the york road literacy and employment initiative workshop 2: writing effective résumés and cover...
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The York Road Literacy and Employment Initiative
Workshop 2: Writing Effective Résumés and Cover Letters
Allen Brizee, PhD
Assistant Professor of Writing
Loyola University Maryland
Giuliana Caranante
Psychology-Writing Major
Loyola University Maryland
Goals and Outcomes
This workshop will help you write effective résumés and cover letters that are tailored for specific organizations and jobs.
After the workshop, you should be able to: Write an effective résumé Write an effective cover letter
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Overview Name Tags Folder Contents What is a Résumé? How Do I Write an Effective Résumé? What is a Cover Letter? How Do I Write an Effective Cover Letter? Conclusion
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
4
Résumés What is a Résumé?
A document that represents you and lists your experience, education, and skills
The purpose of a résumé is to get a job interview Secondary purposes include:
Make a professional impression, along with your cover letter and references
Keep a record of your experiences Eventually, get a job!
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
5
Résumés What are My Goals as a Writer?
Show how you are a good match for the organization and the position
Explain how you will help the organization achieve its mission
This strategy is known as the reader-centered approach – RCA Hard to write about yourself and not sound selfish The RCA will help
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Résumés The Reader-Centered Approach
Good match Help them
Objective: To obtain the Receptionist position (#3456) and help the Department of Public Works maintain its high standard of service
What is effective about this objective statement? Be careful not to write an objective that is longer
than two lines on your résumé
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Résumés The Writer-Centered Approach
Is a less effective approach Tries to show how applicants are the “best”
candidate for the job, an unsupportable position Tries to show how the organization can help the
applicant, instead of the other way around
Objective: To obtain a high paying job in a professional setting
What do you notice about this objective statement? Templates?
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Résumés How Do I Use the Reader-Centered Approach for My Résumé? If you include an objective, tailor it to position and
organization Tailor your résumé design and information to match
position’s requirements and organization’s mission
Qualified | Possibly Qualified | Not Qualified
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Résumés Tailored Objective
Objective: To obtain the Receptionist position (#3456) and help the Department of Public Works maintain its high standard of service
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Résumés Tailored Design and Information
Use clear document design: Space Clear sections
Present information in a reader-centered way: If position is store manager, focus on the skills you
have that are related to that job
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Résumés Tailored Design
Space
Clear
sections
(fonts)
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Résumés Tailored Information
Chronological résumé
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
Indented bullet list
Verb choice and tense
Information tailored to desired job
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Résumés Tailored Information
Skills-based résumé
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
Skills at the top
More skills, experience
Education, experience
(https://owl.english.purdue.edu)
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Résumés What do I do if…
I have a gap in my work experience?Be prepared to explain the gaps in a positive wayConsider composing a skills-based résuméVolunteer or enroll in a class
I don’t have experience related to the position?Show how your skills will transfer to new positionExplain how your experience will help prospective
organization in your cover letter I am a veteran?
Work on “translating” military terms to civilian termsParticipate in government/military sponsored transition
programs and veteran-related job fairs
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Résumés What do I do if…
I have a disability?You are protected under Federal Law (ADA and the
Rehabilitation Act) from disability-related discriminationBy law, you must disclose to be provided with work-
related reasonable accommodations I have children?
You are not required to disclose your family situation I have been in a correctional program?
Be honest with your employerDiscuss what you did to contribute positively to your
future (GED, vocational training, etc.)Consider composing a skills-based résumé
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Practice Find an ad online (or use the one you found last week) and write a reader-centered objective for it: Tailored How you will help them
Objective: To obtain the Receptionist position (#3456) and help the Department of Public Works maintain its high standard of service
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Lunch Break! We have meat and veggie subs, water, and chips
Overview
Résumés
Lunch
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Cover Letters What is a cover letter?
