QUT Careers and Employment www.careers.qut.edu.au

Resume & Letter Writing

DR. Alan McAlpine QUT Careers and Employment

Services for Students

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 Response in 5 working days  Email

[email protected]

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•

Career Development Programs

on Blackboard

Finding us via the QUT homepage: Search for “careers”

Finding us via QUT Virtual:

www.careers.qut.edu.au

Register for your FREE online profile on the QUT CareerHub link at

www.careers.qut.edu.au

Preparing to apply for

graduate jobs

?

Need some

casual

work while studying?

Want to find

work experience

?

New jobs are added daily by employers who want to employ QUT students… that means YOU !

FAQs Welcome Daily job listings Useful weblinks Career development guides Upcoming events Career development strategies Employment preparation information sheets

Going Global

Accessing Going Global

@ QUT Careers QUT Careers and Employment

Workshops

• Resume Writing • Addressing Selection Criteria • Interview Skills • Get Ready for the Careers Fair • Accessing the Workforce • Careering Through Uni – Career Development Strategies • Evening Workshops • International Student Program – workshop series

For dates and locations see:

Contact Careers and Employment

LOCATION Gardens Point Campus:

Level 2, X Block Reception: Room X222

Kelvin Grove Campus:

Level 4, C Block (Above the Refectory)

Caboolture Campus:

Student Centre - J Block

PHONE

Gardens Point: 07 3138 2649 Kelvin Grove: 07 3138 3488 Caboolture 07 5316 7400

EMAIL [email protected]

WEBSITE www.careers.qut.edu.au

QUT Careers and Employment www.careers.qut.edu.au

Resumes & Application Letters

Outline

• • • Resume Application letter On-line Applications

Possible Selection Process

• • • • • • • • • Advertisement (information, application process) Application (letter, form, selection criteria, resume…) Short list Initial interview Testing In-depth interview Assessment Centre Reference checks Offer

Typical No of Pages For Resume

• Australia, Brisbane – 3 pages (2-5 depending on qualifications & experience) – Plus: Cover page, Academic history, 1 Reference • International – USA, Singapore… – 1 page only

How long does an employer take to read a resume?

Not Long!

Variations for Your Resume

• • • • • • • • • • Paper – size, colour..

Design – graphics, borders, colour..

Cover page – design, scanned self-photo..

Font – size (11), density, style (arial)..

Emphasis – bold, italics, underline Bullets – dashes, shapes..

Prioritise – headings, order TAB settings – minimum(2 or 3) Headers/footers – name, page no..

Spacings – large between sections, closed within sections

Possible Enclosures

Letter Application Form Key Selection Criteria Resume Cover Page Academic Record One Selected Reference Only when required Optional

Possible Headings

• • • • • • • • • Personal details Education – reverse chronological order Work History – reverse chronological order Interests, extra curricular activities Achievements Memberships Career goal Referees Selected Reference

Alternative Headings

• • • • • • • Academic background Career achievements Career objective Community involvement Educational background Leisure activities Professional highlights • • • • • • • Professional experience Professional skills Research Interests Research skills Special skills Specialist knowledge & skills Sporting achievements

Personal Details

• • • • • • Name in bold with CAPITALS for the surname Both home and semester addresses Sem/home phone, fax E-mail Include nationality if employer is likely to be unsure Usually DO NOT INCLUDE – – – birth date marital status health

Example

-RESUME Lucy Mai NGUYEN [email protected]

Education

• • • • Tertiary – from most current backwards – provide as many highlights as possible – refer to attached Academic History Secondary – provide limited highlights only Other qualifications/skills – Computer (competent, familiar with) – – Foreign languages (studied, fluent, familiar) First Aid, Music, Scuba…… Awards/achievements – only education related ones here

Example

EDUCATION Tertiary

2005-2007

Bachelor of Business - Marketing Queensland University of Technology

Secondary Major - Management (expected completion date - November 2007)

(You may wish to include a 4/5 line description of the degree here)

The course focuses on the activities of product and service innovation, development, pricing, selling, promotion, distribution and the provision of customer service.

Credits and above in over 65% of subjects Course GPA - 5.2 (scale 1-7, 7 highest) (see attached Academic Transcript/Record)

2004 Selection of High Distinction & Distinction Subjects:



Principles of Marketing



Management & Organisation



Publicity & Promotion (Print) Skills Developed:



Marketing analysis, market research and management



Planning and managing promotional campaigns



Preparing and delivering corporate reports Team Projects:



Retail analysis for Country Road Australia



Public relations campaign for Sportsleaf Individual Projects/Seminar Presentations:

 

Complete business venture plan and strategy Research design

Associate Diploma in Management Southbank Institute of TAFE

(Transferred to QUT after first year)

Secondary

1999-2003 Year 12 Senior Certificate - Gympie State High School Overall Position (OP) – 5

Other Qualifications/Skills Awards/Achievements

Foreign language skills:



fluent in Cantonese



familiar with Mandarin



studied French to Year 10 level Computing skills:

competent using:

  

Word Perfect Microsoft Access Excel Music:



A.Mus A. Piano

familiar with:

  

PageMaker DBASE Word



Year 12 Economics Award



School Debating Team



School Prefect

Work History

• • • Career related – job title – company/organisation name – – – approximate no of hours per week if part-time approximate no of days or weeks or months skills developed/responsibilities/achievements Other (Casual) – focus on transferable skills Awards & achievements

WORK HISTORY Career Related

2007 2004-2007

Administrative Assistant (vacation - 8 weeks) Department of Lands - Brisbane  

Skills Developed/Responsibilities:



preparation of daily correspondence



reception and meeting clients compilation of survey data preparation of reports, environmental impact

Sales Assistant (casual - 5 hours per week) Myer Department Store - Coorparoo     

Skills Developed/Responsibilities:



customer relations and retail selling



administration of records cash management displays and visual merchandising design product knowledge and training supervision and coordination of competitions stock take and ordering Awards/Achievements



Casual salesperson of the Year Award 2004

Transferable Skills

• • Communication – effective writing – effective speaking – – – listening languages computing Managing & Organising – organising – can work – independently Achieve outcomes • • Teamwork – Cooperation – Motivating others Problem solving – identifying/analysing – applying knowledge – – – – research decision making follow through capacity to see the ‘big picture’ – Appreciation of values/ethics

What Are My Transferable Skills?

• • • Think about a recent job that you have held.

Write a list of the tasks you performed while in that position.

List the skills you utilised to complete those tasks  these are your transferable skills.

Turning Tasks into T Skills

wait at table serve food & drinks take food from the kitchen look after the bills talk to the customers meet customer requests do many tasks quickly work with manager, cooks… being neat and tidy – – – – – – – – attending to clients prioritising & managing tasks taking instructions handling accounts & money effective communication problem solving, conflict management time & task management good team work – high level of professional presentation

2001-2004

Other

2001 2002-2003

Voluntary Work Promotional hostess (casual - 4 hours/week for 20 weeks) Billabong Family Bistro - Gympie

Skills Developed/Responsibilities:



promotion of Billabong restaurant



entertainment of children at the restaurant



compare and promote shows Awards/Achievements



Employee of the Month Award - February

Waitress (casual – 4 hours/week) - Terrace Coffee Lounge - Coorparoo - Sang Pho Takeaway Restaurant - Gympie

Skills Developed/Responsibilities:

    

attending to clients following instructions reconciling money taking telephone orders organising and managing tasks Assisting with computer training at Woolloongabba Job Club

You The Person

• • • • Interests/activities – include extra-curricular for the past 5 years Achievements (optional) – community, sporting Memberships – student groups, student chapters, professional..

