Interviews

• You will learn how to be proactive and convey key strengths, irrespective of the questions that are asked.
• How to minimize your perceived weaknesses and questions that you fear.
• Develop compelling stories/examples that communicate problems that you faced, actions that you took, and results that you have achieved (called the PAR approach).

The second session provides an opportunity to practice your answers in an atmosphere of kind, constructive feedback. You may tape recording your responses. Research shows that practice strongly correlates with success in an interview. Leslie Myleus sent me the note to the right about the importance of practicing PAR statements when she was selected out of 219 candidates.

"Today is my first day of work at TriMet! I got the position of Event Representative in the marketing department, and am looking forward to working in the newly-formed promotions division with some really great people. Thanks for everything, especially the interview preparation; I think having prepackaged PAR statements ready at the drop of a hat help the confidence level, even if those questions never come up in an interview."

Graduate
Make-A-Difference Job Club

Mondays, July 12 & 19
6:30 - 8:30p.m.
2625 SE Hawthorne #G

Non-Profit Program Director

Directed $1 million youth and community development project to assist over 5,000 at-risk youth in areas of psycho-social rehabilitation, education, job-training and civic action. Led successful strategic and financial planning, board development and fundraising efforts turning the project into a sustainable NGO.

Managed, motivated and trained a variety of multi-ethnic staff teams from 4 to 55 employees along with hundreds of volunteers in fast-paced and conflict-ridden political and social environments.

Founded successful Youth Civic Action Center and trained youth activists to manage programs, cultivate community involvement, and to diversify fundraising activity.

Trained and consulted a staff of 40 to create a management environment conducive to staff empowerment and initiative for the achievement of goals in multiple sectors: awarding grants to small NGOs, grant-writing, strategic planning, volunteer development, family planning, and civic action.

Designed, wrote, and directed $1.5 million grant to provide emergency aid to 2,000 displaced families.

Professional Experience

Trained and consulted Counterpart Turkmenistan staff to work more effectively as a US Government-funded developing NGO awarding Community Action Grants and Sustainability Grants to community organizations in diverse sectors: family planning, environmentalism, civic action, and volunteerism. Consulted for change in management environment for development of initiative in the 40-person staff. Focused heavily on improvement in delivery of services to NGOs/community organizations and strategic planning for long-term sustainability.

Directed all sustainable NGO development for assistance to at-risk children and youth in Tajikistan. Supervised multiethnic staff of 55 in several programs. Administered $1 million US Government Youth House grant to assist over 5,000 youth in areas of psycho-social rehabilitation, education, arts, job-training, and civic action. Led strategic planning, fund-raising, and grant-writing for the development of Youth House NGO, which continues to operate successfully long after the end of US Government funding. Wrote and administered $1.5 million grant for emergency shelter aid to 2,000 families in Afghanistan.

Administered US Government-funded competitions in Uzbekistan for over 4,000 youth to study in USA. Led outreach and partnership with government, media outlets, NGOs, and schools. Led national information/publicity campaigns. Ran grant-writing and training seminars. Co-founded local youth community service NGO in 1999 (still in successful operation). Organized and motivated volunteer community activism country-wide.

Administered all American international study and research programs. In charge of finances, grant-management, US Government grant reporting, maintaining and developing relations with educational institutions. Advised students and researchers while ensuring high quality of instruction and cross-cultural experience for all ACIE study programs.

Oversaw finances and student cultural immersion. Arbitrated in cross-cultural misunderstandings.

Directed ACIE summer Russian language/research programs at Moscow State University. Motivated and directed campaigners during a national campaign to strengthen federal Clean Water and Safe Drinking-Water Acts. Led press conferences and media outreach in the state of Georgia.

Other Accomplishments & Skills

• Co-founded local community service NGO - Fergana Youth Education Center (FYEC) http://ferghana.iatp.uz/program.html
• Wrote and directed US Government Democracy Grant in 1999 to open youth community education and action center. Trained local youth activists in NGO management, community outreach and fundraising. FYEC still operates today with significant grant-funding and a membership of over 1,500.
• Wrote a book of stories on modern life in Uzbekistan
• Extensive computer and internet research experience: proficient in a wide range of office programs

OBJECTIVE:
To secure a position in television production which utilizes my strong project management skills, creative brain-storming capabilities, and interpersonal talents.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Multi-faceted film and video production (producing, directing, shooting, audio, lighting, editing) _
• Computer proficiencies (Microsoft Word; Final Cut Pro; HTML; Excel; FrontPage, Internet) _
• Unique balance of organizational artistry and creative ingenuity
• Positive spirit, quick wit, and ability to spark team imagination
• Unlimited passion for the diverse people, places, and events of the Bay Area

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Published Author, San Francisco, California
Developed, researched, wrote, and edited non-fiction books on a variety of subjects for major publishing houses. 1996 Ð 2003.

