What You Need to Know to What You Need to Know to Transition From the Classroom to Transition From the Classroom to Competitive EmploymentCompetitive Employment

Key Terms to Know:Key Terms to Know:

““Action words”Action words” ““Key words”Key words” ““Networking”Networking”

ResumeResume

What is it? IntroWhat is it? Intro What is its purpose? GatekeeperWhat is its purpose? Gatekeeper Target it to your Target it to your job objectivejob objective Generally one pageGenerally one page How and where you place information How and where you place information

indicates its relative importanceindicates its relative importance

Resume writingResume writing Write it yourselfWrite it yourself Make it error-free: Make it error-free:

Proofread, Proofread!!!Proofread, Proofread!!! Make it look goodMake it look good Simple is bestSimple is best Be brief, be relevantBe brief, be relevant Be honestBe honest Be positiveBe positive Be specificBe specific Update it Update it as neededas needed

Do not include:Do not include:

Personal infoPersonal info Salary historySalary history HobbiesHobbies Names of referencesNames of references High school IF you are in High school IF you are in

college or have a college college or have a college degreedegree

Philosophy statement [of Philosophy statement [of life, work, etc.]life, work, etc.]

Styles of Resumes:Styles of Resumes:

ChronologicalChronological FunctionalFunctional CombinationCombination

ChronologicalChronological Information organized in reverse order of Information organized in reverse order of

occurrenceoccurrence

Pros:Pros: most employers prefer this formatmost employers prefer this format showcases steady work record, steady growth & showcases steady work record, steady growth &

promotionpromotion

Cons:Cons: bad news for those who have gaps in their work bad news for those who have gaps in their work

history or for new grads who don’t have much history or for new grads who don’t have much experienceexperience

doesn’t help employer visualize the futuredoesn’t help employer visualize the future

FunctionalFunctional Information is organized by functions or skills Information is organized by functions or skills

related to the job being soughtrelated to the job being sought for example: Marketing, Organizational for example: Marketing, Organizational

skills, Supervisory skills, skills, Supervisory skills, Problem-solvingProblem-solving

Functional Resume,Functional Resume, con’tcon’t

Pros:Pros: ideal for presenting transferable skills [skills that ideal for presenting transferable skills [skills that

can move from one occupation to another]can move from one occupation to another] downplays irrelevant jobs, spotty work history, downplays irrelevant jobs, spotty work history,

career reversalscareer reversals helpful when your most impressive skills came helpful when your most impressive skills came

from volunteer work from volunteer work makes for interesting presentationmakes for interesting presentation

Cons:Cons: most employers don’t like this formatmost employers don’t like this format unless handled well, can be confusing to readunless handled well, can be confusing to read difficult to write welldifficult to write well

Combination ResumeCombination Resume

Takes the best from both chronological & Takes the best from both chronological & functionalfunctional

Sells what you can do & shows your work Sells what you can do & shows your work history to prove ithistory to prove it

Resume Structure:Resume Structure:

Name, Address, day time Phone number, Name, Address, day time Phone number, EmailEmail

Objective [simple job title - Objective [simple job title - not your goals]not your goals] Skills summarySkills summary Education & trainingEducation & training Employment historyEmployment history

Portfolio / References Portfolio / References

Extra copies of your Extra copies of your RESUMERESUME

List of List of PROFESSIONALPROFESSIONAL REFERENCESREFERENCES

Complete Complete WORK WORK HISTORYHISTORY

Examples of your Examples of your BEST WORKBEST WORK

PAD & PENPAD & PEN

• Be specific as to how your training or skills learned in any p/t or volunteer job will help you do a good job for your prospective employer• Take credit for the duties and responsibilities you performed on your past jobs• References - ask their permission before using their names

Electronic & Scannable Resumes

Now you need to know how to plan & write your resume both for the computer and for the human eye

•Need to focus on nouns and key words

•Scanners differ in their capabilities

Rules for Scanned Rules for Scanned resumes:resumes:

Sans serif typefaces that scan well: Sans serif typefaces that scan well: Helvetica, Futura, Univers, Optima, ITC Helvetica, Futura, Univers, Optima, ITC Avante Garde GothicAvante Garde Gothic

Serif fonts that scan well: Times, New Serif fonts that scan well: Times, New Century Schoolbook, ITC Bookman, Century Schoolbook, ITC Bookman, Palatino, CourierPalatino, Courier

Scannable resumes Scannable resumes con’tcon’t

* Between 11 - 14 point size type* Between 11 - 14 point size type Boldface is usually okay; when in doubt, Boldface is usually okay; when in doubt,

check with prospective employercheck with prospective employer Asterisks are okayAsterisks are okay Avoid italic, script, * underliningAvoid italic, script, * underlining Avoid graphics & shadingAvoid graphics & shading * Keep horizontal & vertical lines away * Keep horizontal & vertical lines away

from textfrom text

Scannable resumes Scannable resumes con’tcon’t

Omit parentheses & brackets, especially Omit parentheses & brackets, especially around phone numbersaround phone numbers

* Lots of white space* Lots of white space Laser printerLaser printer * Always send originals* Always send originals * Minimize abbreviations; when in doubt, * Minimize abbreviations; when in doubt,

spell it outspell it out * Use traditional resume structure* Use traditional resume structure

Scannable resumes Scannable resumes con’tcon’t

* White, 8 1/2” by 11” paper printed on * White, 8 1/2” by 11” paper printed on one side onlyone side only

Your name should always be the first text Your name should always be the first text on the resumeon the resume

* No staples* No staples Do not fold resume; if it Do not fold resume; if it must must be folded, be folded,

make sure fold is not along a line of textmake sure fold is not along a line of text

Additional tips for Additional tips for resumes:resumes:

Update as often as necessaryUpdate as often as necessary Join a professional society & put that Join a professional society & put that

membership on your resumemembership on your resume Keep the most important data Keep the most important data

& keywords at the top of & keywords at the top of

your resumeyour resume

90 second self-marketing 90 second self-marketing adad

Intro: who you are & Intro: who you are & what you want from what you want from your targetyour target

Your training & skillsYour training & skills Your “hook”Your “hook” How How youyou will follow up will follow up The closingThe closing

PRACTICE!!PRACTICE!!

Cover letters and other business Cover letters and other business correspondencecorrespondence

Business CorrespondenceBusiness Correspondence

Cover letterCover letter Networking letterNetworking letter Thank youThank you Keep-in-touchKeep-in-touch

Cover LetterCover Letter Every Every sentsent resume must have cover resume must have cover

letterletter Purpose?Purpose? Address letter to a personAddress letter to a person Know your target’s needsKnow your target’s needs

Cover letter structureCover letter structure

1st para - purpose of letter; identify job 1st para - purpose of letter; identify job title; mention specific info about companytitle; mention specific info about company

2nd para - describe professional & 2nd para - describe professional & academic qualificationsacademic qualifications

3rd- continue; why you should be 3rd- continue; why you should be considered; expand on resumeconsidered; expand on resume

4th - ask for interview4th - ask for interview closingclosing

Cover letters, Cover letters, con’tcon’t

Do not discuss salary, unless requiredDo not discuss salary, unless required No negativesNo negatives Action/key wordsAction/key words Cite work-related accomplishmentsCite work-related accomplishments Highlight personal attributesHighlight personal attributes

Networking letterNetworking letter

MustMust be addressed to a person be addressed to a person Mention person who referred youMention person who referred you Ask for Ask for Help, Information, AdviceHelp, Information, Advice Request brief face-to-faceRequest brief face-to-face

Thank you lettersThank you letters Keep-in-Touch lettersKeep-in-Touch letters

Networking… Networking… & Other Ways to Job & Other Ways to Job Search Search

Career ServicesCareer Services Job FairsJob Fairs Employment & Temp Employment & Temp

AgenciesAgencies Newspaper AdsNewspaper Ads Employment ServiceEmployment Service Internet- NJPIN, Internet- NJPIN,

MonsterTrak, ... MonsterTrak, ... Networking - Networking -

Uncovering the Hidden Uncovering the Hidden Job MarketJob Market

The best route to and through the The best route to and through the

“Hidden Job Market”“Hidden Job Market”

What is Networking?What is Networking?

Cultivating & expanding your contact base Cultivating & expanding your contact base to enlist their help & support in your job to enlist their help & support in your job searchsearch

How do I start?How do I start?

Begin with the people you know well:Begin with the people you know well: close relativesclose relatives friends and neighborsfriends and neighbors your pastor, priest or rabbiyour pastor, priest or rabbi current & former teacherscurrent & former teachers current & former employers & co-workerscurrent & former employers & co-workers people you meet in your every day activitiespeople you meet in your every day activities

What do I say?What do I say?

First begin with an introduction: who you First begin with an introduction: who you are and what kind of job you are looking are and what kind of job you are looking forfor

Continue with a short description of your Continue with a short description of your skills and what you can do for the skills and what you can do for the company you would be working forcompany you would be working for

And then...And then... Let your target know you are not Let your target know you are not

asking them for a job; instead, you asking them for a job; instead, you are asking for information, advice are asking for information, advice and supportand support

Make it clear that you are a resource Make it clear that you are a resource person and will add value to any person and will add value to any company you will work forcompany you will work for

Ask open-ended but specific Ask open-ended but specific

questionsquestions

For instance...For instance...

How did you get started in your career?How did you get started in your career? Based on my current skills and Based on my current skills and

education, what kind of jobs in this field education, what kind of jobs in this field should I be applying for?should I be applying for?

What are the most important skills What are the most important skills needed for the jobs in this field ?needed for the jobs in this field ?

What do you like most and least about What do you like most and least about your job?your job?

What do you see happening in this What do you see happening in this industry in the next 3 - 5 years?industry in the next 3 - 5 years?

Who else do you know in this field who Who else do you know in this field who might be willing to talk to me?might be willing to talk to me?

Can I mention your name when I contact Can I mention your name when I contact them?them?

Would you like to see a copy of my Would you like to see a copy of my resume? If you have any suggestions, I resume? If you have any suggestions, I would like to would like to hear them.hear them.

