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career portfolio

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collecton of documents that demonstrate a worker's experience, skills, capabilities, and qualifications. Many of the documents in a career portfolio should be continually updated as new experiences and skills are acquired, throughout one's professional career. A career portfolio should be prepared before starting a job search, so the documents are ready when a job opportunity comes up.

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Common career portfolio documents are:

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Cover letter - a personal letter that outlines the specific qualifications that make a person good for a particular job Résumé - a doccument that describes a person's employment experience and history, strengths, skills, education, and other qualifications List of references - a list of people to contact who can discuss the job applicant's character, experiences, and capabilities Letters of recommendation - letters written by professionals in the field who can vouch for the job applicant's character, experiences, and capabilities Work samples - examples of work a person has done in the past, which serve to highlight the person's abilities Certifications - professional documents or licenses to show proficiency in a particular area

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Choosing Career Portfolio Components

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The type of job you are looking for will help you decide which components to include in your career portfolio. For example, jobs in the digital arts field will most likely require work samples. Those who work in the field of education will most likely have to provide certifications and letters of reference. Jobs in the healthcare field often require specific licenses. Knowing the general requirements for your field of interest will guide you in building a strong career portfolio.

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Choose the documents that are most often part of a career portfolio.

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résumé cover letter letters of recommendation references

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job search

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the act of looking for employment, usually for a a specific position in a particular field.

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Some sources for finding job openings are:

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Internet job search sites Employment agencies Job fairs School counselors Newspaper advertisements Job listings on a specific company's or organization's website

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Job Applications

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Once an available position is found, a job application may need to be completed. A job application is a form supplied by the employer that asks about an applicant's background, experience, and skills specific to the job position. Some job applications are provided online, while others are paper forms that need to be filled out at the place of business. It is important to look for any specific directions on how to complete and turn in the job application, along with any additional documentation needed. Sometimes documents from the career portfolio, such as a cover letter and résumé, need to be turned in with the application. Some employers do not use job applications but instead request that employees submit a résumé and other career portfolio documents without a job application form.

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Which of the following are true statements about job applications?

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The form is supplied by an employer for potential job applicants. The job application may ask about an employee's experience and skills.

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Résumés

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A résumé is a thorough and concise summary of a person's work experience, skills, education, and accomplishments. A résumé is intended to show that you are qualified for the position you desire, gives you the opportunity to share your career goals and objectives, and helps prepare you for a possible job interview by highlighting important qualifications. Résumés are usually between 1 and 2 pages long, but may be longer if you have a lot of work experience. A strong résumé will: Be typed and look professional Be organized Be specific and relevant to the job Have correct spelling and grammar Be printed on a high-quality paper, if not being electronically submitted

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Résumés can be created in many different formats, but they commonly include the following categories:

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Contact information — name, phone number, email address, and home address (optional) Objective — a brief statement that describes the applicant's goal Employment history — information about previous jobs held Education — information about schools attended and degrees received Relevant experience (optional) — a category sometimes included when the employment history is short or not directly related to the job being pursued; lists relevant unpaid experience such as volunteer work Professional organizations and certifications — information about relevant organizations the applicant belongs to and job-related certifications received Skills and strengths (optional) — listings of special skills and strengths relevant to the job, such as software expertise or foreign language skills

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Information to Avoid in a Résumé

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Fair employment laws prohibit employers from asking for personal information that is not relevant to the employee's ability to perform the job. Employers are not allowed to discriminate or deny employment based on personal information. Instead, they must consider employees based on their ability to perform the job.

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Some examples of personal information to avoid in a resume include:

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Age Height and weight Gender Sexual orientation Race Religion Disabilities Marital status Photos

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Which of the following categories of information are commonly included in a résumé?

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contact information employment history education

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The objective at the top of a résumé should do one or more of the following:

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State the job title or type of work desired Indicate skill area of specialization Reflect the needs of the employer

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If you are applying for different types of jobs, you should change the objective to match the type of job you are applying for. Some examples of objectives include:

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1. To obtain an entry-level position as a laboratory technician 2. To work as a medical bicycle courier between clinics 3. To assist as a medical secretary in a physician's office

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Employment History

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Employment history is usually the most prominent part of the résumé, especially if the applicant has been in the workforce for a long time. The employment history section should start with the most recent experience and then describe previous jobs in order, starting with the most recent.

