Lianne Gagn,

Career Educator
Office of Student Development and Services
B210
705-474-3461 ext. 4491
lianneg@nipissingu.ca

Resum Writing Workshop

offered to Nipissing University
Schulich School of Education and
Concurrent Education Students

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the presentation, students will
be able to:
identify the components of a well-written
resum
indicate past experiences relevant to desired
position
translate experiences and abilities into a
resum

AGENDA
Resum
Who are you?
What have you done?
Where have you done it?

Cover Letter

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Resums that do not impress will be eliminated by the hiring team.
**Grammatical and spelling errors do not impress**
Consider the following important points:
Margins: 1 x 1
Consistency with format (bold, underline, spacing)
Paper quality and colour
Excellent print quality (single-sided)
Font and size
Length of resum
Use bullets (not , *, , -)

PARTS OF A RESUM

Personal Information
Career Objective/Executive Summary (optional)
Education
Career (or Teaching) Related Experience
Other Employment Experience
Volunteer Experience
Other Achievements : Professional Affiliations,
Certifications, Computer Skills, Awards and Scholarships,
Professional Development (workshops and seminars)
Extracurricular Activities (optional)
Referees
(examples of wording for headings)

Personal Information
Your personal information should appear on the first
page of your resum and
ONLY your name and page number on subsequent pages.
Connor Jones
27 Hollyhock Lane
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1T5
Home: (705) 497-6650
Cellular: (705) 474-2278
Email: connorj@hotmail.com

YOUR LICENSE TO TEACH!

After personal information, leave one space
and indicate that your
Ontario College of Teachers registration is pending
in the Spring of 2015 (include your registration number once you
receive it from the Ontario College of Teachers)

Career Objective (optional)

A career objective must:
Highlight that you are a qualified candidate
Emphasize the contribution that you can make to
the organization
Entice the employer to read the rest of your
application

Education
In reverse chronological order, list the degrees
and diplomas you will have earned by the end of
August (Do not abbreviate!)
Include teachable subjects and additional option
courses that you are taking
List the name and location of the relevant
educational institutions
Indicate that you are in the iTeach Laptop
Learning Program

August 2015

EDUCATION IN THE PRIMARY DIVISION

Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario

June 2015

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION
Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario
Junior/Intermediate Divisions, History Teachable
International Teaching option course (correct title)
iTeach Laptop Learning Program

June 2014

BACHELOR OF ARTS
Guelph University, Guelph, Ontario
Sociology Major, Psychology Minor

June 2010

RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES DIPLOMA

Algonquin College, North Bay, Ontario

Career Related Experience

In reverse chronological order, list the dates, job title,
place of employment, duties, and what you learned.
Begin with practice teaching placements.
Emphasize your hard skills (experience and
education)

Spring 2015

GRADE THREE PRE-SERVICE TEACHER

Ellis Public School, Markham, Ontario
Presented differentiated Science lessons for a grade
three classroom
Assistant coach for the girls grade six volleyball
team
Attended and participated in the monthly staff
meetings

Fall 2014

GRADE FOUR PRE-SERVICE TEACHER

John Smith Public School, Guelph, Ontario
Planned, implemented, and analyzed differentiated
Geography lessons for a grade four classroom
Provided support for the Fall Open House: designed
the meal tickets and supervised the craft table

Assessment (rubrics, checklists, running records)

Visual and technological aids used
Classroom management, problem solving and decision making skills
Professional Development
Interaction with parents

2010-2011

RECREATIONAL COACH
Sports Are Fun, Markham, Ontario
Planned and implemented a training schedule for the
Mens volleyball team
Prepared an annual estimate of program expenditures

2005-2006

GRADE SIX TUTOR

Private Residence, Ajax, Ontario
Tutored six students in my home throughout a twoyear period
Provided support in mathematics and science for
students identified with learning disabilities
Completed written reports and scheduled one-on-one
meetings with parents to discuss their childrens
progress

