MyPlan Phase 2

Watch this quick video to learn about how to create a T-chart: 

Watch this quick video to learn about the five parts of a resume:

There are resume formats that you can choose when creating your resume. Each format has its own pros and cons depending on your current career goals as well as your past work history.

• Chronological_Format: Past work history matches or is related to your current objective, accomplishments are linked with previous employment.
• Chronological: This version highlights key qualifications that are relevant to the job description, using PSRs at the top of the resume.
• Functional: Career change or returning to something you did years ago, accomplishments are linked to specific skill areas.
• Recent Training / New Graduate: This is a template if you have recently completed a training program in a field where you have little or no work experience.

Access the following resources to give your marketing materials polish:

• Resume Tips
• Master Resume Worksheet
• Sample T-Chart
• Scannable Resume Tips
• Cover Letters
• Jobscan will compare your resume to a job description to assist in optimizing and customizing for key words.

• Understand your credit report
• Obtain a free copy of your credit report. You may request this once a year from each of the three reporting agencies.

You may be able to clear your record or respond more appropriately to questions about your record. To help with this process, it is advised to obtain a copy of your California Rap sheet. Contact any LiveScan provider or the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department at (408) 808-4760 to make an appointment for a LiveScan.

Employers may be eligible for federal tax credit through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for hiring and employing individuals from certain impacted individuals.

• Determine how to ask to clear your record, depending on your individual situation.
• Federal Bonding Program provides fidelity bonding insurance coverage to high-risk job applicants with criminal histories.
• State of California Bonding Program provides bonding services at no cost to employers, employees, and job seekers
• County of Santa Clara County Record Clearance will provide help expunging your record to clear the path for employment.
• San Jose State University’s Record Clearance Program offers assistance with record clearance.
• Fair Chance Hiring Toolkit will provide information about laws in California that protect job seekers with criminal records and sample letters and materials you can use to exercise those rights.

Introduction statement:

• Thank you for the chance/opportunity to let me explain...
• I am not proud of what I did...
• I am nervous talking about it, but I want to be honest...
• I am embarrassed to talk about something I did in my past...
• I am embarrassed to talk about a mistake I made in my past...
• ...but I wanted to let you know that I have a felony conviction.

Indicate the situation around the crime:

• I was young and stupid.
• I thought hanging out with some neighborhood kids was cool.
• I was hanging out with the wrong people.
• Growing up I didn’t have any positive role models.

Bring up the last conviction:

• I stole something from a store.
• I got into a disagreement that escalated into a fight.
• I took a car that didn’t belong to me, for a joy ride.
• I used drugs thinking I was being cool.
• I got into an altercation where someone got hurt.
• I took something that didn’t belong to me.

(The key for this section is to not use hostile words, or “Parole/Probation conviction
terms such as: assault, robbery, terrorist threat, etc.)

Accept responsibility:

• I know it was a foolish thing to do, but I did it and I take full responsibility for
  my actions.
• I made a poor choice.
• I made a mistake.
• I was wrong.
• I can’t blame anyone else for what I did other than myself.

Show remorse:

• I regret what I did every day and feel sorry for the grief I caused to people.
• I’m embarrassed about having committed a crime.
• I’m so embarrassed about breaking the law.
• It was stupid, but I did it and I’ve been sorry for what I did to the victim ever
  since.

State your losses:

• By committing the crime, I lost the trust of my family.
• I lost the trust of my kids.
• I lost much of my self-respect.
• I lost my job/my home.
• I lost the respect of my children.

What did you learn?

• If there is any good from this situation, it was that I gained respect for other
  people’s rights.
• I learned how to follow directions.
• I finally grew up and learned to respect authority.
• I learned how to follow rules.
• I developed more self-control than I had before.
• I learned that you have to work hard for a decent living.

What did you do to improve yourself?

• I took classes and got my GED.
• I took classes and became a carpenter / electrician / cook / plumber, and I am
  ready to return to the world of work.
• I was made the team leader of the crew that did most of the inside
  maintenance work.

