AGENDA

1. Core & Targeted ResuméStrategiesDoug Elliot, Career CounselorSDCCD Professional Development, November 2001

2. Overview and the pre-Resumé Basics Core vs. Targeted Resumé Choosing a Format Parts of a Resumé Experience Statements – P.A.R. or S.T.A.R. AGENDA

3. Please write down what your three most valuable work assets are…one word for each asset. 1st Request

4. Career Change Steps Assess your work values, interests, abilities & skills, personality, long-term career goals. Adjust for clarity. Create a SWOT Explore occupations and industries found in the San Diego. Accept local labor market conditions. (LMI) Evaluate options, make a decision, develop a strategy for achieving your short and long term career goals. Create a CAP SMART goal plan Take action! Get training and/or conduct a job search using a educational sales approach.

5. Skill x 2 :Transferability Analyze how transferable your skills are… Objectively assess your skills and compare resume with job announcement Calculate the degree of transferability

6. Skills x 2 :Transferability People Applied SOFT Skills Job Related Job Specific HARD Skills & + Transferable PORTABLE Skills

7. Skills x 2 :Transferability Job Related HARD Skills + Self Management SOFT Skills = Transferable PORTABLE Skills

8. Conduct a S.W.O.T. Strengths = skills, talents, abilities, attributes, characteristics, etc., that you possess now...

9. Weaknesses = skills, talents, abilities, attributes, characteristics, etc., that are missing...

10. Opportunities = promotions, transfers, new tasks, grant work, interim positions...

11. Threats = funding, lack of tenure, reduced classes, frozen jobs, eliminated jobs, change of management...

12. Purpose: to get an interview There is no ONE correct way Customize it every time Brief is best - include relevant information Visual appeal – fonts, margins, paper Effectively organize information Two primary formats to choose from THE BASICS

13. What Employers Want Do you fit in? = Personality Type Can you do the job? = Skills Sets Can you be counted on? = Reliability

14. SURVEY SAYS No accomplishments (78%) Negative visual impact (55%) Poor or no cover letter (40%) Lack of objective (36%) Format problems (32%) Irrelevant data (29%) Inadequate job description (12%) Time gaps unexplained (10%) Resume too long (10%)

15. Chronological Functional Chronological is the most traditional Functional combines skills and chronology RESUMÉ FORMAT

16. Lists work experience in reverse Includes 10-15 years of experience Include position title, name of organization, location and dates of employment Best for anyone on a career path that has been building over time and shows a logical progression CHRONOLOGICAL

17. CHRONOLOGICAL

18. Presents capabilities according to their relevance to job target and in order of priority to that job Focus first on the transferable skills and functions most likely to interest the employer Minimize less relevant work and employment gaps by listing work history, without details, at the bottom FUNCTIONAL

19. Functional format is best if you . . . Are making a significant career change Have gaps of employment Have many different jobs in a short time Are a recent graduate with no experience FUNCTIONAL continued

20. FUNCTIONAL AKA COMBINATION

21. Text Only Resume Always have a flash drive handy with your resumes and cover letters on in two formats… MS Word formatted 2. One text-only version

22. STEPS TO TEXT ONLY Step 1: Save your Resume as a Text Only document (Plain Text in Windows XP). Step 2: Make sure you have all the keywords that define your job qualifications. Step 3: Delete any references to "page two," "Continued," or your name or head on page 2. You are making your resume appear as one continuous electronic document. Step 4: Use all CAPS for words that need special emphasis. For the best overall effect, use all caps sparingly and judiciously, highlighting only what you really want to have stand out. Step 5: Replace each bullet point with a standard keyboard symbol. Suggested replacements are: Dashes (-) Plus signs (+) Single or Double Asterisks (*) (**)Step 6: Use straight quotes in place of curly quotes. Step 7: Rearrange text if necessary.

23. My Resumé I practice what I preach. Most of the time.

25. CorevsTargeted • No more generic resumés… • No more one-size-fits-all resumés… • No more resumés with clichés! • Have one CORE resumé that no one will ever see. Ever! • Use the CORE resumé as a starter resumé that is customized for each job. • That customized resumé is the TARGETED resumé and used for that “one” job.

26. PARTS OF A RESUMÉ

27. Contact Information Name should be prominent Use a professional e-mail address Consider adding a design line Name & page number on second page LETTERHEAD

28. Pros & Cons: specific, vague, none May use a “headline” instead Everything supports objective Job description = words you need JOB OBJECTIVE

29. Sample of an old-school objective: “A challenging position that will allow me to contribute to the growth of the organization while offering me an opportunity for advancement and job security.” JOB OBJECTIVE

30. Sample of a 2011 objective: “To obtain a Student Services position with the Ssan Diego Community College District.” JOB OBJECTIVE

31. Brief look at experience and education Reflects employers’ requirements Use 3-5 bullet statements Title options:  Summary  Core Compentencies  Profile  Career Highlights SUMMARY STATEMENT

32. Number of years of experience Credentials, education or training Key accomplishments Key strengths, skills or characteristics for the position Bilingual skills SUMMARY INCLUDES…

33. Before or after Work Experience? List where, what, when (dates are preferred) While in school say “in progress” Include on-the-job training RECENT EDUCATION & TRAINING

34. Honors and Awards (recent grads) Community Service (not court ordered) Unique or Specialized Training Professional Development Professional Affiliations Professional Credentials Certifications ADDITIONAL SECTIONS

35. Accomplishments are best described using the P.A.R. formula: P = Problem (a problem you encountered) A = Action (the action you took) R = Results (%$#+-) P.A.R. or

36. Another way to look at it…S.T.A.R. S/T = Situation or Task A = Action (the action you took) R = Results (%$#+-) …S.T.A.R.

37. Instead of . . . “Responsible for office filing system.” Use . . . “Reviewed and revamped outdated file management system leading to new funding for more efficient software.” SHOW RESULTS

38. Develop a Brag File Review past job descriptions Work backwards “Resulted in . . .” TIPS FOR WRITING P.A.R. STATEMENTS

39. Remember to proofread (get “new eyes” to have a look) Save a copy of each version you send out to employers (i.e., sdccdSSA.doc) Writing your resume will help you describe your accomplishments in the interview Update your resume every few months, even when you are on the job Final Ideas

40. COVER LETTERS

41. Customize for each job Pre-sell your resume Email or snail mail Address to a real person: don’t assume gender, spelling of name, or title If you can, make a personal link Express enthusiasm and interest COVER LETTERS

42. Use their words to show what you can do Show that you know something about the organization or industry Take the initiative One page – exactly the same header, paper and font as your resume Proofread (your letter must be perfect) COVER LETTERS cont’d

43. CDS Online cds.sdce.edu Online job bank for students