Unit: Job Readiness. Activity #5: Résumés and Cover Letters: Self-Directed Module

Transcription

1 Unit: Job Readiness Activity #5: Résumés and Cover Letters: Self-Directed Module Time: 2 hours Expectations: JR1 create effective résumés, cover letters, and thank-you letters for the work-search process, using word-processing software and appropriate vocabulary and conventions Assessment and Evaluation Strategies: < Résumé Development (summative; checklist) < Cover Letter Development (summative; checklist) Resources: 1. Interview Notice - sample (resource) 2. Résumé Checklist (activity) 3. Effective Résumé Preparation (handout) 4. Outline - Functional Résumé (handout) 5. Résumé Headings and Action Verbs (handouts) 6. Action Verbs (handout) 7. Managing Your References (handout) 8. References Worksheet (handout/overhead). Résumé Rubric (resource) 10. Cover Letter (overhead) 11. Outline - Cover Letter (handout) 12. Cover Letter Checklist 1 and 2 (activity) 13. Cover Letter Rubric (resource) 14. The Electronic Résumé (E-résumé) (article from website: (handout) 15. Résumés.com (newspaper article) (handout) Additional Resources: 1. (website) JR.5.1

2 Planning Notes: 1. Send Interview Notice. 2. Photocopy Interview Permission Form. 3. Provide business card with fax number. 4. Establish clear deadlines for completion of the forms, notices, and all other activities. 5. Establish clear deadlines for completion of the forms, notices, and all other activities. 6. Book computer lab (optional). 7. Bring the Pre-Placement Preparation Booklet (see Job Readiness, Activity #5a) ** The Placement Preparation Booklet can be used as an independent study module or as a student resource booklet during the Pre-placement Sessions. Teaching/Learning Strategies: < Provide each student with a copy of Self-Directed Pre-Placement Preparation Booklet for Cooperative Education, (see Activity #5a). < Ask students to refer to the Table of Contents as a locator and review the information on Résumé and Cover Letter. < Provide students with the placement contact information. < Ask students to revise their current résumés and prepare cover letters using the placement contact information. < Review each student s revised résumé and cover letter and provide feedback for revision. < Ask students to submit a final copy of their résumés and cover letters for evaluation. Accommodations: < Student work in pairs while completing the cover letter and résumé. < Teacher conferences are scheduled more frequently. Notes: The Preparation for Placement Booklet may not be suited to all students, teachers or schools. It is included as a suggestion that might be beneficial. JR.5.2

3 School Name & Logo Interview Notice SAMPLE Student Name: Home Room Teacher: Please see in the Cooperative Education Department (Room # ) regarding your placement interview, and to pick up a Preparing for Your Placement Interview Booklet. You have an interview with the organization below. Please contact in the Cooperative Education Department (Room #) after the interview to confirm acceptance of the placement. Please contact the organization below to arrange for an interview. You must confirm the date, time and location of the interview with in the Cooperative Education Department (Room #). IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember to contact the placement organization to get complete directions to your interview location. Give yourself adequate time to arrive on time. First impressions count! Organization: Address: Contact Person and Title: Phone Number and Extension: Interview Date: (X ) Interview Time: Other Instructions: JR.5.3

4 Name: Pre-placement and Integration Curriculum Resource for Cooperative Education, Résumé Checklist Due Date: Using the following checklist (student check column) reflect upon your résumé to ensure that all criteria are completed to the best of your ability. Once this checklist is completed, modify your résumé if necessary. Hand in your résumé with this checklist and discuss it with your Cooperative Education teacher. Achievement Knowledge / Understanding /10 Thinking / Inquiry /4 Application /6 Communication /7 Teacher s Comments: Student Check Achievement Chart Categories/Criteria Knowledge / Understanding: 8. My résumé contains the following information: a) Personal Information i) Name ii) Address (street, city, province, postal code) iii) Telephone number b) Cooperative Education objective c) Highlights of Qualifications or skills d) Experiences (include volunteer activities) e) Awards (if applicable) f) Extra-Curricular and Volunteer Activities g) Work Experience h) Education Thinking / Inquiry: 2. My résumé reflects the qualifications and required skills for my desired cooperative education placement a) Makes connections between skills and experiences b) Indicates relevant interests c) Indicates relevant skills d) Indicates relevant experiences Application: 3. My layout and design reflects the following word processing techniques: a) Spacing b) Headings c) Fonts d) White Space e) Bullets f) Visual Enhancements (i.e. bold, etc.) Communication: 4. My résumé demonstrates: a) Appropriate Vocabulary b) Appropriate Conventions i) Spelling ii) Capitalization iii) Punctuation iv) Grammar v) Point form c) Action verbs to describe highlights of qualifications, skills, and experiences Source: Adapted with permission from the work of Ruthanne Spence, Hamilton-Wentworth DSB JR.5.4

