Career Planning Part 1

1. Career Planning Part 1 Objective: To write and design a professional resume. Essential Question: How can you professionally design and write your resume?

2. Resume example for a graduating high school student (basic format) JOHN J. SMITH700 Ninth Street, Hammonton, NJ 08037609-777-7777 jsmith@comcast.net OBJECTIVE: EDUCATION: LEADERSHIP: HONORS / AWARDS: ACTIVITIES: VOLUNTEERISM: EXPERIENCE or CORE STRENGTHS:

3. Resume example for a graduating high school student (skills & experience) JOHN J. SMITH700 Ninth Street, Hammonton, NJ 08037609-777-7777 jsmith@comcast.net OBJECTIVE: SUMMARY OF SKILLS: PROFESSIONAL HISTORY: EDUCATION/VOLUNTEERISM or ACTIVITIES:

4. “MUSTS” FOR A GOOD RESUME • Well organized with important info at the top half • Error free, with effective language, correct grammar, concise phrasing, and powerful verbs • Clearly defined skills, strengths, and achievements • Quantify whenever possible • One page • High quality bond paper • Change according to job / industry

5. Career Planning Part 2 Objective: To find and write your skills. Essential Question: How can you recognize, build and promote your individual valuable assets?

6. Key Skills Needed for Success in Most Jobs Basic Skills Considered the Minimum to Keep a Job Meet deadlines Good attendance Punctual Hard worker Productive Honest Key Transferable Skills That Transfer from Job to Job and Are Most Likely Needed in Jobs with Higher Pay & Responsibly Work effectively as part of a team Negotiating Organize/manage projects Public speaking Written and oral communication Organizational effectiveness and leadership Self-motivation and goal setting Creative thinking and problem solving

7. Some Types of Skills • Job-content Skills • Ex. Repaired brakes • Technical Skills • Ex. Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets • “Soft” skills • Ex. Detail-oriented

8. Career Planning Part 3 Objective: To understand the purpose of a cover letter (job search correspondence); to draft an effective cover letter. Essential Question: What do you need to do to get a potential employer to view your resume?

9. Cover Letter (no interview is scheduled) - Purpose • To send a resume to someone to explain WHY. The letter should explain your situation and ask the recipient for some specific action, consideration or response. What should a cover letter do?

10. Rules for the Cover Letter • Write to someone in particular • Ex. Dear Mr. Santiago • If you don’t address someone, it may go in the junk mail pile • Make absolutely no errors • Do not misspell their names of use incorrect titles • Present a good appearance • Good quality stationary with matching envelopes • Provide a friendly opening • Begin your letter with a reminder of any prior contacts and the reason for your correspondence • Target your skills and experiences • To do this well, you must know something about the organization you are dealing with. (Present any relevant background that might be of particular interest to the person you are writing.) • Close with an action statement • Close on a positive note, and let the employer know you will make further contact.

11. Career Planning Part 4 Objective: To understand the purpose of a thank you note (job search correspondence); to draft an effective thank you note (job search correspondence). Essential Question: How can you get a potential employer to respond to you?

12. Thank you note (after interview) - Purpose • To get results and/or attention by creating a positive impression with employers • Right after an interview (within 24 hrs.) • Employer will assume you have good follow-up skills • Creates yet another opportunity for you to remain in their mind • In case your cover letter or resume got buried, it will provide your contact info When is the best time to send one? Why?

13. Tips for writing thank you notes • Use quality paper and envelopes • Off-white or buff colors are best – keep it simple. • Handwritten or typed is acceptable • Traditionally, thank you notes are handwritten, but word process it if your handwriting is poor. • Use a formal salutation • Unless you know the person you are thanking, don’t use a first name. • Keep the note informal and friendly • This is not the place to write “The reason you should hire me is ….” Remember, the note if for what someone else did. • Sign it • Sign your first and last name, avoid initials, make your signature legible. • Send it right away • Write it right away so details are fresh in your mind, and send it within 24 hrs.

14. Example Thank you note November 1, 2009 Dear Mr. Rando, Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the position available in your production department. I want you to know that this is the sort of job I have been looking for and that I am enthusiastic about the possibility of working for you. I believe that I have both the experience and skills to fit nicely into your organization and to be productive quickly. Thanks again for the interview; I enjoyed the visit. LaSheena Stewart (111) 222-3333

15. Career Planning Part 5 Objective: To use the Internet for your job search. Essential Question: How can you use the Internet to your advantage during your job search?

16. Multiple Ways to Use the Internet in Your Job Search • Employer Web sites • Many have current job openings posted and tell how to apply for the jobs • Inside Information • Do a search on a specific employer or industry to get job descriptions that list skills & requirements to emphasize in interviews and on your resume • http://www.jobster.com/ • Job Boards • National sites like Monster and Hot Jobs let you search for openings based on specific criteria • Specialty sites • You can find sites that specialize in the jobs that interest you • http://www.dice.com/ for technology careers • Networking • Create a profile on business networking sites • www.linkedin.com/ • www.ecademy.com/

17. Consider the impact of your online identity • If someone were to “Google” you, think about positive and or negative things that may come up

18. Your Own Blog (short for Weblog) Why? • Use as a vehicle to demonstrate your knowledge, experience, and current grasp on happenings in your industry • Make sure your posts are professional and relevant to your target audience • Make your resume available for download • Link to other relevant sites • Include your career bio on the “about” page What?