Abilitylinks.org Building an Effective Resume Presentation
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Abilitylinks.org
Building an Effective Resume
Presentation
About AbilityLinks • A web-based community of qualified job seekers with disabilities and inclusive employers. • Job seekers who choose to disclose having a disability post resumes and apply for jobs. (No information about disability type is asked.) • Employers seeking qualified disabled candidates post jobs and search resumes. • Information and Referral Counselors, that happen to have a disability, provide a caring human touch.
Human Touch Services
• Job search advice • Share your resume
and consultation with employers
• Share job leads you • Referrals to job
may match to placement and training
• Resume and cover programs
letter critiques • Educational webinars
and virtual job fairs
• Job interview advice
• Assistance using
and consultation
AbilityLinks and the
• Mock interviews internet for job search
Ken Skord • AbilityLinks Program Director • About AbilityLinks • Upcoming February 25 Virtual Job Fair. Get your resume ready!
Bill O’Connor
• AbilityLinks Information and Referral
Counselor
• Resume and Job Search Consultation
• Stroke Disability
Janice Duvall • AbilityLinks Information and Referral Counselor • Resume and Job Search Consultation • Low Vision Disability • Why I wanted to present this webinar
Objectives for How to Write an Effective Resume
After participating in this session, you will be able to:
• Identify the parts of a resume.
• Know the vital information that should appear in each
section of the resume.
• Have a clear understanding of the components of a
resume verses a job application.Objectives for How to Write an Effective Resume • Learn how to avoid common pitfalls that will cause employers to overlook you, your skills and qualifications.
Avoiding the Pitfalls • The dos and don’ts of preparing a beginner’s resume. • The participate will learn words and phrases to avoid in writing a first time resume. • The participates will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive Q and A and provide tips as well preparing resumes for their job seekers.
What’s the Difference between a Job Application and a
Resume?
• An application is a form that a job candidate fills out to
apply for an open position with a particular company.
• The application asks for many pieces of personal and
career information-such as:
– Contact information
– Career position, job responsibilities
– Employer address, phone and name of direct supervisor.
and reasons for leaving.
– Social Security numbers etc.What is a Resume?
What is a Resume? A resume is a self-marketing tool. It is designed with one purpose in mind - to "sell" your skills, knowledge, and experience to an employer. An effective resume speaks to the employer's needs and requirements and demonstrates a match between what you have to offer and the job requirements.
What is a Resume? It stimulates interest in you by summarizing information: unique qualities, well developed skills, relevant work or academic experiences, and accomplishments that clearly differentiates you from the competition.
Types of Resumes – Chronological and
Functional
• Chronological Resume (Preferred)
– In this type of resume, job history is organized
chronologically with the most recent information first. Job
titles and organizations are emphasized and duties and
accomplishments are described in detail.Chronological Resume • A chronological resume is not advantageous when you are changing careers; • You have changed employers frequently; • You want to de-emphasize age;
Functional Resume • Highlights your skills and accomplishments developed through work, academic, and community experiences.
Functional Resumes Are Advantageous When: • You want to emphasize capabilities not used in recent work experience; • You want to emphasize personal qualities relevant to the job such as industriousness, cooperative attitude, related interests, and aptitudes;
Functional Resumes Are Advantageous When: • You want to focus on capabilities rather than lengthy employment history; • You are changing careers/re-entering the job market; • Your career growth in the past has not been continuous and progressive; You have a variety of unrelated work experiences; your work has been free-lance, consulting, or temporary in nature.
The Functional Resume Is Not Advantageous When: • You have little work experience; • You want to emphasize promotions and career growth; • You are working in highly traditional fields such as teaching, accounting, and government, where employers should be highlighted.
How to Format Your Resume Keep it simple. Choose a clean font and use throughout your resume. Use bullets to list your information under each heading. Avoid fancy characters such as smileys etc. No tables, simple block form is preferred, especially when applying online. MS Word Format is preferable.
Parts of a Resume • Contact Information • Summary and Objectives • Technical Skills/Computer Knowledge • Work History • Education • Awards and Recognitions
Contact Information • Name, Street Address, Phone Numbers (Home Phone and Cell) • Email Address – Professional email address, not your main email address • Do not use your personal email address – use or make one that is professional – joesmith@yahoo.com, not wildjoe111@yahoo.com.
Summary and Objectives • Use a summary statement if you have had two or more jobs. Use an objective if it is your first or second job. Technical Skills / Computer Knowledge • Very important! Tells people right away what you know. • Tell all languages you speak and computer programs that you know – Internet, Word, Excel, etc. Do not list recreational activities. • People will know more about you and your skill sets right away, saving them time.
Objectives: Examples Objective
SKILL SETS: WHAT ARE THEY?