Career Goal (optional) – give an indication of your short/long term plans

Example

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES      

Member of School Social Committee



Participated in school musicals and choir Piano Tennis Swim and attend the QUT gym Assist in the organisation and promotion of the QUT Ball Listen to classical and contemporary music

MEMBERSHIPS

2005-2007 2004-2007 Business Student Association (BASS) Borneo Students Association

CAREER GOAL

To put my studies and work experience skills into good use by combining my interests in management, marketing, and publications in a relatively large company with an eventual opportunity to work overseas.

Referees & References

• Referees – minimum of 2 -maximum of 4 – – work-related are the highest priority let them know first time you use them • Reference (optional) – select only ONE to add – – ONLY if outstanding refer to it in the text as attached

Example

REFEREES REFERENCE

Mr Ross Maynes Purchase Manager Myer Department Store Goodfields Hyperdome COORPAROO Q 4152 Tel: 07 3237 0000 Fax: 07 3237 0000 Dr Mary Green Senior Lecturer, QUT Faculty of Business GPO Box 2434 BRISBANE Q 4001 Tel: 07 3138 0000 Fax: 07 3138 1111 Ms Pat Dayson Quality Manager Fastfoods Inc Fairfield Rd FAIRFIELD Q 4215 Tel: 07 3589 0000 Fax: 07 3589 1111 One selected reference from Ross Maynes is attached.

International Resumes

• USA based companies require resumes to be: ONE PAGE only • Be extremely brief • Provide both a one page and three page to be safe

Semester:

Resume:

Home: E-mail: Citizenship: Date of Birth: Education: Languages: Computer: Work History: Additional Information: Interests: Referees:

Lucy Mai NGUYEN

62 Staghorn Drive, BALMORAL, Queensland, Australia, 4125 Tel: 617 3341 4333 79 Apa Kabar St, SARAWAK, Malaysia 3678 [email protected], [email protected]

Malaysian 23 February 1985

Bachelor of Business – Marketing, Queensland University of Technology

Secondary Major- Management (expect to complete in November 2007) Credits and above in 65% of the course. GPA – 5.2 (Scale 1-7, 7 highest)

Associate Diploma in Management, Southbank Institute of TAFE (2004)

Distinctions in over 90% of the course

University Foundation Business Program, INTI College, Sarawak, Malaysia SM Sains MIRI Secondary College, Sarawak, Malaysia (2002)

Results: Fluent in Cantonese, familiar with Mandarin, studied French to Year 10 Competent using: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Access Familiar with: Pagemaker, Printshop    

Administrative Assistant, Qld Dept of Housing & Local Government

(8 weeks vacation work – 2007)

Sales Assistant, Myer Department Store

(5 hrs/week, 2005-2006)

Promotional Hostess, Billabong Family Bistro

(20 hrs/week, 2005)

Waitress, 2 coffee lounges in Sarawak

(4 hrs/week, 2002)  Hold London Music School, Level 1 – Piano  Excellence Award for University Foundation program  INTI De La Salle Scholarship Award – 2002  Year 12 Economics Award  Vice president of Malaysian Students Association  Member of the Business Students Association  Co-organiser of the QUT Student Ball Piano, Tennis, Swimming, Gym work, Classical Music, Musicals Dr Mary Green Senior Lecturer, QUT School of Communications GPO Box 2434 BRISBANE 4001 Tel: 617 3138 2726 Fax: 617 3138 2849 Mr Ross Mayes Sales Manager Myer Dept Store 260 Queens St BRISBANE 4000 Tel: 617 3777 1032 Fax: 617 3777 3859 Mr Hock Jin Tam Manager Sang Pho Restaurant 25 Apa Kabar St SARAWAK Tel: 342 6578

Format & Variations

• • • • • • • • • • Paper – size, colour..

Design – graphics, borders, colour..

Cover page – design, scanned self-photo..

Font – size (11), density, style (eg Arial)..

Emphasis – bold, italics, underline Bullets – dashes, shapes..

Prioritise – headings, order TAB settings – minimum (2 or 3) Headers/footers – name, page no..

