Transcript English 12 Exam Review - Big Walnut Middle School

Résumés, Cover Letters and
Interviewing Review
1 ST S E M E S T E R 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
U N I T T E S T : T U E S D A Y , O C T O B E R 4 TH
Résumés
 Create a “brag sheet”
 Keeping an updated list of your activities, jobs, etc. will make it
much easier to write an effective résumé
 This sheet should be updated with all of your
accomplishments, awards, jobs, clubs, activities, etc.
 If you are attending college, you should keep this updated each
year
Add classes or special projects
 Add organizations you joined
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If you are entering the work force after college, you should also
update this each year
Add training programs you completed
 Add promotions or accomplishments
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Résumés—writing an objective
 Write one job objective for each job you are
applying—or have one generic objective you could
use for all jobs
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Example: To obtain a position providing friendly and reliable
customer service in retail.
Example: To obtain a position providing friendly and reliable
customer service in food service.
Résumé objectives should do three things:
Say you like people and you want to provide friendly customer
service
 Show you recognize the importance of being reliable
 Your objective is targeted for the kind of job—retail or food service
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Résumés—work experience
 If you have had a job, here’s what you do:
 List your most recent job first
 During your high school years, list the seasons you have
worked rather than the specific dates such as Summer 1997,
Winter Semester of 1996 or 1997/98 School Year.
 If you have only worked someplace for a month, it might be
best not to mention it. (Unless you have a very good answer as
to why you quit in such a short time, leave it off of your work
experience.)
 Describe the basic activities you performed in very simple,
skill-oriented ways.
 You can also describe volunteer work or internships you have
had—just don’t title this section “Job Experience.”
Work Experience Examples
 Waiter—Big Bob’s Restaurant. Lancaster, OH 45102
Fall 1996 Semester. Server for busy dinner shift,
prepared salad bars, operated cash register, and
oversaw set-up for the morning shift.
 Sales Clerk—Casual Corner. Lancaster, OH 45102
Summer/Fall 1998. Sales Associate: assisted
customers with clothing selections, arranged fashion
displays, steamed new apparel, and oversaw cash
register close-outs.
Résumé Formatting
 Absolutely no mistakes, no white-out, no typos or
misspellings; have others proof it for readability. Don’t
trust spell check, a word may be spelled correctly but
doesn’t make cents (sense).
 It is best to get your résumé on one sheet of paper. Make
use of white space. You don’t want it to appear
overcrowded.
 Spell out months, names of cities, streets, states—don’t
abbreviate.
 When using numerals such as with years of employment,
don’t use slashes (9/96-7/98). This should appear
September 1996-July 1998.
Résumé Formatting
 Don’t use pronouns “I” or “my”, if at all possible.
The reader knows this about you.
 Start off your sentences with strong action verbs
wherever possible.
 Don’t use the tired and worn out statements
“Responsible for…” or “Duties included…” or
describe yourself as a “team player.” These have
been used so much they are becoming a turn-off.
 Use 12 point Times New Roman or Arial font. Do
not mix fonts on your résumé—stick with one.
Boldface your sections and headings.
Résumé Tips for Students
Entering the Workforce
 Keep it professional
 Don’t lie—making up experience is worse than not having any
 Use an easy-to-read font no smaller than size 10
 Space is your friend
 Make yourself available—include contact information
including a professional email address
 Spell check and have someone else look it over
 Save your document with a professional title using last name
 Follow up with the company after the application process or
sending your résumé
Cover Letters—Heading
YOUR ADDRESS
TODAY’S DATE
MR./MS. EMPLOYER’S NAME
TITLE
COMPANY’S NAME
ADDRESS
DEAR MR./MS. EMPLOYER:
First Paragraph
 This is the “why I’m writing to you” paragraph which
immediately tells the employer the position you want
to be considered for—usually 2-3 sentences. Points
to cover:
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Why you are writing and the position your are applying for
How you heard about the position is irrelevant unless it is a
mutual contact or a recruiting program.
Show from your research why you are interested in this
position or organization.
Make a connection
Second Paragraph
 This is the “why I’m qualified” paragraph
 The first sentence should be a hard –hitting opener. It is a
quick introduction, which is accomplishment-oriented and
directed at the skils and qualifications needed for this job.
 The body should provide specific evidence to back up what
you’ve just claimed. Strong examples are important.
 The final sentence is a summary of what you have discussed
above.
Final Paragraph and Closing
 Short 2-4 sentence paragraph
 Refer to enclosed résumé, request an interview, and
let the reader know what will happen next.
 It is vital that you thank the reader for his/her time
and consideration.
