LINKS AND OTHER RESOURCES
Career Centre

INTERVIEWS brochure
Includes tips such as:
* Dressing for the Interview
* 20 Important Interview Tips
* Sample Interview Questions
* How to Land the Part-Time Job You Want
Websites
* Career Cruising
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www.careercruising.com
Username: hurt
Password: hornets
The damn good resume www.damngood.com
Job Preparation
www.rileyguide.com
Rebecca’s Resumes
www.eresumes.com
Power Pack Resumes
www.provenresumes.com
Resume Search
www.askjeeves.com
(keyword Resume)
RESUMES
&
COVER LETTERS
FRANK HURT SECONDARY
CAREER CENTRE
WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW
WHAT TO SAY…
1. IF you have all your CDs arranged alphabetically
SAY… I am methodical and have excellent
organizational skills.
2. IF you know every word to every song by your favourite band
SAY… I am detail conscious and have an excellent
memory.
3. IF you always get your homework done on time
SAY… I am motivated and good at meeting deadlines.
4. IF you love to talk on the phone
SAY… I have good communication and interpersonal
skills.
5. IF you are always making things and love working with your
hands
SAY… I have good fine motor skills and an eye for
detail.
6. IF you are up front with people and always do what you say
you will
SAY… I am honest and reliable.
7. IF you can handle chaos – your room’s a mess, but you find
what you want
SAY… I am adaptable and can work well under
pressure.
8. IF you are into team sports and cheer the loudest at pep
rallies
SAY… I am enthusiastic and work well with others.
9. IF you like helping your friends work through their problems
SAY… I enjoy working with people.
10. IF you are shy and like to spend time on your own
SAY… I work well alone and without supervision.
Notes
Sample Cover Letter #2
Kaitlin Henderson
14500-32 Avenue
Surrey, BC V4P 1T5
September 1, 2008
Dave Kendall
Manager, London Drugs
#100-15335-24 Avenue
Surrey, BC V4A 9V8
Dear Mr. Kendall:
Thank you for agreeing to interview me as a work experience student.
Mrs. Carter, my Career Counsellor, has asked me to contact you to
arrange an interview and discuss my placement at your store.
I am currently enrolled in Grade 11 at Frank Hurt Secondary School. I
enjoy most subject areas at school, in particular, Math and Science. I
am active in clubs and play on the school’s Senior Girls’ Soccer Team.
Last summer, while working as a camp counsellor I had the opportunity
to work along side other counsellors in a team environment. I believe
the team experiences I shared will serve me well as a member of your
staff.
I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you and can be reached
at the number listed below in the evening. I will be glad to make myself
available for an interview at your convenience.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kaitlin Henderson
Kaitlin Henderson
604-542-5600
henderson_k@shaw.ca
Enclosure
RESUMES
An effective resume is simple, straightforward and must be accurate!
Ideally, it should be one page.
Putting the Pieces Together:
Personal Data:
The title of your resume should consist of your name, address, telephone
number(s) (home, office of home fax and cell phone) and email.
Information concerning your marital status, age and race are best NOT
included since it could trigger a negative bias in the reader.
Career/Job Objective:
Your objective should be specific to the job for which you are applying.
Education:
List your educational background in reverse chronological order
beginning with your most recent achievements. You might like to list
your favourite subjects.
Work Experience:
This component represents the main body of your resume. Items listed
here should be presented in reverse chronological order beginning with
the most recent experience, position, title and location of the employer.
You may want to identify major accomplishments for some or all of the
positions listed.
Honours, Activities, Skills and Abilities:
Include any scholarship, academic or attendance awards received. Also,
include any special related courses or workshops attended and any
special technical skills related to the position you are seeking.
Interests or Affiliations:
Include any organizations you belong to and activities or hobbies which
you are interested.
References:
It is not necessary to include references in your resume. They can be
developed on a separate sheet and provided to the employer upon
request.
RULES FOR WRITING A RESUME
1. LENGTH – Should be short, to the point and one page in length.
2. OVERALL APPEARANCE – Should make an immediate
favourable impression and be inviting to read. Resumes must
be error free and look professional.
3. ORGANIZATION – A neat orderly process in structuring
information is very important.
4. SPACING – Ensure the information is set out on the page in a
way that is attractive and pleasing to the eye. Create an
impression of neatness and orderliness.
5. EXPERIENCE – Stress relevant, recent past experience.
Accentuate your strong points. List most recent first.
6. REFERENCES – Make sure the persons you state as
references are aware that you are using them.
7. JOB OBJECTIVES – Make the objective specific to the job to
which you are applying.
8. EDUCATION
 Do not overlook extra-curricular activities.
 Include high school education only.
 List your interests and abilities
 List your awards and achievements.
