MPower Mature Workforce Networking January 7, 2010

1MPower Mature Workforce Networking

January 7, 2010

List four resume styles and when List four resume styles and when most appropriate to use each style.most appropriate to use each style.

Compare and contrast an effective Compare and contrast an effective Resume and Cover Letter.Resume and Cover Letter.


Introductions & Warm-up Introductions & Warm-up 30 Minutes30 Minutes

Overview Resumes & Cover LettersOverview Resumes & Cover Letters 20 20 MinutesMinutes

Group ExerciseGroup Exercise 20 20 MinutesMinutes

BreakBreak 10 10 MinutesMinutes

Debrief Group ExerciseDebrief Group Exercise 20 20 MinutesMinutes

Discussion, Summary & Wrap-upDiscussion, Summary & Wrap-up 20 20 MinutesMinutes


Participate and contribute your thoughts Participate and contribute your thoughts and ideas.and ideas.

Listen actively and attentively when Listen actively and attentively when others are speaking. Please do not others are speaking. Please do not interrupt.interrupt.

Respect other’s opinion.Respect other’s opinion. Limit side conversations while others Limit side conversations while others

are speaking.are speaking. Put hand up, nod or make gesture to Put hand up, nod or make gesture to

facilitator to acknowledge the need to facilitator to acknowledge the need to speak.speak.

Be here and in the moment.Be here and in the moment. Anything else?Anything else?


Write one comprehensive sentence Write one comprehensive sentence per prompt.per prompt.

Step 1 : Step 1 : Name ~ First, Last NameName ~ First, Last NameJob Title/Target:Job Title/Target:

Step 2: Step 2: I am a ... I am a ... Specializing in ...Specializing in ...

Step 3:Step 3:What do you do ...What do you do ...Step 4:Step 4:Why you are the best at what you do ...Why you are the best at what you do ...Step 5:Step 5:Your call to action ...Your call to action ...


““When one door closes another door opens; When one door closes another door opens; But we often look so longingly But we often look so longingly

and so regretfully upon the door that closed, that and so regretfully upon the door that closed, that we fail to see the one that has opened for us.”we fail to see the one that has opened for us.”

- Helen Keller- Helen Keller

6

DELIVER YOUR PITCH

MPower Mature Workforce Networking

““What appears to be the end of the road may simply beWhat appears to be the end of the road may simply be a bend In the road.”a bend In the road.”

--Dr. Robert SchullerDr. Robert Schuller


Resumes (Word & Text Format)Resumes (Word & Text Format)Cover LettersCover LettersPortfolio (Diplomas, Certifications, Work Portfolio (Diplomas, Certifications, Work

Samples Etc.)Samples Etc.)Business CardsBusiness Cards30 Second Summary, Blogs, Profiles30 Second Summary, Blogs, ProfilesAssociation Memberships & AffiliationsAssociation Memberships & AffiliationsWebsite, FaceBook, MySpaceWebsite, FaceBook, MySpaceInterview PreparationInterview PreparationReferencesReferencesAny others?Any others?


Brief Overview & Key Points for Brief Overview & Key Points for Today:Today:

▪ ResumeResume▪ Cover LetterCover Letter


Chronological: Steady career progression, proof of expertise and

credibilityFunctional: Skill or Accomplishment

Based Experienced worker, career changer, lots of job movement

or no job movement Combination:

Functional/ Skill or Accomplishment Based format within a chronological work history

Technical: Educational, training & technical background Can be worked into one of the other styles


Your on-line resume can be developed by Your on-line resume can be developed by using and converting from any one of the using and converting from any one of the other basic styles.other basic styles.

Make sure you read the instructions for Make sure you read the instructions for submitting on-line (e.g. PDF, Text, MS submitting on-line (e.g. PDF, Text, MS Word file etc.).Word file etc.).

Keyword Summary.Keyword Summary. Removing formatting. Removing formatting.

▪ Employment Resource Centres (ERCs) and Information Resource Services (IRS’) can teach you how to do this.


1.1. Be positive.Be positive.2.2. No errors.No errors.3.3. Standard size paper in neutral shades.Standard size paper in neutral shades.4.4. Brief and uncluttered – 1-2 pages.Brief and uncluttered – 1-2 pages.5.5. Short concise, succinct sentences. Less is Short concise, succinct sentences. Less is

more. The higher the responsibility the more. The higher the responsibility the higher the quality of statements.higher the quality of statements.

6.6. Emphasize accomplishments.Emphasize accomplishments.7.7. Use action verbs and past tense – watch your Use action verbs and past tense – watch your

tenses.tenses.8.8. Avoid underlining , italics, fancy fonts.Avoid underlining , italics, fancy fonts.9.9. Keep records of resumes sent and the job Keep records of resumes sent and the job

posting.posting.10.10. Lose “I” and “me”.Lose “I” and “me”.


1.1. Address to a specific person. Never “To Whom It May Address to a specific person. Never “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”.Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”.

2.2. No errors – Business Letter format.No errors – Business Letter format.3.3. State why you are approaching that organization.State why you are approaching that organization.4.4. Demonstrate excellent written communication skills.Demonstrate excellent written communication skills.5.5. Point out most relevant accomplishments, skills Point out most relevant accomplishments, skills

experience.experience.6.6. Make sure it is targeted.Make sure it is targeted.7.7. 1 page – 3-4 paragraphs – various styles & 1 page – 3-4 paragraphs – various styles &

approaches.approaches.8.8. Include your contact information and availability.Include your contact information and availability.9.9. Convey “fit” for the job & the opportunity to Convey “fit” for the job & the opportunity to

meet/interview.meet/interview.10.10.Always have someone proofread.Always have someone proofread.


Group Exercise – Page 1Group Exercise – Page 1 Facilitator assign groupsFacilitator assign groups

What factors seem to be common What factors seem to be common among effective resumes and cover among effective resumes and cover letters?letters?

Do you consider it important to tailor Do you consider it important to tailor your resume and cover letters for a your resume and cover letters for a specific job? Why?specific job? Why?


““One of life’s most painful moments One of life’s most painful moments comes when comes when

we must admit that we didn’t we must admit that we didn’t do our homework, do our homework,

that we are not prepared.”that we are not prepared.”- Merlin O- Merlin Olsenlsen

15

DEBRIEF


““I must do something” I must do something” will always solve more problems than will always solve more problems than ““Something must be done.”Something must be done.”

- Bits & Pieces- Bits & Pieces

16

““It’s only too late if you don’t start now.”It’s only too late if you don’t start now.”


Read through this informationRead through this information Use all resources available to youUse all resources available to you Attend workshops and seminarsAttend workshops and seminars Access services and programs Access services and programs

available to youavailable to you Be accountable and accept the Be accountable and accept the

challengechallenge Start preparing your Resumes, Cover Start preparing your Resumes, Cover

LettersLetters Prepare for Networking and InterviewsPrepare for Networking and Interviews Good Luck Good Luck ~ You Can Do It!~ You Can Do It!


““If you demand perfection of yourself, you’ll If you demand perfection of yourself, you’ll seldom achieve it. Fear of making a mistake is the seldom achieve it. Fear of making a mistake is the

biggest single cause of making one. Instead of biggest single cause of making one. Instead of pushing for perfection, relax and pursue pushing for perfection, relax and pursue

excellence.”excellence.”- - Bud Winter, Track CoachBud Winter, Track Coach


MPower Mature Workforce Networking January 7, 2010

Documents

resume styles

minutes break10 minutes

minutes group exercise

minutes discussion

effective resumes

specific job

online resume

records of resumes