Learning Outcomes

To recognize what constitutes a strong resum.

To apply PAIBOC to select and utilize the best resum format and content.

To be able draft a strong non-solicited cover letter.

To practice teamwork and team writing skills.

Instructions

With a sigh, you (the manager of a local newspaper) send out the email invitations to Derek's farewell dinner. Derek is an intern on a placement from the career-retraining program at Humber College; he will be gone by the end of the week. You do not have the budget to hire him you would if you could so the least you can do is send him off well and do what you can to help him find a real reporting job.

Derek fell into being a reporter. He trained as a real estate representative, but discovered he liked talking to people and preparing listing sheets and newsletters much better than he liked standing around some kitchen while prospective buyers trooped through an open house. He was not terribly successful at selling houses, either, which likely spurred his career change.

Reporting seems like a good field for him. He has a knack for drawing information from the people he interviews, and his interest in photography is a plus. He is eager to learn, and volunteers to do extra work like setup and teardown at community events sponsored by the paper.

There is also the rsum he sent you with a request for help. He seems to know it will not make him stand out from hundreds of new journalism graduates and seasoned reporters all looking for a job change. However, he cant figure out how to fix it. It is not so much the way it looks, although that could certainly use some help, too. The immediate problem is that it does not make Derek sound like someone another managing editor would want to meet, or hire.

Together with one partner you are asked to:

1. Write a prospecting, non-solicited cover letter for Derek (no more than one half page in length, in a reasonable font). Address it to:

Robin Smith, Managing Editor, Bloomtown Herald, 243 High St., Bloomtown, Ontario, P1B 6R3

Tips And Hints

• Apply PAIBOC analysis
• Pay attention to format, structure and organization as well as content
• Review key principles and examples in the text book
• Clearly understand the reasons for your changes and choices
• Proofread everything carefully for the 5Cs
• Use the Writing Centre for final proofing and edits if your English skills are not strong

Resume For Reference :

Derek J. Millhousen 52 Holten Road Bloomtown, Ontario P1B 6V3 (705) 539-5433

Career objective: To make use of my college career retraining program to become a newspaper or magazine reporter and photographer.

Education:

• Print Journalism, Career Retraining Program, Humber College, 2020 - 2021

• Met the provincial Real Estate Salesperson licensing requirements, 2015
• Grade 12 graduation, Bloomtown Central High School, 2014

Work experience

Reporter, Bloomtown Guardian, Summer, 2021 (internship) Duties: Interviewing local businesspeople, local politicians and other community leaders

Covering Town Council meetings

Real estate salesperson, 2015 - 2020 Duties: Marketing and selling new and resale homes

Helping buyers and sellers

Owner, Derek's Delivery, 2010 - 2014 (part-time during high school) Duties: Making deliveries by bicycle for local businesses

Hobbies and interests Photography Baseball