faculty of education resume & cover letter · faculty of education resume & cover letter....
TRANSCRIPT
Presented by Lindsey Hiebert, Employment Advisor
Career Services, U of Mwww.umanitoba.ca/student/employment
Faculty of Education
Resume & Cover Letter
How do you get the most from this workshop?Ask any questions that you haveBe prepared to write your own resume(s) (a resume that you prepare yourself will always be better than one someone writes for you)Learn from the group - sometimes other people can offer excellent advice/help
Looking for work is a process and
Looking for work is competitive you have to stand apart from your competitionEach part of the job search process is equally important
Purpose of the Resume
What is Marketing?
Marketing is the process of gettingpotential customers and clients to beinterested in your products and/orservices.
The key word in this marketing definition isresearching, promoting, selling, and distributing yourproducts or services.
Average time that an employer spends looking at your resume?
1-3 minutes30-60 secondsUnder 30 seconds
Think Like An Employer
Content is critical1. Establish an Employment Goal2. Identify the skills and personal attributes
required by the employer3. Identify your skills and attributes that match
4. Write accomplishment statements to demonstrate your skills
5. Choose a Resume Format6. Develop a list of your work history7. Identify your education and training8. Identify your other headings-volunteer, interests,
certificates, memberships etc
Technical SkillsGeneric Skills
What are the Employers Needs?
Technical/Hard Skills
Technical and specific skills needed to do the jobUsually involves training or work experience to learn these skills.Required to do a specific task
Generic/Soft Skills
Required in most work settingsTeamwork skillsCommunication skillsOrganization and planning skillsLeadership skills
Top 10 Marketable Skills
Analytical / Problem Solving
Time Management
Flexibility / Versatility
Motivation Interpersonal Leadership
Oral / Written Communication
Self Starter / Initiative Team Player
Organization Planning
What are your skills? where you need to match your skills
Start with action verb and noun:
Who What Where When Why
Chaired fundraising committee that raised over $5,000 in an art auction event for a non-profit organization supporting people with intellectual disabilities.
What are your Skills?-Develop a demonstration statement
Action Verb in the past tense (see page 10-11)
Communication Skills
Communication-Oral/Written
Trained/Supervised Consulted
Arranged Documented
Collaborated Participated
Facilitated Informed
Presented Trained
Spoke
Worked
Persuaded
Delivered
Types of Resumes
ChronologicalEmphasis on work experience arranged in order by dates of job with duties.Use when your work experience can demonstrate your skills
FunctionalEmphasis on skills and accomplishments first and then quick listing of work experience.
Use when you need to demonstrate your skills through your education, volunteering, extra-curricular activities
Use when you lack direct work experience relevant to the position you are seeking
Sample Education resume
Resume Headings
Highlights of Qualifications / Profile EducationWork History Teaching Experience can be split into 2 sections**
Choice will depend on the skills and experience you have
Always lead with your most important information
Additional Training/Professional DevelopmentExtra-curricular ActivitiesMembershipsOther topics, depending on historyInterestsReferences
General Tips
Usually 2 pages in length
Must be tailored to the specific job- match your skills with an employers needs!
Layout- makes it easy to read with lots of white space
Recommended font: Times New Roman or Arial in in 12pt sizeResume must be error free
Lead with the most important information
21
22
More tips...............
Put your name on each page Use Bold or underline or italics to set off information such as degrees or job titlesUse action verbs: e.g. coordinated, supervised, created, recruitedBe consistent with verb tensesUse point form rather than full sentencesConsider ways to make you stand out from other applicantsPROOF-READ before you send it out!!!
Religion Family StatusAge National or Ethnic OriginRace Handicap or DisabilityPolitical
AffiliationSocial Insurance Number
Health Photograph of yourselfMarital Status Gender (including
pregnancy)Laws vary by province and by country
Laws govern what an employer can demand but you may choose to provide certain kinds of
information.
References
References are people who know you well enough to talk about your skills, abilities,
Three references should be included with your resume. Use family members as references only as a last resort
Where to Start...Use a font and style that matches that of your resume.
Be sure to include:
Date
address it to a specific person instead of to a company or department head
COVER LETTERS
The Content of your Cover Letter
Strong opener include any job or reference number if there is one and your interest in working for them
Mid Section what skills and abilities do you offershow that you know about the school or position
Closing indicate you would like an interview at the
Reference to teaching philosophythank them for their time
The Final CheckAddress the letter to a specific personCheck addresses, numbersDateJob reference numberCustomize the letter (show what you know about the school/division/position)Include your teaching philosophy either in cover letter or resumeOpening paragraph grabs attentionConfident, not arrogantNeat attractive, complimentary to resume
Navigating Ed Expo
Ed Expo Tips for Success!Put your best foot forward 1stImpressions!dress the partbe confident!
