Writing Effective Cover Letters and ResumesDeveloping Professional Portfolios
PET 489 Student Teaching SeminarCollege of Physical Activity & Sport SciencesSpring 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!!!
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
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
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
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
Mock Job Interview: Cover Letter You cover letter is 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
What is the purpose of a Professional Portfolio? Purpose of a Professional Portfolio
To demonstrate professional knowledge & skills To provide evidence of growth and achievement over time. To showcase self-analysis and critical reflection on
educational & professional experiences
Uses of a Professional Portfolio To illustrate your knowledge & skills in interviews or job
appraisals To make your teaching visible so you can:
Exhibit the evidence that your practices align with best practices
Reflect on your practice & establish learning goals and/or targets
Track your progress toward meeting goals and/or target
Campbell, Melenyzer, Nettles, & Wyman, 1997
What is needed?
A clear, concise, and coherent case that you are worthy of special notice have a wealth of strengths & abilities
that are worth considering for the position
have professional achievements that set you above others
Essential Elements of a Professional Portfolio
Teaching philosophy
Student work
Teacher reflections on student work/learning
A selective collection of your work
Reflections to what you have learned about planning, implementation, classroom management, etc.
A synthesis of your skills and knowledgeEasily done in tabular format
Organization of a Professional Portfolio
Sample Sections Ongoing Professional Learning Planning Teaching Areas of Special
Interest Profiles of Pupil Learning Special Needs Assessment & Evaluation Classroom Management Technology Leadership & Community Service
WVU PETE Sections
Format 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
1. CollectionCollect artifacts generatedduring educational and professional experiences
Examples:Samples of evaluations by professors, peers, and supervisors Field experience evaluation formsPhotographsActivities in professional organizationsAttendance and presentations at conferences
Examples cont. Volunteer services Evidence of being a life-long
learner Personal interests, talents, and
skills related to your professional and personal development
Evidence of student learning
Consider including a variety of artifacts
2. Selection
A. Select the best Consider your
audience
Be highly selective
B. Guide your reader Create clear Table of
contents
Describe how and why the portfolio is organized
C. Explain the artifacts Clearly describe the
artifact
Include context – why was artifacta) created?b) used?
Label electronic documents properly!!!
3. Reflection Provide a reflective statement with each
artifact to Highlight lessons learned Provide clear and simple statements that showcase
skills and knowledge Associate to educational goals or professional
standards
Before Sharing Proof-read!!! Share with others for review
Is the portfolio easy to navigate? Are all documents labeled properly and easy
to find? Do all documents and files open? Spelling & grammar? Any extraneous OR missing artifacts? Clarity of narratives? Length of narratives?
Steps for sharing 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
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