Précis: This is a four-part series on successful co-op work terms. I’ve had the chance to supervise and hire co-op students in my work as a corporate communications practitioner several times over the past few years. I’m about to complete another four-month term, and once again this was a rich learning experience for both of us.
This time, the administrators of the program at the post-secondary institution asked me to give an interview. I prepared my responses and have turned them into a four-part series of blog posts directed at students. The second question they asked was:
What makes a cover letter and a resume really stand out?
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So, you’re a student in a communications program looking for a co-op work term placement. How can I tell from your resume you might be a good fit for my organization?
There are three things you must do:
- Rewrite your cover letter and resume to tailor it to the position.
- Re-jig your cover letter and resume to showcase your specific skills relevant to the position.
- Read the job posting carefully and highlight up front your skills and experience that relate directly to the position.
Get the picture? I can’t stress this enough. I posted my last work term position in four post-secondary institutions asking specifically for a writing/communications student. It was a concise posting wherin it was clear I was looking for writing ability and web-based publishing skills.
I received around 75 resumes, many of which were from students in programs other than communications (I didn’t even read those). I would venture to guess many of them didn’t even read the job posting all that carefully.
I imagine they found summer work at one of the many restaurants and tourist attractions on the Island and lower mainland …
I interviewed two (2) students whose resumes, cover letters and web site links stood out.
Two. Out of 75.
Did I say I don’t have all day? I was serious about that, and my organization isn’t nearly as busy as many larger employers. I can think of dozens more managers and directors of communications who are ten times busier than I was this past spring.
Bottom line: if you have what I’m looking for, don’t assume I’ll comb through your resumé to find it. I simply won’t. Government recruiters often must read through and score each and every applications they get – they have my sympathies – and they’ll still score yours lower if you make them work too hard.
Include a summary at the top stating your relevant skills as they related to the job posting. Re-iterate those same skills in your cover letter. Make it brief. I’m busy.