What did you gain from the experience?

• Improved education which will help in your job.
• Respect authority and rules.
• A respect for other people’s rights.
• More patience in handling problems.
• Job-related skills training.
• Counseling that helped you change your behavior.
• A desire to do what’s right so you don’t return to prison.
• Improved/developed self-discipline.
• Respect for the value of hard work.

What were the losses as a result of your mistake?

• Access to and respect from your children: didn’t get to see them grow up,
  missed their high school graduation, etc.
• Trust from family and friends.
• Your personal dignity and self-respect.
• Loss of personal property (car, home, etc.)
• Opportunity to enter certain types of careers.
• Money you could have made working.
• Your freedom, and ability to go and do what others take for granted.

Sample Response 1:

"I am glad you asked me, because I want to be up front with you. When I was younger,
I got involved with some people who were transporting drugs. I made some bad
decisions and did some time. During my incarceration, I was chosen to work in the
optical department where I got my Optician Assistant Certificate, and I found that I
really enjoyed my job. Now I am ready and excited about getting back to work. So,
when I saw your job openings, I knew I could do it, and I wanted a chance to meet you
in person. I am eligible to be bonded by the Employment Development Department
for up to $10,000 and hope this will allow you to give me a chance to prove myself to
you. You will also qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for giving me a chance."

Sample Response 2:

"I’m so nervous and embarrassed to talk about it, but I want to be honest with you. A
few years ago, I was in a disagreement that escalated, and the other person was hurt.
I was incarcerated and looking back I think it made me grow up and take
responsibility for my actions. I attended anger management classes, got my GED, and
learned carpentry skills. When I saw your job posting, I wanted a chance to meet you
in person and let you know how my skills and knowledge in (state skills related to the
job) will assist you in your business. I also will be bonded for $10,000 by the
Employment Development Department for the first 6 months of my employment."

Potential employers may ask you to provide a list of professional references when applying for a job, in addition to your resume and/or cover letter. This typically happens during or after a job interview. It's important to be prepared and have a list of at least 3 references ready to give when asked.

A professional reference is someone who can vouch for your qualifications for a job, or provide a recommendation. They should be able to confirm your work ethic, skills and achievements.

Who to ask (current or former):

• Supervisors
• Co-workers
• Subordinates
• Customers
• Vendors
• Volunteer Coordinators
• College professor
• Coach
• School advisor

Who not to ask:

• Current Employer - if they are not aware of your job search
• Family
• Friends
• Someone who does not know you
• Someone who has not agreed to be a reference
• Someone who would not give you a good reference

References may be asked about your:

• Strengths
• Attitude
• Weaknesses
• Ethics
• Personal qualities
• Ability to get along well with others

Communicating with your reference:

• Check in each time you list someone as a reference and ensure they are comfortable accepting the role of being a reference.
• Give them a heads up and details of each potential employer that they are likely to be contacted by - especially if time has passed since they first agreed to be your professional reference.
• Share topics that were brought up during the interview process.
• Thank them in advance for taking the time to talk to a potential employer.
• Update them on your job status, especially if you get hired.

Background information to provide your reference:

• Your current resume.
• A copy of the job description.
• Specific accomplishments from when you worked together (PSRs).
• Areas / skills you have developed.
• What you want them to say about you.

Sample email to your reference:

Dear Pat,

As you may know, I am in the process of looking at new career opportunities and I am hoping that you would be willing to act as a professional reference for me.

I am currently interviewing for ________________ positions. A positive reference from you would be of great value. I would appreciate it if you could speak to the skills and qualifications that I demonstrated while working for you. Here are some specific skills that are relevant to my current career goals:

• Leadership
• Facilitation
• Collaboration
• Organization
• Motivation
• Delivering projects ahead of schedule

I have attached my current resume for your review as well as a link to my LinkedIn profile.

Thank you.

Sincerely, Jess