Go to

http://www.nipissingu.ca/departments/student-development-and-services/career-services/workshops/education/Pages/default .aspx to access:

• Resumé Writing PowerPoint presentation

• Ontario School Board maps

• Ontario School Districts Application Process

Lianne Gagné,

Student Employment Officer

Office of Student Development and Services

A201

705-474-3461 ext. 4491

lianneg@nipissingu.ca

If we’re not engaged in the study of what we teach, then all we can do is repeat what we learned

a long time ago.

Stephen Saideman Canada Research Chair

International Security and Ethnic Conflict McGill University

Resumé Writing Workshop

offered to Nipissing University

Schulich School of Education and

Concurrent Education Students

AGENDA

• Resumé

• Cover Letter

FIRST IMPRESSIONSResumés that do not impress will be eliminated by the hiring team.

**Grammatical and spelling errors do not impress**

Consider the following important points:•Layout•Margins: 1” x 1”•Consistency with format (bold, underline, spacing…)•Paper quality and colour•Excellent print quality (single-sided)•Font and size•Length of resumé•Use bullets (not *, , -)

Focus on theEMPLOYER’S NEEDS

Who are they?•Website•Mission Statement•Goals•Strategic Plan

PARTS OF A RESUMÉ• Personal Information• Career Objective (optional)• Education• Career (or Teaching) Related Experience• Other Employment Experience • Volunteer Experience• Other Achievements : Professional Affiliations,

Certifications, Computer Skills, Awards and Scholarships, Professional Development (workshops and seminars)

• Extracurricular Activities • References (examples of wording for headings)

Connor Jones27 Hollyhock Lane

Bracebridge, ON P1L 1T5Home: (705) 497-6650

Cellular: (705) 474-2278Email: connorj@hotmail.com

Your personal information should appear on the first page of your resumé and ONLY your name and page number on subsequent

pages.

Personal Information

(September-April) (As of May 1)

Connor Jones Connor Jones

27 Hollyhock Lane …

Bracebridge, ON P1L 1T5

Home: (705) 497-6650

Cellular: (705-471-5555

Email: connorj@hotmail.com

YOUR LICENSE TO TEACH!

After personal information, leave one space and indicate that your

Ontario College of Teachers registration is pending

in the Spring of 2013 (include your registration number once you receive it from the Ontario College of Teachers)

A career objective must:

• Highlight that you are a qualified candidate • Emphasize the contribution that you can make to

the organization• Entice the employer to read the rest of your

application

Career Objective (optional)

Education

• In reverse chronological order, list the degrees and diplomas you will have earned by the end of August (Do not abbreviate!)

• Include teachable subjects and additional option courses that you are taking

• List the name and location of the relevant educational institutions

• Indicate that you are in the iTeach Laptop Learning Program

August 2013 EDUCATION IN THE PRIMARY DIVISION Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario

June 2013 BACHELOR OF EDUCATION Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario Junior/Intermediate Divisions, History Teachable

International Teaching option course (correct title) iTeach Laptop Learning Program

June 2012 BACHELOR OF ARTS Guelph University, Guelph, Ontario

Sociology Major, Psychology Minor

June 2010 RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES DIPLOMAAlgonquin College, North Bay, Ontario

Include Secondary School Diploma if in the same location that you are applying in

Career Related Experience

• In reverse chronological order, list the dates, job title, place of employment, duties, and what you learned. Begin with practice teaching placements.

• Emphasize your hard skills (experience and education)

Spring 2013 GRADE THREE PRE-SERVICE TEACHEREllis Public School, Markham, Ontario

• Presented differentiated Science lessons for a grade three classroom

• Assistant coach for the girls’ grade six volleyball team• Attended and participated in the monthly staff meetings

Fall 2012 GRADE FOUR PRE-SERVICE TEACHER John Smith Public School, Guelph, Ontario

• Planned, implemented, and analyzed differentiated Geography lessons for a grade four classroom• Provided support for the Fall Open House: designed the meal tickets and supervised the craft table

• Assessment (rubrics, checklists, running records…)• Visual and technological aids used• Classroom management, problem solving and decision making skills• Professional Development • Interaction with parents

