What You Need to Know to Transition From the Classroom to Competitive Employment

Key Terms to Know:

   “Action words” “Key words” “Networking”

Resume

     What is it? Intro What is its purpose? Gatekeeper Target it to your

job objective

Generally one page How and where you place information indicates its relative importance

Resume writing

         Write it yourself Make it error-free: Proofread, Proofread!!!

Make it look good Simple is best Be brief, be relevant Be honest Be positive Be specific Update it

as needed

Do not include:

      Personal info Salary history Hobbies Names of references High school IF you are in college or have a college degree Philosophy statement [of life, work, etc.]

Styles of Resumes:

 Chronological  Functional  Combination

Chronological

 Information organized in reverse order of occurrence  Pros:   most employers prefer this format showcases steady work record, steady growth & promotion  Cons:   bad news for those who have gaps in their work history or for new grads who don’t have much experience doesn’t help employer visualize the future

Functional

 Information is organized by functions or skills related to the job being sought  for example: Marketing, Organizational skills, Supervisory skills, Problem-solving

Functional Resume,

 

con’t

Pros:  ideal for presenting transferable skills [skills that can move from one occupation to another]  downplays irrelevant jobs, spotty work history, career reversals  helpful when your most impressive skills came from volunteer work  makes for interesting presentation Cons:  most employers don’t like this format   unless handled well, can be confusing to read difficult to write well

Combination Resume

 Takes the best from both chronological & functional  Sells what you can do & shows your work history to prove it

Resume Structure:

    Name, Address, day time Phone number, Email  Objective [simple job title -

goals] not your

Skills summary Education & training Employment history  Portfolio / References

 Extra copies of your RESUME  List of

PROFESSIONAL

REFERENCES  Complete WORK HISTORY  Examples of your BEST WORK  PAD & PEN

• Be specific as to how your training or skills learned in any p/t or volunteer job will help you do a good job for your prospective employer • Take credit for the duties and responsibilities you performed on your past jobs • References - ask their permission before using their names

Electronic & Scannable Resumes

Now you need to know how to plan & write your resume both for the computer and for the human eye •Need to focus on

nouns

and

key words

•Scanners differ in their capabilities

Rules for Scanned resumes:

 Sans serif typefaces that scan well: Helvetica, Futura, Univers, Optima, ITC Avante Garde Gothic  Serif fonts that scan well: Times, New Century Schoolbook, ITC Bookman, Palatino, Courier

Scannable resumes

con’t

      * Between 11 - 14 point size type Boldface is usually okay; when in doubt, check with prospective employer Asterisks are okay Avoid italic, script, * underlining Avoid graphics & shading * Keep horizontal & vertical lines away from text

Scannable resumes

con’t

 Omit parentheses & brackets, especially around phone numbers     * Lots of white space Laser printer * Always send originals * Minimize abbreviations; when in doubt, spell it out  * Use traditional resume structure

Scannable resumes

con’t

   * White, 8 1/2” by 11” paper printed on one side only  Your name should always be the first text on the resume * No staples Do not fold resume; if it

must

be folded, make sure fold is not along a line of text

Additional tips for resumes:

  Update as often as necessary Join a professional society & put that membership on your resume  Keep the most important data & keywords at the top of your resume

90 second self-marketing ad

    Intro: who you are & what you want from your target  Your training & skills Your “hook” How up

you

will follow The closing  PRACTICE!!

 Cover letters and other business correspondence

Business Correspondence

    Cover letter Networking letter Thank you Keep-in-touch

Cover Letter

    Every

sent

resume must have cover letter Purpose?

Address letter to a person Know your target’s needs

Cover letter structure

   1st para - purpose of letter; identify job title; mention specific info about company  2nd para - describe professional & academic qualifications  3rd- continue; why you should be considered; expand on resume 4th - ask for interview closing

Cover letters,

con’t

     Do not discuss salary, unless required No negatives Action/key words Cite work-related accomplishments Highlight personal attributes

Networking letter

   

Must

be addressed to a person Mention person who referred you Ask for

Help, Information, Advice

Request brief face-to-face

  Thank you letters Keep-in-Touch letters

Networking… & Other Ways to Job Search

 Career Services  Job Fairs  Employment & Temp Agencies     Newspaper Ads Employment Service Internet- NJPIN, MonsterTrak, ... Networking - Uncovering the Hidden Job Market

The best route to and through the

“Hidden Job Market”

What is Networking?

