1 Resume Writing for Career Advancement

2 Why are we here today? We offer:  Tools and information to help you move ahead  EarnMore workshops and career services Our focus today is:  To help you understand how to write a resume for career advancement. We will help you to think through difficult questions and show you how to highlight your skills successfully.

3 What’s so great about resumes?  Open the door to interviews  Organize your information  Show employers your skills  Track your education and employment history

4  GROUP ACTIVITY 

5 Steps to Writing a Resume 1.Gather information and references 2.Identify transferable skills 3.Look at different resume formats 4.Write it 5.Proofread and edit 6.Continuously update

6 Gathering Information  Collect all contact information for:  Places you have worked  Places you have attended school/training  People who would be good references  Use a data gathering sheet to track information

7 References  Who to get  How to ask  When to ask

8 Identifying Transferable Skills  What are they?  How to highlight key skills to display  Skills like computer literacy, certifications, and bi-lingual abilities.

9 What Are Transferable Skills?  Skills that you have acquired during any activity in your life.  Activities at work, in the classroom, during projects, or developing hobbies, while playing sports, and even while parenting.  The skills that you’ve learned can be applied to what you would like to do in your next career.

10 Chronological vs. Functional  Which format is better for the job you are applying for?  When would you use each?

11 Write Your Own  Choose the format that works best for the jobs you are applying for  Use data collection sheet to organize your information  Create an additional references page

12 Facing Challenges  A large gap in work history  History of incarceration  Lack of work experience  Job hopping

13 Proofread and Edit  Look over resume with “fresh eyes”  Have someone else read it  Edit. Edit. Edit.  Change format/order depending on job search

14  GROUP ACTIVITY 

15 Cover Letters  Now that your resume is in shape, let’s talk about cover letters!  Format  Customize for EACH job application  EDIT. Edit. EDIT.

16 Update  When should you update your resume?  EVERYTIME you change jobs, receive a promotion, complete a training course, volunteer somewhere, etc.

17 Thank you for joining us today! For more information, call XXX or visit Questions? Final Thoughts? Want to learn more? What’s next? If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability. Henry Ford, Inventor of Assembly Line