Getting Started:Part 1: Making a Plan

andPart 2: Effectively Marketing Yourself

Supplemental materials available in class and online at www.redwood.org/stewart

Finding an Internship• Resources:

Teacher website: http: www.redwood.org/stewart

Finding an Internship• Resources:• In class organization binder and information.• Other sources of information:

- Center for Non-Profit Leadership CVNL - marin.org - Redwood School to Career webpage

Internship and SAP Planning

Format

• Have a PURPOSE, OUTCOMES, and a PROCESS! The “POP”:

• Purpose: Why are you doing this? This is your goal(s), your “vision”.

• Outcomes: What will you do? These are your “assignments”.

• Process: How will you do it? Be specific, make a timeline with due dates.

Service Action Project (SAP) Ideas

• SAP must:- relate to the work of your internship organization,- involve the Redwood or larger community,- include an education component.

• Ideas:-Canned food drive.-Habitat restoration event.-Middle school lesson.-Bike to school day.-Campus beautification.-Sustainable t-shirt promotion and sales.

• What else could you do?

SAP Plan SAMPLE

SAP Plan SAMPLE

Overview• Purpose: Why market yourself?• Outcomes: What should you do?• Process:

Know YourselfExplore OpportunitiesMarket Yourself:– Cover Letter– Resume– Interviews

Get started!

Purpose:Why should you market yourself?

• This is how you get noticed so you can secure a job/internship!

• Your ability to market yourself also gives your potential employer insight into your abilities:- What your experience is,- What your skills are,- How well you communicate ideas,- How much of a “go getter” you are!

Outcomes:What should you do to market

yourself?

Present yourself in the best light with an excellent resume, interview, and other contact!

YOU!

ResumeCover Letter

Interview/Telephone/email contact

Process: Know Yourself!• Figure out WHAT YOU WANT and WHETHER

YOU ARE ABLE TO DO IT! • Assess your current values, interests, skills,

personality traits and personal priorities. • Develop and clarify your short-term and long-

term goals.• Meet with friends, teachers, parents, and

possible internship organizations to help you with this process.

Process: Explore Opportunities• Utilize resources:

–Center for Volunteer and Non-profit Leadership (CVNL)–In-class information–Mr. Stewart’s website–Redwood College and Career Center

• Work Your Network:–Talk to everyone you know: classmates, friends, family, etc.–Conduct Informational Interviews with interesting organizations

• Match your goals, transferable skills, and personal needs to a particular career path.

• Create a list of potential employers.

Cover LetterPurpose of a Cover Letter• A well-written cover letter:

– bridges the gap between your skills and experience and the qualifications of the position

– commands the reader’s attention -- demonstrates interest and knowledge in the industry and/or employer

– can be more subjective whereby you may cite opinions voiced about you by previous employers, colleagues, and customers as well as your personal opinions of how well you think you do things

– is like an individual commercial where the most attractive features are highlighted to GRAB THEIR ATTENTION!

Cover Letter

• Paragraph 1 - The Introduction• Paragraphs 2 & 3: The Body (The “Sell”)• Paragraph 4: Closing (The “Action”)

• For more description, see:Getting Started Supplement!

Elements of the Cover Letter:

Cover LetterTips to keep in mind when writing your letter (from www.allbusiness.com, 2007):1. Make yourself stand out. Leave qualifiers out of your letter. Leave out “I feel that..” or “I think that..”

2. Target the right person. Send the letter to the appropriate person. More effective if sent to a specific person. If unknown, “Dear Hiring Manager”Research the employer. Tailor your resume to them!

3. Stay simple. Keep it to ONE page!

4. Make it shine. Count the “I’s” in your letter. Careful not to overuse this Match your stationery. Stay conservative

5. Avoid exaggeration.

6. Use a proofreader. Count the “I’s” in your letter. Careful not to overuse this Reread your letter. This is your last chance to make a first impression! Make it count!

7. Don't forget the follow-up. Time your letters and follow-up calls effectively. Time your follow-up call no more than three days after sending your information

Juan Morales123 Main St.Larkspur, CA, 94939

September 10, 2010

Buck InstituteSan Rafael, CA 94901

Dear Ms. Buck,

I am interested in applying for your scientific research summer internship position that was listed through the Redwood College and Career Center.

I have had a great deal of laboratory experience in chemistry, biology, and physics, both indoors and in the field. In the lab, I have performed chemical reactions and I am currently using microscopes to observe mammalian specimens. In ecological field studies, I have conducted outdoor labs to assess soil chemistry.

Last summer, I worked as conservation assistant at Pt. Reyes National Seashore. I am seeking to complement this outdoor experience with a research internship in order to acquire the background necessary for a future career in scientific research.

I believe that I would be an asset to your program. This internship would provide me with the ideal opportunity to assist at your organization and to expand my research skills.

I will call next week to see if you agree that my qualifications seem to be a match for the position. If so, I hope to schedule an interview at a mutually convenient time. I look forward to speaking with you.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Juan Morales

SAMPLECover Letter

ResumePurpose of a Resume• Succinct and objective marketing document.

– Informs a potential employer what you bring to the table

• Descriptions of skills sets focusing on achievements.• An effective resume is tailored to the position one is seeking.• Focuses on employer needs rather than on your own personal

objectives.• The objective of a resume is to interest the reader and be invited for

an interview.

ResumeTIPS:Keep to 1 page.Include as much as possible, as long as it is relevant.Use “action” words.Have a regular, organized format with attractive and varied fonts and type sizes.Use appropriate amounts of “white space”.Use perfect grammar, spelling.

ResumeTIPS:Keep to 1 page.Include as much as possible, as long as it is relevant.Use “action” words.Have a regular, organized format with attractive and varied fonts and type sizes.Use appropriate amounts of “white space”.Use perfect grammar, spelling.

Interviewing• Have and practice an “Elevator Speech”

– Use the content of your Objective (from your resume) and/or the body of your cover letter to create an overview of who you are and what you are looking for.

– Needs to be said in 30 seconds or less: Why should the listener keep listening?

– Basically, it’s your “30 second commercial”.

Interviewing

Do it! Good Luck!

Remember that supplemental materials available in class and

online at www.redwood.org/stewart