Research the school and divisionDevelop and perfect your 30-second infomercialMake the best of this networking opportunity - Get their contact info!Follow up thank you and resume
Interviews
The Interview
You never get a second chance to make a first
impression!
Caveman video
A Two Way ExchangeINTERVIEWS
The Employer wants to:
Evaluate the position to see if itfits your career goals
Get a feel for the organization
Convince the employer thatthey need the skills you have tooffer
You want to:
confirm that the information on your resume is accurate
evaluate if the interest you generated with your resume holds up in person
check to see if you area good “fit” for their team
Preparing for the Interview
Step 1: know the job and the skills required
Step 2: Know yourself and your skills
Step 3: Know the organization
Step 4: Prepare and practice interview questions
Step 5: Prepare questions to ask the employer
Step #1:Understanding the Job and Skill Requirements
Preparing for the Interview
Job description/Job posting
Technical and specific skills needed to do the job
Usually involves training or work experience to learn these skills.Required to do a specific task
Technical/Hard Skills
Required in many work settingsTeamwork skillsCommunication skillsProblem Solving skillsOrganization and planning skillsLeadership skills
Generic/Soft Skills
Which skills are the employer looking for to
meet their needs?
match your skills with an employers needs and talk about them in your answers!
Share specific examples and stories to demonstrate your skills.
Step #2: What are your skills?
90% of employers say:
The primary reason that they do not hire acandidate is because the interviewee could notclearly state his or her skills.
School Division information Community
What is their mission statement?
What is unique about the school?
What is its history?
Any new changes or developments?
Step #3: Know the Organization
The more you know the organization, the better prepared you will be to talk about
how you would meet its needs
Practice responding to questions in a mock interview with a friend, family member or with an employment
advisor
Step #4: Think about and practiceinterview questions
Go through sample interview questions and think about your responses- remembering the
employers needs and matching your skills.- Make sure you are demonstrating your skills relevant to the job!!
TraditionalBehavior / Descriptive
Types of Questions
Employer interview questions video
Tell me about yourself.Opportunity to talk about your skills and experience as they relate to the job. Important to tie your skills into the job description.
1- Education2- Relevant skills (3 SKILLS) that match with the job3- Personal Interests / Activities
Traditional Interview Questions
What kind of experience have you hadrelate experience relevant to the job and can be from work
experiences, volunteering, coop, research, school projects.
Why should we hire you?Draw a match between the employers needs and your skills and experience using specific examples from your resume
Why would you want to work with us?The way you answer this question is dependent on your research of the company
What are your goals for the next five years?Really means what are your goals within this organization
Popular interviewing technique that employers utilize to predict how a job applicant will perform on the job.
Past behaviour is a good indicatorof
future behaviour
Behavioural DescriptiveInterview Questions (BDI)
USE S.A.R Tell a story/paint a picture
Situation: Explain the problem (situation)Action: What did you do?Results: What was the end result?
Did you receive any feedback?Keep it positive
Answering Behavioural Descriptive Questions
Question: Tell me about a time when you have had to adjust to changes over which you had no control. How did you handle it?
This is your time to use S.A.R!
BDI - Example
SituationTell a story/Paint a picture of the eventsWhat was the challenge?When did this take place?
ActionHow did you evaluate the situation?What steps did you take to handle the situation?
ResultsWhat were the results of your actions?How was the challenge finally resolved?Did you receive any feedback on your actions?
Why prepare questions?Demonstrates genuine interest & preparedness
Opportunity to gather information
Tips in asking questions:Ask questions where the information is not readily available
Limit: about 3 or 4 questions
Avoid questions regarding salary and benefits
Step # 5: Prepare Questions to ASK
Prior to interview: Time & date of interviewLocation/parkingPosition titleActual job description
What to bring along
Interview Basics
Read your resume just before the interview to: boost your confidencedo a final rehearsalcalm your nerves and focus
Show up at least 10 minutes early
Eat something before the interviewDress appropriately for your field
What to bring: resume, references, transcript, work samples, pen and paper
Leave relevant materials with the employerAsk when you will be notified about the decisionIf unknown, ask if you can follow upRestate your interest in the positionafter asking questionsIf offered hand, shake firmly; or offer yours
Interview Closing Reminders
Must be sent to employer within 24 hours
Should be short and sweet
Thank them for specific things
If you forgot to mention key things in the interview, briefly mention them here
Reaffirm your interest in the position
Career Services
Job Postings
Resume Critiques, Job Search Consultations, Mock Interviews
In House Workshops
Drop In Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 10am
1pm
Career Fairs, Employer Information sessions
On Campus Interview
Career Help Centre
THANK YOU!