Works Wonders | Your Career Interests | Planning for Your Career

Planning for Your Career

In the Works Wonders® training we talked about the difference between a career and a job. A career is a line of work that is defined by a specific expertise, such as teaching, nursing, or construction. People may want to pursue a wide range of careers depending on their lifestyle, skills, and interests (no one career is better than another). A job is actual employment that can be a part of a career path. 

Whether you are looking to just get a job or are looking to put together a plan for your career, these resources and your Employment Specialist are here to help. 

Career/Education Plan 

A Career/Education plan is simply put a path to your dreams. It can help you understand what you need to do to achieve your goal and break down a larger goal into smaller, manageable steps. Career/Education plans are meant to be flexible and change as your interests, skills, experience, preferences, and needs change. 

If you need to start or revise your Career/Education plan, use this form to help you and don’t forget to reach out to your Employment Specialist.

Resume Tips

A resume is a professional way to tell the personal story of your education, training, skills, and work-related experiences. Resumes allow you to show your best qualities to a potential employer and can help you stand out among all those applying. Building a resume – or even deciding what to add to an existing one – can be a daunting experience. Here are some tips to help you get started. 

DO

  • Do keep your writing clear - use action verbs to begin all bullets beneath each work or educational experience.

  • Do keep it to 1 page if you have minimal work experience. Otherwise more than 1 page is OK. Just make sure information is relevant.

  • Do select the proper format for you (e.g., chronological, functional, or combined).

  • Do use clear language and be direct.

  • Do it yourself! Get suggestions from others, but you know yourself best.

  • Do create a references sheet using the same letterhead as the resume. Include 3-4 people.

DON’TS

  • Don’t list hobbies, unless related to work.

  • Don’t list references, or write “references available upon request”.

  • Don’t list salary requirements or past salaries.

  • Don’t give a reason for leaving last job.

  • Don’t list personal information such as age, sex, weight, height, marital status, or number of children.

  • Don’t attach a photo.

Use this template to build a resume from scratch. Contact your Employment Specialist if you need specific guidance on what to include. They can help you to create or update a resume that you can be proud of!

Cover Letters

Not every job will ask you for a cover letter when you apply, but if they do, make sure you know what it is and how to put one together. Cover letters give you the opportunity to express your interest for the job and to tell the employer why you think your skills are a good fit. You should use your cover letter to highlight the skills or experience that you think are most important. 

Use this template to help you get started. Contact your Employment Specialist if you need specific guidance on what to include. They can help you to create a cover letter that makes you stand out!

Filling Out Job Applications

A lot of times, part of applying for a job includes filling out an application. Different applications will ask for different information and increasingly employers are using online applications. Here are some helpful tips to get you started!

  • Follow the directions. Don’t rush

  • Keep a list of all the information you will need for applications (on paper or on your phone) so you always have it ready. 

  • If filling out a paper application, write neatly! 

  • If a section doesn’t apply to you, use “N/A” which stands for not applicable. This let’s the employer know you looked at this section but it isn’t relevant. 

  • Check your spelling and grammar

  • Have contact information for your reference ready and make sure you ask them first. 

  • Have a general sense of when you are available to work.

  • Don’t lie, but also know that you do not have to answer questions about your age, race, religion, gender, family status, living arrangement, sexual orientation, or disability. 

  • Make sure you answer your phone politely and that your voicemail is appropriate. 

  • Return all calls or emails promptly. 

  • Finally, remember that your social media presence matters and CAN impact hiring decisions. Check your privacy settings and be mindful of content you post. 

Interviewing 101

Many people find the idea of an interview scary. The good news is that you can practice and get better, which will hopefully reduce any stress you might have. In Works Wonders® we talk about the 6 Steps of a Job Interview. Review those steps on pages 80-81 of your Navigator and call your Employment Specialist if you need someone to help you prepare and practice. 

You can also watch this video which reinforces some of the concepts we talked about in the Works Wonders® class https://youtu.be/88Mwb2bnOMk