CREATING MATERIALS TO PRESENT YOUR CREDENTIALS FOR VISUAL ARTS/BUILT ENVIRONMENT POSITIONS October 22, 2014

Transcription

1 CORNELL CAREER SERVICES Rebecca Sparrow, Executive Director CREATING MATERIALS TO PRESENT YOUR CREDENTIALS FOR VISUAL ARTS/BUILT ENVIRONMENT POSITIONS October 22, 2014

2 AGENDA Ø FIRST THINGS FIRST Ø FOCUS YOUR STRENGTHS Ø RESUME BASICS Ø RESUME POINTERS AND PITFALLS Ø COVER LETTERS Ø PORTFOLIOS Ø QUESTIONS Cornell Career Services offers: - CCS Career Guide - Career Counseling/Advising - Resume/Cover Letter Critiques

3 FIRST THINGS FIRST Understand Yourself Interests Values Strengths Goals Take Action Applications Letters Resumes Interviews Explore Options Resources Networking Activities Internships Understand Where you are in the Career Development Process presented in this model

4 YOUR FOCUS Establish a focus: Based on your purpose Know your target: Learn about the organization or industry Do your homework: Use the job description as a reference Keep in mind Understand WHY you are preparing these materials (Know Yourself)

5 YOUR STRENGTHS PERSONAL QUALITIES High energy level Enthusiasm Assertiveness Initiative Resourcefulness Good judgment Attention to detail FUNCTIONAL SKILLS Dra%ing/Designing Public speaking Writing/Researching/ Planning Coordinating events Supervising others Analyzing data Solving problems Make sure your resume is based on careful self-assessment demonstrated through - Objective statement (optional) - Content + structure

6 RESUME BASICS DEMONSTRATING STRENGTHS LANGUAGE Use succinct, strong language Start descriptions with action verbs, not I CONTENT Quantify! Show qualitative results; emphasize level of responsibility/interactions Eliminate extraneous material Demonstrate your creativity Don t forget Stay within one page (two OK for grad students), optimize readability, and be consistent with all fonts, spacing, and headers!

7 TRANSFERABLE SKILLS Role/Title Tasks Skills Head Lifeguard President, Student Club In charge of other lifeguards Opened and closed pool; cleaned pool Ran meetings Worked with other student groups to plan fundraiser Trained and supervised 10 new lifeguards Maintained cleanliness and safety of pool facility used weekly by 150+ patrons Facilitated monthly meetings for executive board of 5 and weekly activities for over 60 members Collaborated with leaders of 20 student groups to organize campus event that raised $8,000 for local charity

8 RESUME BASCIS DEMONSTRATING STRENGTHS IDENTIFY YOUR RELEVANT SKILLS AND ABILITIES Competent in handling market data. Completed courses in Statistics and Survey Research. High energy level. Worked 70 hours per week last summer; have worked at least 10 hours per week at Cornell while remaining active in two organizations and maintaining respectable grades. Enjoy speaking before groups. Provided campus tours and information sessions to prospective students and parents. Presented to department managers at Sears. Offered teaching assistantship in public speaking course. Keep in mind Back each one up with clear, specific examples and facts.

9 RESUME BASICS DEMONSTRATING STRENGTHS Instead of this: I worked on a bank project that was running over budget. I found cost savings on materials for some internal spaces. My recommendations lowered the costs to initial budget levels. I received a commendation from the client. This is better: Worked with project manager of a 40-story bank building that was running over budget. Identified source of cost overruns and recommended changes to stone veneer for internal common spaces. Came in on budget, earning a commendation by the client. Keep in mind Be consistent throughout your resume; create a good balance between text and blank space

10 RESUME BASICS DEMONSTRATING STRENGTHS And instead of this: Worked with project manager of a 40-story bank building that was running over budget. Identified source of cost overruns and recommended changes to stone veneer for internal common spaces. Came in on budget, earning a commendation by the client. This is better still: Analyzed expenditures on 40-story bank building and identified source of 10% cost overruns. Recommended materials substitutions to project manager, resulting in cost savings that brought the project in on budget. Earned commendation from client.