Cultivating & expanding your contact base to enlist their help & support in your job search

How do I start?

Begin with the people you know well:  close relatives   friends and neighbors your pastor, priest or rabbi   current & former teachers current & former employers & co-workers  people you meet in your every day activities

What do I say?

 First begin with an introduction: who you are and what kind of job you are looking for  Continue with a short description of your skills and what you can do for the company you would be working for

And then...

 Let your target know you are not asking them for a job; instead, you are asking for information, advice and support  Make it clear that you are a resource person and will add value to any company you will work for  Ask open-ended but specific questions

For instance...

  How did you get started in your career?

Based on my current skills and education, what kind of jobs in this field should I be applying for?

 What are the most important skills needed for the jobs in this field ?

 What do you like most and least about your job?

 What do you see happening in this industry in the next 3 - 5 years?

 Who else do you know in this field who might be willing to talk to me?

 Can I mention your name when I contact them?

 Would you like to see a copy of my resume? If you have any suggestions, I would like to hear them.

Tips for networking success

 Tell your target you will take only 20 30 minutes of his/her time… and stick to your schedule   Make a networking goal and stick to it Be sincere but positive when discussing your strengths and weaknesses don’t mislead anyone  Thank your target for his/her time and information. Send a thank-you note within 24 hours of your meeting.

Also,

 Keep in touch with your contacts… a short note, call or e-mail will work wonders  You can find good networking contacts by joining a professional organization in your field and/or by volunteering or obtaining an internship in your field

Don’t get discouraged when you encounter rude people; most of your contacts will be polite!

Take personal responsibility for maintaining the positive energy in your networking relationships

90 second self-marketing ad

    Intro: who you are & what you want from your target  Your training & skills Your hook How you will follow up The closing  PRACTICE!!



Interviewing

Interviewing

  2 Way - Process Home Stretch  Presenting Self   oral & non-verbal communication  Presenting Skills

If you have the right skills, this is your opportunity to elaborate on your training & experience; if you do not have all the requirements for the job, this is your opportunity to stress willingness to learn new skills, how well you work with people, how eager you are to contribute to the company...

Presenting Self:

      1st impressions are lasting impressions Research company Get good night’s rest Arrive at interview early Arrive alone Dress / cologne / jewelry

Self

con’t

Be positive about past & present employers  Don’t address target by 1st name  Be pleasant to receptionist  Speak clearly  Friendly, businesslike  No food or drink

Self

con’t

 Do not smoke, chew gum, bite nails, squirm    Be honest Be positive Don’t let silence make you uncomfortable  ** Illegal questions

Presenting skills:

  Primary objective: convince prospective employer to hire you Communicate positive attitude about yourself & prospective job    enthusiasm flexibility eagerness to face challenges  desire to learn & grow

Presenting skills

con’t

 Prepare ahead of time:    work experience transferable skills personal strengths [communication, organizational, problem solving…]  education & training & how they will help you on the job  special talents [bilingual…]

Most frequently asked questions: • what are they really asking?

• how would you answer?

Problem questions Salary issues

Behavioral Interviewing

 Based on belief that past performance is indicative of future success  Questions relate to job-related skills & technical ability in    coping assertiveness commitment to task

Closing the “sale”

   Find out when a decision will be made State your interest Thank the interviewer

Follow up

   Always thank your target [in person & with follow-up letter] Be assertive Remember - you are a resource, not a “job begger”

If you’re still not finding a job...

 Review your techniques  Try applying to smaller companies  Take a temp job & try to turn it into something permanent  Try networking

GOOD LUCK… & PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN YOU ACCEPT A JOB OFFER!

90 second self-marketing ad

    Intro: who you are & what you want from your target  Your training & skills Your hook How you will follow up The closing  PRACTICE!!