This document provides an agenda and announcements for a career fundamentals tutorial. It outlines the schedule for peer review of resumes and cover letters, discusses networking basics, and previews upcoming assignments. Details are given on how to structure and write effective resumes, cover letters, and networking reflections. Office hours for one-on-one assistance are also announced.

1. COMM 202: Career Fundamentals – Tutorial #5
T01, T14, & T20 (Sam’s Sections)

2. Agenda: what’s on the menu today?
1. Resume and Cover Letter Peer Review
2. Networking Basics
Please make groups of 4-5 today for today’s
tutorial!
HAND INYOUR ROUGH COPIES!

3. Course Timeline
A glimpse into the future.

4. What’s coming up in the next few weeks?
Week 9 Week 10 Week 11
Tutorial:
Resume and cover
letter peer review
What’s Due:
Resume and Cover
Letter Draft
• Two (hard copy) to
class
Tutorial:
Informational Interviews
What’s Due:
Resume and Cover
Letter – dueTues. Nov.
6th onTurnitin and
COOL
Lecture:
Interview Prep
What’s Due:
Have informational interview
time and date confirmed
Networking Event –
Tuesday, Nov. 13th (6-8 pm)

5. Peer Review
Giving clear and targeted
feedback to your peers and
helping them improve.

6. GRAB A RESUME!

7. What kind of errors to watch out for?
SPELLING
+
GRAMMA
R
INCORRECT
INFORMATIO
N
INCONSISTENCIES
IMPROPER
FORMATTING
MISSING
INFORMATIO
N
INCORRECT
ORDER

8. How to format?
• Titles formatted the same
• Spacing is consistent
• Margins are reasonable (≥1.5cm)
• Phrases either ALL end in period or not
• Dates
• Usually right-aligned
• All have month and year, or just year
• All months are abbreviated to same # of
letters
• Uses hyphens (–) OR dashes (-)
• Font:
• Smallest size is 10
• Generally no more than two types of font
• Numbers under 10 spelled out (i.e. two vs. 2)
• Bullets: same size/style, aligned
• One page

9. How about headers?
HEADER
• Name is preferred name with (given
name) in brackets
• Phone and email address are included
• LinkedIn URL is personalized
GENERAL
• No personal pronouns (I, we, he, she)
• Reasonable amount of white space – is it
easy to read?
• Experiences listed in reverse
chronological order by start date
• Spelling and grammar

10. How about the profile section? It’s optional!
• No more than 5 lines for key competencies (4 for profile)
• Can include languages
• Does it clearly and convincingly summarize strengths/experiences/skills?
• Does it match the job posting (multiple references)?
• Does it provide a clear, convincing link to the rest of the resume (i.e. is there PROOF elsewhere in
the document?)
• OPTIONAL** - depends on the industry you are applying to, include if need a way to fill up your
resume (i.e. Not enough experience but can’t have too much white space on resume)

11. TIME TO TRADE!

12. How about structuring the education?
• Bachelor of Commerce not BCOMM or B.Comm
• UBC Sauder School of Business not Sauder School of Business
• Start with the degree
• List expected date of completion (either as “Completion: …” or “Expected Completion: ...”)
• No laundry lists of courses: only specific, relevant courses (full course name written out)
• GPA – score/%/letter grade, indicating the school scale
• Key/relevant projects and awards: write in accomplishment statement form
Do not include high school education!

13. TIME TO TRADE!

14. How about the accomplishment statements?
• Reverse chronological order by start date
• Written in third person
• Eliminate filler words
• You can include explanation sentences of companies / experiences if necessary
• Keep it to one sentence (2 lines is best)
• Elements of statements should be apparent (but not necessarily in RATS order)

15. How about the accomplishment statements?
• Are experiences achievement based?
• Do numbers clearly quantify achievements where appropriate?
• Do statements have Accomplishment, Proof,Transferrable skills, and Scope of
Action?
• Are statements led with strong result verbs? Are the verbs being used varied across
bullet points?
• Does language indicate familiarity with industry/company? Does it match the job
description?