5 Effective Résumé Preparation Suggestions There is no universal résumé format. There are only guidelines you should follow to make your résumé effective. Present your objective in a manner that relates both to the company and the job description. The résumé should be concise, factual and should positively list your skills, education, and work experience and volunteer accomplishments. Include enough relevant information to clearly demonstrate your skills and abilities without being too wordy. Test your résumé for relevancy. The information included in your résumé should either support your job or career objective directly or support your character in general. Weigh your choice of words. Select strong action verbs, concrete nouns and positive modifiers for emphasis. See the attached list of verbs. Ensure there are no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. Keep a separate list of references and make them available only upon request. Create a page with a professional, clean appearance. Neat margins, adequate white space between sections, and indentations make reading easier. Submit your résumé on paper that the reader will remember. For example, use paper that looks and feels valuable, just like you, the candidate! The colours white and ivory are always correct. Faddish colours should be avoided. JR.5.5

6 Outline - Functional Résumé Your Name Address City, Province, Postal Code Telephone Number Make it creative - it will serve as your personal letterhead from now on. Objective or Summary, Goal or Overview: An appropriately BRIEF and relevant statement of your main goal and qualifications (if applicable) Skills, Strengths and Abilities: A series of words or phrases that highlight the skills, qualities and abilities that makes you suitable for the job position. (i.e.,: Excellent communication skills; Good Teamwork skills, etc.) Include personal traits that are job related: energetic, motivated, enthusiastic, patient, quick to learn, etc Consider special skills, training and technical knowledge such as languages, CPR training and computer skills, if related to the desired position Achievements, Awards and Accomplishments: A series of short (a line or two) bulleted statements that show what you have accomplished Avoid the use of the word I Bulleted statements should begin with a verb or action word (see enclosed list) Consider extra-curricular and/or academic highlights, awards, certificates, courses, volunteer work, memberships and position held Education: List your most recent education first; bold your most important certificate, diploma or degree. Provide name of school or college, year of graduation and city. Also include relevant courses or major, and any applicable scholarships or awards if not already mentioned. Work History or Related Experience: List previous employment and volunteer work in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Dates should be given, but depending on how much emphasis you want on them, you can list years only. Bold your title or position if you want it to stand out. Education goes first if it is a stronger factor than your limited work experience. You can reverse these if your work experience is more relevant to the position. Interests, Leisure or Hobbies: List in short bulleted words or phrases. Keep the list short and relevant. References: Available upon request (Include references on a separate page) Remember: Always think positively and focus on your objective! JR.5.6

