Presentation for OISA.

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Let’s Talk Cover Letters & LinkedIn
Presentation to Ottawa Ismaili Students Association
April 1, 2015

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About Me
Cyclist
Public Service
&
Development
PolicyWonk
Social Media
Nerd
‘Asker’of
Questions

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Why use LinkedIn?
89%
of businesses planned to
use social media networks
for recruitment (2011).
86%
of these businesses use
LinkedIn as their primary
means for recruitment.
79%
of hiring managers & job
recruiters review applicants’
online information.
65%
of companies have
successfully hired via social
media.

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Intro to LinkedIn
1. Create a profile
2. Connect with the right people
3. Join & collaborate in groups
4. Endorse and be endorsed!
5. Storytelling - go beyond bullet points
6. Turn off your notifications!
6 Ways to Get Started on LinkedIn

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5THINGS YOUR
COVER LETTER
NEEDS NOW

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1. Storytelling
In business, creating a compelling narrative is invaluable for motivating a
team, explaining strategic priorities in a way that’s easy for others to
understand,orcommunicatingcomplexideastocustomersandprospects.
“ “
Lonne Jaffe, chief executive of Syncsort

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2. Value Proposition
1. Set a clear target
2. Identify your strengths
3. Tie your strengths to your target posi-
tion
4. Provide evidence and success stories
Creating a Personal Value
Proposition“Based on your values, beliefs, and your
behavior – how you exhibit your beliefs
and demonstrate those strengths which
make you stand out. This is the essence
of your PVP, and it lies at the heart of
why people want to work with you, trust
you and build a strong, healthy rela-
tionship with you.”
“
“
Andrew Cooke
Growth & Profit Solutions
Bill Barnett
Harvard Business Review

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3. Sign Posting
Your cover letter should be one page - that’s not a lot of space! Take the opportunity to
point your potential employer to spots on your resume for more information.

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4. Appearance
• Your resume and cover letter
are your personal
advertisements - make them
look as professional as possible!
• Your cover letter should have
the exact same formatting as
your resume
• There are plenty of places to
find simple templates that can
help you find a professional
look that works for you

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5. Technicalities
Technicalities and format issues are there
for a good reason - follow them!
• Your cover letter should be one page, and include:
• Left-justified text, your address, your potential
employer’s address, and the date
• A first paragraph indicating the position you’re
applying for and how you heard about the posi-
tion
• Your value proposition as related to the position
• A series of paragraphs that expand upon your
value proposition, provide concrete examples
of your work, and sign post to your resume
• An action statement that both intrigues the
reader and explicitly asks them to contact you

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ANY
QUESTIONS?
Wrapping up