Who is your competition? Winning Résumés .

Career Skills for the Social Work Professional

Prepared for SW 485

Mike Major, SPHRDirector

Career Services

Career Skills for the Social Work Professional

Prepared for SW 485

Mike Major, SPHRDirector

Career Services

Who is your competition?

www.svsu.edu/careers

Winning Résumés


What is the purpose of a resume?


What will you bring to the organization?

Do you have the skills necessary to do the work?

Do you have the experience that the organization desires?

Value Proposition


Layout Primer Eyes tracing

Down From left to right

Use of bold Use of italics White space Clear headings No large text blocks Use of bullets


Name and Contact Information Objective Education Relevant (Fieldwork) Experience Work Experience Community Involvement &

Accomplishments References

Standard Resume Headers


Susan Student7400 Bay Road

University Center, MI 48710(989) 222-2222 (Cell) (989) 555-5555 (Home)

[email protected]://MikeMajor.foliotek.me

*cell only is appropriate

Name and Contact Information


http://mikemajor.foliotek.me/

Objective/Personal Summary Be sure that it is customized specifically for each job that you are applying for “To apply my exceptional interpersonal,

creative and teamwork skills as a social worker.” Too Vague

Study the Job Description to see what qualities they are looking for and accentuate those aspects of your professional capabilities www.svsu.edu/careers

Objective/Personal Summary “To apply my exceptional leadership,

interpersonal, and teamwork skills as a court services liaison with the Underground Railroad.”

Being very specific in an objective statement is helpful when resumes go into a CENTRALIZED HR office with DECENTRALIZED hiring managers


It’s not always required. If you use one, make it count.

Objective


What is most important? Standard format

Bachelor of Social Work Anticipated: May 2015

Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MIMinor: Political SciencePresident’s List: Eight semestersDeans’ List: Fall 2008, Winter 2009GPA: 3.55

Education


Importance of Effective Bullet Statements “A picture is worth 1,000 words”

Paint a picture in the employer’s mind

Statements should be clear, concise and detailed

“Presented to a group of students” vs.“Presented to a group of 35 college freshmen”


If this is like your resume, come see us!Fry CookMcDonald’s Restaurant

Helped customers Stocked shelves Used cash register Cleaned store Dealt with complaints

Referred to as “Level 1” Not very impressive Tasks implied by the title Add no value to resume


It is our recommendation that you do not use Level One bullet statements at any time on your résumé.


This is a little better, but still not great - Crew MemberMcDonald’s Restaurant Assisted customers in a warm and friendly

manner Stocked shelves during down times to ensure a

professional environment Processed financial transactions through the

cash register in a fast and efficient manner

Cleaned store to maintain an appealing atmosphere to enhance customer satisfaction

Referred to as Level Two Explain how or in what way you perform level

one tasks exceptionally well Additional duties that you initiated?


While it is acceptable to use Level Two bullet statements from time to time, you will not want to rely on these to earn you an interview.


“Say More with Less” Level Three Describe accomplishments and achievements Increase something good or decrease

something bad? Employers want individuals who will make a

difference Measurable

Created effective displays which increased monthly sales by 200% in a two-month period

Crew MemberMcDonald’s Restaurant

Earned Crew Member of the Month in June 2012 for consistently providing outstanding servicewww.svsu.edu/careers

Bullet Statements for Social Workers Speak the language of your profession

Served on a team of volunteers that investigated alleged misconduct of service recipients

Observed a multi-agency task force to reduce violent crime throughout the Saginaw City area (possibly your internship?)

Promoted to a part-time paid position from unpaid intern within six months of service

Conducted interviews with assault victims in a hospital setting within hours of their attack


What is most important? Use previous experiences that are relevant to the position

you are applying for: Acceptable format:

Social Work Fieldwork Experience Aug.2012-May 2013Innerlink, Saginaw, MI• Maintained case management for Transitional Living youth which

included Person-Centered Service Plans, counseling sessions, life skills training, scheduling appointments, transportation to/from locations, and tracking medication activity (this bullet is still too long)

• Prompted a change in the initial assessment to add a question about current medications

• Attended related professional and educational conferences along with several staff meetings

What kind of position could I consider this “relevant” for?

Relevant Course work can also be listed in this section

Related Experience


Work Experience Match skill sets with new position Example:

Crew Member May 2010 – April 2013

McDonald’s Restaurant, Bay City, MI• Prepared 500 orders during the daily lunch hour • Effectively dealt with stressful situations in a team

environment


Highlight appropriate accomplishments Example:HONORS / AWARDS / ACTIVITIES

Volunteer, Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Midland May 2006 – Present* Received ultimate brother award by successfully logging over 1,000 hours of volunteer service, assisting four youths who all went on to attend collegeMember, Alpha Phi Omega Co-ed Service Fraternity Sept. 2008 – Present* Served as treasurer for an on-campus organization of over 50 members and $10,000 in resources that participated in over 10,000 hours of community service during the 2012-13 academic yearRecipient, SVSU Award for Excellence Scholarship Aug. 2007 – May 2008

