Work Study IS A REAL JOB
Presented by your:
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Fall Semester 2006
What We’ll Cover Today !
• Resume Writing
• First Impressions / Interviews
Résumé Writing
Give You An Understanding of :
• The purpose of a Résumé.
• The structure of a Chronological Résumé and how to write your Résumé.
• The help available to you from the
Career Development Center.
What is a Résumé?
• Your résumé is a marketing tool.
• A way for you to “sell yourself”• A good résumé is one that
works = getting you invited for an interview.
• Reflects your skills, knowledge.
• What makes you an ideal candidate?
• Used in interview process.
Why Do I Need a Résumé?
• It gives your future supervisor an idea of who you are and what your strengths/skills are.
• It gives you a “fact sheet” for advertising your achievements and skills to an employer.
• An essential document when searching for internships, summer jobs and, of course, professional employment after graduation.
Your Paper Résumé
• Keep it simple, one (1) page.• No templates or wizards !!• Use 21 or 24 lb weight white or off-white paper• Stay away from to much Italics, underlining,
script.• Font should be popular (Arial/Times New
Roman); font size should be 10, 11, or 12 point• Bullets simple, no images• Spell Check & Proofread. Then Proofread again!• Be consistent with your margins and headings
Points to remember…
• Your résumé is a marketing tool, not an autobiography.
• Any experience - whether paid, volunteer, or extracurricular - is worth considering for your Resume
• PROOF-READ carefully for spelling and grammar. Don’t rely solely on spell check
• Be consistent and attentive to detail
Your Contact Information
IMA STUDENT123 Main Street
Newark, NJ 07102(973) 123-4567
IWANNA JOB www.iwanna.com
123 Main Boulevard, Apt. 3 (973) 123-7654 Newark, NJ 07102 [email protected]
The Objective:
• Your objective should be concise.
• Your objective tells the reader your short-term goal.
• Keep things general, but do indicate the type of position, field, and/or skills sought.
• You will change your objective to meet the situation you are using it for.
Objective: The Good, the Bad & The Undecided
Good
• A part-time position as a work-study in the Library.
• A summer job that will utilize skills obtained from college study and prior part-time jobs.
• To secure an internship that will challenge skills obtained from classroom study and work-study experience.
Not So Good • A job where I can gain a lot of
experience.• A summer job in a large
company in Newark.• A job that challenges me and
leads to better opportunities.
Education
• Current students and recent graduates should include this after Objective.
• High school info. (first-year students ONLY)
• Only list schools where degrees/diploma’s or certificates have been completed
• List GPA ( …if over a 3.0 )
• Indicate anticipated Rutgers graduation (correct months = May, October, or January )
Education Examples:RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, Newark, NJBaccalaureate degree, Expected Graduation May 2010
AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL, Hillside, NJDiploma, with Honors, June 2006
OR
Rutgers University, Campus at NewarkBachelor of Arts, January 2008Major: Psychology
Hudson County Community CollegeAssociate in Arts, May 2006Major: Liberal StudiesG.P.A.: 3.2/4.0
Achievements & Accomplishments
• Achievements: What you did…….
• Indicate number of hours worked…while pursuing full degree program.
• Financing 75% of college expenses through part-time or seasonal employment.
• Work an average of 25 hours per week while pursuing degree full-time and actively participating in campus clubs
• Accomplishments: How well you did…
• Honors for school or employment.
• Honor Roll, American High School
• Who’s Who, American High School Students, 2005
• Teller of the Month, First Union Bank, 2006
Relevant Experience:
• Your experience is listed in reverse chronological order
• Include paid and unpaid jobs. All jobs have value !
• Use action words for stating accomplishments• Make sure you use the correct tense• Can be stated in bullet or paragraph form • Bullet format uses action words• Paragraph format uses more space• Never use “ I ”, “me” or “my” .
Chronological Presentation of Experience
BULLET FORMAT
Cashier/Salesperson 2005-PresentPathmark Supermarket, East Orange, NJ• Oversee Cashiers . . .• Recognized for effective . . .
PARAGRAPH FORMAT
NJPAC, Newark, NJ 6/05 - 7/06InternSelected to participate ... Created advertisements … Coordinated several …
Consistency is the key!
Action Words: What you do, but saying it differently.
