Arranging the Parts of a Résumé l Skills and Abilities List special skills Describe skills learned in training Highlight special abilities l Awards, Honours, and Activities Include awards, scholarships, certificates etc. List school, community and professional activities – show you are well-rounded

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Arranging the Parts of a Résumé l Personal information Omit birth date and marital status Hobbies and interests may be included l References Not necessary for résumé If included, use parallel form List of references available at interview

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Sample Résumé Jennifer Marie Jenkins 3320 Lawrence Street Swift Current, SK (306) Objective: Administrative position involving Payroll Accounting Employee Benefits Customer Service SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Two years’ experience in responsible administrative and accounting positions Disciplined self-starter; able to work without supervision Proficient with PCs including Word, Excel, and the Internet [Continued on next slide.]

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Sample Résumé Can be counted on to follow through on every detail, until a task is successfully..completed B.A. degree, University of Saskatchewan, Business Administration major RELEVANT EXPERIENCE 10/04 toApprentice, Radio Production, CQFA , presentMoose Jaw, SK As production manager, schedule studios, recruit support staff. Process scripts, permissions, and logs involved in weekly productions Financial Manager, The Shelter House, Moose Jaw, SK. Used computer to manage payroll and employee benefits for a staff of 26. Completed all projects on time, despite chronically chaotic environment. [Continued on next slide.]

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Sample Résumé Managed agency's cash flow, involving funder reimbursements, in-kind donations,..and fund-raising. Processed all accounts payable and receivable, monthly, and quarterly statistical..reports for local, state, and federal funding agencies. Oversaw petty cash. Designed a flow chart to track success of a $25,000 fund-raising project. Spring, 2003 Publicity coordinator, Renaissance Rainbow (performance arts troupe), Saskatoon, SK Scheduled all media interviews and supervised volunteers. Coordinated publicity mailings for Performance Arts Festival Temp positions, Manpower Temporary Services, Winnipeg, MB Developed customer service skills as telephone interviewer for Dorhring..Company. [Continued on next slide.]

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Sample Résumé Maintained files, routed incoming telephone calls, input employee progress..journals, prepared interoffice memos, recorded accounts payable cheques,..keyboarded accounts payable correspondence, learned systems in various..assignments. EDUCATION B.A. in Business Administration, University of Saskatchewan, GPA in major: 3.2 Dean's list, 2 terms

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Making Your Résumé Computer-Friendly Avoid unusual typefaces, underlining, and italics. Use 10 to 14-point type. Use smooth white paper, black ink, and quality printing. Be sure your name is on the first line on the page. Provide white space.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Making Your Résumé Computer-Friendly Avoid double columns. Don’t fold or staple your résumé. Use abbreviations carefully. Include your entire address and telephone number. Be prepared to provide your résumé in Plain Text format.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Applying the Final Touches Avoid humour. Eliminate personal pronoun I. Use white/off-white heavy bond paper. Do not hire someone to write your résumé. Try to fit your résumé on one page (two maximum). Proofread several times.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch The Persuasive Cover Letter l Openings for Solicited Jobs Refer to the name of an employee in the company. Refer to the source of your information precisely. Refer to the job title and describe how your qualifications fit the requirements.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch The Persuasive Cover Letter l Openings for Unsolicited Jobs Demonstrate interest in and knowledge of the reader’s business. Show how your special talents and background will benefit the company. Refer to the job title and describe how your qualifications fit the requirements.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Writing a Persuasive Cover Letter l Building Interest in the Body Relate your remarks to a specific position. Choose your strongest qualifications and show how they fit the targeted job. Discuss relevant personal qualities. Refer the reader to your résumé.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch Writing a Persuasive Cover Letter l Motivating Action in the Closing Ask for an interview. Make it easy for the reader to respond. Supply telephone number and best times to call you.

Copyright © 2008 by Nelson Education Ltd. Ch End