Job Search Process

1. Articulate your personal brand

2. Develop strong networks

3. Master the interview process

1. Personal Brand •What’s my competitive

advantage? •What do I offer an organization? •Unique? Distinguishable?

Memorable?

1. Personal Brand •Resume •LinkedIn •Elevator Speech (self-intro) •Email signature tagline

•How long does the average employer spend looking at a resume?

< 9 seconds

Resume • One page; standard margins • No headers or lines across the document • Results-oriented • Scope (#s) • Extra-curricular (Greeks, clubs, sports…) • Passion

Poor example

•Filed papers

Excellent Example

•Maintained filing system for three-person office with accuracy and timeliness

•In the work experience section of my resume, with what kind of word should I start each bulleted point of my job description?

•An action verb –Delivered excellent customer service

–Conducted financial analysis

•“Responsible for….”

•Is that an action verb?

I have too much work experience and activity to put on my resume. What do I delete?

Delete: •High School information •Lower level skills/jobs Summarize: •Activity

Cover Letter •Why work for ABC Company? •What value do I offer? • Can I write well? Don’t forget spell check!!! (“apart” vs. “a part”)

Should I include a photo and contact information on LinkedIn?

• Contact Info (often) • URL (customized, not

linkedin.com/in/sarahdove245xyf295)

•How do I differentiate “Summary” from “Experience”?

• Narrative (story) • Activities,

interests,passion • Future

employment desires/goals

• “Experience” can be different from resume

Why should I join groups and follow companies?

Join: “Sonoma State School of Business and Economics Students and Grads”

Skills/Abilities Employers Want

• Ability to make decision and solve problems • Verbal and written (reports) communication • Obtain and process information • Plan, organize, prioritize work • Analyze quantitative data • Tech knowledge related to job • Software proficiency • Influence skills

Elevator Speech (for SSU Career Fair)

“Hi, I’m Sally Brown. I’m studying marketing and will graduate in May this year. I’m doing a marketing research internship currently for Agilent Technologies which I really enjoy. What kinds of entry level marketing positions are available at _____?”

Email Signature John Brown Wine Business ’12 Passionate about Wine

Tim J. Delaney, CPA/PFS Your wealth, your dreams, realized

Network/Source Jobs • North Bay Business Journal, SF Bus Times • Young Professionals Network (Chambers) • Professional Groups – HR, Accounting, etc. • Your parents’ friends and contacts • SBE Job Site; LinkedIn (SBE;

linkedin.com/alumni) • Staffing Firms: Aerotek, Nelson, Star

Staffing

Career and Internship EXPO Nov. 5, 5-7 PM, Student Center •Why? •How to prepare? •What to bring? • Interview attire!

3. Interview •Prepare for behavioral and

traditional questions •First Impressions: attire, body

language, tone, smile, confidence, hand shake

•Sell Yourself!

Interview •Who are you? •Why are you here? •What can you do for me? •Why should I hire you?

Questions to ask • I’ve seen from your website that you value

teamwork in your organization. Would you please describe how that plays out day by day?

• What makes new hires at ABC Company successful in their jobs?

• Others?

End of Interview •Have I answered all your

questions to your satisfaction? •ASK for the JOB! •Find out “next steps” in the

process.

ASK for the job! “I now have a firm understanding of the position and the expectations you have. I’m confident that I will bring value to this role with my skill set and work experience. I really want this job!”

Post-Interview Follow up: •Send handwritten thank-you note

and email immediately. •State why you’re a good fit. •Why hire me?

KEEP IN TOUCH •LinkedIn

•http://www.sonoma.edu/sbe/careers-and-internships/get-a-job/