Post on 03-Jan-2016
description
December 3, 2010Kelly WesenerEdward Heard
Marianne Spring
Dr. Kelly Wesener
Include job history and broad overview of your skills.
Choose font and format that express who you are.
Be consistent – punctuation, tense, indentation, date format.
Match the length to your time in the field.
Use appropriate e-mail address and professional voicemail message.
Include location of institutions listed. Write out acronyms (e.g., bachelor of arts). No degree yet? Use anticipated date. Use present tense for current position. List only most important or relevant
information for past experience.
▶Quantify your experience.
▶Avoid abbreviations, unless it is shared language (e.g., ACPA, NASPA).
▶Be intentional about your headings.
▶Provide your role regarding conference, committee, or organizational participation. (Include dates, and list in chronological order.)
▶ Include your name and page number on each page.
▶Use resume paper – avoid dark colors.
Dr. Edward Heard
An introduction and an invitation Relies on job posting first, experience
second Conveys a sense of professional identity Sincere; believable Avoid appearance of entitlement A writing sample Edit; have reviewed by trusted source
Assistant Director First Year Experience (HigherEdJobs)
Master's degree in student development, higher education, student personnel, advising or related field is required. A minimum of two years full-time related experience on a college campus working with first/second year students is required. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are also required as is significant knowledge about successful college engagement practices. Demonstrated strategic planning experience and the ability to interact easily with members of the University community is required.
Preferred requirements: Previous experience in residence life; a demonstrated understanding of student development; program coordination; student advising; significant organizational skills; familiarity with career and other assessment tools; desire creative use of technology as well as knowledge and understanding of student learning philosophy.
• I have worked in orientation and admissions offices for the past three years, supplemented by additional past employment in residence life and academic advising.
• In my current role at Northern Illinois University, I am responsible for coordinating programs to transition freshman into new academic expectations and university life.
• My recent experiences in researching first-year programs and student retention initiatives have contributed to the department’s strategic planning.
• I am interested in the challenge to creatively use technology to engage students and to improve assessment procedures.
Paragraph 1 - Position of interest- Name position, where you saw it- Convey energy
Paragraph 2 - Possibility of fit - Address employer’s needs; see job ad- Show you know the organization
Paragraph 3 - Preparation for position- Other qualities you bring- Show you know yourself
Paragraph 4 - Plot anticipation of meeting- Confident clarification; reaffirm interest (invitation)- Point to documents
Preparation, Stage 1 Distinguish from posting: reference list or
letters? Prepare ahead of time: identify 5 references Options: employers/supervisors, professors,
advisors, pastors, volunteer coordinators; never use family
Collect detailed/accurate contact information Networking Relationship Investors
Preparation, Stage 2 Approach your contacts as you approach
employment Preparing documents for your investors Have a sense of the person’s schedule Which reference(s) will I choose for this
application? What can/will this person say about me? (really)
Use discretion – learn from everyone/select your references
The time is here, handling business, Stage 3 Know your deadlines: you are on their time Steer the ship - a checklist; provide easy-to-read
instructions (sealed-signed/direct mailing?) Avoid information overload Provide job vacancy notice, your resume, points to
address Set appropriate deadlines for references: not too
soon; application deadlines are applicant’s responsibility
Have back-up plan if reference doesn’t commit Combine requests if possible (efficiency) Follow-up your requests; don’t be shy
Format Use same color/type of paper/font as your
resume and cover letter All should have your personal letterhead
(name and contact information)Note: Thanks Updates
Marianne Spring
Reading for ◦Content◦Clarity◦Style
Rewriting and revising
It’s a representation of you, your experience, and your professionalism.
It’s a first impression—the first contact with a potential employer.
It’s your writing sample—proof you can communicate clearly and effectively.
It’s your future.
Inside address Recipient’s address Date Formal Salutation Introduction, body, and conclusion
Read the document through without marking it.
Edit it. Reread it. Print it. Proof it.
Missing Transitions—make sure your thoughts flow logically
Choppy Sentences—can you combine sentences?
Rambling Sentences—revise long sentences if they’re confusing; use coordination and subordination
Clutter—get rid of unnecessary adjectives/adverbs and wordy phrases
Imprecision—replace general nouns with concrete, descriptive nouns
Passive Voice—use the active voice (and action verbs) whenever possible
Misused Words—use a dictionary! Repetition—use a thesaurus, but use it
cautiously (be cognizant of connotation) Confusing/Awkward Phrases—make sure
what you wrote is what you mean Errors in Usage—misplaced/dangling
modifiers, unparallel structures, run-ons Slang/Jargon/Idioms/Clichés—avoid them all!
Checking for errors in ◦ Spelling◦ Usage◦ Punctuation
Commonly Confused Words Commonly Misused Words Subject-Verb Agreement Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement (or
ambiguous/missing antecedents) Dangling/Misplaced Modifiers Non-parallel Structure Missing Commas Overused Commas Unnecessary Shifts in Verb Tense Colon Usage Misspelled Names and Places Spelling Errors
Eye halve a spelling checker It came with my pea sea It plainly marques four my revue Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word And weight four it two say Weather eye am wrong oar write It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid It nose bee fore two long And eye can put the error rite Its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it I am shore your pleased two no Its letter perfect awl the weigh My checker tolled me sew.
Questions for the presenters