Rebecca Sparrow, Executive DirectorCORNELL CAREER SERVICES

CREATING MATERIALS TO PRESENT YOUR CREDENTIALS FOR VISUAL ARTS/BUILT ENVIRONMENT POSITIONSSeptember 29, 2015

AGENDAØ FIRST THINGS FIRST Ø FOCUS YOUR STRENGTHSØ RESUME BASICSØ RESUME POINTERS AND PITFALLSØ COVER LETTERSØ PORTFOLIOSØ QUESTIONS

Cornell Career Services offers:

- CCS Career Guide- Career Counseling/Advising- Resume/Cover Letter Critiques

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Understand…

Where you are in the Career Development Process presented in this model

Understand YourselfInterests Values

StrengthsGoals

Take ActionApplications

LettersResumes

Interviews

Explore OptionsResourcesNetworkingActivitiesInternships

YOUR FOCUS• Establish a focus: Based on your purpose• Know your target: Learn about the organization or industry• Do your homework: Use the job description as a reference

Keep in mind…

Understand WHY you are preparing these materials (KnowYourself)

YOUR STRENGTHSPERSONAL QUALITIES

High energy level

Enthusiasm

Assertiveness

Initiative

Resourcefulness

Good judgment

Attention to detail

FUNCTIONAL SKILLSDrafting/Designing

Public speaking

Writing/Researching/Planning

Coordinating events

Supervising others

Analyzing data

Solving problems

Make sure your resume is based on careful self-assessment demonstrated through…

- Objective statement (optional)- Content + structure

RESUME BASICS• Use succinct, strong language• Start descriptions with action verbs, not “I”

• Quantify!• Show qualitative results; emphasize level of

responsibility/interactions• Eliminate extraneous material• Demonstrate your creativity

Don’t forget…

Stay within one page (two OK for grad students), optimize readability, and be consistent with

all fonts, spacing, and headers!

DEMONSTRATING STRENGTHS

LANGUAGE

CONTENT

Role/Title Tasks Skills

Head Lifeguard In charge of other lifeguardsOpened and closed pool; cleaned pool

•Trained and supervised 10 new lifeguards•Maintained cleanliness and safety of pool facility used weekly by 150+ patrons

President, Student Club Ran meetingsWorked with other student groups to plan fundraiser

•Facilitated monthly meetings for executive board of 5 and weekly activities for over 60 members •Collaborated with leaders of 20 student groups to organize campus event that raised $8,000 for local charity

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

RESUME BASICS

• Competent in handling market data. Completed courses in Statistics and Survey Research.

• High energy level. Worked 70 hours per week last summer; have worked at least 10 hours per week at Cornell while remaining active in two organizations and maintaining respectable grades.

• Enjoy speaking before groups. Provided campus tours and information sessions to prospective students and parents. Presented to department managers at Sears. Offered teaching assistantship in public speaking course.

Keep in mind…

Back each one up with clear, specific examples and facts.

DEMONSTRATING STRENGTHS: WHAT IS YOUR EVIDENCE?

IDENTIFY YOUR RELEVANT SKILLS AND ABILITIES

RESUME BASICSInstead of this:

• I worked on a bank project that was running over budget. I found cost savings on materials for some internal spaces. My recommendations lowered the costs to initial budget levels. I received a commendation from the client.

This is better:• Worked with project manager of a 40-story bank building that was running over

budget. Identified source of cost overruns and recommended changes to stone veneer for internal common spaces. Came in on budget, earning a commendation by the client.

DEMONSTRATING STRENGTHS

RESUME BASICSAnd instead of this:

• Worked with project manager of a 40-story bank building that was running over budget. Identified source of cost overruns and recommended changes to stone veneer for internal common spaces. Came in on budget, earning a commendation by the client.

This is better still:• Analyzed expenditures on 40-story bank building and identified source of 10%

cost overruns. Recommended materials substitutions to project manager, resulting in cost savings that brought the project in on budget. Earned commendation from client.

