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The
RA job has an amazing number of "transferrable
skills" that you will be able to apply in any
career or job in your future!
This
page is intended to help you leverage this experience
during job interviews and on your resume.
Here
is a list of sample
RA Résumé Job Descriptions
Here are some useful RA
Résumé Resource Links
FROM
THE RESIDENCE HALL TO THE REAL WORLD
Imagine
going into a job interview and being able to confidently
give clear and concise examples of your skills in
planning, assessment, administration, counseling,
conflict resolution, crisis management, facilities
management, staff development, leadership training,
public speaking, and many other valuable skills. As
you hopefully know, YOU CAN DO JUST THAT as an RA.
As
this school year comes to an end, the topic of resume
development and job searching is at the forefront
of many people’s minds. For those of you who are not
looking for a job at this time, take some time to
develop your resume NOW!
I
know that some employers will actually hire a former
RA over someone with equivalent experience who does
not have an RA experience under their belt, BECAUSE
THEY KNOW YOU HAVE REAL WORLD SKILLS!
What
about those employers who have never heard of the
RA position? How do you communicate to them what valuable
skills you developed as an RA?
Here are some helpful hints on maximizing your
RA experience when seeking employment:
The
RESUME – Obviously, the resume is the first impression
you make on most employers, so a good description
of the RA position is essential. For some examples,
go to: http://www.residentassistant.com/advice/resume/resumebuilders.htm
For
more great resume resources on the web, check out:
http://www.residentassistant.com/advice/resume/resumelinks.htm
The
INTERVIEW – I was recently helping someone prepare
for a job interview, and as we went over sample interview
questions, I kept on thinking about how each of the
questions could be answered by referring to an example
of my experience as an RA! Look at sample interview
questions and think about how your RA experience relates.
What skills have you gained or developed in your time
as an RA? You can find some great job searching tips,
along with sample interview questions at About.com’s
career website: http://jobsearch.about.com/careers/jobsearch/
ON
THE JOB – Your experiences as an RA can benefit
you in any job position. You have experience working
with a diverse population of people, working with
a team, planning, problem solving, and acting as a
resource. These skills can be maximized if you recognize
them and intentionally develop them now. Take some
time to come up with a list of “transferable skills”
from your RA experience.
Best
of luck in your job searches, both now and in the
future. Whether you are seeking a career in business
management or social work, you can be assured that
you have “an edge” because of your RA experience.
If you have any questions, please feel free to drop
me an email.
Dan
Oltersdorf
ResidentAssistant.com
Contact
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