7 Résumé Headings Personal Personal Information Personal Data Personal Background Background Information General Background Career Objective Job Objective Professional Objective Career Goal Employment Objective Position Desired Employment Goal Capabilities Qualifications Professional Qualifications Background Information Education Educational Background Educational History Educational Preparation Educational Highlights Academic Background Academic Training Professional Education Other Education Additional Education Special Training Skills Achievements Related Skills Relevant Skills Career Related Skills Employment Related Skills Career Achievements Responsibilities Computer Related Skills Data Management Skills Personal Achievements Professional Skills Areas of knowledge Specific knowledge Office Administrative Skills Language Skills Languages Languages competencies Additional Skills Experience Work Experience Employment Record Relevant Experience Related Experience Employment History Professional Background Professional Experience Teaching Experience Volunteer Experience Computer Related Experience Community Service Experience Student Teaching Experience Coaching Experience Business Experience Business Background Business History Areas of Experience Related Work Activities Other Experience Additional Experience Military Service Related Activities Other Employment Volunteer Work Volunteer Activities Community Service Professional and Community Activities Community and Other Activities Related Volunteer Activities Community & Professional Involvement Award Awards and Scholarships Special Awards Special Recognition Special Honours Honours and Distinctions Honours Scholarships Memberships Associations Professional Memberships Professional Affiliations Professional Organization Organizations Affiliations Extra Curricular Activities University Activities Activities Interests Special Interests Activities and Distinction Club Membership Leisure Activities Travel Aboard Hobbies Personal Interests References Personal References General Other JR.5.7

8 Action Verbs Management Skills Teaching Skills Creative Skills Technical Skills Clerical/Detail Skills Administered Advised Designed Computed Classified Analysed Clarified Developed Designed Collected Assigned Coached Directed Devised Compiled Attained Communicated Established Engineered Dispatched Chaired Coordinated Fashioned Fabricated Executed Contracted Developed Founded Maintained Generated Consolidated Enabled Illustrated Operated Implemented Coordinated Encouraged Instituted Overhauled Inspected Delegated Evaluated Integrated Programmed Monitored Developed Explained Introduced Remodelled Operated Directed Facilitated Invented Repaired Organized Improved Guided Originated Solved Prepared Increased Informed Performed Trained Processed Organized Initiated Planned Upgraded Purchased Oversaw Instructed Revitalized Recorded Planned Persuaded Shaped Retrieved Prioritized Set Goals Screened Produced Stimulated Specified Recommended Systematized Reviewed Tabulated Scheduled Validated Strengthened Supervised Adapted and enlarged list inspired by Employment Development Department of Palo Alto, CA JR.5.8

9 Managing Your References When to Use Them Your references are one of your most valuable resources, so be sure to use them carefully. Give them out only when asked. Some employers will do this when they are ready to offer you the job, while others may ask for them during the first interview. While some employers may place great emphasis on your references to help them make their final decision, others may not. They might choose to call only one or two people on your list. Others may not call at all. They simply want to be sure that you have references to offer. Who to Ask You ll need the names of at least three (3) references and you should ask them in advance for permission to use their names. These can be former supervisors, co-workers, managers or a contact in the Human Resources Department. You can also use references from any volunteer work you have done. Use the References Worksheet provided to list your references. Make sure all your references have a copy of your current resume for reference. In many larger organizations, company policy dictates the references are only given by a contact person in the Human Resources Department. They will confirm your position and dates of employment. They might also confirm what your duties were. If you ask, you may be able to obtain a short letter confirming this information. Other organizations may allow references to be given out directly by your former managers or supervisors. You will need to find out how your former employers handle giving references. How to Follow-Up As soon as you give your references to a potential employer, go directly to the nearest phone to let your references know who might be calling and why. Tell them something about the job and which of your skills and experiences make you think you are a good candidate for the position. Refer them to specific sections of your resume. Ask them to call you back, once they ve spoken to the employer. Thank them for their help. JR.5.

10 References Worksheet Name Address City, Province, Postal Code Telephone/Fax/ References Name Title Company/Organization Full Address Business Telephone and Extension Name Title Information (e.g., Former Supervisor at ABC Company, now Manager at DEF Ltd.) Company/Organization Full Address Business Telephone and Extension Name Information (e.g., Former Controller at ABC Company, now retired) Home Telephone JR.5.10

