Part 1: Preparing for Success

By the end of this chapter you should be able to:

1. Create achievable SMART goals relevant to your job-related experiences. (LO1)
2. Develop a current resume and references. (LO2)

Preparing for Success

What success means is different for everyone. However, in the workforce, there are some key components that aid in the overall success of an individual. These include setting goals that are achievable, crafting a well-formatted, concise resume, and collecting a short list of professional references who will act as supporting evidence that details your achievements and positive characteristics. This chapter will cover each of these elements as you begin developing your goals and documents along your path to success.

Goals

In all aspects of life it can be beneficial to set goals. Setting goals can promote change, growth, development as well as provide a sense of accomplishment. Worth noting is that while you may set a goal, this does not mean that there is a rigid path to follow to achieve that goal. Often, new opportunities may become available that change or shorten your path toward your desired goal.

Professional goal-setting revolves around what is important to you. Review this list and identify which items may be important to you professionally:

• Earn a promotion
• Apply skills learned in graduate program
• Obtain full-time status in current occupation
• Develop new skills that would propel you into a new position
• Create a network of field-related colleagues that serve as a support and knowledge base
• Locate a potential mentor
• Financial security
• Health insurance benefits

This is by no means an exhaustive list of professional goals. Before moving forward, consider, what your priorities are in life? How many more items could you add to this list? Brainstorm ideas below of goals that you would like to achieve.

Consider the goals listed above that relate to you. Are they SMART goals?  SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timed. Review the slides below to learn more about SMART goals. Review the slides below to learn more about SMART goals.

Realizing Your Resume

A resume is a summary of your relevant work experience (both paid and unpaid), your educational background, and potentially any awards, scholarships, or other relevant accolades. Resumes are a snapshot of you as a potential employee, so they should be created with care and an attention to detail. Remember it is a snapshot or a quick look at you and your background. It will not detail all of your characteristics, just the highlights. It is beneficial to be concise in your presentation of information and use action words rather than passive language.

According to Queensland Government, these are the top items that employers are looking for in your resume:

• Contact details
• Career strengths
• Employment history
• Education and training achievements
• References

For more helpful information, check out Trine University’s Career Center which offers assistance with resumes, cover letters, and more.

Selecting References

References should be professional or educational, they should not be personal. Most places will conduct reference check, so when you are asking others to be a listed reference, consider these questions that may be asked:

• How was the applicant’s performance at their job?
• What position did they hold?
• What were the responsibilities and duties that they completed successfully?
• Why did the applicant leave that position?
• Would the applicant be rehired if they applied?

Reflect on who could provide positive information like this for you? Create a list of potential references that you could contact.

Additional Learning Materials:

Read:

1. 7 Tips for Writing an Effective Technical Resume (LO2)
2. The Reference Check: More Than a Formality (LO2)
3. Key Components of a Resume and Cover Letter (LO2)
4. How to Write an Effective Entry-Level Resume (LO2)

Watch:

1. Building a Resume and Cover Letter (3:30) (LO2)
2. Top 5 Reasons Not to Lie on Your Resume (3:56) (LO2)
3. How to Write a Resume for a Job Application (3:04) (LO2)

Listen:

1. Building a Resume (40:59) (LO2)
2. SMART Goals (7:00) (LO1)

References for Remixed Content:

BC Cook Articulation Committee (n.d.) Working in the food service industry. Pressbooks. https://opentextbc.ca/workinginfoodserviceindustry/chapter/setting-goals/

Bearman, A. (2022). Graduate Internship. Pressbooks. https://pressbooks.palni.org/graduateinternship/

DecisionSkills (2014). SMART goals – Quick overview [YouTube]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-SvuFIQjK8

go2HR (n.d.). Human resources in the food service and hospitality industry. The BC Cook Articulation Committee. https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/hrinfoodservices/

Queensland Government (2020, December 4). How to write a resume and cover letter. Queensland Government. https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/finding/resume

Queensland Government (2022, February 22). SMART performance goals. Pressbooks. https://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/human-resources/employee-management-conduct-and-performance/positively-manage-employees/smart-performance-goals

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