Resumes & InterviewingResumes & Interviewing

The view from HRThe view from HR

Getting Yourself Out ThereGetting Yourself Out ThereNetworkNetwork

Write an article on a subject you are Write an article on a subject you are familiar withfamiliar with

BlogBlogJoin a user group and help with Join a user group and help with

issues/questions; become known as the issues/questions; become known as the go-to persongo-to person

Join sites like LinkedinJoin sites like LinkedinTake a class in your fieldTake a class in your field

Getting Yourself Out ThereGetting Yourself Out There

Start searching the InternetStart searching the InternetCareer sitesCareer sitesArticlesArticlesNetworking eventsNetworking eventsPeoplePeopleOpportunitiesOpportunitiesResearching sitesResearching sites

Linked InLinked In

Supports passive sourcing by providing Supports passive sourcing by providing search information that helps match search information that helps match candidates to open positionscandidates to open positions Mutual ConnectionsMutual Connections Check References/ View recommendationsCheck References/ View recommendations User GroupsUser Groups Job Postings/ User Group BlogsJob Postings/ User Group Blogs Free for usersFree for users Paid subscriptions for Recruiters to help locate Paid subscriptions for Recruiters to help locate

passive candidatespassive candidates Can be used for researchCan be used for research

Linkedin User GroupsLinkedin User Groups

Where to Apply?Where to Apply?

Research companies of interestResearch companies of interest

Know something about the job you are Know something about the job you are applying forapplying for

Make sure you meet all minimum Make sure you meet all minimum qualificationsqualifications

Don’t just network for openings; network for Don’t just network for openings; network for research sites and informationresearch sites and information

Resume Writing 101Resume Writing 101 Format appropriateFormat appropriate

Entry-levelEntry-level Mid-careerMid-career ExecutiveExecutive

State accomplishments – don’t just list things State accomplishments – don’t just list things you’ve doneyou’ve done Be proud of what you have doneBe proud of what you have done Highlight the favorite things you’ve doneHighlight the favorite things you’ve done Show diversity of experience and willingness to do what Show diversity of experience and willingness to do what

the job requires through accomplishmentsthe job requires through accomplishments

Resume Writing 101Resume Writing 101 Make sure dates are clearly indicatedMake sure dates are clearly indicated

Recruiters aren’t going to guess and they have more Recruiters aren’t going to guess and they have more than enough options to go through to take time out to than enough options to go through to take time out to call you and find outcall you and find out

Minimize liabilitiesMinimize liabilities Job hoppingJob hopping Gaps in experienceGaps in experience Lack of experience in a certain areaLack of experience in a certain area Big Title but looking to pay mortgageBig Title but looking to pay mortgage Explain jobs of short duration when appropriateExplain jobs of short duration when appropriate

Don’t lieDon’t lie

How to Apply?How to Apply? Update your resumeUpdate your resume

Take a look at postings and what they are asking for. If Take a look at postings and what they are asking for. If you have the skill, make sure it is on your resumeyou have the skill, make sure it is on your resume

Have different versions available to send based Have different versions available to send based

on the company and positionon the company and position Make it easy for the viewer to see transferable skillsMake it easy for the viewer to see transferable skills Have a version for different industriesHave a version for different industries Have a version for different job titles/responsibilitiesHave a version for different job titles/responsibilities

Make sure common acronyms for the industry to Make sure common acronyms for the industry to which you are applying are on your resumewhich you are applying are on your resume Key word searches won’t even bring your resume up if Key word searches won’t even bring your resume up if

the verbiage isn’t therethe verbiage isn’t there

Follow the Company’s traditional application Follow the Company’s traditional application processprocess You don’t want your networking to go to waste if the You don’t want your networking to go to waste if the

company cannot process your applicationcompany cannot process your application

How to Apply?How to Apply? Follow directions for the application processFollow directions for the application process

Apply earlyApply early Because of Federal & State regulations, many employers Because of Federal & State regulations, many employers

use a first in, first reviewed strategyuse a first in, first reviewed strategy Set up search agents to alert you of new openingsSet up search agents to alert you of new openings

Remember spam Remember spam Filters may keep you from being seen if you have Filters may keep you from being seen if you have

something funny attachedsomething funny attached

Follow up with the appropriate personFollow up with the appropriate person Per directionsPer directions For the step you are at in the processFor the step you are at in the process Person of access if that is only contactPerson of access if that is only contact

Checking StatusChecking Status

Don’t just call; offer somethingDon’t just call; offer something

Pay attention to preferred form of contactPay attention to preferred form of contact

Give the process some time to workGive the process some time to work Realize that some recruitment processes drag Realize that some recruitment processes drag

on and the Recruiter cannot always move on and the Recruiter cannot always move things along faster.things along faster.

