I can do three things…

1. I can do three things… • Decide on a Business Idea • Write a Business Plan • Interview / Apply for a position in the firm

2. RESUME Coop II

3. What is a resume? • It is a summary document of your skills, qualifications and achievements. • Its main function is to obtain a job interview. • A review of your experiences so that you can communicate your value to others. • Accompanies a letter of application. • A reference to give professionals and personal contacts.

4. Your resume is a SELLING TOOL! • It outlines your skills and experiences for employers to see (in a glance) how you can contribute to their business. • Your resume is about your future, not your past…how you can use the skills you have learned in the past for the present. • Your resume is not about jobs but about you. • Your resume is not a confessional… you do not need to include all info. about you.

5. Resume Myths (false) • Resumes should never exceed one page. • Longer resumes are more effective. • Unusual resumes attract attention and are better to read. • Resume content is more important than style and format. • Exaggerate accomplishments---nobody ever check.

6. Appearance • An organized, readable layout determines whether a resume is read. • Consider high quality white/off white paper. • Always type your resume or have it professionally copied. • Free of spelling, grammar and typo errors! • Make sure your resume will copy/email/scan well.

7. Content Design your resume with a particular objective in mind. • Chronological - resume is organized by job titles with the most recent position listed first. • Functional – resume rearranges employment history into sections that highlight areas of skill and accomplishments. • Combination – resume consisting of both.

8. Resume Categories • Personal Heading • Objective – optional • Education • Experience (relevant, work, research) • Additional Information (activities, skills, etc.) • References

9. Personal Heading Include: • Name • Current Address • Permanent Address • Phone Number/Cell • Email/web site Make sure all info. Is CORRECT!

10. Objective A concise statement of your current career goals: May include: • area of interest • type of agency/business you want to work for • level of position • eventual goals Tips: • be concise, clear, targeted, and to the point • focus on what will benefit the employer • use only between 1 – 3 lines max.

11. Education Include: • schools attended (most recent first) • degrees, diplomas • majors, emphasis, and specialization • graduation date (or anticipated graduation date) Optional: GPA ( out of 4.0) Relevant Coursework Tips: • always list the name of your school first/location • next, spell out any degrees or specialization of study

12. Example: St. Charles North High School St. Charles, Illinois 60175 Major coursework – Business Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2008 GPA 3.5/4.0 Honor’s Roll Fall 2007 Relevant Coursework: Coop I and II Computer Applications Autos I Management

13. Experience The main body of your resume – the most important part. ALWAYS include for each job/experience: • Name of employer • Job/position title • Location of employer • Dates worked And THEN comes your description

14. Experience Description of job/experience position • Job duties • Accomplishments • What you gained • Skills Tips: • Use a combination of what your did vs. what you learned • Be specific!

15. Experience (continued) Tips: • Use bullet statements (3 – 5 bullet phrases for each position. • Never use pronouns. • Begin each statement with at STRONG ACTION VERB such as “initiated”, “developed”, and “enhanced.” • Emphasize accomplishments you made, skills you used and enhances, and initiatives that you took. • If you have gaps in job history, use years instead of months.

16. Tips (continued) • Do not be too duty-oriented, highlight what skills you gained. • Use strong adverbs life “effectively” and “successfully”. • Express your experiences in terms of transferable skills Example: How will this be beneficial for this company? • Concentrate on the positive. • Do not simply write a list of duties. The strongest, most important and most effective difference in a successful resume that works is how you describe your skills, abilities, and responsibilities from previous employment!!

17. Example North Hospital June 2006 – Present St. Charles, Illinois Intern duties: • Learned the value of accuracy and efficiency in dynamic health care setting. • Employed multi-tasking skills to accommodate a fast-paced environment • Promoted excellent communication skills through interacting with diverse patients.

18. Skills to Highlight • Organizational Skills • Teamwork Skills • Interpersonal Skills • Leadership Skills • Written Communication Skills

19. Helpful Hints: • As you create your resume, it is often easy to overlook individual strengths, skills, accomplishments, and knowledge utilized. • Ask yourself these questions: • What do you uniquely contribute to any project? • If your supervisor were to write a letter of recommendation, what would he/she say? • Did you initiate, develop, create something new? What were the results.

