Employability Package What do I need to submit?

Part 1) Job Posting & Cover Letter /18 marks

Part 3) 8 Skill Statements /12 marks

Cover Letter:

A good cover letter can direct an employers attention where you want it to go

It can highlight important information that may increase your chances for an interview

If you have spoken to the employer prior to sending your rsum, it can remind him/ her of your conversation, what you discussed, and what you have to offer the company

Step 1: Thinking about which Skills to Highlight

A cover letter should highlight areas of your experience and skills you feel are most suited to the job you are applying for (these are the skills that will land your rsum in the interview pile)

It will point out specific aspects of your experience that directly relate to the employers needs

Step 2: Thinking about your Persuasive Strategies

If your letter is going to be persuasive, it should use specific strategies and follow a proven format. If written effectively, it will gain attention, sell your strengths and motivate action.

Step 3: Thinking about Important Content Points

Tailor your letter to each job you are applying for, matching your objectives, skills, and impacts to the company's needs

Match your wording to the job posting In most large companies with formal Human Resource processes, there is a direct connection between the job posting content and the criteria used for selection of interview candidates. The Letter A solicited position means that an employer is hiring. The company has posted a job opportunity in a newspaper or magazine, online, or through a recruiting agency.

Select a job posting either for a co-op or summer position, or your dream job or use the job description you created for this course

Analyze the content of your job posting; what skills does the employer want?

Highlight your strengths and skills that the employer is looking for in his/her advertisement.

Write your letter using the persuasive style, following the steps discussed in class and in your textbook. When writing your cover letter, remember that you are making a persuasive request: you are requesting an interview, and you are selling your skills to the employer.

Step 1: Ensure that you have a job advertisement. Submit your selected job description with your cover letter or your letter will not be graded.

Step 2: Follow the guidelines for Persuasive Cover Letters: Ch. 15 as reviewed in class. Follow the letter format and use the letter outline, located below,

to write your three paragraphs: 1.

Paragraph 1: Introduction Gain Attention

2. Paragraph 2: Body Sell your Strengths

3. Paragraph 3: Conclusion Motivate Action

Keep the letter to one page

Address the cover letter to a specific person: name, title, address, and phone number

Avoid Dear Sirs/Madam or To whom it may concern; use a title if the ad does not give enough information to find a persons name: Attn: Selection Committee, Human Resources, Hiring Committee

Write out the full name of a person if you are unsure if they are male or female: i.e., Pat Robinson, Terry Brown

Remember to sign your letter and include your telephone number

Make it visually appealing: easy to read, word processed, white paper, good quality printer

Step 3: Write clearly and concisely with relevant information

Show interest and pride for your profession; demonstrate energy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude using written language Maintain a balance between professionalism and sociability

Specify how you will follow-up with the employer: additional letter, phone call, email Stay Away From

Wasting the employers time by describing skills that are not relevant to the position

Apologizing for not having certain skills or experiences

Using phrases like hope you will call or hope you will consider my application

Photocopying your signature

Sending a handwritten cover letter unless the employer asks for one

Step 4: Final Editing Points

Limit the use of I when starting sentences. Use a variety of sentence structures throughout your cover letter

Proofread, spell check, and have someone else read it.

Remember that even one typo could land your cover letter in the employers garbage.

Letter Outline

Your Name and

Address

Date

Employers Name and

Address Salutation (Dear:)

First Paragraph: Gain Attention Describe who you are and why you are writing

Mention how you heard about the position

Include your attention grabbing sales pitch Second Paragraph: Sell your Strengths Highlight skills (technical or interpersonal) you have that the employer needs

Take skills directly from the ad, if applicable, and paraphrase

Match your skills, abilities, and education to the job posting

Describe your achievements and their impact on the company

Provide a sentence or two linking the companys philosophy/product/service with your interests, goals, and abilities Third Paragraph: Motivate Action Wrap-up and thank-you

