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Things You Should Know“If you don’t know where you are going,
any road will take you there.” – Cheshire Cat, Alice in Wonderland
• Managing your career search should be planned, not left to chance
• The people that will get jobs are those that know what they want and have a plan to obtain it
• If you do your research, have a plan, and use available resources, you will succeed!
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Things You Should Know75-80% of all job openings are NEVER
ADVERTISED Market consists of visible and hidden opportunities It’s essential you approach both
Increased competition for fewer job openings
Jobs are filled from a variety of sources – know them and which are the most/least effective
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Know the Effective Sources
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Preparation and Planning• Define Your Career Priorities
• Resume Preparation
• Winning Cover Letters and Correspondence
• Using your (Social and Professional) Networks
• Tips for Successful Interviewing
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Resume Preparation
Purpose of a Resume For Applicants:
• Make an effective introduction
• Market yourself to employers
• Differentiate yourself from other candidates
• To advance to the next step in the recruiting process – the interview!
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For Employers:
• Vehicle to screen for qualified candidates
• Opportunity to evaluate communication/writing skills
• Provides info from which questions can be generated
• Serves as a reminder of candidate to hiring manager when evaluating
Resume Basics• Short and sweet (Goal is 1-2 pages)
• Sharp and simple (Easy to read, bullet points, standard fonts)
• Selling vs. Standard (focus on skills and accomplishments)
• Is it relevant? (Again, remember your audience)
• Proofread, proofread, proofread Shows communication/organization skills Shows attention to detail
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Components of a Resume• Contact Info
• Objective
• Work Experience
• Education and Certifications
• Activities
• Other Relevant Headings (Awards, Recognitions, Languages, Published works, etc.)
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Contact InfoCurrent and/or Permanent
Address
Phone Contact Information (provide a primary contact number)
Email (list one and make sure it’s not goofy)
Personal Web Page (if relevant)
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ObjectiveTailor the objective to
your audience
State what you want AND what you offer
Be confident, not cocky
Remember this might be the first assessment an employer makes
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Work Experience
Basics: Name of company, location, job title, dates worked
Include jobs, internships, volunteer work, independent projects, etc.
Keep it active and use powerful verbs
Avoid gaps of time
Make it sell (skills and accomplishments)
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Education
Basics: Institution, Degree (Bachelor of Science), Graduation date, Area of Study, GPA (if 3.0 or above)
Include ALL degrees
Special Programs (study abroad, etc.)
School Projects
No High School!
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Activities
Clubs, Organizations, Volunteer Activities, Athletics, even Hobbies
Focus on leadership
Provide necessary descriptions
Remember this is where you can really differentiate yourself!!
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Other Relevant HeadingsComputer Skills
Languages
Honors and Accolades
Published Works
Speaking Engagements or Lectures
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Duties vs. Skills
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Duties- Managed cash register- Responded to customer complaints- Answered phones and filed- Made deposits and withdrawals- Ran team meetings- Made bulletin boards and posters- Waited on tables
Skills vs. Duties
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Skills- Customer service- Organization- Management/Leadership- Communication- Analytical/Research- Technical- Financial/Data
Duties, Skills, and Results
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• What were your major duties for the position?
• What special skills or knowledge did you use to perform these tasks?
• What aspects of your personality did you use to perform these tasks?
• Were you recognized for your abilities? Did you achieve anything in the course of performing these tasks?
• How did I add value to the organization? What did I do to help them be efficient, productive, etc.?
Duties vs Skills
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• Made bank deposits and withdrawals
…becomes instead…
• Ensured accurate deposits and withdrawals while maintaining high levels of customer service
Skills vs. Duties
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• Responded to customer complaints
…becomes instead…
• Leveraged my problem-solving skills by proactively addressing customer complaints
Skills vs. Duties
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• Ran team meetings
…becomes instead…
• Motivated staff and encouraged teamwork to reach established sales goals
Accomplishments
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Have you ever:
• Saved your employer money?
• Increased an employer’s profitability?
• Improved your employer’s service delivery?
• Been recognized for your performance?
• Been a part of a team that improved profitability, delivery, etc?