9. CONTACT INFORMATION – Place clearly at the top of the
page. Include your address, telephone numbers and email
WAYNE JONES
Sample Cover Letter #1
2256-130 Street
Surrey, BC V4A 6M8
640-540-6285
jones_w@hotmail.com
November 1, 2008
Ian Burke
Manager, TSN Broadcasting
#400-700 W. Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V4A 4N3
Dear Mr. Burke:
I am very interested in working in the broadcasting field. After talking
with Mrs. Andersen in the Frank Hurt Secondary Career Centre, I
discovered that you were willing to take a work experience student at
TSN Broadcasting.
I will graduate from Frank Hurt Secondary in June, 2010. During the last
two years I have been keenly studying English, Math and Business and
plan on taking two computer related courses next semester. I have
been a consistent honour roll student for the past three years.
In the past I have volunteered at the Peace Arch Hospital, where I have
played music and entertained the patients. I am a current member of
Peer Leadership Counselling at Frank Hurt Secondary, where my
organizational and leadership skills are highlighted.
I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my
skills will best meet the needs of your company. You can reach me at
604-540-6285 in the evening. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Wayne Jones
Enclosure
RULES WHEN WRITING A COVER LETTER
PARAGRAPH 1
Introduction (Why are you writing?)
PARAGRAPH 2
Call attention to your qualifications.
PARAGRAPH 3
What can you offer? List your experience / attributes.
PARAGRAPH 4
How and when you can be reached?
“The cover letter is the one opportunity they have to talk to me.”
Clear
Clean
Concise
Customized
Sample Resume #1
WAYNE JONES
2256-130 Street
Surrey, BC V4A 6M8
640-540-6285
jones_w@hotmail.com
Objective:
To obtain a position that will allow me to expand my
knowledge in the broadcasting field.
Education:
Frank Hurt Secondary School – Graduation June 2010
Honour Roll Student
Specialized courses: English, Mathematics, Business, Computers,
Peer Leadership Counselling
Work Experience:
2005-2008
Volunteer
Peace Arch Hospital, White Rock, BC
Duties:
Supervised daily activities
Interacted with residents
Helped with recreational therapy
Assisted with the organization of special events
2004-2005
Crew
Wendy’s International Inc, Cloverdale, BC
Duties:
Prepared orders for customers
Customer service
Cashier
2004
Awards & Certificates:
Umpire
South Surrey/White Rock Softball Association
Duties:
Umpired minor softball games (Peewee to Midget)
Passport to Education scholarship (Grade 8 – 12)
Honour Roll (Grade 8 – 12)
Worksafe Certificate
Basic Leadership Training –Royal Canadian Air Cadets
Skills:
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe
Photoshop, HTML
Can type 70 wpm
Work well under pressure
Flexible
References:
Available upon request
Sample Resume #2
14500-32 Avenue
Surrey, BC V4P 1T5
604-542-5600
Kaitlin Henderson
henderson_k@shaw.ca
Job Objective:
To gain retail work experience at Canadian Tire.
Work Experience
2006 – Present
Clerk, Canada Safeway Store #48
Surrey, BC
2004 – 2005
Volunteer, YMCA
Surrey, BC
Education
Frank Hurt Secondary School – District #36
Grade 11
Favourite subjects: Marketing 11, English 11,
Information Technology
Skills and Abilities
Computer Skills:
Competent on both MACs and PCs
Adobe Photoshop 6
Personal Skills:
Fluent in English and Mandarin
Certifications:
Super Host Certificate – BC Ministry of Tourism
Emergency and Standard First Aid – St. John’s
Ambulance
Interests
Frank Hurt Stage Band
South Surrey Christian Youth Group
Solutions Society Environmental Club
Computer, internet
References:
Available on request
COVER LETTERS
The main purpose of a cover letter is to
introduce yourself to potential employers and to show
you’ve got some great skills. The more care you
put into your letter, the greater chances of getting an interview. The
cover letter is an important marketing tool that tells the employer why
you are the right person for the job.
Introduction
The first paragraph describes why you are writing. Start the paragraph
by explaining how you heard about the job, whether from a friend, an ad
or otherwise. This is especially important if you have been referred by a
mutual acquaintance as it shows you have a connection to the company.
Your skills and experience
This paragraph provides an overview of your skills and experience. This
is where you pick the most relevant elements from your resume and
highlight them – sort of like a sneak preview. Pick the top three
characteristics that make you stand out as a candidate and support your
statements with concrete examples. Your resume will fill in the details.
Why you want the job
In the third paragraph describe why you want the job. Explain your
attraction to the job, the firm or even the industry. Focus on why the
job would be a good match for you and how your combined skills,
experience and interest would make you a perfect candidate.
Closing
Summarize by restating your interest in the position. Mention your
enclosed resume and confirm your contact details, in particular your
phone number. Unless the employer has specifically requested no phone
calls, say you will be in contact within a particular time frame (and follow
through!)