Embedded Files
Looking forward to 2025-26!
Resumes
Resumes
- A resume is a document used by a person to present their backgrounds and skills to a prospective employer
- View the CvHS Student Resume Template to learn more about what information you should include on your resume
- Make a copy of the CvHS Student Resume Template and edit to create your personal resume
- Let's break down the parts of a resume:
- These should relate back to your summary (job/career path)
You must utilize your JCPS email to access this resource
Ready, Set, Apply...
Regardless of the format, students should always have a "Cheat Sheet" for job applications (digital or on a index card) containing:
Exact dates of previous employment or school start/end dates.
The correct spelling of previous supervisors' names.
Addresses and phone numbers of three references.
Their Social Security Number (memorized, but kept private until a formal offer is made).
A Note on "Reason for Leaving": Teach students to keep this positive. Instead of "I hated my boss," use phrases like "Seeking more hours," "Seasonal position ended," or "Focusing on academics."
Job Applications
Job Applications
The Paper Application: The "Manual" Approach
A paper application is often a test of neatness, attention to detail, and immediate presence.
The "Bring Your Own" Rule: Always bring your own blue or black ink pen. Using a pencil looks temporary, and neon colors look unprofessional.
Requesting Two Copies: If possible, ask for two. Use one as a "sloppy copy" to practice and the second for the final submission. If they only have one, suggest the student take a photo of it first to plan their answers.
The "N/A" Factor: Never leave a field blank. It looks like it was forgotten. If a question doesn't apply (like "Military Service"), they should write N/A (Not Applicable).
Physical Presence: Since you are physically in the building, the "application" starts the moment you walk through the door. You should be dressed appropriately and be polite to the receptionist—the manager often asks the front desk for their first impression.
The Online Application: Beating the "Bot"
Online systems use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter out candidates before a human ever sees them.
Keyword Matching: You must pull specific words from the job description and put them in their digital responses. If the job asks for "Point of Sale experience," you should use that exact phrase.
File Formatting: If asked to upload a resume, always use a PDF unless the site specifically requests a Word doc (.docx). This ensures the layout doesn't "break" when the recruiter or hiring manager opens it.
The "Auto-Fill" Trap: Many sites try to auto-fill fields from an uploaded resume. You must proofread these. Often, dates or job titles get put in the wrong boxes, making the application look messy.
Complete the Profile: Many portals (like Workday or Indeed) ask to create a profile. Even if they’ve uploaded a resume, you should fill out the optional sections. Incomplete profiles are often ranked lower by the system.
An interview is a formal meeting at which someone is asked questions in order to find out if they are suitable for a job or a course of study
An interview is a formal meeting at which someone is asked questions in order to find out if they are suitable for a job or a course of study
- How can I prepare?
- Do your research!
- Perform a quick internet search to learn more about the business or organization
- Prepare!
- Reference the CvHS Mock Interviews Questions and Rating Chart for guidance
- Check out YouTube videos about job interviews
- Read scholarly articles from credible sources
- Practice!
- Practice with a parent, teacher, friend or schedule a Career Coaching Session with Mrs. Waller
- Arrive early and leave plenty of time in case of delays
- Shake hands firmly, make eye contact, and smile
- What should I wear?
- You always want to dress to make the best impression, but the outfit you choose depends on whether you're interviewing at a business with a formal, casual, or informal dress code
- Perform a quick internet search for business casual dress verses smart casual dress to learn more
- Items to avoid include hoodies, hats, casual shoes such as crocs/sandals, dirty, wrinkled, or torn clothes
- Grooming Matters!
- Hygiene: Shower, use deodorant, and ensure fresh breath
- Hair: Keep hair neat and styled appropriately for the workplace, avoiding messy or extreme styles
- Facial Hair: If you have a beard or mustache, trim neatly and evenly
- Nails: Keep nails clean and trimmed
- Makeup: Opt for natural, subtle makeup
- Accessories: Limit jewelry to minimal, professional pieces like a watch, and a simple ring
- Be mindful that many businesses/companies have policies on facial and body piercings
- Scent: Use a very light, pleasant fragrance if any
- What to avoid:
- Unkempt hair
- Untidy facial hair
- Dirty nails
- Excessive jewelry
- Strong perfumes or colognes
- Next Steps
- Thank the interviewer for their time
- Ask questions about the company/business
- Company culture, work hours, hiring timeline, etc.
- Shake hands and say goodbye
- Follow-up with a thank you email
You must utilize your JCPS email to access this resource
Additional Resources:
Additional Resources:
- Check out the Xello Interview Lesson for additional insight about preparing for your upcoming interview
- Check out the graphics below to learn more!
Networking
Networking
Networking is the process of making connections and building relationships
When networking, you can meet with other professionals in your field, exchange ideas, and even learn new skills.
When networking for a career, you can ask questions about a professional's career path, the company culture, and/or the work environment. Asking questions about a professional's career can help you build connections and learn about their experiences. You can also use these questions to determine if you might want to work with them in the future.
Career path questions:
How did you get into this field?
Did you earn a degree or credential for this career path?
What were your career goals?
Company culture questions:
What is the company culture like?
What are the company's main goals?
How does the company treat its employees?
What are some challenges the company is facing?
Work environment questions:
How did you get into this field?
Did you earn a degree or credential for this career path?
What were your career goals?
Other questions:
How large is the company?
How long have you been with the company?
Where is the company headed in the next few years?
Do you enjoy working for the company?
What makes the company different or better than others?
The Elevator Pitch
The Elevator Pitch
Based on resources from Rubin Education—a company specialized in teaching employability skills like email etiquette, networking, and public speaking—an elevator pitch is a 30-to-60-second summary that connects your background to a future goal.
