Life After AmeriCorps:

Professional Development*All attendees will be muted during the webinar. If you have a question at

any point, feel free to bring it up in the chat and we will address it at the end

of the presentation.

To access the chat, click the “chat” button with the word bubble above it in

the upper right section of the Meeting Window.

About Me:

Name – Bryce Bateman

Education – BA in Economics from the University of Washington

Previous Positions – FWPS AmeriCorps Tutor

Current Position – WSC AmeriCorps Leader

Service – Helping all of you succeed in your service term and

beyond!

Upcoming Webinar: Using the Segal Education Award

Date – Thursday, June 16, 2016

Time – 10:00am – 11:00am

Link to join – https://goo.gl/mjtM5g

Password to join – AmeriCorps1 (capitalization matters!)

WELCOME!

Goals for Today

Today’s webinar will prepare you for your professional life after your

AmeriCorps term by…

Sharing strategies to help you build your professional network both in person and online.

Providing you with knowledge and resources you need to write an

effective résumé and cover letter.

Pointing you towards resources for employment and information about

entering different career fields that is tailored to AmeriCorps members

entering the workforce (both domestically and abroad).

Things to think about as you start

your job search…

Evaluate yourself!

Before you start looking for jobs, take the time to sit down and formally evaluate

yourself. Honest self-reflection is important for your happiness and success

wherever you go, and will help you learn to share your story in an impactful way.

What are your strengths/weaknesses? Think personally and professionally.

What are your core values? How does this tie into the work you want to do?

What motivates you?

When are you the most engaged in your work? What about these tasks grabs

your attention?

What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

Use online tools like the MindTools Personal SWOT Analysis or Myers-Briggs type

personality assessments (you can pay for the official one or Google “Myers-Briggs”

for free assessments like this or this).

What do you want out of a job?

Think about the tangible and intangible aspects you want in your

workplace/life—this will help create baseline expectations to guide your search.

What pay range do you WANT? What’s the absolute minimum you NEED?

What do you want the commute/living situation to look like? What will it cost?

Do you want to be part of an established company/organization or find a

place that is new and growing but may have less stability?

What kind of hours do you want to work? Do you need flexibility or stability?

What do you want/need in a benefit package (retirement, insurance, etc.)?

How do you want work to make you feel? What kind of culture are you looking for in the workplace (e.g. collaborative vs top-down management)

How do you want to be perceived?

How do you want to be perceived?

In the age of social media, more and more employers are using the internet to check

out their job candidates every day. Be conscious of how your social media accounts

portray you—will people Googling your name see the best that you have to offer?

Think about the message you’re sending out to potential employers on sites like

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Check through the privacy settings to find the right

configuration for you, and Google your own name to see what others will see.

Use professional sites like LinkedIn to build your professional presence online and help

separate your career from your personal life.

Networking 101

Networking 101: Keys to Success

Be aware of what’s going on in your areas of interest—subscribe to industry

newsletters and follow leaders on social media.

Join professional groups—these may be organizations that regularly meet in

person or have an online forum/closed group on social media sites.

Go to events—find networking events, career fairs, or conferences tailored to

your interests by using Google to search for “networking/career/conference

events [your city]”.

Research companies, schools, people, or organizations that appeal to you—this will help you learn more about your career field, and will prepare you for success

while networking.

Follow up—after in-person events, make the online connection through social

media. Customize your request to connect to remind them how you met.

Networking 101: Event Tips

Ask questions—if you’re not comfortable talking about yourself at first, ask

questions to start conversation. Be others focused!

Volunteer to help—this is a great way to have something to do at a networking

event and may help you feel more comfortable striking up conversation with

people there (also might get you free admission to the event if there’s a fee).

Speaking with presenters—many events have a keynote speaker or other

presenters. If you want to connect with the presenter, try to either be the first or

last person to approach them (could even offer to help them pack up).

Be a connector—once you’re comfortable, look to help others in their

networking by introducing your friends/acquaintances and facilitating

connections.

Networking 101: Using LinkedIn and

Other Social Media

Helps you reach out and make connections to people you never would have

access to otherwise

Identify leaders in your field and follow them on Twitter and LinkedIn

See other peoples’ professional backgrounds and learn more about career paths

you could follow (and have YOUR career path there for others to see)

Establishes your professional “brand” by giving you a platform to share

thoughts, resources, and articles you find influential

Customize your URLs on professional social media and include links in your résumé!

