This document provides advice for leveraging community service experience to land a job. It outlines that community service experience is valued by employers as it develops important soft skills. The document then provides tips for emphasizing community service on a resume, including using power phrases and the STAR method to highlight accomplishments. It also recommends using LinkedIn to expand one's professional network. Further, it offers interview preparation advice, such as dressing professionally and having questions prepared. The document stresses leveraging internships through networking and seeking feedback. It concludes by introducing the organization that published the document and some of its internship programs.

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
YOU
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
! Leadership and the American Presidency
Semester Programs:
! Public Policy
! Political Journalism

27. Institute on Philanthropy & Voluntary Service
www.DCinternships.org/IPVS
Nonprofit internships
Course on political economy of nonprofits &
humanitarian aid
Hands-on service projects in Washington, DC
Site briefings with local and national nonprofit
organizations
One-on-one mentoring and networking opportunities

28. Any questions???