Going Up? Escalating Your Career
Going Up? Escalating Your Career
The 4-Part Structure of a Perfect Pitch
The 4-Part Structure of a Perfect Pitch
Crafting The Perfect Pitch
Crafting The Perfect Pitch
Be Concise: Keep it under 60 seconds.
Be Compelling: Research the person you are speaking with and tailor the pitch to them.
Confidence Matters: Make eye contact, smile, and practice to avoid sounding robotic.
Ask for Action: The goal is to move to the next stage, not just to talk about yourself.
The "Student Seeking Internship" Pitch (General Example)
"Hi [Name], it’s great to meet you. My name is [Your Name] and I’m a [Year] student at [School/University] majoring in [Major]. I’ve been developing my skills in [Key Skill 1] and [Key Skill 2] through my coursework and [mention a project, club, or prior experience].
I’ve been following [Company Name]’s work on [Specific Project or Product] and am really interested in how you approach [Industry Problem]. I am looking for an internship for this coming summer where I can apply my skills in [Area] to help a team [solve a problem or achieve a goal]. Do you have a few minutes next week to discuss potential opportunities?"
The "Limited Experience" Pitch (Based on Rubin Principles)
"Hello, I’m [Name], a student at [School]. I’m very passionate about [Field, e.g., digital marketing] and have been sharpening my skills by managing social media for [School Club/Local Organization]. I’m eager to bring my creativity and knowledge of [Specific Platform] to a professional team. I’d love to learn more about the work [Company] is doing in [Area]."
Email Etiquette
Email Etiquette
1. Identity & Subject Lines
Professional Identity: Ensure your sender name is clear and recognizable (e.g., First Initial and Last Name). Your email address should act as a digital business card, allowing the recipient to identify you instantly. 👤
Action-Oriented Subject Lines: Keep subjects brief and descriptive. Utilize "tags" to help others prioritize their inbox, such as [Action Required], [Update], or [Deadline: May 15]. 🏷️
2. Composition & Tone
Intentional Tone: Maintain a balance of politeness and professionalism. While warmth is encouraged, limit exclamation points and emojis in formal drafts to ensure your core message remains the focus. ⚖️
The "Humor" Buffer: Save humor and informal icons for established professional relationships. When communicating with new contacts, a neutral and respectful tone prevents any risk of misinterpretation. 🤝
Vocal Proofreading: Read your draft aloud before hitting send. This is the most effective "human" filter for catching clunky transitions, missing attachments, or "robotic" phrasing. 🗣️
3. Communication Logistics
Selective "Reply-All": Use this feature only when the information is functionally necessary for every recipient. If your response is only relevant to the sender, reply to them individually to respect everyone’s "inbox peace." 🛑
The "Promptness" Standard: Respond promptly to keep collaborative projects moving. If a request requires deep work, send a quick "acknowledgment" email to let the sender know you've received it and when they can expect a full update. 🕒
AI Email Etiquette
AI Email Etiquette
Even the best AI models have certain "tells." To keep your emails feeling human and authentic, keep an eye out for these specific tweaks:
Kill the Clichés: AI loves phrases like "In today's fast-paced world," "Please find attached," or "Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out." Swap these for how you actually speak (e.g., "Let me know if you need anything else!").
The "One Personal Sentence" Rule: For every AI-drafted email, add at least one sentence that only you could know. Mention a previous conversation, a shared goal, or even a brief comment on the weather in their specific city.
Vary Sentence Length: AI tends to produce sentences of very similar lengths. Humans naturally mix short, punchy sentences with longer, descriptive ones. Breaking up a long AI paragraph manually makes it feel much more natural.
💡 AI Etiquette Tip
When using AI to draft these emails, remember to customize the first and last sentences. This ensures the message starts and ends with your authentic voice, even if the "middle" was organized by a tool!
🔒A Note on Privacy
🔒A Note on Privacy
Important: Most enterprise versions of AI (like Gemini for Google Workspace) have different data privacy rules than public versions. However, the "Golden Rule" remains: If you wouldn't post it on a public forum, don't put it in a prompt without checking your company's AI policy first.
🧠Learn More
🧠Learn More
"For professional correspondence: Use it thoughtfully. Let it help you draft, organize and clarify, then make the result your own. Don’t let it write things you won’t remember agreeing to, and read the entire output before hitting send. The whole output. Including the top." Read the Reader's Digest article linked below to learn more.
Cover Letters
Cover Letters
Writing a cover letter is often the first time a student has to "sell" their potential rather than their experience. Since many students feel they have "nothing to put on paper," the goal is to shift the focus toward transferable skills, reliability, and their future goals.
Academics and Certifications: Mention specific CTE Pathways, credentials like BLS (Basic Life Support), Heartsaver CPR/AED, or OSHA-10, Adobe, FAA Part 107, etc.
Technical Skills: Charting/Documentation, taking manual blood pressure, or transfer techniques (Gait belt, Hoyer lift).
Soft Skills: Use specific examples of punctuality, teamwork, or leadership in school clubs.
Attributes: Dependability, HIPAA compliance awareness, and a "growth mindset."
The "Why": Explain why they want this specific job and how it fits into their career plan.
Checklist for Success
Checklist for Success
The Email Test: If you are sending this via email, the subject line should be clear: Application for [Job Title] - [Student Name].
Action Verbs: Use words like Coordinated, Assisted, Developed, and Maintained rather than "I helped" or "I did."
Proofreading: A single typo in a cover letter can be the difference between an interview and a "no."
The "Professional" Touch: Use a formal salutation (Dear...) and a professional closing (Sincerely or Best regards).
For additional support with resumes, interview practice, job applications, cover letters, etc. please email Mrs. Waller, CvHS Career Development Coordinator at (maryolivewaller@johnston.k12.nc.us)
Page updated
Report abuse