Michigan 4-H Youth Development: Careers


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4-H Youth Development Michigan State University 160 Agriculture Hall East Lansing, MI 48824-1039 USA Phone: 517-432-7575 Fax: 517-355-6748 Email: msue4h@msu.edu Disclaimer & Indicia

Exploring Careers

Before the Job Search

(Note: Documents noted as "PDF" format require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Documents noted as "PowerPoint" format require Microsoft PowerPoint software. Documents noted as "Word" require Microsoft Word or other software compatible with Word files.)

Portfolios – Personal and Professional

Portfolios are materials and records you collect over time that show a potential employer what you can accomplish. They showcase your skills, interests and activities.

A personal portfolio is a collection over time of materials and records that showcase what you’ve learned through education, work history and successes. Portfolios communicate your skills, interests and activities. They help show what you’re capable of doing. Portfolios show that you understand who you are and the contents demonstrate what you can do.
A professional portfolio that would be taken to a job interview would be slightly different from a personal portfolio. You would include the pieces from your personal portfolio that are relevant to the position you’re interviewing for—just as you would tailor your resume to fit the job you’re applying for. See the Michigan 4-H Pathways to Career Education Resource List (Adobe Acrobat PDF format) for several choices to learn more about portfolios. The Michigan State University Career Services and Placement “Professional Portfolios” page (http://careernetwork.msu.edu/?s=portfolio&submit=Search) contains tips on putting together a professional portfolio.

A portfolio component of WOW! Wild Over Work appears on pages 9 and 10 in the WOW! curriculum. (Note: Currently out of print with 4-HCCS. For a copy, please contact Laura Allen at lacourse@anr.msu.edu or 517-432-7632.) WOW! defines portfolios as a “collection of a child’s work (such as drawing and writing samples) that show the process and progress of his or her work over time.” The WOW! curriculum helps children in grades K through 6 develop skills that connect with those needed in the work place.

Resumes

A resume is an important tool in the job search and worth spending some time on. This isn’t a task you want to leave until the last minute. A good resume stands out from the rest and reaches your goal of getting an interview. In this section, learn about the different types of resumes, how to strengthen your resume with action words and create a resume that ROCKS!

Chronological Resumes:

Work best for those who have an extensive work history.
List your work history in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
Are the format preferred by most employers.

Download a Sample Chronological Resume (Microsoft Word format)

Combination Resumes:

Combine work history and skills.
Usually include a summary of skills near the top.
Note: Keep the skills summary to around four bullets.

Download a Sample Combination Resume (Microsoft Word format)

Functional Resumes:

Focus on skill areas that relate to the job you’re applying for.
Work well for those with limited education, employment gaps or lack of work experience.
NOTE: This resume is not a favorite with most employers.

Download a Sample Functional Resume (Microsoft Word format)

Electronic Resumes:
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, nearly 70% of all employers have an electronic resume system. It’s no surprise then in our high tech society that you need to be prepared if asked to submit your resume electronically. Here are a few guidelines:

Follow any special instructions given by the employer.
Keep the font simple like Times New Roman or Courier with 10 to 14 points for size.
Start all text on the left side of the paper and use no more than 70 to 80 words per line.
Do not use underlining or bullets.
Keep it plain and simple.

Download a Sample Electronic Resume (Microsoft Word format)

Action Verbs:
Use active language to describe your work, volunteering and extracurricular experiences. The Action Verbs Handout (Adobe Acorbat PDF format) will help you as you write your resume.

MSU Career Services and Placement Fill-In Resume:
Students at Michigan State University use this same format from the Career Services and Placement Fill-In Resume to help them create their resumes. Download the CSP Fill-In Resume (Microsoft Word format)

Resumes That Rock! and Job Applications Activity:
The Resumes that ROCK! and Job Applications Activity includes a great ice breaker, covers important information about creating a resume along with sample resumes and a fill-in resume handout. It also has a sample job application and advice on how to make a job application stand out among the rest. You can download the complete Resumes That Rock! and Job Applications Activity including handouts in PDF format at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/careers/ResumesThatRockActivity-Complete.pdf. To download several of the handouts as Microsoft Word files that you can modify for your own needs, go to the Resources for Educators and Volunteers page. You you will also need to download the following Resumes That Rock! PowerPoint presentation.

Resumes That Rock! PowerPoint Presentation:
Here is a fun PowerPoint presentation that has a few more tips on resumes. Use it if you are working with a group to teach them how to write a resume. Feel free to modify the file to meet your needs. Download the Resumes That Rock! PowerPoint presentation (Microsoft Powerpoint format)

References

A resume isn’t complete without a separate list of references. References are people who can speak about your skills and abilities to your potential employers. Here are some key points to remember about job references:

Choose references wisely – make sure they will represent you in a positive way.
Ask for permission from your references and provide them with a copy of your resume.
List three to five references on a separate page from your resume. (It’s no longer required that you put “References Available Upon Request” at the bottom of your resume.)
The page heading needs to match your resume heading in case it gets separated from the resume.
Include for each reference: name, title, place of employment, address, phone and then list their relationship to you.
You can download the Reference List Sample (Microsoft Word format) as an example.

Contact Information

For more information on how to get involved as a youth or volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office or:

Laura Allen, 4-H Career Education Coordinator
4-H Youth Development
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824

Phone: 517-432-7632
Fax: 517-355-6748
Email: lacourse@anr.msu.edu