Career Skills for the Social Work Professional Prepared for SW 485 Mike Major, SPHR Director Career Services

1. Career Skills for the Social Work Professional Prepared for SW 485 Mike Major, SPHRDirectorCareer Services

2. Who is your competition? www.svsu.edu/careers

3. Winning Résumés www.svsu.edu/careers

4. What is the purpose of a resume? www.svsu.edu/careers

5. Value Proposition • What will you bring to the organization? • Do you have the skills necessary to do the work? • Do you have the experience that the organization desires? www.svsu.edu/careers

6. Eyes tracing Down From left to right Use of bold Use of italics White space Clear headings No large text blocks Use of bullets Layout Primer www.svsu.edu/careers

7. Standard Resume Headers • Name and Contact Information • Objective • Education • Relevant (Fieldwork) Experience • Work Experience • Community Involvement & Accomplishments • References www.svsu.edu/careers

8. Name and Contact Information Susan Student 7400 Bay Road University Center, MI 48710 (989) 222-2222 (Cell) (989) 555-5555 (Home) careers@svsu.edu http://MikeMajor.foliotek.me *cell only is appropriate www.svsu.edu/careers

9. www.svsu.edu/careers

10. Be sure that it is customized specifically for each job that you are applying for “To apply my exceptional interpersonal, creative and teamwork skills as a social worker.”  Too Vague Study the Job Description to see what qualities they are looking for and accentuate those aspects of your professional capabilities Objective/Personal Summary www.svsu.edu/careers

11. “To apply my exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and teamwork skills as a court services liaison with the Underground Railroad.” Being very specific in an objective statement is helpful when resumes go into a CENTRALIZED HR office with DECENTRALIZED hiring managers Objective/Personal Summary www.svsu.edu/careers

12. Objective • It’s not always required. • If you use one, make it count. www.svsu.edu/careers

13. Education • What is most important? • Standard format Bachelor of Social Work Anticipated: May 2015 Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI Minor: Political Science President’s List: Eight semesters Deans’ List: Fall 2008, Winter 2009 GPA: 3.55 www.svsu.edu/careers

14. Importance of Effective Bullet Statements • “A picture is worth 1,000 words” • Paint a picture in the employer’s mind • Statements should be clear, concise and detailed • “Presented to a group of students” vs.“Presented to a group of 35 college freshmen” www.svsu.edu/careers

15. If this is like your resume, come see us! • Fry CookMcDonald’s Restaurant • Helped customers • Stocked shelves • Used cash register • Cleaned store • Dealt with complaints • Referred to as “Level 1” • Not very impressive • Tasks implied by the title • Add no value to resume www.svsu.edu/careers

16. It is our recommendation that you do not use Level One bullet statements at any time on your résumé. www.svsu.edu/careers

17. This is a little better, but still not great - • Crew MemberMcDonald’s Restaurant • Assisted customers in a warm and friendly manner • Stocked shelves during down times to ensure a professional environment • Processed financial transactions through the cash register in a fast and efficient manner • Cleaned store to maintain an appealing atmosphere to enhance customer satisfaction • Referred to as Level Two • Explain how or in what way you perform level one tasks exceptionally well • Additional duties that you initiated? www.svsu.edu/careers

18. While it is acceptable to use Level Two bullet statements from time to time, you will not want to rely on these to earn you an interview. www.svsu.edu/careers

19. “Say More with Less” • Level Three • Describe accomplishments and achievements • Increase something good or decrease something bad? • Employers want individuals who will make a difference • Measurable • Created effective displays which increased monthly sales by 200% in a two-month period • Crew MemberMcDonald’s Restaurant • Earned Crew Member of the Month in June 2012 for consistently providing outstanding service www.svsu.edu/careers

20. Bullet Statements for Social Workers • Speak the language of your profession • Served on a team of volunteers that investigated alleged misconduct of service recipients • Observed a multi-agency task force to reduce violent crime throughout the Saginaw City area (possibly your internship?) • Promoted to a part-time paid position from unpaid intern within six months of service • Conducted interviews with assault victims in a hospital setting within hours of their attack www.svsu.edu/careers

21. Related Experience • What is most important? • Use previous experiences that are relevant to the position you are applying for: • Acceptable format: Social Work Fieldwork Experience Aug.2012-May 2013 Innerlink, Saginaw, MI • Maintained case management for Transitional Living youth which included Person-Centered Service Plans, counseling sessions, life skills training, scheduling appointments, transportation to/from locations, and tracking medication activity (this bullet is still too long) • Prompted a change in the initial assessment to add a question about current medications • Attended related professional and educational conferences along with several staff meetings • What kind of position could I consider this “relevant” for? • Relevant Course work can also be listed in this section www.svsu.edu/careers

22. Match skill sets with new position Example: Crew Member May 2010 – April 2013 McDonald’s Restaurant, Bay City, MI Prepared 500 orders during the daily lunch hour Effectively dealt with stressful situations in a team environment Work Experience www.svsu.edu/careers

