02/1. Build your toolkit

Transcription

1 02/1 Build your toolkit

2 02/2 Module 02: Build your toolkit Part I: Crafting high-impact résumés Build your toolkit

3 02/3 key elements résumé types top ten tips references ing résumés A well-crafted résumé is a key element of your work search. As a marketing tool, the main goal is to present a positive first impression to prospective employers - one that demonstrates how your skills, experience and accomplishments meet their specific requirements. The effectiveness of a résumé depends on the information included, how well it is tailored to the position you are applying for, and your use of keywords and accomplishment statements. Build your toolkit

4 02/4 Key Elements Contact Information* * Appears on each page of your résumé First and Last Names Address and Postal Code Home and/or cell phone numbers Work search address Example: John Smith Commercial Drive Vancouver BC V5N 4C1 P: E: johnsmith@gmail.com Build your toolkit

5 02/5 Key Elements Objective: Do not use the word objective, instead use the Title of the position you are applying for Optional - alternate titles related to your target occupation and related work experience Example: John Smith SEE ALSO REFERENCE Tailoring your Objective and your Summary of Qualifications Communications Assistant Marketing Representative Social Media Expert Commercial Drive Vancouver BC V5N 4C1 P: E: johnsmith@gmail.com Build your toolkit

6 02/6 Key Elements Summary of Qualifications: Briefly summarize and match your top qualifications to the job s requirements List your relevant education, training, key skills and accomplishments Example: John Smith Communications Assistant Marketing Representative Social Media Expert Commercial Drive Vancouver BC V5N 4C1 P: E: johnsmith@gmail.com Graduate of the Communications degree program at Simon Fraser University with 3+ years of experience managing online marketing for a not-for-profit organization on a volunteer basis. Social media expert with experience in creation and on-going maintenance of Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat and LinkedIn accounts. Build your toolkit

7 02/7 Key Elements Employment History: The Job Title, Employer Name, Location, Duration, Responsibilities and Accomplishments Limit yourself to key and relevant responsibilities and accomplishments Use actual numbers, keywords, and action words to convey your knowledge and experience Be consistent in your use of past (previous employment) or present tense if you are still employed Use years instead of months to minimize time gaps Clearly identify volunteer or unpaid work experience Build your toolkit

8 02/8 Key Elements Employment History: Example: SEE ALSO REFERENCE Describing Your Duties Writing Accomplishment Statements Action Verbs EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Volunteer Coordinator ABC Association Vancouver BC 2013 Present Research and identify target audiences for marketing services via social media including Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat and LinkedIn. Assist with the development and implementation of professional standards for online delivery of services and content. Write and post content to websites in keeping with established guidelines. Increased the number of subscribers to social media accounts by 50% by introducing the addition of links to all marketing materials. Barista Coffee Shop Burnaby BC Provided excellent customer service by welcoming customer to the store, and preparing orders quickly and accurately. Recognized as Employee of the Month for providing exceptional service. Build your toolkit

9 02/9 Key Elements Education & Training: List your most formal education first List all degrees, diplomas and relevant certificate programs completed Include the credential, name of the school and completion dates Combine related seminars and workshops in a single statement If you lack work experience, include any awards or accomplishments that strengthen your application If you have a degree or a diploma don t list your high-school diploma Build your toolkit

10 02/10 Key Elements Education & Training: Example: EDUCATION Bachelor of Communications SFU Burnaby BC 2016 Majored in Online Marketing and Social Media Development Completed an internship with Complete list of courses available on request Build your toolkit

11 02/11 Résumé Types There are three basic types of résumés: Chronological Functional Combination The type of résumé you select is based on your work experience and the position you are applying for. SEE ALSO REFERENCE Sample Résumés and Reference Build your toolkit

12 02/12 Résumé Types Chronological: Best used if you are applying for a position that aligns with your work experience, training and formal education Preferred by employers because it is easy to read and highlights relevant points quickly and concisely Presented in reversechronological order Starting with the most recent position, list and describe each position using concise, actionoriented words Build your toolkit

13 02/13 Résumé Types Chronological: Best used if you are applying for a position that aligns with your work experience, training and formal education Preferred by employers because it is easy to read and highlights relevant points quickly and concisely Presented in reversechronological order Disadvantages: Highlights employment history rather than skills Frequent job changes, gaps in employment, and lack of career progress made obvious Starting with the most recent position, list and describe each position using concise, actionoriented words Build your toolkit

