1. Marketing YOU!
Resume & Cover Letter
Self-Serve Module

2. Do you really need a resume?
• Yes, you do!
• A resume won’t directly get you a job but you won’t get a job
without a resume
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3. 5-point self check list
• Use the following slides and self-critique your resume
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4. 1. Up-to-date Contact Information
• Does your resume have a contact information section at the
top?
• Did you include your most up to date information (mailing
address, phone number, email address)?
• Did you use a professional email address?
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5. Quick Tip
• Use an email address with your name instead of a nickname
stacey.johnson@gmail.com YES
smarties123@gmail.com NO
• Give one phone number that has a professional voicemail
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6. Examples
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7. 2. Tailored and Strong
Summary/Profile
• Do you have a summary of skills/qualifications section?
• Is it near the top of your resume? It should serve as a preview
to the rest of your resume
• Do the points in your summary address some of the
requirements of the advertised position?
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8. Quick Tip
• A summary is meant to be a summary, don’t provide a full list
of all your attributes and qualities
• Readers typically lose attention after 5-6 bullet points
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9. An Example
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10. 3. Show off your Education
• You worked hard for your degree, are you showing it off?
• Did you include the full name of the institution and your
program(s)?
• Did you include relevant courses?
• GPA? High distinction? Awards?
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11. Quick Tip
• Don’t forget the “Honours,” most of you are earning an
Honours Bachelor of Science or an Honours Bachelor of Arts
• While others are earning a Bachelor of Business Administration
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12. An Example

13. 4. Action-packed
Accomplishment Statements
• Do you have bullet points/accomplishment statements
under each of your experiences?
• Do the statements start with action verbs that describe
different skills?
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14. Quick Tip
• Stay away from weak verbs such as assist and help and phrases
such as responsible for x and y
• Show the readers WHAT you accomplished, HOW you did it and
the RESULTS
• Use numbers to exemplify your achievements
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15. An example
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16. 5. Invaluable Volunteer &
Extra-Curricular Activities
• Did you include relevant volunteer and/or extra-
curricular experiences?
• Did you also use strong accomplishment statements for
your volunteer/extra-curricular activities?
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17. Quick Tip
• Paid experience is not the only experience that matters, lots of
employers like to see your involvement in the university and
community
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18. An Example

19. What about the Cover Letter?
The Basics
• Accompanied by your resume
• Often read first by employers
• Shows employers why they should hire you
• Draw on all of your research for the position
• No more than 1 page

20. Opening Paragraph
• Indicate WHY you are writing – which position are you applying
to? Where was the job advertised?
• State your INTEREST in the job and the organization
• Summarize your KEY QUALIFICATIONS
• SHOW your ENTHUSIASM

21. Middle Paragraphs
• 2-3 middle paragraphs
• Provide supporting examples of your relevant skills &
experiences
• Demonstrate interest by mentioning what you know or have
learned about the position/organization

22. Closing Paragraph
• Link back to your opening paragraph to reinforce your FIT and
INTEREST
• Demonstrate confidence
• Request an interview
• Include a THANK YOU

23. Piecing it together
Download an example here:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/27013337/HirePowerCoverLetterSample
.pdf

24. Resume Blitz
Get your Resume & Cover Letter
critiqued during our Resume Blitz
May 9th and 10 th