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