RMIT University Career Development ... · RMIT University©2012 Stephanie Fletcher: RMIT Careers...

Job Applications: Resumes & Application LettersTutorial Presentation

Career Development and EmploymentRMIT Universitywww.rmit.edu.au/careers

Session Outline

1. Resumes - Presenting your resume ● Elements of a resume

2. Application letters - Purpose- Preparation- Rules● Sections ● Expression

What is the purpose of a resume?

1. To get through to the next stage of the selection process: psychometric testing, interview

2. To show that you are the right fit for the job

3. To answer the employer’s main question, What do you offer me?

Step 1: Know the Employer’s Criteria

Underline the employer’s requirements in the position description and key selection criteria:● Skills● Education● Experience● Personal qualities

Your job is to demonstrate that you have these requirements● First: In your resume and application letter (this lecture shows you

how!)● Later: At Interview

Presentation is Important!

Top 10 Layout Rules:● Major headings (excluding your name at the top) size 12, bold● Subheadings size 11, bold● Text size 11● White space between sections – but not too much!● Black font, no colour● Approximately 3 pages.● Correct grammar - no spelling mistakes.● Bullet points. They’re quick and easy to read.● No photos (unless it’s a requirement of the job, eg, modelling, acting)

Resume Sections

● Contact details● Career objective● Education● Professional membership● Skills● Employment history (Work-experience, placements, part-time

work)● Extra-curricular activities● Interests ● Referees

Contact Details

● Full name at the top of the first page of your resume● Address ● Telephone and mobile ● Email address ● Residential status (Optional)

● NB: No age, marital status, religion, health, photo

Contact Details Example

Career Objective

What is it? The career objective is the objective of the resume1. What type of work and organisation are you looking for?2. Something about yourself. Three skills or personal qualities that are pertinent to the role that you are applying for.

Why is it recommended?● The employer knows what type of work you are looking for.

Career Objective Example

I am seeking a graduate position as a trainee accountant in an organisation that focuses on personal tax and financial planning. I am a person who has a strong interest in taxation, well-developed interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn and take on new challenges.

Education

● Major education only: Tertiary and Secondary (year 12 only)● List in order starting with the most recent.

● Include: - Year of completion (or expected completion date)- Title of Program- Name of Educational Institution- Major/ specialities (if appropriate)

Education

Bachelor of Business (Marketing) 2010RMIT UniversityExpected completion date: December 2012

Victorian Certificate of Education 2009Ringwood Secondary CollegeATAR: 82 (This is optional!)

Professional Memberships

● Every industry has a Professional Association.

● Reasons to join:● Become involved in your industry.● Keep up to date with the latest developments and information.● Meet other people in your industry.● Attend professional development events.

Example: Professional Membership:

Australian Psychological Society (APS) 2012Student Member

Key Skills (Very important section)

1. Identify the top 4 skills that the employer is looking for. Focus on: Specialised skills, then soft skills2. List these as subheadings. 3. Provide 2 examples for each subheading that demonstrate you have the skill. Use:

● Bullet points ● Specifics: names, facts, data, percentages, results

Key Skills

● You can use examples from:- University - Overseas experience- Part-time work - Unique experiences - Placements - Extra-curricular activities- Volunteer work - Academic Achievements

● Think about: What is the point of difference that makes you stand out from your fellow students?

● Important: If an employer has asked you to submit a statement addressing the Key Selection Criteria, you do not need to have a skills section in your resume because this is doubling up.

Demonstrated Skills Example

Employment

● For all employment, include:

● Dates (years & months)● Job title● Company Name● Key responsibilities● Bullet pointed● Start with action words: developed, initiated, facilitated- Achievements (optional)

Example: Employment

Employment

● Employment can also be separated in different ways. Example:

● Professional Employment/ Industry Related Employment● Other/ Additional Employment● Work Experience/ Internships● Vacation Work● Overseas Experience

Select the method that highlights your relevant experienceand strengths.

Additional Qualifications

● List short courses, training, professional development that you want the employer to know about.

● These are not listed in Education.● Include: Date, course title, name of organisation.

Example: Additional Qualifications Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene 2012Food Hygiene Centre, Mount Waverley.

Extra-Curricular Activities

● Include:● Volunteer work● Other organised activities you have undertaken

● Use same format as Employment section

● Example: Extra-curricular ActivitiesVolunteer Seller on Daffodil Day July 2012Cancer Council Foundation● Raised funds by collecting at Melbourne Central Station● Organised volunteer rosters for the day

Interests

Purpose: ● Lets the employer know more about who you are● Environments you have been exposed to ● Interests you haveHow:● Single out 3 main interests.● Provide brief details that provide insight into you.

● Example: Avid reader of science fiction and economic journals

● Use bullet points

Referees

● A referee is someone who knows you professionally and is willing to speak about you to an employer.

● Must ask your referees before-hand.

● 2 to 3 Referees. ● List: Name, organisation,

role, telephone, email.

Example: Referees

Mr George Jenkins, Lecturer Chemistry and Physics, RMIT University03 8825 5689, george.jenkins@rmit.edu.au

Ms Sarah SalisburyHR Manager, Target03 9768 2245, sarah.salisbury@target.com.au

Complete Resume Example

Can we link through to Application Express to see a full resume?

Application Letters

Sample Application Letter: What do you think?Westbury Street, Sunshine, Victoria 3027

20th February, 2013

Ms Sarah DallotBDA MarketingPO Box 3789Melbourne, 3004

Dear Ms. Dallot,

I wish to be considered for the graduate opportunity advertised on mycareer.com.au on 12 February 2013.I am a final year Bachelor of Business (Marketing) student at RMIT University and have maintained a distinction average throughout my studies. I have a sound knowledge of MYOB and very good analytical skills.I completed a co-operative year at Holden which had developed my communication and team work skills to a high level. In addition to this, I have also had a year’s part-time work experience in a sales environment.I would welcome the opportunity to work in a dynamic, fast-paced and challenging environment. I have also enclosed is a copy of my resume and my academic transcript.

