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Career-Bound Student

Career-Bound Students

  • This section will offer students information about how to write a resume that is suitable to present to future employers. A link to a sample resume will also be included in this section so serve as a guide when you begin creating your own resume!

    1. Shorter is better. Most potential employers have little time to read each application. Therefore, when creating your resume you should think about including only the most important information. Condensing this information into one or two pages is acceptable (though two pages are not recommended unless you have a long work history).
    2. Stand out in the crowd. When formatting your resume, ask yourself, “If I were looking at fifty applications, what could I do to make mine stand out and look professional?” If your resume looks drab, spruce it up with sections and eye-catching formatting (see some of the resume templates). Be sure to create a resume that has a logical flow and provides a format that is easy to read.
    3. Target your audience. Tailor your objective to a specific job experience. Be sure that you specifically mention the job title or field of work as your objective. The more specific your goals, the easier it will be to choose the most salient information to include in your resume.‍
    4. Keep it professional. When writing your resume, it is important that you do not include information like your age, birth date, race, religion, or other demographic information. It is also not advisable to include a photo unless you are applying for a performing arts job opening. Also remember to use standard English- avoid slang terms or jargon when creating your resume (AIM or text messaging abbreviations are not acceptable here). Do include:
      • Name, address, phone numbers, and e-mail address
      • The objective of your resume (specific job title of field)
      • Education information (High School, CAPP Courses credits, and CV-Tech training).
      • Work/Volunteer/Internship experiences
      • References (Choose three good references that can attest to your character, work abilities, and personality. Be sure to contact each reference for permission prior to placing them on your resume).
      • Professional Skills (languages, computer skills etc…)
    5. ‍Show them you are classy. Don’t print your resume on plain old computer paper, buy some heavier, more quality paper that is white, ivory, or crème colored.  Avoid using bold colors, fonts, or graphics on your resume. Simple but classy is the rule of thumb.‍
    6. Focus on formatting: Formatting so that your resume catches your employers/college admission counselor’s eye is important, but be careful not to over-do. Here are some general formatting guidelines:
      • Keep your formatting consistent to maintain flow. If you use bold font for each subheading- make sure you do it for everysubheading.
      • Use bullets to discuss job/volunteer/internship responsibilities- this helps condense information and provides a cleaner look to your resume. This makes it seem easier to read.
      • Use action words to describe job responsibilities (see attached list of action verbs).
      • Use 8 ½ x 11 pages with a 1 inch margin.
      • Avoid fonts that are bold or difficult to read, use Times New Roman or Arial fonts at 10 or 12 font. Do not mix and match fonts on your resume.
      • Prioritize your information- you can do this by putting the most important information more towards the top of the page in each section.
      • When formatting you can use bold face, small caps, and even different sized fonts to create sections to your resume or make it more interesting, but use these types of formatting options sparingly.
      • Be sure to keep explanation and descriptions clean, concise, and consistent in verb tenses.
    7. Proofread like you have never proofread before!!: Read, re-read, and have your friend and family read the resume until you are convinced it is mistake free. Counselors and English teachers are also good proofreaders for your resume.‍
    8. Resumes are not like cookie cutters: It is important to remember that not everyone’s resume will look exactly the same. People have different methods of creating and formatting a resume. Just make sure that you include all the pertinent information, tailor the information to your audience, and prioritize your information so that the most important information stands out. For more information on resume building you can refer to the following website:

  • It can often be difficult to navigate the process of finding a job. There are many options out there and a variety of ways to access information about job possibilities. This section offers a simple 5 step guide to searching for a job.

    Step 1: BRAINSTORM: Begin thinking about job options that interest you or job options that you are prepared to apply for (ex: someone trained as an electrician would begin thinking about places to apply where electrician related skills are needed).

    Step 2: PREPARE: Create your resume and cover letter. Be sure to have hardcopies and an electronic version (as some jobs require that you apply online). Also be sure to contact any references you plan to use to ask permission and to let them know that you are beginning the job search process.

    Step 3: DEFINE: Define your search criteria. Do you want small businesses or large corporations? Do you want to stay in the area, or move away? Do you prefer a rural or urban setting? What kind of work environment are you seeking? How far of a commute are you willing to make? What is the minimum salary you are willing to earn? These types of questions should be carefully considered before engaging in job searching.

