Resume Tip: Start Strong

The first thing on my resume is a section called : Qualifications Highlights or Summary of Qualifications.
This is a short section, that I change for every job I apply for. I highlight what I have to offer related to this specfic position.  It is like the abstract for my resume.

Here are two examples (from my files)

Summary of Qualifications

• Fifteen years developing, implementing and evaluating training programs
• Six years experience in public health outreach
• Over two years of experience in tobacco control

Qualification Highlights

• 20 years experience developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs
• Five years living and working overseas
• Three years experience supervising volunteers/ students overseas

 

 

Where do I find job postings?

Here are few websites that list job openings in WI.
Job Center of Wisconsin
UW Systems Employment Resources (for jobs within the UW system)
Jobs at UW Extension
WI Technical College Jobs
State of Wisconsin Employment Job Seeker
Wisc jobs: The Official Employment Site of WI state goverment
Rural Health Careers Wisconsin
WI Job Network
APHA Public Health Careermart can be searched by state

Know of others...please post them in comments

Photo Credit: Flickr: bjmccray

Good references are like back up singers.

A good reference should make you look and sound good. Here are some tips for recruiting your professional back up team:

1. Choose 3-5 references: you want to have more than 2 in case someone is out of town and you need a fast response.

2. Choose a variety:  Think about different perspectives employers will be interested in: colleague, supervisor, team member, customer ( someone from the audience you serve), funder...
3. Never assume: Ask people to be your reference.  Ideally ask people before you need them..so you don’t catch people off guard.   Ask them in a way that makes it OK for them to say no. "Would you be comfortable being a reference for me? If not, that’s OK..just let me know. "

The bottom line: your reference needs to be able to give strong, credible testimony to your strengths as a professional. If someone is not able to do that..you don’t want them to be your reference.

4. Keep contact information current: Make sure you have their current phone number, including cell phone and an email address they check regularly.

5. Give them a heads up before you give out their name and contact information, let them know. The last thing you want to do is catch them off guard or give out their name only to find out they are on vacation for a week.

Photo: Polkaholic back up singers!
Originally uploaded by Vera Gavrilovic ... PolkaSceneZine

Seven Reasons to keep a Professional Portfolio

These are examples of work portfolios we keep at the Resource Center.  We have portfolios of workshops we have created, highlights of our accomplishments and high impact projects. A work portfolio is a visual aid that showcases accomplishmets and, when possible, impact.

Portfolios are useful when

1. writing an annual report
2. writing a performance appraisal
3. meeting with your supervisor
4. meeting new partners
5. job interviews
6. planning similar events
7. showing impact to funders or potentional funders

If you have ideas on other ways to use portfolios..please suggest them in the comments.

Start a Praise Folder

I keep a praise folder. Any time someone gives me a compliment or praises work we do at the Resource Center it goes in my praise folder.

These compliments or praise come in handy for

• performance appraisals
• evaluations
• summary of accomplishments
• cover letters
• interviews

Also, anyone who has sent you a compliment is someone to keep on file as a potential reference (hat tip for this idea to Paula Silha!)

Photo credit: flickr: brain malfunction

For people with policy advocacy experience

3 9 09 Bearman Cartoon City Council Job copy
Originally uploaded by Bearman2007

Three job search tools to keep up to date

If you keep these up to date, you are ready to go if you need to look for a job or you weren't looking but your dream job turns up.  Even if you aren't job hunting, a current resume and professional portfolio can help when you do your performance appraisal.

1. Resume
( you are going to tailor this for any job you apply for but I try to keep one master copy to work from)

2. Professional Portfolio: Keep copies of work samples ( online and hard copy)

3. References (when is the last time you contacted your references?)

Wearing your resume

You can find anything on flickr these days. When I searched on resume, I found people wearing their resume on their t-shirt.

Cool Blog Sociale - 10 July 2008 - Original Resume T-shirt by BlackBirdTees B
Originally uploaded by SOCIALisBETTER

Four Top Tips for Resumes

1. Tailor Each One
When I review resumes, anyone who hasn't taken the time to personalize their resume for the specific job opening, goes in the "No" pile.

2. Don't Include Everything
The purpose of the resume is to get you an interview.  Highlight your most relevant experience so the employer will be interested enough to interview you.

3. Make it Skimmable
People don't read any more.  Use headers and white space so it is easy and fast to skim your resume.

4. Showcase Accomplishments
Think: What have I done that will be interesting to this employer? What have I done that is relevant to this job?   Don't just list skills and experience, describe outcomes.