job search, resume writing, and interview skills
TRANSCRIPT
Job Search, Resume writing, and Interview skills
Agenda: Agenda:
Introduction (Informal Session)Job Search Skills and ResourcesWriting Good ResumesPreparing For InterviewThe Interview processInterview Follow UpOpen Q&A (Focus of this session)
Job Search Skills and Resources:
Job Search Skills and Resources:
Web search Networking (personal contacts) Local news papers Specific company web sites Industry flyers posted on campus Attend university organized visits to
companies (e.g. Sabre, Lockheed Martin) Head hunters Be very persistent in your search
Writing Good Resumes: Writing Good Resumes:
Be brief, precise and objective (Avoid being a Jack-of-all-trades)
Update your resume per specific job, emphasis points, avoid generic resumes
Managers usually spend a very short time on initial review of resumes due to volume, give them reason to select yours
Ensure that key items are on the first page
Writing Good Resumes: (Continued)
Writing Good Resumes: (Continued)
Avoid lengthy paragraphs and detailed description (save for interview)
Do not include unrelated job experiences (e.g. delivering news paper)
List affiliations and memberships, highlight your relevant interest areas
Pay attention to format, avoid gaps in dates (avoid conflicting information)
Resume FormatResume Format
Personal Information Objective Education Skill summary Work Experience Teaching/Teaching Assistance Publication Activities and Memberships Other Supporting Information
Sample Resume Sample Resume
JEFF SMITH
4800 Harbor Dr.Dallas, TX. 75022
(817) 272-5407 or (972) 691-0000E-mail: [email protected]
OBJECTIVETo pursue a web development position …. {Short: max 1 to 2 sentences with
focus on the specific job your applying for}
EDUCATIONPh.D. Computer Science, X University, Dallas, Texas, 2003
Dissertation Title: A Methodology for Data… Advisor: XM.S. Computer Science, Y University, Dallas, Texas, 1997
Thesis Title: A Structured Approach ... Advisor: YB.S. Computer Science, University of Z, Waterloo, Canada, 1995
Sample Resume – Cont’dSample Resume – Cont’d
SKILLS:
Languages: C/C++, JAVA, XML, HTML, ASP Operating Systems: Windows, Web Servers (IIS/Apache), Unix, Linux Hardware: Intel-Based PCs, SUN SPARC, RS/6000, AIX Network Protocols: TCP/IP, Ethernet, Serial comm.(E3270, RUMBA) Distributed Protocols: CORBA, RPC, SOAP, Open/SQL servers Database: SYBASE, ORACLE
Sample Resume – Cont’dSample Resume – Cont’d
WORK EXPERIENCESenior Software Engineer, October 2000 to PresentCompany X, Dallas Texas Participated in design, development, testing and integration of a number of real-time embedded
systems at X. …. . .
Software Engineer, August 1998 to October 2000Company Y, Dallas, Texas Software Engineer with the primary responsibility for converting a large-scale legacy-based
software system to a client-server distributed system. The project was completed successfully in approximately 10 months and it was enhanced by an addition of a data acquisition system. Highlights included:
Implemented a system …. Designed and Developed …..
List all jobs …
Sample Resume – Cont’dSample Resume – Cont’d
TEACHING/TEACHING ASSISTANCE {if any}
List relevant courses: Include Title and date
PUBLICATIONS {significant, if any}
Paper/workshop/other: Include title and date published Journal/trade magazine articles
ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS { significant, if any}
Association for Computer Machinery (ACM) IEEE Computer Society
Include Personal and other relevant Information: {Optional: e.g. work status, visa status. Include this information only if it strengthens your resume}
Preparing for the Interview: Preparing for the Interview: Learn as much as you can about the
company and the job you are applying for Learn about the company’s product line;
specifically in the area for which you have applied
Develop your thoughts on how you are qualified for this job
Write out a list of what you have to offer this employer in this job
Relax, get some rest… go into the interview well-rested, at the “top of your game”
The Interview process: The Interview process:
Be on timeDress in an appropriate mannerDon’t try to oversell yourself!Remember that, often, the selection is
based mostly on how a person will “fit” into a team/company
The Interview process: (Cont’d)
The Interview process: (Cont’d)
Ask questions, be involved in the process
Be honest about your technical skills, but share your ability and willingness to learn
Try to get a commitment from the hiring manager on when a decision will be made and when you can expect to hear from him/her
Interview Follow up: Interview Follow up:
Don’t be a pest!Follow-up only after the expected
feedback/decision dateIf not selected, try (respectfully!) to get
information on why
QuestionsQuestions
Q&A?