    Step 4: SEARCH: The main task begins when one starts sifting through the host of available job openings. Searching is about knowing your resources and utilizing each of those resources to provide opportunities for yourself. Here are some great places to begin your job search:

    • Career Fairs – In rural communities these types of options may not be as frequently available, however opportunities such as this do arise. Local companies and some industries do have job fairs. Keep an eye out for these opportunities in local papers. You might also be able to go online to search for Career Fairs in other communities/states if you do not plan to stay in Clinton County.
    • Internet Search– Searching the internet for jobs can sometimes seem like an impossible task, however there are some great websites out there that really make this search a little easier. When searching for jobs online be sure to have an electronic resume and cover letter template all set so that you can submit your information for specific jobs, or to the website in general (doing so will allow some employers to contact you!!). Here are some great career search engines on the internet that might help you begin job hunting:
    • Classified Ads– This option is especially useful if you plan to stay in the Clinton County Area. The local newspaper lists local job openings in a variety of fields. Be sure to act quickly on job openings listed in the paper as they tend to fill up fast. Also, note that many employers wait to post ads in the Sunday paper, so you may want to check Sunday for a more complete listing. Additionally, most newspapers are posting classified ads online- another way to access great information. Check out the local job listing at the Press Republican:
    • Employment Agencies– Employers often enlist local employment agencies to screen and recommend job applicants. Because of this, some employment agencies may be aware of job openings that have not been released to the general public. In Plattsburgh, we have local job placement resources that you can take advantage of. If you plan to work outside of the area, you can check phone books in that community for employment agency listings. Here is some information regarding our local employment agencies:
      • Westaff: 307 West Bay Plaza, Plattsburgh, New York 12901
        Phone number: (518) 566-6061
      • One Work Source: 194 Us Oval, Plattsburgh, NY 12903
        Phone number: ( 518) 561-0430
    • Step 5: FOLLOW UP: When interested in a position at a particular place of employment, it is a good idea to inquire about the closing date on the job. This will let you know when your application may be reviewed. It is also a good idea to check and see what procedure they would prefer you use to inquire about the status of your application (should you call them or should you wait until they call you). Nonetheless, it is important to make sure that you make a plan to follow-up as this is an indicator if your interest in the position.

  • Many potential employers require candidates for a position to interview in person. This guide will offer you some tips and do’s and don’ts of interviewing. You will also be able to look at a typical interview process in the “anatomy of an interview” section of this link.

     1. Do your research – know your field and your employer:

    • Specifically, it is your job to research the company you are applying to prior to the interview. This means that if you are applying to work as a bank teller it is important that you do your own research about what the job entails. Additionally, if you were applying for a teller position at HSBC Bank, you would want to do research about the company and what types of services are offered at that bank. You can get information from the internet, brochures, and even past employees to aid you in the process of learning about the job and the potential employer.
    • While doing research, think about questions you have for the interviewer about the company or job position you are applying for. This not only implies that you have indeed done research and are inquisitive enough to ask questions, but it will also help you to decide if this job is a good for you. You are interviewing the interviewer as much as they are interviewing you.

    2. Know what you bring to the employer’s workforce:

    • Assess your own skills! After you have researched what types of activities might be related to the job description, assess your skills and knowledge to identify what expertise you can bring to the job. This will also help you to learn about what areas could use some improvement. Employers are famous for asking what you feel your strengths and weaknesses are. Being aware of your personal work aptitude/abilities prior to the interview can be helpful.

    3. Come prepared- building a career portfolio:

    • When going into a job interview it is important that you bring any information that will enhance your appeal as a future employee. Developing a career portfolio prior to the interview can aid you in presenting yourself as a serious and professional candidate.
    • Please see the Career Portfolio Guide of this website for more information.

    4. Dress the part- the power of first impressions:

    • Tailor your interview attire to the job you are applying for. Simply put, it is not acceptable to wear jeans to a job interview for a Personal Assistant to a local lawyer. It is also inappropriate to wear a suite and tie to an interview for a food service worker at a local hospital. Gauge your attire to the type of work that you are pursuing. Be professional, yet tactful and be careful not to let your clothing send the wrong messages.
    • Some general suggestions:
      • Wear clean clothing that fits well (baggy clothes or wrinkled/dirty clothing does not always send the message that you are a serious candidate)
      • Never wear jeans or t-shirts to an interview. Dress pants/skirts and blouses or polo shirts are the minimum.
      • Simple is better. You do not have to wear loud colors or expensive clothing- just wear clothing that is simple, demure, and professional.
      • Avoid showing piercings or tattoos if possible
      • Do not go overboard on jewelry or perfume

    5. Know the no-no’s of interviews:

    Here are some things to avoid during the interview process:

    • Never arrive late, punctuality is a sign of responsibility
    • Never smoke during the interview (you may want to avoid this prior to the interview as well).
    • Avoid chewing gum, candy or bring snacks
    • Never come unprepared- bring your career portfolio and any other evidence that would support your case that you are a good candidate.
    • Never bring family/friends/children to a professional interview.
    • Never allow your cell phone, blackberry, Ipod, or other electronic device to make any noise during the interview. Turn them all off.
    • Never use any of these electronic devices while on an interview

     

    6. General Etiquette Suggestions:

    Here are some tips on how to impress your employer during the interview:

    • Maintain plenty of eye contact during the interview
    • Begin the interview with a firm handshake
    • Show that you are excited and interested about the position
    • Be yourself, employers notice and appreciate genuine applicants
    • Arrive at least 5 minutes prior to when the interview is to begin
    • Prepare appropriate questions to ask your interviewer in case you are offered the chance to ask questions. This will indicate that you have a true interest in the position.

