Preparing Competitive Cover letters

and Resumes
Presenter: Dilani Rasanayagam

How long have you got?

The average initial review of your application
will be

30 seconds!
Less than you will get when
speed dating!

What is the recruiter looking for?

How you express yourself, your style, individuality &
enthusiasm written & verbal
Spelling & grammar mistakes attention to detail
Gaps in your resume

Tangible achievements on your resume

Evidence that you have soft skills
Format & layout of your resume, white space

Read the position description and address the criteria

Special Issues for international

students

Visa issues, and working rights

English language skills
IELTS test scores
Neutralising your disadvantages
Career objectives and future plans
Australian careers V heading home

Connecting
In general companies are looking for:
Communication skills -100%
Commercial work experience internships, vacation work, or
University projects
Well rounded individuals - other work experience perhaps
casual, part time or volunteer work
Not just purely academic record/certification/qualification
extracurricular, inc. sport, music etc.
An understanding and interest in the field

What might a rsum include?

http://careers.unimelb.edu.au/student/applying_for_work

Contact details
Career/Job objective (optional)
Profile /Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Education (+ significant academic achievements)
Thesis (Honour, Master, PhD)

Final year Projects/Assignments

Course related experience
Key skills (optional)
Other Employment - specify
Volunteering / Extra-curricular activities
Awards/Achievements
Professional membership / development

Referees

Targeted Headings
Positions of Leadership
Volunteering / Community Engagement / Fundraising
International Development
Cross-cultural experience
Contributions to / Involvement in ... Community Health, Campus Life,
Education, Philanthropy, Sport, etc

Industry Projects
Professional Development short courses
Professional Membership ICAA, FINSIA, AIM etc

Performance & Exhibitions

Conferences, Teaching, Lectures, Publications

Writing Objectives
An objective should indicate the sort of role in the sort of industry that you are seeking.
The statement should make a connection to your career interests and/or plans. You
might refer to some of the skills you have to offer, but the focus is on what you are

looking for and where youre headed. This needs to be compatible with the position
and organisation you are applying to.
A(n) _____________ role in the area of ____________ utilising my knowledge of
__________ services/products.
A challenging, entry-level position in _________ with special interest in ________ and
____________ with a __________ organisation.
To utilise my interests and qualifications in marketing and management, in combination
with my interpersonal and communication skills to work in a sales or marketing role for
a #### organisation

Writing Profiles

A profile is a snapshot which pulls together key information about you,

with particular emphasis on what is relevant to the position. You might
mention for example, your qualifications, experience, key skills and/or
attributes. The profile usually winds up with a statement about your
career objective.

Focuses on specific competencies; steers away from vague skills such as

communication

Profiles can presented as: full sentences, abbreviated sentences or dot

points

To create a high impact summary statement refer to job adverts and

write a list of your matching skills, experience and education

Employers most important selection

criteria when recruiting graduates

http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/GOS12_tf3.pdf
Transferable & Adaptive Skills Checklist - PDF downloadable from C&E website

Use Action verbs by skill type

Communication/
Interpersonal

Initiative/
Problem Solving

Research/
Analytical

Organisational/
Time
Management

Leadership

informed

devised

analysed

managed

directed

motivated

founded

classified

monitored

guided

supervised

introduced

recorded

coordinated

lead

negotiated

reviewed

catalogued

delegated

motivated

supported

designed

compiled

directed

supervised

taught

initiated

reported

juggled

coached

wrote

invented

categorised

controlled

demonstrated

enhanced

investigated

handled

presented

developed

researched

organised

negotiated

established

illustrated

improved

directed

Writing Active Skills Statements

Prepared monthly reports and financial statements, ensuring transaction
irregularities are reported to management on a timely basis.
Collected and analysed census data to identify specific consumer markets
and assist in the marketing and launching of new products
Created and implemented an Access mailing system for direct mail
catalogue operation
Demonstrated new customer services to sales representatives on a
Negotiated contracts with equipment maintenance technicians in ten
regional areas of Victoria
Created and managed the clubs marketing campaign, including advertising
and fundraising drives successfully increasing membership by 15%
Developed a new approach to managing resource allocation in the company
that allowed for increased productivity of staff in my division

