Standing Out While Fitting In
Format Matters contact information visible on both pages 1 page max for cover letter, 2 page max for resume correct spelling (e.g. principles vs. principals) header and footers on each page (your name, telephone, email)
Improving your Resume This presentation has been put together to help MPT students ready their curriculum vitae for their first professional job Students submitted their CVs which were critiqued by a panel of PABC members in private and public practice
Add a Touch of Personality Here are two examples: images and colours
ABSE (?) Acronyms Should Be Expanded because not everyone remembers or knows that they stand for
Do Your Research Check out the organization s website What is their vision? Goals? Mission? Who do they serve? How big is the clinic? Nothing turns off an employer more than an applicant who doesn t know where they are really applying to So show them what you know about their practice and workplace!
Stand Out Never be Generic! include a profile section at the beginning to highlight your unique attributes and experiences Include a paragraph showing your knowledge about the workplace and why you are a match If you have work experience in pilates, kinesiology, dancing, etc., highlight these in the beginning to set yourself apart from other applicants.
Standing Out would you be a good fit for the organization? do you share the same values and commitments as the clinic? what about treatment approaches?
Translating Experiences into Transferrable Skills CV Example: "Excellent communication and public relations skills - as the Treasurer of the Student Society, I managed the finances for all grad school events and coordinated the Job annual Fair. How is this attributable to the field of physio? Add the practice-related (time-management, regular communications, problem-solving, team-building, leadership, etc.)
Translating Experiences into Transferrable Skills "Excellent communication and public relations skills - I managed the finances for all physical therapy school based events and coordinated the UBC Rehab Job Fair 2012 as the Treasurer of the Physical Therapy Student Society by allotting a few hours weekly in communicating with members via email and by organizing in-person meetings, soft skills that are transferrable in a clinic-setting, which requires regular communication amongst colleagues. "
Key Attributes professional development member of PABC and CPA team player self motivated takes initiative community involvement
Community Involvement One student wrote: Community Youth Coach (2000-2012) - soccer and basketball coach for youth of all ages - provided educational sessions focused on respect, self-esteem, dedication and success
Less on Duties, More on Skills CV Examples: - Inpatient Acute Medicine - Primarily acute illness of wide range of variety - "Inpatient Geriatric - Primarily conditions affecting geriatric populations CV Improvements: - Note the clinical skills acquired when working with each population
Less on Duties, More on Skills An excellent example from a student: Canadian Diabetes Association (Co-op Program), Victoria BC Event and Education Assistant: - Health promotion and education for populations diagnosed with and at risk for diabetes Developed and implemented first child-friendly education program at Victoria CDA branch
References References are important if only to indicate who is important to you, who your influences are, and what networks you have. - some employers will call references before scheduling a first interview (this is a small world) - always make sure your references are aware of the jobs you have applied for and the relevant strengths you d like highlighted - if you do not provide references, to add a line that says references can be supplied upon request
Last but not least
Be Memorable CV example: "With the above skills and abilities, I am very interested in meeting with you to discuss the dynamics of this position. I appreciate your time in considering me as a competitive applicant CV improvement: The last statement should convince the employer why they should interview you, so state why you are the best candidate.
Be Memorable "With the above skills and abilities, I am very interested in meeting with you and the rest of the hiring team to further discuss the dynamics of this position. Your clinic's vision aligns with my mine and I am excited to learn about the new approaches your clinic takes. I appreciate the time you took to consider me as a competitive applicant"
Thank you! To all our clinic owners for providing valuable feedback and recommendations