resume cover letter guide 2016 - rockridge...
TRANSCRIPT
Resume & Cover Letter
Guide 2016/17
Careers
Cover Letter CoverLetterRules:
•Addressyourletterstoaspecificpersonifyoucan.
•Tailoryourletterstospecificsituationsororganizationsbydoingresearchbeforewritingyourletters.
•Keeplettersconciseandfactual,nomorethanasinglepage.Avoidflowerylanguage.
•Giveexamplesthatsupportyourskillsandqualifications.
•Putyourselfinthereader’sshoes.Whatcanyouwritethatwillconvincethereaderthatyouarereadyandabletodothejob?
•Don’toverusethepronoun“I”.
•Rememberthatthisisamarketingtool.Uselotsofactionwords.
•Converttoa.pdf,checkthatyourformattingtranslatedcorrectly.
•Referenceskillsorexperiencesfromthejobdescriptionanddrawconnectionstoyourcredentials.
•Makesureyourresumeandcoverletterarepreparedwiththesamefonttypeandsize.
Sample Cover Letter YourNameStreetAddressCity,[email protected]
MonthDate,YearEmployer’sNamePositionorTitleCompanyNameEmployerStreetAddress/P.O.BoxCity,StateZipCode
DearMr./Ms./Dr.LastNameofAddressee:
OpeningParagraph
Statethepositionyouareapplyingfor,howyoufoundoutaboutit,andaskforconsiderationbasedonyourskillsandexperiencesyouhavetooffer.Ifyouwerereferredbysomeone,statethathere.Makeageneralstatementaboutbeingagoodcandidateforthejob.
MiddleParagraph(s)
Inthissection,youwanttobuildaconnectionbetweenthecompany’sneedsandyourbackgroundandskills.Stresswhatyouhavetooffer,notwhatyouwantfromthem.IdentifythosepartsofyourexperiencethatwillinterestTHISemployer.Youcandrawattentiontorelevantcoursework,specialprojectsandschoolactivitiesiftheyshowdirectrelationshiptothisposition.Donotrestatewhat’sinyourresume,ratherexpanduponaspecificprojectoraccomplishment.
ClosingParagraph
Restateyourinterestinthispositionandhowyouruniquequalificationsfittheposition.Requestaninterview,ortellthereaderthatyouwillcontacthim/hersooninordertoscheduleamutuallyconvenienttimetomeet.Thankthereaderforhis/hertimeandconsideration.
Sincerely,
Typeyourname
YovannaJawb123StreetDriveVancouver,[email protected]
September20,2016
Ms.EllieWellsSeniorManagerWallabyYogurtCompany110MezzettaCourtAmericanCanyon,CA94503
DearMs.Wells:
IamasenioratRockridgeSecondaryandamwritingtoapplyfortheManagerinTrainingopportunityattheWallabyYogurtCompany.Iamveryinterestedinthefieldofmarketingandwouldwelcometheopportunitytocontributemyresearchandwritingskillsandexperiencetoyourgrowingbusiness.
IamexcitedaboutWallaby’scommitmenttoorganic,all-naturalingredientsinitsproducts.Asavarsityfieldhockeyplayer,Iamveryawareoftheimportanceofhealthyfoodasthefoundationforahealthylife.Youremphasison“learningbydoingandleadingbyserving”isalsoconsistentwiththetrainingIreceivedasanathlete.Whetheronthefieldlearningnewdrillsintheworstweatherconditionsorpatientlyworkingwithanewteammember,Iammostfulfilledwhencontributingtotheteameffort.
InadditiontomyconcentrationinHistory,IhavecompletedcourseworkinEconomics.Myacademicworkhasstrengthenedmyresearchandwritingskillsaswellasmyunderstandingoftheeconomicsofbusinessgrowthanddevelopment.WorkingwithHarvardUndergraduateWomeninBusiness(WIB)overthelasttwoyearsgavemetheexperienceandconfidencetoworkinadynamic,fast-pacedorganizationwherelearningquicklyandpitchinginareinstrumentaltosuccess.AsamemberoftheExecutiveCommittee,forexample,Imanagedcampusadvertisingcampaignsthatincreasedoverallmembershipandattractedmorethan500studentsfrom12differentschoolstoourannualIntercollegiateFallConference.
