Resumes for Student Use
Cover Letters
Branded Resumes
Resume Writing
What does a GREAT Resume do for me?
* Convinces an employer to grant you an interview – you’ll stand out as a superior candidate
* Advertises your skills, abilities, interests and qualifications specific to the position you are applying for
How can I create an EXCELLENT Resume?
Make sure it’s easy to read:
* An employer will likely spend 1 minute or less on your resume: if it’s difficult to see or understand, they’ll stop reading it.
* DO NOT put it on brightly coloured paper
* keep it light by using white, cream or beige resume paper
* (Remember employers often fax resumes to the hiring manager: colour paper when faxed becomes a black sheet of paper)
Use the most noticeable sections of a Resume:
* Studies show that the top half of the first page and the left hand side are the most
important areas. You read from left to right.
* Use standard bullets to highlight your achievements
Target your Resume for the specific job:
* Customize your resume for each specific job you apply for
* If you apply for a cook position, mention that you like cooking
Length of a Resume:
* No longer than 2 pages – this does not include the reference page
* Include your name and phone number on each page
Format of a Resume:
* Type your resume in a Microsoft Word document in case you need to email it
* Don’t use WordPad or WordPerfect: most companies use Microsoft Word
Font:
* Size 12 font for your resume
* Size 14 bold font for your name
* Use Geneva, Arial or Times New Roman
Content:
* Use appropriate language and email address
* No slang: use “children” instead of “kids”
* Use job-specific terminology (words)
Check Grammar and Spelling:
* Use the Canadian or British spelling of words, not the American spelling
* Canadian: colour, honour, centre. American: color, honor, center
* You may be overlooked for a job if your spelling or grammar are poor
Proofread, Proofread, And Proofread!!!
* You absolutely MUST proofread your resume several times
* Get friends, parents and teachers to proofread
* You CANNOT have any grammar or spelling mistakes
Writing Effective Cover Letters – from Scratch
By Tanya Mykhaylychenko
Your resume and cover letter serve two different purposes, and both are necessary to make a strong job application. While a resume informs your reader about your career history, key achievements, and skills, a cover letter persuades. It is the beginning of the conversation with your potential employer.
Both documents are important in getting the interview you want — and your resume should be updated and slightly revised for each target position. The cover letter, however, is where you provide evidence that you have read and understood a potential employer’s requirements.
I recommend writing short, well-structured cover letters from scratch. Write specifically to your potential employers, based on what they have requested in their job descriptions. Here is how:
1. Analyze each job description carefully.
- Read the target job description with a highlighter or a pen.
- Mark the key requirements. Note the word choice and sequence in which they appear.
- On your resume, update the career summary and the list of core skills with the target position in mind.
- Check if the accomplishments listed on your resume match the target position.
2. Address each of the top 3-4 target role requirements in the body of your cover letter.
- Copy and paste or write down 3-4 main requirements from the target job description. (These requirements will shape the paragraph structure of your cover letter.)
- Address the requirements
- in separate paragraphs of equal length (4-6 lines)
- in the order they appear in the job description.
- Start each paragraph with the key requirement from the job description – highlighted in bold or capital letters.
- Use specific and recent examples from your career history throughout the paragraphs.
- When providing examples, quantify improvements that you delivered.
3. Print out your cover letter and proofread it from paper.
- Use this as a break from the familiar way your text looks on screen.
- Check your paragraphs for widows (short lines, usually one word, at the end of the paragraph).
- Tighten the lines by cutting wordiness where appropriate.
- Read your letter aloud to yourself and check it for persuasive tone, coherence, and flow.