14 02/14 Résumé Types Functional: Best used if you are making a career change and your previous work experience is not directly related to the position you are applying for Emphasizes skills and accomplishments Draws attention away from gaps in employment, frequent job changes and previous or little work experience Easily tailored to reflect an employer s specific needs Build your toolkit

15 02/15 Résumé Types Functional: Best used if you are making a career change and your previous work experience is not directly related to the position you are applying for Emphasizes skills and accomplishments Draws attention away from gaps in employment, frequent job changes and previous or little work experience Disadvantages: Does not appeal to all employers Employment history and career progression are not as obvious and may take longer to assess Easily tailored to reflect an employer s specific needs Build your toolkit

16 02/16 Résumé Types Combination: Best used if you have a variety of work experience in unrelated fields and you want to emphasize certain skills or parts of your work experience for a specific job target Combines the best features of both the chronological and functional types Highlights relevant qualifications and skills, and includes a condensed employment history Works well when you ve performed similar functions for different organizations Allows you to group related experiences together Build your toolkit

17 02/17 Résumé Types Combination: Best used if you have a variety of work experience in unrelated fields and you want to emphasize certain skills or parts of your work experience for a specific job target Combines the best features of both the chronological and functional types Highlights relevant qualifications and skills, and includes a condensed employment history Disadvantages: Can be confusing if not well written Requires more time and focus to organize Works well when you ve performed similar functions for different organizations Allows you to group related experiences together Build your toolkit

18 02/18 Top Ten Tips 1. Think ahead. If you wait until the last minute to hand in your résumé, you could miss the deadline and risk not being considered for the job. 2. Tailor your résumé. Include information on your résumé associated with the job you are applying for. 3. Chunk it out. If there is a lot of information, break it into separate sections with specific headings. 4. Use action words. Focus on things you have accomplished, and avoid starting every sentence with I. 5. Proofread. Never rely on spell check. 6. Repeat Tip 5. Seriously, even one misspelled word could put you in the do not consider pile. Build your toolkit

19 02/19 Top Ten Tips 7. Make it presentable. Make sure your résumé looks clean and organized. Use white, letter-sized paper (8.5 x 11-inch) and a font that s easy to read, like Times New Roman or Arial. 8. Keep it concise. Try to keep your résumé as short as possible ideally one page, two pages maximum. 9. Be honest. Lying on your résumé is never a good idea. Many people who lie on their applications end up losing their jobs when their employers find out the truth. 10. Be professional. Remember, this is a business document, so don t include unnecessary embellishments like flashy paper or a picture of yourself. Build your toolkit

20 02/20 References During an interview, you may be asked for a list of references a list of people who can comment on your personal character, work ethic or past work experience. Include the following statement at the end of your résumé: References Available Upon Request and always take extra copies of your résumé and reference list to an interview. SEE ALSO REFERENCE References Sample Résumés and Reference Build your toolkit

21 02/21 References How many? Typically, a minimum of 3 professional and/or academic references Include personal references only as needed (not friends or relatives) Suitable references: People from past and present situations, who know you and your work and would have positive comments to share with a potential employer Permission: Ask for permission before you add someone to your list of references Provide them with as much information as possible about the position you are applying for Build your toolkit

22 02/22 To determine what résumé type to submit, read the job posting carefully for the required information and prepare a draft As per the employer s requirements, save your résumé document as a MSWord file (*.doc), or a Portable Document Format (*.pdf) file Tips for submitting your applications via Provide the document with a meaningful name e.g. JohnSmith Application- Jan2017.doc Your Résumé and your cover letter should be in a single document when ing. In this case, your cover letter will be the first page Copy and paste your cover letter into the body of your Before you send it off, the documents to yourself (or a friend) to be sure it can be successfully opened and read Build your toolkit

23 02/23 Additional resources and worksheets Resources: Tailoring Your Objective / Summary of Qualifications Describing Your Duties Writing Accomplishment Statements Using Action Verbs References Sample Résumés Informational Bulletins: Choosing References Online Applications Screen Your Résumé Worksheets: Résumé Worksheet Please proceed to Module 02: Cover Letters Build your toolkit