Writing Effective Cover Letters and ResumesDeveloping Professional Portfolios

PET 489 Student Teaching SeminarCollege of Physical Activity & Sport SciencesSpring Semester 2012

Lesson Purpose

To introduce you to the basic mechanics of writing an effective cover letter and resume

To get you started on preparing a cover letter, resume, and portfolio for your mock job interview assignment

Lesson Advance Organizer

What questions do we need to answer today about writing an effective cover letter, resume and portfolio?

What is the purpose of the cover letter?

Purpose of the cover letter Introduce yourself to employer Demonstrate interest in vacancy Draw attention to resume Motivate reader to interview you

Cover letter is often your first contact with an employer!!!

How should cover letters be organized? Introduction (Paragraph 1)

Capture reader’s attention and identify how you learned about the position

Body (Paragraphs 2 and 3) Include a brief description of your background and why you

are interested in working for that employer Demonstrate understanding of the position and highlight

how your qualifications relate to it Include specific examples when possible!!!

Closing (Paragraph 4) Describe your follow-up plans for the employer Establish flow of communication that leads to an interview

Signature Line

General guidelines for effective letter writing?

Use an accepted business letter format

Personalize each letter

Use non-sexist language

Avoid overusing the word “I”

Limit your letter to one page

Vary your writing

Use attention getting action verbs and adjectives

Proofread!!!

How can I best describe my qualifications? Phrases from performance appraisals, and

letters of recommendation

Current and past job descriptions and standards of performance that clearly reflect job expectations and responsibilities

Desirable characteristics and requested skills for similar jobs

Newspaper editorials and business sections to help write paragraphs about your industry, occupation, or the economy

Other suggestions for writing your cover letter? Attend cover letter writing workshop

Visit Career Services for help with your cover letter

Match paper and font with presentation resume

Indicate additional enclosures with resume packet

Retain a copy of each cover letter in a file

Develop 2-3 paragraphs that work and modify them slightly to personalize each letter

Remember to sign all of your cover letters!!!

What is a resume? A summary of your qualifications for

employment – “picture of you” in words only

Resume Types Working resume Presentation resume

Chronological Functional Combination

Chronological Resume Traditional resume

Recommended for new college grads

Chronological resume order Start with current position and

work backwards

Points of emphasis Objective Work history Education

Feedback regarding the sample traditional resume provided? Layout/appearance Order of elements Written content Overall impression

Functional Resume Functional resume

Recommended for people making career changes and/or those with gaps in work history

Functional resume order Experiences grouped according to

qualifications rather than time

Points of emphasis Highlights of qualifications Experience or qualifications Abbreviated work history Education

Feedback regarding the sample functional resume provided? Layout/appearance Order of elements Written content Overall impression

What information could I include in my own resume?

Heading

Professional Objective

Education

Experience

Special Skills

Awards and Honors

Activities

References Separate sheet Provide if requested

In what order should information be presented?

Heading is always first

Objective is second, when used

Present rest of information in order that best supports your objective and qualifications

Should I provide personal information or disclose a disability?

Personal Information

Disability Disclosure

Additional Topics

Length of resume Resume templates Proof-reading Quality of resume paper Sending your resume School district applications Additional support on campus

What about follow-up? Follow-up of your application is essential

Consider preparing a script for your follow-up call Call between T and TH early in morning or late

afternoon Leave a message on voicemail – let them

know that you would like a return call and state where you can be reached

Be persistent – call back within a week if you don’t

Thank You & Acceptance Letters

Take-home Messages I

The cover letter is an important extension of your resume

In many instances it represents your first contact with an employer

Use the structure discussed in class to communicate key information

Take Home Messages II

Be clear and concise in your writing

Formatting must be consistent and error free

Do not over-inflate qualifications or experience

Mock Job Interview: Cover Letter You cover letter is due

during the last week of seminar

Needs to be rated as “Satisfactory” Rating of 3 out of 5

point Likert scale

Evaluation criteria Layout/appearance Order of elements Written content Overall impression

Professional Portfolios

What is the purpose of a Professional Portfolio? Purpose of a Professional Portfolio

To demonstrate professional knowledge & skills To provide evidence of growth and achievement over time. To showcase self-analysis and critical reflection on

educational & professional experiences

Uses of a Professional Portfolio To illustrate your knowledge & skills in interviews or job

appraisals To make your teaching visible so you can:

Exhibit the evidence that your practices align with best practices

Reflect on your practice & establish learning goals and/or targets

Track your progress toward meeting goals and/or target

Campbell, Melenyzer, Nettles, & Wyman, 1997

What is needed?

A clear, concise, and coherent case that you are worthy of special notice have a wealth of strengths & abilities

that are worth considering for the position

have professional achievements that set you above others

Essential Elements of a Professional Portfolio

Teaching philosophy

Student work

Teacher reflections on student work/learning

A selective collection of your work

Reflections to what you have learned about planning, implementation, classroom management, etc.

A synthesis of your skills and knowledgeEasily done in tabular format

Organization of a Professional Portfolio

Sample Sections Ongoing Professional Learning Planning Teaching Areas of Special

Interest Profiles of Pupil Learning Special Needs Assessment & Evaluation Classroom Management Technology Leadership & Community Service

WVU PETE Sections

Format Electronic Pros:

Accessible from any location

Interactive artifacts Cost effective A send-ahead tool

Cons: Internet connectivity

problems Technical difficulties

(incompatible programs) Non-tech savvy

administrators

Printed Pros:

Physical artifacts to prompt interview responses

Portable

Cons: Expense (printing,

copying, binding, organizing tabs)

Difficult to send-ahead

3-steps to assembling a Professional Portfolio

1. Collection

2. Selection

3. Reflection

1. CollectionCollect artifacts generatedduring educational and professional experiences

Examples:Samples of evaluations by professors, peers, and supervisors Field experience evaluation formsPhotographsActivities in professional organizationsAttendance and presentations at conferences

Examples cont. Volunteer services Evidence of being a life-long

learner Personal interests, talents, and

skills related to your professional and personal development

Evidence of student learning

Consider including a variety of artifacts

2. Selection

A. Select the best Consider your

audience

Be highly selective

B. Guide your reader Create clear Table of

contents

Describe how and why the portfolio is organized

C. Explain the artifacts Clearly describe the

artifact

Include context – why was artifacta) created?b) used?

Label electronic documents properly!!!

3. Reflection Provide a reflective statement with each

artifact to Highlight lessons learned Provide clear and simple statements that showcase

skills and knowledge Associate to educational goals or professional

standards

Before Sharing Proof-read!!! Share with others for review

Is the portfolio easy to navigate? Are all documents labeled properly and easy

to find? Do all documents and files open? Spelling & grammar? Any extraneous OR missing artifacts? Clarity of narratives? Length of narratives?

Sharing Your Successes

Steps for sharing LiveText portfolio1. Click on Visitor Pass link on right side of screen (in Quick

Links)1. Create a New Visitor Pass

Title should include your name

2. Go to your LiveText portfolio document1. Click on Share icon

Search for “Viewer” – type in the name of new Visitor Pass you just created

Select “Add”

3. Go back to Visitor Pass page to ensure your document is attached to the Pass.

4. Record the PASS CODE (i.e. XIST97S)5. Share with others by:

1. Providing this url: www.livetext.com2. Providing the PASS CODE for your Visitor Pass3. Instruct them to click on “Visitor Pass” icon on top of LiveText

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