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Landing a job after VISTA

Landing a job after VISTA. Kathie Martin Minnesota Literacy Council April 19, 2013. Agenda. Job search overview Resumes / cover letters Interview tips Follow-up / networking A day in the life a HR The big picture. SELECTION PROCESS. 1. Job search overview. 2. Resumes. Content

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Landing a job after VISTA

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  1. Landing a job after VISTA Kathie Martin Minnesota Literacy Council April 19, 2013

  2. Agenda • Job search overview • Resumes / cover letters • Interview tips • Follow-up / networking • A day in the life a HR • The big picture SELECTION PROCESS

  3. 1. Job search overview

  4. 2. Resumes • Content • Key competencies • Employment history • Volunteer experiences • Educational details • Other • Approach • Efficiency • Accuracy

  5. Resume Do’s and Don’ts • Do - Include volunteer experience • Don’t – Leave out relevant experience • Do – Tell a straight story • Don’t – Try to hide gaps or mislead the reader

  6. Resume Do’s and Don’ts • Do – Label positions as volunteer • Don’t - Misrepresent volunteer work Acceptable: - VISTA – your specific title - your specific title (VISTA volunteer)

  7. Resume Do’s and Don’ts • Do – Consider the best place to highlight volunteer work - Inter-woven - Separate Section - Mixed • Don’t – put volunteer work under “Employment History” without clarifying

  8. Resume Do’s and Don’ts • Do – Produce error-free, polished resume • Don’t – Forget to read through it backwards and ask 2 other people to proof-read • Do – Tailor your resume for specific position • Don’t – use a generic resume

  9. Resume Do’s and Don’ts • Do – Use precise language and terminology • Don’t – Overstate or over-explain past positions/training • Do - Put your resume in PDF format • Don’t – Send all your materials as separate documents

  10. Resume Workshop • Trade resumes with a partner / review • Look at: • Approach • Efficiency • Accuracy • Discuss: • Things that work • Things that are confusing

  11. Cover letters • Why write one? • Format (email, document, etc.) • Content • Approach • Efficiency • Accuracy

  12. Cover letter activity • Review job posting • Outline a 4- or 5-paragraph letter: Individuals – 10 min. • Discuss with your neighbor: In Pairs – 5 min. • Refine a final letter at your table: Small Group: 10 min.

  13. 3. Interview tips • Be on time (but not too early) • Dress professionally • Have some questions of your own (but not too many) • Practice active listening • Relax!

  14. 4. Follow-up & networking • Send a thank-you • Show sincere interest • Be patient • Work to discover connections • Be open without expectations

  15. 5. A day in the life of HR • Most nonprofit employees are busy multi-taskers and under-resourced • Staffing is a lot of work and routine • Interview panel dynamics

  16. What is HR looking for? • The best possible match for the job at hand • Practical aspects (salary, availability) • KSAOs (knowledge, skills, abilities, other) • Personality / fit with team • Eagerness for the position! • Other things you won’t know about • Future potential • Within job ladder • Across functions/roles

  17. 6. The big picture • It’s a p-r-o-c-e-s-s… sometimes a long one • Consider both sides of the match • Get good at it… the search will happen again

  18. Questions? • Contact Info: Katherine Martin Associate Director kmartin@mnliteracy.org (651) 251-9062

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