First, Lets Look at What Skill Sets Are Not
What Skill Sets Are Not • Interested in learning new things • Information gathering • Initiative • Integrity • Stress tolerance • Adaptability
What Skill Sets Are Not • Teamwork and collaboration • Honest and trustworthy • Respectful and Curious • Cultural awareness and sensitivity • Flexible • Demonstrate sound ethics and good judgment
These Are Character Traits or Soft Skills , Not Skill Sets
Now lets look at what skill sets are. Skill Sets are tangible skills, job training or work experience.
Skills Sets are very important! Tells people right away what you know. Tell all programs that you know – Internet, Word, Excel, etc. – Do not list recreational stuff. People know more about you right away, saving them time.
Technical Skills / Computer Knowledge
Language Skills Affluent in another language other than English.
Work History • If work history is limited, list all jobs that you had back to high school. • List all of your duties on your job in detail. • List company, where company is located, dates that you worked, and what your job title is/was. • Accomplishments. If you are proud of something you have done, LIST IT!
Work History • If you are no longer doing a particular job, describe your job tasks in the pat tense. • List volunteer experience in the same manner. (Remember all experience is relevant to building your job skills.)
Use Key Words • Appropriate key words can be found in the job description you are applying for. • Use Power words to describe your job tasks or responsibilities such as implemented, directed supervised, initiated etc.
Education/Awards and Recognitions • Education should go last. List your highest degree earned. List school with city/state. • When listing a school that you have not finished yet, state - In progress. Honors and recognitions should go under education.
Special Interests or Hobbies - Use this section only in the entry level resume. Musician, choir, school band, art, photography, sports; Community activism or fund raising involvement etc.
Tips to Succeed • Proof-read! - Check for mistakes, or even better, ask someone you know to it. • Know your resume – Be familiar with and comfortable talking about all the information that is on it. • Use plain white paper. • Accuracy - Tell the truth on your resume. • Always have resume with you! if possible, have your resume available on a flash drive (USB) so you can easily make corrections or updates.
Ask others to review your resume. Conduct informational interviews with persons in your field of interest. Show them your resume and ask for feedback!
Informational Interviews - The information you seek • Identify top organizations and jobs of interest. • Gain understanding of job market. • Create better cover letters and resumes. • Prepare for effective interviews. • Make informed employment decisions. • Build your network!
Prepare for Interviews - IM Tips
• Be prepared - Find out all you can about the
company. Read the job description - Employers
want to know if you are a fit for the job. Know your
resume - Be prepared to talk about/explain what’s
on it.
• Practice, by yourself or with friends, answering
questions about your qualifications and common or
difficult interview questions - Schedule mock interviews
and ask for honest feedback!
44Prepare for Interviews – IM Tips • During the interview, smile pleasantly, keep eye contact, pay attention, stay alert and interested. • Look for chances to use stories and examples you prepared that show you are qualified, pleasant to work with, can solve problems and get things done. • If it looks like you don’t have required skills, emphasize similar skills and give examples of how you have learned new things, or be prepared to show examples of your work. • Purchase or borrow appropriate interview apparel. (Source: www.workcoachcafe.com)
8. Volunteer, Join Groups and Pursue Your
Interests
• Volunteering helps build your network of local professionals.
• It also may provide experience in your field. For example: If you
are interested in marketing help plan and advertise for a fundraising
event.
• Join groups related to your career/job goal, job finding and hobbies
and interests. Meet people you have things in common with and let
them know your target occupation.
469. Build Your Network • Develop new contacts and build long term relationships. • Most jobs come through people you know that know your skills. • Tell everyone you know your job target and what you want to do. Ask for their feedback, input and help. • Follow up politely and persistently!
1. Do Research - Make a list of target employers that match your
interests, preferred career field, industries, values and job titles
Check employer websites for information on their products, services,
staff, benefits, diversity policy, job listings.
Google the employer name (under the news tab) to see pending
hiring plans, new products, recruiting campaigns, company culture.
Do the same on YouTube. Check employee reviews on sites like
Glassdoor.com.
Follow target companies and their employees on social media
(Facebook, Twitter…)
Check large websites like Indeed.com, CareerBuilder.com,
Simplyhired.com, Indeed.com and niche websites like AbilityLinks.org
to find job opportunities.
Check customer reviews and the BBB (if small business and check for
scams).Additional Resources • AbilityLinks will review your resume. Contact Us. • Each State has a Department of Vocational Service for people with disabilities. Please check with your state of residence for this information. • For Illinois contact: State of Illinois DRS • U.S. Department of Labor Career One Stop
AbilityLinks Human Touch • Contact us by phone, email or in person • Contact Information – Janice Duvall, jduvall@abilitylinks.org, 630/909-7443 – Bill O’Connor, boconnor@abilitylinks.org, 630/909-7444 – Ken Skord, kskord@abilitylinks.org, 630/909-7440 • In person appointments are available at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, Wheaton, Illinois.
Questions? THANKS!
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