11 Résumé Rubric - [ ] Entry Résumé or [ ] Exit Résumé Achievement Categories Knowledge / Understanding Includes key components with sufficient information: Personal Information Objective Skills Education Experience/Awards/Extra- curricular activities [Exit résumé updated with Cooperative Education experience] Level 1 (50-5%) demonstrates a limited understandin g of résumé development (includes key components with a limited amount of required information) Level 2 (60-6%) demonstrates a satisfactory understandin g of résumé development (includes key components with some of the required information) Level 3 (70-7%) demonstrates a thorough understanding of résumé development (includes key components with most of the required information) Level 4 (80-100%) demonstrates a high degree of understandin g of résumé development (includes key components with required information) Thinking / Inquiry résumé contents reflect Cooperative Education placement OR for Exit Résumé... résumé contents reflect career goals for Exit Résumé makes connections between previous experience and skills development draws connections among skills, previous experience, interests and the placement requirements with limited effectiveness draws connections among skills, previous experience, interests and the placement requirements with some effectiveness draws connections among skills, previous experience, interests and the placement requirements with considerable effectiveness draws connections among skills, previous experience, interests and the placement requirements with a high degree of effectiveness Application Applies current technology to create effective layout and design including: Balanced white space Appropriate font(s) for emphasis and readability Effective spacing, use of bullets, and visual enhancements (bolding, underline etc.) Appropriate choice of résumé paper Headings uses word processing technology for layout and design with limited effectiveness uses word processing technology for layout and design with some effectiveness uses word processing technology for layout and design with considerable effectiveness uses word processing technology for layout and design with a high degree of effectiveness Communication Use of appropriate conventions for resume writing include: Point form Appropriate vocabulary Edited for grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation Action words used to describe skills and experiences. communicates information using résumé conventions with limited clarity with limited accuracy communicates information using résumé conventions with some clarity with some accuracy communicates information using résumé conventions with considerable clarity with considerable accuracy communicates information using résumé conventions with a high degree of clarity with a high degree of accuracy Teacher s Comments and Next Steps: Source: Adapted with permission from the work of Ruthanne Spence, Hamilton-Wentworth DSB Note: This Rubric may be used again at the end of the Cooperative Education placement for evaluation of the Exit Résumé JR.5.11

12 Cover Letter Purpose < To transmit your résumé to a prospective employer < To introduce you and your employment credentials to employers < To generate an employer s interest in interviewing you Highlights < Written communication and organizational skills < Focus and priorities < Personal style and work ethic Elements < An introductory paragraph that is interest generating and states employment goal < Value selling paragraph that highlights your key strengths and abilities, focussing on employers needs and your ability to meet them < Background summary that briefly summarizes your relevant education and experience < Statement of appreciation JR.5.12

13 Outline - Cover Letter A cover letter should complement your résumé, matching it in content. It is an opportunity to be specific about the job you are seeking and about the organization. Your goal should be to convince the reader that you should be interviewed for the position. It should also introduce you to the potential employer and interest this employer sufficiently so that he/she will read your resume. Address: Number, Street (or Post Office Box) Apartment # City, Province Postal Code Date (Year, Month, Day) Addressee s name (Use name in ad or contact company to get person s name and title with correct spelling) Addressee s position or title Company name Address: Number and Street, Suite Number City, Province Postal Code Dear (Mr. Mrs. or Ms. and Last Name): Opening Paragraph: < Open with a strong sentence that will capture the employer s interest, an attention-getting fact, question about the company, field of work, etc. (e.g., The field of electronics is undergoing constant and rapid change. ) Try not to open your letter with I. < Let the employer see that you have done your research by briefly showing your knowledge of the industry or the company. < State the position you are applying for and where you heard about it. If you are responding to a newspaper advertisement, refer to the ad. If you were referred by someone, give the name of that person. Second Paragraph: < Explain briefly why you are interested in working for this employer and demonstrate that you know something about the organization. < Show how your skills relate to this particular employer s needs and how your experiences fit the requirements. (Refer to specifics of the job ad, if appropriate). < Relate talents to what the employer seems to be, or might be looking for. < Take something from your résumé (e.g., volunteer or work experience, an award won, good academics) and expand on it to show how skills used there are applicable to the position you are applying for. Third Paragraph: < Ask for an interview to further discuss skills and how these will benefit the company. < Make sure your telephone number is included, the best hours to reach your, or indicate whether you have an answering machine. < If appropriate, let the prospective employer know you will be checking back to set up and appointment. Yours truly, (Sign your name here) (Type your name) JR.5.13