LinkedIn allows you to join groups of professionals with a common interest

Join college/high school alumni organizations, industry professionals associations,

and common interest/experience groups (AmeriCorps Alums, for example)

Networking 101: Other Resources

For more information on networking, both in person and through social media,

check out the “Smart Networking” and “LinkedIn: More Than Just a Website”

webinars through AmeriCorps Alums (and keep an eye on their calendar for

upcoming online networking events/trainings for AmeriCorps alumni!).

Résumé Crash Course

Résumé Crash Course

Q: Are there any formatting rules to follow for all résumés?

A: Yes, though there could be exceptions to the rule.

Margins: between .8 and 1 inches wide.

Font: keep it simple—Times New Roman or Arial with a size no smaller than 11pt.

Number of pages: for most résumés, limit it to a page or two. There will be special

exceptions if your employer requests more detail.

White Space: make sure you have white space to balance out the text in your

résumé. The last thing anybody wants to read is a giant wall of text.

Chronological, functional, or hybrid?

Résumé Crash Course:

Chronological Résumés

A chronological résumé seeks to give anaccurate year-by-year look at what you’ve

done by listing your jobs/positions/experiences in

order from most recent to least recent for each

section.

This style is best for people who have recent,

steady work experience in their desired field and

do not have long periods of unemployment.

Résumé Crash Course:

Functional Résumés

A functional résumé seeks to present the skillsand experience you’ve accumulated in a way

that highlights their relevance to the position

you’re applying for. This approach tends to

cluster similar experiences/skills under different

themes (e.g. “communication”, “leadership”,

“volunteer management”, etc.).

This style is best for people who may have gaps

in their employment, a history of short-termpositions, or who are looking to make a radical

career shift because it highlights your skills rather

than your experience.

Résumé Crash Course:

Hybrid Résumés

A hybrid résumé seeks to utilize the best parts ofthe other styles, highlighting your work history in

chronological order while featuring your most

relevant skillsets.

This template is best for people who are new

graduates, entry-level job seekers, career

changers, or applicants re-entering the

workforce because it has a flexible format that

you can use to showcase your most relevantskills as well as your work/education experience.

Résumé Crash Course

Q: What do I include in my résumé?

A: Depends on what you are using it for!

Are you applying to grad school? Looking for a job in the nonprofit sector? How

about in private industry? Government work?

Each requires a résumé that is different in form and function. Make one master

résumé, then trim it to fit the situation. You can find appropriate examples of each

type online, but always remember that whatever you include should be relevant to

the organization you are applying to.

Résumé Crash Course

Q: How do I include my AmeriCorps position on my résumé?

A: Put it under “Professional Experience”

Some employers may not be familiar with AmeriCorps, so it is important

to make the distinction that your service is more than a volunteer

position. Highlight the commitment you made to serve at least 1,700

hours (if you have a final number that is more than that, use it!), and

share what responsibilities your position entailed.

Let’s look at some examples

Résumé Crash Course: How to

Represent AmeriCorps Service

Communities for Children AmeriCorps Member Federal Way, Washington, 2015 – 2016

Communities for Children Federal Way, Washington

United Way AmeriCorps Member 2015 – 2016

Communities for Children, United Way Federal Way, Washington

Youth Development AmeriCorps Member 2015 – 2016

American Red Cross Spokane, Washington

AmeriCorps Member 2015 – 2016

Committed to 1,700 hours of full-time service with a state corps of volunteers who focused on

disaster preparedness education and outreach.

Résumé Crash Course: How to

Represent AmeriCorps ServiceWashington Service Corps MemberAmerican Red Cross AmeriCorps: Spokane, WA (September 2015-July 2016)

Performed 1,700 hours of public service addressing critical community needs in the Spokane region.

Educated 5,000 elementary and middle school aged students on disaster preparedness topics, provided 150 families

with home fire safety upgrades, and assisted 50 families displaced by winter storms.

Awarded Red Cross AmeriCorps Member of the Year for superb teamwork and leadership

Washington Service Corps MemberAmerican Red Cross AmeriCorps: Spokane, WA (September 2015-July 2016)

Performed 1,700 hours of public service addressing critical national community needs throughout the Spokane region.

Awarded Red Cross AmeriCorps Member of the Year for superb teamwork and leadership

Projects included:

Pillowcase Project Educated 5,000 students on the essential items required for disaster preparedness

Home Fire Safety Campaign

Provided 150 families with home fire safety upgrades, including fire prevention education and working fire

alarms

Winter Storm Response

Spearheaded the Red Cross’ efforts to assist more than 50 families temporarily displaced from their homes

following a November windstorm.