• Did = Conducted, Produced, Participated, Provided, Coordinated
• Helped out = Assisted
• Started = Implemented, Maintained, Organized, Planned, Prepared, Researched, Selected, Structured
• Action Words on Website
Activities and Memberships
Volunteer, Newark Hospital, 2005-6
Treasurer, American High School Spanish Club, Fall 2005
Participant, Easter Seal Holiday Fundraising, 2004
Skills (Additional Skills)
Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
Bilingual: English/Spanish. Some knowledge of Portuguese
Leadership: Assumed many academic and professional leadership roles
References
References Available Upon Request.
OR
REFERENCES: Available upon request
OR
References on file at: www.referencenow.com
Remember…
• Your résumé is a representation of YOU
• You do have skills that make you a valuable commodity
• Make sure the information is up to date and 100% accurate
• This is not merely practice for the real world - it is a REAL résumé for a REAL job !
Résumé Review
• Please visit the Career Development Center’s Web site to view sample résumés – http://cdc.newark.rutgers.edu
• Visit the Career Development Center during Walk-In Hours or make an appointment to have your Résumé critiqued
Getting off on the Right Foot:Making a Positive 1st Impression
The Interview Doesn’t Start at the First In-Person Meeting!
• It begins at your very first contact! Things you should consider:
• Telephone Greetings: Right Way vs. Wrong Way
• How to properly set-up your meeting: be flexible with your calendar
• During the call: Try to get a sense of the kind of person the Supervisor is
Why Do I Have To Interview ?
• To see if you are a good “match” for the department
• To assess your skill sets and determine how they can contribute to the departments goals
• To establish the framework of a (hopefully) pleasant and prosperous working relationship
Acing The Phone Call
• What to do and not to do when someone answers:
• POOR: “Hello, the financial aid office told me to call you because I’m supposed to be your new work-study”
• BETTER: “Hi, my name is Melissa Withers and I have been instructed to contact your department concerning a possible work-study assignment. May I please speak with the person who supervises work-studies?”
What’s Next?
• Set-up your interview!
• Be willing to meet the interviewer halfway with regard to time. If s/he has specific time set aside for interviews, respect that
• Call the department the day before your interview to “confirm” your appointment
Interview Don’ts
• Arrive late
• Dress improperly
• Smoke, eat, or chew gum
• Bring anyone (friend/parent/child) with you
• Place or receive cellular phone calls
• Forget to bring your Resume
• Forget your manners!
What Should I Wear???
• Men: Clean, pressed slacks or khakis. Polo or oxford-style shirt (tie optional). A fresh shave/neatly trimmed facial hair a must!
• Women: Dress or skirt with coordinating blouse, dress slacks also acceptable
• Both: Polished low-heeled shoes with coordinating hosiery or dress socks; moderate to minimal jewelry, a watch
Be Prepared to Answer Questions On:
• Personal: Why you chose Rutgers, what you hope to accomplish, any majors in mind; about your high school or community college experience
• Skills: What are you good at, what do you enjoy doing, what needs improvement
• History: Any current or previous work or volunteer experience
• Special Issues: Work habits and preferences
Questions You Might Ask:
• What skills are valued most
• Type of supervision/training provided
• A typical day on the job
• Their standard for “a job well done”
• Policy regarding work during exams/breaks
Where to Go from Here…
• Take the interview seriously, but don’t stress too much!
• Be positive, but honest about your skills and interests
• Give the job the same effort you have given to other jobs. Work-Study isn’t free $$$
• Take the opportunity to learn new things• Relax and have fun!
Be prepared.
• You should be able to discuss any of the content of your resume during the interview.
• Example• Technical Skills: Microsoft Word, Access,
Excel, PowerPoint
• All past employment should be included on your resume.
COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR
• If you are going to be out for an unexpected occurrence, it is your responsibility to inform your Supervisor of your absence(s) immediately.
• If you are going to be out for a planned amount of time (i.e., exams, spring break, study-group, oil change, etc.) It is your responsibility to inform your Supervisor IN WRITING of your absence(s) as soon as you know.
• If you are going to be out sick, call first thing in the morning to let your Supervisor know. Leave a message if you get voice mail. Speak clearly !
Before We Leave You …
• Use the Career Center’s Walk-In Periods to get help with your resume or get help preparing for your interviews
• Remember, the Career Center also provides professional career counseling if you are having trouble identifying a major or career
• Some Advice about “myspace.com”
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