14 Cover Letter Checklist (1) INSTRUCTIONS: Check off each item after you have ensured that your cover letter meets that standard. Ask one of your friends or another student to review your cover letter and check off the items. Author Editor Items to Check Use of Space Fills the Page Correct Spacing Rules Followed Correct Layout Rules Followed Correct Addressing Rules Followed Paragraph 1 - Introduction and Purpose for Writing Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Reason for Writing Is Clear Reason for Choosing the Placement Key Points of Résumé Highlighted Particular Abilities or Interests That Are Matched to the Needs of the Placement Thank You to the Reader Creates a Positive Impact by Promoting Yourself Correct Format for Typed Letter Date, Signature, Font JR.5.14

15 Cover Letter Checklist (2) Name: Due Date: Using the following checklist (student check column) reflect upon your cover letter. Ensure that all criteria are completed to the best of your ability. Once this checklist is completed, modify your resume if necessary. Hand in your resume with this checklist to discuss it with your Cooperative Education teacher. Achievement Knowledge / Understanding /7 Thinking / Inquiry /2 Student Check Achievement Chart Categories/Criteria Knowledge/Understanding 1. My cover letter contains the following: a)personal Information i) name ii) full address (street, city, province, postal code) iii) telephone number iv) other appropriate contact information ( ) b)three (3) to four (4) paragraphs: i) 1 st paragraph to generate interest, introduce myself and provide the purpose of writing ii) 2 nd (and 3 rd ) paragraph(s) to identify key skills, knowledge and experience to provide relevant background information iii) final paragraph to show appreciation and ask for an interview Thinking and Inquiry 2. My cover letter: a) reflects the qualifications and skills required for my cooperative education placement b) links relevant skills, knowledge and experiences to the placement needs Communication /2 Communication 3. My cover letter creates a positive impact of myself by demonstrating: a) appropriate vocabulary to provide a polite and professional tone b) appropriate writing convention correct spelling, grammar and punctuation Application /7 Teacher s Comments: Application 4. My cover letter layout and design demonstrate: i) balanced use of white space ii) formal, easy to read font iii) full or semi-block letter format iv) appropriate opening and closing salutations v) signature and enclosure indicator vi) printed on résumé paper vii) spacing rules followed Source: Adapted with permission from the work of Ruthanne Spence, Hamilton -Wentworth DSB JR.5.15

16 Cover Letter Rubric Name: Due Date: Categories / Criteria Level 1 (50-5%) Level 2 (60-6%) Level 3 (70-7%) Level 4 (80-100%) Knowledge / Understanding: Contains appropriate personal information Three (3) four (4) paragraphs to: introduce and generate interest in candidate highlight key points from résumé, and request interview demonstrates a limited understanding of cover letter writing (includes key components with limited required information) demonstrates some understanding of cover letter writing (includes key components with some required information) demonstrates considerable understanding of cover letter writing (includes key components with most required information) demonstrates a high degree of understanding of cover letter writing (includes key components with required information) Thinking / Inquiry: Links key skills, experience and education to position desired makes limited connections between skills, experience and education and position desired makes some connections between skills, experience and education and position desired makes considerable connections between skills, experience and education and position desired makes thorough connections between skills, experience and education and position desired Communication: Edited for spelling and grammar Effective use of language creates polite and professional tone with limited accuracy with limited effectiveness to create appropriate tone with some accuracy with some effectiveness to create appropriate tone with considerable accuracy with considerable effectiveness to create appropriate tone with a high degree of accuracy with a high degree of effectiveness to create appropriate tone Application: Layout and Design follows spacing rules balances white space formal, readable font on résumé paper uses block or semi-block format includes key components for business letter creates a layout and design that is limited in its effectiveness creates a somewhat effective layout and design creates a considerably effective layout and design creates a highly effective layout and design Teacher s Comments and Next Steps: JR.5.16

