Lianne Gagné,
Career Educator
Office of Student Development and Services
B210
705-474-3461 ext. 4491
lianneg@nipissingu.ca
Resumé Writing Workshop
offered to Nipissing University
Schulich School of Education and
Concurrent Education Students
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the presentation, students will be
able to:
• identify the components of a well-written
resumé
• indicate past experiences relevant to desired
position
• translate experiences and abilities into a
resumé
AGENDA
• Resumé
– Who are you?
– What have you done?
– Where have you done it?
• Cover Letter
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Resumés that do not impress will be eliminated by the hiring team.
**Grammatical and spelling errors do not impress**
Consider the following important points:
•Margins: 1” x 1”
•Consistency with format (bold, underline, spacing…)
•Paper quality and colour
•Excellent print quality (single-sided)
•Font and size
•Length of resumé
•Use bullets (not ☺, *, , -)
PARTS OF A RESUMÉ
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Personal Information
Career Objective/Executive Summary (optional)
Education
Career (or Teaching) Related Experience
Other Employment Experience
Volunteer Experience
Other Achievements : Professional Affiliations,
Certifications, Computer Skills, Awards and Scholarships,
Professional Development (workshops and seminars)
• Extracurricular Activities (optional)
• Referees
(examples of wording for headings)
Personal Information
Your personal information should appear on the first
page of your resumé and
ONLY your name and page number on subsequent pages.
Connor Jones
27 Hollyhock Lane
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1T5
Home: (705) 497-6650
Cellular: (705) 474-2278
Email: connorj@hotmail.com
YOUR LICENSE TO TEACH!
After personal information, leave one space
and indicate that your
Ontario College of Teachers registration is pending
in the Spring of 2015 (include your registration number once you
receive it from the Ontario College of Teachers)
Career Objective (optional)
A career objective must:
• Highlight that you are a qualified candidate
• Emphasize the contribution that you can make to
the organization
• Entice the employer to read the rest of your
application
Education
• In reverse chronological order, list the degrees
and diplomas you will have earned by the end of
August (Do not abbreviate!)
• Include teachable subjects and additional option
courses that you are taking
• List the name and location of the relevant
educational institutions
• Indicate that you are in the iTeach Laptop
Learning Program
August 2015
EDUCATION IN THE PRIMARY DIVISION
Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario
June 2015
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION
Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario
Junior/Intermediate Divisions, History Teachable
International Teaching option course (correct title)
iTeach Laptop Learning Program
June 2014
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Guelph University, Guelph, Ontario
Sociology Major, Psychology Minor
June 2010
RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES DIPLOMA
Algonquin College, North Bay, Ontario
Career Related Experience
• In reverse chronological order, list the dates, job title,
place of employment, duties, and what you learned.
Begin with practice teaching placements.
• Emphasize your hard skills (experience and
education)
Spring 2015
GRADE THREE PRE-SERVICE TEACHER
Ellis Public School, Markham, Ontario
• Presented differentiated Science lessons for a grade
three classroom
• Assistant coach for the girls’ grade six volleyball team
• Attended and participated in the monthly staff
meetings
Fall 2014
GRADE FOUR PRE-SERVICE TEACHER
John Smith Public School, Guelph, Ontario
• Planned, implemented, and analyzed differentiated
Geography lessons for a grade four classroom
• Provided support for the Fall Open House: designed
the meal tickets and supervised the craft table
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Assessment (rubrics, checklists, running records…)
Visual and technological aids used
Classroom management, problem solving and decision making skills
Professional Development
Interaction with parents
2010-2011
RECREATIONAL COACH
Sports Are Fun, Markham, Ontario
• Planned and implemented a training schedule for the
Mens’ volleyball team
• Prepared an annual estimate of program expenditures
2005-2006
GRADE SIX TUTOR
Private Residence, Ajax, Ontario
