What is Life… After
AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps Alums – 2009/2010
Agenda
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Introductions
Employment Resources
Who are AmeriCorps Alums?
Local Chapters
National Opportunities
Questions?
Employment
Resources
Career Path
Whether you are just starting your AmeriCorps term,
are midterm or end of term, you should be asking
yourself questions like these:
• “What are the next steps in my career path?”
• “What resources are available to me that I am not
yet taking advantage of?”
• “How can I reflect this experience on my resume?”
Focused Job Search
Focusing your job search does not mean limiting
yourself, but applying for positions that you
are truly interested in.
Translating Your Experience into
Job Speak
• Identify competencies and skills used in your
service
• Give examples of when you learned or
successfully applied the skill
• Connect the dots for a potential employer by
telling them how you can use that skill to
meet the job requirements for the job you
want
Marketing Your Service Experience
on Your Resume
• Focus on the skills used, not job title
“Volunteer” or “AmeriCorps Member”
• Consider using a functional resume format
• Customize your resume to the job you are
seeking and list relevant accomplishments
• Prioritize your skills and accomplishments to
show what is most important and what you
are best at first
Interviewing
NUMBER ONE RULE:
Find out what your employer
wants…and tell them how YOU
can help them get it!
How can you do this???
Be a PRO!
• Be Prepared
– Dress the part and practice beforehand
– Research company, position, location and salary before the
interview
– Plan to follow-up before the interview
• Be Relevant
– Ask questions and customize your answers
• Be Optimistic and Confident
– Turn negatives into positives
– Show how you bring value in every answer
• What is AmeriCorps?
– Have your elevator speech ready
– Know WHY
• What are your weaknesses?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• What can you offer me that another
person can't?
Job Description:
The NCCC Alums Technology and Development Coordinator will work to ensure proper online
communication development and implementation with regard to the AmeriCorps Alums/NCCC
Alumni contract. He/she will also be charged with creating a sound infrastructure for NCCC alumni
special projects/events. This position is located in the Washington, DC headquarters of
AmeriCorps Alums. He/she will be supervised by the AmeriCorps Alums External Relations
Manager and work closely with the AmeriCorps NCCC Alumni and Partnership Coordinator.
Duties include:
Technology/Social Media
News and online publication
Special Projects/Events
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Qualifications and Core Skills:
Advanced knowledge of AmeriCorps NCCC (Alum preferred, but not required)
Excellent organizational skills and precise attention to detail
Proven skill in writing for online publication
Proficiency in all MS Office systems and Adobe Photoshop
Knowledge of online technology— specifically publishing, social media, CRM systems/databases
(HTML knowledge a plus)
Advanced knowledge and training in design aesthetics
Event and project management expertise
Strong work ethic, ready to learn and work hard
Self-starter who is comfortable working alone and with a small team
Networking
• 80 – 85% of jobs are never publicly advertised
• Networking is building relationships over time with a
broad range of people.
– Talk to family, friends, AmeriCorps peers, community
collaborators, project leaders, colleagues in your industry,
former bosses, teachers, etc.
– Stay in contact
– Never stop building your network
– Start now!
– Most importantly, create your own system, and be
consistent
Online Job Resources
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Jobs.change.org
Idealist.com
Americorpsalums.org
Usajobs.gov
LinkedIn.com
Check out ourwebsite!
THERE IS LIFE AFTER AMERICORPS!
Resources :
www.americorpsalums.org
AmeriCorps Hotline 1-888.507.5962
https://my.americorps.gov
What’s Next?
encorps.nationalserviceresources.org/whatsnext
www.americorpsalums.org