Careers

Order of Resume

The Functional Resume

The functional resume format is one that is used to assert a focus to relevant skills that are specific to the type of position being sought. This format directly emphasizes specific professional capabilities and utilizes experience summaries as its primary means of communicating professional competency. In contrast, the chronological resume format will briefly highlight these competencies prior to presenting a comprehensive timeline of career growth via reverse-chronological listing with most recent experience listed first. Individuals with any of these conditions may effectively consider a functional resume:

• A mixed career background with a collection of jobs not specific to the type of position being sought.
• Someone returning to a previous profession, where the most recent experience is not as directly applicable as transferable to the job currently sought.
• Someone ready to develop a professional career from less than full-time experience, either from part-time or pastime related experience while ones full-time occupation differs from the previous full-time background.
• Job seekers returning to the workforce after a considerable lapse in employment.

The outline for a functional resume will generally follow this type of pattern:

Name and Address Header
Opening Headline, Objective or Occupational Title
Summary of Qualifications
Experience Highlights
Work/Employment History
Education and specific Computer, Software or Equipment Skills or Training

The Chronological or Reverse-Chronological resume

The chronological resume (also referred to as reverse-chronological) format is by far, the most common resume layout in use. In using this format, the main body of the document becomes the Professional Experience section, starting from the most recent experience going chronologically backwards through a succession of previous experience. This resume works to build credibility through experience gained, while illustrating career growth over time.

Individuals with any of these conditions may effectively consider a chronological resume.:

• A successive career background in the field or of similar distinction to the next job being sought after.
• Someone with limited work history, however, gaining experience in areas of competency applicable to the sought position through some previous work.
• Job seekers with a steady track record, without significant lapses in employment.

The outline for a chronological or reverse-chronological resume will generally follow this type of pattern:

Name and Address Header
Opening Headline, Objective or Occupational Title
A brief Summary of Qualifications
Professional Experience as main body of the document
Education and specific Computer, Software or Equipment Skills or Training

Breakdown: This resume format starts with a brief summary or objective section. Qualification Highlights sections are optional and are considered to be part of the summary section. Experience is then listed to follow the summary. Job descriptions are listed in reverse chronological order starting from most recent experience to least recent experience. The education section is next and then can be followed with additional sections such as: Publications, Professional Affiliations, Awards, Honors, Volunteer Work, etc.

Top interview questions

Correct Interview dress

The first impression you make on a potential employer is the most important one. The first judgment an interviewer makes is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing. That's why it's always important to dress professionally for a job interview, even if the work environment is casual.
What's the appropriate dress code for an interview? You'll want that first impression to be not just a good one, but, a great one. The candidate dressed in a suit and tie is going to make a much better impression than the candidate dressed in scruffy jeans and a t-shirt.
Men's Interview Attire

• Suit (solid color - navy or dark grey)
• Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
• Belt
• Tie
• Dark socks, conservative leather shoes
• Little or no jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Limit the aftershave
• Neatly trimmed nails
• Portfolio or briefcase

Women's Interview Attire

• Suit (navy, black or dark grey)
• The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably
• Coordinated blouse
• Conservative shoes
• Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)
• No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry
• Professional hairstyle
• Neutral pantyhose
• Light make-up and perfume
• Neatly manicured clean nails
• Portfolio or briefcase

How to prepare for interview

Be familiar with the job for which you're being interviewed. Read the advertisement or job description to identify which personal attributes and behaviors are likely to be key success factors for the role. For Client interviews it is advised that you research the company's website and any external information about them from business directories etc.
Make a note of two or three examples for each personal attribute that will best illustrate your suitability - you may want to bring these into the interview with you as prompts. Remember that different companies and industries may require different personal attributes, even for the same position. For example, 'self-managing' can mean very different things to different companies.

