Accelerated Career Training Program Resume and Writing ... · 4/1/2013 1 1 Resume and Writing Workshop Accelerated Career Training Program 726 Route 202 South, Suite 320-129, Bridgewater,

4/1/2013

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Resume and Writing Workshop

Accelerated Career Training Program

www.psgcnj.org 726 Route 202 South, Suite 320-129, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

PSGCNJ © 2012-2013 1

Module 4

Training Committee Mission & Theme

We are all volunteering professionals in career transition and our

aim is to better prepare fellow job seekers by providing tools and

information to help focus and accelerate the search.

What we are giving you are suggestions and tips on perhaps the

best way to do things, but they are not always the best way for all

people.

Through active class participation, we can all learn from each other

and your feedback helps improve the content.

The recommendations/suggestions we make are based upon

research and experience, and you should consider the perspectives

and information offered, take what you like, and apply what suits

you in your current job search.

2 PSGCNJ (c) 2012-2013 Resume & Letter Workshop 3/30/13

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Agenda

1. Transferable Skills

2. Resumes

3. Letters

4. Evaluation


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What Are Transferable Skills?

Things you know how to do from you experience

work life

In a job search, these skills must be of

interest to an employer

PSGCNJ (c) 2012-2013 Resume & Letter Workshop 3/30/13

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Why Are Transferable Skills Important?

Along with CAR stories…building blocks for

– Elevator Pitch

– Resume

– Cover Letters

– Interview Prep


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Identifying Your Transferable Skills

Different from traits – Traits are part of your personality

– Indicate how you do things…

not what you can do

Think of accomplishments where your action made a difference,

and/or your work was recognized by others

Rank your transferable skills by identifying those you

really like to do, and those that will help you achieve your

long-term goals


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Transferable Skills Across Industries / Functions

You have transferable skills across industries or

job roles / functional areas within industries

R & D

HR

Marketing Sales

Media/Events

Operations

Support Services

Customer Service

IT

Senior Exec Education & Training

Finance


Transferable Skills - Examples

Communication skills

Problem solving skills

Teamworking skills

Leadership skills

Innovation & creativity

Interpersonal skills

Ability to work independently

Organizational & planning

skills

Time management skills

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Self-motivation

Commitment

Reliability/dependability.

Willingness to learn

Inspiring others


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Resources for Transferable Skills

What Color Is Your Parachute

– Bolles, 2012 edition, chapter 13

The OWL at Purdue University — Job Skills Checklist

– http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/626/01/

Transferable Job Skills Sets for Job-Seekers

– http://www.quintcareers.com/transferable_skills_set.html

Examples of Transferable Skills - Short List

– http://careerplanning.about.com/od/careerchoicechan/a/trans_skills_

ex.htm


Resumes

Resume overview challenge

Paper version of you

Purpose of resume

General rules & tips for resume preparation

CAR stories for your resume

Types of resumes & formats

Electronic resumes


http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/626/01/


http://www.quintcareers.com/transferable_skills_set.html

http://careerplanning.about.com/od/careerchoicechan/a/trans_skills_ex.htm

http://careerplanning.about.com/od/careerchoicechan/a/trans_skills_ex.htm

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Resume Overview Challenge

Unique and individual – No standard template and few strict rules

– Industries may have different tolerances for what is and not acceptable

Bottom Line – Since there are no set standard, most resume

reviews are subjective and should be taken as such

– Put yourself in hiring manager’s shoes and • Decide what’s best for you

• Determine what you’re comfortable presenting

You have 30 seconds or less!!


Paper Version of You

Part of your 30 second elevator pitch

Marketing, promotional & sales opportunity

Summary of your CAR stories plus

– Successful accomplishments, results and value

– Transferable skills

– Communication and organizational skills

– Promote the real you and personality traits

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Your opportunity to make your self

unique & distinct PSGCNJ (c) 2012-2013 Resume & Letter Workshop 3/30/13


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1. Professionalism ………. 86%

2. High-Energy……………. 78%

3. Confidence …………….. 61%

4. Self-Monitoring…………. 58%

5. Intellectual Curiosity…… 57%

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-five-personality-traits-employers-120509955.html

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Considerations

Top 5 Personality Traits Employers Want

Paper Version of You


General Rules & Tips

First, create a Master Resume

Opening paragraph of resume

– Variation of your 30 second elevator pitch

– Foundation of answer to " tell me about yourself "

Key words should be included

No pronouns…start with ACTION verbs

Watch out for verb agreement


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Visually appealing – Fear of white space

– Consistent fonts / tone as cover letter

Correct spelling & grammar Concise, not chatty or too technical

Eliminate filler words

– a…an…of…the



Generally covers most recent 10 - 15 years

Emphasize most important point(s) at beginning

Learn how to address & overcome barriers such

as education, over-qualified, age, race or gender

Do not make resume generic, limit personal info

Get different people to critique your resume…YOU

decide what is best - it’s your resume

Number of pages???