2010-2011 RECREATIONAL COACH

Sports Are Fun, Markham, Ontario

• Planned and implemented a training schedule for the Mens’ volleyball team

• Prepared an annual estimate of program expenditures

2005-2006 GRADE SIX TUTOR

Private Residence, Ajax, Ontario

• Tutored six students in my home throughout a two-year period

• Provided support in mathematics and science for students identified with learning disabilities

• Completed written reports and scheduled one-on-one meetings with parents to discuss their children’s progress

Other Employment Experience(not related to teaching)

• in reverse chronological order, itemize other positions you have held

• Emphasize your soft skills

2003-2005 ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK

J.R. Bakery, Huntsville, Ontario

• Provided secretarial support for a team of ten employees

• Created spreadsheets using various computer programs (Word, Excel, Publisher…)

• Analyzed and presented monthly statements of expense

• Communicated deadlines to the owner and provided problem-solving solutions to scheduling conflicts

• Organized the filing system and collaborated with other staff members to ensure efficiency

• Lead a team meeting regarding office concerns and procedures

Volunteer Experience

Highlight positions with children or leadership positions

• Literacy Council (http://www.on.literacy.ca/)

(web, front desk, tutor volunteer)

• Frosh leader

• Coach

• Tutor

2010-2011 FROSH LEADER

Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario

• Assisted in interviewing and selecting over 50 volunteers

• Conducted two training sessions for leaders

2009-2010 ASSISTANT COACH

Rivers Secondary School, Markham, Ontario

• Assisted the coach and trainer with the grade eleven football team

• Attended the games and provided support throughout the season

Other…

•Professional Affiliations •Certifications •Computer Skills•Awards and Scholarships •Professional Development (workshops and seminars)•Extracurricular Activities

Professional Affiliations

2002-Present Member of the Athletic AssociationNipissing University, North Bay, Ontario

1992-1994 Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario• person-to-person campaign volunteer

Certifications 2005 First Aid and CPR

2004 Basic Wilderness First Aid

Computer Skills• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Power Point• Familiar with the Ontario Curriculum Unit Planner,

Hyperstudio 4, Kid Pix Deluxe 3, Ontario Report Cards Program, Microsoft Front Page, Storybook Weaver,

Music Ace 2

Awards and Scholarships 2012 Dave Marshall Leadership Award, Nipissing University2009 Carl Sanders Scholarship, Nipissing University2010 John H. Frost Achievement Award, Laurentian University2009 Excellence in Education Award, York University

Professional Development2012 Curriculum Unit Planner Workshop, Nipissing University2012 Smartboard Training Session, Nipissing University

OR2012-2013 Nipissing University Workshops

• Curriculum Unit Planner• Smartboard Training Session• Measurement• Geometry

Extracurricular ActivitiesReading, drama, canoeing, swimming, and camping

References

Employers WANT to see references. Do NOT indicate “Available Upon Request”

• Carefully choose 3, maximum 5

(Check the school board’s requirements)

• Professional references preferred (associate teacher, practicum advisor, employer, -someone with authority)

• Who are the 3 people who can help me get this job?

• Ask permission

REFERENCESMrs. Elaine Jones, Associate Teacher Centennial Public School14 Green LaneGuelph, ON N1E 4L7Phone: (519) 123-5678Email: jones.elaine@cent.ca

Mr. Doug Smith, PrincipalJohn Smith Public School42 Cedargrove CrescentGuelph, ON N1E 5J6Phone: (519) 356-1798, ext. 4345Email: smith.d@jsps.ca

Ms. Gillian Spencer, Program CoordinatorFrontier College Students for Literacy Program16 Squirrel Place, Guelph, ON N1E 3Z7Phone: (519) 364-5498Email: spencer.gillian@fcslp.ca

I, Lianne Gagné, grant permission for my references to be contacted.

Practice Teaching Reportsand

Letters of Reference

• Submit copies of your practice teaching reports

• If requested, enclose letters of reference

• Catholic School Boards’ Faith Reference or Pastoral Form

Actual Examples of Errors…• Responsible for ensuring that the cashier was

balanced at the end of their shift• Principle of the school• In grade 8 English, I taught English• …working with young people while teaching

Marital Arts (karate)• …my ability to plan, implement and asses both…• Instructed large, small and individual children…• Supervised and assisted my associate teacher…

Employer’s Pet Peeves About Resumés!

