Career Exploration Workshop Day Four

Maine Vocational Rehabilitation 1

Career Exploration WorkshopDay Four

Questions?“If you don’t know where you’re going, you will

wind up somewhere else…..” Yogi Berra

04/20/23 1Maine Vocational Rehabilitation


Day Four Agenda

• Review of Meetings with VRC’s• Achievement Story #2• What Do Employers Expect? • Resume – the C.R.I.S.P. technique• Life-Work Balance – Part 2• Prep for Achievement Story #3• Day Four Thoughts

04/20/23 Maine Vocational Rehabilitation 2


Review of Meetings with VRC

• What Issues were discussed?• What needs were discussed?• Any problems that need resolution?• Did any of you discuss a possible job goal?• Do you think you’re closer to developing a

goal at this point?



Achievement Story # 2

• Was it easier to write Achievement Story #2?• Did you enjoy learning more about your skills?• What did it feel like to get such positive

feedback from the group?



Achievement Story #2• Did you learn anything new from the group process?• Was the process easier this time?• Were your stories any different, based on your

previous experience with the process?• Additional feedback, issues, reactions, questions?

Decision-Making Grid (Pg. 2, #20): Record new/different skills in appropriate section for Story # 2 .



Morning Break

• Back by ________________ ?



What Do Employers Expect?A Reality Check

Now it is time to: • get an introduction to the job market,• the application process and • specifically, what employers are looking for in

a new employee

• Place any handouts in your folder .


What Not to Doat a Job Interview!

• Video….starring Jeff Hooke, job counselor at KFI in Bangor and Lincoln….

• Captioned Version• Audio Described and Captioned Version

8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjFjVLYXStc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaNTbC8nO2I


C.R.I.S.P

• Contemporary p. 32-37 Activities• Resume and• Interviewing• Strategies and• Preparation

Developed by the Bureau of Employment Services


Resumes

• We do not create a resume during the workshop.

• However, it is important to know what the current research is saying about writing a resume.


Contemporary

Résumé and

Interviewing

Strategies and

Preparation

Created by: Gaetane Johnson Melissa SueyJoanne Hollands Jean Whalen Raymond

Part 1:

Creating

Winning

Résumés


What has Changed?

• Recruitment and hiring have changed• Share what employers are telling us• Identify what you control• Give you tools to do something about it


Recruitment and Hiring Have Changed

• Technology− Employers use online résumé databases− HR systems more sophisticated− Résumés are being scanned by computers FIRST− Job Seekers need technical skills

• Quantity of applicants• Quality of applicants means greater

competition for positions


What Employers Are Telling Us…

• “Résumés and applications need to help me see you in the specific job you’re applying for”

• “Sometimes I scan a résumé in 15-20 seconds…”

• “I’ll know right away whether you follow directions based on how you apply for the job.”

• “I want to see work history/career progression.”

• And more…


Here’s What You Can Control…

• Quality vs. quantity− Help the employer “connect the dots”

• The “message you are sending” with your résumé

• Set yourself apart from the rest


Here’s What You Can Do…

• Definition• Purpose• Strategy• Types of Résumés

• Content• Formatting• Spelling• e Résumés

Create Winning Résumés


Definition

Résumé \ noun: a short account of one’s career and qualifications usually prepared by a job applicant.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary


Purpose

To get aninterview

Marketing Tool

Help the employer “see” you in the position.

No longer an all-inclusive autobiography.Maine Vocational Rehabilitation 19


Types

• Chronological• Functional• Combination

What you’ve heard for years…


Today’s Recommendation

Chronological (detail) + Functional (with targeted approach) = Combination résumé


Combination Résumé

Enables job seeker to control how they present themselves to employer

Highlights and customizes strengths and accomplishments that best match the job

Combines focus and work history/experience

Ensures readers ability to “see you in the job”


Strategy

Targeted - Customized - Relevant


Targeted

For a specific field/industry/position

• What are you presenting to the employer?

• What needs are you meeting for the employer?

• What do you “bring-to-the-table”?