• Tutored six students in my home throughout a twoyear period
• Provided support in mathematics and science for
students identified with learning disabilities
• Completed written reports and scheduled one-on-one
meetings with parents to discuss their children’s
progress
Other Employment Experience
(not related to teaching)
• in reverse chronological order, itemize other
positions you have held
• Emphasize your soft skills
2004-2006
ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK
J.R. Bakery, Huntsville, Ontario
• Provided secretarial support for a team of ten
employees
• Created spreadsheets using various computer
programs (Word, Excel, Publisher…)
• Analyzed and presented monthly statements of
expense
• Communicated deadlines to the owner and provided
problem-solving solutions to scheduling conflicts
• Organized the filing system and collaborated with
other staff members to ensure efficiency
• Lead a team meeting regarding office concerns and
procedures
Volunteer Experience
Highlight positions with children or leadership positions
• Literacy Council (http://www.on.literacy.ca/)
(web, front desk, tutor volunteer)
• Frosh leader
• Coach
• Tutor
2011-2012
FROSH LEADER
Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario
• Assisted in interviewing and selecting over 50
volunteers
• Conducted two training sessions for leaders
2010-2011
ASSISTANT COACH
Rivers Secondary School, Markham, Ontario
• Assisted the coach and trainer with the grade eleven
football team
• Attended the games and provided support throughout
the season
Professional Affiliations
2002-Present
Member of the Athletic Association
Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario
1993-1996
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
• person-to-person campaign volunteer
Certifications
2015
2014
2014
First Aid and CPR
Basic Wilderness First Aid
safeTalk, Nipissing University
Computer Skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Power Point
• Familiar with the Ontario Curriculum Unit Planner,
Hyperstudio 4, Kid Pix Deluxe 3, Ontario Report Cards
Program, Microsoft Front Page, Storybook Weaver,
Music Ace 2
Awards and Scholarships
2013
2011
2011
2011
Dave Marshall Leadership Award, Nipissing University
Carl Sanders Scholarship, Nipissing University
John H. Frost Achievement Award, Laurentian University
Excellence in Education Award, York University
Professional Development
2014
Curriculum Unit Planner Workshop, Nipissing
University
2014 Smartboard Training Session, Nipissing University
OR
2014-2015
Nipissing University Workshops
• Curriculum Unit Planner
• Smartboard Training Session
• Measurement
• Geometry
Extracurricular Activities
Reading, drama, canoeing, swimming, and camping
Referees
Employers WANT to see a list of referees.
Do NOT indicate “Available Upon Request”
• Carefully choose 3, maximum 5
(Check the school board’s requirements)
• Professional referees preferred (associate teacher,
practicum advisor, employer, -someone with authority)
• Who are the 3 people who can help me get this job?
• Ask permission
REFEREES
Mrs. Elaine Jones, Associate Teacher
Centennial Public School
14 Green Lane
Guelph, ON N1E 4L7
Phone: (519) 123-5678
Email: jones.elaine@cent.ca
Mr. Doug Smith, Principal
John Smith Public School
42 Cedargrove Crescent
Guelph, ON N1E 5J6
Phone: (519) 356-1798, ext. 4345
Email: smith.d@jsps.ca
Ms. Gillian Spencer, Program Coordinator
Frontier College Students for Literacy Program
16 Squirrel Place
Guelph, ON N1E 3Z7
Phone: (519) 364-5498
Email: spencer.gillian@fcslp.ca
I, Lianne Gagné, grant permission
for my referees to be contacted.
Practice Teaching Reports
List of Referees
Faith Reference Form
• Submit copies of your practice teaching
reports
• If requested, enclose letters from referees
• Catholic School Boards’ Faith Reference or
Pastoral Form
Actual Examples of Errors…
• Principle of the school
• …working with young people while teaching
Marital Arts (karate)
• …my ability to plan, implement and asses both…
• Instructed large, small and individual children…
• Tutored a grade 4 student who had a speech
impediment for one hour per week
Employer’s Pet Peeves
About Resumés!
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Spelling and grammatical mistakes
More than 2 pages long
Colored paper that does not copy well
Repetition in your bullets
Not including a cover letter
No dates with experience
Listing jobs with no accomplishments
Incorrect contact information
Photocopies of photocopies
Tips!