17 The Electronic Résumé (E-résumé) by: Tim Armes (Mr. Armes is president of Irving, Texas-based Resumail Network, which provides cost-effective Web-based recruiting for employers and free résumé software and online job searching for job candidates.) There are advantages. Electronically submitted résumés enable job seekers to apply for employment at virtually any business, anywhere in the world, with comparatively less effort and certainly less expense (no paper, printing or postage costs). There is however, one glaring drawback to finding a job online. You can forget most everything you thought you knew about writing a résumé when you go online to apply for a job. Not only do you format an e-résumé differently from a hard-copy version, but you also should include keywords, which help make your e-résumé visible to automated database searches. The Internet and the World Wide Web are powerful information distribution mechanisms and are rapidly increasing the efficiency of the employment information market. But without industry standards, electronically submitted résumés suffer from the chaos of software incompatibility. Moreover, e-résumé is definitely not written like their hard-copy cousins. Try the following experiment if you don t understand the problem of résumés surviving the Internet journey from your desktop computer to the Web-based employment site, or to the desktop computer of an employer or recruiter: fire up your word processor, and then open the file containing that beautifully formatted résumé you painstakingly have put together to print out and mail to employers. Now, instead of saving it as you normally would; use the save as feature to create a new file as a text version (.txt). Close the text file and then open it again and be prepared.... Most likely what you will see will be a mess. What was neatly spaced and proportioned text will be crammed into nearly unreadable blobs of letters. Just for grins, print this text résumé and try to read it. This is how your electronically transmitted résumé probably will appear to a potential employer unless you go to the trouble of formatting the text in a certain way, or unless you use an employment web site that sends a formatted résumé for you. One of those sites, as an example, is operated by Resumail Network. Visit this site and you can download free Resumail résumé preparation software that enables you to create a hard copy résumé as well as an electronic version to to companies using the Resumail Network Web site. These résumés, and those created with the help of similar sites, arrive intact, already formatted, and easy for employers to read on-screen or print for a hard copy. To take advantage of most other Web-based employment sites, however, you will want to build and store an all-purpose résumé. This is a text version of your résume that can be taken apart in order to fill out various online job application forms, or cut and pasted as a whole into other online forms. It is tedious and time-consuming to use a text résumé to fill out differently formatted online job application forms. But until the Web-based recruiting industry establishes some sort of uniformity, online job hunters will have to be prepared with text versions of their résumés. JR.5.17

18 Outstanding resources for highly detailed and specific advice on how to write a text version résumé are located on the Web. Among the best are: Career Lab ( for cover letters How to Create an Online Résumé ( JobSmart ( Rebecca Smith s E-Résumé & Resources ( Here are some general suggestions: < A text version of a résumé is very simple. Leave off the boldface or italicized type; get rid of symbols, such as bullets, because they are not supported in text documents < Insert extra lines to set off paragraphs and sections. Use capital letters for job titles and company names More suggestions: Be sure to include in your e-résumé a phone number where you can be reached during normal business hours, along with a complete mailing address. A company looking for employees online may prefer to respond by different methods. Don t limit a potential employer s ways to get in touch with you by leaving out important contact information. Once you have your first draft of your e-résumé written, try ing it back to yourself and looking at it. Or it to a friend who uses different software than you do (Microsoft Outlook vs. Hotmail, for example). And become accustomed to cutting and pasting your e-résumé into the body of the itself. Some employers have had so much trouble not being able to open attachments that many will no longer accept résumé attachments from job applicants. Open that ed first draft and review it carefully. If it still is not easy to read, you may want to save your text version as text only with breaks under the save as option in your word processor. You can also use the Notepad feature of Microsoft Windows to edit your text résumé. Not only do you format an e-résumé differently from a hard-copy version, but you also should include keywords, which help you make your e-résumé visible to automated database searches. This is important because e-résumés generally become part of an employer s or job site s database. Recruiters looking for specific skills or experience use keywords when conducting searches of these résumé databases, and you want yours to stand out in the crowd. Keywords describe job skills and experience and are usually very specific to a field or industry. Again, there are lots of Web-based locations to find lists of keywords, but don t throw any of them into your résumé unless you really have the corresponding experience or skills. A five-minute phone conversation will be enough to let an employer or recruiter know whether or not your skills and experience match any keywords on your résumé. It is not wise to try to fake it. After all is said and done, remember that online distribution is not magic. To deliver your e-résumé from point A to thousands of point B s your active participation is needed. Be sure to keep careful track of the companies or job boards to which you have sent your e-résumé, and the dates you sent it. Follow up with phone calls and perhaps a hard copy of your résumé, if asked to mail one. Be polite when phoning but also be persistent and don t take a brush-off for an answer. As an employer, I prefer job candidates who display drive and initiative. f JR.5.18