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Biggest Lost Opportunity….

Resume becomes job description of what you were assigned to do and does not emphasize accomplishments

Only lists your duties and day-to-day responsibilities

Stress achievements NOT responsibilities

Quantify achievements when possible

Focus on your CAR stories & RESULTS


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CAR Stories

Challenge Action Result (aka…PAR / STAR / SOAR)

Key input into

– elevator pitches

– resumes,

– cover letters

– interview preparation

Stories from your work or life experience that

communicate your distinction & value


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Examples Of CAR Stories

I streamlined branch operations across all aspects from recruitment to organizing and redefining office functions

which achieved substantial cost reductions, greater efficiency, and increased market share

Improved cash flow and released enough working capital to enable organization to expand to new markets by

reducing receivables from 115 days to 33 days. This helped company increase market share 8.7% over a 12 month period.

Drove through snowstorm to open regional Women’s

Shelter facility, enabling it to be available for emergency crisis intervention. If I had not done this the facility would not have been open.


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CAR Stories – Think About This

Someone with 20 years

of work experience

should have at least 20

CAR stories

Annual performance

reviews are good source

of potential CAR stories

CAR Stories are backbone of your resume


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CAR Stories For Your Resume

Developing clear concise stories

Focused on quantifiable Results + Actions you took

– Improvements

– Positive actions

– Something you initiated

– Increasing business

– Decreasing costs

– Measuring & delivering VALUE

Tell specific stories… in 1-2 sentences


CAR Stories – Yes or No?

Increased ROI by 65% through elimination of low priority projects

Saved $27K in out-of-pocket media costs by facilitating barter

agreement with third party vendor

Reviewed over 300 lines of company budget to make sure there were

no errors

Ensured rapid, appropriate issue escalation / resolution through implementation of multi-level backend support system

Exceeded yearly goals for 3 straight years and earned individual bonus.

Led training program for staff of 500 employees to improve productivity

Increased brand value by designing, developing and promoting education outreach programs

Planned meetings and business events for company CEO so he could

be more organized

Grew website revenues by 11% by analyzing customer usage to guide functionality improvements

Quantifiable Results + Actions = Value


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Types of Resume & Formats

Functional

Chronological

Hybrid


Fear of

White Space Page 1 of 1

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Functional Page 1 of 2

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Functional Page 2 of 2

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Chronological Page 1

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Chronological Page 2

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Hybrid Page 1

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Hybrid Page 2

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Hybrid Page 3

Electronic Resumes

Plain Text, ASC II text file…can

also be word doc

Very critical for scanning

purposes

No hyperlinks!

Eliminate lines, rules and

excessive punctuation

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If company encounters problems scanning your

resume, it might be excluded from interview

consideration!! PSGCNJ (c) 2012-2013 Resume & Letter Workshop 3/30/13

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Resume Summary

Use general guidelines and tips when writing or reviewing your resume. Google sample resumes on internet.

Get different opinions - You decide

Become PSGCNJ member and have your resume reviewed and critiqued - It’s free!

– [email protected]

– Attention: Advanced Resume Review Registrar

Refer to resume writing books + visit internet sites

– The Directory of Executive Recruiters ( Kennedy Red Book ) www.kennedyinfo.com

– www.quintcareers.com/printable/action_skills.html

– http://www.resumeprime.com/resume-samples.php


Letters

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Types of Letters

1. Cover Letters

2. T Letter

3. Thank You

4. Follow Up


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Make An Impression

How long does it take?

Face-to-Face Interview – maybe 3 minutes

Phone Call – 1 minute

Cover letter – less than 30 seconds!


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Cover Letter

Why Write Cover Letter?

Create interest and move hiring manager to read your resume.

Address “WIIFM” (what’s in it for me?) from perspective of hiring manager or potential employer

Demonstrates your written communication skills

Show your style of communication and personality

– More personal than resume


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Your Goal in Cover Letter

Indicate you have reasonably good shot at

being viable candidate for job

Clearly indicate that you have some knowledge

of company

Show you are not just blasting your resume

everywhere

Get reviewer to actually read your resume


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Well Written Cover Letters

Length: 2 or 3 paragraphs – no more than 1 page

Demonstrate your attention to detail and understanding of company’s needs

This may seem like small stuff – BUT could make

difference between making cut or missing your chance

Well written cover letter can set you apart

from rest of applicants


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Salutation Try to get name, if none use “Dear Hiring Manager”

or “Director of Human Resources.” Avoid “Dear

Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern.”

Paragraph 1 Introduction - Why you are writing letter.