Be able to draw from a variety of experiences that demonstrate your skills and abilities. A good story can also combine work experience with a non-work experience (shows you can use the skill in a variety of settings). Examples may be from your work experience, your personal life or some social or other situation. Of course a unique work situation story (unless otherwise specifically requested) should take priority. Be as open, expressive and succinct as possible about each experience.

Let others help you out - use examples of quotes from bosses or customers, i.e., "My boss gave me a good performance review, they liked the way I stepped in to get the job done without being told to." This demonstrates your willingness to accept contribution, your flexibility and teamwork skills.

Think 'STAR' - Situation or Task, Action and Result. There are several variations of this acronym in the recruiting industry, but all of them are intended to provide structure and focus to your answers. When asked about a type of situation, the interviewer is looking at how you responded to it by via a specific example. Using the STAR model you would break your answer into the three segments of; description of the task, then the action you took, and the final measurable result.

Purpose and use of:

Resume

Resumes give employers basic information quickly; their purpose is to get you an interview.

• Employers take 10-20 seconds to screen resume and sort into piles of “yes,” “no,” “maybe.”

• Employers only spend 15-20 minutes on a resume. Be clear, concise and specific about the

job for which you are applying.

Cover letter

Employers often receives hundreds, maybe even thousands of applications for each position they want to fill. If you are among the thousands of applicants, how do you ensure your application gets short-listed and not discarded? Writing targeted, employer-specific and effective cover letters is one proven way to do it. Your cover letter is a powerful tool that differentiates your application, provided it is well-written.

Follow-up letter

The purpose of the follow up letter is to reiterate your interest in the job. This is also helpful to encourage employer response. It is not uncommon to speak to a company representative and send a follow up letter to drive home key points in the conversation.

 

• Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment?
• What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met?
• What were your starting and final levels of compensation?
• What did you like or dislike about your previous job?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• What is your greatest strength?
• How many hours do you normally work?
• How do you handle stress and pressure?
• What motivates you?
• What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?

Study Skills

Learning Styles
 Visual- draw maps, make outlines, flashcards

Auditory-use word association to remember facts, repeat fact with eyes closed, discuss in groups

Kinesthetic-  Study in short blocks, study with others, use memory games and flashcards

Tips on how to study

• Study in Short, Frequent Sessions
• Take Guilt-Free Days of Rest
• Honor Your Emotional State
• Review the Same Day
• Observe the Natural Learning Sequence
• Use Exaggeration
• Prepare Your Study Environment
• Respect “Brain Fade.”
• Create a Study Routine
• Set Reasonable Goals
• Avoid the Frustration Enemy

What to avoid when studying

• Avoid sweets and distractions

Organizational tools

• A fishbone chart is a good tool for brainstorming causes and effects for a certain problems. Place the problem you are discussing on the right side of a paper in a box (the head). Draw a line to the left and create branches (bones) to indicate possible causes
• A web chart (or spider map) is useful for organizing your notes before an exam or before drafting an essay. It is also useful for organizing your oral presentation. Place a central idea or item in the center and use the “legs” to list attributes and other items. You can use a web to create a visual depiction of main topics and subtopics. The web diagram proves to be a great visual aid for studying literature and preparing debates, speeches, and argument essays. A web chart is also valuable for discerning the organization and structure of any complex problem or group.
• A timeline is useful for studying historic events and any process that happens over time. This is an especially good too when studying for exams. If you sketch a timeline and study it a few times, you will easily remember events in sequence.
• Use a cycle chart to demonstrate a chain of events, show steps in a scientific process, or to clarify the order of certain repeating events. The act of drawing out the process will reinforce the information in your brain.

College Unit

Public vs. Private
Public colleges are those that are largely supported by state funds. If you attend a public institution in your own state, you will get a break on tuitions costs, and–as a state resident–it’s usually easier for you be admitted, as well. However, if you attend a public college in ANOTHER state, you will probably not get those benefits (though some state institutions do have reciprocal agreements with other nearby states.)