19 Résumés.com March 6, 2000 When Trevor Newell decided to come back to Canada after living in the United States for 16 months, he posted his résumé on the Web. He received a flood of responses and it wasn t long before he had a new job. As manager of professional services with Janna Systems, a software distributor in Toronto, he is now on the other side of the fence - recruiting potential candidates off the Internet. Doubling human resources is difficult using traditional methods but the breadth of people on the Internet is endless, he explains. When it comes to contacting businesses regarding job postings, forget the bonded paper, envelopes and stamps, or even the fax machine. Today, businesses are finding the most efficient ways to sift through applications is by posting their job openings on the Internet. For many jobs, paper résumés will probably become a thing of the past, say Rita Vine, Vice President of IMR Internet Training, one of the many training companies that are springing up as a result of the Web s popularity. Paper is just a mode of transmission and companies are always seeking ways to reduce their recruitment cost by streamlining résumé handling and the pre-selection process. Originally established to help companies train employees on the Internet use, IMR also helps human resource departments and headhunters use on-line recruiting effectively. Employers can achieve recruitment savings of up to 0 per cent by utilizing this technology, says Rob Porter, marketing and business development of JobShark.com, a Toronto based company that offers a service of both companies and job hunters. Companies can post their positions - there are currently about 700 jobs on-line and job hunters will be notified if any positions match their profile. According to Porter, 80 per cent of those jobs will be successfully placed. Job hunters may also browse posted positions and initiate contact on their own. Monsters.ca, another popular Canadian site, also has a notification service and offers a career resource centre that contains career articles and links for job seekers. Some company Web sites allow users to submit their existing résumé s, while others have an online application process. The sites that accept résumés usually have certain requirements. JR.5.1

20 Many demand an ASCII or plain text résumé to ensure there are no software compatibility issues. These résumés tend to look like they came off an ancient manual typewriter, says Mark Swartz, author of Get Wired, You re Hired, and a career consultant with Drake Beam Morin Inc. Companies will then scan digitized résumés to identify potential job candidates. They are not looking for eyecatching design or typeface they are using the scanning technology to pinpoint applicants with necessary skills by searching for key words. For applicants it means learning how best to make their résumé information stand out among the hundreds of others being submitted. Public libraries, outplacement companies and employment support agencies have been quick to respond to the need to educate job hunters and provide courses. The vetting of résumés using key word search has created an emerging art of résumé writing for on-line job searching, Swartz says. The drawback may be that if companies are selecting interview candidates on the basis of scanning key words, they may dismiss candidates with softer skills or those who have not learned to beat the system. Checking out potential employers using the Internet allows job candidates to turn the tables in that they are able to find out a great deal about employers, Newell says. They can then narrow the search to their specific needs and wants. As much as it is an opportunity for the employer the employer should also know the company. This is the time when the job seekers are some what in control of their own destiny, Porter says. He notes that even for those who have a job, they can keep up-to-date with salaries, benefits and opportunities by leaving their résumés posted. While Canada is about two-years behind the United States in embracing this technology, sites like an amalgamation of career postings from The Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail, claim as many as 15, 000 postings. The need for and scarcity of high-tech workers has driven organizations to recruit on-line. But human resource managers have learned a great deal from the experience and I think they are driving the next wave recruiting for non-tech positions using on-line tools, IMR s Vine says. As long as the process keeps returning dividends, like cheaper hiring cost and better-quality candidates, on-line recruitment is a keeper. JR.5.20