     

    7. The anatomy of the interview- the general flow of a conventional interview:

    • Introduction
      • This is the part of the interview where the first impression is important. Use a firm handshake, good eye contact, and exert confidence. During the introduction the employer will most likely engage in small talk about a general topic. It would be a great idea to initiate general discussion of your own during this time to let the employer get a glimpse of what you are like as a person.
    • All about you!!
      • This is the part of the interview where you have a chance to tell the employer about your credentials, knowledge, and interest as related to the current job opening. This is the time to explain or go into further detail about items listed on the resume. Here you might also explain what education or credentials you might have that would suite the job well. In doing so a discussion of strengths and weaknesses may occur (which is why preparation prior to the interview is a good idea). If you want to use a career portfolio you may also choose to explain sample documents or credentials listed in your career portfolio.
    • Peering into the past…
      • Employers are likely to take a look at your past work history to get an indication of what preparation you may have gained from those jobs for the current position. You may be asked to discuss job responsibilities and leadership roles in past jobs. You should also be prepared to answer probing questions from the interviewer to see how your past experiences and education will be useful in the current position.
    • Your turn for questions.
      • Most of the interview will be spent by the interviewer asking you questions about yourself and your abilities. This is your chance to ask the employer questions about the company and the nature of the job that you are applying for. Asking thoughtful, intelligent questions implies that you have prepared for the interview and that you are serious about the position. If you are not given an opportunity to ask questions, feel free to politely inquire about an opportunity to do so.
    • Closure…
      • This is the portion of the interview where you tie up any loose ends. If you have any lingering questions or concerns, this would be the time to voice them. The interviewer may also ask you some final questions that may have been unanswered in other portions of the interview. Be sure to thank the interviewer for his/her time. Politely inquire about when the employer may be choosing a candidate to fill the position and how/when applicants will be notified.

    Resources:

    Live Careers, (2018). Job Interviewing Tutorial for Job Seekers. Retrieved April 12, 2018, from LiveCareers

    St. Lawrence University Career Services and Leadership Education (2008). The Interview. Retrieved September 28, 2008 from St. Lawrence University website

  • A career development portfolio is a collection of materials and resources that will help you in the career exploration and job hunting processes. Included in a career portfolio would be a: cover letter or introductory letter, a resume, Information about past work experiences, volunteer activities and community projects , academic information, samples of your work, and learning style/career interest inventory results.

    Why create a career development portfolio?

    • Career development portfolios can be a great way to compile data about your personal career interests, aptitude, and awareness.
    • These portfolios can also be useful tools during the application and interview processes when applying for a job.
    • The set of documents in a portfolio serves as a collection of information about who you are and what you have to offer a potential employer.
    • You can keep this portfolio and update it as needed throughout your working years.

     

    Components of a Career Development Portfolio:

    Sample Resume:

     

    Information about past work experience, volunteer activities and community projects:

    When working on your career portfolio, you may consider including samples of work from volunteer and/or work experiences. Here are some examples of types of work that you may want to include (these are specific to certain jobs so your individual samples may differ):

    1. Grant Writing Proposals (individual or collaborative). Some school clubs engage in this process often and this can attest to your ability to work cooperatively in groups. It may also speak to your leadership abilities.
    2. Floor plans or diagrams that you completed using a Computer Aided Design Program (Carpentry/Architecture related job).
    3. Photos of hair cuts or acrylic nail designs that you completed at Champlain Valley Technical Center (Applying for a Cosmetology job).
    4. You might include sample menus or business plans created during coursework for Culinary Arts at Champlain Valley Technical Center or during a past job (Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management).
    5. You may include samples of writing such a newspaper articles that you have created during high school (applying for a journalism position).

    These types of materials and samples would show a potential employer that you are prepared and offer them some insight into the quality of work that you are capable of.

     

    Academic Information

     

    Information that you would include in this section would be:

    1. Transcripts
      When requesting a transcript to include in your career portfolio, request an official copy from your school counseling (guidance) office.
    1. Copy of High School diploma
      Do not include the original copy in the portfolio (as not to loose the original), but do provide a photocopy.
    2. Copy of any transcripts from college courses you have taken.
      If you have taken any non-matriculated college courses through Clinton Community College or Plattsburgh State (through Plattsburgh High School or independently), request a copy of your transcript from the college registrar’s office as proof that you have earned credit in those courses.
    3. A copy of any certifications you have earned
      If you have earned any certifications pertinent to your job or field of work (i.e. CPR certification (medical field), ASE Certification (automotive field), or even certificates that you have earned through programs of study at CV-TEC), include copies of those certifications. Including these types of documents will let the potential employer know that you have current training and that you are skilled in your field of study.
    4. Licenses (CDL License, Cosmetology License etc…)
    5. Special awards or accomplishments earned that may be related to the work you are applying for.