OR

GOOD• Coordinated large-scale physical service projects for 80-100 volunteers

BETTER• Led 5 community service projects in collaboration with 12 community partners and 80-100 volunteers

BEST• Initiated 12 new community partnerships resulting in 5 large scale service projects. Leadership

accomplishments included:

• Recruited and managed 80-100 volunteers before and during project

• Oversaw all day-of logistics, media outreach, and agency collaboration

• Saved $2,000 in project supply costs by securing in-kind donations from Home Depot and Lowes

Résumé Crash Course: Be Descriptive!

*From AmeriCorps Alums’ “Translating AmeriCorps Onto Your Résumé—August 2014” webinar featuring

Denise Reibman

Résumé Crash Course: Additional Tips

Always save your résumé, as a PDF and use an appropriate title (and

TRIPLE check spelling, grammar, and format for consistency/accuracy).

Give context to your accomplishments (e.g. “I tutored 45 students” vs “I

tutored 45 students at the after school homework club I founded in an

under-resourced school with a 90% free and reduced lunch population”).

Use keywords from the job description as you describe your

accomplishments (and make sure to share the outcomes!).

Relevance is the name of the game—when adding something to your

résumé, ask yourself “So what?”, “Who cares?”, “Why does this matter?”

If applying for a job in a different city/country, include an approximate

time of arrival (e.g. “Summer 2016”) and what city you will be living in.

More Résumé Resources

Nonprofit sector:

The Chronicle of

Philanthropy

The Bridgespan Group

(they also have sample

résumé for nonprofits)

Devex

Public sector:

• Partnership for Public Service

• The Résumé Place

• Go Government

Private sector:

• Monster.com

• Résumé-Resource.com

• HigherEdJobs.com

AmeriCorpsAlums.org is a great resource for members entering any sector of the economy. Look through their list of résumé and professional development webinars to find one that fits

your interests!

Check out Google’s résumé template gallery for more

formatting ideas

Cover Letter Basics

The BIG Question:

Do I need one?

Cover Letter Basics: Top Tips

“Résumé TELLS, cover letter SELLS, interview COMPELS” –Danielle Riebman

Three things employers are looking for in a cover letter:

How candidate’s work experience meets job requirements

How candidate’s skills meet job requirements

Why candidate wants to work at organization

*Other: assessing candidate’s writing, explaining employment gaps/career change

Research the company and make it clear you understand their goals,

accomplishments, and mission. Tie this into why you want to work for them.

Mention a personal referral or connection if you can.

Use the language from the job posting in your cover letter (just like you would

in your résumé).

Cover Letter Basics: How to Format

Length: limit yourself to an brief opening hook and 2-3 short paragraphs or

bullet points (2-4 sentences) highlighting how you fit.

Include your contact info at the top of the letter.

Salutation: find the name of the hiring manager if you can (call employer,

search website, LinkedIn) and address it to them (use Ms. or Mr.).

If you can’t find the name, use greetings like “Dear Hiring Manager,” “Dear Human

Resources,” etc.

Cover Letter Basics: How to Format

Continued…

Opening: make it clear what position you’re applying to and how you

connect with it (know somebody in the organization, volunteered there, your

goals/mission align with theirs, etc.).

Ending: keep it short and sweet. Share your excitement for the position, thank

them for reading, and include your phone number and what follow up action

you will take (e.g. “I will follow up in one week to make sure you have

received my information”). *If you say you will follow up, DO IT*

Closing: Use “Sincerely,” and type your name. If you can include a signature,

put four lines between “Sincerely,” and your printed name and add it there.

Cover Letter Basics: Additional

Resources

Opening Examples:

https://www.themuse.com/a

dvice/31-attentiongrabbing-

cover-letter-

examples?ref=search

http://www.careerealism.co

m/examples-start-cover-

letter/

Closing Examples:

http://www.careerealism.

com/cover-letter-thing-

must-say/

https://www.glassdoor.co

m/blog/5-phrases-close-

cover-letter-land-

interview/

Writing Guides:

Referral Cover Letter

Example

Compelling Cover Letters

Customized Cover Letter

Example

Targeted Cover Letter

Example

Watch AmeriCorps Alums’ webinar “Write a Cover Letter That Won’t Get Ignored” for an extended

look at the concepts addressed here and more!

