Resume Reference Page

Professional Portfolio Anchor Task Manual Cover Letter, Resume, Reference Page, and Thank You Letter Edmonds School District Career and Technical Education The Professional Portfolio Anchor Task - Overview Career and Technical Education Anchor Tasks - The District Requirement An Anchor Task is a district-wide task completed in the classroom that students must complete proficiently in order to earn credit in a particular subject area. The Professional Portfolio Anchor Task is one of 8 Anchor Tasks for Career and Technical Education. These Anchor Task include:  Career Related Project  Job Shadow or Informational Interview  Extended Experience  Simulated Job Search and Interview  Professional Portfolio (integrates Resume and Cover Letter)  Conflict Resolution and Decision Making Description of the Professional Portfolio Anchor Task The Professional Portfolio Anchor Task is designed to assist students in the critical task of preparing for and obtaining employment. In this anchor task, students will create a professional employment portfolio consisting of a personal resume, reference page, cover letter, and thank you letter for a particular job of interest. Each item in the portfolio will be developed according to standard business guidelines as described in the Professional Portfolio prompt and Rubrics included with this manual. Through this task, students demonstrate their learning through four pieces of evidence:  Professional Cover Letter  Professional Resume  Professional Reference Page  Thank You Letter Enduring Understandings and Guiding Questions The Professional Portfolio Anchor Task is developed upon Enduring Understandings and Guiding Questions representing communication, technology, and career and educational planning. These include: Enduring Understandings and Guiding Questions:  Acquiring employment requires effective job-seeking skills, knowledge, and resources.  How do skills for completing applications, resumes, portfolios, and interviews related to potential employment?  How and where is information about specific employers and hiring practices addressed?  How can high school training influence one’s marketability for employment opportunities?  How can technology be used as a tool in a job-search? The Professional Portfolio Anchor Task Prompt You will create a professional employment portfolio consisting of a personal resume, reference page, cover letter, and thank you letter for a particular job of interest. You will be expected to follow standard business guidelines as described in the enclosed detailed rubrics for each document. Step 1: Create a One-Page Personal Resume according to the following guidelines and enclosed samples: Heading             Name (Firstname, Middle Initial, Lastname) Street Address City, State, Zip Phone Number Appropriate Email Address Position and type of employment for which one is currently qualified High School(s) Date of graduation (expected) GPA listed only if 3.2 or higher Coursework relevant to objective Aligned with objectives Descriptive statements, not full sentences Begin with most current or recent experience Experiences include volunteer, paid or unpaid employment. Information to be included:  Name of position  Name of place where worked. Include location (City/State)  Duties performed  Descriptive statements beginning with action verbs, not full sentences  Dates optional Includes hobbies, clubs, sports, etc. Includes in school and out-of-school awards/certificates Objective Education Skills/Qualifications Experience  Extracurricular Activities  Awards/Certifications  Step 2: Create a Reference Page according to the following guidelines and enclosed samples Professional Portfolio Prompt Page 1  Select three to five people to serve as references. Choose individuals who know your work from a job, internship, class, or volunteer setting. Include at least one former supervisor. Pick people who like your work and will speak enthusiastically about you. A strong, positive reference can make the difference in whether you get the position.  Ask each person for permission to use his or her name. If the answer is yes, provide them with a current copy of your resume.  Use the same heading style (name, address, phone, email) as on your resume and cover letter.  Place the word References at the top of the page in large, bold print.  List all references using a consistent format: Name (in bold) Present Title and Organization Address (optional) Phone Number Email (Optional)  If the person has joined a new organization, indicate the former relationship to you by using a descriptive line after the name. Name (in bold) (Formerly Dept. Supervisor at ABC Company) Present Title and Organization Address (optional) Phone Number Email (Optional)  Be sure your reference page is neat and clean.  Whenever you give out your references page, call each person the same day. Tell them about the organization and position you interviewed for. Your call helps them prepare and usually results in a better reference for you.  