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Résumé Rights Introductory Activities Learning Activities Culminating Activity Cross-curricular Extensions Community Connections Introductory Activities Introductory Activity #1: Scan newspaper classified advertisements to determine what kinds of careers are currently available in your area job market. If newspaper hardcopies are not available, log onto an online version of the classified section (example NJ.com). Identify three different ads that you would be likely to respond to or would like to respond to assuming you have all of the credentials required for hiring. Activity #2: Determine characteristics of their selected career/job Log onto Salary wizard at http://www.salary.com/salary/layoutscripts/sall_display.asp. Select a general job category from the drop down menu and enter your zip code (or one for an area where you would like to know more about the employment market). Select a more specific job title and "Read the job description". Write down the minimum requirements for the job on an index card. View the basic report to gather more information about the job being researched. Repeat the process for the remaining two jobs identified as prospects in Activity #1. Activity #3: Build a résumé outline using an index card. Gather personal data about yourself on an index card by responding to the following prompts. Use the RÉSUMÉ OUTLINE HANDOUT to guide you.
Combine the responses to Statements 1 & 2. These two statements will comprise the main ideas of your objectives. An objective is an infinitive statement-a statement that begins with the word "to". Develop your objective by changing the answers to your question to a short clause that begins with "to". Statement 1: Where do you "see" yourself 5 years from now? Statement 2: What do you want to be doing 10 years from now? Sample combined response: I see myself as a graduate from XYZ University with a MBA degree in finance. In ten years I want to be the primary lending officer of a major banking company and owner of my own consulting firm.Learning Activities Activity #1 Use Résumé Wizard to build your document; it is designed to help you develop a sound résumé that is well organized and easy to read. Review the RÉSUMÉ WIZARD STEP-BY-STEP handout to guide you through this feature of the Microsoft Word software. List only work experiences related to your job prospect and/or within the last ten years. If you are bi- or multi-lingual, list your languages. Multilingual candidates possess an important skill for a global market. If you possess a special license (Commercial Driver, Teaching, Real Estate), list it as a skill or a special credential. Unless indicated in the job description, it is not necessary to list references on a résumé. NOTE: If you don't have Microsoft Word software, no problem! There are many FREE web-based resume building programs that will allow you to create a professional resume that is functional and searchable! Registration is required for these services but you may find their tips very helpful in for job searches and workforce development-related courses. Log onto HotJobs!.com or Monster.com or Careerbuilder.com to begin the process. Use the dialogue and radio boxes to fill in information. Notice that much of the information requested, is the same information recorded on your index card. The web-based program will generate a resume that can be printed or emailed directly from their server. Activity #2 Edit your resume after reviewing a hard copy of it. The worst mistake a job candidate can make is to have typographical errors on his/her résumé. Errors are harder to catch during the typing process (or on-screen). Microsoft Word's "auto correct" feature will pick up on some but not all errors in a document. Read the résumé critically for errors, correct them; print out another copy and ask a partner to read it too. If your résumé is longer than 2 pages, adjust your spacing, font type and size or delete sections that are more for interview conversation than function-hobbies, activities, interests. Culminating Activity Activity #1 Most job hunts culminate in at least two parts-the application process and the interview process. After downloading and printing the sample job application, take 5-10 minutes to fill out the form. Try to complete the application within the 10-minute timeframe. Write legibly in block letters in blue or black ink. Ask a partner to review the form. Activity #2 Interview your partner using the mock interview questions available online at http://www.job-interview-questions.com/list.htm (Part 2). Stage the mock interview similar to an actual formal interview by positioning one partner behind a computer desk while the second partner is on the other side responding to the questions. The listening partner, the partner behind the desk, is the interviewer; he/she can read the questions directly from the screen. There are six levels of questions on the website. Depending on comfort level, progress through the list of questions from level 1 through level 6 asking at least two questions from each level. Have partners rate each other on the quality of responses, timing and research using the MOCK INTERVIEW RATING SHEET. Cross-Curricular Extensions
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