Thankyouforyourconsideration.Iverymuchlookforwardtotheopportunitytospeakwithyouinpersonaboutmyinterestinthisposition.
Sincerely,
YovannaJawb
Resume Do’s and Don’ts
Do’sforarésumé·Doincludeyourname,address,phonenumber,&emailaddressonyourrésumé·Domakesureyourrésuméiserrorfree–notypographical,spellingorgrammaticalerrors·Dolistyourskills,qualifications,andaccomplishmentsinaprimarypositiononyourrésumé·Dotargetyourrésumétothepositionbyincludingallskillsandqualificationsthatarerelevanttotheposition·Doselectanappropriateformatthatincludesaclean,professionalappearanceandaneasytoreadfont·Domakesureyourrésuméisbrief,wellorganized,andfocusedonthepositionforwhichyouareapplyingDon’tsforarésumé·Donotincludeadate;youshouldputadateonyourcoverletter,notyourrésumé·Donotincludepersonalpronounssuchas“I”inyourrésumé·Donotincludeabbreviationsinthebodyofyourrésumé·Donotincludeavailability(Waituntiltheintervieworjoboffertodiscussthispoint)·Donotincludepersonalinformationsuchasheight,weight,socialsecuritynumber,driver’slicensenumber,race,religion,maritalstatusorpoliticalaffiliation·Donotincludemiscellaneousdetailssuchassalaryrequirements,salarydesired,supervisor’snameandtitle,maritalstatus,numberofchildren
Thereisno“correct”versionofaresume.Howeverthereareafewtypes,andsomemajorrules.
1) ChronologicalResume.Usedwhenyouhaveseveralyearsofexperienceinonefield,andareapplyingforajobinthatsamefield.Experienceiswritteninreversechronologicalorder,accompaniedbydetaileddescriptionsofallduties
2) SkillsBasedResumeUsedwhenyouarenewtotheworkforce,orareapplyingforajobinadifferentfieldthanyouhaveexperiencefor.Responsibilities,accomplishments,andskillsareorganizedintocategories.
1) UseaclearbusinesslikefontsuchasTimesNewRoman,orArial.Size10-12font.Nofancy, or silly FONTS.
2) Leaveaproper1inchmarginaroundyourpage
3) Printyourresumeonthickwhitepaper.
4) Atypicalrecruiterwillreadyourresumeforlessthan30seconds.YoumustcontainyourCLEARinformationin1page.(2ifyouareaprofessional)
5) Reviseyourresumetofitthespecificpositionyouareapplyingfor
6) PROOFREAD!Correctgrammarandspellingisessential
7) Starteachbulletedpointwithanactionword(NOT:Responsibleforplanninganevent/DO:Plannedanevent…)
8) Stayawayfromcompletesentences.Beconcise.
9) Quantifyyourexperiences(howmuch,howmanyetc)
10) Donotexaggerateoruseadjectives(DON’T:I’manamazingwriter)
11) Donotlistreferencesonyourresume.State:“Referencesavailableuponrequest”,andhaveaseparatetypedsheetprepared.
12) Alwaysaccompanyyourresumewithacoverletter.
13) DONOTHAVEA“FUN”EMAIL.Yournameismostappropriate.(Ex:[email protected].)
Bob Smith
West Vancouver, BC V7A 3B8. [email protected]
PROFILE
Student in the eleventh grade at Rockridge Secondary looking for summer and after school work. Motivated and hard working with excellent people skills. Holds past work experience that would help succeed in a customer service-oriented work environment.
