preparing effective resumes and cover letters %28w12 student copy%29
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PREPARING EFFECTIVE
RESUMES AND COVER
LETTERSTips for Pharmacy Technician and Retail Pharmacy Assistant Students
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RESUME APPEARANCE
Resumes should not exceed 2 pages in length
Use point form as much as possible
Colour of paper should allow for clear photocopies
Resume paper should be 8.5X11
IMPORTANT: Have your resume proofread before distribution to
ensure it is error free
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RESUME TIPS
Ensure the employer can figure out WHO you are and WHAT you
can OFFER them in 20 seconds
Make sure that there are no gaps of time in your resume
Start with your most current experiences and education, awards
etc. (use reverse chronological order)
Use white space, highlighting. capitalizing and underlining to make
your resume attractive and easy to read
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RESUME STYLE
Be consistent with your style and format
Make sure that your name is on both pages (in case the pages get separated) Used action verbs and measurable terms
Be brief but specific (highlight in point form your best skills, abilities, and
accomplishments)
Be positive and honest
Prepare a list of references (on a separate and have them ready to present upon
request)
Always include a cover letter
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R ES U M E THI NGS TO AVOID DOIN G
Avoid the pronoun I
Omit any indicators of race, religion or membership
Be careful using abbreviations and acronyms
Avoid mentioning salary expectations etc.
Dont lie or exaggerate
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Achieved
Adapted Advised Attained Build Classified Coached Complied Composed Controlled
Coordinated Demonstrated Determined Developed
RESUME ACTION WORDS
Employers look for achievers when hiring. Use action words to describe responsibilities, skills and
accomplishments:
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Indexed
Installed
Led
Maintained
Measured
Monitored
Negotiated
Obtained
Operated
Directed Discovered Edited Eliminated Ensured Established Estimated Evaluated Facilitated Formulated
Founded Generated Hired Identified
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Competence Ability to
Proficient
Aptitude for
Practical approach to
Mastered
Comprehensive knowledgeof
First hand knowledge of
Ability to handle details Precise
Orderly
Accurate
Systemic
Follow through
Fastidious
Detailed minded
Adept with figures
RESUME STATING YOUR ABILI TIES
Use the following words/phrases to help you describe your abilities
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Assume responsibility Alerted
Created
Devised Guided
Generated
Controlled
Demonstrated Established
Coordinated solid foundationin
Management ability Administered
In charge of
Directed
Headed
Closely supervised
Leadership ability
Take initiative
Decision-maker
Successful with people
R E SU M E S TAT I NG YO U R ABILITIE S CO NTINUED
Use the following words/phrases to help you describe your abilities
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RESUME FORMATS
The most common resume formats used in our profession are:
Chronological
preferred by most employers, students, and new grads Emphasizes dates, education and work history in reverse chronological order
Functional
Highlights groups of skills or competencies Work history is included after skills section Effective when there are gaps in employment history or limited work experience
Combination
A combination of chronological and functional formats Usually starts with career objective followed
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R ES U M E CON TEN T SUMMARY SECTIO N
Use nouns and adjectives, not action verbs
Draw upon your work experiences, education and other activities Tips:
State your related work experience (example: 30 hours volunteer experience ina retail pharmacy)
Describe your working knowledge (example: Proficient in the use of Kroll,Flexipharm and Zadall dispensing software systems)
State your various skills (example: typing speed of 35wpm, familiar with federaland provincial legislation, extemporaneous compounding etc.).
State your academic training List any personal characteristics required by the job (example: the ability to
speak another language etc.)
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R ES U M E CON TEN T ED U CATI ON S ECTI ON
Begin with your most recent education
Include:
Dates
Full and proper name of the program(s)
Relevant core courses
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R ES U M E CON TEN T - AWARDS/SPECIAL SKILLS SECTION
Include any relevant project, report, award or accomplishment
Categorize any additional or special information that supports your
overall goals for this resume which you haven`t already included in
another section
List courses and awards by name, in reverse chronological order
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R ES U M E CON TEN T -WORK EXPERIE NCE SECTION
Chronological format:
Begin with your most recent work experience and work backwards
Dates (days and months may be omitted)
Note if it was a coop work term, contract, or part-time position
Job title (create an accurate one if you had none)
Name of company or organization and location (city/province only) do not include your supervisors name, company
address, reason for leaving, salary etc.
