What resume format is good for you?

What type of resume should you use?  Here is a brief explanation of the types and who should use what:

• Chronological Resume - Information is organized in a date order.  Focus is on employment dates and job titles, highlighting your most recent experience.
• Functional Resume - Highlights your skills, experience and accomplishments without identifying specific dates and places
• Combination Resume - brings the best of both formats together.

Chronological format is best used by individuals with a steady work record who have experience that directly relates to the position for which you have applied. Good - It is logical, showcases growth, promotions and company loyalty.  Bad - It emphasizes frequent job changes, limited or lack of experience, and set backs or demotions.

Functional resume - is best used by individuals just out of school, who have gaps in employment, frequent job changers, or individuals who have gained skills from areas outside of documented employment (possibly volunteer work).  Good - emphasizes skills rather than employment, disguises gaps in work history, and organizes a variety of experiences. Bad - loses direction because of lack of focus, deemphasizes job growth.

Combination resume - good format for those individuals in career transition or re-entering the job market after an absence.  Good - highlights most relevant skills and accomplishments, De-emphasizes employment history in less relevant jobs, Combines skills developed in a variety of jobs or other activities, and Minimizes drawbacks such as employment gaps and absence of directly related experience. Bad - can be confusing if not organized, requires more effort to prepare.

Career Resource Specialists at the Illlinois workNet Centers can assist you in determining what format is best for you.  Visit one of our centers today!

Money $mart

Add $ to your pocket

 

The FDIC - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has developed a series of workshops to help people learn more about financial education, especially for those with limited or no banking experience. We hosted a similar series in November. It was very popular and is returning:

• April 20 9AM - Noon - Elgin Illinois workNet Center
• April 21 9AM - Noon - N. Aurora Illinois workNet Center

Our guest speaker is Juliana Hackel of Harris N.A. She will lead the following discussions:

• Financial Strategies - understand how budgeting and savings prepares you for your financial health and well being.
• To Your Credit- understand credit cards, how to responsibly use them, how to read a credit report & how to build and repair your credit history.
• Loan to Own - understand general information on installment loans, including car loans and home equity loans, & Making Homes Affordable program.

To register call:
Elgin - 847-888-7900 x 230 or email
N. Aurora - 630-966-1435 x 40079 or email
Flyer Find out about all of our workshops link here

Illinois workNet Centers have Assistive Technology

The Illinois workNet Centers in Elgin, DeKalb and North Aurora provide the following Assistive Technology equipment to assist job seekers with disabilities the ability to access the Internet, information and computer systems.

Sorenson Video Relay Service Phone – Benefits individual with hearing and speech impairment.   

Expert MouseTrackball – The Trackball is a simpler mouse for individuals with limited dexterity. 

Adjustable Keyboard Tray – This is a height adjustable tray for individuals using a wheelchair or has ergonomic concerns.

IntelliKeys Keyboard – This is an enlarged, programmable keyboard for individuals with impaired motor involvement and vision impairment. 

Large Monitor – This is a 21-inch computer screen for individuals with mild vision impairment.

Closed Circuit Television - An electronic magnification device for viewing printed materials.

Large Print Keyboard Labels – Adhesive labels that make the keyboard keys easier to read.

ZoomText – Is for individuals who require large print to read, certain colors to enhance reading, and speech output to assist in reading text. 

Open Book – This gives blind or visually impaired individuals the tool to read, edit, scan, and manage printed text as well as text that is imbedded in graphics. 

JAWS – Is a screen reading software that works with your PC to provide access to today’s software applications and the Internet for those individuals who are blind or visually impaired and have high reading and word processing skills.

Home Page Reader – Software that reads most web pages aloud for visually impaired or blind individuals.

Talking Books Tape Player – Plays and records both standard and “talking book” audio cassette tapes for individuals who are blind. 

Duxbury Braille Translator – Is a complete Braille translator/word processor for those individuals who are blind or visually impaired. 

Juliet Braille Embosser – Is a Braille output printer for individuals who are blind and use Braille.

Pocketalker – Is a simple sound amplifier for individuals who have a hearing impairment.

For more details about any of these items visit our webpage at www.kcdee.org/assistiveTechnology.html

Donka, Inc

Donka is a partner of the Illinois workNet Center in North Aurora that is a non-profit organization providing computer training and job readiness services to persons with physical and visual disabilities.  Through computers and Assistive Technology, our clients become more self-sufficient and independent members of the community.  Our primary goals are:

1. Provide a credible computer training program to people with disabilities
2. Provide adequate training and experience to enable students to pursue further education or see employment
3. Provide a way for people who are disabled to utilize their intellectual abilities, increase their self-esteem and become more self-sufficient, independent members of the community.

Our computer instruction focuses on the common business applications.  Our training is intensive and individualized, with a goal of student driven success.  Donka believes that strengthened personal confidence combined with marketable computer skills yields a more productive person.

Our curriculum prepares students for work.  Students learn while working through realistic business scenarios.  They work at their own pace and ability level.  Students learn through a variety of instructional formats.  We use easy to follow textbook with CD ROM tutorials for review.  Besides following textbook instruction, students are given independent projects.  Students work on these projects with step by step assistance from the textbook.  These exercises reinforce learning while helping students identify performance gaps.  Students are tested as instruction for each computer program is completed
Assistive Technology assessment and training services are now available at your office, classroom, front door, or at the Illinois workNet Center.  Students from Kane County must have a fee for service contract with the Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS).