Two ways to show communication skills

Almost every job I have ever applied for has wanted someone with
Excellent Communication Skills. The trouble is, how do you show communication skills in a cover letter or on a resume?

Here are two ideas

Highlight accomplishments that demonstrate your communication skills

-Created and implemented a conflict management training ( or process)
-Facilitated a coalition through the strategic planning process including developing a mission, vision and work plan.
-Led a work group that crafted our coalitions' communication plan.

The idea is to show potential employees what you have done with your communication skills.

Another idea is to use the credibility of quotes( which is basically testimony). So for instance, in a cover letter, I might say

My supervisors consistently rate my communication skills as excellent.

" Julie has established excellent working relationships with staff and partners"
(Supervisor at the Cancer Information Service)

Look for quotes in your performance appraisals, in evaluations, partner or coalition member surveys, and in your praise folders.  If you are not getting good quotes, consider changing how you ask your questions or at least adding one question that asks for quotes.

Google to the Rescue

I really like this. Google has a one page template to help you prepare for an interview. Check it out!
 Hat tip to Sarah Apple for keeping an eye on Google

Your most powerful six words

This is a "reflect on what you do well" post.

Taking the time for reflection on what your unique skills and contributions are can help you: maximize your impact at your current job, direct a future job search and help you market yourself effectively.

In the article "Sum up your Leadership in Six Words" from Harvard Business School, we are challenged to sum up (briefly)our most important, unique contribution. 

Reflecting on what is most unique and influential about your contribution can be helpful in two ways.

In my current position: What parts of my job do I love and look forward to?  What do I do really well? ( better than others?)

How do I make sure that I use my most effective skills?  How do I communicate the unique contributions that I make to my supervisor?  What influence do I have over my work to include more of what I do well?

If I am looking for work, how do I best communicate: How is my organization ( or coalition or community) better off because of my contributions? And how can I communicate my unique contribution in a brief but powerful way?

What are your six most powerful words?

Resume Tip: Action Verbs

Struggling to find the right action verb to describe what you did? 
Find yourself using the word "developed" for the third time?

Here are some lists of action words to help you accurately describe what you did

• Action Verbs from WriteExpress
• Resume Action Verbs from Boston College
• Action Verb Lists Morraine Valley Community College

Photo credit: flickr.oxfam

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