Outreach Ministries: Resume Assistance Seminar

You may or may not want to include this in any Interview seminar or Career Fair that you plan in the future. If your church runs a professional clothing closet, you can also offer this as a complimentary service. The main goal of this program is to help people with little or no job hunting experience learn to craft glowing resumes. A good resume is the first step towards securing a wanted career.

• Identify your Target Audience- Will your seminar be open to anyone who wants to attend? How about focusing on minorities with little knowledge of English grammar? Or housewives returning to the work force after years spent at home? Maybe people who are currently homeless or living off of welfare? The possibilities are many.
• Identify your Staff- DYour seminar should be handled by people with experience in human resources. Find a person or persons who does the hiring for their company. Keep in mind that companies can vary slightly as to what the look for in a resume, so it can be good to get several perspectives
• Step 1: Help People identify their skills.- People who are new to the job market, or have been out of it for years, often feel as if they have little to offer. Host a lecture on identifying marketable skills. These are skills many people possess, but may not be readily apparent. For example, a housewife who has been her child’s classroom volunteer has strong organization and project management skills.
• Step 2: Teach the different resume formats- Many resume styles exist. There is a different format for a new grad entering the market than someone making a career change in their 40’s. Examples are easily found in books or online. Pick a few and make up some mock resumes. Turn them into a PowerPoint presentation or handouts to offer visual examples to your audience.
• Step 3: Refine and Return- If you have enough volunteers, you can offer one-on-one refinement sessions with attendees. Ask them to bring copies of their resumes to the lecture. If they don’t even have a basic resume, ask them to jot down any skills or experience they think might be relevant. Look over their work and point out any obvious spelling, grammar, or format issues. Remember, you’re not writing their resume for them. You’re giving them the tools they need to write successfully.
• If your target audience is especially low income, you may ask local copy centers if they would be willing to donate a certain amount of paper and services to your cause. Say, 8 free résumé copies per attendee. At the very least, they might be willing to supply you with coupons for discounted services that you can hand out.

Helpful Links

Resume Resource-Free examples of resumes, cover letters, and more.

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