Other Employment Experience

(not related to teaching)

in reverse chronological order, itemize other

positions you have held
Emphasize your soft skills

2004-2006

ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK
J.R. Bakery, Huntsville, Ontario
Provided secretarial support for a team of ten
employees
Created spreadsheets using various computer
programs (Word, Excel, Publisher)
Analyzed and presented monthly statements of
expense
Communicated deadlines to the owner and provided
problem-solving solutions to scheduling conflicts
Organized the filing system and collaborated with
other staff members to ensure efficiency
Lead a team meeting regarding office concerns and
procedures

Volunteer Experience
Highlight positions with children or leadership positions
Literacy Council (http://www.on.literacy.ca/)
(web, front desk, tutor volunteer)
Frosh leader
Coach
Tutor

2011-2012

FROSH LEADER
Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario
Assisted in interviewing and selecting over 50
volunteers
Conducted two training sessions for leaders

2010-2011

ASSISTANT COACH
Rivers Secondary School, Markham, Ontario
Assisted the coach and trainer with the grade eleven
football team
Attended the games and provided support throughout
the season

Professional Affiliations
2002-Present

Member of the Athletic Association

Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario

1993-1996

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario

person-to-person campaign volunteer

Certifications
2015
2014
2014

First Aid and CPR

Basic Wilderness First Aid
safeTalk, Nipissing University

Computer Skills
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Power Point
Familiar with the Ontario Curriculum Unit Planner,
Hyperstudio 4, Kid Pix Deluxe 3, Ontario Report Cards
Program, Microsoft Front Page, Storybook Weaver,
Music Ace 2

Awards and Scholarships

2013 Dave Marshall Leadership Award, Nipissing University
2011 Carl Sanders Scholarship, Nipissing University
2011 John H. Frost Achievement Award, Laurentian University
2011 Excellence in Education Award, York University

Professional Development
2014
2014

Curriculum Unit Planner Workshop, Nipissing

University
Smartboard Training Session, Nipissing University

OR
2014-2015

Nipissing University Workshops

Curriculum Unit Planner
Smartboard Training Session
Measurement
Geometry

Extracurricular Activities
Reading, drama, canoeing, swimming, and camping

Referees
Employers WANT to see a list of referees.
Do NOT indicate Available Upon Request
Carefully choose 3, maximum 5
(Check the school boards requirements)
Professional referees preferred (associate teacher,
practicum advisor, employer, -someone with authority)
Who are the 3 people who can help me get this job?
Ask permission

REFEREES
Mrs. Elaine Jones, Associate Teacher
Centennial Public School
14 Green Lane
Guelph, ON N1E 4L7
Phone: (519) 123-5678
Email: jones.elaine@cent.ca
Mr. Doug Smith, Principal
John Smith Public School
42 Cedargrove Crescent
Guelph, ON N1E 5J6
Phone: (519) 356-1798, ext. 4345
Email: smith.d@jsps.ca
Ms. Gillian Spencer, Program Coordinator
Frontier College Students for Literacy Program
16 Squirrel Place
Guelph, ON N1E 3Z7
Phone: (519) 364-5498
Email: spencer.gillian@fcslp.ca
I, Lianne Gagn, grant permission
for my referees to be contacted.

Practice Teaching Reports

List of Referees
Faith Reference Form

Submit copies of your practice teaching

reports
If requested, enclose letters from referees
Catholic School Boards Faith Reference or
Pastoral Form

Actual Examples of Errors

Principle of the school
working with young people while teaching
Marital Arts (karate)
my ability to plan, implement and asses both
Instructed large, small and individual children
Tutored a grade 4 student who had a speech
impediment for one hour per week

Employers Pet Peeves

About Resums!