Customized

For each position you’re applying for

• Leveraging the top portion of the résumé− Employers scan VERY quickly

• Grab and keep the attention of the reader

• Stay in the “yes” pile



Relevant

To the position you’re applying for

• Keep the focus on meeting the employers’ needs

• Help the reader “see-you-in-the-job”

• Avoid distracting the reader with extra “cool” accomplishments that are irrelevant to position



Content…Top Section

• Contact info• Branding statement• Introductory paragraph• “Highlights of Accomplishments”• Key Words throughout


Content…Bottom Section

• “Professional Experience”• “Education and Training”• “Professional Affiliations”• “Community Involvement”• “Interests”• Key Words throughout

Know and CommunicateYour Value

Focus on the Facts to

Uncover Your

Success Stories

SituationTask

ActionResult


Keywords

Your application and résumé might be read first by a computer

Think like a computer, and write what it wants to read

Use keywords and phrases from the posting to ‘tweak’ your résumé and application It works



Formatting

• Clear bulleted statements• Begin with action words• List results of contributions• Focus on accomplishments• Consistent verb tense


Formatting…continued

• Visual clarity• Use white space• Consistent formatting• Easy-to-read• Easy-to-find facts• Correct spelling


Spelling

Has to be spelling error-free!!!

Omit

• Date of birth• Social security number• Photograph• Family details• Hobbies• Negativity• “References available upon request”



e Résumés

• Often read by a computer FIRST• Cleared of formatting• Easy to copy and paste into web

sites or emails

Sample Resumes

• Refer to page 32,33,34,35,and 36 in the Activity Workbook to review sample resumes.


e Résumés…continued

• Create a Text résumé for online applications• Take Word Processing résumé• “Save As” .txt or .rtf file with appropriate file name

(John Smith Sales Executive Résumé)• Replace any special characters

− Use *, -, ~ for bullets− CAPITALS to create headings− Use spaces rather than tabs to indent text

e Résumés…continued

• Send the message to yourself first!− Check for any bad line breaks or

special characters BEFORE you upload to online application or send to a potential employer

− “Save As” .txt or .rtf again, appropriate name (John Smith Sales Executive Résumé)

− Store “virtually” in email account


Cover Letters

• Position applying for• Mention how you

found the job opening

• Make a brief connection

• Invite an interview• Thank them for time

and consideration

Bea Positive87 Brooks Street Skowhegan, ME 04976 (207) 525-1234

[email protected]

August 12, 2010

NameCompanyAddressCity, ST Zip

Dear Sir or Madam:

Please accept the attached résumé as my application for the Human Resources Coordinator position that was recently listed on the JobsInME.com.

As you will see in my résumé, my background includes supporting different aspects of the human resources function. My strong attention-to-detail, proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office together with my organizational skills enables me to help achieve the department productivity goals.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss with you how my skills and experience can best fit your needs. The best way to reach me is by calling 207-525-1234.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration of my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Bea PositiveAttachment


Applications

• Utilize these same techniques when filling out applications!


Past Supervisor vs Reference?

• Ask permission• Give them info about

job you are applying for

• Check contact information

• Offer at interview



Exercise #3

Creating Branding Statement

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sixthman.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/nike-just-do-it.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sixthman.net/blog/2009/10/28/just-do-it-the-greatest-slogan-ever-created/&usg=__08Yl1A2G5SdJue7KxtK_nJlU4lw=&h=581&w=581&sz=29&hl=en&start=2&zoom=1&tbnid=VkEj8vb1aRvrXM:&tbnh=134&tbnw=134&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnike%2Bjust%2Bdo%2Bit%26hl%3Den%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1


Noon Dinner Break

• Back by ____________



Life/Work Balance – Part 2 The Future!

• P.9 Activity again• Given that there are no “ideal” proportions,

cut up your FUTURE pie into those three pieces, based on how you would like to allocate your time in the future!• Be realistic, but don’t be afraid to dream !• If you don’t designate it, who will?



Time for SELF

• What happens if we neglect time for SELF?– Will it impact on work?– Will it impact on others?

• Remember, allocating time to SELF is not (self)ish, it’s a critically important part of your future plan!



Afternoon Break

• Back at ______________________



Your Future Pie!

• What does your FUTURE pie look like - what is the allocation for each piece?

• Why would you choose to allocate your time this way?

• What is the biggest change you will have to make?

• What will you have to do in order for this pie to become a reality?



Your Future Life/Work Balance

– What’s your Pie look like?– Different than your NOW pie?– Why is it broken up this way?– What changes will be necessary?– What will you have to do to make those

changes?



What are you cooking in your Future Pie?

Career Decision-Making Grid (Pg. 3, # 29): Write in your “recipe” for moving toward a new Life/Work Balance in the Life/Work Balance:Future section.



Prep for Achievement Story #3

• Is it becoming easier to recognize your skills in your achievements?

• Any questions/concerns about writing your last achievement story?



Day Four Thoughts• Write down your insights, thoughts about our

exercises and discussions today.– Meetings with VRC’s – Achievement Story #2– What Do Employers Expect?– Resume– Life/Work Balance

• Is the planning process becoming clearer?


Documents

Career Exploration Workshop Day Four