Career Development Training Program

Career Development Training ProgramCalifornia Conservation Corps

Module 2Application, Resume, Cover Letter, References and Electronic Storage

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E-mail & Electronic Storage

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How will Google Docs help you?

What makes it professional?• Uses your proper name- jsanchez@• Do not use nicknames- snooky101@• Does not reference hobbies- bowler@• Avoid age or birth year- jsanchez84@• Do not use this address for forwarding

jokes, photos, chain mail…

Professional E-mail Address

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How will Google Docs help you?

• Instant access to all your information• Permanent and secure• Increases networking opportunities• Keep in touch with resources• Get support from the CCC• Staying in the Loop

Google Documents

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1. Sign in to your Google account by clicking on ‘Sign In’ in the upper right hand corner. Use the same username and password for your Gmail account.

2. After signing in, access Google Docs by clicking the ‘more’ button.

Google Documents

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Google Docs: Now What?

• Use Google Docs to store information (Uploading)

• Important things can be stored and retrieved (Downloaded)– Resumes, Scanned Certificates, and

Applications can be stored for future reference

• You can Share documents with other people. This allows for collaboration.

Google Documents

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Uploading to Google Docs

• To upload documents, click the “Upload” button in the upper left corner of the screen.

• Drag the files from your desktop to the Google Docsdrop box.

Google Documents: Uploading

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Uploading to Google Docs

Uncheck the box at the bottom that says “Convert documents, presentations, and spreadsheets to the corresponding Google Docs formats”

Note: Checking this box will erase ALL of the formatting and will turn the document being uploaded into a plain text file, like those found on Notepad. A polished and formatted Resume will turn into a plain, unformatted text document.

Click ‘Start upload” at the bottom of the page

Google Documents: Convert Documents

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Uploading to Google Docs!

• Go Back to Google Docs using the link to at the top of the page

• Check the file you uploaded. Is it saved to Google Docs?

• Is it formatted the way you remember when you saved it?

• Congratulations! You have started your online portfolio!

Google Documents

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Click the button at the top of the screen labeled “Download”

Downloading from Google Docs

To download documents, click the document you want to download.

Clicking the document will open a new browser window to the document.

Save the file to the Desktop of the computerAfter saving, open the document and make sure it’s the one you wanted to download.

Google Documents: Download

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Downloading from Google Docs

Share a Document:Create a document on Google Docs with your personal contact information and share it with me using this email address: (insert your Gmail address)

Homework:Using your Gmail account, send me an email with a document attached. The document should include the name, address, and phone number of every place you have worked.

Google Activity and Homework

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Questions?

Still need help?

Visit the Google Docs help page for more information on how to use Google Docs:

http://docs.google.com/support/bin/topic.py?topic=1084191

Google Documents

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Personal & Employment History

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Questions?

The Personal and Employment History worksheet is a summary of information for you to reference. Helps when:• Filling out applications• Organizing a resume • Requests for references


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Questions?

Includes:• Personal contact information• Complete educational history• Complete employment history• Volunteer history• All licenses, certifications, etc…• References


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Questions?

Name• You should always use your full legal name on all

applications and résumés.• If you go by a different name you can discuss that

with the employer during the interview.Address• Use an address that is checked often. Many

employers will send job announcements and details on upcoming hiring events through the mail.


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Questions?

Phone Number• Employers sometimes screen candidates through informal

phone interviews. Always answer this number in a professional manner.

A couple of pointers:• Do not have a ring back tone. It is unprofessional.• Nobody else should answer this phone.• The voicemail message should be professional. It is best to

state your name and ask the caller to leave a short message with a call back number. • If you are not ready to speak professionally or take down

instructions- let the call go to voicemail.


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Questions?

Employment ExperienceYour employment experience can be paid/unpaid experience. Include work that was full-time, part time, seasonal, temporary, and any internships. • Reverse chronological order: Begin with your most recent employer

and work backwards. • All of the requested information is necessary! (dates of employment,

address…)• DO NOT guess on any information requested and do not give false

information. • List all of the work experience you have. You will be more selective

about the experience you include when you tailor your application and résumé for a specific position.