If they have asked you to give it two weeks; If they have asked you to give it two weeks; don’t call back in 3 days for an updatedon’t call back in 3 days for an update

Checking StatusChecking Status

Remember the Recruiter has a job to doRemember the Recruiter has a job to do Prescreen & PrequalifyPrescreen & Prequalify Minimize Hiring Manager distractionsMinimize Hiring Manager distractions

Find out (linkedin, networks, etc.) what the Find out (linkedin, networks, etc.) what the person does at the company or about a person does at the company or about a common interest (good taste)common interest (good taste) Send an article of interest relating to his/her Send an article of interest relating to his/her

current assignment/projectcurrent assignment/project Value their timeValue their time You want them to want to help, not screen your You want them to want to help, not screen your

callscalls

Before The InterviewBefore The Interview Research, research, researchResearch, research, research

Know more about the CompanyKnow more about the CompanyHave some questions readyHave some questions ready

Find out what you can about the interviewerFind out what you can about the interviewer If someone in your network knows the interviewer or If someone in your network knows the interviewer or

works at the company, ask them to help you out with works at the company, ask them to help you out with thisthis

Know how to get there and be 15 minutes earlyKnow how to get there and be 15 minutes early

Be patient for interview to start. You may be early but Be patient for interview to start. You may be early but that won’t mean they will be ready earlythat won’t mean they will be ready early

Dress appropriatelyDress appropriately

Interview SkillsInterview Skills Practice- especially if you haven’t done this in a whilePractice- especially if you haven’t done this in a while

Know what Behavioral Interviewing isKnow what Behavioral Interviewing is

Remember the interview starts while you are still in the Remember the interview starts while you are still in the parking lotparking lot

Everyone you meet is an interviewerEveryone you meet is an interviewer

Check the God complex at the door but be proud of Check the God complex at the door but be proud of accomplishmentsaccomplishments

Be excited about the opportunity – even if you don’t think Be excited about the opportunity – even if you don’t think you are after the opening questionyou are after the opening question You want the offer; that doesn’t mean you have to take itYou want the offer; that doesn’t mean you have to take it

Odds & EndsOdds & Ends Bring resumes to the interviewBring resumes to the interview

Make sure they are professional and are the same version you Make sure they are professional and are the same version you sent in with your applicationsent in with your application

Get a business card, or at least a name and email for Get a business card, or at least a name and email for everyoneeveryone that you meet that you meet

Ask what the next steps areAsk what the next steps are Shows your interest in the process and the positionShows your interest in the process and the position Helps you understand the steps and timeframe in case you Helps you understand the steps and timeframe in case you

need to make a decision on something else or for proper follow need to make a decision on something else or for proper follow upup

Send personalized thank you letters to Send personalized thank you letters to everyoneeveryone DO NOT restate your resume, reflect the interviewDO NOT restate your resume, reflect the interview Send any pertinent follow up information the interviewer might Send any pertinent follow up information the interviewer might

like to havelike to have Value their timeValue their time

Do’sDo’s

Get to the point and Make sure every word has a Get to the point and Make sure every word has a purposepurpose

Make all letters and your resume easy to readMake all letters and your resume easy to read

Know something about the company you are Know something about the company you are applying toapplying to

Make sure you meet all the minimum Make sure you meet all the minimum qualifications for the positionqualifications for the position

Be present for every step of the interviewBe present for every step of the interview

Take the necessary steps to ensure you have the Take the necessary steps to ensure you have the proper virus protection on your documents and proper virus protection on your documents and communicationscommunications

Do’sDo’s

Be appreciative of anything someone can do to Be appreciative of anything someone can do to help you even if they cannot help you right when help you even if they cannot help you right when you ask you ask

Remember employment situations change – give Remember employment situations change – give back back

Ask for helpAsk for help

Have your mother, spouse or 9Have your mother, spouse or 9thth Grade English Grade English Teacher, etc. review your resume Teacher, etc. review your resume

Have someone who knows nothing about what you do Have someone who knows nothing about what you do review your resumereview your resumeHave someone in your field review your resumeHave someone in your field review your resumeMake updates and improvements based on the Make updates and improvements based on the feedback from bothfeedback from both

Don’tsDon’tsPost your referencesPost your references

Share personal information or association Share personal information or association information that identifies you with a non-work information that identifies you with a non-work related grouprelated group

Bad mouth a previous employer or coworkersBad mouth a previous employer or coworkers

Throw your resume out there everywhere just Throw your resume out there everywhere just to see where it sticksto see where it sticks

Play the, “money isn’t important” gamePlay the, “money isn’t important” game

Don’tsDon’ts

Chew gum, clip nails, play games, etc. at any Chew gum, clip nails, play games, etc. at any point in the interviewpoint in the interview

Have an advertisement attached as a signature Have an advertisement attached as a signature to all email correspondenceto all email correspondence

Have a wacky email address or voice mail Have a wacky email address or voice mail messagemessage•Hotmamma@yahoo.comHotmamma@yahoo.com is not appropriate!is not appropriate!

Forget that Blogs, personal web pages, etc. are Forget that Blogs, personal web pages, etc. are all publicall public

Blame yourselfBlame yourself

Contact InformationContact Information

Cheri WargoCheri Wargo

wargoc@gdls.comwargoc@gdls.com

http://http://www.linkedin.com/in/cheriwargowww.linkedin.com/in/cheriwargo