16. TIME TO TRADE!

17. How do we sound interesting in interests?
• Do the interests show personality?Are they specific? Are they
relevant to the job (not always necessary)?
• Do they differentiate the candidate? Are they memorable?
• Be fun!And appropriate
*NOTE for the candidate: Be able to speak about these interests
extensively!

18. GRAB A COVER LETTER!

19. How to format?
• Left aligned (NOT justified)
• No indents on paragraphs
• 2-3 relevant skills + stories highlighted
• Consistent font size (minimum size 10
and should match with resume font size)
• Appropriate font and margin sizes
• Spacing between paragraphs
• Appropriate balance of content and
white space
• One page
**Headers of cover letter and resume must
match, it’s all about branding**

20. How to address?
Date
Contact Name (if known)
Title
Company Name
Address 1
City, Province Postal Code
Re: PositionTitle (and reference number)
Dear [First name Last name],
or Dear Hiring Manager/Committee, or
Dear Mr./Ms./Mx. Last Name,
[Opening Paragraph]

21. How to sign off?
Sincerely, / Regards, / Best,
(Written signature if you want)
Your name
BCom Candidate 20XX
Sauder School of Business
Enclosed or Attached*: Resume
* Enclosed: physical copy
* Attached: electronic copy

22. TIME TO TRADE!

23. How to construct a compelling opening?
• How is the hook?
• Interest/passion for the position?
• Skills/experience matching the job posting?
• Is primary or secondary research integrated
• Name drop? (when applicable)
• Branding: CAN-WANT-FIT

24. TIME TO TRADE!

25. How to build powerful body paragraphs?
• Skills to match the position?
• STARL format?
• Are there examples – specific & concise?
• Transferrable skills?
• Do results show strengths or success?

26. TIME TO TRADE!

27. How to build wrap it all up and close?
• Are skills reiterated?
• Is sincere interest expressed?
• Graciously thanks employer for consideration
• Call to action (aka request for a meeting)
• Tie back to hook/intro, wrap it up in a nice bow
• Do not include your contact information – that can already be found in the
header

28. Networking
Essentials
How to navigate the scary sea of
of professional interactions.

29. What should a networking reflection include?
1. Your goals in attending the event:
• What is your purpose in going?What do you want to know
about Sauder?
• Define SMART goals beforehand – how will you define the
success of your evening?
2. How did you prepare for the event? (Research potential
delegates)
• What was it about these delegates that motivated you wanting
to talk to them?
3. Summary of who you spoke with and what you learned
4. Reflection in lessons you have learned about the networking
process
5. Next steps you will take to continue building a relationship with

30. How should you research delegates? LinkedIn!
1. Check out delegate info on course blog
2. Skim LinkedIn profiles of delegates
you’d like to speak to
• Note any interesting topics
• Hone in on similar experiences or
shared groups
• Think about questions to ask
BE INTERESTED WITHOUT BEING
CREEPY!

31. What should dress code be? Not too formal.

32. How should you end a conversation? 4-steps.
Thank them for their time
Leave with a handshake
Ask to connect after the
event
Be polite and gracious

33. Announcements: what’s on the radar?
1. Resume/Cover Letter FINAL dueTues. Nov. 6th at 11:59 pm
(Turnitin AND COOL – for interview assignment)
2. Networking Event onTues. Nov. 13th at…
• If you are inTutorial 1-10, attend the networking event from 6-7PM
• If you are inTutorial 11-20, attend the networking event from 7-8PM
• Please attend your correct time slot, as we will check during sign-in
Remember to sign up on COOL for office hours!

34. Announcements: where are Office Hours?
Dates &Times:
• Wednesday, October 31st → 4 - 5:30pm
• Friday, November 2nd → 12:00pm - 1:30pm
• Monday, November 5th → 4 - 6pm
How to sign up:
• Log into COOL
• Under Workshops/Events, select Workshops/Other
Events
• Search up COMM 202 in the Search Bar and COMM 202
Office Hours should appear.
• Hit RSVP and you're good to go

35. Have a great rest of the
week!
Remember to exercise!