Mission College – Santa Clara, CA2/28/12

AGENDA

6:00PM – 6:30PM: Resume Building

6:30PM – 6:50PM: How to maximize your use of LinkedIn

6:50PM – 7:05PM: Networking Break

7:10PM – 7:20PM: Introduction to Phone Screens and In-Person Interviews

7:20PM – 7:50PM: Group Breakout – Mock Interviews

7:50PM – 8:00PM: Q&A

RESUME BUILDING

FORMATTING AND SUBSTANCE

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RESUME BUILDING - FORMATTING

The first important factor in building a quality resume is proper formatting.

Proper formatting shows professionalism, attention to detail, and allows for managers to easily digest content.

Remember managers only spend 1-2 minutes looking at a resume, so get your point across quickly!

FORMATTING TIPS

Choose a simple font like Arial for the entire document.

The font size should be 10 or 11 for the body under each heading.

Stick to black or dark blue for your text.

Headings, Titles, and Body Text should all have the same style throughout the resume. (Bold, Italics, Underline, etc.)

Keep charts and tables out of it!

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RESUME BUILDING – FORMATTING

The second popular topic with regards to formatting is organization.

You should organize your resume in a way that is easy to follow, consistent, and chronological.

Remember we have 2 minutes to get the manager picturing you in that job!

Organization Tips Professional Summary

- What is your “bread and butter”

Technical Summary (Hands on experience only)

- Sub Headings

Professional Experience

- Company Name, City, State - Month/Year

- Title - Detailed Experience

Education

Certifications and Training

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RESUME BUILDING - CONTENT

The content included under each professional engagement should be detailed and only included projects/daily duties that you were directly involved in.

Make sure to include key factors like languages, tools, applications, technical environment and be specific about what you did with them.

Example

Setup Windows 7 migration imaging process for new desktop and laptop hardware. (Configured FOG imaging).

Setup MAC OSX Snow Leopard / Lion imaging (Deploy Studio).

Implemented new Helpdesk system (Spiceworks)

Build MSI packages and batch files to push out through Group Policy.

LinkedIn

BEST PRACTICES

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LinkedIn – Best Practices

LinkedIn is one of the fastest growing recruiting tools for both internal and 3rd party recruiters.

This is a PROFESSIONAL social networking site.

Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn for interview preparation.

Key Points

Live copy of your resume

Recommendations

Groups

Job Searching

Interview Prep

Things to avoid

My LinkedIn Profile 

Interviews

PREPARATION

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Interviews - Preparation

› Have 5 printed copies of your resume available to pass out.

› Have at least 5 questions written down to ask the interviewer about the position, environment, team, goals and expectations.

› Make sure to use specific examples from your experience when answering questions about your background. 

› Bring a pad or notebook with you so you can take notes.

› Look the interviewers up in LinkedIn. Learn the manager’s background and figure out if you have any connections in common.

› Always write a thank you letter following your interview. Try to refer to specific points the interviewer made.

Interviews

TIPS FOR PHONE SCREENS AND IN-PERSON

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Interviews – Phone Screens

Phone screens should be given as much prep time as in-person interviews.

This is a great opportunity to show verbal communication skills.

Key Tips

Have your resume in front of you and a NOTEBOOK/PEN to jot down notes

Have 5 QUESTIONS prepared to ask about the job/team/environment

Give SPECIFIC EXAMPLES and go into detail with your answers. i.e., do not answer with yes or no, but give an explanation

This is a phone screen so ensure you’re in a QUIET AREA without any distractions and do speak clearly and enthusiastically. 

Make sure to go over the job description. BE HONEST when telling them about your background, but if you are lacking a skill know what you have used that is COMPARABLE. 

USE POSITIVE VOCABULARY (i.e., “I’m very interested in this opportunity”) to show your interest and that you’re excited for the next step in the interview

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Interviews – In-Person

Always show up 15 minutes early.

Bring relevant work samples.

Make sure you research what appropriate attire is. (just ask)

TIPS

A STRONG HANDSHAKE is important; this is your first impression.

SMILE!  The manager will respond to the positive and friendly approach.  This also displays confidence.

EYE CONTACT is paramount throughout the interview.  This is a great way to show your confidence, particularly important as this is a lead role.  

STRONG COMMUNICATION – Speak up, articulate, annunciate.

Highlight your PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE that closely matches the position.

Use POSITIVE VOCABULARY to show your interest. Examples include: “I am very interested” and “I am eager to join the team” are often very effective.

ASK FOR THE JOB: If you really want it, ask for it!  “This sounds like a great company and I would gladly accept this position if it were offered to me.” 

Ask the manager what the NEXT STEPS would be and thank him/her and team for their time.

Interviews

PHONE SCREEN & IN-PERSON MOCK INTERVIEWS

Questions?