Other Activities


Resumes – Two pages max (“old school” philosophers still say 1 page)

CVs – Longer, more elaborate, used in higher education, Federal jobs, graduate school Use the additional space with purpose Accomplishments / Achievements Do NOT include “tasks” that don’t add

value

Resumes vs. CVs


Ask permission!! Choose wisely Keep your references informed of your job

search

Dr. Someone Who-knowsyouwell, ProfessorDepartment of Social WorkSaginaw Valley State University208 Health and Human Services Building7400 Bay RoadUniversity Center, MI 48710(989) 964-4000 (Office)[email protected]

References


Will be read after résumé Emphasize characteristics that are

supported in résumé Keep it short and simple

Cover Letters


Pay attention to length requirements Grammar/Syntax must be perfect Does not summarize resume or write in

generalities (ie “I learned the value of hard work)

Avoid the “fluff” Do tell your personal story Do demonstrate a passion for the field AND

a desire to contribute

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/

Graduate School Essays





Review, review, review! Career Services

964-4954 Appointments with staff for review

SVSU Writing Center Faculty members Guidelines and Tutorials available:

http://www.svsu.edu/careers

Last words on documents…



Top quality résumé & cover letter Use a professional voicemail message and email

address What’s on your FACEBOOK? Reply promptly to messages from potential

employers Networking! Are you on LinkedIn?

Earning the Interview


Common Dress Code Mistakes

Don’t be THAT person!

MEN suits that don’t fit

properly and are wrinkled mismatched socks mismatched belt and

shoes facial hair that is not

trimmed or shaven properly

inappropriate ties strong scented cologne

WOMEN skirts that are too short strong scented perfume too much make-up no hosiery with skirts lack of hygiene improper jewelry large, mismatched purse


Research the organization Internet – how do they present themselves? Contact HR for company packet Assess culture through current employees

Prepare copies of résumé Select or purchase proper attire Develop sample questions and answers Videotape practice interview

Preparation before the Interview


Firm handshake Eye contact Posture and grace Do not sit until offered a seat Greet everyone you meet with a smile,

introduction & handshake Treat everyone as though they are a decision

maker

General Rules of Etiquette


Step 1: Introductory State First impressions are made Building a rapport

Step 2: Review your qualifications 30 Second Pitch Focus on your strengths & skills Use your research and establish that you are a

good fit in their culture Give concise and thorough responses

Interview Process


Step 3: Matching Will you fit in the corporate culture Are you coach-able Do you have the passion and drive to be

successful in the position Interviewer may explain job in detail

Step 4: Conclusion Ask questions and discuss selection timeline Collect business cards for writing thank you

notes

Interview Process


Situation Briefly provide a broad description of the background where

your example is taking place Task

Share more details about the problem, challenge, or task that you needed to address

Action Describe several possible courses of action and explain why

the one you chose was best. Give details that illustrate what you were like in action

Result Analyze the outcome of your action and the resolution of the

situation. Indicate whether or not you would follow the same course in the future

S.T.A.R Approach


Interact with the entire panel1. Make direct eye contact with the individual

asking the question2. Begin by directly responding to the interviewer 3. Make eye contact with remaining panel

members as you answer4. Finish response with initial interviewer

Steps for Managing an Interview


Resources available from Career Services Resume and cover letter building and critiques

Online Tutorials Resume, Cover Letter, Interviewing, Job Search

Strategies Mock interviews and interview coaching Network development Career fairs on campus exclusively for SVSU

students to network with potential employers Internship/Co-op advising Job search strategies Developing personal brand On-campus student employment


Cardinal Career Network


Cardinal Career Network Activity Summary (17 JUN 12 – 05 MAY 13)

Total Employers 3,489 (+33%)

New Employers* 574

Total Contacts 5,937 (+15%)

New Contacts* 1,156

Total External Jobs Posted* 4,298 (+39%)

Unique Student/Alumni Logins* 7,035 (+14%)

Total External Job Views* 256,774


2012-2013 Jobs by Position Type

Frequency PercentCareer/Degreed 0-5 yrs experience 1,937 45.1%

Career/Degreed 5+ yrs experience 1,127 26.2%

Co-op 155 3.6%

Full Time 2,533 58.9%

Internship / Externship 356 8.3%

On-Campus Student Employment 248 5.8%

Part Time 932 21.7%

Seasonal / Temporary 236 5.5%

Volunteer 36 0.8%

*Jobs posted between 6/17/12-5/6/13

#Unique jobs posted = 4,298


Login at http://www.svsu.edu/careers Cardinal Job Postings

Recruited / posted exclusively for SVSU NACElink Extended Job Search

National Association of Colleges & Employers

Create Job Search Agents Personalize resumes/cover letters for

positions that accept them in CCN

Cardinal Career Network Tips



T H A N K Y O U

[email protected]

www.svsu.edu/careers 42

Who is your competition? Winning Résumés .

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