Transcript Slide 1

Best Practices
&
Current Trends
Agenda
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Administrative
Parts of a Resume
Compare Resume Formats
Resume Tips
Beyond the Resume: Cover
Letters, Thank You Notes,
Elevator Speeches
Marketing Yourself -- LinkedIn
Class Administration
A&FRC Marketing
Breaks
Smoking Areas
Cell phones
SIP
Pre-Assessment
Your Expectations
• Expectations for today?
• What have you learned about resumes?
• Thoughts about cover letters
and thank-you notes?
Resume Advice
(video)
How to Write a Great
Resume and Cover Letter
What Do Resumes Do?
Identify your value to the employer


Highlight work accomplishments,
experience, and education
Emphasize skills that match job
requirements
Before you Begin…
You NEED to define your career/job objective(s)
1.
2.
3.
Position Types/Titles
Preferred Companies
Applicable Industries
With only a generic resume, you will have
difficulty in your job search.
Parts of the Resume
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Contact
Information
Career Summary
Professional
Experience
Education,
Credentials,
Certifications
“Extras” (Optional)
1. Contact Information
PURPOSE: Help the employer easily contact you.
Rose M. Hill
618-256-8668 * [email protected]
http://www.linkedin.com/in/rosehill
(Ms.) Quinn Hill 
Ndege “Nick” Vernon 
[email protected]
2. Career Summary
PURPOSE: Catch the reader’s attention.
Entice them to continue reading.
Various Titles (Title is Optional.)
Career Summary
Management Profile
Professional Qualifications
Professional Summary
Executive Profile
Career Summary Formats
Headline:
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL
Telecommunications Products, Solutions & technologies
MBA, Executive Management, Harvard University
Cornell University Executive Sales Leadership
Paragraph:
CAREER SUMMARY
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL with proven expertise in
the design and implementation of cost-effective staff training, elearning, customer service, sales, management, and marketing
programs. Recognized for innovation and creativity in designing realworld training programs that focus on development of core skills and
competencies.
3. Professional Experience
Various Titles:
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE SUMMARY
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
Professional Experience Musts
1. Problem Action Result
(PAR) format
2. STRONG verbs
Responsible for
3. Industry Keywords
Problem-Action-Results Format
PAR Brainstorming:
Problem – Our company had a 10% increase last year in restock fees
due to poor quality in manufacturing processes.
Action – I researched our current manufacturing processes and
identified 5 issues that could be handled better through robotics. I
analyzed the cost of the robotic implementation with the team.
Result – After implementing our modified version of the robotics solution
from the chosen supplier we reduced our restock fees by $14 million
in one year.
Our example translates to:
Engineered and implemented robotic manufacturing processes to
reduce costly mistakes, increase quality and contribute $14 Million
to the bottom line in restock savings
Active Verbs
“Responsible for” and “Duties included”
convey a passive style. Use strong, active
verbs.
BEFORE: Responsible for all marketing and special events for
the store, including direct mailing, in-store fashion shows, and
new-product introductions and promotions.
AFTER: Orchestrated a series of marketing and special-event
programs for Macy’s Reston, one of the company’s largest
and most profitable operating locations. Managed direct-mail
campaigns, in-store fashions, and new-product introductions
and promotions.
Experience: Paragraph
Business Manager
Smith Ag Production Company
2000 to 2010
Garnerville, Arkansas
Purchased run-down, debt-ridden farming operation and transformed
it into a near showplace, honored as one of the best commercial Angus
operations in southern Arkansas. Developed a far-reaching network
throughout the agricultural industry and with leaders with state
government, banking, and commercial lending.
Hired, trained and supervised all employees. Managed budgets of $750K
annually and more than $2M in operating lines of credit. Directed the
sale/purchase of all commodities to support business operations.
Advantages: Requires least amount of space. Brief, succinct, and to the point.
Disadvantages: Achievement lost in text – does not draw reader’s attention.
Experience: Bulleted
Business Manager
Smith Ag Production Company
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2000 to 2010
Garnerville, Arkansas
Purchased run-down, debt-ridden farming operation and
transformed it into a near showplace, honored as one of the best
commercial Angus operations in southern Arkansas.
Developed a far-reaching network throughout the agricultural
industry, including leaders in state government, banking, and
commercial lending.
Hired, trained and supervised all employees.
Managed budgets of $750K annually and more than $2M in
operating lines of credit.
Directed sale/purchase of all commodities to support business
operations.
Advantages: Quick & easy to peruse.
Disadvantages: Everything has equal value. Achievements not immediately
recognizable.
Experience: Combination
Business Manager
Smith Ag Production Company
2000 to 2010
Garnerville, Arkansas
Hired, trained, and supervised all employees. Managed
budgets of $750K annually and more than $2M in operating lines
of credit. Directed the sale/purchase of all commodities to
support business operations.


