1. CAREER AND JOB PROGRAM
ANENI AFRICA RESOURCE CENTRE
infoaneniafrica@gmail.com | aneniafrica.org
Training by: Treeside Learning Centre – Toronto, Canada
JOB HUNTING 101– PART 1
Writing a winning resume

2. Finding a job
Part 1
O Before you start the job hunt
O Writing a resume and cover letter
O Choosing References
Part 2
O Where to look for jobs
O Preparing for job Interview

3. PART 1

4. Starting the job hunt
Before you start the job hunt, you need:
O Proper Immigration documents
O Social Insurance Number (SIN)
O Right age
O Right education/certification

5. Writing a resume and cover letter
1. What is a résumé?
2. Skills Inventory
3. Types of résumés
4. Top-10 résumé tips
5. What is a cover letter?
6. Top-10 cover letter tips

6. 1. What is a resume?
document showing employers your
experience, education, and skills

7. 2. Skills Inventory
Find your transferable skills
O Key skills
O Hands-on skills
O Data/information skills
O Leadership skills
O People skills
O Creative/artistic skills
O Verbal/communication skills

8. Skills Inventory Cont’d
Find your hidden skills:
O List all your previous and current experiences,
at work and in other contexts.
O Describe the tasks you completed using action
words for each experience
O Identify the skill(s) required to complete those
tasks.
O List other things you learned to do in that job
O Identify the skills you gained from the other
things you learned.
O Build strong sentences by combining the skills
you developed with the tasks you completed.
O Find your job-related skills

9. 3. Types of résumés
O functional résumé
O chronological résumé
O hybrid résumé

10. Functional resume
Katie Costa
439 Robinson Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 4R3
204-555-5412
katie.costa@email.ca
Skills and abilities
Summary
 Creative, hardworking, and reliable worker
 Strong oral communicator, very organized, and quick learner
Computer skills
 Proficient in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Outlook, and Excel
 Experience using both Microsoft- and Mac-based computer platforms
Leadership skills
 Elected as Grade 9 representative for Carlington Heights Students’ Council
 Planned and organized school dances, band fundraiser, and Relay for Life
 Selected to participate in city-wide leadership program
Marketing and promotion skills
 Started my own babysitting business in 2010; created flyers and promotional material,
which attracted 42 new clients from local community centre and grocery stores
 Designed posters and banner for Carlington Heights semi-formal dance
 Contacted local businesses to purchase advertising space in Carlington Heights yearbook,
and won award for highest sales for the year
Experience
Babysitter2010–2011
Katie and Jamie’s Babysitting Service, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Pet sitter2007–2009
Katie Johnston Animal Spa, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Volunteer experience
 Students’ Council
 Yearbook Committee
 Grade 9 Concert Band
 Relay for Life organizing committee

11. Chronological resume
Pascal Costa
439 Robinson Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4R3
204-555-2565
pascal.costa@email.ca
Education and training
Chippewaka College – Carpentry2009–2012
Vancouver, British Columbia
Carlington Heights Secondary School2005–2009
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Experience
Carpenter Apprentice2009–2012
Wood Chip Carpentry, Kelowna, British Columbia
 Assisted with framing, roofing, stair-building, and various rough carpentry projects
 Worked with Journeyman on completing estimations and contributed to design plans to
ensure projects met building code standards
Workshop Assistant2009
Stephen Jones Carpentry, Winnipeg, Manitoba
 Learned to operate a variety of power tools, such as table saws, radial arm saws, circular
saws, planers, and drills
 Assisted carpenters with projects by prepping surfaces and cleaning up workshop
General Labourer2007–2009
Hank’s Hardware, Winnipeg, Manitoba
 Stocked, priced, and helped maintain inventory of store merchandise
 Swept and mopped aisles, ensured products were properly displayed on shelves, and
helped carry out large orders to customer vehicles
Volunteer experience
 Chippewaka College Students’ Council Treasurer2011–2012
 Humane Society of Vancouver2010–2011
 Carlington Heights Students’ Council President2008–2009
 Carlington Food Bank2007–2009
Accomplishments
 2011 provincial bronze medalist in lacrosse

12. Hybrid Resume
Genevieve Costa
439 Carter Avenue
St. John’s, Newfoundland A1G 4R3
709-555-1784
genevieve.costa@email.ca
Education and training
Wilton University – International Development2010–present
St. John’s, Newfoundland
Catherine Collegiate Secondary School2005–2009
St. John’s, Newfoundland
Skills
Summary
 Fluent in French and English, both written and oral
 Hardworking, reliable, and professional
 A considerate team-player with aspirations to succeed
Teamwork
 Coordinated and planned complex student presentation schedules with eight other
teaching assistants
 Worked with many diverse staff members in various positions to accomplish daily tasks
and deliver excellent customer service
Management
 Coached and assisted staff to achieve second place overall in the city-wide Barista Skills
Latte Art competition
 Instructed and guided business students regarding weekly assignments and general
academic difficulties
Administrative
 Organized high-profile social activities for the Business Administration community at
Wilton University
 Created and implemented a new weekly task schedule for clients at the Elizabeth Wright
Women’s Shelter
Experience

