• The main reason for a resume is The main reason for a resume is to promote your qualifications to to promote your qualifications to get them interested to offer you get them interested to offer you

an interview.an interview.

Resume WritingResume Writing

ButBut, before your resume even gets a , before your resume even gets a chance to show off what you have to chance to show off what you have to

offer… A resume will get a 5 – 30 offer… A resume will get a 5 – 30 second quick look over first.second quick look over first.

• To survive that it must look professional and To survive that it must look professional and match the job you are applying formatch the job you are applying for

• If it looks like all the rest or like it is just some If it looks like all the rest or like it is just some quickly put together, generic resume…..it’s quickly put together, generic resume…..it’s

going to make its way into the garbage.going to make its way into the garbage.

If If you do survive that first quick look you do survive that first quick look and make it into the pile that the boss and make it into the pile that the boss

is going to take a closer look at is going to take a closer look at YOU NEED TO CONSIDER…YOU NEED TO CONSIDER…

• How is my resume going to stand out How is my resume going to stand out against the rest?against the rest?

• What exactly am I applying for?What exactly am I applying for?

• How do I best summarize what I have to How do I best summarize what I have to offer?offer?

• How can I organize this information so that I How can I organize this information so that I don’t confuse the reader?don’t confuse the reader?

• And many more important questions? (refer And many more important questions? (refer to resume critique)to resume critique)

RememberRemember

• be brief…a resume that is too long will often be brief…a resume that is too long will often just be thrown away and not even looked just be thrown away and not even looked through.through.

• Make your resume personal for every job Make your resume personal for every job you are applying foryou are applying for (make it job (make it job specific).specific).

• There is an easy to follow sequence (its got to There is an easy to follow sequence (its got to be logical, don’t jump all over the place).be logical, don’t jump all over the place).

• Don’t bother including information that is not Don’t bother including information that is not relevant to the position you are applying for.relevant to the position you are applying for.

Quick FormatQuick Format

• Lets be logical Lets be logical

• Shouldn’t a resume run from the Shouldn’t a resume run from the most recent dates to the later dates.most recent dates to the later dates.

• For organization and to make it easy For organization and to make it easy to follow; divide your resume into to follow; divide your resume into important sections.important sections.

1. Personal Information1. Personal Information

• Always let the employer know how to Always let the employer know how to contact you and who you are to start contact you and who you are to start offoff

• Include Name, Address, Phone Include Name, Address, Phone Number, e-mail address (optional)Number, e-mail address (optional)

2. Objective2. Objective

• What position you are applying for.What position you are applying for.

• Let the employer now that this Let the employer now that this resume was specific for this job he is resume was specific for this job he is trying to hire for.trying to hire for.

3. Education/Certification 3. Education/Certification or or

4. Employable Skills4. Employable Skills• Now it is usually debated, whether to Now it is usually debated, whether to

put your education and certification put your education and certification or your employable skills next. or your employable skills next.

• I would start with what ever you feel I would start with what ever you feel is more important and what looks is more important and what looks best for the job that you are applying best for the job that you are applying forfor

5. Employment History5. Employment History

• Now you can tell them where you got Now you can tell them where you got experience or what you have been experience or what you have been doing in the work force. doing in the work force.

• Highlight qualities or job Highlight qualities or job responsibilities that match up with responsibilities that match up with what you are applying forwhat you are applying for

6. Volunteer6. Volunteer

• What sort of stuff have you done on What sort of stuff have you done on your own time your own time

• Don’t overload, try making Don’t overload, try making connections with the type of work connections with the type of work that you will be doing or show that that you will be doing or show that you do things without having to be you do things without having to be paid to do it.paid to do it.

7. References7. References

• You will need three references – two who You will need three references – two who can comment on your work habits and can comment on your work habits and ethic (educational or professional ethic (educational or professional references) and one personal who can references) and one personal who can comment on the type of person that you comment on the type of person that you are.are.

• Information that should be included is: Information that should be included is: title, name, organization, address, and title, name, organization, address, and telephone number.telephone number.

Check out some Check out some ExamplesExamples

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..\Resume\References.doc

Resume CritiqueResume Critique• Resumes normally get less than a 15 Resumes normally get less than a 15

second glance at the first screening. second glance at the first screening. If someone has asked you to review If someone has asked you to review his/her resume and you want to help his/her resume and you want to help them ensure it gets read -- or want to them ensure it gets read -- or want to know if your own is up to par -- be know if your own is up to par -- be sure you can answer yes to the sure you can answer yes to the following questions:following questions:

First ImpressionFirst Impression

• Does the resume look original and not based on a Does the resume look original and not based on a template?template?

• Is the resume inviting to read, with clear sections Is the resume inviting to read, with clear sections and ample white space?and ample white space?

• Does the design look professional rather than like a Does the design look professional rather than like a simple typing job?simple typing job?

• Is a Is a qualifications summaryqualifications summary included so the reader included so the reader immediately knows the applicant's value immediately knows the applicant's value proposition?proposition?