Purchased run-down, debt-ridden farming operation and
transformed it into a near showplace, honored as one of the
best commercial Angus operations in southern Arkansas.
Developed a far-reaching network throughout the agricultural
industry and with leaders in state government, banking, and
commercial lending.
Advantages: Responsibilities clearly presented. Accentuates achievements.
Disadvantages: Shines glaring light on positions without accomplishments.
4. Education, Credentials,
and Certifications Formats
EDUCATION
M.S., Counseling Psychology, University of Akron, 2001
B.S., Psychology, University of Miami, 1999
Highlights of Continuing Professional Education:
• Organizational Management & Leadership, Ohio Leadership
Association, 2008
• Industrial Relations, Purdue University, 2007
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, State of Ohio, 2001 to Present
Licensed Recreational Therapist
Education, Credentials, and
Certifications Formats
Executive Education Format:
EDUCATION
Executive Leadership Program………………STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Executive Development Program…… NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Master of Business Administration (MBA)……HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science………………… UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
5. “Extras”
Possible Categories:
Technology Skills and Qualifications
Equipment Skills and Qualifications
Honors and Awards
Public Speaking
Publications
Committees and Task Forces
Professional Affiliations
Resume Types
Delivery Type
Arrangement
 Scannable
Chronological
 Presentation
(Electronic/Paper)
 Portfolio
 Video
Functional
Combination
CONTACT INFORMATION
Job Seeker
Certified Public Accountant; CPA
123 Any Street, Any town, MO 63103
[email protected]
Linkedin.com/in/jobseeker
SUMMARY
Senior Project Manager (always list the name of the position your
are applying in your summary) with an extensive back ground
working with diverse populations. “US Military (Branch of Service)
Veteran”
SKILLS
Project Management
Project Scheduling
Microsoft Office Suite
EXPERIENCE
Microsoft Corp.
Senior Business Analyst
6/2005 – Present
Make you experience paragraph style versus bullet points. Many
ATS will parse this style easier than separate points. Consider
removing the bullets and creating a paragraph of bulleted items.
If you’ve held multiple positions at the same company, you need
to repeat the company name
again for each one.
EDUCATION
University of Missouri at St Louis
B.S. Computer Science
4/2010 – 5/2014
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Written for the
computer
Keywords
Industry Standard titles
Universal font
Paragraph info (NO
bullets)
Chronological
Resume
Functional
Resume
Combination
Resume
You Have 6 Seconds – GO!
Studies have
shown that
recruiters
spend an
average of
6 seconds
on the initial
YES/NO
review.
Six Second Resume Test
1.
2.
3.
4.
Fold your resume in
half
Place your thumb
about half way
down the page
Read from the top
down to your thumb
without unfolding
the page
Your 6 Second
Review!
How to Build a
Strong Resume
4 Tips
Strategy #1: Keywords
85% of resumes are never seen by a
HUMAN!
 Computers
scan for keywords
 Keywords can be found in job
announcements, company mission
statements
 Incorporate keywords naturally into text
Wordle.net
Strategy #2: Sell It to Me…
Sell It to Me…Don’t Tell It to Me
 “tell
me” = state facts
Tell It Strategy: Managed start-up of a new employee
call center.
 “sell
me” = promote, advertise, and
draw attention
Sell It Strategy: Directed team of 12 in successful
start-up, staffing, policy/procedure
development, budgeting, and operations
design for new $1.4M call center.
Strategy #3: Use the “Big”
Use the “Big” and Save the “Little”

Focus on the “big impacts”: new
programs, special projects, cost
savings, productivity
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Give a good, broad-based picture of what you
were responsible for and how well you did it.
Save the “little” stuff (the details) for the
interview
Strategy #4: Make your
Resume “Interviewable”
Strategy #3 invites interview discussions regarding your
previous experiences
Feature your “selling points”
prominently!

