Interview skills & Resume/ cover letter essentials

1. Interview skills & Resume/ cover letter essentials IN-SERVICE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES JANUARY 25 2019 created by Dr. KJ McConnell; Director of Residence Life & Leadership Saint Leo University

2. FRAMING THIS DISCUSSION • This presentation is designed to provide information that can prepare you both for your returning Resident Assistant interviews (if you are re-applying) but more intentionally and holistically for future career/graduate school interviews • The presentation is linked to the RA website under the in-service resources; but please think carefully about your current/existing resume and cover letter and how they could be improved for the future • Write down any questions you may have so you don’t forget them & can ask them when we get to the Q&A portion at the end … remember your question could help someone else!

3. TOP 10 INTERVIEW TIPS • Be On Time • Conduct Research • Including Research on Interviewers (LinkedIn) • Review Top Lists of Interview Questions (generic/industry specific) • Be Charming to Everyone • Be Concise • Utilize Appropriate Body Language • Bring Padfolio or Notebook • Bring prepared questions YOU can ask the interviewer • Sell yourself –walk the line between humble & bragging • Clearly share what can YOU contribute if selected M. Alpha. (2015). Top 10 interview tips to crush your interview. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z3uzFtFNcQ

4. OTHER ADVICE • Practice good non-verbal communication • Dress for the company or job • Listen • Don’t talk too much • Don’t be too familiar • Use appropriate language • Don’t be cocky • Take care to answer the questions • Ask Questions • Don’t Appear Desperate http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-preparation/boost-your-interview-iq/article.aspx

5. DRESS FOR SUCCESS • Invest in a suit (even a quality used suit) that fits well (not too tight, not too loose) • Choose accessories carefully! • Be aware of bias that can result from accessories • Are they too flashy? • Do your accessories look dull or scratched (not well maintained?) … this includes shoes! • Do they represent you accurately? • Do they reflect the job you want?

6. BE PREPARED & LISTEN • Bring: • a padfolio or portfolio with extra copies of your resume and cover letter • Professional resumes and cover letters are traditionally printed on a high-quality linen paper • Bring copies of your business card(s) • Bring preparation materials (notes/copy of position description, etc) Bring paper and pen to take additional notes • Listen • Demonstrate non-verbal active listening • Take notes of follow-up questions or key words to use yourself as you answer future questions • For example, if the word initiative is used in multiple questions, you know they want someone who’s going to a go-getter, make sure you answer questions in a way that demonstrate you possess that skill

7. WATCH WHAT YOU SAY • Don’t Talk Too Much • Edit yourself … you want to give complete answers with examples that don’t feel long-winded • Look at the job description and create anticipated questions based on the listed responsibilities • Practice interviewing with Career Services or an honest friend • Did they get bored listening to you because you rambled on? • Did you give a complete, well-thought out answer? • Don’t Be Too Familiar • Even if you’re interviewing with a panel and you know someone (many people) be professional • Don’t refer to inside jokes or name drop • Don’t slouch, or put your feet on furniture

8. USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE • You want to find the balance between professional and real • You don’t want to sound fake! • No cursing • No “low level” language like “sucks” to talk about something negative • Use inclusive language (person in a wheelchair, not wheelchair guy) • Avoid “slang” … colloquial or job specific • For example, we don’t call residence halls “dorms” • Mirror their language • If they use the term “fund-manager” instead of “account-manager”; use their term

9. PHONE NTERVIEW TIPS • Remember the phone interview is like an open-note test; you can have resources handy • Know your stuff; don’t waste time hemming & hawing to find an answer in your notes • Try to stand out/be remembered for the right things • Be about 10 minutes early (just like an in-person interview) and be patient if the interviewer is running late • Clean up; both your notes area and yourself –it’s all about mindset! • Practice (this includes making sure you have a reliable phone signal) • Stand up and interview in a well-lit area; studies have shown this helps you present yourself as more confident and articulate Snagajob. (November 20 2013). Job interview tips (part 2): Phone interview tips. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HS2HcN2LDo

10. HOW TO LOOK GOOD IN SKYPE INTERVIEWS NTDTrainingVideos. (April 5 2013). How to look good in skype interviews –tips and training. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQwanxQmFnc

11. WHAT DOES THE INTERVIEWER REALLY WANT TO KNOW? Do you have the skills to do the job? Do you fit? Do you understand the company and it’s purpose? How do you stack up against the competition? Do you have the right mind-set for the job and company? Do you want the job?

