the job search begins with research! researching yourself researching the field researching the...

CHAPTER 13:PREPARING RÉSUMÉS AND APPLICATION MESSAGES

Career Center Handbook

Process for Applying for a Job

Job Search

The job search begins with research!

Researching yourself

Researching the field

Researching the company

Job Search

Traditional

• Printed sources• Networking• Career service center• Employers’ offices• Employment agencies• Professional

organizations

Electronic

• Career guidance information

• Job listings• Company web pages• Résumé posting

services

RésumésDevelop appealing format that _________

_____________

Format for quick, ____ reading

Create an appealing ______

qualificationshighlights

easyoutput

Résumé Basics

The tale of two résumé mistakes….

the template

Résumé Basics

The tale of two résumé mistakes….

the extreme

Résumé Basics

Résumé Tips

Layout sections in order of importance

Write everything outNo abbreviations or acronyms

Be consistent with the format throughout each sectionCheck the detailsGrammar, spelling, AND format

Résumé Tips

Provide Full Contact InformationName, address, phone number and email

Use an appropriate email address

Heading

Résumé Tips

ObjectiveSeeking a position using my people skills.

To obtain a challenging position with opportunity for advancement.

Seeking a management trainee position allowing me to utilize my knowledge of prospecting new business, selling new accounts, and handling advanced customer objectives.

Summary

Résumé Tips

Provide Full Contact InformationName, address, phone number and email

Use an appropriate email address

Know your degree titleThere is not a “s” at the end of Associate, Bachelor or Master

Education

Education

Résumé Tips

Provide Full Contact InformationName, address, phone number and email

Use an appropriate email address

Know your degree titleThere is not a “s” at the end of Associate, Bachelor or Master

Write meaningful job descriptions

Résumé Tips

Provide Full Contact InformationName, address, phone number and email

Use an appropriate email address

Know your degree titleThere is not a “s” at the end of Associate, Bachelor or Master

Accurately convey the level of your skills

Write meaningful job descriptions

Skills

Résumé Tips

Provide Full Contact InformationName, address, phone number and email

Use an appropriate email address

Know your degree titleThere is not a “s” at the end of Associate, Bachelor or Master

Accurately convey the level of your skills

Include honors, activities, and leadership positionsCollege to the present, not high school

Write meaningful job descriptions

Honors and Activities

Things to leave off your resume

Your picture (unless they request one)***Interests and hobbiesPersonal attributes (height, weight, race,

religion)NegativityFlairA selfish objective Spelling mistakes and grammar errors

“If you think an apostrophe was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, you will never work for me. Ifyou think a semicolon is a regular colon with an identity crisis, I will not hire you. If you scatter commas into a sentence with all thediscrimination of a shotgun, you might make it

to the foyer before we politely escort you from thebuilding.”

- Kyle Wiens

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/07/i_wont_hire_people_who_use_poo.html

Lying on a Résumé

ResumeDoctor.com fact-checked 1,000 resumes

42% contained “significant errors”Common lies?

Reporting staying at jobs longer than they really did.

Inflating job titlesSaying they earned degrees when they were a

couple of semesters short.

Famous ExamplesRadioShack CEO David Edmondson resigned

Star-Telegram of Fort Worth, Texas, reported he had liedon his resume; “claiming two college degrees when in facthe has none.”

Marilee Jones, dean of admissions at MITWhen she was promoted to the deanship in 1997, she "did not have the courage to correct my résumé," she wrote.“She had fabricated her academic degrees from UnionCollege and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on a job application in 1979 and she had added a fabricated degree

to her resume from Albany Medical College sometime ‘after

she was hired.’” (Wikipedia)

Famous Examples

George O’LearyResigned from Notre Dame only five days after

being hired.“He claimed to have a master’s degree in

education and to have played college football for three years, but checks into his background showed it wasn’t

true.”(Sports Illustrated)

