Preparing Competitive Cover letters
and Resumes
Presenter: Dilani Rasanayagam
How long have you got?
The average initial review of your application
will be
30 seconds!
Less than you will get when
speed dating!
What is the recruiter looking for?
How you express yourself, your style, individuality &
enthusiasm written & verbal
Spelling & grammar mistakes attention to detail
Gaps in your resume
Tangible achievements on your resume
Evidence that you have soft skills
Format & layout of your resume, white space
Read the position description and address the criteria
Special Issues for international
students
Visa issues, and working rights
English language skills
IELTS test scores
Neutralising your disadvantages
Career objectives and future plans
Australian careers V heading home
Connecting
In general companies are looking for:
Communication skills -100%
Commercial work experience internships, vacation work, or
University projects
Well rounded individuals - other work experience perhaps
casual, part time or volunteer work
Not just purely academic record/certification/qualification
extracurricular, inc. sport, music etc.
An understanding and interest in the field
What might a rsum include?
http://careers.unimelb.edu.au/student/applying_for_work
Contact details
Career/Job objective (optional)
Profile /Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Education (+ significant academic achievements)
Thesis (Honour, Master, PhD)
Final year Projects/Assignments
Course related experience
Key skills (optional)
Other Employment - specify
Volunteering / Extra-curricular activities
Awards/Achievements
Professional membership / development
Referees
Targeted Headings
Positions of Leadership
Volunteering / Community Engagement / Fundraising
International Development
Cross-cultural experience
Contributions to / Involvement in ... Community Health, Campus Life,
Education, Philanthropy, Sport, etc
Industry Projects
Professional Development short courses
Professional Membership ICAA, FINSIA, AIM etc
Performance & Exhibitions
Conferences, Teaching, Lectures, Publications
Writing Objectives
An objective should indicate the sort of role in the sort of industry that you are seeking.
The statement should make a connection to your career interests and/or plans. You
might refer to some of the skills you have to offer, but the focus is on what you are
looking for and where youre headed. This needs to be compatible with the position
and organisation you are applying to.
A(n) _____________ role in the area of ____________ utilising my knowledge of
__________ services/products.
A challenging, entry-level position in _________ with special interest in ________ and
____________ with a __________ organisation.
To utilise my interests and qualifications in marketing and management, in combination
with my interpersonal and communication skills to work in a sales or marketing role for
a #### organisation
Writing Profiles
A profile is a snapshot which pulls together key information about you,
with particular emphasis on what is relevant to the position. You might
mention for example, your qualifications, experience, key skills and/or
attributes. The profile usually winds up with a statement about your
career objective.
Focuses on specific competencies; steers away from vague skills such as
communication
Profiles can presented as: full sentences, abbreviated sentences or dot
points
To create a high impact summary statement refer to job adverts and
write a list of your matching skills, experience and education
Employers most important selection
criteria when recruiting graduates
http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/GOS12_tf3.pdf
Transferable & Adaptive Skills Checklist - PDF downloadable from C&E website
Use Action verbs by skill type
Communication/
Interpersonal
Initiative/
Problem Solving
Research/
Analytical
Organisational/
Time
Management
Leadership
informed
devised
analysed
managed
directed
motivated
founded
classified
monitored
guided
supervised
introduced
recorded
coordinated
lead
negotiated
reviewed
catalogued
delegated
motivated
supported
designed
compiled
directed
supervised
taught
initiated
reported
juggled
coached
wrote
invented
categorised
controlled
demonstrated
enhanced
investigated
handled
presented
developed
researched
organised
negotiated
established
illustrated
improved
directed
Writing Active Skills Statements
Prepared monthly reports and financial statements, ensuring transaction
irregularities are reported to management on a timely basis.