When you land a job, call with the good news! Send a thank-you card and include your new phone number or business card. Continue to nurture these relationships! These people are your cheerleaders. See the Reference Page work sample for a layout of a quality reference page. Step 3: Create a Cover Letter according to the following guidelines and enclosed samples. Heading (Identical to Resume)      Name (Firstname, Middle Initial, Lastname) Street Address City, State, Zip Phone Number Appropriate Email Address Page 2 Professional Portfolio Prompt Dateline           May 15, 2004 (Press “Enter” 4 times) Firstname Lastname Proper job title for person (i.e. Director of Human Resources) Name of Business Street Address City State Zip (Press “Enter” 2 times) Dear Mr., Ms., (no firstname) Lastname: (Press “Enter” 2 times) Paragraph 1: Introduction  Catch their attention; How you found about the position. (Press “Enter” 2 times) Paragraph 2: Interest and Desire  Talk about why you’re interested in position.  Show you have desire for the position (Press “Enter” 2 times) Paragraph 3: Closing  Request an interview  Identify clearly when and how you can be reached  Last sentence – I can be reached at xxx- xxx-xxxx. (Press “Enter” 2 times) Sincerely, (Press “Enter” 4 times) Inside Address (person to whom the letter is addressed) Salutation Body (Press “Enter” 2 times) Complimentary closing  *Signature in Black or Blue Ink – Cursive Typed signature line (Press “Enter” 2 times) Enclosure notation  Enclosure * Remember to sign your cover letter. Step 4: Create a Thank You letter according to the following guidelines and enclosed samples. Heading (Identical to Resume)    Name (Firstname, Middle Initial, Lastname) Street Address City, State, Zip Page 3 Professional Portfolio Prompt           Phone Number Appropriate Email Address May 15, 2004 (Press “Enter” 4 times) Firstname Lastname Proper job title for person (i.e. Director of Human Resources) Name of Business Street Address City State Zip (Press “Enter” 2 times) Dear Mr., Ms., (no firstname) Lastname: (Press “Enter” 2 times) Paragraph 1: Introduction  Refers to content of the interview.  Expressions appreciation for interview.  Identifies position (Press “Enter” 2 times) Paragraph 2: Interest and Desire  Affirms interest in position  Emphasizes point of discussion  Communicates how one can be an asset to employer (Press “Enter” 2 times) Paragraph 3: Closing  Re-thank employer and once again express interest in further contact  Identify clearly when and how you can be reached  Last sentence – I can be reached at xxx-xxx-xxxx (Press “Enter” 2 times) Sincerely, (Press “Enter” 4 times) Dateline Inside Address (person to whom the letter is addressed) Salutation Body (Press “Enter” 2 times)   Complimentary closing  * Signature in Black or Blue Ink – Cursive Typed signature line * Remember to sign your Thank You letter. Professional Portfolio Prompt Page 4 Teacher Resource Materials “Any Student” Cover Letter “Any Student” Resume “Any Student” Reference Page “Any Student” Thank-You Letter Using Power Verbs for Resumes COVER LETTER RUBRIC Criteria Format and Appearance 1 Format Rules  Has more than three formatting errors.  Missing required elements.  Not balanced on page. Appearance:  Contains smudges, creases, staple marks, or stains  Messy 2 Format Rules  Has 1-3 formatting errors.  Missing required elements.  Not balanced on page. Appearance:  Contains smudges, creases, staple marks, or stains  Lacks visual appeal. 3 – Meets Standard Format Rules Style and Layout  Full block style, mixed punctuation.  Font size between 10 and 12 pitch. Black font color only.  No longer than 1 page. Required Elements:  Personal Heading (format identical to resume)  Dateline  Month written out.  Avoids date extensions (th, st, rd)  Inside Address  Includes proper title for person, name of business, street address, city, state, and zip code  Salutation  Dear Mr., Ms. Lastname (firstname not used)  Introduction and Main Body (see criteria)  Closing Paragraph (see criteria)  Typed Signature Line  Cursive Signature in blue or black ink  Enclosure Notation. Appearance  Appropriate use of white space  Fills entire page, and does not exceed one page  Margins are balanced throughout document.  Absent of smudges, creases, staple marks, stains  Visually attractive. 4- Exceeds Standard Format Rules:  Meets standards for 3 Appearances:  25% bond paper, White or Cream colored. Identical to resume.  Professional visual appeal. Introduction (Paragraph 1)   Body (Paragraph 2)  Begins introduction with “I”. Fails to request position. Interest, desires, and skills are not evident.    Begins introduction with “I”. Requests position but fails to state how learned of position. Skills are listed but do not  relate to the position.  Requests position and states how learned of position.  Requests position and states how learned of position. Interest, Desires, and Skills relate to position.   Closing Paragraph (Paragraph 3)   Does not request interview. No mention of enclosed resume.   Requests interview absent contact details. No mention of enclosed resume.   Requests interview with request for follow-up contact. Indicates enclosure    Elaborates on skills and demonstrates qualifications. Explains how qualifications make contribution to company. Requests interview with request follow-up contact; includes specific contact details. Indicates enclosure. Provides details regarding specific enclosure in body of letter Conventions   Many errors Few conventions used correctly.  1-2 spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.   Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are correct Use of complete sentences.  Use of conventions are polished RESUME AND REFERENCE PAGE RUBRIC Criteria Format and Appearance 1 Format Rules  Format rules not followed. Appearance  Fills less than threequarters of a page.  Contains smudges, creases, staple marks, or stains  Lacks visual appeal. 