Applying for a Career - ISD 622 · • Education or training may or may not be required • Job security not guaranteed • Short-term CAREER • Pursuit of a lifelong ambition or

Applying for a Career

What am I looking for?

JOB

• Activity to earn money, regular activity in exchange for payment.

• Education or training may or may not be required

• Job security not guaranteed

• Short-term

CAREER

• Pursuit of a lifelong ambition or progression towards lifelong goals.

• Special training or education typically required

• Security gained through experience, hard work and dedication

• Long-term

The Process1. Decide what you are looking for

2. Search for jobs

3. Research the company

4. Prepare Resume

5. Prepare Cover Letter

6. Interview

7. Prepare Follow-up Letter

Job Opening Analysis

1. Circle the KEYWORDS and BUZZWORDS found in the job opening.

2. Underline the character traits they are looking for in an employee

3. Make notes in the margin about experience you have that relates directly to what they want

Company Research

1.Analyze the Homepage

• What visuals are there?

• Any quotes? Phrases? Names?

• What do you notice?

• What are they trying to say about themselves?

Company Research

2. List keywords/buzzwords throughout the website

• What strong adjectives or verbs does the company use throughout the website?

• Do they have any specific interests?

• Community, Responsible, Respectful, Innovative, Initiative, Technology, etc.

Company Research

3. Read and analyze the “About Us” section provided

• What do they want people to know about the company?

• What is their history?

• What keywords/buzzwords are used?

• What is their focus?

• Who is in charge?

Company Research

4. Analyze the Mission Statement, Philosophy or Goals of the company

• What goals do they have as a company?

• Do they have a “mission?” What is it?

• List any keywords or buzzwords in this section

Company Research

5. Look through other job openings available

• What other positions are open?

• How are these positions described?

• What are their responsibilities?

• Would you interact with any of these positions?

• Which should you know?

Company Research

1. Analyze the home page

2. Write down key words buzzwords

3. Read the About Us or History section

4. Mission Statement, Goals, Values or Philosophy

5. Look for other openings

The Process1. Decide what you are looking for

2. Search for jobs

3. Research the company

4. Prepare Resume

5. Prepare Cover Letter

6. Interview

7. Prepare Follow-up Letter

Resume Notes

1. Heading

2. Objective

3. Education

Only three everyone MUST have on a resume.

You have 30 seconds to impress.

Heading

Legal Name

(2x bigger and Bold)

Address

Contact #1 (phone number)

Contact #2 (professional email)

• Middle name/middle Initial

• Full name (Michael, not Mike)

Heading Example

Annemarie Sass 1234 Main Street

St. Paul, MN 55109

651-458-0324

[email protected]

Objective Statement

Statement or phrase

1. Specific job you want

2. Company name

3. Location

• Do not list any skills, interests, future goals in your objective.

• Clear, direct and to the point.

Objective Statement Example

Home organizer position at Organizing Inc in New York City, NY

1. Home organizer

2. Organizing Inc

3. New York City, NY

Education

1. Name of School

2. City and State

3. Degree Earned

– Anticipated date of graduation: Month/Year

– GPA: 3.0 and above listed

– Any relevant or notable classes

– Honors or awards received

Education Example: In HS South St. Paul High School

South St. Paul, MN

Anticipated Date of Graduation: June 2002

Classes: IB Western Civilization, IB English, IB Theory of Knowledge, IB Spanish

GPA: 3.7

Honors: 8 time Honor Roll student, top 15% of class

Education Example: Recent Grad South St. Paul High School

South St. Paul, MN

High School Diploma: June 2002

International Baccalaureate (IB) Honors Certificate

Classes: IB Western Civilization, IB English, IB Theory of Knowledge, IB Spanish

GPA: 3.7

Honors: 8 time Honor Roll student, top 15% of class graduate

Education Example: In CollegeWinona State University

Winona, MN

Major: Communication Arts and Literature Education

Anticipated Date of Graduation: May 2007

Current GPA: 3.6

South St. Paul High School

South St. Paul, MN

High School Diploma: June 2002

International Baccalaureate (IB) Honors Certificate

Classes: IB Western Civilization, IB English, IB Theory of Knowledge, IB Spanish

GPA: 3.7

Honors: 8 time Honor Roll student, top 15% of class graduate

Resume Notes

1. Heading

2. Objective

3. Education

Only three everyone MUST have on a resume.

Experience

1. Your Job Title

2. Company Name

3. Dates (MO/YR) – Still work there? MO/YR hired – present

4. List your accomplishments and experiences gained (What + Formula)– Quantify whenever possible

– Do not list your responsibilities

• Use indents and highlighting features

Experience Example

Office Manager April 2010 – present

Forrest’s Lawn Service, Miami

• Manage, prepare payroll and plan schedules for 15 employees

• Complete annual review and work analysis for 15 employees

• Coach and delegate 5 assistant managers

• Monitor and maintain job effectiveness

• Developed and implemented an effective filing system for an office of 50 people

What + Formula

1. What did you do in this position?

2. Why was the task important?

– What was your impact within the district/organization?

– What skills did you use or develop?

– How did you perform your duties?