Private colleges, on the other hand, are supported by tuition, endowment, and donations from alumni and friends. Usually they are more expensive than public colleges, but it does depend on the particular school. Also, private colleges often offer the best financial aid (see below). While attending a private school is reputed to translate into less red tape and more personal attention than you’ll find at the public counterparts, it’s important to look carefully at each individual college and to separate rumor from reality.

When do you apply to college?
The college admissions process can seem a bit overwhelming at first. In fact, many students are so intimidated by the process when they first begin that they put off working on their applications. This can be a very dangerous habit, as it can cause students to fall so far behind that they miss important application deadlines.
The college and university application process does not have to be an unpleasant one. With proper planning and some diligence, it can be an exciting and productive time. To get the most out the experience, try to turn the process into an excuse to do some real thinking about your future. Not only will you find the right college or university for you, but you'll also be able to formulate a long-term plan and set goals for the years ahead.
The most important thing you can do to streamline the application process is to start early. The earlier you begin researching potential college and university programs, the easier it will be for you to complete your applications on time. In the Spring before you apply, you should answer some basic questions about your preferences so that you can start to narrow down your search. Do you want to be a part of a small, medium or large student body? Are you going to be living on campus or commuting from home? Would you prefer an urban or more rural setting? What would you like to study, and which schools have the strongest programs? How much can you afford to pay in tuition, and will you need financial aid? Once you can answer these questions and other that you can think of, you can start to narrow down the colleges and universities that fit your ideal profile. Use college guidebooks from your local library or bookstore, and check out each school's website online.

ACT/SAT
You might wonder why you have to choose between the SAT and the ACT--maybe one of the two is favored by the students in your school. Ten or 20 years ago, choosing which test to take wasn't even an issue. Until recently, the ACT was traditionally required by colleges in the midwest, and the SAT was the test of choice in the northeast and on the east and west coasts. But now an increasing number of students are taking the ACT, and the majority of schools in the United States now accept both SAT and ACT test results.

While the SAT and ACT are very different tests, they both fulfill the same role in the admissions process. The Power of Prediction

How This Affects YouThis increased acceptance of the ACT gives today's savvy students a strategic advantage. The SAT and ACT are significantly different tests, and in many ways, they measure different skills. So depending on your particular strengths and weaknesses, you may perform much better on one test than the other. As a result, many students embarking on the admissions process are now considering both the SAT and ACT--to figure out which test provides a better showcase for their abilities. What's the Difference?Admissions officers and educators often describe the difference between SAT and ACT in these terms: the ACT is a content-based test, whereas the SAT tests critical thinking and problem solving. This perception is one reason many educators (off the record) express a preference for the ACT--because they believe that the ACT is closer to testing the "core curriculum" taught in most school classrooms. In fact, this contrast isn't exactly watertight. Many questions on the ACT test critical thinking, and there is a predictable range of material that's tested on the SAT. But the SAT and ACT reward different attributes, so performing well on each test can boil down to what kind of test taker you are.
Here are some of the factors that make the SAT and ACT very different breeds:

• The ACT includes a science reasoning test; the SAT does not.
• The ACT math section includes trigonometry.
• The SAT tests vocabulary much more than the ACT.
• The SAT is not entirely multiple choice.
• The SAT has a guessing penalty; the ACT does not.
• The ACT tests English grammar; the SAT does not.

Remember, both the SAT and ACT are important parts of your application, but they're only one of several factors--from your courses and grades to recommendations and your personal statement--that colleges consider.

