Learning objectives: 1. Define Empathy and understand its importance 2. Use empathy as a powerful tool to: - Spice up your resume - Refine interactions - Enhance well-being 3. Come up with an action item to improve your empathy skills

1. Empathy:
the Showpiece
of Resumes
Irina Filonova, PhD
Postdoctoral Development Specialist
Okinawa Institute of Science and
Technology
Okinawa, Japan

2. Our plan for today
• Define Empathy and understand its importance
• Use empathy as a power tool to:
• Spice up your resume
• Refine interactions
• Enhance well-being
• Come up with an action item to improve your empathy skills

3. Your questions
• The language of empathy into my resume and cover letter
• Use empathy at a) meeting, b) resume, c) cover letter, d) interview,
e)lesson plans?
• Empathy in relation to career success
• As an emotional and physical empath, I would love some insight on how to
market myself best when searching for careers.
• Empathy development in the workplace or school environment
• Different resumes for different applications and how to go about that?
• Certain program to format resumes to looks the best

4. Rules of the land
• Community
• Communication
• Confidentiality
• Curiosity
• ….

5. “Empathy is a social and emotional skill that helps us feel
and understand the emotions, circumstances, intentions,
thoughts, and needs of others, such that we can offer
sensitive, perceptive, and appropriate communication and
support.”
Karla Mclaren, The art of Empathy

6. 3 components of Empathy
EMOTIONAL COGNITIVE RESPONSIVENESS

8. Human Brain Mapping, Volume: 41, Issue: 10, Pages: 2611-2628, First published: 02 March 2020, DOI: (10.1002/hbm.24966)

9. How do we study empathy?
Empathy scales
Physiological responses
• fMRI
• Galvanic skin response
• Heart rate

11. The importance of Empathy
Survival
Relationships
Communication
Innovation
…

12. Barriers to Empathy
Prejudice
Distance
Fixed mindset

13. We can use Empathy
JOB SEARCH RELATIONSHIPS WELLBEING

14. Empathy in practice
JOB SEARCH RELATIONSHIPS WELLBEING

15. New college grads lack SOFT SKILLS
Employers want job candidates with “uniquely
human” skills, but finding those candidates isn’t
easy
“
“
Employers Say Students Aren’t Learning Soft Skills in College, www.shrm.org

16. Employers Say Students Aren’t Learning Soft Skills in College, www.shrm.org

17. The rise of automation means job candidates
will need “UNIQUELY HUMAN” skills
As jobs become increasingly automated,
employers are seeking workers with skills that
machines can’t replace
“
Employers Say Students Aren’t Learning Soft Skills in College, www.shrm.org

18. Employers Say Students Aren’t Learning Soft Skills in College, www.shrm.org

19. Converting your empathy skills to a resume
statement
Problem
Action
Results

20. Problem – undergraduate students overlook Empathy skills
Action – organized empathy training
Results – increased skills and employability
Worked with multiple stakeholders to organize and secure
competitive funding for empathy & job search training
aimed to enhance employability of undergraduate students
(resulting in/leading to …)

21. Empathy in practice
JOB SEARCH RELATIONSHIPS WELLBEING

22. Empathy is social glue

24. Eye Contact
Muscles of Facial Expression
Posture
Affect
Tone of voice
Hearing the whole person
Your response
E.M.P.A.T.H.Y.™ by Helen Riess, MD

25. Connection = Relatedness + Listening

26. Empathic Resume is a PEARL©
Personal
Engaging
Aimed towards others
Relevant
Logical
Irina Filonova, PhD

28. Empathy in practice
JOB SEARCH RELATIONSHIPS WELLBEING

31. When we are under the stress…
Dysfunctional believes
Cognitive distortions
Imposter fears
Self - criticism
Self – blaming…

32. “Emotions are action-requiring
neurological programs”
Trigger
Neural program
Action
Antonio Damasio, PhD

33. FEAR
Trigger: real or perceived threat
Action: point to change, novelty or possible hazards
Benefits: Focus, Clarity, Attentiveness, Readiness
Internal question: What action should be taken?
Reframing: excitement, energy
Karla Mclaren, The art of Empathy (modified)

34. WORRY AND ANXIETY
Trigger: upcoming change, task, event
Action: organize, plan for, and complete your tasks
Benefits: Foresight, Focus, Procrastination alert, Completion
Internal question: What needs to be completed?
Reframing: a reminder to take action
Karla Mclaren, The art of Empathy (modified)

35. YOU = YOUR BEST FRIEND

36. Practicing self-empathy
Identify your emotions
Get curious about what they are telling you
Talk to yourself as if you talk to your friend
Reframe if possible

37. Empathy in practice
JOB SEARCH RELATIONSHIPS WELLBEING

39. Contact me any time ☺
• Irina.Filonova@oist.jp
• LinkedIn