Transformation Through Writing
(or Writing Cover Letters and Resumes)
As part of one of my Communications courses, students are required to write cover letters and resumes. Some of them have not written one before and find the task intimidating. Some find it downright discouraging – at first.
I remember one student coming to me, after class, one day. He was angry and upset. He had tried working on his resume the night before and felt like he hadn’t done anything worth mentioning. He had worked in a factory before coming to college. In high school, he had not had the best academic record.
After we spent about 45 minutes together, he was beaming. I was able to show him how he had been developing a number of skills prior to arriving at the College. Imagine working on an assembly line without the ability to perform a task in a timely manner or to contribute to a team? How long would an employee with poor interpersonal or communication skills last in a job that requires a team effort in order to meet production standards and deadlines? At the College, he had been writing reports, doing group projects and presentations, listening and analyzing lectures, notes, and texts.
After going through the process, this gentleman felt empowered. He was bolstered up with the confidence that he had valuable experience and skills. I asked him to look over his notes. Then I asked him, “Would you want this guy working for you?”
Absolutely, he would!
Sometimes, it is a matter of changing the lens through which we see ourselves.
Enjoy! PEARL Literacy