Internet Safety

Do's and Don'ts of Internet Safety

• Do follow the rules that your parents have set regarding the time you are allowed to use the internet, the purpose of your use of the internet, the sites you are allowed to visit, and the limitations they have set.
• If you are using instant messaging or entering chat rooms, do stay on public, monitored and child-friendly rooms.
• Do tell your parents immediately if you have encountered any problem while using the internet or if you have engaged in an uncomfortable situation.
• Do use an alias or nickname every time you enter chat rooms and forums.
• Do avoid posting your personal profile on the web. This may be used by online predators against you.
• Do close the web browser immediately if you see any images of violence, nudity, pornography, sex, and other contents that aren’t right for your age. Do tell your parents about this immediately.
• Don’t give your real identity to anyone you meet online. This includes your real name, address, school information, e-mail address, password, and bank account information.
• If you are using instant messaging or entering chat rooms, DON’T allow others to harass you or put you in an uncomfortable situation.
• Don’t reply to or start a conversation with people you don’t know. Don’t accept gift offerings from them.
• Don’t fill out any survey, membership, or application forms asking for your personal information from an unsecured site.
• 　
• Don’t disable any security settings your parents have set such as antivirus, firewall, filtering, and site monitoring programs.
• Don’t open, reply or download attachments from spam or from unknown senders. These may contain viruses or other threats that can harm your computer.
• Don’t download any files that are given to you by people you’ve met online. Don’t download any files from your e-mail unless they are solicited. 
• Doesn’t use free and downloadable peer-to-peer file sharing programs (e.g. Kazza and Grokster)? These are spyware.
• And most of all….Do practice honesty and DON’T hide anything from your parents.

How To Protect Yourself

• Do not reveal personal information inadvertently.
• Turn on cookie notices in your Web browser, and/or use cookie management software or infomediaries.
• Keep a "clean" e-mail address.
• Don't reveal personal details to strangers or just-met "friends".
• Realize you may be monitored at work, avoid sending highly personal e-mail to mailing lists, and keep sensitive files on your home computer.
• Beware sites that offer some sort of reward or prize in exchange for your contact information or other personal details.
• Do not reply to spammers, for any reason.
• Be conscious of Web security.
• Be conscious of home computer security.
•  Examine privacy policies and seals.
• Remember that YOU decide what information about yourself to reveal, when, why, and to whom.
• Use encryption!

Safety Tips

• Never meet up with anyo
• Never give any personal information to anyone you meet online
• ne you don't already know
• Don't fill out any "fun" questionnaires that are forwarded to you, even if they're from your friends
• Make sure you know everyone on your buddy list
• You do not have to answer emails or IMs from people you don't know
• There's no such thing as "private" on the Internet
• Be careful about posting pictures of yourself (if you must, don't post sexy ones or ones showing behavior you wouldn't want your mom, teacher, boss, or potential college advisor to see).
• Don't send pictures of other people
• Don't download content without your parents' permission
• Never share your password with anyone but your parents.

 

All About Being a Jaguar

•  SPHS is located on 4700 Jaguar Drive Birmingham, AL 35242-4678.
• The SPHS Mission Statement is the future belongs to the educated, and Spain Park High School exists to promote and prepare students for academic excellence while empowering our young adults to live and thrive in that future.
• The SPHS mascot is the Jaguar
• The SPHS Alma Mater is: Spain Park Jags, we celebrate, a place we hold so dearThis our Alma Mater, Spain Park we sing and cheerEver Faithful, Ever Loyal, as the years pass throughMay we ever love the Jaguar Blue,To Spain Park be true!
• Schedule and Teachers :

1st Period- History

Smith - http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/wsmith/Pages/default.aspx

2nd Period- Algebra 1

Mathias - http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/smathias/Pages/default.aspx

3rd Period- HS 101

Tucker - http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/vtucker/Pages/default.aspx

4th Period- Biology

Guthrie - http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/mguthrie/Pages/default.aspx

5ht Period- Spanish 1

Haley - http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/lhaley/Pages/default.aspx

6th Period- English

Rice - http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/lrice/Pages/default.aspx

7th Period- PE, atheltic life

Tucker - http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/vtucker/Pages/default.aspx
What i love about being a SP Jag is that the school is well organized, the classes are very academic and very helpful, and of course the SPHS school athletics!