2 Format Rules  Most format rules are followed. Appearance  Fills three-quarters of the page.  Contains smudges, creases, staple marks, or stains  Lacks visual appeal. 3 – Meets Standard Format Rules Personal Heading  Name is boldfaced and larger – no larger than 20 point  Consistent with reference page and cover letter  Includes Legal Name, Address, City, State, Zip, Phone Number, Appropriate email. Side Headings are aligned and boldfaced Use of Fonts  No more than three font sizes are used within entire document.  Font is no smaller than 10 point  Print is in black ink and on white or cream colored paper. Appearance  Appropriate use of white space  Fills entire page, and does not exceed one page  Margins are balanced throughout document.  Absent of smudges, creases, staple marks, stains  Visually attractive. 4- Exceeds Standard Format Rules  Meets Standards for 3 Appearance  Meets standards for 3  Can find necessary information in less than 30 seconds.  25% bond paper, White or Cream colored. Conventions     Contains 3 or more spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors. Uses many personal pronouns. Mainly sentences used. Marketable Skills are missing or not stated clearly.     Content  More than 2 content items missing.  Contains 1 or 2 spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors. Uses few personal pronouns. Mainly descriptive statements used with sentences interspersed. Marketable Skills are stated clearly without powerful action verbs. No more than 2 content items missing.     Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are correct Avoids personal pronouns (I, Me, My) Descriptive statements as opposed to sentences. Marketable skills are stated clearly, using powerful action verbs.   Meets standards for 3. Marketable Skills are stated clearly, using powerful action verbs consistently throughout the entire resume. Includes all content items  Personal Heading  Objective  Education o Includes school, anticipated graduation date, relevant coursework.  Skills/qualifications  Experience o Listed in chronological order beginning with most recent experience o Includes title of position, duties performed, skills used, name and location (city/state) of workplace o Dates and length of employment optional if beneficial.   Meets standard for 3 All content clearly supports the objective.   Extracurricular Activities Awards/Certifications (Optional) Reference Page   Format and content rules not followed. Lacks visual appeal   Most format and content rules followed. Lacks visual appeal     Format and content of reference page is consistent with standard format. Personal Heading and Font consistent with resume and cover letter Visually attractive Balanced on page   Meets standard for 3 25% bond paper, White or Cream colored. THANK YOU LETTER RUBRIC Criteria Format and Appearance 1 Format Rules  Has more than three formatting errors.  Missing required elements.  Not balanced on page. Appearance  Contains smudges, creases, staple marks, or stains  Messy 2 Format Rules  Has 1-3 formatting errors.  Missing required elements.  Not balanced on page. Appearance  Contains smudges, creases, staple marks, or stains  Lacks visual appeal. 3 – Meets Standard Format Rules Style and Layout  Full block style, mixed punctuation.  Font size between 10 and 12 pitch. Black font color only.  Balanced on page  No longer than 1 page Required Elements  Personal Heading (format identical to resume)  Dateline  Month written out.  Avoids date extensions (th, st, rd)  Inside Address  Includes proper title for person, name of business, street address, city, state, and zip code  Salutation  Dear Mr., Ms. Lastname (firstname not used)  Introduction and Body (see criteria)  Closing Paragraph (see criteria)  Typed Signature Line  Cursive Signature in blue or black ink  Enclosure Notation. Appearance  Appropriate use of white space  Fills entire page, and does not exceed one page  Margins are balanced throughout document.  Absent of smudges, creases, staple marks, stains  Visually attractive.  Refers to content of the interview.  Expressions appreciation for interview.  Identifies position 4- Exceeds Standard Format Rules  Meets standards for 3 Appearances  25% bond paper, White or Cream colored. Identical to resume.  Professional visual appeal. Introduction (Paragraph 1)   Begins introduction with “I”. Fails to identify position and express   Begins introduction with “I”. Expresses appreciation for interview but fails to state specific position     Refers to content of interview. Expressions appreciation for interview. Identifies position Expresses confidence in your abilities related to position appreciation for interview Body (Paragraph 2)  Interest and desires are not evident.  Affirms interest but fails to communicate how one can be an asset to employer.     Affirms interest in position Emphasizes point of discussion Communicates how one can be an asset to employer    Closing Paragraph (Paragraph 3) Conventions  Does not express thanks for interview Many errors Few conventions used correctly.  Expresses thanks but fails to state interest in further contact 1-2 spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Re-thank employer and once again expresses interest in further contact Elaborates on skills and expounds on qualifications. Explains how qualifications make contribution to company. Requests follow-up contact and includes specific contact details. Use of conventions are polished      Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are correct Use of complete sentences. 