No More Mac 'n Cheese!. Lise Andreana

Work experience gained while a student allows you to fill your résumé with practical real life experiences and a source of character references.

      The real advantage of part-time work while you are a student has nothing to do with the money you are paid, but rather the knowledge gained; the knowledge that you are capable of handling responsibility, you can be trusted, and you are accountable for your actions. Part-time jobs build character and confidence, which will be priceless when it comes to landing your dream job.

      You may find the part-time work you do as a student becomes the base for your future career direction. Or, you may decide a career you were interested in is not right for you. The friends and contacts made during these years will provide a valuable resource in the future as you move to full-time employment.

      3. Volunteer Work

      Do not overlook volunteerism. Volunteer work and responsibilities on a résumé add credibility and provide a prospective employer with a glimpse into your character.

How would you like to add the following credential to your résumé: “The Humanitarian,” the Annual Award to College Hockey’s Finest Citizen?^[3] Jason Cupp^[4] was nominated and won this award in 2001 for his tireless work to assist underprivileged children with the program he developed called “Scoring for Kids,” which introduces children to ice hockey. Cupp has always been an active volunteer, supporting multiple sclerosis and the Children’s Miracle Network while continuing to coach hockey and teach guitar in his spare time.

      Much of Cupp’s efforts have been devoted to the Scoring for Kids program. The program, which was his brainchild, is designed to promote cultural diversity in youth hockey and to give disadvantaged children exposure to ice sports. Through his efforts, he has solicited more than $10,000 from individual foundations and corporations to help fund the Scoring for Kids program.

      This fine young man is a close family friend. In the years since graduating, Cupp has always been able to secure a position of choice in what can only be described as a “tight” labor market. Cupp is now a teacher in Ontario, Canada. It is my understanding that Ontario is graduating many more teachers per year than there are available positions, yet Cupp has never been without a job.

      Cupp told me the recognition he received for his volunteer work continues to be the highlight of his résumé.

      An unexpected benefit was the interview process he had to undergo before being awarded the Humanitarian of the Year Award. This prepared him for the interview process he would encounter when applying for work. He was also required to make a speech to an audience of several hundred people; Cupp recognized all of these as opportunities to grow beyond his comfort zone. Doing so demonstrated his character — his willingness to do what was important, rather than what he liked.

1. Canadian Student Loan Bankruptcy Blog, “Canada Student Loan Bankruptcy Legislation,” www.student-loan-bankruptcy.ca, (2011), accessed June 2011.

2. Kolbe, “Kolbe A Index,” www.kolbe.com, (2008), accessed June 2011

3. Hockey Humanitarian, “Hockey Humanitarian Award,” www.hockeyhumanitarian.org, (2011), accessed June 2011.

4. Hockey Humanitarian, “Jason Cupp 2001 Recipient,” www.hockeyhumanitarian.org/page/show/292843-jason-cupp-2001-recipient, (2001), accessed June 2011.

      4

      From School to Workplace

      * Read this section if you are a new graduate about to enter the workforce.

      * Read this section if you are considering career options and trying to choose the best overall offer.

      There are numerous books, guides, and websites dedicated to helping you write a résumé, attend interviews, and land a job. This brief chapter is not designed to replace those resources. Rather, as an employer, I am sharing my personal experiences and point of view.

      1. What Employers Want from You

      If you recently graduated and are now looking for a full-time career, this may come as a huge shock to you: Employers do not care about your Grade Point Average (GPA)!

      I know you just spent the last several years trying to impress your school, teachers, and parents with your superior intelligence. You busted your buns, spent countless nights in the library slumped over unreadable text to add half a point to your overall grade. Do not be surprised when your college friend who barely graduated calls to tell you he landed the dream job you coveted all through university.

      You may have emailed your fine résumé clearly outlining your grades and demonstrating your superior intellect. What happened? Did your résumé get misplaced?

      The truth is, the position went to the applicant who was best able to communicate his or her unique ability to add value to the firm, and demonstrated his or her passion with persistence and ingenuity. Not only did this applicant use the Internet, he or she most likely resorted to old-fashioned cold calling and networking. The applicant may have joined professional organizations and done volunteer work in his or her chosen field to provide the best possible advantage. Use the principle of relationship leverage and get in touch with the people you know who have influence, and ask them for their help. Most people like to be thought of as helpful, so make a clear statement of what you are looking for and then request their help.

      Employers do not hire the applicant with the highest grades. They are looking for the person who will bring the most value to their company. Value can be defined by the service you provide — the “service” category is dominated by government or quasi-government positions such as teaching and law enforcement. Businesses define value primarily by the following two criteria: How much money you can make for the company (i.e., sales and marketing positions fall into his category) and how much money you can save the company (i.e., accounting and finance are positions that help corporations save money).

      Potential employers want to know if you can do the following:

      • Provide a résumé that demonstrates your contribution to past employers and your community.

      • Communicate your value and worth, deliver a valued service, and increase sales or cost savings.

      • Communicate your employer’s value and worth to prospective clients.

      • Save money for the company.

      • Increase sales and/or revenue.

      • Meet important deadlines even if it means you arrive early and leave late.

      If you are unsure of your unique ability or have difficulty describing your most valuable skill set, you may wish to take the online Kolbe Index A test mentioned in Chapter 3. The results will provide you with insight into your own unique strengths as well as valuable information on how to describe your unique skills to a potential employer.

      Consider how you can best contribute to a company and then tell prospective employers, loud and clear, with a well-written résumé. The best way to do this is to research and tailor your résumé and cover letter to appeal to your potential employers and the industry in which you want to work. Researching your potential employers will allow you to demonstrate you know who they are and have a passion for the work they do.

      When you tailor your résumé, remember there may be merit in telling Greenpeace