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

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

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

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

5. 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.

6. 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…

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

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

12. 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.

13. 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!

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Questions?
Contact Info:
Katherine Martin
Associate Director
(651)