The “Wow” Factor: Resumes and

Cover Letters that Stand Out

 PDAP:
Career Development Workshops
Get Ready Get Set GO
Know yourself and what you Present yourself with style Make your move
want

• Discovering Your • The “Wow” Factor: • Job Search Strategies

Nutrition Career Passion Resumes & Cover that Maximize Results
Letters that Stand Out

• Interview Techniques that • LinkedIn: Developing

Land the Job Career Connections &
Effective Profiles

• Nutrition Grad School

Application Essentials
 Agenda
1. Introduction
2. Resumes
• Preparation
• Possible Sections
• Statements
• Organization
• Resume Tips
3. Cover Letters
• Preparation
• Format
• Buying Motivators
• Cover Letter Tips
4. Summary
 Introduction to Resumes
Resume Quiz
1. How long should a resume be? 1 – 2 pages
2. What size should your margins be? 1 inch
3. What font size should you use? 10 – 12 font size
4. What font style is best? Professional, legible
5. Should high school be on your resume? No (usually)
6. Should references be on your resume? No
7. Which of the following pieces of information
should be included on your resume:
•• Name,
Name, address,
address, phone
phone number,
number, email
email
• Nationality, age, marital status
 Introduction to Resumes
• What is a resume?
• What is the purpose of a resume?
 Preparing to Write a Resume

Review
• Company/Organization
• Job field
• Job description
Preparation: Company Research
Preparation: Find Industry Key Words
• National Occupational Classification
(www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC)
• Working in Canada (www.workingincanada.gc.ca)
• Career Cruising (www.careercruising.com)
 Username: ryersoncruise
 Password: 00ru01f
• Ontario Job Futures (www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/ojf/)
• O*Net (http://online.onetcenter.org)
• Professional association websites
 Preparation: Review Job Description
Qualifications:
• Food Handlers Certificate 
• Knowledge of food preparation, safe food handling, storage 
• Knowledge of principles of hygiene around food, sanitation, safety
procedures, equipment care and use 
• Proven ability to foster good public relations and effective working
relationships with team
• Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills. 
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, prioritization, and
conflict resolution skills; ability to work under pressure  
• Ability to perform the physical demands of the position. 
• Proven good attendance record with the capability of maintaining this
same standard; must be able to work shifts. 
• Previous food preparation experience an asset. 
• Completion of a Food and Nutrition/Food Service Program from an
accredited institution, an asset.
 Possible Resume Sections
Objective
Summary of Qualifications
Education
 Courses
 Academic Projects
Work Experience
Volunteer Experience
Extra-Curricular Activities
Technical / Computer Skills
Achievements /
Accomplishments / Awards
Certifications
Professional Memberships
Relevant Personal and
Community Experiences
Publications and/or
Presentations
Workshops/Conferences
Attended
Interests
Key Resume Sections

Review:
• Header
• Summary of Qualifications
• Education
• Work Experience
 Header

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• E-mail address
• LinkedIn URL (optional)
 Header

JOHN DOE
213-47 York Street ● Toronto, ON ● M5K 2L3 ● (416) 783-3298 ● john.doe@ryerson.ca
 Header

John Doe, BASc

213-47 York Street ● Toronto, ON ● M5K 2L3
(416) 783-3298 ● john.doe@ryerson.ca ● http://ca.linkedin.com/in/johndoe
 Summary of Qualifications
• Relevant experience
• # of years
• Hard/technical skills
• Soft skills
• Conference Board of Canada 
“Employability Skills”
• E.g.) time management, organization,
leadership
• Assets
• E.g.) languages, First Aid Certification
• 4-7 bullet points
 Education
• Degrees, diplomas, certificates
• Name of school
• Date completed
 Education

Bachelor of Applied Science, Nutrition and FoodExpected June 2014

Ryerson University, Toronto, ON

Relevant Courses:
Advanced Nutrition Management of Human Disease, Food Security Concepts and
Principles, Health Promotion and Community Development

General Arts and Science Diploma 2010

George Brown College, Toronto, ON
 Work Experience

Patient Food Tray Auditor May 2013 – August 2013

Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON

• Assessed accuracy, rate of tray delivery and food temperatures by auditing food
trays for food service department
• Categorized data from patient tray tickets based on amount of food left on tray
(0%, 50% or 100%) and analyzed information using SPSS
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare team to ensure quality control
measures and patient satisfaction with meals
 Duty vs Accomplishment
Statements
Which statement has more impact?
• Counselled diabetic youth on different topics
OR
• Provided nutrition counselling to youth on treatment
strategies to increase diabetes management and
awareness
OR
• Increased diabetes management and awareness by
providing nutrition counselling to 20+ youth on treatment
strategies, such as diet and exercise
 Accomplishment Statements