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Questions?

Volunteer Experience• Volunteer experience reflects positively on who you are as a

person. It gives the message that you go above and beyond the bare minimum and that you are dedicated to a cause. Both of these are qualities that employers look for.

• You gain skills and experience through volunteer work. In some cases it may count as work experience.


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Questions?

Education• Like your employment information, list your education in reverse chronological order.• Indicate the name of degree/diploma that you received from each school. • If you have a Bachelor’s degree it is not necessary to include your high school. • Include any extracurricular activities, awards, or honors that you received.• If you have not completed your diploma or degree yet, state that it is in progress and

indicate your expected completion date.

Licenses/Certifications• Listing your licenses, certifications, and skills tells an employer that you already have

extensive knowledge on that matter so they will not have to conduct training in that area.• ALWAYS include computer skills. These are valuable regardless of the type of job you

are applying for. • ALWAYS include your driver’s license information, if you have one.


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Resumes

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Questions?

What is a resume?• It is a summary of your experiences and skills relevant to

the field of work you are entering and the job you are applying for.

• It highlights your accomplishments to show a potential employer that you are qualified for the job you are applying for.

• The purpose of a resume is to get you an interview.

Resume Building

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Questions?

3 Types of Resumes• Chronological Resume - organized by job titles with most recent

position first. Primarily used when you are applying for a job you have previous experience in.

• Functional Resume - focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history. Used most often for those who are changing careers, have gaps in their employment history, or have little work experience.

• Combination Resume - combines characteristics of the functional and chronological resume by organizing your most relaxant experiences into skill area and a brief chronology of jobs you have held.

Resume Building

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Questions?

General Guidelines• Length: It is best to limit a resume to one typed page. Be as

concise as possible. • Font: Avoid fonts smaller than 10 point and larger than 12 point.

Use a font that is readable and universal, like Times New Roman or Arial. Do not use several font styles in a resume.

• Paper: Use good quality 8.5 x 11 paper. Do not use bright or unusual colors to get attention.

• Include important information, like: name, contact information, education, experience, and skills.

Resume Building

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Questions?

Name and Contact Information• Included in a header. It should be easy to find on the resume. Use a slightly

larger font for your name.• Use your current address, phone number, and professional e-mail address.

Resume Building

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Questions?

Objective• An objective tells employers your purpose for submitting a resume for this

particular job.• An objective includes skills you hope to use in this position.

Resume Building

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Questions?

Education• Provide a listing of high school and post-secondary education you have

completed or are in the process of completing.• Include the name of the school, location, dates attended, and degrees or

certificates you earned.

Resume Building

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Questions?

Employment and Volunteer Experience• Using your Personal and Employment History template, identify jobs and skills relevant

to the job description. Depending on the type of resume format you are using, begin inputting the necessary information.

• Include jobs, internships, volunteer work, civic activities, leadership roles, and projects relevant to the job you are pursuing.

• Bullet each statement to make it easier for the reader to find specific information.• Use action verbs and statements in your bullets. Include your accomplishments.

Example: Researched and wrote weekly Music Notes for local arts newspaper. • Cite numbers to make a point

Example: Planned and implemented Cancer Walk with the outcome of 565 participants who signed up for scheduled day

• Use keywords listed on the job announcement so that recruiters and/or employers can easily identify how your skills fit the position they are filling.

Resume Building

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Questions?

Employment and Volunteer Experience

• List all of your work experience.• Emphasize positions you held which

are related in some way to the job you are seeking.

• Begin with the last or most current job and work backwards.

• Use present tense when writing about your current job. Use past tense when writing about your past jobs.

Resume Building

Hospitality Intern (May 1999-August 1999)Somewhere, CA* Oversaw the planning,

production, preparation and prompt delivery of food

* Assisted in training and retaining new and experienced employees

* Created a positive and healthy atmosphere in the restaurant

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Questions?

Before Creating a Resume for a Job• Understand the job you are applying for. What are the tasks and

skills they are looking for?• Research the company or organization you are applying to. What

is the culture like? What kind of projects do they work on?• After gathering all of your personal, employment, and volunteer

history determine what information is necessary to include on the resume for the job.