EDUCATION
Grade 10 Student, Rockridge Secondary, West Vancouver, British Columbia Completion: 2015 • Honor student • Associated clubs/teams: Grade 9/10 Rugby Team, Interact Club, Umoyo Club
WORK EXPERIENCE Deli Worker, Caulfeild Safeway, West Vancouver, British Columbia May 2013-current
• Prepares food for hundreds of customers • Serves food to hundreds • Completes sales transactions
Volunteer Instructor, Eagle Harbor Yacht Club, West Vancouver, British Columbia 2011-current • Assists in the coaching of 20-30 young sailing students • Helps fix and maintain 20 sailing school boats • Packs sails and tracks equipment inventory
Babysitter, Private Employers 2012-current • Cooks, cleans, and prepares meals • Entertains children under 11 years of age • Ensures safety and well being of children
Server, Eagle Harbor Yacht Club, West Vancouver, British Columbia 2011-current • Serves for parties and club events for hundreds of members • Assists in dining preparation and clean up
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Sailor, Eagle Harbor Yacht Club, West Vancouver, BC 2007-current • Completed up to Cansail 6 at an accelerated pace • Passed two levels (White Sail 1&2) first time sailing • Won “Top Sailing School Student” in first year of the sport
Athlete, Vancouver British Columbia 2003-current • Rockridge Secondary Rugby Team Grade 8, 9, 10 (2011-2014) • Capilano R.F.C. Rugby Team (2004-current) • Played Provincial Regional Championships, PRC (2013) • Cypress Park Little League (2003-2012) • WestVancouverSoccerLeague(2007-2012)
AliceWonderlandPurpleCatDrive.WonderlandDrive.BC.(604)123-5342•[email protected]
EDUCATION RockridgeHighSchool–WestVancouver,BC2011-PresentHoldsHonorswithDistinctionHarvardUniversity–SummerHighSchoolProgram,Cambridge,MASummer2014Achieved8collegecreditsinPhilosophyandCreativeWriting WORKEXPERIENCE WestVancouverFieldHockeyClub,WestVancouver,BC Spring2011-2013Umpire
• Officiatedyouthfieldhockeygames• Ensuredthatallgameruleswereobserved• Explainedrulestoplayersandcoacheswhennecessary• Maintainedcontrolofthegames
EXTRACURRICULAR MetoWe,Vancouver,BC 2013CrowdPumper
• Instructedasectionofseatingat“WeDay”Vancouver• Wasaccountablefortheoccupants’enjoymentofmysection• Encouragedengagementandenthusiasm
MetoWeTakeActionCamp,BethanyHills,Toronto,ON Summer2013JournalismforJusticeParticipant
• Studiedanddiscussedglobalissueswithkids• Wroteanarticleonblindanddeafawareness
EagleHarborCommunity,WestVancouver,BC 2013“FunRun”Volunteer
• Setuptables,tentsandpreparedfood• Interactedwithhundredsofpeople• Assistedwithcleanup
FreeTheChildren,MaasaiMara,Kenya Summer2012Buildingteammember
• Participatedinbuildingaschoolanddormitory• Workedonaccommodatingthewaterneedsofstudents’families• Observedtheworkingsofthelocaleconomy
ACHIEVEMENTS/AWARDS LifesavingSociety–WestVancouver,BC 2011BronzeCross&BronzeMedallionSKILLSANDINTERESTSLanguageSkills:FluentEnglish,BasicFrenchInterests:FieldHockey,Volleyball,Swimming,Skiing,RunningandTravelling
