JCU Career Development Program
Applications for
Work Placements
Activity Book
ACTIVITY 1 – WRITING A COVER LETTER
First paragraph
1
Why am I writing? To introduce myself and indicate my interest in working for this company. Sample text I wish to express my interest and enthusiasm for the position advertisedin ...This position would allow me to transfer my high level of (technical skills from your degree),interpersonal, communication and leadership skills developed throughout my university study along with my work in ...……… (This sentence would need to reflect the top skills specified in the advertisement).
Try writing your own first paragraph.
Second paragraph
2
What qualifications, skills and experience can I offer?Tell them about your academic and professional qualifications along with any relevant projects, giving evidence of the skills acquired which align with the skills required from the job vacancy advertisement. If not stated you may need to further research these
competencies required via the company's website or HR department.
Sample text Currently I am studying ... majoring in ... and I have a special interest in...(relevant to the placement) I have received a GPA of ...(on a 7 point scale). Exemplifying my time management and organisational skills, I have maintained good academic results whilst balancing part-time work, community and voluntary services and extra-curricular activities.
...You could add another concise paragraph addressing any specific skills required from the job advertisement and how you acquired them.
Try writing your own second paragraph.
Third paragraph
3
Why am I the right person for this position? What do I know about the company?This is a good place to convince them why you are the right person for this position and to indicate
your motivation for this job. Now you can provide some evidence of your knowledge of the company by
referring to any major accomplishments or ventures.
Sample text I have followed the success of your last 2 projects featuring……….. and feel I could contribute to XYZ Consultants a valuable combination of practical experience and theoretical knowledge. I am able to quickly and easily adapt to new programs and have the ability to take responsibility, am self motivated and am passionate about helping these team projects succeed.
Try writing your own third paragraph.
Final paragraph
4
How can I best ensure I will be able to talk further with the company?Here you take steps to ensure you talk further. Indicate you can better discuss this in person and look forward to an interview.
Thank them for their consideration and reiterate how you can be contacted.
OR
Indicate you will phone on a particular day to discuss the progression of the application.
Yours faithfully Your name
Sample text As you can appreciate we could better discuss this application in person and I look forward to speaking with you in the next week. My contact number is 0400 123456.
Try writing your own final paragraph.
ACTIVITY 2– RESUME SAMPLE
Read through this sample resume. Then use the template that follows to create your own resume.
Fred Samalero
21 Calbar Place, Smithfield, QLD 4870. (semester) 16 Hopevale Crescent, Tolga, QLD 4875 (home)
Telephone: 0413 579821 (mobile) Email: [email protected]
EDUCATION
2012—current Bachelor of Business (Hons) James Cook University, Cairns, QLD Majors: Human Resources
Marketing
Expected Date of Completion: November 2015
Achievements
GPA: 5.7 (Scale 1-7, 7 being the highest)
Achieved distinctions in: o Macro economics o Principles of Marketing o Organisational Behaviour
3rd and 4th year business faculty representative for representing student response to changes in curriculum
Member of group of 3 who received the highest grade for research project on new marketing
initiatives for small business
Full academic transcript provided upon request.
Academic Record
Attach a copy of your current Academic Record. If requested.
2011 Certificate II in Retail Operations Barrier Reef TAFE, Townsville
2011 Year 12 Senior Certificate
Townsville High School, QLD Achievements
High achievement in English & Japanese
Active member of the Student Representative Council
School representative for regional debating team
Co-produced short radio play, aired on community radio
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2013 Australian Institute of Management Conference, Townsville
Student participant & committee volunteer
2012 Speechcraft (16 hour course) Toast Masters, Cairns
Commended for impromptu class presentations.
2012 Occupational Health and Safety Training (8 hours) Completed at Colorado Clothing Company
WORK HISTORY
2014 - present FNQ Fund Raising Co-ordinator (voluntary position: 6 hours / week)
The Oak Tree Foundation
Achievements & Responsibilities
© Queensland University of Technology, 2009
High School Certificate… only include your high school education if it is still recent and you have achievements to list.
Other Education & Training… include relevant TAFE qualifications & certificates
Voluntary Work…
Managed a successful fund raising campaign at JCU Cairns, raising over $3,000 towards the East Timor project.
Co-ordinated a team of 3 to generate ideas for the improvement of
current web functionality to inform our membership of regular activity updates.
Maintain budget and financial records for local branch.
2012 – present Student Mentor (voluntary) James Cook University Mentor Program. Achievements & Responsibilities
Coordinated tours on campus in O week for new science students
Trained in communication, mentoring and advocacy
Act regularly as a support and mentor to 5 new students
Proactive in suggesting a timetable for mentor staffing of learning centre. The mentor co-coordinator has since implemented this suggestion.
2012 – present Retail Assistant
Colorado Clothing Company
Mareeba, FNQ (15-20 hrs per week average) Achievements & Responsibilities
6 month period as Assistant Store Manager (prior to full-time University)
Customer relations and extensive sales experience
Created visual displays and merchandising
2010 – 2014 Hospitality worker (casual)
I have worked in a range of hospitality positions, to support myself through University.
The skills developed in these roles include:
Responsive and sensitive handling of the public, including customer complaints.
Management of financial transactions including balancing register monies each shift.