20. Additional Information • Additional Information Include any pertinent information such as skills (computer and language), college activities, honors, scholarships, awards, volunteer experience • Professional Organizations

21. Categories to NOT Include • Demographic information including height, weight, age, race, marital status, health, social security number. • Reasons for leaving previous employment • Salary Information • Pictures of yourself • Religious/church affiliations/political affiliations

22. References • End your resume with a reference section • It is acceptable to add the phrase “References Available Upon Request” • Do not put References directly on your resume • Be prepared with a typed list of references – do NOT use family, friends, or relatives. Only use individual with whom you have a professional relationship.

23. Resume Checklist • Resume must be brief—a page, a page-and-a-half, never more than two pages • Must be set up in a way that it will be easy-to-read. • Opportunity to present your qualifications in the best possible light. • Do not include everything you have ever done.

24. What is a Cover Letter? • A cover letter is an individually typed letter of introduction for yourself that is composed for a specific company. • It should be written to motivate the reviewer to read your resume and invite you for an interview. • A resume should NEVER be mailed to a prospective employer without an accompanying letter.

25. Cover Letter Tips • Tailor cover letter for specific company. • Address it to the person who will hire you. • Write it in your own words, let your personality show. • Show that you know something about the company – do your research!

26. Sample Cover Letter Outline • 1st Paragraph • Express your interest in the job • List where you heard about the job • 2nd Paragraph • Explain your qualifications • 3rd Paragraph • Give phone number and time • Reinforce your interest • Each student will required to write a cover letter they are applying for

27. Do’s and Don’ts for Cover Letter • Do format your letter like a business letter. • Do check your spelling or typing errors. • Do explain why you want the job. • Do keep the content professional. • Don’t say you’re not qualified. • Don’t forget to follow-up. • Don’t exceed one page.

28. What Is Interviewing? • A formal meeting between an employer and a job applicant • It is the employer’s chance to meet you as a person, not just a name on a resume

29. Do’s and Don’ts at the Interview • Appearance • Speaking Habits • Manners • Body Language

30. The Right Appearance • Smile Naturally • Wear CLEAN clothing • Have clean, natural looking hair • Wear clean, polished shoes • Carry a portfolio with copies of your resume and reference letters

31. General Dress Tips... • Black/gray • Avoid: • Splashy/wild colors • Red • Black & yellow together • Polish shoes • Clean trim nails • Simple well trimmed hair • Do not wear clothing with words on it

32. At The Interview • Go Alone • Be on time • Do not smoke • Shake hands firmly • Offer complete answers • Maintain eye contact • Be prepared • No cell phones or beepers • Show self-confidence • Show you want the job • Do not ask questions that raise red flags • Relax

33. Speaking Habits • Speak clearly • Use good grammar • Give thought to your answers • Listen carefully to what the interviewer says • Avoid using “like,” “um,” or “you know”

34. Good Manners • Arrive on time • Smile and be courteous to everyone you meet • Be patient • Let the interviewer make the first move • Thank the interviewer for speaking with you • Send a follow-up letter

35. Good Body Language • Make frequent eye contact • Sit up straight • Try to look relaxed • Rest your arms on the chair or relaxed in your lap

36. Illegal Interview Questions • Illegal interview handout • If you have been discriminated against, or sexually harassed during an interview, contact your local government office for equal opportunities/rights

37. Closing The Interview • Ask any questions you have • Be prepared with wrap up statement of interest • Ask when decisions will be made or when you can follow up • Thank everyone who has assisted in the process • Leave promptly • Act professionally

38. Follow Up Letter • Make sure you have the correct names of those interviewing you. • Thank the person(s) for the opportunity and their time. • Always positive and give a phone number. • Send out immediately after interview.

39. Follow Up Letter • 1st Paragraph • Thank interviewers • Reinforce your interest • 2nd Paragraph • Point of your match to the job • 3rd Paragraph • Thanking • Give phone number and time

40. Conclusion Effective job search and career Planning requires focus and time. It is a process that YOU must initiate and develop throughout your career search.