Your’s sincerely,

Tom Christenson

Application Letters: Important Points

● Often the 1st point of contact with employer. Must encourage the selector to closely read your resume.

● MUST show you are a good match for the job and organisation (Same as the resume!)● No more than one page● Single space between lines● Double space between paragraphs● Do not indent paragraphs● Set out in the correct format

Preparation1. Review the employer’s requirements:● Skills● Education● Experience● Personal qualities

2. Research the organisation ● Organisational structure, culture, history, mission statements, values,

future direction, client profile and more!

● This information will go into your application letter.

Structure of an Application Letter● Contact details (yours)● Date● Contact details (company’s)● Introduction● Education● Skills & experience ● Motivation● Closing paragraph

Contact Details & Date● Example: Put on the left hand side of the page

20 Murray Lane,Preston VIC 3000Ph: 8399 6688Mob: 0402 200 300kim.sample@yahoo.com

5 September, 2012

Ms KempChief RadiographerThe Alfred33 Bright RdBayswater VIC 3152

Greeting

● Always address the person by their name.● Ensure correct spelling● Correct name

Should look like:● Dear Ms. Kemp, Dear Mr. Jones● Dear Graduate Recruitment Manager

Introduction

● Clearly state why you are contacting the person.● If responding to an advertisement, include the job title,

when and where you saw the advertisement.● Sound positive and enthusiastic from the start and

throughout the whole letter.

Opening Paragraph Example

Unadvertised Job:Recently I attended an information evening at Ringwood Private Hospital and was impressed by the diverse range of specialities offered as well as the supportive and caring environment. This has led me to apply for the Enrolled Nurse position, advertised on your website on the 3, June 2012

Education● Qualification and university attended

● Speciality areas● Academic achievements● Specific examples

Example: I am completing my first year in a Bachelor of Business (Marketing)

at RMIT University; key subjects include Marketing Communication and Buyer Behaviour. I received a high distinction for a group assignment that focused on the branding and packaging of a product in the fashion industry. Through my studies I have also developed a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop. In addition, one of my business subjects required me to build models using databases, web and spread sheet technologies

Skills and Experience

● Aim: To demonstrate to the employer that you have what they are asking for.

● Directly refer to the key skills, experience, qualities that the employer is requesting. This is how you show you are a good fit for the job.

● Explain your level of each skill and link each skill to previous examples.

Motivation

● Explain why you are interested in the job and the company

● State what it is about the company that inspires you to want to work for them.

● Always be genuine. Don’t just include facts from their website.

● Be enthusiastic. Let them know why you want to work specifically for them.

Closing & sign off● Thank the employer for their consideration● Invite them to contact you for an interview.● Sign off: Yours sincerely● Leave a 6 line gap between ‘yours sincerely’ and your

typed name.

Example: Thank you for considering my application and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Dear Mr Singleton,

Re: Advertising Assistant Mongoose Pty Ltd

Mongoose's recent acquisition of Timco Advertising captured my attention and I wish to apply for the position of Advertising Assistant with your company Mongoose, advertised on Seek on Saturday February 9.

Having a strong interest in advertising, I recently completed my Graduate Diploma in Communications (Advertising) at RMIT University, and am confident I could make a valuable contribution to your organisation.

Experience as a graduate marketing officer for iSystems has equipped me with well developed written communication and interpersonal skills as a result of undertaking advertising and public relations projects. In addition, my highly developed research and analytical abilities are evidenced by the creation of a strategic business plan that was implemented by senior staff. My employment history reflects my proven ability to self manage and work in teams as well as my outstanding organisational skills. I effectively worked with sales teams and increased sales targets by 30% in six months and coordinated several marketing projects with tight deadlines. My ability to self manage was recognised when I won the iSystems Employee Award and my creative design skills were acknowledged with a nomination and publication in the 2007 Marketing Institute magazine.

Thank you for considering my application. Please find attached my resume and I look forward to discussing my suitability for this position in further detail.

Yours sincerely, Kim Sample

Application letter - Expression● Language: professional, business language, concise.● Be confident. Tell the employer straight up what you have to offer them. ● Don’t be too humble but don’t be arrogant● Create the tone of mutual respect (respect for yourself and respect for the employer)● Avoid begging every paragraph with an I.● When writing, go straight to the main point , then follow up with examples.● Read your letter aloud.

● Each sentence must read fluently.● Sentences must flow smoothly from one to the other.● Each paragraph should link logically from one to the next.

● There must be no spelling and grammatical errors.

Application Expresshttp://www.rmit.edu.au/careers

When submitting your application for review, please specify that the position you are applying for is for nursing. Allow 5 working days for a response.

Click on Application Express under the ‘Related Links’ section.

Summary

1. Identify the employer’s criteria: Qualifications, skills, experience, other job requirements (Advertised and non advertised jobs)

2. Prepare a targeted resume and cover letter by demonstrating you have the requirements they want

3. Include examples from different domains in your life: study, work, volunteering, sport

4. Go to Application Express: www.rmit.edu.au/careers/applicationexpress● Further resume information● Resume checking service

Contact Us

careers@rmit.edu.auwww.rmit.edu.au/careers

● City: Building 14, Level 4, 9925 2078● Bundoora: Building 202, Level 3, 9925 7280 ● Brunswick: Building 514, Level 2, 9925 2078

RMIT University Career Development ... · RMIT University©2012 Stephanie Fletcher: RMIT Careers...

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