NOTE
Need to Do resume and Cover letter
Resume & Cover Letter - Job Resources - The Learning Portal at Ontario Colleges
Library Services (tlp-lpa.ca)
Copy of student resume is attached in reference/n Seneca WORKS
Resumé & Cover Letter Writing
for the Child and Youth Care field LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Seneca WORKS
Upon completion, you will understand how to:
1. Identify the core sections of an effective resumé and
cover letter, and their content
2. Create a targeted resumé and cover letter for specific
positions and organizations
3. Identify and highlight your transferable and specialized
skills
4. Write accomplishment-based job statements
5. Create an ATS-friendly resumé BEFORE WRITING YOUR RESUMÉ
Seneca WORKS
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
In the workplace you will need a combination of different skills:
Transferable/Soft
skills
A skill that is used in a variety of jobs - you transfer them from
one job to another.
For example, problem solving skills are required for many jobs,
regardless of the field or industry.
Specialist/Professional
skills
• A skill that is used for a specific job.
For example, ABA knowledge and crisis intervention are skills
specific to the field of child and youth care.
● BEFORE WRITING YOUR RESUMÉ
CREATE A SKILLS INVENTORY
Here are 3 simple steps:
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Seneca WORKS
Make a list of your past jobs and activities.
Make sure this list is complete.
Write down the tasks associated with each job
and activity.
What did you learn by doing those tasks? What
abilities have you gained? What skills did you
utilize? TAILORING YOUR RESUMÉ
Employers may spend less than 1 minute skimming your
resumé.
Seneca WORKS
Tailor your resumé for each job by including those skills
that are most relevant to the position
To determine which of your skills are most relevant, refer
to:
• the job posting
a job description
your knowledge of the field
C
30/n Resumé Tip Sheet
Your Resumé
A recruiter may spend an average of six seconds reviewing a resumé to determine suitable candidates.
Before Writing Your Resumé
review the job posting and note the key qualifications and job duties
make a list of your qualifications,
Create a Noticeable Resumé
tailor your resumé to each job
use industry-related language
■
■
if you've worked in a similar job, list any of the similar duties that you've performed
if you've worked in a very different field, list any similar skills you have used
identify your top matching qualifications and include them throughout your resumé
Resumé Sections
Here are the most common sections of a resumé:
■
highlight accomplishments by quantifying and qualifying (e.g. %, $, #)
use keywords from the job description to match your skills/qualifications
avoid writing in first person (e.g. ‘I’ and ‘me')
Contact Information
includes your first and last name, email address and
phone number
may include your full mailing address
■
proofread to make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes
one to two pages in length
Career Objective
states job title or field and includes two to three of
your most relevant qualifications
Highlights of Qualifications
ing skills, knowledge and/or experience that match those in the job ting
■
10-pt to 12-pt font for body text in an easy to read font (e.g. Calibri, Tahoma or Arial)
easy for the recruiter to see a match between your qualifications and those they're seeking
Education
■
includes qualifications most relevant to the job
bullet form with five to six summary statements
Technical Skills
postsecondary education listed in reverse
chronological order (most recent first)
includes name of institution, program and dates
can include relevant knowledge/skills obtained and/or
major projects completed
resumés for the IT/technical field can include a
'Technical Skills' section
lists the software, hardware, equipment, etc. with
which you are proficient
Work Experience
Seneca WORKS
■
accomplishment-based statements
no more than six bulleted points per job
can include placement or volunteer experience
if you have no experience, include a 'Relevant Project
Work' section instead
Additional Resumé Sections you can Include:
volunteer experience
■ extracurricular activities
certifications
professional licenses, training or associations
■
■
■
reverse chronological order (most recent first)
includes job title, company name, location and dates
starting with an action verb, includes relevant duties
performed and skills used
awards/accomplishments
additional languages Resumé Tip Sheet
Resumé Styles
昭
Chronological
Work experience is listed in reverse
chronological order (most recent first). Details
about duties performed are included for each
job listed.
*Chronological resumé style is preferred by
most employers in most industries
Combination
Three to four relevant skills are grouped
together and detailed under specific skill
headings that are relevant to the job. Work
experience section includes further details
about duties performed for each job listed.
■
Tips for including keywords in your resumé:
■
repeat keywords often but strategically
Applicant Tracking System
Many large companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS') to collect and store resumé information in a database to
filter and search for qualified candidates.
Some ATS' automatically rank applicants based on how well their resumés match the job description based on keywords.
8/
Keywords
Keywords are words or phrases that appear in the job posting and describe a qualification. They are usually nouns such
as a job title, skill or credential.
Seneca WORKS
Skills-based
Numerous skills are grouped together and
detailed under specific skill headings that are
relevant to the job. 'Work Experience' section
does not include details of duties performed for
each job listed.
