Resumes, Cover Letters, and Job Searching
Presenter
Erin Koolen
Assistant Director/Career Specialist
Augsburg College
Careers and Internships
Center for Service, Work, and Learning
Agenda
Website
For handouts, resources, and a copy of this presentation:
http://cswl.pbworks.com/
Augsburg’s Career and Internship Wiki
Discovering Your Strengths
Knowing Yourself
Must be able to look at your AmeriCorps experience and talk about your strengthsWill need to talk about your skills in your resume, cover letter, and
interview
National Association of College and Employers
According to employers…
Communication Skills (written & verbal)
Honesty/IntegrityTeamwork SkillsStrong Work EthicAnalytical SkillsFlexibility/Adaptability
Interpersonal SkillsMotivation/InitiativeComputer SkillsDetail-orientationOrganizational SkillsLeadership SkillsSelf-Confidence
Activity
Write down a job description for one or a few of your work experiences
Choose skills that you used to complete the job tasks
Think about what your supervisors said you did well
What would your family and friends say your gifts are?
Finding your strengths and skills
Building Your Resume
What is a Resume?
is a document to market your skills, experience, education and accomplishments to employers
is meant to get your an interview
is NOT your life history
is very concise and easy to scan for information
Basic Guidelines
use consistency in your presentationutilize a 10 to 12 point, plain fontorganize your information to make it easy to read use your white space effectivelystart all of your descriptive statements with past tense
action verbsproofread to check for errors
Basic Guidelines
do not use high school information place your most relevant information towards the topinclude industry related keywordstarget it to the career field you are enteringkeep your margins even
Categories
Resume Statements
use past tense action verbs to describe what you did in each position or experience
be descriptive and specific – who, what, where, when, how, results• action verb + details + results = strong resume
statement
look at job postings to get ideas
practice telling someone else what you did in each position or how you demonstrated each skill
PRACTICE
Use the job description you wrote for your positions and your resume power verbs to write statements for your resume
Remember: be descriptive and specific – who, what, where, when, how, results
• action verb + details + results = strong resume statement
Resume Statements
Personal Information
LEAH M. HELPER2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55410
612.330.3333, [email protected]
Introduction
Objectivestates what type of position you are looking for and what you will bring to
the position
Summary of Qualificationshighlights your related qualifications for the position
Education
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN May 20XX
Major: Psychology Minor: Communication Studies GPA: 3.7
Honors: Dean’s List, Psychology Honor Society, Augsburg Academic Scholarship
Study Abroad: University of Galway, Galway, Ireland Spring 20XX
Related Experience
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Intern, Crisis Nursery, Minneapolis, MN, Spring 20XX • Selected to demonstrate therapeutic interventions to volunteers at a newly developed parent-child
educational and therapeutic group• Consulted with another therapists regarding client case management
Intern, Washburn Child Guidance Center, Minneapolis, MN, Fall 20XX• Taught emotional regulation and social skills to preschoolers in a classroom setting • Provided therapeutic interventions for children, ages 2 to 10, who were at risk of neglect and abuse• Counseled children and parents with many emotional and mental difficulties to help create a safe home
environment
Student Worker, Augsburg Admissions Office, Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 20XX – May 20XX• Promoted the college to prospective students by giving campus tours and providing them with college
information• Provided administrative tasks including student mailings, filing, and data entry
Community Service/Volunteer
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Volunteer, Meals on Wheels, Minneapolis, MN, Jan. 20XX – Aug. 20XX
Sunday School Teacher, St. Edwards, Bloomington, MN, Oct. 20XX – April 20XX
Other Experience
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Server, Applebee’s, Minneapolis, MN, June 20XX – May 20XX• Trained new employees and evaluated their performance• Succeeded in providing excellent customer service to six tables of people by multitasking and
prioritizing orders
Final Tips
have your resume reviewed
print on good quality paper
look at sample resumes and to get help
Developing a Cover Letter
What is a Cover Letter?
is a letter that gives you a change to elaborate on more skills you have that may not be specifically highlighted on your resume
is meant to get the employer to read your resume
Basic Guidelines
should always accompany a resume even when not requested
needs to be well-written and in a professional tone
do not start all of your sentences with “I”
customize each letter with a job description of the organization you are applying for
Heading
your name and address should come first
then put the date
next the employer’s name, title, and work address
always address your employer as:Dear Mr. or Ms. Last Name:
Opening
indicate the position you are applying for and how you came to learn about the position
state why you are interested in the position
say something you know or admire about the organizationshows you have done your research
Middle Section(s)
highlight your experience as it relates to the position
provide them with the key skills you have that are mentioned in the job description
be specific about how your achievements and education have prepared you for the position
elaborate more in-depth than what is on your resume
Closing
reiterate your interest in the position and thank them for their consideration
state that you hope to discuss your qualifications in an interview
say when you plan to follow-up with them and then do so
Final Tips
sign your letter with sincerely and your signature
do your research on the employer
PROOFREAD!
use the same font and paper as your resume
show enthusiasm for the position
Searching for a Job
Strategy #1
Apply for jobs that are posted
General Job Posting WebsitesLandIt: www.landit.orgJobPost: www.stcloudstate.edu/joblistings/jobpost/
Specialized Posting SitesIdealist: www.idealist.orgMinnesota Council of Non-profits: www.mncn.orgEdPost: www.stcloudstate.edu/joblistings/edpost
Strategy #1
Apply for jobs that are posted
Employer Websitesspecific hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations
MegasitesMonster: www.monster.comCareer Builder: www.careerbuilder.com
Newspapers or Want Adswww.startribune.comwww.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress
Strategy #2
Target employers you are interested in
Direct employer contact
DirectoriesMinnesota Nonprofit DirectoryUnited Way: Directory of Community ServicesMinneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Book of ListsThe Gold Book
Strategy #3
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!!!
Friends and FamilyFacultyAmeriCorps ContactsWork and Internship ConnectionsProfessional Associations
Successful Job Searching
What is Networking?
involves connecting with those who work in a field you are wanting to learn more about or break into
is the most effective way to learn about job positions and obtain job positions
does NOT involve asking for a job
Informational Interviews
are a great way to begin to network, build connections, and gain insight into a career
set up times to talk with people and “interview” them about their jobs and/or their employers
follow up after the interview and continue to keep in touch
How Do You Network?
talk to everyone about your job search or career path
request informational interviewsfind a connection/conversation starter with people
you want to network withfollow up with contacts you have made and keep
your network active
Social Networking
Linkedinwww.linkedin.comcomplete a descriptive profilesearch for connections for informational interviewget company information and connections
Facebookbecome a fan of company profilescheck the profile for news and information
Questions?