Make sure the resume is easily readable
1.
2.
3.
plenty of white space
easy to read font and type size
logical flow (standardized format and headings)
RECAP: Resume Do’s
1. Make your resume format “Scan-able”
2. List Quantifiable Achievements
3. Use Keywords and Standard Headings
4. One - Two Pages (if 2: Number pages!)
5. Show Personality
6. Meet the job announcement requirements
7. PROOF-READ!
Application Process
QUALITY
beats Quantity
Best way to spend 5 hrs…
 1st Hour – Research the company
 2nd Hour – Customize Resume/Cover Letter
 3rd Hour – Complete the ATS process
 4th Hour – Behavioral Assessment
 5th Hour – Follow-up!!
Link
Beyond the Resume…
(What else should I do?)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Research Company
Cover Letters
Thank You Notes
Elevator Speeches
Marketing Yourself on Linked IN
Company Research
Need to know about the company:



Mission statement
Company culture
Industry events/forecast
Where to find the info:
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Company website
Glassdoor.com - Interview questions and
employee feedback
LinkedIn
Social Media -- Facebook, Google+ and Twitter

Like or follow the company to get updates
Cover
Letters
 Highlight abilities
 Display Company
knowledge
 Personalize every
cover letter
 Your sales pitch -- a
MUST!!
Cover Letter Writing Tips
Introduction: Keep it brief

If no name is available, avoid
Body: Summarize qualifications


Include numbers and specific
results
Use paragraphs and/or bullets –
choose style that best showcases
the information
Closing: Establish expectations for
next step


Be assertive yet polite
Indicate follow-up
Write a Winning Cover Letter
Four approaches:

Traditional: Briefly state why you are writing

Interest-Piquing: Start off with impressive
information to grab immediate attention

Drop Names: Let referral do the work.

Who You Are: Important to communicate in
every letter.
Thank-You Letter
If the only prayer you ever say in
your entire life is thank you, it
will be enough.
- Meister Eckhardt
Thank You Letter
Often overlooked!
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Shows your genuine interest
Reminds the hiring manager to contact you
Send after every interview
Be brief
Send within 24 hours
Use e-mail as last resort
Sample Thank You Card
Your Name
Home Address
Anywhere, State 12345
February 02, 2010
Jane Q. Public
Acme Bottle Washers
123 Hip Hop Street
Anywhere, State 11111
Dear <Salutations>,
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule, I look forward to…
Best Regards,
Your Name
ELEVATOR
SPEECHES
Elevator Speech
 15

to 30-second commercial
Use at: career fairs, networking events,
cold calling, “lucky” breaks
 Tells:
1.
2.
3.
Who you are
What makes you unique
Benefits you can provide the company
Elevator Speech
Basic:
Hi, my name is ______. I’m in
the _______ field, and I’m
looking to ____________.
Once you feel comfortable with this, you’ll want
to take it up a notch!
Elevator Speech
– The “Catcher”

Networker: “Hi,
my name is Betty Joiner. I’m
responsible for this country’s future.”

Recruiter: “How so?”

Networker:

Go-getting networker continuation: “I’d like to take your
“I’m a teacher. I love shaping the
minds of the next generation, but I’m also
interested in getting into corporate training.”
business card, as well as leave my networking card
and resume. Would it be possible for me to get a
spot on your company’s interview schedule?”
Marketing Yourself
Are you
Purpose of LinkedIn
Is – a professional tool for networking
Not – a social place for every minute of your life
Is – a free website
Not – always free
Is – a great place to document accomplishments
Not – your resume rather a summary
Is – effective when you have over 100 connections
Not – as effective with fewer connections
LinkedIn Job Search
DO NOT
Ask
Your Web
Application
Connect
with
people
you know
and
recruiters.
Meet friends
who work at
the
company.
Get names
and
information
“Can you
help me
get a
job?”
“Why is the
company
in peril?”
LinkedIn Job Search
Title Keyword
or Company
Name
Search
I like searching by Title, but Company
Name is sometimes the most
effective
LinkedIn Job Search
Refine
LinkedIn Groups
Join Groups
pertaining to
your
profession!
• Participate in
discussions
• Show your expertise
• Watch your spelling
and grammar
• Be brief
• Everyone will see what
you wrote
Networking on LinkedIn
Search for people
through companies
Search for people
through people
Search for people
through groups
Search for people
through your
connections’
connections
Other Online Tools
Other Online Tools
Job Resources / Skill Transfer
O-NET OnLine
My Next Move
LinkedIn No-No’s

Treating LinkedIn like Facebook

Putting your entire resume on your profile

Poor Grammar / Misspellings

Half done profile
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Not looking professional (picture / words on blogs)
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Pestering people

Being shy

Trying to connect to people not affiliated in a group without being
introduced
Post Assessment
Answers
1. A
6. A
2. D
7. D
3. D
8. A
4. A
9. D
5. E
10. B