Spacings – large between sections, closed within sections

Application Letters

QUT Careers and Employment www.careers.qut.edu.au

Hints for Application Letters

• • • • • • • • NO longer than ONE page Develop a basic design and content Rewrite specific bits for each application Spell check & person check Error free Positive Balance self confidence & modesty It is their first contact with you

• • • • • • • • • All left justified Your Name & Address (Suburb/Town in CAPITALS) Date Person’s name, title & address (Suburb/Town in CAPITALS) – to Human Resources Manager, if unsure Dear Sir/Madam or the specific name (Mr/Ms..) Introduction (why writing - 2 lines + what you are doing- 4 lines) Body (minimum 2 Paras, maximum 3 paras) – highlight your strengths and relevant experiences – focus on what you can do for them & why they should take you – indicate strongly why you want to work for them Closure (refer to attachments, thank them, give contact details) Sign off (sincerely if person known, faithfully if unknown)

Lucy Nguyen 62 Staghorn Drive BALMORAL Q 4171 Tel 07 3341 4333 10 March 2007 Ms Mary Graham Human Resources Manager XYZ Consulting PO Box 123 BRISBANE Q 4001 Dear Ms Graham I wish to apply for the position of Marketing Officer as advertised in the Courier Mail, Saturday 8 March, 2007 Reference No: KL23 (

or

through QUT Careers & Employment).

or

I am writing to express my interest in being considered for an appropriate position within your company when I have completed my current studies.

This year I will complete a Bachelor of Business at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) with a major in Marketing and secondary major in Management. I have achieved an overall Grade Point Average of 5.3 (on a 7 point scale) and have a special interest in Strategic Planning (

or

obtained a High Distinction in Principles of Marketing).

As part of my studies I participated in two industry-based project groups. One involved undertaking a detailed analysis of the consumer markets for a major clothing retailer and the other developing a market plan and campaign for a relatively small, energetic and upcoming sports clothing manufacturer and distributor. Both projects provided me with an opportunity to work closely with industry personnel and strengthen my interest in this area. The two companies regarded the outcome of the projects as highly productive and successful.

I have undertaken direct promotional work as part of my Billabong Family Bistro work in Gympie and have consolidated my basic communication and clerical skills through my work at Myers and my vacation placement with a Queensland Government Department.

I bring to any job a strong work ethic and desire to succeed, a willingness to cooperate with others, and a need to produce quality work. As a result of the knowledge and skills gained through my studies at QUT and my industry based experiences, I will be able to fulfil more than adequately fulfil the requirements of the Marketing Officer position at XYZ Consulting. Thank you for considering my application. Enclosed is a copy of my resume and academic transcript. I would appreciate an interview and am available at short notice. If I am not contactable on my home phone: 07 3333 4444, a message could be left with my neighbour, Mrs Reid on 07 3434 3434 (

or

my parents on 07 5555 4444).

Yours sincerely Lucy Nguyen

Find out more www.careers.qut.edu.au

SERVICES FOR STUDENTS Careers Fairs

 Careers and Futures Fair  Education Careers Fair    Virtual Careers Fair

Career Mentor Scheme Career Counselling

Undergraduate  International Careers Fair Postgraduate   International

Graduate Outcomes Job Seeking Resources Job Vacancy Lists – QUT CareerHub

Casual Jobs    Graduate/postgraduate jobs Jobs whilst studying   Vacation Jobs

On-Campus Presentations Work Experience Insurance Workshops and Workbooks Resume Feedback

Response in 5 working days Email [email protected]

CONTACT CAREERS & EMPLOYMENT Location: Gardens Point Campus

Level 2, X Block Reception: Room X226

Kelvin Grove Campus

Level 4, C Block (Above the Refectory)

Caboolture Campus

Student Centre - J Block

Opening Hours:

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

Phone:

Gardens Point: 07 3138 2649 Kelvin Grove: 07 3138 3488 Caboolture: 07 5316 7400

Email: [email protected]