Résumé Types

Chronological

Functional

Chrono-functional

Top Twenty Non-Technical Competencies Employers Look for in Job Candidates

1) Communication Skills (verbal and written) 11) Leadership Skills 2) Honesty/Integrity 12) Organizational Skills 3) Interpersonal Skills (relates well to others) 13) Self-

Confidence 4) Motivation/Initiative 14) Friendly/Outgoing

Personality 5) Strong Work Ethic 15) Tactfulness 6) Teamwork Skills (works well with others) 16) Well Mannered/Polite 7) Analytical Skills 17) Creativity 8) Flexibility/Adaptability 18) GPA (3.0 or better) 9) Computer Skills 19) Entrepreneurial Skills10) Detail Oriented 20) Sense of Humor

Résumé Formats

Print

Résumé FormatsElectronic

confidentialKnow postings are not ____________Prepare a professional submission that ________

____________ preciselySend résumé in requested format:

______- résumé — text résumé pasted below email cover message

Text résumé — ASCII or RTF format that removes ___________

Attachment saved as word processing fileInclude _________ summary after identification

section

follows

Inline

formatting

keyword

instructions

Curriculum Vitae (CV)ReferencesThank You NotesCover Letters

Other Professional Correspondence

Cover Letter Techniques

Opening Paragraph: Why you are writing. State why you are writing. Name the position or

type of position for which you are applying.

Mention how you learned of the position.

Mention the name of any referring person.

Briefly describe why you are interested in this particular

position.

Be straightforward, don’t use flashy gimmicks:

If you’re looking for a top salesman who can double your

sales, I’m the one to call.

People often tell me that I’m the best manager they’ve ever

hired.

Need a secretary who can handle pressure, solve problems, and manage details? If so, put my 10+ years experience to work in your office.

Cover Letter Techniques

Body of the Letter: Sell yourself. Introduce yourself.

Briefly describe the skills and/or experiences you possess that fit the requirements of the position.

If you have related experiences, mention your qualifications and achievements.

Do not repeat your resume.

Mention personal qualities or special experiences and

motivators.

Cover Letter Techniques

Transitional Phrases

As a ________, I have established a proven history of ….

My background demonstrates an ability to ….

As a _________, I was responsible for ….

During my employment with _______, I …..

Closing Paragraph: Request an interview. Directly, but politely, indicate your desire

to further discuss your qualifications in an interview.

Make it easy for the reader to contact you by

providing your phone number(s), email, and the

best time to reach you.

Thank the contact person for his or her time

and consideration.

Cover Letter Techniques

Example

I am very interested in this position and look

forward to scheduling an interview. If you have

any questions, please contact me at (555) 555-

5555. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Use the job description as a CHEAT sheet!

Provide specific evidence of your skills

Always address the letter to a person

AVOID “to whom it may concern”

Make sure the cover letter expresses yourenthusiasm for the position and employer!

Cover Letter Techniques

What Not to Write in Your Cover Letter

I demand a salary commiserate with my extensive experience.

It’s best for employers that I not work with people.

Let’s meet, so you can “ooh” and “aah” over my experience.

I procrastinate, especially when the task is unpleasant.

Reason for leaving last job: They insisted all employees get

to work by 8:45 a.m. every morning. I couldn’t work under

those conditions.

The company made me a scapegoat, just like my three

previous employers.

Example

Dear Ms. Roberts:

Your advertisement for software engineers in the January issue of the IEEE Spectrum caught my attention. I was drawn to the ad by my strong interest in both software design and Database.

I have worked with a CALMA system in developing VLSI circuits, and I also have substantial experience in the design of interactive CAD software. Because of this experience, I can make a direct and immediate contribution to your department. I have enclosed a copy of my resume, which details my qualifications and suggests how I might be of service to Database.

I would like very much to meet with you to discuss your open positions for software engineers. If you wish to arrange an interview, please contact me at the above address or by telephone at (518) 271-9999.

Thank you for your time and consideration.