LHCSPA Educator Job Fair�Presenting Your Best Self: �Cover Letter & Resume Advice� Mini-Workshop

Presented By:�Dr. Brent Harrington�Dr. Joseph Lloyd�Dr. Corey W. Reynolds

Introductions

Dr. Joseph Lloyd

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources�South Orangetown Central School District

Dr. Corey W. Reynolds

Superintendent of Schools�City School District of New Rochelle

Dr. Brent Harrington

Director of Human Resources and Personnel Development�Cornwall Central School District

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“Excellence is never an accident. �It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.”��-Aristotle

Essential Questions

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• What steps can candidates take to set themselves �up for success?�
• What are the design components of an effective �cover letter and resume?

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Leading with Best Practices in Mind

Conduct Research

-School District’s Mission, Vision & Values

-Current Initiatives

-Performance Responsibilities of Position

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Know Yourself

-Signature Beliefs & Practices

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Identify Alignment Between Your Candidacy,�District & Job Opportunity

-School District’s Mission, Vision & Values

-Current Initiatives

-Performance Responsibilities

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Identifying Alignment

Composing Your Cover Letter

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Your Name, Address, Phone & Email

Addressed to the Name, Title & Address of Recipient �as listed in Job Posting

Formal intention; list key traits of position and �how your candidacy aligns

Highlight professional experience and practices, �which will be listed in Resume

Indicate how you have prepared for this particular position

Conclude with how your candidacy aligns with position; �respectfully request opportunity to meet with interview committee

Devising Your Resume

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Your resume is the key that opens the door to the recruitment journey.

Fairly Straightforward

• Grammar, spelling, punctuation
• Accuracy of contact information and �use of email address
• Truthfulness & humility
• Font choice
• Organization & format

Less Straightforward

• Belief statements on a resume waste valuable �real estate
• Certifications, relevant experience, education on first page, starting with most recent
• Avoid graduation year and GPA
• Refrain from stating the obvious and highlight your knowledge and expertise
• Balance clarity with humility
• And, please do not include a photo

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What your resume looks like matters. Clean and organized. Lean towards professionalism rather than creativity

Accurate contact information with appropriate email address. Establish it as a clear header.

Salient information that which illuminates your knowledge and expertise.

Certification is a necessity; you are not qualified without it.

University/college, degree, concentration. �

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Professional-looking contact information with professional email address (can’t overstate). Establish it as a clear header. (No portraits, please).

Again, certification is a necessity; you are not qualified without it.

Salient; succinct; not embellished. (Think necessity + valuable real estate.)

University/college, degree, concentration. �(DO NOT AGE YOURSELF)

What your resume looks like matters. Clean and organized. Lean towards professionalism rather than creativity

Some Parting Thoughts ...

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• Often, the resume is viewed prior to the cover letter.
• The cover letter allows you to further personalize your application and demonstrate your voice.
• Effort matters.
• It is less about “standing out” amongst the many resumes but more importantly, showing professionalism.
• Seek feedback from those with experience and consider your own humility.

Dr. Joseph Lloyd�jlloyd@socsd.org�

Dr. Corey W. Reynolds�creynolds@nredlearn.org

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Dr. Brent Harrington�bharrington@cornwallschools.com

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