A document that explains how the information you provide in your résumé makes you a good match for the position and organization
It also explains how you will help the organization The purpose of the letter is to get the interview Secondary purposes include:
Make a professional impression, along with your résumé and references
Keep a record of your experiences Eventually, get a job!
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Cover Letters Apply the reader-centered approach
Good match Help them
Based on the requirements outlined in the job ad, I believe that I am a good fit for the position because I have worked as a warehouse employee before. I can help Capital City Distribution maintain precise inventory lists and stellar customer service.
What is effective about these sentences from the introductory paragraph of a cover letter?
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
These are your main arguments, your thesis
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Cover Letters The Writer-Centered Approach
Is a less effective approach Tries to show how applicants are the “best”
candidate for the job, an unsupportable position Tries to show how the organization can help the
applicant, instead of the other way around
I am interested in the legal assistant position because I would eventually like to become a lawyer.
What do you notice about this statement? Use of “I”? Templates?
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Cover Letters How Do I Use the Reader-Centered Approach for My Cover Letter? Tailor it to position and organization Tailor your letter design and information to match
position’s requirements and organization’s mission
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Cover Letter Tailored Design and Information
Use clear document design: Space Clear sections: block style is most conservative
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Cover Letter Tailored Design
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
Left margin
POC
Same font as résumé
Space between paragraphs
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Cover Letter Tailored Design
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
One space
Four spaces
Mailing address
Enclosure
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Cover Letter Tailored Information
Introduction that includes: When and where you found ad Specific job title (number) and organization’s name How you are a good match for job and organization How you can help them
Body paragraph(s) that support your thesis – good match and will help them Include specific examples from résumé
Closing paragraph that references résumé, includes contact information, and thanks POC for taking time to read material
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Cover LetterOverview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
IntroductionWhen searching the job site, workinretail.com, I came across your advertisement for Store Manager in west Baltimore. Sally Beauty is a great asset to the city and provides the local community with convenient access to all the top beauty brands. Based on my previous experience as a licensed cosmetologist and retail employee, I believe that I fit the requirements of the Store Manager position and will help Sally Beauty maintain its excellent customer service, as well as increase its revenue.
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Cover LetterOverview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
Body ParagraphMy experience at Cutz Beauty Salon has taught me so much about today’s emerging beauty products. I am passionate about using the latest products to enhance a daily beauty routine. For example, I have focused on finding affordable hair products that allow customers to shorten their style time. My clients love learning about new products, and I have increased product revenue at my store by 5%. This knowledge is valuable to every customer that enters Sally Beauty and would help me support your excellent customer service. Similarly, working for so many years at Giant Food Stores taught me valuable interpersonal communication skills. I completed numerous inventory workshops and learned how to create a truly successful sales team. These skills will help me assist the customers of Sally Beauty and support your mission of excellent customer service.
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Cover LetterOverview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
Closing ParagraphSally Beauty is the largest distributor of top professional and hair care brands in the world. This is due to the effective customer service and high quality of inventory at each local store. I would like to speak to you further about how my interpersonal skills and strong knowledge of emerging beauty products can assist you in continuing to develop your vision by assisting customers in a Sally Beauty store. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and enclosed résumé. If you have any questions, please email me at Davis22@hotmail.com or call me at 222-222-2222.
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Practice Use the ad you found earlier to draft your cover letter introduction paragraph When and where you found ad Specific job title (number) and organization’s name How you are a good match for job and organization How you can help them
Save work to your flash drive
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Conclusion Today we worked on
Analyzing a job ad Writing an effective résumé Writing an effective cover letter
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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Conclusion Remove flash drive by double-clicking on icon at bottom right of desktop
If you are signed up for next week’s workshop, try to finish and bring your résumé, letter drafts
Please fill out the feedback form Thanks for your time
Allen Brizee: habrizee@loyola.edu
Giuliana Caranante: gmcaranante@loyola.edu
Overview
Résumés
Practice
Cover Letters
Practice
Conclusion
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