Tips for networking Tips for networking successsuccess

Tell your target you will take only 20-30 Tell your target you will take only 20-30 minutes of his/her time… and stick to your minutes of his/her time… and stick to your scheduleschedule

Make a networking goal and stick to itMake a networking goal and stick to it Be sincere but positive when discussing Be sincere but positive when discussing

your strengths and weaknesses - don’t your strengths and weaknesses - don’t mislead anyonemislead anyone

Thank your target for his/her time and Thank your target for his/her time and information. Send a thank-you note within information. Send a thank-you note within 24 hours of your meeting.24 hours of your meeting.

Also,Also,

Keep in touch with your contacts… a Keep in touch with your contacts… a short note, call or e-mail will work short note, call or e-mail will work wonderswonders

You can find good networking You can find good networking contacts by joining a professional contacts by joining a professional organization in your field and/or by organization in your field and/or by volunteering or obtaining an volunteering or obtaining an internship internship in your fieldin your field

Don’t get discouraged when you encounter rude people; most of your contacts will be polite!

Take personal responsibility for maintaining the positive energy in your networking relationships

90 second self-marketing 90 second self-marketing adad

Intro: who you are & Intro: who you are & what you want from what you want from your targetyour target

Your training & skillsYour training & skills Your hookYour hook How you will follow upHow you will follow up The closingThe closing

PRACTICE!!PRACTICE!!

InterviewingInterviewing

InterviewingInterviewing

2 Way - Process2 Way - Process Home StretchHome Stretch

Presenting SelfPresenting Self oral & oral & non-verbal non-verbal

communicationcommunication

Presenting SkillsPresenting Skills

If you have the right skills, this is your opportunity to elaborate on your training & experience;

if you do not have all the requirements for the job, this is your opportunity to stress willingness to learn new skills, how well you work with people, how eager you are to contribute to the company...

Presenting Self:Presenting Self:

1st impressions are 1st impressions are lasting impressionslasting impressions

Research companyResearch company Get good night’s restGet good night’s rest Arrive at interview Arrive at interview

earlyearly Arrive aloneArrive alone Dress / cologne / Dress / cologne /

jewelryjewelry

Self Self con’tcon’t

Be positive about past Be positive about past & present employers& present employers

Don’t address target Don’t address target by 1st nameby 1st name

Be pleasant to Be pleasant to receptionistreceptionist

Speak clearlySpeak clearly Friendly, businesslikeFriendly, businesslike No food or drinkNo food or drink

Self Self con’tcon’t

Do not smoke, chew Do not smoke, chew gum, bite nails, gum, bite nails, squirmsquirm

Be honestBe honest Be positiveBe positive Don’t let silence Don’t let silence

make you make you uncomfortableuncomfortable

** Illegal questions** Illegal questions

Presenting skills:Presenting skills: Primary objective: Primary objective:

convince prospective convince prospective employer to hire youemployer to hire you

Communicate positive Communicate positive attitude about yourself attitude about yourself & prospective job& prospective job enthusiasmenthusiasm flexibilityflexibility eagerness to face eagerness to face

challengeschallenges desire to learn & growdesire to learn & grow

Presenting skills Presenting skills con’tcon’t Prepare ahead of time:Prepare ahead of time:

work experiencework experience transferable skillstransferable skills personal strengths personal strengths

[communication, [communication, organizational, organizational, problem-solving…]problem-solving…]

education & training & education & training & how they will help you how they will help you on the jobon the job

special talents special talents [bilingual…][bilingual…]

Most frequently asked questions:• what are they really asking?• how would you answer?

Problem questions

Salary issues

Behavioral InterviewingBehavioral Interviewing

Based on belief that Based on belief that past performance is past performance is indicative of future indicative of future successsuccess

Questions relate to Questions relate to job-related skills & job-related skills & technical ability intechnical ability in copingcoping assertivenessassertiveness commitment to taskcommitment to task

Closing the “sale”Closing the “sale”

Find out when a Find out when a decision will be madedecision will be made

State your interestState your interest Thank the Thank the

interviewerinterviewer

Follow upFollow up

Always thank your Always thank your target [in person & target [in person & with follow-up letter]with follow-up letter]

Be assertiveBe assertive Remember - you are Remember - you are

a resource, not a “job a resource, not a “job begger”begger”

If you’re still not finding If you’re still not finding a job...a job...

Review your Review your techniquestechniques

Try applying to Try applying to smaller companiessmaller companies

Take a temp job & try Take a temp job & try to turn it into to turn it into something something permanentpermanent

Try networkingTry networking

GOOD LUCK… & PLEASE GOOD LUCK… & PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN YOU LET US KNOW WHEN YOU ACCEPT A JOB OFFER!ACCEPT A JOB OFFER!

90 second self-marketing 90 second self-marketing adad

Intro: who you are & Intro: who you are & what you want from what you want from your targetyour target

Your training & skillsYour training & skills Your hookYour hook How you will follow upHow you will follow up The closingThe closing

PRACTICE!!PRACTICE!!