• Is the Is the lengthlength and overall appearance of the resume and overall appearance of the resume appropriate given the career level and objective? appropriate given the career level and objective?

AppearanceAppearance• Does the resume provide a visually pleasing, polished Does the resume provide a visually pleasing, polished

presentationpresentation??• Is the Is the fontfont appropriate for the career level and appropriate for the career level and

industry?industry?• Are there Are there design elementsdesign elements such as bullets, bolding and such as bullets, bolding and

lines to guide readers' eyes through the document and lines to guide readers' eyes through the document and highlight important content?highlight important content?

• Is there a good balance between text and white space?Is there a good balance between text and white space?• Are margins even on all sides?Are margins even on all sides?• Are design elements like spacing and font size used Are design elements like spacing and font size used

consistently throughout the document?consistently throughout the document?• If the resume is longer than a page, does the second If the resume is longer than a page, does the second

page contain a heading? Is the page break formatted page contain a heading? Is the page break formatted correctly?correctly?

Resume SectionsResume Sections

• Are all resume sections clearly Are all resume sections clearly labeled?labeled?

• Are sections placed in the best order Are sections placed in the best order to highlight the applicant's strongest to highlight the applicant's strongest credentials?credentials?

• Is the work history listed in reverse Is the work history listed in reverse chronological order (most recent job chronological order (most recent job first)?first)?

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

• Does the resume include a solid listing of Does the resume include a solid listing of career career accomplishmentsaccomplishments??

• Are accomplishments quantified by using Are accomplishments quantified by using numbers, percentages, dollar amounts or numbers, percentages, dollar amounts or other concrete measures of success?other concrete measures of success?

• Do accomplishment statements begin with Do accomplishment statements begin with strong, varied action verbs?strong, varied action verbs?

• Are accomplishments separated from Are accomplishments separated from responsibilities?responsibilities?

RelevanceRelevance

• Is the information relevant to hiring Is the information relevant to hiring managers' needs?managers' needs?

• Is the resume keyword-rich, packed with Is the resume keyword-rich, packed with appropriate buzzwords and industry appropriate buzzwords and industry acronyms?acronyms?

• Is applicable additional information, such as Is applicable additional information, such as awards and affiliations, included, while awards and affiliations, included, while personal information like marital status, age personal information like marital status, age and nationality unrelated to the job target and nationality unrelated to the job target omitted?omitted?

Writing StyleWriting Style

• Is the resume written in an implied Is the resume written in an implied first-person voice with personal first-person voice with personal pronouns, such as I, me and my, pronouns, such as I, me and my, avoided?avoided?

• Is the content flow logical and easy Is the content flow logical and easy to understand?to understand?

• Is the resume as perfect as possible, Is the resume as perfect as possible, with no careless typos or spelling, with no careless typos or spelling, grammar or syntax errorsgrammar or syntax errors

Cover LetterCover Letter

• There are lots of jobs that require cover There are lots of jobs that require cover letters and they are a very helpful tool. letters and they are a very helpful tool.

• Some jobs, however, that you are applying Some jobs, however, that you are applying for won’t need a cover letter; they are just for won’t need a cover letter; they are just not the type of job that would require a not the type of job that would require a cover letter. cover letter.

• It might look like you are over qualified or It might look like you are over qualified or wasting the time of the employer to read wasting the time of the employer to read through it. through it.

For those that do…For those that do…

• The general reason for a cover letter is The general reason for a cover letter is to take a little more time to highlight to take a little more time to highlight some qualities or qualifications in which some qualities or qualifications in which you possess that will benefit your you possess that will benefit your chances at getting hired. chances at getting hired.

• There is more than one format you can There is more than one format you can follow when writing a cover letter.follow when writing a cover letter.

• Here is one example.Here is one example.

1. Introduction1. Introduction

• Introduce the purpose of this letter Introduce the purpose of this letter as to further highlight some of your as to further highlight some of your qualifications that would benefit you qualifications that would benefit you being hired.being hired.

• Briefly state them.Briefly state them.

2. 1st quality2. 1st quality

• What is the 1What is the 1stst quality? quality?

• How will it benefit their organization How will it benefit their organization and you in that job?and you in that job?

3. 2nd quality3. 2nd quality

• What is that second character trait What is that second character trait you possess that will benefit them?you possess that will benefit them?

• How will it be beneficial?How will it be beneficial?

4. 3rd quality4. 3rd quality

• The other quality you wish to The other quality you wish to highlight and how it will benefit you highlight and how it will benefit you being hired.being hired.

5. Conclusion5. Conclusion

• summary of three qualities and how summary of three qualities and how they will benefit they will benefit

• looking forward to hopefully getting looking forward to hopefully getting the chance to meet in person to the chance to meet in person to discuss possible employmentdiscuss possible employment

Some Examples and Some Examples and Additional InformationAdditional Information

Resume\coverexampl.doc

Resume\coverletter.doc

Job InterviewsJob Interviews• Getting an interview for a job is the Getting an interview for a job is the

closest step to being hired.closest step to being hired.

