RSUM DESIGN: FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS

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RÉSUMÉ DESIGN FUNDAMENTALQUESTIONS

• Prepared by Tony Cox
• Pacific University College of Education
• MAT Seminar
• February 25, 2008

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AGENDA

• Warm-up/Introductions
• Chart Your Questions
• Powerpoint Presentation Discussion
• Review Question Chart
• Verbal Q A
• Use a Resume Rating Checklist
• Action Word list

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WHATS THE PURPOSE?

• The sole purpose of a résumé is to make an
  employer want to learn more about you.
• Every design consideration is aimed at meeting
  employers needs

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HOW LONG IS A RÉSUMÉS USEFUL LIFE?

• A résumé has a useful life of no more than six
  months.
• An old résumé
• is a liability.

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WHY RESEARCH?

• A school districts representatives will quickly
  know if you have researched the organization by
  your résumé and cover letter.
• Researching an organization positively displays
  your interest and enthusiasm.
• All people you visit and/or talk with are
  potential network contacts.

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WHAT STYLE IS BEST?

• A chronological résumé lists most current work
  experience first.
• This is the most commonly used style, and it
  works very well for new graduates.

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DOES SIZE MATTER?

• Many employers feel that they can find a
  qualified candidate who has designed a good
  one-page résumé.
• Two pages is the usual maximum.
• If it doesnt get read its not effective!

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WHAT ABOUT REFERENCES?

• List all contact information in the body of the
  résumé.
• Prior to listing references, always ask if they
  will be able to strongly recommend you for
  employment.
• Keep your references notified of interviews you
  schedule.

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Ask each reference at least three questions

• Can you speak with enthusiasm about positive
  aspect(s) of my capabilities?
• Is it ok if you are called at work and/or at
  home?
• May I include your personal contact information
  in my résumé?

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list references in a separate section

• Inconveniencing a potential employer, even a
  little, is bad!

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WHAT ABOUT PERSONAL INFO?

• Address One invalid address is too many!
• Home Phone connect an answering machine to your
  home phone, with a short and clear message.
• Work Phone dont list unless you are actually
  available there most of the workday.
• Email valid and accessible

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There is no more certain way to destroy a job
opportunity than to fail to respond to an
employers inquiry.
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WILL MY RÉSUMÉ GO THROUGH A SCANNER?

• Ask prospective employers about scanning, and any
  special format considerations that should be
  considered.

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IS FAXING A GOOD IDEA?

• Effective layout is critical.
• Content is critical.
• Bells and whistles are not critical.

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SHOULD I E-MAIL MY RÉSUMÉ?

• always offer
• demonstrates technological competence
• confirm that your format is acceptable, and
  received

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WHAT SHOULD A NEW GRADUATES RÉSUMÉLOOK LIKE?

• Full-time experience important attribute
• Substitute teaching listed same as a full-time
  job
• List at least one supervisory reference for each
  employer
• Student teaching listed as a teaching job
• Be specific when summarizing teaching activities,
  avoid stating the obvious

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MAKE YOUR RÉSUMÉ SING! Highlight your unique
story

• Specific skills and interests
• Specialized training
• Unusual experiences, accomplishments, and
  challenges
• Share your passion for teaching!

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WHAT ABOUT MY LICENSE?

• Be clear about in-process, endorsements, and
  (expected) date received.
• Include a copy of your certificate.
• Find out requirements of other states before you
  apply.
• Appropriate licensure especially important under
  the No Child Left Behind.

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SHOULD I INCLUDE A STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE?

• Optional, but if you use one
• Be specific, but not exclusionary, about your job
  preferences.

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SAMPLE RÉSUMÉS

• from recently hired teachers in the Hillsboro
  School District

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HOW IMPORTANT IS A COVER LETTER?

• A companion / courtesy document to the résumé
• keep it short
• résumé and the cover letter will most likely
  become separated

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Top 10 Tips

• Always write to a specific individual.
• Have a genuine grasp of the district's needs,
  accomplishments, and
  philosophy/mission.
• Write each cover letter separately.
• Use natural language in simple, clear sentences.
  
• Check and recheck.

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Top 10 Tips, continued

• Use standard business letter format on stationery
  that matches.
• Request an interview.
• Let your personality and energy shine through.
• Use a matching paper for the envelope, use an
  oversized envelope that will not fold the résumé
  and letter.
• Don't rely too heavily on cover letters to get
  your job.

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(SAMPLE COVER LETTER)
SAMPLE
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EDUCATION RÉSUMÉ PROBLEMS

• Employers are looking for a reason
• to throw yours in the trash!

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my list of pet peeves

• invalid contact information
• frou-frou
• stale/out-dated
• grammar/spelling errors
• vague information

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more pet peeves!

• missing Employment/Education Information
• general responsibilities performed by all
• buzz words/jargon
• too much information
• résumés composed by a professional service

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and even more pet peeves!!

• fuzzy reference information
• cute phone machine messages
• too much info in email addresses
• truth stretchers hyperbole

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Sources

• My (34 years of) personal and professional
  experience
• Educational Placement and Career Services, School
  of Education - University of Wisconsin-Madison,
  www.wisc.edu/wiscinfo/academics
• Phi Lambda Theta International Honor Society and
  Professional Association in Education,
  http//www.pilambda.org
• Educator's Job Search, NEA Professional Library
  Publications, http//home.nea.org/books
• Mississippi State University Cooperative
  Education Service, http//www.msstate.edu/dept/Coo
  p