23. Other Activities • Highlight appropriate accomplishments • Example: HONORS / AWARDS / ACTIVITIES Volunteer, Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Midland May 2006 – Present * Received ultimate brother award by successfully logging over 1,000 hours of volunteer service, assisting four youths who all went on to attend college Member, Alpha Phi Omega Co-ed Service Fraternity Sept. 2008 – Present * Served as treasurer for an on-campus organization of over 50 members and $10,000 in resources that participated in over 10,000 hours of community service during the 2012-13 academic year Recipient, SVSU Award for Excellence Scholarship Aug. 2007 – May 2008 www.svsu.edu/careers

24. Resumes vs. CVs • Resumes – Two pages max (“old school” philosophers still say 1 page) • CVs – Longer, more elaborate, used in higher education, Federal jobs, graduate school • Use the additional space with purpose • Accomplishments / Achievements • Do NOT include “tasks” that don’t add value www.svsu.edu/careers

25. References • Ask permission!! • Choose wisely • Keep your references informed of your job search Dr. Someone Who-knowsyouwell, Professor Department of Social Work Saginaw Valley State University 208 Health and Human Services Building 7400 Bay Road University Center, MI 48710 (989) 964-4000 (Office) swhoknou@svsu.edu www.svsu.edu/careers

26. Cover Letters • Will be read after résumé • Emphasize characteristics that are supported in résumé • Keep it short and simple www.svsu.edu/careers

27. Graduate School Essays • Pay attention to length requirements • Grammar/Syntax must be perfect • Does not summarize resume or write in generalities (ie “I learned the value of hard work) • Avoid the “fluff” • Do tell your personal story • Do demonstrate a passion for the field AND a desire to contribute http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/ www.svsu.edu/careers

28. Last words on documents… • Review, review, review! • Career Services • 964-4954 • Appointments with staff for review • SVSU Writing Center • Faculty members • Guidelines and Tutorials available: • http://www.svsu.edu/careers www.svsu.edu/careers

29. Earning the Interview • Top quality résumé & cover letter • Use a professional voicemail message and email address • What’s on your FACEBOOK? • Reply promptly to messages from potential employers • Networking! • Are you on LinkedIn? www.svsu.edu/careers

30. Don’t be THAT person! Common Dress Code Mistakes MEN suits that don’t fit properly and are wrinkled mismatched socks mismatched belt and shoes facial hair that is not trimmed or shaven properly inappropriate ties strong scented cologne WOMEN skirts that are too short strong scented perfume too much make-up no hosiery with skirts lack of hygiene improper jewelry large, mismatched purse www.svsu.edu/careers

31. Preparation before the Interview • Research the organization • Internet – how do they present themselves? • Contact HR for company packet • Assess culture through current employees • Prepare copies of résumé • Select or purchase proper attire • Develop sample questions and answers • Videotape practice interview www.svsu.edu/careers

32. General Rules of Etiquette • Firm handshake • Eye contact • Posture and grace • Do not sit until offered a seat • Greet everyone you meet with a smile, introduction & handshake • Treat everyone as though they are a decision maker www.svsu.edu/careers

33. Interview Process • Step 1: Introductory State • First impressions are made • Building a rapport • Step 2: Review your qualifications • 30 Second Pitch • Focus on your strengths & skills • Use your research and establish that you are a good fit in their culture • Give concise and thorough responses www.svsu.edu/careers

34. Interview Process • Step 3: Matching • Will you fit in the corporate culture • Are you coach-able • Do you have the passion and drive to be successful in the position • Interviewer may explain job in detail • Step 4: Conclusion • Ask questions and discuss selection timeline • Collect business cards for writing thank you notes www.svsu.edu/careers

35. S.T.A.R Approach • Situation • Briefly provide a broad description of the background where your example is taking place • Task • Share more details about the problem, challenge, or task that you needed to address • Action • Describe several possible courses of action and explain why the one you chose was best. Give details that illustrate what you were like in action • Result • Analyze the outcome of your action and the resolution of the situation. Indicate whether or not you would follow the same course in the future www.svsu.edu/careers

36. Steps for Managing an Interview Interact with the entire panel • Make direct eye contact with the individual asking the question • Begin by directly responding to the interviewer • Make eye contact with remaining panel members as you answer • Finish response with initial interviewer www.svsu.edu/careers

37. Resources available from Career Services • Resume and cover letter building and critiques • Online Tutorials • Resume, Cover Letter, Interviewing, Job Search Strategies • Mock interviews and interview coaching • Network development • Career fairs on campus exclusively for SVSU students to network with potential employers • Internship/Co-op advising • Job search strategies • Developing personal brand • On-campus student employment www.svsu.edu/careers

38. Cardinal Career Network www.svsu.edu/careers

39. www.svsu.edu/careers

40. www.svsu.edu/careers

41. Cardinal Career Network Tips • Login at http://www.svsu.edu/careers • Cardinal Job Postings • Recruited / posted exclusively for SVSU • NACElink Extended Job Search • National Association of Colleges & Employers • Create Job Search Agents • Personalize resumes/cover letters for positions that accept them in CCN www.svsu.edu/careers

42. T H A N K Y O U mmajor@svsu.edu989.964.7130 www.svsu.edu/careers