Create bullet points that begin with a strong verb and emphasize skills or qualities required by the job posting

What + Formula

Job: Retail Cashier

Example: Managed the cash register to complete customer purchases and handle returns

What + Skills Developed: Managed the cash register to complete customer purchases and returns, developing the ability to work efficiently and with quality customer service.

What + Formula

Job: Server

Example: Waited on tables and completed service tasks

Skills developed + What: Developed strong customer service and communication skills while waiting on tables and completing service tasks.

Skills

• ONLY if no work experience

1. List the skill

2. describe how you obtained it

– Use the What + Formula

• List 2-4 in this area

Sports or Activities

1. Name of sport or activity

2. Where you participate

3. Years participated

– Experience or skills gained for participation

– Honors/awards (if not in its own section)

• Most recent first

• Don’t go too far back (5 years maximum)

Sports/Activities Example

Dance Team

South St. Paul High School

1998 – 2002

Awards:

• Captain– 2001-2002

• MSHSL State Dance Team Competition – 3rd Place – 2001 Jazz routine

• MSHSL State Dance Team Competition – 3rd Place – 2001 High Kick routine

Community Activities

1. Job/Activity you participated in

2. Company or group worked with

3. Date (month/year)

– Explanation of what you gained through the experience

• Use What + Formula

Communities Activities Example

Volunteer

Good Shepard Senior Living

2001 – 2002

Honors and Awards

1. Award/Honor Title

2. Date (MO/YR)

– Requirements needed for award

** My Recommendation: List them under each category

– Sports, Activities, Education, Job Experience

Resume Formatting 1. Utilize blank space

2. Be consistent throughout

– Same structure for each section

– Same highlighting features

3. 2 pages is plenty

– Front and back of 1 page

4. Don’t add unnecessary designs

5. Use a table to help with alignment

Resume Structure

Heading

Objective Statement

Education

Experience/Skills

Sports or Activities

Honors/Awards

Community Activities

Write Your Resume!• Using your resume worksheet, piece together

your resume in your notebook.

• Consider your formatting, style, structure, order, indents, etc.

• Your resume should be directly focused on your job posting.

• Use your BUZZWORDS

Writing your Cover Letter

What is a cover letter?

• Expresses interest and qualifications

• Personal but professional

• Expands from your resume

• Ultimate goal is…

* GET AN INTERVIEW!

Preparing a Cover Letter

Step by Step…

• Header: SAME AS RESUME Your Address

Contact Information (email and phone)

Date

Company Contact

Title of Company Contact (If you have one)

Company Name

Company Address

Dear Mr. or Mrs. ________________,

OR “To Whom it May Concern,”

Preparing a Cover Letter

Step by Step…

Stacy Lolkus

222 Harrison Dr

Apartment 5

West Lafayette, IN 47906

765-450-7583

[email protected]

October 16, 2006

Jenny Lock

Assistant Manager

HR Recruiting Center

2105 S. Lakeside Drive

Waukegan, IL 60085

Dear Ms. Lock:

Preparing a Cover Letter

Step by Step…

Paragraph #1: Why you want the job

1. Reason for your letter

2. How did you hear of the position?

3. Brief education statement

4. Why are you interested?

Preparing a Cover Letter

Step by Step…

I am applying for the Language Arts position currently available at North High School as posted on the District 622 website. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Winona State University in May 2007, with an overall GPA of 3.59. I obtained a Bachelor of Science (Teaching) degree in Communication Arts and Literature and I am certified to teach grades 5-12. I am currently a coach within the 622 District and I had the opportunity to teach at North High School from March 30th – June 10th in the English department for Heather Lloyd in 2009. I also taught summer school June – July 2009 with Errin Destics. I would love the opportunity to teach at North High School again.

Preparing a Cover Letter

Step by Step…

Paragraph #2: Why they should hire you

1. Why should they be interested?

– Your skills and qualifications

– Include specific examples

2. How does your experience fit with the open position?

3. How can you benefit them?

Preparing a Cover Letter

Step by Step…

• As a banking representative at Chase, I provided quality customer service while promoting the sale of products to customers. I also handled close to $20,000 each day and was responsible for balancing the bank’s ATM machine. My experience with customer relations and money management can help your accounting firm expand its Middle East division located in Dubai.

Preparing a Cover Letter

Step by Step…

Paragraph #3: Appreciation for time

1. Thank them for their time

2. Refer to your resume

3. Provide the next step– A specific time frame where you can be

reached for more information

– Example: Monday-Thursday from 8am – 2pm

Closing

• Sincerely,

• Full Name

Preparing a Cover Letter

Step by Step…

• Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing more information about the Sales Associate position at PacSun in the Mall of America. I have enclosed my resume for your review. I will be available to discuss the position in the evenings between 4pm and 9pm, Monday through Friday. Please contact me if you need additional information.

Preparing a Cover Letter

Step by Step…

• Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing more information about the (insert job title, company name and location). I have enclosed my resume for your review. I will be available to discuss the position in the evenings between 4pm and 9pm, Monday through Friday. Please contact me if you need additional information.

Preparing a Cover Letter