13. Don’t forget to include:
O Your personal information
O Education
O Skills and experience

14. 4. Top 10 resume tips
O Think ahead
O Tailor your résumé
O Chunk it out
O Use action words
O Proofread
O Repeat Tip 5
O Make it presentable
O Keep it concise
O Be honest
O Be professional

15. 5. What is a cover letter?
O Definition
O 3 main objectives of a cover letter
O Sample cover letter

16. Sample cover letter-Advertised job
Michelle Scott
336 MacLaren Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 0R3
613-555-4545
michelle.scott@email.ca
November 19, 2012
Ms. Jamie Hopkins
Store Manager
Finner’s Coffee & Tea
607 Youngman Road
Ottawa, Ontario
N1G 7K4
Dear Ms. Hopkins:
As a regular customer at Finner’s, I am always impressed with the quality of customer service I
receive. When visiting the Youngman Road location recently, I learned that a part-time cashier
position is currently available. Although I am a student, I have a flexible schedule and am
available to work 18 to 25 hours a week. I believe that my previous customer service
experience, my excellent work ethic, and my love for coffee will make me a great member of the
Finner’s team.
As you will see from the enclosed résumé, I have four years of customer service experience, with
three of those years relating specifically to the food-and-beverage industry. During these years, I
developed a passion for coffee and a rich knowledge of coffee and espresso products. With years
of experience preparing coffee and espresso beverages, I am extremely competent and self-
sufficient when producing high-quality coffee products. With this comprehensive base of product
knowledge combined with my superior customer service skills, I know that I would be a
beneficial addition to the Finner’s staff.
I have consistently maintained a professional and kind demeanour when dealing with customers.
In my previous position, I received many customer compliments about my prompt and friendly
service. I also received a staff award, presented to me by my regional manager, for my
composed problem-solving in periods of high customer volume and stress.
Thank you for taking the time to review my résumé. I look forward to speaking with you soon
about how I can contribute to the positive and exciting environment at Finner’s. I will contact
you next Wednesday, November 28, after 3:00 p.m. If you need to reach me in the meantime,
feel free to call me any time of day on my cell phone at 613-555-4545.
Yours sincerely,
Michelle Scott

17. Sample cover letter-Unadvertised job
Pascal Jodoin
134 North Street
Mississauga, ON M9A 3L1
905-555-1234
pascale.jodoin@email.ca
May 14, 2012
Ms. Candace Hamm
Sales Manager
Irwin Food Processing
Suite 34, 123 Mason Avenue N.E.
Toronto, Ontario
M9L 4V2
Dear Ms. Hamm:
I am a recent graduate of Alpha Beta High School in Mississauga, and I plan to attend university
in Toronto this fall. While I was conducting some career research on companies that offer in-
house training, I noticed that Irwin Food Processing offers basic courses in marketing and
promotions, a field which interests me greatly.
I would appreciate meeting with you to discuss your firm’s potential employment opportunities.
In particular, I believe you may be interested in hearing about my co-op work experience, which
involved special product promotions. I have enclosed my résumé with further details.
I will call your administrative assistant on May 22, 2012, to see if a convenient appointment time
can be arranged. I can also be reached at 905-555-1234, if you would like to contact me before
then.
Yours truly,
Pascal Jodoin
Enclosure (résumé)

18. Top-10 cover letter tips
O Do your homework.
O Follow instructions
O Don’t just restate your résumé
O Personalize your letter
O Tailor your letter to the job.
O Presentation counts
O Break it down
O Use a professional tone
O Be brief
O Proofread

19. Choosing References
1. What is a reference?
2. Types of references
3. Top-five tips for choosing references

20. What is a reference?

21. Types of references
O Character reference
O Professional reference

22. Example of a Reference List
References for (Your Name)
O Reference Name
Title
Address
City, Province
Telephone number:
E-mail address:
O Gina Reference
Manager, Clothing Express
555 North Street
Halifax, NS
Telephone number: 555-555-5555
E-mail address: gina.reference@email.ca
O John Reference
Activities Coordinator, ABC Centre
555 South Street
Grand Prairie, AB
Telephone number: 555-555-5555
E-mail address: john.reference@email.ca

23. Top-five tips for choosing references
O Think ahead
O Pick someone who knows you well
O Update your reference list often
O Presentation counts
O Say "thank you

25. THE END
Part 2
Coming soon
Agenda:
Preparing for job Interview
Where to look for jobs

26. PART 2

27. Where to look for jobs?
O Advertised jobs
O Hidden jobs
O Starting your own business
O Working abroad
O Networking/referrals- Friends, Job
fairs, Career networking events

28. Interview 101
O Before the interview
O Preparing for interview questions
O Preparing questions for the employer
O Top-10 tips for a successful job
interview
O After the interview