11 RESUME BASICS RESUME STYLES Chronological* Functional (strengths- or skills-based) Combination * Most used and most preferred by employers * Put experiences in reverse chronological order within each section Keep in mind The only wrong resume is one that is not truthful/accurate. Effective resumes are clear, concise, and appealing to the reader.

12 CREATIVE OPTIONS Online portfolios/infographic resume

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15 RESUME POINTERS Choose a style that best represents your strengths for your target In a creative field, you can be creative Use headings strategically to highlight your qualifications based on your experiences If included, an objective statement must provide focus and direction, and be simple and specific Be consistent throughout Make use of your resources Resume critiques, mock interviews, career counseling: - CCS in Barnes Hall Optimal Resume Web searches for format ideas

16 RESUME POINTERS Use appropriate tenses (past vs. present); discuss future plans (research, study abroad) in cover letters Don t include personal data such as age, citizenship, native language, religion, etc. Prepare to discuss confidently any activity, experience, or skill that is on your resume Make use of your resources Resume critiques, mock interviews, career counseling: - CCS in Barnes Hall Optimal Resume Web searches for format ideas

17 RESUME PITFALLS OOPS! TYPOS Develop and recommend an annual operating expense fudget. College, August 1880-May Proven ability to track down and correct erors. GRAMMAR WRONG WORD Maintained files and reports, did data processing, cashed employees paychecks. Responsibilities included checking customers out. Overlooked all areas to ensure overwhelming success. Dealing with customers conflicts that arouse. I m a rabid typist. I never take anything for granite. Suspected to graduate early next year. Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain operation. Keep in mind Proofread, proofread, proofread!

18 COVER LETTERS Purpose: advocate for yourself to gain an opportunity to speak with employer Translate your skills, understanding, experiences, qualities to address employer s needs Address points of job ad (if you re applying for a specific one) Treat it like an essay: it needs an introduction, body, and conclusion Keep in mind Your cover letters support your other materials to help you land the interview!

19 COVER LETTERS Start with why you re writing Demonstrate why you are interested in THIS employer Show you ve done your homework Make a convincing argument for yourself and what you have to offer; refer to resume points but don t repeat verbatim Wrap up: set up your follow-up plan, restate your interest, remind the employer why you re the perfect candidate Keep in mind Your cover letters give you an opportunity to demonstrate your personality a bit!

20 PORTFOLIOS Applicants for positions in the visual arts need portfolios Learn what the industry standard is for the position Speak with colleagues and other professionals: ask for feedback! Load into CCNet to have all materials together (may be limited to a teaser page with a link to a website); CCNet document can be up to 500KB; ask for help if you need assistance compressing to meet that constraint Keep in mind Understand what speaks to a potential employer. In the visual arts, employers want to see proof of what you can do!

21 PUTTING IT TOGETHER USE YOUR PLATFORMS EFFECTIVELY TARGET YOUR SKILLS AND ABILITIES TO THE POSITION

22 PUTTING IT TOGETHER USE YOUR PLATFORMS EFFECTIVELY TARGET YOUR SKILLS AND ABILITIES TO THE POSITION

23 RESOURCES Optimal Resume: resume and cover letter builders; interview prep Resume and cover letter reviews Barnes Hall Library CCNet Keep in mind Cornell Career Services has resources for you!

24 SUMMARY WHEN PREPARING YOUR MATERIALS: Have a focus, and demonstrate an understanding of your strengths, skills, and personal qualities relative to it Be truthful, without underselling your skills and abilities Use effective language: action verbs and succinct, descriptive phrases Quantify your accomplishments and show results Be visually appealing; use samples from the Career Guide and avoid use of pre-programmed templates Demonstrate your command of language through well written cover letters Request feedback on your portfolio from a professional in the field Keep in mind You can t include everything in your materials; focus on those things that contribute to the story you re telling about yourself

25 WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS?