This week

Job interviews

• Feature — Writing a resume
• Your turn — What will you be asked?
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

Writing a resume

When going to a job fair or interview, it is important to take a resume with you. This will show the potential employer that you are serious about the position and have initiative. You will more than likely still need to fill out a job application — don't be put off by this. Most employers have procedures that help them in the hiring process.

You might wonder: Then why go to the trouble of creating a resume? With a resume, you have the ability to sell yourself, to include and highlight the information that you want the potential employer to focus on.

A typical resume of a high school student should have the following information on it:

• Name and contact information (address, phone number, e-mail address*)
• Work or internship experience
• Volunteer activities
• Hobbies
• Honors and awards
• Education (high school and middle school classes that seem relevant)

*If you do not already have one, create a professional e-mail address for your job search. Try to include your name in the address, and never provide one that you use with your friends that may look unprofessional to a potential employer.

Build your resume
First, write down all of the information outlined above (past work experiences, relevant classes, volunteer opportunities, and hobbies).

Tailor the objective section of your resume to the job that you are applying for. For example, if you are interested in working with animals, say so in your objective. If necessary, create several different versions of your resume with different objectives and different key points. Remember to keep it concise and to the point.

Begin drafting your resume, using action words at the beginning of each bullet. Outline your past work experience even if some of the jobs were unpaid.

Include relevant classes. For example, if you are applying for a job at a local paper, include your writing and journalism classes.

Include honors and awards that you have received, as well as hobbies and activities in which you are involved.

As a high school student, your resume should be no longer than one page.

After you have drafted your resume, have your family and friends take a look at it for spelling, punctuation, and grammar. You don't want to submit a resume that is full of misspelled words. Doing so can create a bad impression.

Be sure to use action verbs in your resume. For example, instead of saying, "I taught swimming lessons to children." Say "Taught 50 children to swim," or "taught swim lessons to children."

Make sure you have your resume printed on resume paper (found at many retail and office supply stores). This doesn't include paper with graphics or pictures, hand-made paper, or computer paper. By using standard resume paper, your resume will look polished and professional. Be sure to take plenty of copies with you to the job fair or interview.

Sample resumes can be found in the High School section of AIE.
(http://www.AIE.org/HighSchool/Jobs/SampleResumes/index.cfm).

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Your turn

What will you be asked?

What kinds of questions should you expect to be asked during an interview? How should you respond? Get an idea by visiting the Job Interview Tips section on AIE.
(http://www.AIE.org/HighSchool/Jobs/Interviews/jobinterviewtips.cfm)

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Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors

Here are a few reminders to help you do your best on final exams:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Eat a good breakfast each day.
• Listen to the teacher's instructions before the test begins.
• Once the teacher has completed all instructions, read all the directions carefully before starting the test. If you do not understand, be sure to ask the teacher.
• Budget your time allotted for the test. Work as efficiently as you can, but don't rush.
• Answer the questions you know first, and focus on the sections of the test that are worth the most points at the beginning of the period.
• Read the questions carefully. For true/false questions, remember to watch for words like "never" and "always."
• On multiple choice questions, try to think of the answer before you look at the choices.
• When writing the response to an essay question, be certain that you are answering what the teacher is asking.
• If time permits, read back over the test before handing it in.

For parents

If you are the parent of a graduating senior, the next few weeks will be hectic and happy. The following tips will help prepare you and your senior for his or her graduation ceremony.

• Carefully read all information sent home from the school regarding graduation procedures.
• Parking and seating arrangements may be very specific. If tickets are issued, place them in a secure place.
• If needed, review any accommodations mentioned for disabled or older family members.
• Place your senior's graduation cap, gown, and tassel in a safe place.
• Be sure that cameras, film, and video equipment are in working order.
• Talk to your senior about proper behavior at the commencement ceremony. Most high schools provide a "graduation practice." Be sure that your senior attends.
• Arrange for transportation for everyone well in advance of graduation day.

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Take notice

Important dates

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web site (www.collegeboard.com) or call (866) 756-7346.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

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All about AIEmail

Subscribe, suggest, review

• To change your e-mail address, change the format in which you receive AIEmail, or cancel your subscription, please visit the AIEmail subscription area (www.AIE.org/AIEmail/subscribe.cfm).
• If you have problems stopping your subscription or have comments about AIEmail, please send a message to webmaster@tgslc.org.
• Visit the AIEmail Archive (www.AIE.org/AIEmail/archive.cfm) for past issues.

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