Transcript sharon jennings how to teach resume writing 07-1

Understanding the Purpose of a Resume?
• A brief history of accomplishments
• An introduction to the employer
• Schedule an interview, not obtain a job
An Enticing Resume Is
• Visually inviting
• Easy to read
• Experiences and skills highlighted
(particularly the technical skills) in an
easy to follow format
• Pointed toward the results of efforts
(not just provide descriptions of the
jobs held)
Example:
• Provided customer service.
VERSUS
• Utilized customer service skills to increase
store profits by 10%.
Example:
• Responsible for working the cash register.
VERSUS
• Processed cash transactions up to $1,000
daily.
Resume Formats
• Chronological
– The Education and Career timeline in
reverse chronological order
• Functional/Skills
– Emphasis on Experience and less on dates
or employment history
• Combination
Resume Headings
• NAME (large), ADDRESS(ES), PHONE
NUMBER, E-MAIL
• OBJECTIVE? The debate continues
• EDUCATION
– Certificate/degree and graduation date with
major emphasis of study
– Name of Educational Institution and Location
(city & state)
– GPA
RESUME HEADINGS (Cont.)
• RELATED EXPERIENCE SECTION
(includes Internship/Practicum or can list separately)
– Describe three to four jobs
- not the entire work history
– Name & Location of Employer
- city & state only
– Job title
– Length of employment
– List/describe responsibilities & accomplishments
• OTHER EMPLOYMENT
– List name of employer, location, position and
dates of employment without descriptions
Other Headings
•
• ACTIVITIES
• HONORS/AWARDS
• VOLUNTEER
WORK
• PROFESSIONAL
INVOLVEMENT
SKILLS i.e.:
– Computer programs
– Equipment/Formats
– Communication
– Languages, etc..
– Specific skills that
relate to your field of
study
Things to Keep in Mind...
• Employers spend approximately
20 seconds reviewing a resume
• Bold degree/major, jobs, involvement
related to field
• Bullet listings of job descriptions
--use short & direct sentences
beginning with an action verb
• Use jargon relevant to the field to
describe position responsibilities
Check it Twice!
• Make sure phone number is correct; e-mail
address appropriate
• Be consistent with the way things are
presented i.e. Missouri, Mo., or MO and
May 2008 or 5/08
• Fill the page
• Match employer’s WIFM factor
• There should be ONE resume!
Qualities Employers Want
• Immediate contribution to the organization
Self-starter, leader, etc.
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Team player with good interpersonal &
analytical skills
• Abilities/Skills match the qualifications
• Relevant work experience
• Strong computer knowledge
Cover Letters
...when, why, and how?
• It is the introduction and first impression to
the employer
• Send whenever a resume is “mailed” to
an employer
• Represents skills and abilities and MUST
be error free
• Needs to be personalized
– address to a “person” at that organization not
“To Whom It May Concern”
Cover Letters
• Print on paper that matches
the resume
• Use laser printer
• Remember, cover letters need to be
signed
• Mail in either
– 9”x 12” catalog envelope or
– matching standard business size envelope
Cover Letters should:
• Be written in active voice
• Hook the reader’s attention
• Refer employer to the resume
- Not repeat it!
• Focus on the WIFM factor
• Be one page in length
• Contain no typos or grammatical errors
• Tell something about you not in resume
Contents of a Cover Letter
• How the candidate became
aware of the opportunity
• What is known about the
company, the opportunity, and
the employer’s needs
• Personal traits which make it
clear why the candidate should
be considered for the position
• A direct request for an interview
Interview Expectations and
Today's Professional Dress
An Interview is a Two-Way Street
It lets an employer learn about candidates
- Abilities
- Interests
- Work Experience
- Talents
- Personality
- Education
It lets candidate find out about the employer’s
- Needs
- Work Environment
- Plans for the Future
- History
- Business Activities
Interviewer’s Goals
Look for indicators of:
 Expertise and competence
What are your greatest strengths?
What areas need improvement? Weaknesses?
What activities did you participate in during college?
What classes did you like the most? The least?
Why is your GPA so low?
What have been some of the duties/responsibilities you’ve
had with your jobs/activities that you’ve enjoyed the most?
Interviewer’s Goals-cont.
Expertise & Competence (cont.)
Describe the most significant report/presentation that you
had to complete.
What’s the most difficult assignment or responsibility
you’ve been asked to take on?
How much is it going to cost me to train you?
Interviewer’s Goals-cont.
 Motivation
Why did you study _________?
Why do you want to work for us?
Why are you interested in this position?
What objectives do you hope to achieve your
first year?