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For each job listed, include the following information:

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Job title Name of employer Location Dates of employment Brief description of the job and the skills demonstrated

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Education

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The educational information on a résumé usually does not require as much space as the employment information, since less detail is needed. The education section usually lists college-level degrees, but may list high school information if the job applicant is not a college graduate. If the applicant received a degree from more than one school, each school is listed.

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For each school listed, include the following information:

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Name of school Location Degree received (may include college major) Date of graduation or expected graduation (optional) Academic awards or achievements (optional)

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In the employment history section of a résumé, how should you organize the information? `

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list the most recent job first

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Professional Organizations and Certifications

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Not all résumés include professional organizations and certifications, but this category is common in the healthcare field. For example, medical professionals may belong to professional organizations related to their specialty. Many medical professionals also have earned special certifications, such as CPR certification or certification to perform a specific role or type of work.

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Skills and Strengths

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Skills and strengths are optional categories in a résumé. They can be used to list information not already covered elsewhere or to call special attention to important abilities.

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Common types of skills and strengths listed on résumés include:

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Technical skills, such as software programs Language skills, such as foreign languages spoken Other job-specific skills, such as communication skills, organizational skills, or ability to perform or assist in medical procedures

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Which of the following items might be listed in the Skills and Strengths category of a résumé?

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technical skills ability to speak a foreign language

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Cover Letters

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Résumés often, but not always, are submitted with cover letters. Cover letters also are known as letters of application. A cover letter introduces a candidate to a hiring manager and expresses why the candidate is interested in, and uniquely qualified for, the job. A cover letter can highlight specific elements from the resume that qualify the candidate for the job. A good cover letter usually is customized to fit the specific job description and requirements.

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A cover letter should do the following:

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Expand on the résumé and introduce something unique about the candidate that helps the candidate stand out. Demonstrate knowledge about the company and industry. Demonstrate excellent written communication skills. Focus on how the candidate will help the company succeed, not on how the company will help the candidate. Be a quick and easy read.

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Which of the following best describes a cover letter?

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It introduces a job candidate to a hiring manager and expresses why the candidate is interested in, and uniquely qualified for, the job.

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Before writing a cover letter for a specific job, it is important to research the job and company so you can customize the cover letter. Your research may include the following:

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Learning more about the company's products and services on its website. Reviewing the company's goals and mission. (The "About Us " section of the company's website is usually helpful for finding that information.) Analyzing the job description to identify how it fits into what the company does, its goals, or its mission. Noting any common words, phrases, or ideas present on the website or job description that can be used in the cover letter, when possible. Once the research is complete, it is time to get started on the cover letter.

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Formal and Informal Cover Letters

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Cover letters can be formal or informal. It usually is best to use a formal cover letter format when applying for a job, because it is more professional.

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formal cover letter

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an official cover letter that follows a business letter format.

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informal cover letter

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a more casual cover letter that does not follow a business letter format. Informal cover letters often are written as an email message or brief note.

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Which type of cover letter follows a business letter format?

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formal cover letter

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When you write a cover letter, which of the following should you do?

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Show that you have researched the company and are interested in contributing your skills to their business.

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Formal cover letters normally include the following components:

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Heading — includes the job candidate's name and contact information, the company's contact information, and a greeting Introduction — a brief statement of interest in the job, including the job title and often an explanation of how the candidate found out about the job Body — the main message explaining the candidate's unique qualifications and ability to help the company be successful Closing — restates interest, includes a request for an interview, and wraps up the message with a signature

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A formal cover letter follows a basic business letter format. That includes the following formatting:

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Single-spaced One page in length Standard margins (1") Paragraphs aligned to left of page Space between paragraphs Closing aligned to left of page, with signature (can be a typed signature, because cover letters often are submitted electronically)

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Which of the following are components of a formal cover letter?

