Kids Learn How to Sell Selves in Job Market

Having problems writing your resume?

One solution might be to hire an eighth-grader from E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard to cook one up for you.

That is because every eighth-grader at the school produced a resume for Wednesday’s Portfolio Fair, then showed up for interviews by business leaders from throughout Ventura County.

And the students liked it.

“It was fun but scary at first,” said Laura Foster, 13, who wants to become a marine biologist. “I’ll be better-prepared next time.”

Laura said writing her resume and listing her strong points made her realize that one of her best qualities is self-motivation.

Tonya Taylor, who aims to be a pediatrician, weathered the experience just fine. “I wasn’t even nervous,” she said. “The interviewer was proud of my awards and my straight A’s. I feel really organized since I did my resume.”

The comments illustrate what E.O. Green Junior High wants the students to get out of Portfolio Day, according to Principal Deloris Carn. Self-assessment and awareness, figuring out goals and hands-on involvement with adults from the business or educational community are practice for future college or job interviews, she said.

“They’re so eager,” said Tom Ohl, an interviewer representing John Hancock Life Insurance. “I anticipated they’d be brought kicking and screaming to something like this. But they like it.”

Another byproduct, he said, is that “they’re learning it’s OK to sit down and talk to an adult.”

Ohl and other business leaders handed business cards to students as they interviewed them.

“Please remember to give them one,” teacher Geraldine Lamar had reminded them earlier. “Some of them have made their own to give to you.”

Danielle Aladjadjian, who wants to be either a recording artist or dermatologist, listed several of her good qualities near the top of her resume. They included: “Catches on fast; opinionated yet open to new ideas; positive attitude.”

Debbie Gunia, a librarian at the Port Hueneme naval base, was impressed with Danielle’s presentation.

“She even wrote a cover letter for her school projects,” Gunia said.

Ishmael Thomas, who plans to become a computer programmer, showed American Express financial advisor Joseph Norris two poems he had written.

When Norris asked him which accomplishment he was most proud of, Ishmael immediately said, “The poem called ‘About Me.’ It was really hard to do.”

Steve Dean from the Ventura County Probation Agency scanned Chanelle Jordan’s portfolio, which included a letter of introduction and her employment history--baby-sitting jobs so far.

“But in two weeks I start a summer job at the food court at the Navy exchange,” Chanelle said. “I can’t wait.”