Graduation: Did You Pack Your Bags?	
Graduation! Did You Pack Your Bags? (page 1 of 2)	
You graduated!  You are launched into the real world.  Did you pack 
your Graduation Suitcase?  No?  Oh no . . . facing the real world 
empty handed!  Wake up from this bad dream!  You still have time to 
prepare to face the real world with tools, documents, and help tips!
 
RESUME
Yes!  You need an up-to-date resume that describes your skills, 
experiences, and education accurately and attractively.  Store your resume in a folder called RESUME on 
your computer for 2 reasons: 1) To update information on your resume as you gain more skills, experience,
 
and education.  2) To customize (change) your resume for the job you want.  For example, a
 resume for 
grocery store job will need different heading than resume for warehouse job.  When your resume is saved, 
you simply open the document, make changes, then save-as "Resume Groc
ery" or "Resume Warehouse."  
PERSONAL REFERENCES
Personal references are people, over 21 years of age who have a job, tha
t will say, when called by an 
employer, that you are a dependable person and good worker.  You need 3 personal references.  You need 
name of personal reference,  address (home or business), and phone number (home or business).  Type 
these 3 pieces of information for your personal references in a document
, then save on your computer in a 
folder called PERSONAL REFERENCES.  Every year, update your personal references.
REFERENCE LETTERS
Reference letters are letters telling others that you are good worker by
 describing your skills and work ethic 
(good work habits).  Reference letters may be written by your:  a) Em
ployers. b) Volunteer work 
supervisors.  c) School or city club adult advisors. d) Coaches. e) S
chool supervisors for your assignment 
as teacher aide, office aide, computer aide, nurses aide, or other . f) Adult with job.  Keep your original 
reference letter and 3 copies in a SAFE PLACE.  Also, scan each reference letter, and place the scan on 
your computer in a folder titled, REFERENCE LETTERS.  Never give anyone 
the  original reference letter.  
Give out copies only.  Each year, you need to collect, copy, scan, and store new reference letters. 
CERTIFICATES  & AWARDS
Keep every certificate and award you receive to prove that you earned them.  Make 3 copies, then store the 
original certificate/award in a SAFE PLACE.  Scan each certificate and award, and place the scans on your 
computer in a folder titled, CERTIFICATES AWARDS.  Remember: Never give anyone 
the original  certificate or award — give out copies only.  If an employer needs to see 
the original, take it back after the employer sees it, then leave a copy
 for the employer to 
keep.  Every year, collect, copy, scan, and store new certificates and awards.
TRANSCRIPTS
Get a copy of your high school transcript (list of all classes taken wi
th grades) from the 
Records Office at your school.  Store your high school transcript in a safe place.

Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Graduation! Did You Pack Your Bags? (page 2 of 2)	
QUICK CHECK:
1. For what do you still have time?  
2.  a) What 3 things do you describe on a resume?  
b) For what 2 reasons do you store your resume?
3.  a) Who are personal references?  b) How many 
do you need?  c) What 3 pieces of information 
do you need for each personal reference?
4.  a) What are reference letters?  b) List 4 types 
people who may write a reference letter for you.  
  c) What do you keep in a safe place?  d) Where 
do you place scanned reference letters?  e) What 
do you never give anyone?
5.  a) Why do you keep certificate and awards?  
  b) Where do you store certificates and awards?  
c) What do you do if an employer wants to see 
the original certificate or award? 
6.  What is a transcript?  
7.  a) What is an elevator pitch?  b) When do you 
use an elevator pitch?  c) List 3 other times your 
elevator pitch is also used.  d) When important  person asks, "What is your name," with what 
do you reply?  e) List 5 things an elevator pitch 
includes.
8.  Write an elevator pitch for  you!  Include all 5 
things for your elevator pitch.
9.  a) What do you need to design?  b) Do not 
  include what information?  c) How should your 
email address look?  d) How should the answer 
voice on your phone sound?
10. List 3 places that will help you with information  about education, training, and job openings.  
11.  List 3 website that will give you helpful tips.
12. a) Do you have an up-to-date resume?  b) Do  you have 3 personal references?  c) Do you have 
any reference letters? d) If not, list 2 people at 
your school that you can ask to write you a 
  reference letter before graduation.  e) Do you 
have your certificates and awards?  f) Do you 
have your transcript?  g) Do you have an 
  elevator pitch to share with important people? 
ELEVATOR PITCH
Elevator pitch is a practiced 30- to 60-second sales pitch about you.  You use an elevator pitch 
when you are looking for a job and meet a person who may know about job 
openings.  Your 
elevator pitch is also used when you:  1) Ask for job applications.  2) Attend meetings.  
3) Attend job fairs.  An important person may meet you and say, "Hello, what is your name? 
Where do you work?"   Reply with your elevator pitch to the important person.  Elevator 
pitch includes your name, education, work experience, skills, and request — 
"My name is Sam Smith.  I have work experience at a restaurant and skills in teamwork 
and customer service.  I graduated from Valley High School where I completed Business 
classes, and was on the wrestling team.  I'm plan to attend Hilltop College to major in 
Business.  I’m looking for a job opening as a management trainee.  If you know of any 
job openings, please let me know.  Here’s my card."  Be sure to smile.  Design an attractive 
business card with your name, contact information (email address; phone
 number), and skills.  Do not 
include your address.  Store the business card on your computer in a fol
der called, BUSINESS CARD.  
Make sure your email address looks business-like, and answer voice on yo
ur phone sounds business-like.  
Check that your social media sites look professional with privacy settin
gs on high.  
WHERE TO GET HELPFUL TIPS
Make a list of where to get information  about education, training, job 
hunt, and job 
openings:  a) your state’s Employment Office. b) CareerOneStop Office. c) Local 
college's Career Center (visit even if you do not attend yet).  Make a
 list of sites that offer tips: 
1) Occupational Outlook Handbook (bls.gov/ooh); 2) CareerOneStop (careeronestop.or g); 
3) MyNextMove.org;  4) College Navigator (nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator); 5) Job openings: snagajob.
com, indeed.com, monster.com, careerbuilder.com.