In point form list what you and what you accomplished
Indicate the level of responsibility with witch you had (key holder, making bank deposits etc.)
Begin each point with an action verb
Prioritize points in each job as they relate to your current job objective (not as they relate the job that you are describing)
Always think and write in terms of accomplishments or contributions to the organization
In less relevant jobs emphasize the transferable skills (example: cash handling at McDonalds)
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WORK EXPERIE NCE SECTIONCON TI N U ED
Functional format:
Work experience is typically laced after a Skills and Qualificationssection
Work experience is listed in reverse chronological order with dates,job title, company/organization, location
Identify 3-6 major function/skill areas related to the job in whichyour applying
Under each functional skill heading list 3-6 points that prove or
validate that you possess the skill Draw upon employment, academic, extracurricular and volunteer
activities
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R E S U M E C O N T E N T P R O F E S S I O N A L M E M B E R S H I P S S E C T I O N
List only those with relevance to the career which you are pursuing
Don`t forget that most professional associations (CanadianAssociation of Pharmacy Technicians, Ontario Pharmacists
Association etc. provide discounted student memberships)
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R ES UM E C ON TE NT LANGUAGES SECT ION
Only include those in which you are fluent or possess a working
knowledge of Only include languages other than English
Indicate if you can speak, read or write the language
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R ES U M E CON TEN T ACTIVITIES & INT ERESTS SECTION
Include volunteer work (you may want to include a separate
heading for volunteer work if your experience is extensive)
List activities (include positions held of you were elected or
appointed to them, name of organization and dates (if appropriate)
Include interests such as hobbies, sports or leisure activities
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R ES UM E C ON TE NT R EF ER EN CES S ECTI ON
Prepare a separate sheet to supply to the employer
Include your name at the top
Identify at least 2 ideally 3 references
Choose someone who has seen you work (employer or teacher or a
respected member of the community)
Be sure to ask that person for permission to use them as a reference
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COVER LETTERS
A cover letter accompanies your resume to introduce you to a
prospective employer.
It helps the employer focus on your strongest qualifications and it can
determine whether the employer turns the page to read your resume
Cover letters can be used for jobs which are advertised (solicited) or to
apply to possible jobs which are not advertised (unsolicited or broadcastletter)
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TIPS FOR WRITING YOURCOVER LETTE R
A cover letter is an application for a job
Keep it short and simple (150 words or less no more than 1 page length)
Let your confidence and personality show through
Must be letter perfect
Must be original (individual)
Keep the employer`s needs in mind
Use correct business letter format (include your return address, sign your name)
Paper used should match your resume paper
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SOLICITED LETTER
One page in length, business form, addressed to a specific person (if known), introduce yourself,
state why your are writing, excite the reader on your credentials, mention your resume, refer to some
follow-up Address the letter: Dear Mr./Ms. (last name)
FIRST PARAGRAPH: Mention the name of the job that you are applying for and where you read
the advertisement
MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(S): use employers words whenever possible; document your qualifications
by using themes and prove points using examples; organize paragraphs putting the most important ones
first
LAST PARAGRAPH: refer to your enclosed resume; mention you would like an interview to
provide more information
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BROADCAST LETTER
One page in length, business form, addressed to a specific person (if known), introduce yourself, state why
your are writing, excite the reader on your credentials, mention your resume, refer to some follow-up
Address the letter: Sir/Madam:
FIRST PARAGRAPH: name the job or area that you are interested in applying to and the potential start
date; include a reference to the person you spoke to about the organization; state what interests you in the
organization and position
MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(S):document your qualifications by themes and prove points through examples;
organize paragraphs putting the most important ones first
LAST PARAGRAPH: refer to your enclosed resume, mention the follow-up you will do (example phone toarrange a mutually convenient time to meet or to discuss career opportunities within the organization)
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REFERENCES
Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Cooperative Education and Internship Manual
(August 2010 Edition)