1. Introduction to Professional Development
Tech 190A Week 2 Lecture
Introduction to Professional Development

2. Professional Development
By definition, professional development is a variety of training, education, or other professional learning intended to help technology professionals improve their professional knowledge, managerial competence, technical skills, and overall career effectiveness.
There are four parts to the professional development section of this class. They include:
Resumes and Cover Letters
Soft Skills Improvement
Personal Career Development Plan
Professional Portfolio

3. Résumé
Each student will develop a professional resume using any of the different formats recommended for this class. In addition, each student will develop a cover letter.

4. Tech 190A Résumé
A résumé is a document used by a person to present their backgrounds and skills.
Can be used for a variety of other reasons.
Most often they are used to secure new employment.
Contains a summary of relevant job experience and education.
One of the first items a potential employer sees regarding the job seeker.
Typically used to screen applicants
Often followed by an interview.

5. Résumé Types
Each student will develop a professional resume using any of the different formats listed below. Resume formats available at: templates. Students should select one of the following formats:
 Engineering 
Professional 
Business 
Entry-level 
Computer and technology 
Management 
Contemporary 
Standard 

6. Résumé Sections Your resume should have four main sections:
your personal and contact information
your interest
your qualifications
your work experiences

7. Cover Letters Most resumes are accompanied by cover letters.
Is a letter of introduction attached to, or accompanying another document such as a résumé.
May also serve as marketing devices for prospective job seekers
typically divided into two categories:
The application letter, which responds to a known job opening.
The inquiry letter, which inquires about possible positions.

8. Soft Skills Improvement
Soft skills are sequenced in modules. Each module consists of three video presentations that address a group of different skill areas each. Guided class discussions take place at the end of each module. There is a 4-point activity work after each module.

9. Personal Career Development Plan
What do I want to be? Propose your career goal e.g. Vice President manufacturing, CEO xxx corporation, Director of engineering, general manager, director of operations etc.
What do I need to get there? Find competencies that make up the career goal
What do I have now? Determine which competencies you possess 
What more do I need to get what I want? Determine competencies you don't yet possess 
How can I get what I need to meet my need? Determine how to acquire competencies you don't yet possess 

10. Professional Portfolio
Your professional portfolio is a combination of some of the things you did already and some additional assignments all enclosed in a folder. When completed, this portfolio pretty much describes you as a complete professional.
The contents of your portfolio will be inspected as scheduled in the greensheet. Inspection is worth 10 points which are part of the 20 points allotted to the professional portfolio.

11. Video Module 1: Introduction to Soft Skills
These are skills that are not necessarily taught in schools and colleges
They are absolutely necessary in businesses
They deal with workplace relationships
They deal with verbal and written communications
They are based on what business people said they lack in their businesses today
They are written by business people for business people and industry
Also for those reentering the workplace

12. Four Rules of Getting Back into the Job Market
Have an upbeat, can-do attitude
Look the part
Live in the present
Promote your positive attributes

13. Video Module 2: Introduction to Power Listening
Poor listening skill can lead to a number of problems, including:
Miscommunication
Confused instruction
Loss of information
Embarrassment
Frustration
Hurt feelings
Loss of job

14. Video Module 2: Introduction to Power Listening
85% of what we know is learned by listening
70% of communication is misunderstood or ignored
Listening is not hearing
We tend to listen and pay attention when the situation is critical
Power listeners tend to:
Make fewer mistakes
Influence others
Solve problems
Communicate better
Gain insight

15. Ten Key Points to Become a Power Listener
Listening demands concentration and commitment
Make sure you can hear and see the speaker
Remove all distractions
Concentrate on what is being said
Do not interrupt
Ask questions if you do not understand
Avoid filtering
Do not rehearse what you are going to say
Don’t try to top their story
Verbally summarize what has been said

16. Video Module 5: Resume Writing
Three Different Forms of Resume are:
Chronological
Functional
Combination

17. Six Rules to Resume Writing
Relevant and pertinent information
Easy to read format
No spelling, grammar or syntax problems
Define the position(s) you desire
Be satisfied with your resume
Use keywords

18. Six Steps to Resume Writing
Gather your employment and education information
Contact information
Objective (specify job type)
Your experience
Education
Use keywords