Cover Letters, Resumes, and Teaching Portfolios
PET 489 Student Teaching SeminarCollege of Physical Activity & Sport SciencesFall Semester 2012
Lesson Purpose
To introduce you to the basic mechanics of writing an effective cover letter and resume
To get you started on preparing a cover letter, resume, and portfolio for your mock job interview assignment
Lesson Advance Organizer
What questions do we need to answer today about writing an effective cover letter, resume and portfolio?
What is the purpose of the cover letter?
Purpose of the cover letter Introduce yourself to employer Demonstrate interest in vacancy Draw attention to resume Motivate reader to interview you
Cover letter is often your first contact with an employer!!!
How should cover letters be organized? Introduction (Paragraph 1)
Capture reader’s attention and identify how you learned about the position
Body (Paragraphs 2 and 3) Include a brief description of your background and why you
are interested in working for that employer Demonstrate understanding of the position and highlight
how your qualifications relate to it Include specific examples when possible!!!
Closing (Paragraph 4) Describe your follow-up plans for the employer Establish flow of communication that leads to an interview
Signature Line
General guidelines for effective letter writing?
Use an accepted business letter format
Personalize each letter
Use non-sexist language
Avoid overusing the word “I”
Limit your letter to one page
Vary your writing
Use attention getting action verbs and adjectives
Proofread!!!
How can I best describe my qualifications? Phrases from performance appraisals, and
letters of recommendation
Current and past job descriptions and standards of performance that clearly reflect job expectations and responsibilities
Desirable characteristics and requested skills for similar jobs
Newspaper editorials and business sections to help write paragraphs about your industry, occupation, or the economy
Other suggestions for writing your cover letter? Attend cover letter writing workshop
Visit Career Services for help with your cover letter
Match paper and font with presentation resume
Indicate additional enclosures with resume packet
Retain a copy of each cover letter in a file
Develop 2-3 paragraphs that work and modify them slightly to personalize each letter
Remember to sign all of your cover letters!!!
Take-home Messages I
The cover letter is an important extension of your resume
In many instances it represents your first contact with an employer
Use the structure discussed in class to communicate key information
What is a resume? A summary of your qualifications for
employment – “picture of you” in words only
Resume Types Working resume Presentation resume
Chronological Functional Combination
Chronological Resume Traditional resume
Recommended for new college grads
Chronological resume order Start with current position and
work backwards
Points of emphasis Objective Work history Education
Feedback regarding the sample traditional resume provided? Layout/appearance Order of elements Written content Overall impression
Functional Resume Functional resume
Recommended for people making career changes and/or those with gaps in work history
Functional resume order Experiences grouped according to
qualifications rather than time
Points of emphasis Highlights of qualifications Experience or qualifications Abbreviated work history Education
Feedback regarding the sample functional resume provided? Layout/appearance Order of elements Written content Overall impression
What information could I include in my own resume?
Heading
Professional Objective
Education
Experience
Special Skills
Awards and Honors
Activities
References Separate sheet Provide if requested
In what order should information be presented?
Heading is always first
Objective is second, when used
Present rest of information in order that best supports your objective and qualifications
Should I provide personal information or disclose a disability?
Personal Information
Disability Disclosure
Additional Topics
Length of resume Resume templates Proof-reading Quality of resume paper Sending your resume School district applications Additional support on campus
Take Home Messages II
Be clear and concise in your writing
Formatting must be consistent and error free
Do not over-inflate qualifications or experience
PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIOS
Purpose of a Professional Portfolio
To demonstrate one’s professional knowledge & skills
To provide evidence of one’s growth and achievement over time
To showcase one’s ability to reflect on educational / professional experiences
Campbell, Melenyzer, Nettles, & Wyman, 1997
Portfolio Formats Electronic Pros:
Accessible from any location
Interactive artifacts Cost effective A send-ahead tool
Cons: Internet connectivity
problems Technical difficulties
(incompatible programs) Non-tech savvy
administrators
Printed Pros:
Physical artifacts to prompt interview responses
Portable
Cons: Expense (printing,
copying, binding, organizing tabs)
Difficult to send-ahead
Essential Elements Professional credentials Teaching philosophy Sample instructional materials (i.e., unit/lesson
plans) Sample assessment artifacts (i.e., assessment
plans, FITNESSGRAM student/parent report, developed skill rubrics)
Sample student work Evidence of self reflection Evidence of professional involvement
Sample: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/amandafletcher/welcome_to_my_eportfolio_
3-steps to Assemble
1. Collect
2. Select
3. Reflect
Collect Collect and file artifacts/evidence from
educational and professional experiences that best represent your qualifications and abilities
Suggestions: Evaluations by professors, peers, and supervisors Field experience evaluation forms Student learning artifacts (i.e., completed worksheets,
rubrics, student projects) Photographs of you teaching Conference booklets from attended conferences
Select Evaluate your artifacts and select the
ones that represent your BEST work
Things to consider: When, where, why, and how was the artifact
used/developed? Is the artifact hands-down your best? Will the artifact leave a positive impression? Do the artifacts showcase your comprehensive skills? How to best showcase and organize the artifacts
Reflect Reflect on what you learned through your
experiences and describe how the artifacts showcase your skills, knowledge, and lessons learned
Showcase your learning: Explain each artifact AND how it reflects your skills
and/or knowledge Connect artifacts to proficiencies outlined by national
standards/guidelines Communicate areas of improvement linked to career
goals or teaching philosophy
Share … But First Proof-read!!!
Ask for Feedback Is the portfolio easy to navigate? Are attachments labeled clearly? Do all attachments open? Are there spelling & grammar errors? Are there extraneous OR missing artifacts? Is the clarity and length of narratives
appropriate?
Share
Sharing your LiveText Portfolio1. Click on Visitor Pass link on right side of screen (in Quick
Links)1. Create a New Visitor Pass
Title should include your name
2. Go to your LiveText portfolio document1. Click on Share icon
Search for “Viewer” – type in the name of new Visitor Pass you just created
Select “Add”
3. Go back to Visitor Pass page to ensure your document is attached to the Pass.
4. Record the PASS CODE (i.e. XIST97S)5. Share with others by:
1. Providing this url: www.livetext.com2. Providing the PASS CODE for your Visitor Pass3. Instruct them to click on “Visitor Pass” icon on top of LiveText
homepage
Take Home Messages III
Portfolio should reflect your best work
Organization must be easy to navigate and logical
Poorly constructed portfolio may do more harm than good
What about follow-up? Follow-up of your application is essential
Consider preparing a script for your follow-up call Call between T and TH early in morning or late
afternoon Leave a message on voicemail – let them
know that you would like a return call and state where you can be reached
Be persistent – call back within a week if you don’t
Thank You & Acceptance Letters
Mock Job Interview: Cover Letter, Resume, and Portfolio You cover letter, resume,
and portfolio resume are due during the last week of seminar
Needs to be rated as “Satisfactory” Rating of 3 out of 5
point Likert scale
Evaluation criteria Layout/appearance Order of elements Written content Overall impression
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