‘A Photo in Time’How to Capture your AmeriCorps experience in Resumes,

Portfolios & Professional Networking Sites

By: Amanda Carleski2008-2009 T.E.A.C.H. Corps Member Alum

2009-2010 T.E.A.C.H. Professional Corps Alum

Welcome!Welcome!In this training, we will

learn about how to incorporate your

AmeriCorps service year into items that will help you after this experience! In

this training, you will learn about…

• Resumes• The ‘Elevator

Speech’• Professional

Portfolio• Your Elevator

Speech• Helpful Websites

Resumes: Resumes: Chronological, Functional, or Combination?

The chronological format is most effective when at least one of the following applies:

•You wish to remain in the same field or industry.

•Your work history shows lateral or vertical career growth or an increase in job responsibility, making your job objective the next obvious step in your career path.

•Your current or most recent position is one you are proud of and enjoy.

•There are no gaps in your employment history; or if you have gaps that can be filled with “job titles” that indicate you were doing something relevant or constructive during that time.

Resumes: Resumes: Chronological, Functional, or Combination?

The functional format is most effective when at least one of the following applies:

• You are making an extreme career change such that your work history is in no way relevant to your job objective. (For example, you are a psychologist who wants to become a landscape architect.)

• You have a checkered employment history (such as difficult-to-explain gaps in employment or job hopping) that you want to downplay as much as possible.

• You are preparing to re-enter the job market after a current span of unemployment, which you prefer not to highlight on your resume.

• You need to focus on experience or skills from a much earlier time in your work history.

• Your most recent position is not impressive or relevant.

Resumes: Resumes: Chronological, Functional, or Combination?

The combination format is most effective when at least one of the following applies:

• You are making a career change and want to highlight your transferable skills.

• You wish to advance in the field or industry in which you are currently working.

• Your job titles do not accurately describe the level of responsibility you held.

• You want to fill gaps in employment with unpaid experience that is relevant to your job objective.

Resumes: Resumes: Which format is most preferred by employers?

• The chronological format is most preferred by employers, followed closely by the combination format.

• Employers tend to be suspicious of job seekers who use the functional format, fearing the applicants are making false claims about their achievements or hiding something about their past.

• However, if the chronological or combination resume format doesn’t work for your circumstances, the functional resume can be effective if you address the employers’ concerns. – Here’s how to do that: For each achievement statement on

your functional resume, state clearly where that achievement took place by referencing a job title, organization, or activity you’ve listed in your Work History or Education section. 

Resume Action Resume Action Statements Statements

Action words can be used to introduce good resume phrases Here are some suggestions for selecting words and phrases:

• Use action words in short, clearly written phrases.

• Use the minimum number of words necessary to convey

accurate information.

• Select words that will mean something to the person who will read your resume.

• Avoid introductory phrases such as “my duties included” or “I was in charge of.”

• List accomplishments whenever possible rather than just

describe duties.

• Always keep the needs of your employer in mind.

Sample AmeriCorps Action Sample AmeriCorps Action Phrases:Phrases:

•Updated Yates Baptist CDC’ center’s resource room to be compliant with ECER’s standards in accordance with 5-star rating•Completed 3600 hours of childcare, training, and volunteer service throughout Wake and Durham counties in two year period•Planned “Oh the Thinks you Can Think!” training for 2009-2010 Corps members during mid-year retreat•Created monthly newsletter called the ‘TEACH Times’ to relay information and resources to current members

Your Elevator SpeechYour Elevator Speech

An elevator speech is as essential as a business card. You need to be able to say who you are, what you do, what you are interested in doing and how

you can be a resource to your listeners. If you donʹt have an elevator speech, people wonʹt know what

you really do.

•Know your Audience•Know Yourself•Outline Your Talk•Finalize Your Speech

Your Professional PortfolioYour Professional PortfolioTraditional, Online, or Both?Traditional, Online, or Both?

•Traditional portfolios contain hard copies of your samples.•Online portfolios contain electronic copies of your samples (HTML files, Windows help files, PDF files, etc.). - You can use either one or both in an interview, depending on the formats of your samples, the job you are applying for, the industry you plan to work in, and your personal preference.

Your Professional PortfolioYour Professional PortfolioOnline Porfolio Resources

www.weebly.com Here, you can create your own website portfolio, and then, if you

would like, register your own name domain so employers can easily get to your work (www.amandacarleski.com)

www.visualCV.com Think of your VisualCV as a professional "show and tell" for the 21st

century. It brings you, your skills and background to 3-dimensional life with video, images, and examples of your work….best of all, it’s FREE!

www.linkedin.com

How to make How to make LinkedinLinkedin Work for Work for You!You! Be sure your LinkedIn profile is complete

and current.  Configure your profile settings to the most

accessible.  Continue to add connections.  Answer questions to demonstrate

expertise.  Search for jobs. 

Helpful Websites and ResourcesHelpful Websites and Resources

•www.weebly.com

•http://encorps.nationalserviceresources.org/laa_planning.php

•http://jobs.change.org/

•http://www.idealist.org/

•http://www.visualcv.com/www/a_better_resume/index.html

Thank You!Thank You!I hope that you learned a lot from this

presentation. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about anything. My contact

information is below:

Email: amanda.carleski@gmail.com Website: www.amandacarleski.com

**You can also find me on Facebook and LinkedIn!**

GGOOOODD LLUUCCKK!!