Presented by:

Heather StockingSt. Ambrose University

563.333.6339www.sau.edu/cdc

Preparing For Your Future By Integrating

Career Resources

Think of your resume as a…

Targeted summary of skills, qualifications, experiences, and achievements

Document used to track your accomplishments, network with others and obtain job interviews

Method for communicating your professional value to future employers

Where can you begin?

Reflect on your skills, knowledge, and experience. Take out a piece of paper and jot down answers to the following 3 questions:

1. What makes you uniquely qualified for this position and for work in this industry? (even if you’re not currently applying you should find an interesting job description and practice tailoring your resume to it)

2. What skills do you have that would be useful to this employer?

3. What have you accomplished in school, internships, student orgs, or as a volunteer, etc. that you want to highlight?

In a moment, we will look at how to incorporate these elements into your resume.

Consider highlighting these skills…

Organizational & Planning Skills Teamwork Skills Interpersonal & Communication Skills Leadership Experience Initiative Attention to Detail Adaptability

Resumes generally have this appearance and contain 3 broad categories of information.

What do resumes look

like?

1. Name & contact information

2. Education information

3. Descriptions of your experience, skills & accomplishments

A few technical logistics…

Use a Microsoft/Mac Word Doc to create your Resume, as templates are very difficult to change

Should use a 12 point font throughout EXCEPT for your header section (14 point); use no smaller size than 11 point font

Use a professional font such as Times New Roman or Arial

Top Margin: 0.8” or above Bottom Margin: 0.6” or above Left and Right Margins: 0.8” or above DO NOT USE acronyms Limit to one page! List References on a separate page, NOT the bottom

of your resume.

Create the education section

Pleasant Valley High School, Bettendorf, IAGraduation: May 2012 GPA: 3.65/4.0

Other possible headings in the Education section include the following:Honors Courses:Relevant Courses: (e.g. a job that requires math skills, computer skills, communication

skills, etc.)Languages:

Sydney University, Sydney, Australia, Summer 2010Coursework included Australia art, Australian politics and economics

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*When including your GPA, be sure to put the number out of 4.0 (example: 3.6/4.0) because some schools are on a 5 point system

Tell them about your experience

This is the most important part of your resume Start by making a list of these areas:

– Employers and organizations where you’ve worked, volunteered, participated

– Location of employer/org (City, State)– Your job/position title– Months/years worked– Duties &

responsibilities– Accomplishments– Skills you gained– Projects you worked on

If you only have 20 minutes

to work on your resume, spend 15 of themworking on the

experience sections

Use bullet points, 3-5 is a general recommendation

Start each statement with a strong action verb

Highlight youraccomplishments!!

Be sure to write out abbreviations that others may not recognize

Play with fonts, italics, and bolding to make your title and the organization name stand out

You can find lists of actionverbs online. Try doinga Google search using‘resume action verbs’.

Quantify your experience when you

can

Use creative headings to group your experiences

This student could integrate more about the transferable skills she gained during these experiences. Remember not to be too focused on your duties; incorporate skills and accomplishments too.

Example: “Honed decision-making skills and ability to multi-task while being responsible for 75+ children at bus stop”

Ideas for headings

Work Experience Volunteer Experience Extracurricular Activities Certifications, Licensure Community Service/Involvement Student Organizations Technical/Computer skills

Be sure to include the activity, city/state, and date of each

Narrow down these sections so only the most relevant activities are included

You’re probably only going to include 2-4 of these headings.

“References Available Upon Request”

Always, ALWAYS ASK someone to be a reference for you BEFORE you put their name down as a reference.

Create an additional page, separate from your resume, which lists your references and their contact information. – Put your SAME personal header at the top of that page in

case it gets separated from the others. The header should exactly match the one on your resume.

You can send this list along with applications or wait until you’re asked for it.

Ask only those with whom you have a professional relationship (supervisors, teachers, coaches, etc) to serve as your reference (no family members).

Example format for your references

Dr. John Deere, Ph.D.Assistant Professor

St. Ambrose University(563) 555-5555

deerejohna@sau.edu

Check, check, check your resume!

Scan it! What jumps out at you? Is that the first thing you want employers to notice?

Read it! And have others proofread for errors, especially spelling.

Print it! Check margins, print type, font size, never email before printing it yourself. Use high quality white paper.

Revise it! Target your resume for every opportunity, generic resumes are less successful.

 General Outline for a Cover Letter

 Applicant’s Name and AddressApplicant’s Phone Number

Date of Letter Employer’s Name and TitleAddress (use complete address) Salutation: (if possible, address it to a particular person by name) Opening Paragraph: State why you are writing, name the position or type of work for which you are

applying andmention how you heard of the opening or organization. Explain why you are interested in working for this

employer.  Middle Paragraph(s): Specify your reasons for desiring this type of work and how your personal traits and

skills will be a good fit for this job. If you have had relevant work experience or related education, be sure to point it out, but

do not reiterate your entire resume. Emphasize skills or abilities you have that relate to the job for which you are

applying. Be sure to do this in a confident manner and remember that the reader will view your letter of application as

an example of your writing skills and your attention to detail. Closing Paragraph: You may refer the reader to your enclosed resume (which give you a summary of

your qualifications). Have an appropriate closing to pave the way for the interview. Sincerely,  (Signature)Your name typed

Job Listing

Read over once Re-read and underline the

characteristics, responsibilities they are looking for

Highlight requirements and where to send your application

Site Managers: Playgrounds/Tot Lot/Day Camp/ Sports & Games/ Coach Pitch Baseball & Softball

Responsible for working with the Program Manager in planning activities, serving in a leadership role with in the program, supervising field trips, special events, problem solving and interaction with the parents. Individuals should possess a level of knowledge normally acquired through completion of one year of college course work with an emphasis in Recreation, Education of closely related field. Starting hourly pay rate: $7.79

Site Managers: Playgrounds/Tot Lot/Day Camp/ Sports & Games/ Coach Pitch Baseball & Softball

Responsible for working with the Program Manager in planning activities, serving in a leadership role with in the program, supervising field trips, special events, problem solving and interaction with the parents. Individuals should possess a level of knowledge normally acquired through completion of one year of college course work with an emphasis in Recreation, Education of closely related field. Starting hourly pay rate: $7.79

Heather StockingPleasant Valley High School604 Belmont RoadBettendorf, IA 52722

April 5, 2010

City of Bettendorf123 State StreetBettendorf, IA 52722

To Whom It May Concern:

It is with great enthusiasm that I would like to apply for the Site Managers: Playgrounds/Tot Lot/Day Camp/ Sports & Games/ Coach Pitch Baseball & Softball position that was advertised on the City of Bettendorf website. After reading the position description, I feel that my education and experience fit well with the qualifications for this position.

While in high school, I have gained many of the skills required for this position such as planning activities and serving in a leadership role for various class projects. While working as a babysitter I have had to supervise children, problem solve and interact with the parents on a regular basis. I have also participated in the summercamps that City of Bettendorf offers, so I know what to expect.

I have enclosed my resume for your review.  I would like to discuss this opportunity with you in more detail.  My phone number is 319-255-4351 and my email address is stockingheather@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

Heather Stocking

Interview Techniques

Grooming

First Impressions Count Make sure the product you are selling

is poised and polished.– Clean, well groomed hair– Well manicured nails, not too long and

neutral colors– Minimal cologne or perfume– No eating or chewing gum

Professional Dress for Interviewing

Men– Dress Pants– White or light colored pressed, long-

sleeved shirt– Ties – striped or small patterns, no loud

colors

Professional Interviewing Dress

Women– Pressed pants or professional skirt (NO

mini-skirts)– Nice top/blouse (NO cleavage)– Accessories should be simple and

understated– Flip flops are considered unprofessional

by potential employers– Cosmetics– Remember: Cute is NOT always

Professional

First Impression

Introduce yourself—greeting, name(“Hi. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Megan Smith.”)

Make eye contact Project an attitude of confidence (but

not arrogance)

Organization – Know yourself

Assets Accomplishments Strengths/Weaknesses Goal/Objectives Expectations

Preparation Continued

Practice sample responses to interview questions

Research the company Be prepared if they say, “Do you

have any questions for me?”

Listen to the question and be sure you understand the nature of the question

Take time to think through your response

Use positive information to answer each question

Reinforce your skills and abilities during the interview and how they can be put to productive use for the employer

Interview PrinciplesInterview Principles

Utilize specific references highlighting marketable skills

Prepare “stories” in advance

Provide concise and descriptive examples

Situation - Task - Action - Result

Be a STAR!Be a STAR!

Do not ramble Answers should be complete,

clear, concise and true Give concrete examples of your

strengths Be specific Ask for clarification

Discuss ways you can contribute to the organizationWatch for cues and feedback from the interviewerAsk questions focusing on their needs and what you can offer to meet themShow interest

Demonstrate/CommunicateDemonstrate/Communicate

Created for the Career Center by:

Heather Stocking – Career Counselor