Action
Verb
+ Duty + Result

Overview
• 1 – 2 lines per bullet point
• Results oriented – not only focused on duties
and responsibilities
 Accomplishment Statements
Example:

Action Verb • Planned

new fitness class

Duty • implemented, and instructed a fun

attracted 24 participants per class

Result • increased gym memberships and

Final Statement:
• Planned, implemented, and instructed a fun new fitness class that
increased gym memberships and attracted 24 participants per
class
 Accomplishment Statements
Qualify and quantify your activities (when applicable):
• Performed a literature review using 3 online databases and earned an A
on final year project “Whole Foods: Enhancing Diet Through Choice”
• Collaborated with Canadian Nutrition Society members to organize
community fundraising events, such as annual bazaar, and raise $10,000
• Increased weekly attendance by 45% at ABC Fitness Centre by
incorporating zumba and hot yoga into youth programming
• Coached peewee hockey team of 15 children ages 11-12, winning
regional championship
Demonstration
 Practice
Think of a skill you possess that is valued in your industry.
Practice writing an accomplishment statement.

Skill:

Action Verb:
Duty:
Result:

Resume Statement:
 Organizing Your Resume
“Big 3” Resume Styles
Chronological
• Focus is on experience
• Each section is organized with the most recent experience

Functional
• Focus is on skills and competencies
• Skills are highlighted and proven through examples of
experience

Combination
• Aspects from both chronological and functional styles
• Highlights skills and indicates experiences in reverse
chronological order
 Resume Tips
• Highlight accomplishments
• Tailor your resume for each job
• Quantify and qualify
• #, %, $
• Use industry specific language/technical terms
• Consistent formatting
• Avoid personal pronouns (“I”, “me”, “my”, etc.)
• Avoid jargon and uncommon abbreviations

Proofread, proofread, proofread!

 Cover Letters

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

 Preparing to Write a Cover Letter

Review
• Company/Organization
• Job field
• Job description

 Focus on approx. 3
main reasons why you
 Cover Letter Format
Your Name
Address
Telephone #
Email address

Today’s Date

Contact Person
Title
Company/Organization
Address
City, Province Postal Code

Dear _________________:
 Cover Letter Format
1st Section:
• What position are you applying for and where/when did you hear of the
opening? Why, generally, are you qualified? Why do you want to work
specifically in this position and for this company?

2nd Section:
• Why should the employer believe that you can do the job?

Indicate past or current experience, specialized knowledge, education,

appropriate skills and abilities, suitable work related values, appropriate
personal attributes – give one or two tangible examples (STAR)

3rd Section:
• Thank them for their time, request an interview

Sincerely,
Your Signature
Full Name
 Buying Motivators
1. Make Money
• Exceeded daily sales quota by an average of $150 each day
2. Save Money
• Reduced paper costs by $1400 by initiating ‘scrap’ paper boxes next
to printers
3. Save Time
• Performed the work previously required of two full-time employees
4. Make Work Easier
• Initiated the reorganization of filing system, making information more
easily accessible
5. Solve a Specific Problem
• Reduced number of customer questions by establishing a “Frequently
Asked Questions” page on website
Source: Interview Magic, Susan Britton Whitcomb
 Buying Motivators
6. Be More Competitive
• Translated marketing materials into Spanish and Hmong, gaining
dominant presence in markets left virtually ignored by competitors
7. Build More Relationships
• Collaborated with a neighbouring centre to hold a Job Fair which
attracted over 600 people
8. Expand Business
• Acquired 3 new partnerships for ABC company worth $1.5M
9. Attract New Clients
• Wrote proposal to open new branch of Autism Support Centre to
attract clients from a wider geographic area
10. Retain Existing Customers
• Implemented direct-mail follow-up program for new customers; data
reflects a 55% increase in repeat customers
Source: Interview Magic, Susan Britton Whitcomb
 Cover Letter Tips
• Tailor your cover letter to each job
• Highlight 2-3 main reasons why you are the
best candidate
• Use specific examples to demonstrate results
• Show your personality
• Communicate interest, motivation, and self-
confidence
• 1 page maximum

Proofread, proofread, proofread!

 Summary

What are employers looking for?

 Summary
1. Can you do the job?
• Skills, knowledge, abilities, experience,
background

2. Will you do the job?

• Interest, commitment, desire, drive, ambition,
capability, willingness

3. Will you fit in?

• Work-related values, common
goals/objectives, personality
 Resources

Career Resource Centre – POD60A

 Connect With Us!
www.facebook.com/RyersonCareer
Contact Information:

www.twitter.com/RyersonCareer Location: POD 60

Phone: (416) 979 – 5177

www.youtube.com/RyersonCareer
Email: career@ryerson.ca

Ryerson University Career Hours: Monday – Thursday

Development & Employment Centre 8:30 am – 6:30 pm
Friday
instagram.com/ryersoncareer 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

www.ryerson.ca/career