 Sincerely,
 Your signature
 Your Name
Tips to Make Your Letter Professional
 Research the company and the specifics about the
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position so you can tailor your letter to the needs of
the organization
Avoid using too many sentences that start with “I”
Do not use contractions
Spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes are out
of the question
Be sure to sign your letters in black ink
Keep your letter short and simple
Interviewing
 How to look your best for an interview:
 Shower the morning of the interview, apply deodorant, brush
your teeth, and use mouthwash
 Opinions about our intelligence, professionalism, background,
and ethics begin to be formed within ten seconds of an
interview
 A first impression is created in the first four minutes of an
interview
 Hands and shoes—the most telling non-verbal cues
interviewers notice
 Dress for the job you want
Gentlemen
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Wear a suit
Wear a white or pale blue
long-sleeved shirt
Wear dress socks that
match your suit
Wear dress shoes in black
or brown; polish them and
tie the laces securely
Wear a tie in a solid color
Wear a belt the same color
as your shoes
Get a haircut
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Wear casual or novelty
watches
Wear novelty belts with
large buckles
Wear too much jewelry
Sport facial hair
Fragrance: one sprits or
none!
Ladies
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Wear a tailored suit in
solid color with
conservative hemlines if
you are wearing a skirt
Wear shoes with less than
two inch heels
Wear stockings in natural
shades
Wear tasteful jewelry
Carry an attractive
handbag
Have a simple hairstyle
 Don’t:
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Wear anything trendy
Cross your legs during an
interview—feet flat on the
floor
Wear anything too tight or
low cut
Wear sandals
Go into the interview
barelegged
Perfume—one sprits or
none!
Body Language
 Stand straight, shoulders back, greet your
interviewer with an open, confident smile and hand
shake
 Handshake should be firm enough to inspire trust
and confidence. A limp handshake leaves an
impression of weakness
 Mirroring is a good technique—hand shakes, voice
speed and volume, speech, laugh
Body Language
 Positive:
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Good eye contact
Maintain good posture,
sitting comfortably in your
chair
Open-handed, palms up
gestures
Sitting with uncrossed legs
Slowly nodding your head
up and down signifies
listening
 Negative
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Never cross or fold your
arms
Fidgeting show boredom
Shifting gaze away or
persistently staring at the
interviewer
Slouching, biting lips,
smiling too much,
doodling, etc.
Follow-Up After the Interview
 This could give you an edge up, especially if there is
real competition between you and another applicant
 Thank you notes—keep them brief, reiterate that you
want the job
 Follow up with a phone call
Sloppy Speech Habits
Nonwords
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Um, ah, you know, okay, like
Up-talk
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Sing-song inflection at the end of sentence makes it seem
like you are asking a question
Grammatical errors
Sloppy speech
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Slurring words, improper pronunciations
Speed talking
Weak speak
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Kind of, sort of, perhaps, hopefully
Ten Strike-Outs
 Doesn’t ask questions
 Condemnation of past employer
 Inability to take criticism
 Poor personal appearance
 Indecisive, cynical, lazy
 Overbearing, over aggressive, “know it all”
 Late to interview
 Failure to make eye contact
 Unable to express self clearly
 Overemphasis on money
Questions asked by employers:
 How would you describe yourself?
 How do you think a friend who knows you well would describe you?
 How has your high school experiene prepared you for a job?
 Why should I hire you?
 What qualifications do you have that make you think you will be
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successful at this job?
In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to this
business?
What two or three accomplishments give you the most satisfaction, and
why?
Why did you choose this job?
Do you think your grades are a good indication of your academic
achievement, and why?
What have you learned from participation in extracurricular activities?
Interview Checklist
 Research company
 Do not sit down until
 Prepare resume
invited to do so
 Sit at the edge of your
chair
 Do not chew gum
 Answer questions
completely
 Ask questions
 Thank the interviewer
 Send a thank you letter
 Dress for success
 Arrive 15 minutes early
 Shake hands, smile, and
introduce yourself
 Try to appear calm
 Be enthusiastic
 Call them Mr./Ms.
Unless told otherwise
Grammar Review
 Affect v. Effect
 It’s v. Its
 Their v. They’re v. There
 You’re v. Your
 Then v. Than
 How to write numbers
 First, Second, Third Person
Exam Expectations:
 Review poor résumé and make corrections
 Résumé short answer: be able to write an objective
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and job duties
Résumé: 10 true/false questions
Cover Letters: 10 true/false questions
Interviewing: 14 true/false and multiple choice
questions
Grammar: 50 multiple choice questions—identify if
the word/phrase is used correctly or incorrectly