YouLedaProjectIfyouwereinchargeofaprojectorinitiativefromstarttofinish,skip“led”andinsteadtry:1.Chaired2.Controlled3.Coordinated4.Executed5.Headed6.Operated7.Orchestrated8.Organized9.Oversaw10.Planned11.Produced12.ProgrammedYouEnvisionedandBroughttoLifeaProjectAndifyouactuallydeveloped,created,orintroducedthatprojectintoyourcompany?Try:13.Administered14.Built15.Charted16.Created17.Designed18.Developed19.Devised20.Founded21.Engineered22.Established23.Formalized24.Formed25.Formulated26.Implemented27.Incorporated28.Initiated29.Instituted30.Introduced31.Launched32.Pioneered33.SpearheadedYouSavedtheCompanyTimeorMoneyHiringmanagerslovecandidateswho’vehelpedateamoperatemoreefficientlyorcost-effectively.Toshowjusthowmuchyousaved,try:34.Conserved35.Consolidated36.Decreased37.Deducted38.Diagnosed39.Lessened40.Reconciled41.Reduced42.YieldedYouIncreasedEfficiency,Sales,Revenue,orCustomerSatisfactionAlongsimilarlines,ifyoucanshowthatyourworkboostedthecompany’snumbersinsomeway,you’reboundtoimpress.Inthesecases,consider:43.Accelerated44.Achieved45.Advanced46.Amplified47.Boosted48.Capitalized49.Delivered50.Enhanced51.Expanded52.Expedited53.Furthered54.Gained55.Generated56.Improved57.Lifted58.Maximized59.Outpaced60.Stimulated61.Sustained
YouChangedorImprovedSomethingSo,youbroughtyourdepartment’sinvoicingsystemoutoftheStoneAgeandontotheinterwebs?Talkabouttheamazingchangesyoumadeatyourofficewiththesewords:62.Centralized63.Clarified64.Converted65.Customized66.Influenced67.Integrated68.Merged69.Modified70.Overhauled71.Redesigned72.Refined73.Refocused74.Rehabilitated75.Remodeled76.Reorganized77.Replaced78.Restructured79.Revamped80.Revitalized81.Simplified82.Standardized83.Streamlined84.Strengthened85.Updated86.Upgraded87.TransformedYouManagedaTeamInsteadofrecitingyourmanagementduties,like“Ledateam…”or“Managedemployees…”showwhataninspirationalleaderyouwere,withtermslike:88.Aligned89.Cultivated90.Directed91.Enabled92.Facilitated93.Fostered94.Guided95.Hired96.Inspired97.Mentored98.Mobilized99.Motivated100.Recruited101.Regulated102.Shaped103.Supervised104.Taught105.Trained106.Unified107.UnitedYouBroughtinPartners,Funding,orResourcesWereyou“responsiblefor”agreatnewpartner,sponsor,orsourceoffunding?Try:108.Acquired109.Forged110.Navigated111.Negotiated112.Partnered113.SecuredYouSupportedCustomersBecausemanningthephonesoransweringquestionsreallymeansyou’readvisingcustomersandmeetingtheirneeds,use:114.Advised115.Advocated116.Arbitrated117.Coached118.Consulted119.Educated120.Fielded121.Informed
YouWereaResearchMachineDidyourjobincluderesearch,analysis,orfact-finding?Mixupyourverbiagewiththesewords:123.Analyzed124.Assembled125.Assessed126.Audited127.Calculated128.Discovered129.Evaluated130.Examined131.Explored132.Forecasted133.Identified134.Interpreted135.Investigated136.Mapped137.Measured138.Qualified139.Quantified140.Surveyed141.Tested142.TrackedYouWroteorCommunicatedWaswriting,speaking,lobbying,orotherwisecommunicatingpartofyourgig?Youcanexplainjusthowcompellingyouwerewithwordslike:143.Authored144.Briefed145.Campaigned146.Co-authored147.Composed148.Conveyed149.Convinced150.Corresponded151.Counseled152.Critiqued153.Defined154.Documented155.Edited156.Illustrated157.Lobbied158.Persuaded159.Promoted160.Publicized161.ReviewYou Oversaw or RegulatedWhetheryouenforcedprotocolormanagedyourdepartment’srequests,describewhatyoureallydid,better,withthesewords:162.Authorized163.Blocked164.Delegated165.Dispatched166.Enforced167.Ensured168.Inspected169.Itemized170.Monitored171.Screened172.Scrutinized173.VerifiedYouAchievedSomethingDidyouhityourgoals?Winacoveteddepartmentaward?Don’tforgettoincludethatonyourresume,withwordslike:174.Attained175.Awarded176.Completed177.Demonstrated178.Earned179.Exceeded180.Outperformed181.Reached182.Showcased183.Succeeded184.Surpassed