The document provides instructions for a tutorial on cover letters, resumes, and accomplishment statements. It instructs students to work in groups of 4 and pass documents around the table for peer review. It then outlines the proper formatting for cover letters, including address blocks, sign-offs, and examples. The document reviews opening paragraphs, skills matching, and conclusions for cover letters. It also discusses resume formatting and sections, including profiles, competencies, education, branding, and interests. Finally, it introduces the RATS method for writing accomplishment statements by starting with the Result and working backwards to the Action, Task, and Situation.

1. COMM 202
TUTORIAL 4
 SIT IN GROUPS OF 4!
 HAND IN ONE COPY OF YOUR CL

2. INSTRUCTIONS
1. Write your table number on ALL of your
documents
2. Put your documents in a pile in the middle of
the table
3. Get out your marking utensils
Each new slide section
PASS DOCUMENT TO THE RIGHT

3. AGENDA
Peer Review - CL
Resumes
Action Items

4. 1. PEER REVIEW – COVER
LETTERS

5. FORMATTING (ADDRESS)
Date
Contact Name
Their Title
Company
Address
City, Province Postal Code
Re: Position Title
Dear Mr. / Ms. Their Last Name OR Hiring
Manager
If unknown, this
can be omitted
AVOID:
“To Whom it May
Concern”
“Dear Sir or Madam”
Country is typically
unnecessary unless
applying outside of
Canada

6. EXAMPLES - ADDRESS

7. END FORMATTING (SIGN OFF)
Sincerely,
Your Name
BCom Candidate 20XX
Sauder School of Business
Attached: Resume
Regards,
Best,
Written signature optional
(provide more space if
including)
Attached: Resume,
Transcript
Use “Enclosed: …” only if
sending application by mail
BCom Candidate 2016
These
spaces are
important

8. END FORMATTING
 Sincerely, /
Regards, / Best,
 Attached:
Resume/Transcript
 Written signature if
you want

9. OPENING
 HOOK!
 Is there a link between them and the
position?
 Interest and passion
 Matches skills
 Shows research in company
 NOT random fact-dropping!
 Name dropping where applicable

10. SKILLS MATCHING
 Describes specific skills that are clearly
matched to the job description, referencing
specific examples that leverage experiences
and qualifications
 Experiences highlighted are specific and
concise linking past experiences through
transferable skills
 Results show success or strength in past
experiences

11. CONCLUSION
 Reiterates skills in a different way
 Expresses interest in the position
 Call to action
 Thank-you

12. BRANDING
 Incorporating industry jargon/terminology
CAN they do the job?
Do they WANT the job?
Are they a good FIT?
Who would you hire

13. 2.
RESUMES From this…

14. TO THIS…

15. HEADER
 The banner at the top of the page (includes basic
information)

16. HEADER
Name Contact Info Address
LinkedIn Social Media Websites

17. PROFILE
 A brief self-intro and preview of the resume

18. PROFILE
Career
Aspirations
Skills &
Attributes
Interests
Experiences
Training &
Certifications
Areas of
expertise
Secret Tip: Refer to your job posting

19. KEY/CORE
COMPETENCIES
 A brief self-intro and preview of the resume &
replaces the profile

20. EDUCATION
 Showcasing your academic journey

21. EDUCATION
School &
Program
Expected Grad
Date
Academic
Achievements
Key Projects Awards Competitions

22. PERSONAL BRANDING
 How you present yourself throughout the document

23. PERSONAL BRANDING
Interests (5 min
chat)
Colours & Design
Choice of
Vocabulary

24. GOAL
SHOWCASE
PERSONALITY &
DIFFERENTIATE
YOURSELF.
HOW DO YOU
WANT TO BE
REMEMBERED?
ARE YOU
CATERING TO
YOUR AUDIENCE?

25. INTERESTS
Why are interests
important?
Tailor to your
audience
Good vs. bad
interests

26. OVER 2 ERRORS*= 40% DEDUCTION
* Per document
Spelling &
Grammar
Typos Formatting
Missing Info
Dashes vs.
Hyphens Consistency

27. 3. ACCOMPLISHMENT
STATEMENTS
 Your best self on paper

28. REMEMBER THIS?
Resume
Cover Letter
Interview
SKILLS MATRIX

29. A BIG CHANGE TO STAR STORIES
from STAR to RATS
Why?!
 Employers do not want to hear your story, but your
accomplishments!

30. “RATS” STATEMENT
 Backwards STAR statements!
Result (proof)
Action
Task
Situation

31. RESULT
 “Accomplishment” or “result” verbs
ATTAINED
EXCEEDED
ELIMINATED
INCREASED
DECREASED
MAXIMIZED
MINIMIZED
REDUCED
SAVED
SURPASSED
IMPROVED
CREATED
GENERATED
ENHANCED
OPTIMIZED
ESTABLISHED
**Try not to repeat words!!

32. RESULT
2 Types of Results:
1. Qualitative
 ***Be Descriptive
 Positive Feedback
 Promotion/Increase in Responsibilities
 Implementation
 Awards
2. Quantitative
 How much
 How many
 Numbers
 Percentages

33. ACTION
Do your results match up with your
actions?
Are those skills relevant to the job?
What skills did you see?

34. SITUATION & TASK
Describe the context
Paint the Setting –
Who, What, Where?
What was the
challenge?

35. WHAT NOT TO DO
Duty based statements:
 Responsible for contacting corporate clients and organizing a
tournament
This is a job description!

36. WHAT TO DO
Accomplishment Statements
 Achieved 85% client retention rate by establishing
relationships with key corporate clients and providing a well
organized, personally tailored tournament experience.
This is how you know you’re good at it!

37. AN EXAMPLE
 Achieved 85% client retention rate by establishing
relationships with key corporate clients and providing a well
organized, personally tailored tournament experience.
RESULT

38. AN EXAMPLE
 Achieved 85% client retention rate by establishing
relationships with key corporate clients and providing a well
organized, personally tailored tournament experience.
TASK & ACTION

39. AN EXAMPLE
 Achieved 85% client retention rate by establishing
relationships with key corporate clients and providing a well
organized, personally tailored tournament experience.
SITUATION

40. WORK EXPERIENCE EXAMPLES

41. ACTIVITY
Take one of your skills-matching paragraphs
and rewrite it as an accomplishment statement!

42. 3. ACTION ITEMS
 Skills Matrix Assignment due Friday, Feb 12th @ 2:00pm
 Watch the resume e-module and review “Outline to a
Chronological Resume” before next tutorial!
 Bring in 2 hard copies of your full resume draft, updated cover
letter and job posting (1 to be handed in, 1 reviewed in class)
 Sign up for Office Hours on COOL
 Have an awesome reading break! 