• Spelling and grammatical mistakes• More than 2 pages long• Colored paper that does not copy well for the interview

team• Repetition in your bullets• Not including a cover letter• No dates with experience• Listing jobs with no accomplishments• Incorrect contact information• Photocopies of photocopies

MY Pet Peeves!

• Using “I” under bullets (I had the opportunity to further develop…)• Splitting sections in 2 pages• Dates not aligned• Abbreviations (ON, BEd, TA…)• Periods when using bullets• Past experience/consistency: organized, planned, implemented• Present experience/consistency: organize, plan, implement • University of Nipissing -INCORRECT

Non-Teaching Resumé Tips

• No need to include your Ontario College of Teachers registration number

• Under ‘Education’ section, include a bullet: Thirteen weeks of practicum experience in grades….

• Do not include your High School under the ‘Education’ section

• Under ‘Career Related Experience’, begin with your paid employment and not your practice teaching placements –emphasize your hard skills: education and skills

• After ‘Career Related Experience’, add a heading called ‘Professional Experience’ and include your Practice Teaching Placements: emphasize your transferrable skills

COVER LETTER

Tips for writing a cover letter…

• Analyze the job posting and identify the key words –use these keywords in your letter

• Check the school board’s website for similar current postings –what are they looking for?

• Use action verbs in your letter

Introduction/Salutation Mark Smith

2024 Cedargrove StreetLondon, Ontario N5W 5G4

519-455-9810marksmith@gmailcom

(2 spaces)Date(2 spaces)Mr. Robert Caldori, Superintendent of SchoolsLondon Catholic District School BoardP.O. Box 5474, 5200 Wellington Road SouthLondon, Ontario N6A 4X5(1 space) *If you address your cover letterDear Mr. Caldori, “To Whom It May Concern”(1 space) you haven’t done your research!!

The Actual Writing ProcessParagraph 1: Initial ContactState the reason for writing

• State the title of the position for which you are applying

• Quote the job posting number if there is one• State the source and date of the advertisement• State the divisions and teachables you are qualified

to teach and the name of the institution • Indicate if you plan to take an ABQ in another

division in the spring or summer

Paragraph 2: Solid Evidence

• Indicate if you plan on taking other courses in the future (French as a Second Language, Special Education Part I…)

• Write about your career related experience

• Emphasize your strengths indicated on your practice teaching reports

Share your thoughts:

• What is teaching all about?

• What is learning all about?

• What is the curriculum all about?

• Why are you interested in teaching?• What kind of classroom will yours be?

Show your enthusiasm for the teaching profession!

Research:• school board’s mission statement

• school board’s philosophy of education

Paragraph 3: Your Beliefs

Paragraph 4 and Closing: Action

You must be action-oriented. Consider the following: Close with a strong statement of confidence in your abilities Express your willingness to attend an interview and provide

contact information Thank the employer for considering you Provide information regarding your website (e-portfolio…) Provide a telephone number where you can be reached, or

where a message can be left

Closing:

Sincerely,

(sign here)

Your First and Last name, OCT Candidate

Non-Teaching Cover Letter Tips

• Paragraph 1: don’t include your teachables, division or if you are planning on taking an ABQ. Simply indicate your undergraduate and Bachelor of Education degrees

• Paragraph 2: Write about your career related experience

• Paragraph 3: What excites you about this position?

The Cool Down Period

You’ve spent a lot of time and effort getting your letter of application written but it’s not over yet.

• Ask someone to proofread your letter

(friend, colleague, advisor) • Proofread your resumé backwards

• Email your resumé to yourself

Actual Examples…

• …I learnt to tackle people at any level for their concerns.

• I believe that everyone has some sort of disability, although with some individuals, these disabilities are more heightened than others.

• My practicum experiences have also taught me firsthand how exhausting and tiresome it can be for teachers…

Sending your application by email

• Subject line: be specific

• Email message– Don’t ramble– Logical order and flow– Read it!– Edit it!– Sloppy writing and abbreviations are not

acceptable

Remember…1. The effort you are willing to put into your

resumé shows your prospective employer the effort you are willing to put into the job!

2. 86% of Human Resources Professionals see poorly written resumés and cover letters as a deal breaker for job applicants. (careershorts.com)

Education Fair Information

• Friday, January 25, 12:30-3:30

Education Centre Gym

• Dress to impress

• Format (booth, information sessions, interviews)

• Updates: Section Representatives AND Schulich School of Education bulletin board