• Do not use “I” in your bullet sections
(I had the opportunity to further develop…)
• Keep sections on 1 page
• Align your dates (left or right side of the page)
• Do not use abbreviations (ON, BEd, TA, ABQ, AQ…)
• Do not use periods or semi-colons in your bullet sections
• Use correct verb tense
– Past experience: organized, planned, implemented
– Present experience: organize, plan, implement
Non-Teaching Resumé Tips
• No need to include your Ontario College of
Teachers registration number
• Under ‘Education’ section
– include a bullet: Thirteen weeks of practicum
experience in grades….
• Under ‘Career Related Experience’
– Begin with your paid employment and not your
practice teaching placements –emphasize your
hard skills: education and skills
• After ‘Career Related Experience’, add a
heading called ‘Professional Experience’
and include your Practice Teaching
Placements: emphasize your transferrable
skills
COVER LETTER
Tips for writing a cover letter…
• Analyze the job posting and identify the key
words –use these keywords in your letter
• Check the school board’s website for similar
current postings –what are they looking for?
Mark Smith
2024 Cedargrove Street
London, Ontario N5W 5G4
519-455-9810
marksmith@gmailcom
(2 spaces)
Date
(2 spaces)
Mr. Robert Caldori, Superintendent of Schools
London Catholic District School Board
P.O. Box 5474, 5200 Wellington Road South
London, Ontario N6A 4X5
(1 space)
*If you address your cover letter
Dear Mr. Caldori,
“To Whom It May Concern”
(1 space)
you haven’t done your research!!
Paragraph 1: Initial Contact
State the reason for writing
• State the title of the position for which you are
applying
• Quote the job posting number if provided
• State the divisions and teachable(s) you are
qualified to teach and the name of the institution
• Indicate if you plan to take an Additional Basic
Qualification in another division in the spring or
summer
Paragraph 2: Solid Evidence
• Indicate if you plan on taking other courses in
the future (French as a Second Language,
Special Education Part I…)
• Write about your career related experience
• Emphasize your strengths indicated on your
practice teaching reports
Paragraph 3: Your Beliefs
Share your thoughts:
• What is teaching all about?
• What is learning all about?
• What is the curriculum all about?
• Why are you interested in teaching?
• What kind of classroom will yours be?
Show your enthusiasm for the teaching profession!
Research:
• school board’s mission statement
• school board’s philosophy of education
Paragraph 4 and Closing: Action
You must be action-oriented. Consider the following:
 Close with a strong statement of confidence
 Express your willingness to attend an interview
 Thank the employer for considering you
 Provide information regarding your website (e-portfolio…)
 Provide a telephone number where you can be reached, or
where a message can be left
Sincerely,
(sign here)
Your First and Last name, OCT Candidate
Non-Teaching Cover Letter Tips
• Paragraph 1: don’t include your teachables,
division or if you are planning on taking an
ABQ. Simply indicate your undergraduate
and Bachelor of Education degrees
• Paragraph 2, 3 and 4: Follow same tips
Actual Examples…
• …I learnt to tackle people at any level for their
concerns.
• I believe that everyone has some sort of disability,
although with some individuals, these disabilities
are more heightened than others.
• My practicum experiences have also taught me
firsthand how exhausting and tiresome it can be
for teachers…
The Cool Down Period
You’ve spent a lot of time and effort getting your letter
of application written but it’s not over yet.
• Ask someone to proofread your letter
(friend, colleague, advisor)
• Proofread your resumé backwards
• Read your resumé outloud
• Email your resumé to yourself
Sending your application
by email
• Subject line: Position and Job Posting #
• Email message
– Logical order and flow
– Edit it!
– Sloppy writing and abbreviations are not
acceptable
Remember…
1. The effort you are willing to put into your
resumé shows your prospective employer
the effort you are willing to put into the
job!
2. 86% of Human Resources Professionals
see poorly written resumés and cover
letters as a deal breaker for job applicants.
(careershorts.com)
Education Fair Information
• Friday, January 30, 12:30-3:30
Education Centre Gym
• Dress to impress
• Format (booth, information sessions,
interviews)
• Updates will be sent by email
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the presentation, students will be
able to:
• identify the components of a well-written
resumé
• indicate past experiences relevant to desired
position
• translate experiences and abilities into a
resumé