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heading body closing introduction

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References

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people who know a job applicant and are willing to speak with a potential employer about the applicant. Most job applicants don't provide a list of references with the initial job application. References are provided when a potential employer requests them. The potential employer might ask the references to verify an applicant's employment or other information on the resume. The potential employer also may ask the references whether they think the applicant will be successful at the job being applying for.

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checking references

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When an employer is seriously considering a job applicant, the employer often calls the applicant's references to learn more about the applicant

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Choosing References

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It is best to get references from professional colleagues who worked with you in the recent past. Some people, such as students, may not have recent employers. In that case, the best choices may be teachers, counselors, club sponsors, or volunteer organizers. References should be as close to professional colleagues as possible. They should not be family or friends. Be sure to ask people whether they are willing to be references for you before providing their information to a potential employer. References should be people you are confident will say positive things about you to potential employers.

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A list of references commonly includes the following information:

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Reference name Reference job title Reference contact information (normally a phone number, sometimes an e-mail address) Relation to job applicant, such as coworker or boss, and the name of the company worked for at the time Many employers request three references from job applicants.

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What does a job candidate's reference do?

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Responds to a call or an email from an employer seeking information about a possible job candidate

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Letters of Recommendation

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At times, an employer will ask for one or more letters of recommendation. These are more common when applying to a special training or academic program. It is wise to give the person who will be writing the letter as much information as possible about the nature of the job. It also helps to explain in specific ways what makes you a suitable candidate, so the information can be included in the letter. Letters of recommendation usually cannot be more than three years old, so this is a document that will be continually updated over one's professional career as more experience is obtained and more people can vouch for the person's abilities.

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Work Samples

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Work samples are most useful for employees who produce a product that can been observed. For example, writers, artists, and architects might show written articles, photographs, paintings, or sketches as examples of their work. Work samples are useful in many other jobs as well. Work samples should be examples of work you are especially proud of.

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Certifications

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In some medical professions, employers may ask for evidence of certifications or licenses. The employer also may wish to verify a certification or license when speaking with a person who is on the candidate's list of references.

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Which of the following employees would be most likely to have useful work samples?

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one who designs graphics

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List of people who are willing to discuss a job applicant with a potential employer

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List of references

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A document that describes a worker's employment experience, strengths, skills, education, and other qualifications

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Resume

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A short letter from the job applicant that gives information about his or her qualifications for, and interest in, the job

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cover letter

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A collection of documents that demonstrate a worker's experience, abilities, qualifications

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career portfolio

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A short sentence in a résumé describing the type of work desired

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objective

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Some examples of work an applicant has done previously or for a previous employer

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Work samples

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When should a career portfolio be prepared?

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before starting a job search

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Which of the following is a form supplied by an employer that asks about an applicant's background, work experience, and skills specific to the job position?

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job application

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Select the documents that would be found in a professional career portfolio.

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résumé cover letter work samples list of references

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Which of the following are goals of a cover letter?

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-expand on the résumé and introduce something unique about the candidate that helps the candidate stand out -demonstrate knowledge about the company and industry -demonstrate excellent written communication skills

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A strong résumé is:

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typed and looks professional. organized. specific and relevant to the job. free of spelling and grammar errors. printed on high-quality paper, if not being electronically submitted.

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Which of the following are goals of a résumé?

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-demonstrate your qualifications for the position you desire -give you the opportunity to share any career goals and objectives you may have -prepare you for the possible job interview by highlighting important qualifications

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In a résumé, which job should you list first in the Employment History section?

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most recent job

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In a résumé, in which category would most likely list the ability to speak a foreign language?

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skills and strenghts

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Cover letters also are known as what?

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letters of application

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Which of the following would be most helpful for you to do in order to prepare for customizing a cover letter? (check all that apply)

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review the company's website review the job description

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Which of the following types of cover letters is the most professional?

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formal cover letter

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Work samples should be:

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work you completed and are proud of

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How many references do many employers ask for?

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3

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Which of the following would be the best person to choose for a reference?

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coworker

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