Accomplishments
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• Consistently recognized by supervisor for providing excellent customer service
• Worked closely with fellow team members to achieve branch of the year designation
• Assisted sales staff to exceed monthly sales quotas on a regular basis
•Implemented new budget changes saving $3 million in annual expenses
Resume Style and Format
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Font size: 11 pt and up
• Name should be biggest item on page
• No logos or artwork (unless design/graphic arts)
• Use bold, italics and underline, but sparingly
• Be consistent
Resume Style and Format
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White Space: the empty space between design elements
• Too little white space may appear busy, cluttered and difficult to read
• Too much white space may appear incomplete
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Professional Correspondence
Cover Letters
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• Heading
• Date
• Inside Address
• Salutation
• Body
• Complimentary Close
• Signature
Cover Letters
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• Introduction to you and your resume
• Tells what job you’re applying for and why you’d be a good fit
• Highlights areas that aren’t easily explained in resume
• Tailored to the company and job applying for
Cover Letters (Introduction)
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First paragraph
• who you are
• position you are applying for
• how you heard about the position
• personal contacts in organization (if applicable)
• reason for applying (interest in company)
Cover Letters (The Sell)
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The Body (2 – 3 paragraphs)
• state how you qualify for the position
• demonstrate your skills with specific examples
• convey enthusiasm about the position/company
• what you will contribute to the company
• do your homework – know about the company
Cover Letter (The Close)
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The Last Paragraph:
• state what action you’d like taken (i.e. an interview) and what materials are enclosed (i.e. resume)
• state that you will contact to confirm receipt of resume (if possible)
• leave phone number and/or email
• thank the reader for their time
Cover Letters (General Tips)
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• Do not exceed one page
• Should be written in business professional format
• Address to a specific individual
• State the specific position to which you are applying
• Next step is (usually) your responsibility
Thank You Letters
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• Send 24 hours after your interview
• Note, Letter or Email?
• Brief and to the point
• Personalize the content
• Re-iterate your interest, abilities
Thank You Letter (Example)
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Dear Ms. Smith:
Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday for the position of Sales Representative with your organization. Your discussion of operational procedures of ABC Corporation, as well as your expectations of sales associates, was very informative and interesting. I am confident that I would make a strong contribution to your staff by increasing profits and expanding your market.
Thank You Letter (Example)
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As discussed in our interview, my qualifications that would directly relate to your company include:- Over four years of broad based experience in the travel, hospitality, and retail industries.- My ability to effectively handle many different projects simultaneously.- My experience with the QUEST Total Quality Management Program at the University of Maryland.
Thank You Letter (Example)
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Again, thank you for taking the time to consider my candidacy. If there are further questions, please feel free to contact me at (301) 405-1111 or via email at [email protected]. As we discussed, I look forward to hearing from you the week of May 6th with your final decision.
Sincerely,
Mary Jones
Other Job Search Letters
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• Follow-Up Letter (career fair, networking event, etc.)
• Accepting/Declining Job Offer
• Withdrawal of Application
• Response to a Rejection Letter
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What Networking IS…• Establishing Trust
• Being a “Generous Listener”
• Mutual: There must be Give and Take
• A skill that is honed and practiced over time
• A link to the “Hidden Job Market” -- 80% of all jobs are landed this way
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Networking IS also…• Keeping in touch with old friends as they go to
new places and have new experiences
• Developing new social and professional contacts
• Talking to professors and other professionals about their career journey
• Going to events to meet people with similar interests as you, whether they are called “networking events” or not
• Making an active effort to share your knowledge with those who would benefit
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What Networking IS NOT…Exchanging Resumes/Business Cards
A sure fire way to get a job
Directed by the contact
Schmoozing with a stranger to ask for a job
Manipulating just to get something you want from someone
Putting on a personal show to impress someone
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Why Network?
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Exercise: Create a Strong Personal Network
1st: Make a list of everyone you know: friends, classmates, professors, family, friends of the family, neighbors- and write them down. Be exhaustive.
2nd: Prioritize list considering that person’s job, location, interests, and daily environment.
3rd: Begin calling and/or e-mailing those you believe will have the most useful advice
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Other Places to Expand Your Job Search Network
Career Fairs
Professional Associations
THE INTERNET
Informational Interviewing
Job Agencies / Headhunters
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Internet Networking SitesSocial: Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo360,
Twitter, Orkut, TagWorld, Friendster, Bebo, Hi5
Professional: LinkedIn, Xing, Ryze, Ecademy, Yorz, Spoke, ZoomInfo
JobBoards: Monster, CareerBuilder, SimplyJobs, Dice, HRHouston, YahooHotJobs, WSJCareerJournal, CitySearch, Guru, Freelance
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Informational Interviews: What are they?An informational interview is asking a
professional who works in your area of interest what it is like to do the kind of work they do.
Set up on the phone or in person to learn more about the in’s and out’s of a particular job function/position/field/industry.
Allows one to ask what knowledge, skills, and abilities are needed in order to enter the field.