• It can be nerve racking, here are It can be nerve racking, here are some suggestions that might help some suggestions that might help you through your interview.you through your interview.

Preparing for an InterviewPreparing for an Interview

• Be clean and neatBe clean and neat – first impressions are based on – first impressions are based on appearance.appearance.

• Know where youKnow where you’re going’re going – plan your route in – plan your route in advance to avoid mishap or confusion.advance to avoid mishap or confusion.

• Have a positive attitudeHave a positive attitude – having a good outlook – having a good outlook that the interview can benefit you in some way, even that the interview can benefit you in some way, even if you do not get the job, will communicate itself to if you do not get the job, will communicate itself to prospective employers. At the very least, you will prospective employers. At the very least, you will have more data on how to conduct a good interview.have more data on how to conduct a good interview.

• Know something about the companyKnow something about the company – find out – find out basic information about the employer and the basic information about the employer and the position you are applying for before the interview.position you are applying for before the interview.

• Bring necessary paperworkBring necessary paperwork – a well-developed – a well-developed portfolio paints a picture of who you are as an portfolio paints a picture of who you are as an employee and a person.employee and a person.

Questions related to the Questions related to the company:company:

•Why do you think you would like a job with Why do you think you would like a job with our company?our company?

•What do you know about our company?What do you know about our company?

•What interests you about the products and What interests you about the products and services we offer?services we offer?

•When are you available for work?When are you available for work?– If you are currently employed be sure to show a If you are currently employed be sure to show a

consideration for your current employer.consideration for your current employer.

•What kind of salary do you need?What kind of salary do you need?

Questions about your skills:Questions about your skills:

•What type of job interests you?What type of job interests you?

•Why did you choose this type of work?Why did you choose this type of work?

•What training do you have?What training do you have?

•What are the qualities you feel should be What are the qualities you feel should be present in order for a person to be present in order for a person to be successful in this position?successful in this position?

•What are your most outstanding qualities?What are your most outstanding qualities?

•Give examples when you have shown Give examples when you have shown initiativeinitiative..

Questions about past jobs:Questions about past jobs:

•What was your last job?What was your last job?

•Why did you leave this job?Why did you leave this job?

•How often were you absent from your last How often were you absent from your last job?job?

•What have you learned from your past work What have you learned from your past work experience?experience?

•Give an example of a situation which you Give an example of a situation which you experienced in your last position that had a experienced in your last position that had a strong impact on you.strong impact on you.

Questions about job Questions about job preferences:preferences:

•How important are wages to you?How important are wages to you?

•Are you willing to move to another Are you willing to move to another geographical location?geographical location?

•Do you like to work alone? in a group?Do you like to work alone? in a group?

•How do you feel about jobs that involve a lot How do you feel about jobs that involve a lot of routine activities?of routine activities?

•What are some of the obstacles that you find What are some of the obstacles that you find when involved in teamwork?when involved in teamwork?

•Are you willing to work overtime?Are you willing to work overtime?

Thinking QuestionsThinking Questions

•Tell me about yourself – interested in Tell me about yourself – interested in achievements and what you’re looking for in a achievements and what you’re looking for in a job.job.

•What is you greatest strength – pick something What is you greatest strength – pick something that is relevant to the job you are applying for.that is relevant to the job you are applying for.

•What are your weaknesses – take a negative What are your weaknesses – take a negative and show how it can be a positive for the and show how it can be a positive for the position while still being honest. position while still being honest.

•What do you think your previous employer What do you think your previous employer would list as an area where you need would list as an area where you need improvement – be honest but indicate the improvement – be honest but indicate the steps you are taking to improve the situation.steps you are taking to improve the situation.

Thinking Questions Thinking Questions ContinuedContinued

• Why do you want to work here – tell how your skills Why do you want to work here – tell how your skills and career goals might contribute to the company.and career goals might contribute to the company.

• Why should I hire you – show how you are an asset to Why should I hire you – show how you are an asset to the company.the company.

• Have you ever had a problem on the job – assure the Have you ever had a problem on the job – assure the interviewer that if you ever have had a problem, you interviewer that if you ever have had a problem, you have learned from it and taken steps to ensure that it have learned from it and taken steps to ensure that it won’t happen again.won’t happen again.

• Do you have any questions – You SHOULD be ready Do you have any questions – You SHOULD be ready with some questions directly related to the job.with some questions directly related to the job.

Hypothetical QuestionsHypothetical Questions

•Given the following situation, what Given the following situation, what would you do?would you do?

This question varies depending on This question varies depending on the type of employment sought.the type of employment sought.

• Above all else, be honest during an Above all else, be honest during an interview. Your prospective interview. Your prospective employer WILL find out if you have employer WILL find out if you have been misleading or untruthful.been misleading or untruthful.

• Some feel you should follow up an Some feel you should follow up an interview with a thank you letter.interview with a thank you letter.