Visual/Digital
Incorporates graphics, images, videos and
more. Not meant to replace a traditional
resumé, but can be useful for demonstrating
uniqueness, creativity or multimedia skills. You
can design your own or use an online platform.
try to include keywords in every section of your resumé when possible
include both acronyms and fully spelled out designations (Project Management Professional and PMP)
More information
Website:
Phone:
Job postings:
Formatting
Your resumé should be clear and easy to read. Consider using font styles such as Calibri, Tahoma or Arial.
Have a plain text version of your resumé for uploading, as some older ATS' cannot 'read' headers, graphics, text boxes or
tables. Keep section headings simple and use consistent formatting throughout the resumé.
senecacollege.ca/student/sw
416.491.5050 ext. 26007
ATS' can be set up to search and qualify applicants based on their location, so consider including your city and postal
code in the contact information on your resumé.
sw.senecacollege.ca
Questionnaires
Some ATS' use questionnaires. Answers are weighted and applicants are automatically ranked based on their responses./n Cover Letter Tip Sheet
Your Cover Letter
Cover Letter Content
1. Your name and contact information
2. Date, name and title of contact and company address
3. Salutation
include contact's first and last name, if possible, or a job title
such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Human Resources"
4. First paragraph
one page with three to four paragraphs
tailored to the job and company
check for errors
5. Second paragraph
■
6. Third paragraph
■
■
■
■
7. Fourth paragraph
■
■
identify why you are writing
■
End
highlight two to three of your most relevant qualifications and
explain how these qualify you for the position
■
from your research of the organization's mission, vision, values
products and services, mention why you want to work there
base your reason(s) on shared values and/or interests
restate why you believe you are the best candidate for the
position
request an interview and thank the employer for their time and
consideration
state how you can be reached and include your phone number
and/or email address
Speculative or Prospecting Cover Letter
used when seeking an opportunity not advertised
in the first paragraph, express your interest in working
with the company and mention that you are writing to
enquire about a possible employment opportunity
finish with "Sincerely"
type your full name and sign your signature (you may use a
signature-styled font if you are submitting a softcopy of your
cover letter)
Referral Cover Letter
used when you have been referred to an employer
in the first paragraph, mention the person who
referred you and specify the employment opportunity
you are writing about
2
■
3
5
■
8
Salutation
Seneca WORKS
End
1
Date
Contact name, Title
Company address
Types of Cover Letters
The information that you include in the first paragraph of your cover letter may vary depending on the type of letter you are
writing.
Name & contact information
First paragraph
Second paragraph
Third paragraph
Fourth paragraph
Application Cover Letter
used when seeking an opportunity that is advertised
in the first paragraph, mention the position you are
seeking and where you saw it advertised or how
you learned about it
Cover Note
used in the body of an email when submitting your
application by email, consider it a shortened version
of your cover letter
in the cover note, state why you are writing and
briefly mention one to two of your strongest
qualifications
refer the reader to the resumé and cover letter that
you have attached to your email Sample Application Cover Letter
JAMAL GREEN
Mississauga, ON M2J 2X5
Tel: (555) 555-8888
April 15, 2021
Attn: Angela Chan, Hiring Manager
All Smiles Dental Clinic
123 Street St.
Toronto, ON M3N 2V2
Dear Angela Chan,
I was very excited to read your job posting on the Seneca Works Career Portal today for
an entry-level Dental Assistant. The qualifications you are seeking are an exact match
with those that I have acquired as a second-year Dental Technician student at Seneca
College and through my work experience in the customer service field.
As a graduating college student with two years of comprehensive dental assistant
training, I possess strong skills in equipment sterilization using the Steri-Traces system,
along with accurate computer charting and record taking skills. In addition, I am able to
properly set up and prepare instruments and examination rooms in accordance with all
clinical practice standards. Through my experience working as a server in a very busy
local restaurant, I have developed and utilized skills in multi-tasking, time management
and problem solving, and have demonstrated the ability to calm and reassure upset
customers using tact and empathy. I am confident that my skills and experience will allow
me to immediately provide quality dental support to the clinical team and patients at All
Smiles Dental Clinic.
More information
Website:
Phone:
Job postings:
Email: email@email.com
I am eager to begin my Dental Assistant career working at a practice that is committed to
providing top-quality patient care and dental treatment expertise, and that is seeking
someone who shares that same commitment. Having read about your services and
patient reviews, I am convinced that your clinic is a leader in these areas. I would be
pleased to work at such a well-respected dental practice.
Attached please find a copy of my resume for your review. I welcome the opportunity to
meet with you in an interview to further discuss my interest and my qualifications. I can
be reached at (555) 555-8888 or email@email.com.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jamal Green
Jamal Green
senecacollege.ca/student/sw
416.491.5050 ext. 26007
sw.senecacollege.ca