Refer to where you found the job listing, include

title and job ID (if given)

Paragraph 2 Sell yourself - Use accomplishments & CARs

to address requirements of position

Paragraph 3 Close – Request a meeting for an initial phone

screening or meeting. This shows interest.

Propose specific time and date.

Cover Letter Format


Email Principles

Subject Line of Email Message: Job Position - Your Name

Email Signature

– First Name Last Name

• Email Address use professional name…not“[email protected]”

• Phone

• LinkedIn Profile (Optional)

Reverse usual order to prevent mistakes or sending too soon

1. Attachment

2. Message text

• Use spell & grammar check

• Proof read right to left

3. Subject

4. To


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NO CAPS

Keep it professional

– Email address

– Tone

– Look & feel…font and color

It’s NOT private

Send to specific individuals

‘Reply’ rather than ‘Reply all’

No broadcast messages: I NEED A JOB…….

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Email Cover Letter - Etiquette


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Cover Letter - Example


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Another type of cover letter

After introductory paragraph goes to 2 columns

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T Letter

List perspective employer’s

requirements

Requirement #1

Requirement #2

Requirement #3

List your qualifications as

they match requirements

Qualification #1

Qualification #2

Qualification #3

Focuses on initial screening person & what they

need to know to get you to next step PSGCNJ (c) 2012-2013 Resume & Letter Workshop 3/30/13

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T Letter - Example

BA/BS degree 10 years, including at least 5–7 years of direct project management experience Strong background in implementing large complex projects in a fluid environment Excellent communication and motivation skills, and ability to interact appropriately with senior level colleagues, vendors and partners Experience delivering enterprise-wide solutions Experience working with a variety of staff, delivery organizations & partners Excellent understanding & experience with implementation of software applications, including familiarity with data integration issues & ongoing operational considerations Be decisive and assertive and show initiative in problem-solving, while at the same time skilled at team-building

Ken College of NJ Over 20 years in industry and over 15 years in PM; AT&T, Sanofi-aventis, CBS Led deployment of $15 million IT infrastructure across U.S. data centers. Peers and managers agree - I'm an excellent communicator, facilitator, and presenter to all levels of a project team, up to and including stakeholders and upper management. My work at AT&T, JPMorgan, Sanofi-aventis, and CBS were all within enterprise level infrastructure organizations. All levels of project team are engaged as required to complete a project. I understand and implemented project using the SDLC methodology with enterprise level operations organizations at AT&T Several of my key attributes include team building, problem-solving, and assertive/persistent. In addition, I am detailed-oriented and considered the "go-to-guy"

Requirements Qualifications


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Thank You Letter

Send immediately after interview to everyone who you

interviewed with AND anyone who helped you in any way (i.e., receptionist or administrative assistant)

Send e-mail…can be followed by hard copy via snail mail

Send to anyone who has helped you by providing information or reviewing your resume

Send DIFFERENT thank you letter to each person whom you met or who interviewed you

Thank you letter is another type of follow up

letter if used effectively PSGCNJ (c) 2012-2013 Resume & Letter Workshop 3/30/13

Thank You Email / Letter

Subject Line of Email Message: “Thank You”

– Salutation: Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name or Dear Hiring Manager

– First Paragraph: Recap meeting. Refresh memory of person you

are writing to

– Middle Paragraph: Add CAR story. Add additional information /

CAR that you think was either left out or not emphasized enough

during interview

– Final Paragraph: Close. Ask for another meeting (if addressed to

an interviewer), for example, a phone call to find out status of position

– Email Signature

– First Name Last Name

• Email Address use professional name

• Phone

• LinkedIn Profile (Optional)


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If you are interested in position – always follow up!

Gives you chance to add more CAR stories (sell yourself

Opportunity to address anything you forgot to mention

during interview that may strengthen your candidacy

When do you send Follow-Up Letter?

– Depends on timing of decision-making process

– Ask hiring manager when decision will be made

– Send Follow-Up Letter a few days before that date to refresh their

memory of you and your skills

Follow Up Letter


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Writing Tips: Common Mistakes

Cramming to get everything to fit on one page

Not using CAR stories

Sending same type of letter to every company

Repeating contents of your resume in your cover letter


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Use of personal pronoun “I” is okay for cover

letter…but not for resume

Use word “you”…Mr. Employer, this is what I can

do for you.

If sending with resume, use same style header,

font, size, color and paper type

– It should look like it all belongs together

Writing Tips: Additional


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ACT Evaluation Form

Please complete your ACT Evaluation Form. Thank you!

Module 4: Resume & Writing Topics

1. Transferable Skills

2. CAR Stories

3. Resumes

4. Letters


Documents

Accelerated Career Training Program Resume and Writing ... · 4/1/2013 1 1 Resume and Writing Workshop Accelerated Career Training Program 726 Route 202 South, Suite 320-129, Bridgewater,