Finding a Job

Finding a Job: Employers of

National Service“If you’re an employer who wants to hire talented,

dedicated, patriotic, skilled, tireless, energetic workers, look to

AmeriCorps, look to the Peace Corps… Citizens who perform

national service are special. You want them on your team.”

– President Obama

President Obama launched the Employers of National Service

initiative at the AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary celebration as a

way to encourage businesses to put an emphasis on hiring

AmeriCorps alumni after service. You can find out more

about the program here or search through the list ofemployers who have signed on to support the initiative here

(note that bigger companies are listed by the location of their

headquarters).

Finding a Job: Other Resources

If you didn’t find what you’re looking for after searching through the list of

Employers of National Service, here are some other resources to look into:

Worksourcewa.com—this is the new job search website for the state of

Washington. You can also use this page to search for your local WorkSource

office if you’d like some in-person support.

Monster.com—WorkSource has partnered with Monster, so you’ll see many of

the same offerings if you’re searching within the state. If leaving to a different

part of the country, though, Monster is a great site to check out!

Idealist.org—Idealist seeks to connect people who want to do good with

organizations that have job opportunities with an altruistic mission.

Glassdoor.com—use Glassdoor to find job postings while learning more about the inner workings of the companies and organizations you’re applying for. It

provides a bunch of background information and employee reviews of

businesses.

Finding a Job: Looking Abroad

Does working or serving in a foreign country appeal to you? If so, here are a few

resources to help you figure out what your options are (we will discuss studying

abroad and using your Education Award for travel in the next webinar).

Volunteering/Serving Abroad:

Idealist International Volunteerism Resource Center

Workaway.info

Volunteers For Peace

Global Service Corps

Peace Corps

Working Abroad:

Idealist Job Search (enter the country you’re interested in)

U.S. State Department (has guides for working abroad and a list of sites to help you find a job)

Watch AmeriCorps Alums’ webinar “Exploring Post AmeriCorps Opportunities To Do Good

Overseas” for an in-depth discussion on traveling abroad for work, study, or service.

Finding a Job: AmeriCorps Alums

Career-Specific Webinars

General Careers

Exploring Careers Serving Children, Youth, and Families – March 2015

AmeriCorps Alums Career Panel – May 2013

Civic Leadership/Community Development Careers

Creating and Managing Community Partner Campaigns – September 2015

Explore Community Development Careers and Strategies – July 2015

Private Sector Careers for Good – February 2014

Civic Work, Civic Lessons – August 2013

Careers in Community Organizing – June 2013

Finding a Job: AmeriCorps Alums

Career-Specific Webinars Continued

Nonprofit/Philanthropy Careers

Building a Successful Nonprofit Career – February 2015

Careers in Philanthropy – May 2014

Alums in Corporate Social Responsibility/Philanthropy – May 2014

Disaster Management/Relief Careers

Careers in Disaster Management – July 2014

Environment Careers

Explore Careers in, or Supporting, the Great Outdoors – March 2016

Environmental Careers – April 2014

Finding a Job: AmeriCorps Alums

Career-Specific Webinars ContinuedInternational Careers

Exploring Post AmeriCorps Opportunities To Do Good Overseas – April 2013

International Careers Series:

Empowering Developing Populations – July 2014

International Education – July 2014

International Capacity Building – October 2014

Global Social Innovations – December 2014

Translating AmeriCorps Into an Intercultural or International Career – September 2013

Education Careers

Education Leadership, Policy, and Innovation – May 2015

Pathways to Service Learning Careers – October 2015

Looking Ahead: Resources and

Reminders for the End of Service

Remember that to satisfactorily complete your service you must have 1,700 hours

accumulated by the end of your term. Use the tracking sheet on our website to

check that you are on schedule. If you leave before the end of your term, or you

do not complete your hours, you may miss out on your education award and be

restricted from serving any more terms in national service organizations.

If you are on the WSC health insurance, remember that it expires when you finish

your term of service. If you’re staying within the state of Washington you can

check out your future coverage options here.

Thanks For Listening!

Don’t forget to attend the next webinar on Using the Segal Education Award scheduled for June 16th, 2016 at 10:00am. We will be covering

information regarding how to use your award, what you can use it for,

how it is taxed, and more!

Link to join (password is “AmeriCorps1”): https://goo.gl/mjtM5g

If you have any questions about this webinar or any of the resources

within, feel free to contact me anytime before August 15th, 2016 at

bbateman@esd.wa.gov or over the phone at 360-407-1348.