     

    Learning style and career interest inventories:

    Why include information about learning styles, personality traits, and career interests/attitudes in your career portfolio?

    This allows the employer to access information about how well you might fit into his/her work environment. Including a Myers-Briggs Assessment, and results from even an ASVAB (Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery) test can produce volumes of information about your potential as a future employee. Below is a list of internet sources. This, of course, is not an exhaustive list, but this will get you started. Please note that there are many other online resources and print sources as well. You can consult your school counselor for more information or if you have questions.

    Learning Style Questionnaires

    Personality Inventories

    Career Interest/Aptitude Inventories

    Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

    Inquire about this in the Guidance Office- this is for those going into military services and for those seeking more help with career exploration.

  • This web link will take you to the Champlain Valley Services Technical Center homepage where you can explore the career training programs that are available for high school students. Typically, a PHS student can begin participating in a program at CV-TEC for a half day during junior and senior years in a specific field. If you are interested in pursuing one of these career options, please see your counselor for more information about visiting CV-TEC and/or taking courses in your junior and senior years.

  • This link includes list of resources for you to use to help you in your career planning process. The first set of resources is a collection of websites that offer career exploration exercises. Some of them include assessments so that you can match your interests and abilities to careers that might work best for you. Other websites simply allow you the ability to delve deeper into what some of the career options entail. In any event, use these resources to your advantage. If you would like to discuss results with your counselor please feel free to do so!

    What do I Want to Do With My Life?

    It can sometimes seem like everyone around you is exerting tons of pressure on you to know what you want to be when you “grow up.” This could mean that you might need to go to college, a trade school, or just enter the workforce. Nonetheless, these are big decisions and they can sometimes be difficult to make. Because we (your school counselors) know that, we have provided a list of resources for you to use to help you in your career planning process. The first set of resources is a collection of websites that offer career exploration exercises. Some of them include assessments so that you can match your interests and abilities to careers that might work best for you. Other websites simply allow you the ability to delve deeper into what some of the career options entail. In any event, use these resources to your advantage. If you would like to discuss results with your counselor please feel free to do so!

    The second set of resources is a small collection of career planning worksheets. These will help you to narrow down career options, career goals, and map out some of the decision making details. These are also tools you can bring to your counselor for help or to talk through your career path. We are here to help!!

    Online Resources for Career Exploration:

    Careership is another career interest website that uses the O*NET profiler to offer you information about what career options might interest you. Again, Please note that the inventory you take is meant to match you to possible career options. This does not mean that if you get “plumber” as a career option that you are destined to be a plumber. Have fun with this one- it is a great resource!

    Career Builder​​​​​​​ is yet another great online tool that offers a variety of assessments. These assessment tools will further aid you in your quest to finding a career path that is right for you.

    ZipRecruiter - Finally, an easier way to find work! Finding a job shouldn’t be a full-time job. Tell ZipRecruiter what you’re looking for and they will get to work for you!

    Links to Worksheet to Help With Career Planning:
    “Career Planning Guide”

    Worksheet (outline options you are considering)
    “Pro/Con Quandary”  Worksheet

  • The military consists of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the Reserves. In this section you will learn about all of the different career options available in each branch of the military. You will also learn about the many benefits you might enjoy with a career in the military. Please contact the PHS Guidance Department for more information about how to get into contact a military recruiter.

    One of the ways that you can explore the world of work… and the world in general is to consider joining the armed services. The military consists of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the Reserves. There are many different options for military service- all of which have many benefits including funding for college and preparation for future careers.

    For more information about the individual branches, please view the following websites:

     

    More Information:

    This weblink will help you to learn more about the benefits of serving in a branch of the military:

    Benefits discussed on this site include:

    • Compensation
    • Tuition Support
    • Training
    • Career Preparation
    • World Travel
    • Discounts

    This weblink will provide more information about career options while serving in the military.

    ** Please note that the information on this site does not include information on all careers options available through the armed forces. Please visit the website of the branch of the military you are seriously considering for more information.

    This weblink will provide information about entrance requirements to enter certain branches of the military (you may want to visit the website of a specific branch of the military to get more detailed information):

    Taking the military entrance exam: The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

    Video clip and information about boot camp.

     

    Meeting With A Recruiter:

    Please let us know if you are interested in pursuing a military career. We would love to help you set up an appointment with a recruiter to answer questions or to help you sign up for service in a branch of the military. Please contact the PHS Guidance Department for more information about how to get into contact a military recruiter.