DEMONSTRATING STRENGTHS

RESUME BASICS• Chronological*• Functional (strengths- or skills-based)• Combination

* Most used and most preferred by employers* Put experiences in reverse chronological order within each section

Keep in mind…

The only “wrong” resume is one that is not truthful/accurate. Effective resumes are clear, concise, and appealing to the reader.

RESUME STYLES

CREATIVE OPTIONS•  Online  portfolios/infographic  resume

RESUME POINTERS• Choose a style that best represents your strengths for your target• In a creative field, you can be creative• Use headings strategically to highlight your qualifications based

on your experiences • If included, an objective statement must provide focus and

direction, and be simple and specific• Be consistent throughout

Keep in mind…

Be consistent throughout your resume; create a good balance between text and blank space

RESUME POINTERS• Use appropriate tenses (past vs. present); discuss future plans

(research, study abroad) in cover letters• Don’t include personal data such as age, citizenship, “native”

language, religion, etc.• Prepare to discuss confidently any activity, experience, or skill

that is on your resume

Make use of your resources…

Resume critiques, mock interviews, career counseling:- CCS in Barnes Hall

Optimal ResumeWeb searches for format ideas

RESUME PITFALLS• Develop and recommend an annual operating expense fudget.• College, August 1880-May 1984.• Proven ability to track down and correct erors.

• Maintained files and reports, did data processing, cashed employees’paychecks.

• Responsibilities included checking customers out.

• Overlooked all areas to ensure overwhelming success.• Dealing with customers’ conflicts that arouse.• I’m a rabid typist.• I never take anything for granite.• Suspected to graduate early next year.• Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain operation.

Keep in mind…

Proofread, proofread, proofread!

OOPS!

TYPOS

GRAMMAR

WRONG WORD

COVER LETTERS

Keep in mind…

Your cover letters support your other materials to help you land the interview!

• Advocate for yourself to gain an opportunity to speak with employer: that’s the purpose of your cover letter

• Translate your skills, understanding, experiences, qualities to address employer’s needs

• Address points of job ad (if you’re applying for a specific one)• Treat it like an essay: it needs an introduction, body, and

conclusion

COVER LETTERS

Keep in mind…

Your cover letters give you an opportunity to demonstrate your personality a bit!

• Start with why you’re writing• Demonstrate why you are interested in THIS employer• Show you’ve done your homework• Make a convincing argument for yourself and what you have to

offer; refer to resume points but don’t repeat verbatim• Wrap up: set up your follow-up plan, restate your interest, remind

the employer why you’re the perfect candidate

PORTFOLIOS

Keep in mind…

Understand what “speaks” to a potential employer. In the visual arts, employers want to see proof of what you can do!

• Applicants for positions in the visual arts need portfolios• Learn what the industry standard is for the position • Speak with colleagues and other professionals: ask for

feedback!• Load into Handshake to have all materials together

PUTTING IT TOGETHERTARGET YOUR SKILLS AND ABILITIES TO THE POSITION

USE YOUR PLATFORMS EFFECTIVELY

PUTTING IT TOGETHERUSE YOUR PLATFORMS EFFECTIVELY

TARGET YOUR SKILLS AND ABILITIES TO THE POSITION

RESOURCES

Keep in mind…

Cornell Career Services has resources for you!

• Optimal Resume: resume and cover letter builders; interview prep

• Resume and cover letter reviews• Barnes Hall Library• Handshake

SUMMARY• Have a focus, and demonstrate an understanding of your strengths,

skills, and personal qualities relative to it• Be truthful, without underselling your skills and abilities• Use effective language: action verbs and succinct, descriptive phrases• Quantify your accomplishments and show results• Be visually appealing; use samples from the Career Guide and avoid

use of pre-programmed templates• Demonstrate your command of language through well written cover

letters• Request feedback on your portfolio from a professional in the field

Keep in mind…

You can’t include everything in your materials; focus on those things that contribute to the story you’re telling about yourself

WHEN PREPARING YOUR MATERIALS:

WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS?