The presentation by Dan Hairfield focuses on preparing students for future career opportunities by exploring knowledge, skills, and qualities (KSQs) essential for job applications. It includes practical tips for creating effective resumes and cover letters tailored to specific job opportunities, highlighting the importance of connection and individualization. Key sections of a resume are outlined, emphasizing the significance of format, content, and presentation to capture the employer's interest.

1. Planning for the Future The Secret of Life Presentation by Dan Hairfield, Community Director

2. Learning Objectives Students attending this session will… Discover the concept of KSQs. Explore their strengths. Learn about tips for creating a successful resume and entering an application process. Practice their knowledge in brainstorming and developing their own resume.

3. KSQs What are they? K S Q Knowledge Skill Quality

4. Knowledge Information one has acquired through education or experience. What areas are you knowledgeable? What topics are you currently exploring? What are you interested in learning more about?

5. Skill A learned ability, acquired through practice and training. What are some of your stronger learned abilities? What skills do you practice most often? What are some skills you are interested in learning?

6. Quality An ability one can perform naturally. What are some activities that come easy for you? What are some abilities that people say you must have been born with?

7. Activity – KSQ Mapping Take a few moments to try mapping out your KSQs. Think about the previous questions and the following… What are the goals you are working toward? How do your KSQs match up with your goals?

8. The Secret of Life It’s all about… Connections

9. "IT" Knowledge Skill Quality

10. Application Processes Application Form. Submission of Resume, Cover Letter and References. The Interview Process. Thank You Notes. Receiving the Offer or Rejection.

11. Purpose of a Cover Letter Introduce yourself. Spark the reader’s/employer’s interest in you as a candidate. Highlight a couple items from your resume. Demonstrate your interest and connections to an opportunity. Serve as a sample of your writing ability.

12. Tips for your Cover Letter Target the letter to the specific employer/opportunity/ organization. Start the letter with a very brief description of who you are and your interest in applying or inquiring into an opportunity. DO NOT review everything from your resume. Pick out the most important elements and only talk about them. Request an action at the end of the letter: interview, more information, application materials or affirm your interest in the organization. It is okay to name drop if someone recommended you for the organization.

13. Purpose of a Resume Get the interview and eventually earn the opportunity. Spark the reader’s/employer’s interest in you as a candidate. Articulate your accomplishments, KSQs and other important information.

14. Creating an Excellent Resume Return to the “IT” box. Match your language. Relevance – necessary content. Overall format – DO NOT use Word templates. Individualize the resume to the organization/opportunity.

15. Sections of a Resume Name & contact info. Purpose Statement – take it or leave it… Education. Employment & Volunteer Experience. Awards & Affiliations Presentations & Research. Optional areas: skills & aptitudes, relevant coursework, hobbies

16. Name and Contact Info Your name must be the BIGGEST item on the resume. Legal versus preferred name… Make sure to include your current address, phone number and email address. Use a professional email address.

17. Education If you have not graduated yet, use a projected graduation date. GPA: 3.0 and above. Major(s) and minor(s). Relevant coursework: optional. Other achievements may be applicable or better served in a separate section. Awards. Internships or Fellowships.

18. Employment & Volunteer Experience List all experience in reverse chronological order. Job title, organization, dates, locations. Each responsibility or statement under each experience must start with an action verb. Avoid using word like “I,” “because,” “also,” “duties included,” “responsible for,” etc… Format can be in list or semi-paragraph style. This is were the KSQs really stand out!

19. Presentations & Research Depending on amount of involvement, this can stand alone as its own section. Only give succinct description of content. Include date, organization, collaborators, etc…

20. Awards & Affiliations Should be a simple list. If short, could be collapsed into another relevant category. Academic awards should be listed under Education. Affiliations include professional organizations within one’s academic field and involvement opportunities (if not under experiences).

21. General Items Sans-serif font is preferred (Arial, Helvetica, Gill Sans MT). Font size (Name=12-18pt.) (Text=10-12pt.). DO NOT use/overuse italics , underlining , bullets, shadows , s p a c e d l e t t e r i n g, bold , BOLD CAPS , script , and reverses . DO NOT staple or fold the paper.

22. References If there is no indication on number, go with three. Varied levels of professional involvement may be okay. Check with your references before you use them. Include information on a separate page.

23. Questions??? Thank you for your time and attention. Good luck!