![Accomplishment
Statements [RATS format]
Employers don’t want to read your story on your
resume, they want to read your accomplishments
So flip it!](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/tutorial4-resumescl-171027211342/85/COMM202-Tutorial-4-6-320.jpg)
![Addressing the cover letter
Date
Contact Name
Title
Company
Address 1
City, Province Postal Code
Re: Position Title (reference number if given)
Dear [First name Last name],
or Dear Hiring Manager/Committee,](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/tutorial4-resumescl-171027211342/85/COMM202-Tutorial-4-25-320.jpg)
COMM202 Tutorial 4
- 1. Career Fundamentals T03 & T20 – Ingrid Bakke Tutorial 4: Resume & Cover Letter Peer Review
- 2. AGENDA 1. Course Timeline 2. Resumes and Branding 3. Cover Letter & Resume Peer Review 4. TA Feedback 5. Action Items
- 3. Turn to your neighbour and share a WIN!
- 4. Tutorial: Resume & Cover Letter Due: Resume and CL Draft in this Tutorial Tutorial: Event Networking/ Informational Interview Due: Resume & CL on 31st Oct @ 1.59PM on Turnitin and @11:59PM on COOL Networking Event Nov 2nd (6-8PM) CPA Hall Tutorial: Networking follow- up, Interview stream Due: Networking Reflection by Nov 7th @ 11.59 PM on Turnitin WEEK 8 WEEK 9 WEEK 10
- 6. Accomplishment Statements [RATS format] Employers don’t want to read your story on your resume, they want to read your accomplishments So flip it!
- 7. From STAR to RATS
- 9. Cover Letter & Resume PEER REVIEW
- 10. 1. Write your name on ALL documents – make sure your documents are attached 2. Put all documents in a pile in the middle of the table 3. Trade to the person on your left when a new section starts 4. Get out your marking utensils! INSTRUCTIONS
- 12. be consistent font size, font style, spacing, bullet points, alignment, punctuation, date & abbreviation format, hyphens vs dashes first impression pick a colour scheme (if you don’t want black-and-white, which is also fine) and use white space wisely; be concise with your resume page count third person always speak in third person and maintain a professional tone; no slang or personal pronouns (he, she, we, I) proofread no grammar mistakes, typos, spelling errors - proofread then proofread again Formatting
- 13. Are the Resume and CL consistent? Header? Margins? Font?
- 15. Resume Formatting • Titles formatted the same • Spacing is consistent • Margins are reasonable (≥1.5cm) • Phrases either ALL end in period or not • Dates • Usually right-aligned • All have month and year, or just year • All months are abbreviated to same # of letters • Uses hyphens (–) OR dashes (-) • Font: • Size is 10 • Generally no more than two types of font • Numbers under 10 spelled out (i.e. two vs. 2) • Bullets: same size/style, aligned • One to two pages
- 16. Header and general • Name is preferred name with (given name) in brackets • Phone and address are included • LinkedIn URL is personalized • No personal pronouns (I, we, he, she) • Reasonable amount of white space – is it easy to read? • Experiences listed in reverse chronological order by start date
- 17. Profile • No more than 5 lines for key competencies (4 for profile) • Can include languages • Does it clearly and convincingly summarize strengths/experiences/skills? • Does it match the job posting (multiple references)? • Does it provide a clear, convincing link to the rest of the resume (i.e. is there PROOF elsewhere in the document?)
- 18. Education • Bachelor of Commerce not BCOMM or B.Comm • Start with the degree • List expected date of completion (either as “Completion: …” or “Expected Completion: ...”) • No laundry lists of courses: only specific, relevant courses • GPA – score/%/letter grade, indicating the school scale • Key/relevant projects and awards: write in accomplishment statement form
- 19. Work experience Are experiences achievement based? Do numbers clearly quantify achievements where appropriate? Do statements have Accomplishment, Proof, Transferrable skills, and Scope of Action? Are the result verbs varied and strong? Does language indicate familiarity with industry/company? Does it match the job description?
- 20. Work experience • Reverse chronological order by start date • You can include explanation sentences of companies/experiences if necessary • Eliminate filler words • Written in third person • Keep it to one sentence (2 lines is best) • The elements of the RATS statement should be apparent (but not necessarily in RATS order)
- 21. Interests • Do the interests show personality? Are they specific? Are they relevant to the job (not always necessary)? • Do they differentiate the candidate? Are they memorable? • Be fun! And appropriate *NOTE for the candidate: Be able to speak about these interests extensively!
- 22. Header -Name -Phone -Email -LinkedIn URL Profile -5 lines of key competencies -Summarize strengths/ experiences/ skills -Match job posting Education -Reverse Chronological Order -Start with degree -Include Grades/ Awards Experience -Reverse Chronological Order -RATS formation -Achievement Based Statements Resume Checklist Interests -Specific -Differentiate yourself -Reflect your personality
- 24. CL formatting • Left aligned (NOT justified) • No indents on paragraphs • Bullet points vs. paragraphs • 2-3 relevant skills • Consistent font size (minimum size 10) • Appropriate font • Margin sizes • Spacing between paragraphs • White space • One page
- 25. Addressing the cover letter Date Contact Name Title Company Address 1 City, Province Postal Code Re: Position Title (reference number if given) Dear [First name Last name], or Dear Hiring Manager/Committee,
- 26. Addressing examples Unknown person Specific person Use sex and marital status only if known
- 27. Cover Letter Content Opening -How is the hook? -Interest/passion for the position? -skills/experience matching the job posting? -is primary or secondary research integrated -Name drop? Body -Skills to match the position? - STARL format? -Are there examples – specific & concise? -Transferrable skills? -Do results show strengths or success? Closing -Are skills reiterated? -Is sincere interest expressed? -Thank you & call to action -Tie back to intro Proofread No grammar mistakes, typos, spelling errors - proofread then proofread again
- 28. Ending Formatting Sincerely, / Regards, / Best, (Written signature if you want) Your name BCom Candidate 20XX Sauder School of Business Enclosed or Attached*: Resume * Enclosed: physical copy * Attached: electronic copy
- 29. What counts as an error? Spelling & Grammar InconsistencyIncorrect order of Information Improper Formatting Incorrect Information Missing Information *Each error on your resume will be penalized 3% up until the third error, which will result in an automatic 40% off the entire assignment
- 30. Please give me some feedback! What should I STOP/ CONTINUE/ START?
- 31. Action Items • Sign up for office hours • Networking event: Thursday, Nov 2nd from 6-8pm • Resume & CL due 31st Oct @ 1.59PM on Turnitin and @ 11.59PM on COOL • CL tool-kit on MyBCOM * TUTORIAL next week
- 32. Questions?
Editor's Notes
- #9: NOT ONLY RATS statements. You can also lead with skill verbs
- #12: Show copies on doc cam
- #15: Same allocation for Resumes- about 3 minutes/ section ask students to trade documents as every section ends
- #24: Show copies on doc cam
- #28: Ask students to trade documents after every section is done Allocate ~ 3 minutes/section