Producer, Audience Development, Oxygen Media/ThriveOnline, San Francisco, CA
Produced interactive stress-management and personal growth content for an award-winning health Web site and television program. Coordinated the convergence of the company's online Òhealthy livingÓ content with television programming and health advocacy campaigns. Handled all cross-promotional efforts with Oprah.com. Developed, wrote, and implemented content and creative promotions designed to increase Web site traffic, while cultivating a positive user experience. Managed producers, writers, and designers in the production of weekly e-mail newsletters with a distribution of two million subscribers. Sept. Õ99 Ð Oct. Õ01.

Creative Services and Marketing Coordinator, UPN44 (KBHK-TV), San Francisco, CA
Wrote script copy, and produced promotional commercial spots for television station. Coordinated all aspects of the production and distribution of Bay Area events magazine, theUPN44 Discovery Guide, which included developing content, copy-editing, and supervising graphic designers. Managed Web site, including writing, art direction, and general site maintenance. Created integrated promotions and contests for prominent clients and advertising agencies. Oct. '96 - Sept. '99.

Managing Editor, Spark! San Francisco, CA.
Developed and managed decks of best-selling activity cards, published by Chronicle Books.Supervised writers and art direction. Researched content and edited manuscripts. July '95 - June Ô99.

Production Coordinator, San Francisco, CA
Coordinated pre-production and production of music videos for major record labels. Assisted with hiring crew, renting film equipment, primary prop acquisition, and securing permit/insurance certificates. Oct. '95 - Oct. '96.

Creative Assistant/Special Markets Manager, Tyco Toys/View-Master, Portland, OR
Assisted the Creative Department in the development of children's music videos and film/television-based toys. Managed production of custom product by interfacing with major advertising agencies and clients. June '94 - '95

JESSICA HURLEY
jessafire@attbi.com

Production Assistant, Lakeside Productions, Portland, OR
Performed logistical tasks involved in the production of a CBS pilot television program. Feb. - April '94.

Merchandiser, Sony Entertainment / Epic Records, Los Angeles, CA.
Traveled with Sony/Epic recording artists across the country. Handled merchandising and events promotion. Fall Ô93.

Assistant Producer, 3 Eagle Productions, Oceanside, CA
Worked with a leader of the American Indian Movement (AIM), on the research and development of a film documentary about the Indians' attitudes towards the environment. Sept. '92 - Feb. '93.

Assistant to Producer/President, Triumph Pictures, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Assisted with creative development and the restructuring of companyÕs business plan. Evaluated film scripts. Handled general office duties. Sept. '92 - Feb. '93.

PUBLISHED WORKS:

• Great Pumpkins (Chronicle Books, 2003)
• Climb Against the Odds (Chronicle Books/The Breast Cancer Fund, 2002)
• Burn This Book Éand Move On with Your Life (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2002)
• One Makes the Difference (co-author, environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill; HarperCollins, 2002)
• Let Your Worries Go (St. MartinÕs Press, 2001) _ 52 Tricks and Treats for Halloween (co-author Lynn Gordon; Chronicle Books, 2000)
• 52 Ways to Make a House a Home (co-author Lynn Gordon; Chronicle Books, 2000)
• 52 Ways to Stay Young at Heart (co-author Lynn Gordon; Chronicle Books, 1999)
• 52 Great Travel Tips (co-author Lynn Gordon; Chronicle Books, 1999)
• 52 Amazing Science Experiments for Kids (co-author Lynn Gordon; Chronicle Books, 1998)
• 52 Ways to Pamper Your Pets (co-author Lynn Gordon; Chronicle Books, 1997)
• 52 Party Activities for Grown-ups (co-author Lynn Gordon; Chronicle Books, 1996)
• 52 Relaxing Rituals (co-author Lynn Gordon; Chronicle Books, 1996)

EDUCATION:

• Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) VideoLink, video training program, Fall Õ02
• Pitzer College (Claremont Colleges), Claremont, CA. Combined B.A. in Film and Video Production/Sociology, May 1992. Produced, directed, and edited documentary on domestic violence as senior thesis. Participated in Boston University Video Internship Program in London, England. Recipient of MCA scholarship.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ACTIVITIES, AND INTERESTS:

• Selected member of The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, and a judge for the 7th Annual Webby Awards, Spring Ô03
• Recipient of the Common CouncilÕs Mesa Refuge writing fellowship, Fall Ô02
• Volunteer for ArtSF, CellSpace MediaArts, GirlSource, V.O.T.E. and Glide's "In Your Hands" programs
• Story-telling, photography, traveling, film/video, yoga, reading, and hiking

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Practical and ethical professional committed to sustainable resource management and efforts to improve rural economies. Biology background and knowledge of forest ecology and wood products. Extensive exploration of Oregon rural communities and forests. Expertise in small business manufacturing environments. Strong project management, research, communication, and reporting skills. Always striving for process improvement and outstanding results.

Computer Skills: Proficient with Windows word processing and spreadsheet programs. Effective Internet researcher.

CONTENT EXPERTISE

• Forest ecology
• Forest management and wood markets
• History, economics and traditions of rural Oregon communities
• Botany, blending academic preparation with field exploration
• Fish and fishery business and economics
• Stream ecology
• Zoology, emphasizing fish, bird, and mammal habitat.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Environmental

• Researched impact of forest management on fish and steam ecology.
• Designed and implemented a system for handling, processing and marketing harvested northern pikeminnow, a predator of young salmon. Coordinated people, logistics and materials to create economically self-sufficient resale enterprise while saving salmon.
• Garnered cooperation and maintained communication with five government agencies, two universities, four Indian tribes and two state police departments during pikeminnow project.
• Long-term informal advocacy of sustainable building practices, promotion of eco-friendly products, and preservation of OregonÕs natural beauty.

Business and Organizational Skills

• Tenaciously solved problems and managed projects in two small business environments, excelling in buying, technical implementation, and logistics.
• Located subcontractors and negotiated contracts with subcontractors from Astoria to Lewiston, ID to process, transport, and freeze the harvested pikeminnow in preparation for shipping to a food-grade fish processor.
• Organized small wilderness hiking and rafting expeditions, handling all planning and logistics. Recognized for attention to detail and removing potential obstacles..

Information Gathering and Reporting

• Conducted research and data collection.
• Presented budget information and progress reports to participants of a multi-agency government research program.
• Collaborated on numerous technical reports relating to both biology and economics.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

EDUCATION

B.S. in Fisheries Science, Oregon State University, 1987

Michele Rainier
xxxx SE xxxx
Portland, OR 97214
(503) xxx-xxxx

Objective

To work in an creative educational community where I can facilitate artistic expression and technical proficiency with materials.

Summary of Qualifications

• BFA from an excellent public art school coupled with a MasterÕs in Teaching
• Experience developing art curriculum for over 20 workshops, presentations, demonstrations, and classes delivered to children (6 and up), teens, and adults
• Artistic talent in collage/assemblage, puppet-making, mask/costume making
• Experience helping people use language and art to identify emotions, express ideas, and enhance self esteem
• Ability to energize others from conceptualization, through realistic planning, to completion.

Professional Accomplishments

Arts

• Technical and creative expertise in :

• Exhibited puppets, collages, and sculptures in small galleries and restaurants
• Created art to directly express personal processes; created art to explore symbols and archetypes common to human experience

Teaching

• Developed curriculum and taught skillful and accurate technical use of materials: A partial list of workshops and classes:

• Mentored teen and pre-teen girls, advocated for youth with disabilities, and facilitated preteens in expressive writing. Created spaces where people could feel safe and explore feelings
• Adapted lessons for youth from varied ethnic backgrounds and with wide-ranging abilities, including at-risk youth and youth with physical and cognitive disabilities
• Modeled playful exploration of the expressive potential of materials.

Community Collaborations

• Collaborated with parents and artists in conceptualization and implementation of Procession of the Species, guiding students in the design of imaginative costumes for Earth Day Celebration.
• Created puppet shows for parents and community members. Guided students in technical construction of puppets in conjunction with drama specialist who guided students in dramatic presentation
• Participated in trouble-shooting team with teachers and parents to adapt programs and facilities for children and teens with special needs

Work History

Education

Masters of Arts in Teaching (3.9 GPA)
Leadership Topic: Addressing Diversity in Public Schools
Basic K-9 License (Expired in 2000)
Middle Level Education Endorsement