Makes a new professional contact and referral source
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Informational Interviewing Tips Know your interests prior to setting up the interview
Identify contacts in your area of interest and via e-mail, phone, or letter
Prepare Yourself: Research contact person’s occupation, company, industry
Prepare specific questions to ask before you conduct the interview (See Informational Interviewing handout)
Remember to respect the other person’s time. Your are asking a favor from these people, so be courteous and professional
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Agencies and HeadhuntersNo Cost to You
Only Paid if You are Placed
Maintain vast networks with companies
Many employers opt to work through agencies vs. posting their opening on-line
Most agencies team on searches (power in numbers)
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Agencies and Headhunters (Rules of Thumb)Find out who they represent (Recent Client List)
Local vs. Regional vs. National vs. Global
Don’t overextend your agency coverage
Make sure you’re comfortable with your representative (career counselor vs. just after a fee)
Don’t sit back and wait for them to find you a job…
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Leveraging Your NetworksFind out what they’re hearing and seeing
Assist before you ask for assistance
Prioritize your networking hierarchy
20 People Searching on your behalf is better than you alone
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Follow-upThis step in the process is CRUCIAL- you
cannot keep a strong personal/professional network without this step.
Send thank you notes to your list of contacts.
Ideally keep in touch with your key contacts every 2-3 months via phone and/or e-mail.
Remind contact who you are, refresh them of your encounter, meeting or discussion; update them on your current status or progress; offer them to help and/or remind them of their past promises.
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Summary Points: Keys to Good NetworkingTreat your contacts with care
Know what you want to say to your contact
Don’t ask for a job
Be professional
Follow-up with your contacts
Stay in touch
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Interviewing Basics
Interview Components
First Impressions (icebreaker)
Interviewer Questions
Applicant Questions
Closing
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First Impressions – Do’s and Don’t’s
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The Don’t’s
•Arrive late•Poor handshake•Minimal/poor eye contact•Not good with pleasantries•No knowledge of company•Request comp/benefit info•Negative about past job•Weak resume/cover letter•No prepared questions•No career plan/path
The Do’s
•Arrive on time or early•Firm handshake•Maintain good eye contact•Be prepared for small talk•No knowledge of company•Be positive/sell yourself•Know the company•Have questions ready•Have a powerful resume•Know your career drivers
First Impressions
The 3 minute rule
Dress and behavior
Verbal skills
Non-verbals
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First Impressions: Dress for Success
Female Male
Blue, black, or dark-gray suit Blue, black, or dark-gray suit
Conservative blouse Undershirt
Knee-length skirt Lightly starched, white dress shirt
Nude hose Conservative tie
Conservative pumps (polished, low heels, no open-toed shoes)
Belt (no suspenders)
Earrings the size of your earlobes Dress shoes (polished)
Minimal additional jewelry (four pieces total, including earrings)
Socks match your pants; belt matches your shoes
Conservative make-up Clean-shaven
Hair back (out of your face) Short hair
Short, manicured nails No (or very little) aftershave
No (or very little) perfume
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Know the Types of Interview QuestionsCredential
What certifications do you possess? Where did you complete your education?
Experience Have you ever audited a public company? Tell me about your leadership experience?
Opinion What are your strengths? weaknesses? Why should we hire you for this position?Behavioral Describe a situation where you had to motivate a
team to accomplish a task. Tell me about a difficult client you had to manage
and keep happy.
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How Interviewers use Candidate Responses
Competencies• Drive behavioral questions• Answers should tie back positively to specific traits
Skills/Experience• Some jobs require specific skill sets or experience• Answers will determine which/how much you
possess
“Fit”• Employers have to match certain criteria for a
proper match Salary expectations Availability to work (start date) Willingness to travel
Candidate responses will drive that assessment
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How to Answer like a Rockstar
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Situation
Task
Action
Result
Candidate Questions
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Specific and relevant
• Training/mentoring/coaching
• Upward mobility / career path
Determine if the position will be a good fit
• Does it help you meet your professional goals?
• Does it match your priorities and career drivers?
Avoid questions that could easily be answered by reviewing the company website or brochure
• Shows lack of preparation
• Demonstrates poor initiative
The Closing
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Ask about next steps/timeline
Reaffirm your interest in position/company
Thank the interviewer for their time
Following Up
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Take some notes on the interview
- What went well? What might you improve?
Send a thank you note or letter to the interviewer(s)
- Don’t leave anyone out.
- Shows tremendous interest/initiative
Wait patiently
Honorable Mentions
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Get suit pressed
Print extra copies of resumes/references
Prepare questions for the interviewer
Research the company
Think about questions you might be asked
Find interview location early
Contact your references
Other Types of Interviews
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Phone Interview
Case Interview
Group Interview
Mealtime Interview
What’s Next?
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Second Interviews
The Offer
Offer Evaluation/
Negotiation
Acceptance