Spelling and grammatical mistakes

More than 2 pages long
Colored paper that does not copy well
Repetition in your bullets
Not including a cover letter
No dates with experience
Listing jobs with no accomplishments
Incorrect contact information
Photocopies of photocopies

Tips!
Do not use I in your bullet sections
(I had the opportunity to further develop)
Keep sections on 1 page
Align your dates (left or right side of the page)
Do not use abbreviations (ON, BEd, TA, ABQ, AQ)
Do not use periods or semi-colons in your bullet sections
Use correct verb tense
Past experience: organized, planned, implemented
Present experience: organize, plan, implement

Non-Teaching Resum Tips

No need to include your Ontario College of
Teachers registration number
Under Education section
include a bullet: Thirteen weeks of practicum
experience in grades.

 Under Career Related Experience

Begin with your paid employment and not your
practice teaching placements emphasize your
hard skills: education and skills

After Career Related Experience, add a

heading called Professional Experience
and include your Practice Teaching
Placements: emphasize your transferrable
skills

COVER LETTER
Tips for writing a cover letter
Analyze the job posting and identify the key
words use these keywords in your letter
Check the school boards website for similar
current postings what are they looking for?

Mark Smith
2024 Cedargrove Street
London, Ontario N5W 5G4
519-455-9810
marksmith@gmailcom
(2 spaces)
Date
(2 spaces)
Mr. Robert Caldori, Superintendent of Schools
London Catholic District School Board
P.O. Box 5474, 5200 Wellington Road South
London, Ontario N6A 4X5
(1 space)
*If you address your cover letter
Dear Mr. Caldori,
To Whom It May Concern
(1 space)
you havent done your research!!

Paragraph 1: Initial Contact

State the reason for writing

State the title of the position for which you are
applying
Quote the job posting number if provided
State the divisions and teachable(s) you are
qualified to teach and the name of the institution
Indicate if you plan to take an Additional Basic
Qualification in another division in the spring or
summer

Paragraph 2: Solid Evidence

Indicate if you plan on taking other courses in
the future (French as a Second Language,
Special Education Part I)
Write about your career related experience
Emphasize your strengths indicated on your
practice teaching reports

Paragraph 3: Your Beliefs

Share your thoughts:
What is teaching all about?
What is learning all about?
What is the curriculum all about?
Why are you interested in teaching?
What kind of classroom will yours be?
Show your enthusiasm for the teaching profession!
Research:
school boards mission statement
school boards philosophy of education

Paragraph 4 and Closing: Action

You must be action-oriented. Consider the following:
Close with a strong statement of confidence
Express your willingness to attend an interview
Thank the employer for considering you
Provide information regarding your website (e-portfolio)
Provide a telephone number where you can be reached, or
where a message can be left
Sincerely,
(sign here)
Your First and Last name, OCT Candidate

Non-Teaching Cover Letter Tips

Paragraph 1: dont include your teachables,
division or if you are planning on taking
an ABQ. Simply indicate your
undergraduate and Bachelor of Education
degrees
Paragraph 2, 3 and 4: Follow same tips

Actual Examples
I learnt to tackle people at any level for their
concerns.
I believe that everyone has some sort of disability,
although with some individuals, these disabilities
are more heightened than others.
My practicum experiences have also taught me
firsthand how exhausting and tiresome it can be
for teachers

The Cool Down Period

Youve spent a lot of time and effort getting your letter of
application written but its not over yet.
Ask someone to proofread your letter
(friend, colleague, advisor)
Proofread your resum backwards
Read your resum outloud
Email your resum to yourself

Sending your application

by email
Subject line: Position and Job Posting #
Email message
Logical order and flow
Edit it!
Sloppy writing and abbreviations are not
acceptable

Remember
1. The effort you are willing to put into your
resum shows your prospective employer
the effort you are willing to put into the
job!
2. 86% of Human Resources Professionals see
poorly written resums and cover letters as
a deal breaker for job applicants.
(careershorts.com)

Education Fair Information

Friday, January 30, 12:30-3:30
Education Centre Gym
Dress to impress
Format (booth, information sessions,
interviews)
Updates will be sent by email

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the presentation, students will
be able to:
identify the components of a well-written
resum
indicate past experiences relevant to desired
position
translate experiences and abilities into a
resum