Did you know your service work is also valuable professional experience? Learn how to identify, convey and leverage your experience to help you bridge the gap from college to career. This session will offer tips for identifying and conveying your unique skills to employers through your application and in interviews. Also included is how to leverage those opportunities you secure through tools like informational interviews, so that you can build upon your experiences and continue to expand your professional network.

1. YOU’RE HIRED!
HOW TO LEVERAGE YOUR COMMUNITY
SERVICE EXPERIENCE TO LAND YOUR
DREAM JOB

2. If you had to have a theme song play every time you
walked into a room, what would it be and why?

3. OVERVIEW

4. Overview
Stand out when applying for your first job:
Gain experience employers are looking for
Present yourself strongly through your resume
Nail the interview
Get the most out of an internship
Use your networks

5. EXPERIENCE

6. Value of Community Service
1 in 5 hiring managers said they hired someone
because of their community service experience
Volunteers have 27% higher odds of finding
employment than non-volunteers
44% of employers say “soft skills” are the most
important in hiring

7. What Skills Have You Developed?
Problem solving
Team work/Collaboration
Creativity
Responsibility
Communication

8. RESUME

9. Resume & Cover Letter
Purpose: secure an interview
Resume v. Cover Letter
Resume shows you are qualified based on skills & experience
Cover letters tells your story – why do you want this job?
Tips
Tailor to each job
Offer a snapshot - be specific & concise
Emphasize long term leadership and involvement

10. Resume Layout
Resume paper, good printer
1 page
Simple, consistent font
Use a logical, consistent organization (i.e. headers, bullets)
Use white space strategically
Proofread
Save in a common format: Word, PDF, Adobe, etc.

11. Resume Content
Contact information: full name, professional email, phone number,
address
Sections:
Education – degree, honor societies, scholarships
Professional Experience – internships, part-time jobs, service
Leadership and Involvement – clubs, Greek life
Awards and Honors
Order: chronological typically works best for students
Avoid first person; use action verbs
Avoid acronyms (unless they are universally know, like YMCA)

12. Community Service on Your Resume
Give yourself a title
Outline your responsibilities through your title (“Call Center
Coordinator”, “Youth Program Mentor”)
Comment on frequency of participation
Frequent volunteering shows commitment and time management
Employ “power phrases”
Be specific & offer tangibles (“Packaged1,000 meals”,
“Trained16 students in leadership development”)
STAR – situation, task, action & result

13. LinkedIn
Professional headshot
Headline – snapshot of who
you are
Summary– what motivates
you, what you’re skilled at
& plans for future
Recommendations – lends
credibility
Follow organizations & join
groups
Consult LinkedIn for
Students for more resources

14. INTERVIEWING 101

15. Pursuit of Happyness Interview
Interviewing 101

16. Interview Tips
Dress the part
Highlight unique strengths
Use humor when
appropriate
Allow enough time to arrive
early (not too early)
Ask questions
Dress casually
Rely on generic
strengths/abilities
Use too much or
inappropriate humor
Arrive late
Argue with the interviewer
Do Don’t

17. Dress the part
Quiet, secluded area
Find ways to show your personality
Practice on the phone with a friend
Don’t feel like you have to over talk
Allow extra time
Phone Interview Tips

18. INTERNSHIPS

19. Try your hardest
Watch and learn (office etiquette)
Look for learning opportunities
Build lasting connections
Ask for feedback
Leverage Your Internship Experiences

20. Why?
To gain knowledge of a field or position
To network with a professional in your area of interest
How?
Request meetings with coworkers in various departments
Ask supervisors and mentors for contacts in the field
What to ask?
How did you get started in this field, and what is a typical day?
What previous jobs and experiences led you to this position?
Do you have any suggestions for students looking to enter this field?
Informational Interviews

21. Think long and hard about who to ask
Approach is very important
Allow plenty of time
Provide helpful templates and information
Keep in touch with the recommender throughout the
process
Be sure to express gratitude
Letter of Recommendation

22. NETWORKING

23. Personal Network
Professional contacts
Family and friends University contacts
Community contacts

24. Tips & Etiquette
When job hunting:
Be proactive; reach out to any and all contacts
People want to see you succeed
80% of jobs are found through connections and word of mouth
At special meetings and events:
RSVP, and arrive in a timely manner
Dress appropriately, and drink sensibly
Mix and mingle
Ask for business cards, and follow up with new acquaintances

25. ABOUT US

26. About us
www.DCinternships.org
Summer Programs:
International Affairs and Economics
Journalism and Communications
Public Policy and Economics
Business and Government Affairs
Philanthropy and Voluntary Service
Semester Programs:
Public Policy
Political Journalism