Resume Building

and Job Searching

@ the Milton Public Library

Today’

s To

pic

s

• Thinking like a recruiter• Resumes and coverletters• Social media and your

job search• Interview skills

What

job r

ecr

uit

ers

want:

Min

d y

our

resu

me a

nd

cove

rlett

er

You need a flawless

resume and coverletter

Make

it p

ers

onal

Write a coverletter for

each job. Review your

resume for each job.

Act

like

you w

ant

the jo

b Share your enthusiasm

when interviewing or

applying. Show that you

can do the job, will enjoy

the job and you will bring something positive

to the job environment.

Hig

hlig

ht

your

skill

set

No recruiter wants to

read a four page resume, so try to keep it

succinct. Highlight the

skills that make you the

perfect match for the job

rather than detail every

minor thing you have

ever worked on.

Resumes and Coverletters

Books: 650.14 in the non fiction section of the Milton Public Library

Online: search for resume examples, resume templates, or in Microsoft Word search for resume templates.

Know the purpose of your resume

The objective of a resume is to land an interview!!!!

Back up your qualities and strengths

Back up your qualities with real life and work experiences (don’t forget your outside organizations…volunteering = excellent way to get experience and to meet people in the field)

Make sure to use the right keywords by analyzing the job ad

Check the job description, use a thesaurus, look for clues as to what the employer might be looking for.

Use effective titles

Grab the employers attention and be descriptive to give a better idea of past work experience.

Example:

Accounting

Better:

Management of accounts received, accounts paid and financial Recordkeeping

One resume and coverletter for each employer

Tailor your resume and coverletter for each employer and job ad.

No scattered information

Your resume must have a clear focus.

Use action verbs

Action verbs are basically verbs that will get noticed more easily, and that will clearly communicate what your experience or achievement were. 

Examples: managed, coached, enforced and planned. 

List of many examples to use can be found at http://www.quintcareers.com/action_skills.html

Don’t forget the basics

Make sure that your contact details are clearly listed.

Have someone else read it!!!

Social media, the job search, and interview skills Email addresses Answering machines/ phone messages Ringtones Answering the phone in person Facebook and other social media Job sites The interview

Email addresses Make a new one. Make it professional. Your name. Great way to keep track of the resumes you have sent and

the responses.

Answering machines / phone messages / ringtones

No cutsey ringtones, definitely no cursing, or your favorite music. Professional…you are trying to get a job, not make friends.

Answering machines/phone messages should be polite, refrain from “Leave a message”…try “You have reached _____ please leave a message and I will return your call. Thank you.”

Answering the phone in person Be polite. You never know.

Facebook and other social media (twitter, blogs, websites, etc.) Be careful what you post and what you make public. Employers will most likely Google you or Facebook you even

if they do not do a background check.

If you do not want your boss to see it…do not post it or post it anonymously.

Job searching Try going directly to the company website rather than a job

database. Figure out the industry you want to work in, do some

homework. Consider job searching, resume writing as your full time job.

The interview Dress for success. Be positive. Do not LIE!!! Do not lie on your resume or it could show in the

interview. The interview is your time to shine. Tie everything into a couple of themes that you have chosen

from the job ad. Example: collaboration, team playing, building partnerships with other organizations, etc. Listen to the interviewer, jot down notes and take your time answering each question.

Represent yourself…no one else will.