A reliable ability to stay calm on busy nights.
The capacity to motivate other team members.
Excellent problem solving skills developed through trouble shooting in the hospitality industry over the past 4 years.
MEMBERSHIPS
© Queensland University of Technology, 2009
Headers & Footers…
Don’t forget to include a header or footer with your name & page number.
Similar jobs… It is acceptable for you to group like jobs together
Research!
Research & highlight those skills relevant to the position you are applying for & include them in your Achievements & Responsibilities where you developed and used them.
Professional Memberships are important to show an
understanding of the industry and your professional development. Explore both student and industry
2013 – current Student Member of Australian Institute of Management
2013 – current Student Member of Australian Institute of Marketing
2012 JCU EUS Member
REFEREES
Dr Anne Smith Mr Neil Wordsworth
Senior Lecturer - School of Advanced Study Retail Manager
James Cook University Colorado Clothing
Company
Townsville QLD 4811 Aitkenvale QLD 4812
Phone 4700 5555 Phone 4700 5555
E-mail [email protected] E-mail
Referee or References? Referees are people who can comment in a positive manner about your work, academic skills and personal qualities.
Written references by referees should not be included in your resume unless specified in the job ad.
ACTIVITY TWO – RESUME TEMPLATE
Use this template to create your own resume replacing your own personal details where applicable
Allie SHAND
24 Smythe Street
Torquay Q. 4999
Mobile: 0400 123 123
Email: [email protected]
__________________________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATION
Tertiary
[Start-Completion] [Course]
[University – JCU]
[Major]
(expected completion date – [Completion Date])
You may wish to include a bulleted list of statements regarding achievements/team projects/special interests here relating it to the job description or company requirements
You may wish to list a selection of your relevant high distinctions and distinctions here in bullet point format
Include an adaption of the following statement
Credits and above in over 65% of subjects Course GPA – 5.2 (scale 1-7, 7 highest)
(see attached Academic Record/History) (Optional)
[Start-Completion] [Additional Course]
[Additional Institution]
[Additional Major]
(Transferred to JCU after first year)
You can adapt the above statement to your own situation if applicable
Secondary
Start-Completion Year 12 Senior Certificate State your level of achievement here
State High School State your school name here
Overall Position (OP) – 5 consider your OP/HSC level here. Include scale
Very High Achievements
You may wish to list the subjects that were very high achievements in bullet point format
Awards/Achievements
Here you can list your notable awards and achievements.
[Awards] [Title]
E.g. Completed “Teamwork in Action” and “Leadership” Business Advantage modules
E.g. Year 12 Economics Award
E.g. School Prefect
E.g. School Debating Team
Computer Skills You may wish to split your computer skills into competent and familiar
Competent using
[Computer Skills]
Familiar with
[Computer Skills]
Other Qualifications/Skills
In this section you can list the variety of skills you possess. Different headings can be used. The following are common examples.
Foreign language skills
[Languages]
E.g. fluent in Cantonese
E.g. studied French to Year 10 level
No need to include English as this would be assumed
Licences
Trade Certificates
[Trade Certificates]
Other Skills
[Other Skills]
WORK HISTORY
Career related This section should start with the most current career related work history
followed by the experience from years previous. You can draw upon your experiences here, from ‘Paid professional employment’ and/or ‘Professional work experience’.
[Start-End] [Paid Professional Employment] [Title] -([Hours] - hrs/wk for 8 wks)
or [Professional Work Experience] [Title] -([Hours] - hrs/wk for 20 wks)
[Organisation] – Suburb/City
Skills Developed/Responsibilities
List 6-8 skills and responsibilities developed in your role in bullet points
(Examples)
Preparation of daily correspondence
Reception work and friendly customer service
Teamwork and cooperation, coordinated the XYZ project
Problem solving skills, ensured unexpected situations are dealt with effectively
Achievements
You may wish to list any achievements within your role
E.g. Staff member of the Month Award, February, May and June
Other Follow the same method as the previous section. Here you can list from
most current the other work history you have gained such as hospitality services, general retail etc.
[Start-End] [Paid Employment] [Title] -([Hours] - hrs/wk for 8 wks)
Use past tense verbs eg. attended to, assisted with
Skills Developed/Responsibilities
List the skills and responsibilities developed in your role in bullet point
E.g. Attended to clients and dealt effectively with customer complaints
E.g. Followed instructions from the kitchen staff and manager to ensure exceptional service
Voluntary Work
[Start-End] [Voluntary Work] [Title]
You may wish to include a brief one sentence description of this work.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
E.g. Member of University Guild Social Committee
E.g. Participated in school musicals and choir
E.g. Swim and attend QUT gym
E.g. Listen to classical and contemporary music
MEMBERSHIPS List your memberships here. Make sure you include your start and end
date followed by the Professional Body of which you are a member.
[Start-End] [Industry Association Memberships]
[Start-End] [Club Memberships]
REFEREES - employers need a reference from your most recent or current employer (2 is sufficient)
List your 2-3 references here. Make sure to provide all details, as outlined in the example below.
Mr Ross Maynes Office Manager
Myer Department Store 25 Truk Street
COORPAROO Q 4152 Tel: 07 3777 5990 Fax: 07 3777 5327