Extra-curricular activities
2013 - Present

FMAA, President

2012 - Present

Young Labour, Member

2010 - 2012

Indonesian Social Club, Membership Officer

2009 - 2010

Heath College, Cricket Captain

Booked venues, organised events and catering, and liaised with 175 business
professionals for the 2013 gala event
Honed my oral communication skills, knowledge of government policies and
International issues by participating in public speaking fora
Created and managed the clubs marketing campaign, including advertising and
fundraising drives successfully increasing membership by 15%
Coached and conducted twice weekly training sessions, leading the team to the
2010 premiership
A + B + C Formula
A = Action Verb
B = Object
C = Where, How, What

Content

1. Purpose
Clarifies reason for
writing, position,
source

April 15th, 2014

Ms Susan Boyle
Human Resources Manager
AUSCOM
22 Collins Street
Melbourne Vic 3000

23 Smith Street
Carlton Vic 3053
Mobile: 019 487 234
email: [email protected]

2. Interest
Expresses genuine interest
in the job and organisation
that reveals your research
into the role/company;
clarifies major criteria
(degree)

Dear Ms Boyle:
I wish to apply for the position of Graduate Marketing Officer, which was advertised via
Careers Online on April 12th 2014. Please find my application and academic results attached.
AusComs recent acquisition of Telco has captured my interest, especially considering the
recent deregulation of this industry within the Australian market. Having recently completed
my Business and Economics degree in Marketing and Management, at the University of
Melbourne, I look forward to putting the knowledge and skills that Ive developed into practice.
Three years experience as a part-time customer service officer for Telstra has equipped me
with well-developed oral and written communication skills. Additionally, during my summer
vacation work this past year, I gained experience with a start-up e-Commerce company. I
assisted the marketing manager in coordinating and developing the companys digital
marketing activities which included online promotion, sales and communication. It is in this
role that I honed my public relations, negotiating and sales skills. I further developed
knowledge in the areas of retail and wholesale distribution channels and I successfully
implemented strategies to target those markets.

4. Other unique
factors
Uses figures/ facts
to add weight to
argument

My research and analytical abilities are evidenced by my voluntary participation in a project

conducted by the E-Com Students Association, in which I coordinated the collection and
analysis of data from over 300 current and past ECA members. Involvement in an overseas
exchange program in 2nd year, and a recent trip to Asia, demonstrate my initiative and
interest in international issues.
I am available for an interview at your convenience and can be contacted on the above phone
number at all times. I am able to commence immediately. Thank you for considering my
application.
Yours sincerely
Catherine Marks
Copyright
The
University
of Melbourne 2008
Attachments: Resume & Application
Form;
Academic
Results

3. Sales Pitch
Addresses some of the
competencies &
requirements of the job;
demonstrates what they
have to offer & PROVES IT!

5. Conclusion
What next?
Other relevant
information
www.services.unimelb.edu.au/careers/

STAR Technique for Selection Criteria

Frame your response in a four-step process:
Situation What was the context
Task What was the problem
Action What did you do
Result What was the outcome
Can you give me an example of
Describe your experience with
Tell us about a time when

Applying STAR to respond to criteria

Graduate Application Statements

http://careers.unimelb.edu.au/student/applying_for_work

Resources - Cover Letters & Resumes

http://www.graduatecareers.com.au - Preparing Your Application
www.careerone.com.au - Resume Writing
www.mycareer.com.au - Cover letter and Resume advice
www.seek.com.au - Prepare Your Job Application
http://tools.monster.com/ - Resumes and Cover Letters
http://www.rileyguide.com/letters.html
http://www.careerperfect.com/tips/resume-writing/

Resources - Selection Criteria

Go to Careers & Jobs LibGuide and do a keyword search in
the Library Catalogue
Anne Villiers Addressing Selection Criteria p. 177 for
examples of responses using different combinations of dot
points and text, and single vs multiple examples for a criterion
APS guide to addressing selection criteria:

VPS guide to addressing selection criteria:

Assistance with Applications

Web :

www.careers.unimelb.edu.au/

Employment Application Review :

30min appt -Book via SAS

Drop In Service (10 mins each) :

12-2pm, Mon Thursday, L1 Alan Gilbert

Building