YOUR PROFESSIONAL RESUME AND COVER LETTER

Presented by Michelle Floyd, Career EducatorCareer Services

UVic Co-operative Education Programs and Career Services

This session• Learn the key principles of writing professional

résumés and cover letters• Practice how to highlight your top strengths as

a teacher in your application document• Review how your competencies are

transferable to a broad set of roles• Know where to go to get further support

Eunice Lituañas - unsplash.com

Purpose

Resume Cover Letter Interview

What makes a great resume?

• Content that relates to the needs of the employer• Most relevant information first• Easy to skim – clear headings and white space• Make it attractive - clear, consistent formatting• Flawless - no grammatical or spelling errors• Keep it brief and concise – (guideline) two pages

Organize your information• Personal contact info• Summary, Qualifications, Highlights at top• Education• Experience• Competencies (skills, knowledge and attributes)• Professional development, training, affiliations• Community involvement • Personal interests• References

Résumé Formats

1. Chronological

2. Skills Focused

References

• Have at least 3 professional references • List them on your resume or on a separate sheet • Usually expected at the interview• Stay in touch with your references• When you list your references, make their

connection to you is clear

Competencies: the “content” of your resume

Show employers what you can do …

• What did you do?• How did you do it?• What was the result?

Check out the BCs new Curriculum Overview for helpful language:https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum-info

A few examples of the new curriculum focus

Content(Know)

Curricular Competencies

(Do)

Big Ideas (Understand)

Flexible Learning

Environments

Literacy + Numeracy

Foundations

Demonstrate these competencies• Use computer systems and information technology• Work in collaborative, flexible and creative manner• Approach problems to adapt to changing conditions • Facilitation skills – students are empowered, confident

and self-directed, • Understand diversity• Present ideas in variety of ways• Listen actively and patiently• Value community and influence others

- Make a Future

Present ideas in a variety of ways

• Engaged students in learning activities using a variety of teaching methods including guest speakers and a field trip to Science World

Ashton Bingham: unsplash.com

Use information technology

• Implemented technology in the classroom by using Smartboards and video-conferencing to teach 4 students remotely in a rural community

Annie Sprattunsplash.com

Hiring 21st Century EducatorsDo I have competencies in these areas?

What are they?

Have I included these strengths on my application documents?

Where are my gaps and how might I fill them?

Write 1 or 2 new competency statements you have that relates to this list.

What makes a good cover letter?• Customized for each position• Connects your experience with the qualifications• Does not just repeat information from the résumé• Is addressed to a specific person, if possible, otherwise

“Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Selection Committee”• Identifies the position being applied for• Demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position• Shows knowledge of the employer – research• Makes a convincing a one page case for you as a top

candidate.

Cover letters

BCTF website

•https://bctf.ca/OpportunitiesForMembers.aspx?id=5496

Finding Career Opportunities

• Make a Future http://www.makeafuture.ca/– Have you signed-up for Make a Future’s e-newsletters?

• Independent Schools http://isabc.ca/schools

• Alternative roles• https://www.indeed.ca/• https://charityvillage.com/jobs/find-jobs/find-job.aspx• Google

Potential careers beyond K-12

Plans B,C,D, E…

Roles

TO MEET WITH ME (NON-COOP)

FACULTY OF EDUCATION DROP-IN NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED15-MINUTE MEETINGTUESDAYS 2-4 PMCAREER SERVICES

OR

30-MINUTE APPOINTMENTSELF-BOOK AT:LEARNINGINMOTION.UVIC.CACAREER SERVICES OFFICE (NEXT TO THE UVIC BOOKSTORE)

Michelle FloydCareer Servicesmfloyd@uvic.ca

www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer/career/index.php

THANK YOU!

Photo by Edu Lauton-Unsplash