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Resume & Cover Letter WorkshopInuvialuit Career

Centre

April 2006

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Agenda

• What is a Resume? What is it For?• Writing Tips• Resume Formats• Parts of a Resume• Cover Letters – Structure & Tips• References• Additional Help at Inuvialuit Career Centre

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What is a Resume?

Definition: A resume is your self-marketing tool. It

advertises your value to a future employer. It summarizes your knowledge, skills, experience and achievements.

Purpose:A “door-opener” to help you get a job

interview

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When Do You Use A Resume?

• When applying for a job• When attending a job interview• When you set an informational interview • When seeking admission to a training

program• When applying for a scholarship

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Are You Ready To Write Your Resume?

• Do you know what work you are looking for and are qualified?

• Have you researched industries and occupations?• Do you know your specific job objectives?• Have you identified past achievements?• Have you compiled your work history?• Can you list your relevant education and training?• Have you selected and confirmed your references?

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Writing Tips

. Limit to 1 or 2 pages

. Should be typewritten

. Proper grammar

. No spelling mistakes

. Make it attractive

. Should be easy to read

. Keep it updated

. No personal data (SIN)

. Be truthful

. Omit unnecessary words,

. Use past tense

. Use action words

. Customize to each job

Have the Inuvialuit Career Centre Career Coach critique it for you

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Resume Formats

Chronological• Highlights work experience• Gives brief description of

responsibilities and accomplishments

Functional• Highlights work-related skills• Does not list employment history

Combination• Emphasizes skills and achievements without saying where or when they were used

• Information is organized by skills or occupation, not by positions held

Electronic (E-mail)Key words in noun form describe qualificationsPlain text format, no frills

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Chronological Format

Highlights Work Experience

This type of resume is best used when you have:a stable history of paid employment or volunteer work

worked in the same general field for several years and will continue to pursue employment in that field advanced steadily throughout your career and can show an increase in level and responsibility

had few career changes.

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Combinational FormatChronological + Functional = Combination

Highlights skills over work experience without indicating when or where they were used

This type of resume is best used when:you have done similar work/utilized required skills in other positions

you are changing careers or are a recent graduate with little or non-related work experience

you want to disguise employment gaps

you need to relate your array of skills and achievements to a specific objective

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Pros & ConsAdvantages Disadvantages

Functional

Resume

•Highlights related and valuable skills

•Disguises gaps in work history

•Stresses accomplishments

•Does not provide work history

•Suspect to potential employers

Chronological

Resume

•Highlights steady, related work history, emphasizing growth and development

•Easy to prepare and read

•Indicates when and where skills were used

•Harder to assess skills

•May emphasize unrelated work experience

•Exposes gaps in work experience and education

Combination

Resume

•Highlights most relevant skill areas and accomplishments

•Downplays non-related work experience and employment gaps

•Useful for students, career changes & re-entrants to work force

•Omits duties related to each job

•Downplays experience with each specific employer

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Parts of a Resume

• Personal Heading• Job Objective or Target • Summary of Qualifications• Relevant Skills & Accomplishments• Employment History• Education• Other (related volunteer experience, awards,

professional memberships, languages, interests, etc.)• References

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References

• On a separate sheet from your resume, list 3 people who have agreed to give a reference if called by a potential employer after the interview.

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Cover Letter

Purpose: To attract the interest of an employer to read your resume

Forms the first impression of you and your relevant background and capabilities, so is worth the effort to do well

Reveals: - What position you’re interested in - Your interest in & knowledge about the company - Your qualifications (briefly) - How well you communicate - Clues about you

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Writing the Cover Letter

First paragraphState the position you’re applying for and any other relevant information

State your interest in the company & why you’re writing, and how you heard of the job

(By your interest & knowledge you show you’re not just sending out letters to everyone)

Second paragraphState the contribution you can make to the company by identifying your relevant skills & qualifications for the jobRefer to your resume

Third paragraphRequest an interview or anticipate a phone callInclude a thank you

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Cover Letter Tips

* Keep it brief - no more than one page, typed* Keep it focused on key reasons why your

qualifications match what is required of the position* Personalize, if possible, to a specific person* Should not be a repeat of your resume* No grammar or typing mistakes* Set yourself apart from the crowd

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Additional Information

• On-line Resume workshop• On-line links to resume/cover letter resources• WinWay Resume template software on-site• On-site resume resource library• One-on-one resume support & critique serviceat the Inuvialuit Career Centre

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Thank You

April 2006