Resume Building

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Questions?

SkillsComputer skills

• Systems: PC, Mac, IBM, UNIX, etc• Programs: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Filemaker Pro, etc.

Languages• Language and level (basic conversational, proficiency, fluency)

Type of machinery (for technical work) • (Forklift, GPS, etc.)

Licenses• (Class B, Real Estate License, Credential Teaching License, etc.)

Training• Any relevant training that may be important to the position

Resume Building

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Cover Letter & Reference Page

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Questions?

• A cover letter is an explanatory letter that accompanies your résumé.

• A cover letter will help show your professionalism and set you apart from the other applicants.

• A cover letter includes:– How you found out about the position, and your connection to any existing

employees.– A summary of your specific skills and experience relevant to the position.– Any special information, that sets you apart, that isn’t included in your

resume.– An example of your writing skills.

Cover Letters

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Questions?

A cover letter should match your resume. Use the same header with your personal information, and the cover letter should use the same font you used in your resume.

Cover Letters

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Questions?

First Paragraph• Spark Employers Interest.• Tell why you’re writing – what position you’re targeting.• How did you find out about the position?

Cover Letters

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Questions?

Second and Third Paragraphs• Provide more detail about your professional/academic qualifications.• Detail how you can contribute. • Stress accomplishment and achievements (not job duties/responsibilities).• Tailor to employers need (from ad or job description).• Relate yourself to the organization and how you can meet employers’ need.• Demonstrate your knowledge of the employer (based on your research).

Cover Letters

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Questions?

Closing Paragraph• Be proactive – request action.• Ask for an interview or meeting.• Express confidence that you are a perfect fit for the job.• Tell how you will follow up.

Cover Letters

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Questions?

• The purpose of a reference sheet is to have a list of people who can verify and elaborate on your professional experience and personal character for a potential employer.

• It is unnecessary to state ‘References Available Upon Request’ on your résumé.

• Place references on a separate sheet of paper, ONLY distribute when asked.

• Like the cover letter, the reference page should match the resume header and font.

ALWAYS contact someone before listing them as a reference!

Reference Page

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Job Applications

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Questions?

How the Application is Used by Employers• It is the employers’ introduction to you. It is their first impression

of you. It is a screening device for the interviewer.• It gives a picture of your work history, skills, education and

training.• It gives a clear picture of your ability to communicate on paper.

• It often determines the type of questions you will be asked in the job interview.

• Sometimes it is kept on file for future reference. If you don’ get the job, you may be considered for a job in the future if your application is clear, and informative.

Job Applications

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Questions?

General Application Tips• Use your Personal and Employment History worksheet as a

resource.• Be neat! Use a pen. If the application can be filled out online, take

advantage of that.• Do not falsify information!• Fill out all areas. Use N/A if a question is not applicable.• Be specific about what you are applying for.• Ask someone to double check your answers before submitting it.

Job Applications

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Questions?

Education, Training and Work Experience• Include any training and education relevant to the position you are

applying for.• Emphasize experiences related to the job. Use the key words and

skills the job announcement is looking for, if you possess them.• Volunteer experience counts.• If you were fired from any past job, try to state the reason in a

positive manner rather than writing “fired” or “terminated”.

Job Applications

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Questions?

Follow Up• Follow-up shows interest, initiative, and a sense of responsibility

to a possible employer.• Wait a few days, but no longer than one week after applying or

interviewing before calling.• Identify yourself and the position you’ve applied for.• Ask if the employer received everything you sent.• Ask when the decision might be made and if the employer needs

anything else from you.

Job Applications

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Classroom Presentation

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Classroom Presentation

10 minute presentation including:• Application Package for CCC Job• Overview of Resume• Share Cover Letter

Presentation format suggestions:• Powerpoint• Activity• Handouts

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What is Next?

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What is next?

Module 3: Organized Job Search, Networking, and Tailoring the Resume

and Cover Letter

• Job Search Methods• How to Network• Tailoring a Resume• Tailoring a Cover Letter• Letter of Recommendation

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