The Post-Graduation Experience

1. The Post-Graduation Experience CiCiShamieva | Career Center | 16 September 2013

2. Topics Covered • Resumes/ Cover Letters/ Portfolios • Networking • Graduate School • Job Search • Internship Search • Career Center Resources

3. Resumes and Cover Letters

4. RESUME WRITING IS AN ART, NOT A SCIENCE Resume Writing Realities 20-40 seconds of read time—TOPS!

5. What’s Included? My Resume

6. Other Options

7. Formatting Tips • Consistency! • Punctuation, spacing, verbs, bullets • Free of erors (proofread + spellcheck) • Appropriate use of font style/font size • Clean, organized, and easy to read • Print on high-quality resume paper • No funkiness • Paper color, prints, patterns, watermarks

8. Tricks of the Trade Tips • Match resume to the job/grad school (keywords) • Focus on transferable skills • Prioritize from top to bottom • Hold page at arm’s length • Balanced and consistent? • Too much white space? • Be able to talk about anything on the resume • Show finished document to multiple people

9. What Stays OUT… Tips Hobbies and interests Abbreviations, acronyms, and Truman jargon – spell it out! High school* I, me, we Lengthy paragraphs, long sentences: - take out the fluff! Cute symbols for bullet points (i.e. , , , , etc.) Additional personal info, headshots

10. What’s In a Resume? Recommendations for sections and what information goes in each

11. Sections Contact Information Spike Dawg Local AddressPermanent Address 432 Ashland Road 6579 Juniper Way Kirksville, MO 63501Hazelwood, MO 63125 314-555-9878 trd43j@truman.edu Spike Dawg 432 Ashland Road  Kirksville, MO 63501 314-555-9878  trd43j@truman.edu

12. Sections Education/Training EDUCATION Truman State University Kirksville, MO Bachelor of Science in Business Administration May 2013 GPA: 3.75/4.00 Education Truman State University, Kirksville, MO May 2013 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Concentrations in Marketing and Management 3.75/4.00 GPA

13. Describing Your Experience Sections Strong action verbs Numbers to add context Descriptive words/phrases • RELATED EXPERIENCE • Camp Counselor, Camp Arcadia May 2011 – August 2011 • Lee’s Summit, MO • Superviseda co-edgroup of 16at-risk children, ages 8-10 years, attending an all day sport-oriented camp for 8 weeks. • Createddaily curricula of physical activities and team projects related to performance standards. • Communicatedweekly with parents in one-on-one sessions regarding their child’s progress, behavioral issues, and individual successes. • Providedadditional resources to strugglingchildren in individual practice sessions, resulting in greater success of camp participants. • Collaborated regularly with 16 staff counselors to problem solve, plan activities, and combine groups for particular activities. • Important and relevant info goes first • Capitalize on ALL experiences • Don’t be afraid to show off your skills • Focus on outcomes and contributions • Use vocabulary of the profession • Utilize good action verbs • Quantify your experiences using numbers • Provides context to employers

14. Community, Volunteer, and Extra Curricular • ACTIVITIES • Publicity Co-Chair, Habitat for Humanity, March 2012–August 2012 • Marketed organization through email campaigns and local newscast spots to recruit 200 volunteers for Mid-Missouri construction projects, resulting in houses for 6 families • Volunteer, Humane Society, January 2011 – February 2012 • Provided administrative support, assisted with animal care, and maintained facility for 5 hours weekly • Treasurer, Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity, June 2011 - August 2012 • Accurately tracked funds by maintaining database of collected dues and monies rendered for projects, promotions, and events VolunteerCourt Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) January 2011 – Present Language Partner Women’s Center, Truman State University August 2010 – May 2012 ReceptionistFamily Care Center May 2010 – June 2011

15. Sections Honors & Awards HONORS Writers Digest published essay: “Volunteerism in College”, 2011 Lambda Pi Eta– Communication Honor Society Member, 2010-Present Dean’s List each semester, 2010-2012

16. Electronic Resumes • Attachment • PDF document is the way to go! • Online forms • Formatting and style options are limited • Regular bullets may not be an option (consider * or - ) • Can be impersonal, may not be able to tailor • Scannable • Usually looks for keywords • Plain format: unusual fonts and italics may not scan well

17. Resume vs. CV (Curriculum Vitae) 1-2 full pages Brief and concise targeted summary of skills Includes: Education Skills Experience Purpose: Job Interview At least 2 pages In-depth summary of achievements Includes: Academic background Research Experience Publications Presentations Purpose: Academic, education, scientific or research positions Resume CV

18. References • List on a separate sheet of paper • Same contact info heading as resume • Name, title, employer, address, phone, and email (if available) • Check with your references in advance! • How would they prefer to be contacted? (email, phone, etc.) • Choose professional references (school, work) vs. personal character references (friends, family) • 3-5 professional references • List in order, strongest reference first

19. Spike Dawg 1703 Choctaw Street, Columbia, MO 65021 573.476.8219 sdawg@gmail.com References Taylor Paleet Public Relations Director University of Kansas 1450 Jayhawk Boulevard Lawrence, KS 66045 785.842.6541 tpaleet@kansas.edu (Former Supervisor) Abby Kash Executive Director Greater Kansas Chapter March of Dimes 4400 College Boulevard, Suite 180 Overland Park, KS 66211 913.327.8541 abby_kash@mod.com (Former Supervisor)

20. Cover Letter You’ve got a great resume, now add a great cover letter to set yourself apart from the pack

21. What is a Cover Letter? Cover Read on… Document included with a resume to: • Tell specifically what type of position you are seeking • Entice the employer to learn more about you by reading your resume • Further detail your experience and potential fit with company/organization • Show how you express yourself, particularly your written communication skills • Ask for an interview!

22. Laura Stuhlman 8356 Big Bend Road  Saint Louis, Missouri 63124  lcs121@truman.edu  573-555-6849 March 7, 2012 Ms. Amanda Keller ** Notice the difference in Managing Editor company from inside address Amazon.com to the body of letter!! OOPS!! P.O. 8349 Seattle, Washington 98621 • Dear Ms. Keller, • While researching internship opportunities on Truman State University’s • Experience.com website, I discovered the Marketing Communications • Internship position for Google, Inc. As a junior seeking a degree in • journalism and anxious to make a contribution to an institution of Google’s • caliber, I am very interested in this position. Heading and Opening Cover • Heading • Your address could be listed standard or use heading from resume • Date, employer name and address • Salutation: be specific if possible • Dear Ms. or Mr. _____________ , • Option to not use a salutation* • Opening Paragraph • Job, company, where you found it, and who you are

23. Body of Document Cover I have had extensive experience in media writingat newspapers and magazines, along with writing creatively in the corporate world. However, my true interest lies in merging writing with cutting edge marketing strategies. For the past year, I have been an on-line editor and web designer for the Index, Truman’s weekly student newspaper . In addition, I have worked as a reporter for the technology beat at the Index and as a feature editor for Detours. I am confident, because of these experiences, that I can bring creativity, style, and solid writing skills to the internship. I understand that Google has been at the forefront of technology and market innovation since its inception. With my skills, I will work to enhance your already thriving marketing department to exceed its goals. Your emphasis on originality is unmatched in the industry which is a focus I deeply share. I feel I could substantially aid your company with not only my writing and advertising experience, but my interest in providing only the best for product users. • Second Paragraph • Draw attention to your resume and explain how you are qualified • Highlight specific/relevant skills and achievements • Mention items not in your resume if necessary • Third Paragraph • Why are you right for this job? • Do company research and cite how you fit with the mission, style, work projects, and overall philosophy • How can you contribute to the employer, not what the employer can do for you

24. Please refer to my enclosed resume for further information on my qualifications. I would like to discuss my background with you in person and would be willing to travel to California at my own expense to do so. I will contact you at the end of next week to discuss whether such a meeting would be possible and to confirm that you have received my resume and writing samples. Thank you for your time and consideration, I look forward to meeting with you. Sincerely, Laura Stuhlman Laura Stuhlman enclosures Closing It Out Cover • Closing paragraph states what you will do next • Take action. Ask for an interview. Inform the employer when you will make contact with them (if appropriate) • Give a timeline when you will follow up on receipt of materials • Thank the employer for their time • Restate your phone number and e-mail address • Closing: • Sincerely, • Add some space to sign your name, then type your name • Enclosure(s)

25. Additional Resources • http://career.truman.edu • Guide to Resumes • Guide to Cover Letters • Guide to Transferable Skills • Career Spots • GoinGlobal • Truman Career Center Services • Get individualized critiques • Resource library • Presentations on career topics • Appointments available • Personality & Interest Inventories • And more!!!

26. Internship & Job Search 101

27. Determine Your Targets Step 1

28. What are my career goals? Don’t let your major define you too narrowly, but be sure to make selections based on your interests and passions.

29. Where do I wish to live? By selecting five locations, your job search will be effectively defined and much easier.

30. When am I graduating? Your four year plan should include: Internships Part-time employment Job Be aware that each of these takes months of planning.

31. Prepare Your Professional Materials Step 2

32. Tailored to Position Résumés & Cover Letters Accomplishment Oriented

33. References & Letters of Recommendation • Be certain to ask whether they would be able to provide you a highly positive recommendation • Provide them copy of résumé.

34. Practice interviewing Step 3

35. Resources Available

36. Begin Your Search Step 4

37. Targeted Job Searching

38. Experiencebehance.com • Job Search • Hoovers • LinkedIn • Salary Wizard • Employer Search

39. As many as three out of four job openings are not posted online. These positions are obtained through networking. Networking Step 5

40. Networking Opportunities • Career & Grad School Expo • October 2nd • Networking—on-line and traditional • The Importance of Networking -- Career Spot • Professional Associations/Organizations • Federal & state employment sites • And more!

41. Positive Online Presence

42. Career Expo Before, During and After

43. Before Career Expo: Be prepared!

45. Mock Interviews

47. Appropriate Expo Attire

48. 30-Second Commercial • Using the format of past, present, and future, give a “commercial” about yourself. • State your name, major, and year in school. • Share information about yourself, your background, and professional and personal interests. • Practice this again and again before Expo. • Be sure you stand out in their minds.

49. During Career Expo Be Confident!

50. What Should You Bring to Career Expo? Materials Notes should Include: List of companies Research about companies/positions Notes on your strengths/qualifications