Interviewer’s Goals-cont.
 Interpersonal skills
Tell me about yourself.
How would a group of your closest friends describe
you? Your faculty?
Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult
customer/client or co-worker.
Tell me about a time in which you had to build
motivation among co-workers or team members.
Tell me about a time when you trained/taught
someone.
Interviewer’s Goals-cont.
 Decision-making skills
Give me an example of a time when you had to be relatively quick in
coming to a critical decision.
Who do you go to for advice in making decisions?
What types of problems do you like to solve or resolve?
Interviewer’s Goals-cont.
 Interest in job
What do you know about the organization? The position?
What do you expect from an organization that hires you?
What strengths do you want to build upon with
our organization?
Where do you hope to be in 10 years? 15?
What do you consider to be some of the most worthwhile
innovations taking place in the industry/business? Biggest
challenges?
Interviewer’s Goals-cont.
 Personality and Likeability
Outside of the classroom, what’s best prepared you for a
career in _________?
What do you consider to be an ideal work environment?
Describe the characteristics of the best boss you’ve ever
had? The worst?
Tell me about a personal goal you set for yourself and the
steps you took to reach it.
Explain a situation where you went “above and beyond”
what was required of you.
What the employer
is looking for...
 Alertness
 Assertiveness
 Commitment to Task
 Coping
 Creativity
 Decision Making
 Goal Setting
 Leadership
 Management
 Oral Communication
 Organization/Planning
 Problem Solving Ability
 Team Building
 Perception
Candidate’s Goals
Gather information and
learn about job, employer,
and organization
Impress interviewer enough
to be offered the job
Knowing self is critical
to job search success
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Preparing for the Interview
1. Identify and assess strengths.
2. Translate strengths into job-related
language relevant to the needs of
employers.
3. Make communications employercentered rather than self-centered.
4. Support accomplishments with specific
examples illustrating what was done.
5. Conduct research on important jobrelated issues.
Preparing for the Interview
6. Gather information about the
organization.
7. Gather information about the
interviewer.
8. Anticipate and prepare for questions.
9. Consider responses if asked an illegal
question or questions about the
“threats”.
10. Practice the form and content of your
responses.
Preparing for the Interview
11. Be prepared for more than one
interview with the same employer
12. Know how they communicate
verbally to others
13. Know how they communicate
nonverbally to others
14. Dress for success
Researching the Organization
Key people in the organization
Major products or services
Size in terms of service area and
employees
 Locations other than your community
 Organizational structure
 Major competitors
 View of company by clients and suppliers
 Latest local or national news that affects
the organization
Getting to the Interview
 Dress professionally
 Take resume, references and portfolio
 Arrive on time
 Make allies of everyone
 Concentrate on first impression
Good eye contact
Firm handshake
Smile
During the Interview
Establish Rapport
Be Positive & Likeable
Show Enthusiasm
Eliminate Nervous Mannerisms
Display a Sense of Humor
Consider the Interviewer’s Problem
Show Self-Confidence and Sense
of Worth
Two thirds of a message is
communicated non-verbally
Also During the Interview
Listen carefully
Remember that names are important
Let interviewer control first interview
Never bad-mouth anyone
Draw on past experiences/
give illustrations
Discuss what you can offer
....not what they can do for you
Ask them questions
The Answers to Many
Task Related
Questions Must Explain:
The Situation. Establish the setting
The Task or problem for which you
were responsible
The specific Action taken
The Results of the actions
Have Prepared Questions of
the Employer
• What would my responsibilities be?
• How would my performance be
evaluated?
• Is there a training program?
• What opportunities for advancement
exist?
• How would I be supervised?
• Whom would I be working with?
When to Talk About Salary
Do not initiate in the first interview
Be prepared to state a range
Do homework
Books
The Internet
People in the field
Be realistic (region, size of organization)
Don’t undersell
Follow-Up
Send a Thank
You Letter
Appearance
It is the first thing communicated
to others.
Use it to the advantage.
Concentrate on an Overall Look
Pressed dark suit
Fits well
Jacket sleeves end at
joint of wrist & hands
Dark socks
Shirt cuff (light colored) extends
1/4 to 1/2 inch below jacket sleeve
Bottom of jacket should cover seat
Tie showing personality
Concentrate on an Overall Look
Expensive suits are not necessary
Make sure skirt is not too short
Little or no fragrance
Neat, controlled hair style
Shoes - pumps-- dark, clean,
polished
Hair well groomed, conservative nail
color, hose, jewelry.
Other Points to Remember
Regarding the Interview
No smoking
No gum chewing
Avoid personal issues
Even failures provide
information
Questions?