Collected and analysed census data to identify specific consumer markets
and assist in the marketing and launching of new products
Created and implemented an Access mailing system for direct mail
catalogue operation
Demonstrated new customer services to sales representatives on a
Negotiated contracts with equipment maintenance technicians in ten
regional areas of Victoria
Created and managed the clubs marketing campaign, including advertising
and fundraising drives successfully increasing membership by 15%
Developed a new approach to managing resource allocation in the company
that allowed for increased productivity of staff in my division
Extra-curricular activities
2013 - Present
FMAA, President
2012 - Present
Young Labour, Member
2010 - 2012
Indonesian Social Club, Membership Officer
2009 - 2010
Heath College, Cricket Captain
Booked venues, organised events and catering, and liaised with 175 business
professionals for the 2013 gala event
Honed my oral communication skills, knowledge of government policies and
International issues by participating in public speaking fora
Created and managed the clubs marketing campaign, including advertising and
fundraising drives successfully increasing membership by 15%
Coached and conducted twice weekly training sessions, leading the team to the
2010 premiership
A + B + C Formula
A = Action Verb
B = Object
C = Where, How, What
Content
1. Purpose
Clarifies reason for
writing, position,
source
April 15th, 2014
Ms Susan Boyle
Human Resources Manager
AUSCOM
22 Collins Street
Melbourne Vic 3000
23 Smith Street
Carlton Vic 3053
Mobile: 019 487 234
email: [email protected]
2. Interest
Expresses genuine interest
in the job and organisation
that reveals your research
into the role/company;
clarifies major criteria
(degree)
Dear Ms Boyle:
I wish to apply for the position of Graduate Marketing Officer, which was advertised via
Careers Online on April 12th 2014. Please find my application and academic results attached.
AusComs recent acquisition of Telco has captured my interest, especially considering the
recent deregulation of this industry within the Australian market. Having recently completed
my Business and Economics degree in Marketing and Management, at the University of
Melbourne, I look forward to putting the knowledge and skills that Ive developed into practice.
Three years experience as a part-time customer service officer for Telstra has equipped me
with well-developed oral and written communication skills. Additionally, during my summer
vacation work this past year, I gained experience with a start-up e-Commerce company. I
assisted the marketing manager in coordinating and developing the companys digital
marketing activities which included online promotion, sales and communication. It is in this
role that I honed my public relations, negotiating and sales skills. I further developed
knowledge in the areas of retail and wholesale distribution channels and I successfully
implemented strategies to target those markets.
4. Other unique
factors
Uses figures/ facts
to add weight to
argument
My research and analytical abilities are evidenced by my voluntary participation in a project
conducted by the E-Com Students Association, in which I coordinated the collection and
analysis of data from over 300 current and past ECA members. Involvement in an overseas
exchange program in 2nd year, and a recent trip to Asia, demonstrate my initiative and
interest in international issues.
I am available for an interview at your convenience and can be contacted on the above phone
number at all times. I am able to commence immediately. Thank you for considering my
application.
Yours sincerely
Catherine Marks
Copyright
The
University
of Melbourne 2008
Attachments: Resume & Application
Form;
Academic
Results
3. Sales Pitch
Addresses some of the
competencies &
requirements of the job;
demonstrates what they
have to offer & PROVES IT!
5. Conclusion
What next?
Other relevant
information
www.services.unimelb.edu.au/careers/
STAR Technique for Selection Criteria
Frame your response in a four-step process:
Situation What was the context
Task What was the problem
Action What did you do
Result What was the outcome
Can you give me an example of
Describe your experience with
Tell us about a time when
Applying STAR to respond to criteria
Graduate Application Statements
http://careers.unimelb.edu.au/student/applying_for_work
Resources - Cover Letters & Resumes
http://www.graduatecareers.com.au - Preparing Your Application
www.careerone.com.au - Resume Writing
www.mycareer.com.au - Cover letter and Resume advice
www.seek.com.au - Prepare Your Job Application
http://tools.monster.com/ - Resumes and Cover Letters
http://www.rileyguide.com/letters.html
http://www.careerperfect.com/tips/resume-writing/
Resources - Selection Criteria
Go to Careers & Jobs LibGuide and do a keyword search in
the Library Catalogue
Anne Villiers Addressing Selection Criteria p. 177 for
examples of responses using different combinations of dot
points and text, and single vs multiple examples for a criterion
APS guide to addressing selection criteria:
VPS guide to addressing selection criteria:
Assistance with Applications
Web :
www.careers.unimelb.edu.au/
Employment Application Review :
30min appt -Book via SAS
Drop In Service (10 mins each) :
12-2pm, Mon Thursday, L1 Alan Gilbert
Building
