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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: Billsmith@yahoo.com

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: PaulLangevin@yahoo.com

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