Landing a job after VISTA Kathie Martin Minnesota Literacy Council April 19, 2013

Agenda Job search overview Resumes / cover letters Interview tips Follow-up / networking A day in the life a HR The big picture SELECTION PROCESS

New Job 1. Job search overview Framing the goal Finding opportunities Selection process Follow-up/networks

2. Resumes Content Approach Efficiency Accuracy Key competencies Employment history Volunteer experiences Educational details Other Approach Efficiency Accuracy

Resume Do’s and Don’ts Do - Include volunteer experience Don’t – Leave out relevant experience Do – Tell a straight story Don’t – Try to hide gaps or mislead the reader When applying for a job, put 75-80% of your effort into the resume. You resume should provide a clear and compelling story that does not confuse the reader. DO INCLUDE: For all the reasons we listed previously – shows you are involved and have interests outside of work and that you are willing to take on new experiences DON’T LEAVE OUT: Putting yourself at a disadvantage by leaving out vol work, esp if it is relevant. DO: Important to be honest and straight-forward. Readers like to be able to follow – esp if they only have a few seconds to look at your resume Most people start out with a resume. Cover letter might not even get a read if the resume is not good. DON’T: Try to fill in gaps. This is just confusing for the reasons stated above. Rather that you are honest. It’s okay if you have a gap as long as you explain them.

Resume Do’s and Don’ts Do – Label positions as volunteer Don’t - Misrepresent volunteer work Acceptable: - VISTA – your specific title - your specific title (VISTA volunteer) DO LABEL – this just makes it easier to understand/read DON’T Misrepresent volunteer work as paid Options include…

Resume Do’s and Don’ts Do – Consider the best place to highlight volunteer work - Inter-woven - Separate Section - Mixed Don’t – put volunteer work under “Employment History” without clarifying Consider the best place to feature your volunteer work. Here are several placement options: 1) Inter-woven with paid experience under a header with a general title such as “Experience”, “Relevant Experience,” or “Professional Experience,” etc. PROS: Gives ongoing service equal weight as employed and allows you a chance to talk about relevant volunteer experience during interview CONS: Could be misinterpreted as employment if not clearly labeled 2) In a separate section called “Volunteer Experience”, “Volunteer Work”, or “Community Service” PROS: Draws attention to your volunteer experience and showcases you as an involved citizen outside of work CONS: Doesn’t necessarily show how the volunteer work fits into your skill set or chronological history 3) Combine volunteer and work experience when highlighting your skills, but then separate paid work and volunteer work in chronological part of resume PROS: Showcases skills gained from both volunteer and paid experience, yet clearly indicates which experience was paid and which was volunteer CONS: Takes up more space Don’t just label it as employment history – that’s confusing

Resume Do’s and Don’ts Do – Produce error-free, polished resume Don’t – Forget to read through it backwards and ask 2 other people to proof-read Do – Tailor your resume for specific position Don’t – use a generic resume DO ERROR-Free – only 15% are error free – that means if yours is, you will stand out DON’T Forget to ask 2 people to proof-read = self-explanatory. We’re all human DO Tailor – Include as many similarities between the prospective position and your experience. Ex. If you are applying for a management position focus on showcasing your volunteer opportunities where you took charge of a project Not necessary to include all volunteer experience – just focus on most relevant DON’T Use generic - you won’t stand out enough

Resume Do’s and Don’ts Do – Use precise language and terminology Don’t – Overstate or over-explain past positions/training Do - Put your resume in PDF format Don’t – Send all your materials as separate documents DO – use precise language – For example, I received a ESL Tutor Certifications DON’T overstate – For example, I have State of MN Teaching Certification DO – put in PDF format – best is cover letter and resume in one document DON’T – send in Word – Word formatting isn’t consistent across versions

Resume Workshop Trade resumes with a partner / review Look at: Approach Efficiency Accuracy Discuss: Things that work Things that are confusing

Cover letters Why write one? Format (email, document, etc.) Content Approach Efficiency Accuracy

Cover letter activity Review job posting Outline a 4- or 5-paragraph letter: Individuals – 10 min. Discuss with your neighbor: In Pairs – 5 min. Refine a final letter at your table: Small Group: 10 min.

3. Interview tips Be on time (but not too early) Dress professionally Have some questions of your own (but not too many) Practice active listening Relax!

4. Follow-up & networking Send a thank-you Show sincere interest Be patient Work to discover connections Be open without expectations

5. A day in the life of HR Most nonprofit employees are busy multi-taskers and under-resourced Staffing is a lot of work and routine Interview panel dynamics

What is HR looking for? The best possible match for the job at hand Practical aspects (salary, availability) KSAOs (knowledge, skills, abilities, other) Personality / fit with team Eagerness for the position! Other things you won’t know about Future potential Within job ladder Across functions/roles

6. The big picture It’s a p-r-o-c-e-s-s… sometimes a long one Consider both sides of the match Get good at it… the search will happen again

Questions? Contact Info: Katherine Martin Associate Director kmartin@mnliteracy.org (651) 251-9062