Always thank the employer for his/her time

Include how he/she can reach you (phone #, email), and the next step Sincerely, Your signature in blue or black ink Your name - typed Evaluation Cover Letter Assignment (Total /18 marks) 4 3 2 1 0 Content Content includes at least 5 specific pieces of information that gain attention, build interest, reduce resistance, and motivate action Content includes 4 specific pieces of information that gain attention, build interest, reduce resistance, and motivate action Content includes 3 or fewer specific pieces of information that gain attention, build interest, reduce resistance, and motivate action Little relevant content that gains attention, builds interest, reduces resistance, and motivates action Lack of content Organizati on and Style (persuasiv e language) Language throughout the letter is powerfully persuasive and focused on the audience (employer) Language throughout the letter is persuasive and focused on the audience (employer) Language throughout the letter is somewhat persuasive and focused on the audience (employer) Language throughout the letter lacks persuasion and is not focused on the audience (employer) Lack of organization and style Format All aspects of letter formatted as per instructions for outline All but one aspect of letter formatted as per instructions for outline Few aspects of letter formatted as per instructions for outline Lack of format Writing Conventio ns All writing is virtually free of grammar and spelling errors Writing contains minimal grammar/spelling errors (3 or fewer) that do not interfere with readability Writing contains grammar and spelling errors that interfere with readability. Writing has many grammar and spelling errors. Writing has many grammar and spelling errors that interfere with readability Job Search Job Search has been completed and selected job has been included No job posting included Resume Skill Statements: The downfall of most rsums is that the writer focuses solely on job duties performed instead of skills, their application and their impact on the company. The following examples give you an idea of the details and wording required to have a high impact skill statement. Example #1: detail [impact] Poor skill statement: I was a cashier. no skill/action verb no detail no impact Basic skill statement: I was responsible for opening and closing the store as a cashier. no skill/action verb some detail no impact Better skill statement: of store at opening and closing skill/action verbs detail no impact Best skill statement: at opening and closing times [which reduced insurance premiums] skill/action verb detail impact on company Example #2: detail [impact] Poor skill statement: I was in charge of seminars at our annual general meeting. no skill/action verb no detail no impact Basic skill statement: I was responsible for organizing seminars during our annual general meeting. no skill/action verb some detail no impact Better skill statement: for 1000 participants at our annual general meeting skill/action verb detail no impact Best skill statement: for 1000 participants [which contributed to company unity and efficient information distribution] skill/action verb detail impact on company My Skills List - Worksheet The Resume Skill Statements Step 1: Formulate your Eight Persuasive Skill Statements See your textbook to review samples of skill statements. Starting with your action verbs, develop at least eight grammatically correct sentences to showcase your interpersonal and technical skills. You will drop the personal pronoun I and start each sentence with an action verb. Step 2: Checklist Does each statement include an action verb, a skill and specific details? Are your skill statements clear, concise, and persuasive? Do your skill statements imply that you have mastered a task and highlight what you accomplished for that employer? Are you listing your accomplishments in measurable and specific terms where possible? Step 3: Proofread closely to Reduce Resistance and Motivate Action Check for commonly misspelled words and errors in sentence structure. Providing well written statements demonstrates professionalism and good communication skills, making the employer want to read your rsum and meet you for an interview. Skill/Action Verb Additional Detail (when/where/who) Impact (how did this benefit your employer) Ensured security open and close reduced insurance premiums Maintained customer service cashier/checkout repeat customers Organized seminar series seminars for 1000 people unity and information distribution Evaluation Rsum Skill Statements Total = /12 marks 4 3 2 1 0 Content All 8 skill statements reflect needs of employer presented in job description 6-7 skill statements reflect needs of employer presented in job description 4-5 skill statements reflect needs of employer presented in job description Less than 4 skill statements reflect needs of employer presented in job description No skill statements Organizatio n All 8 statements contain appropriate action verb, detail and impact 6-7 statements contain appropriate action verb, detail and impact 4-5 statements contain appropriate action verb, detail and impact Less than 4 statements contain appropriat e action verb, detail and impact No action verbs, detail or impact Writing Convention s All 8 statements are written clearly and are free of grammar/ spelling errors 5-7 statements are written clearly and are free of grammar/ spelling errors Less than 4 statements are written clearly and are free of grammar/ spelling errors All statements have many grammar and spelling errors All statements have many grammar and spelling errors that affect understandin