This document summarizes the key points from Tutorial #4 on resumes for COMM 202 taught by TA Laura Wong on February 13th. The tutorial covered resume formatting, personal branding, accomplishment statements using the CAR/RAC formula, and key takeaways. Students were assigned to complete a skills matrix, begin drafting resumes over reading break, and schedule an informational interview.

1. welcome to
COMM 202
Tutorial #4 Ÿ TA: Laura Wong Ÿ Thursday, Feb 13
Introduction to Resumes

2. Resume eModule recap:
WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM
THE EMODULE?
R 1 minute

3. Resume Intro
1 page to sell yourself – WHY?
How many mistakes before 40% deduction?
Skills matrix = your best friend for building
your resume

4. Header Formatting
• Depends on your specialization/position:
123
Fake
Street,
City,
Prov,
A1B
2C3
604-­‐567-­‐1234
|
notmyemail@gmail.com
www.LINKEDINURL.com

5. Resume & Your Personal Brand
Differentiate yourself from other candidates:
• Use of colour
• Really give thought to your interests
section
• Showcase your diversity
• Education: Include some unique and key
classes, awards, projects, competitions, …

6. Accomplishment Statements
Skills Matrix =
Accomplishment
Statements =
C A R
R A C
Result / Proof
Action / Skill
Context

7. Accomplishment Statements
Result / Proof
Action / Skill
Context
Increased client’s online customer referrals
by 54% by integrating functional design and
clearly written content into development of
new website

8. Accomplishment Statements
Result / Proof
Action / Skill
Context
Increased client’s online customer referrals
by 54% by integrating functional design
and clearly written content into
development of new website

9. Result
• Action verbs that identify your results
– i.e. what did you accomplish?
Attained
Exceeded
Eliminated
Increased
Result / Proof
Decreased
Maximized
Minimized
Reduced
Saved
Surpassed
Improved
Created
Action / Skill
Generated
Enhanced
Optimized
Established
Context

10. Proof
• Answers by how much or how many?
– May include %, #s, quotations, etc.
• Link to the result verb used – story flow
• Makes the action believable and
measurable
Qualitative vs. Quantitative?
Result / Proof
Action / Skill
Context

11. Action/Skill
• What skills did you use to accomplish the
task?
• Do these skills transfer to the job you are
applying for?
– i.e. are they in the job description
• Be specific! Not just “communication/
teamwork/leadership/interpersonal skills”
Result / Proof
Action / Skill
Context

12. Context
Your chance to define the details
surrounding the situation à scope of action
Who, What, When, Where, Why
Size, Budget ($), Team members,
Participants, Time frame
Result / Proof
Action / Skill
Context

13. Ineffective vs. Effective
“Tutored a grade 12 student in math”
Improved a student’s mark by 8% in grade 12 math
within one year by designing effective lesson plans
that catered to his areas of improvement
Result / Proof
Action / Skill
Context

14. Resume activity:
CONDENSE YOUR STORIES INTO
ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEMENTS
• Use your skills matrix/old resume
• Flip your CARs into RACs and summarize in a single sentence
R 10 minutes

15. 3 (or more) key takeaways from today?
1. Follow the formula for your R-A-C Statements
2. Differentiate yourself through PERSONAL
BRANDING
3. Formatting needs to be perfect (40%
deduction for 2+ mistakes) – ATTENTION TO
DETAIL
4. Important to tailor your resume to the job
description

16. Action Items
þ Skills Matrix – due tomorrow @ 2pm
þ Resume Assignment
Ø Start building your resumes over break
Ø Resume & Cover Letters due Mar. 21st
Ø Bring 2 resume drafts to next tutorial for peer
review
þ Informational Interview
Ø Schedule one over reading break!
After break: TUTORIAL