12. RESUMES • There are three (3) types of resumes • Chronological • Targeted • w/Profile or Objective • Functional • Non-Traditional

13. CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME (the most traditional resume type)

14. RESUME WITH PROFILE TARGETED RESUME

15. FUNCTIONAL RESUME (useful for when your work/other experiences don’t demonstrate the skills for the job you are applying for in an easily understandable way)

16. NON-TRADITIONAL RESUME (best used for non-traditional jobs)

17. COMBINATION RESUME(combine style types to match the job(s) you are applying for)

18. CONSIDER FONT SELECTION Which font best represents you/ the position(s) you are applying for? • Franklin Gothic Book • Agency • Arial • Arial Black • Arial Rounded Mt Bold • Arial Narrow • Berlin Sans • Calibri • Century Gothic • Century Schoolbook • Comic Sans • Footlight MT Light • Harrington • High Tower Text • Lucinda Calligraphy • Microsoft Sans Serif • Modern No 20 • Papyrus • Poor Richard • Tahoma • Times New Roman • Trebuchet • Virdana • Viner Hand ITC

19. OTHER FONT CONSIDERATIONS • Does it look professional? • Be consistent –same font type/size throughout • EXCEPTIONS: • Name/heading • Italicized/Bolded/Enlarged Headings • Italicized/bolded jobs/experiences and/or locations of jobs/experiences

20. Consider Your Header • Headers should: • Minimally be professional • Name & contact information • Commit to your contact information –use what you’re going to use for the entire application/interview process • Ideally be visually appealing • Should be an accurate reflection of YOU

21. Education • Should be at the top of your resume • Should minimally share your major(s), minor(s), institution (w/location) and dates of attendance • May also include honors or GPA

22. Job Experience • Resumes should always display most recent –OR- relevant at the top • Any gaps in employment should be addressed in the cover letter • Each job/work experience should have 3-5 bullets • Bullets do not end in periods (because they are not complete sentences) • Bullets should begin with an action verb (and mix up the action verbs you are using) • Bullets should focus more on demonstrating skills SPECIFIC TO THE JOB YOU ARE APPLYING FOR rather than just repeating what you did in that old job • Bullets should be short (ideally only one line –no more than two) • Use written numbers for one-ten and numeric symbols (11, 1526, etc.) for higher numbers • Use specific numbers when impressive • # residents in your community

23. ACTION VERBS

24. OTHER CATEGORIES • Besides “WORK EXPERIENCE”, other categories you may wish to include in your resume could be: • OTHER EXPERIENCE • AWARDS AND RECOGNITION • LEADERSHIP • CERTIFICATIONS, PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS • ACTIVITIES • SKILLS

25. THINGS TO LEAVE OFF YOUR RESUME • OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE STATEMENTS • Antiquated • Waste of space • Better communicated in your cover letter • REFERENCE INFORMATION (unless your resume is so empty it needs this to fill the page) • Anything from HIGH SCHOOL OR BEFORE or before unless it involved national recognition or something equally outstanding, and even then it might not belong • Anything that RAISES MORE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS • For example, a series of very short positions (job, club, volunteer experience) might cause an employer to wonder if you’re only good for the short term & won’t stick if they hire you

26. OTHER RESUME NOTES • Make sure items on the resume are aligned • Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors • Make sure you are using “industry-appropriate” terminology • Make sure education/jobs/experiences that are no over have present/current as the end date (don’t write a future date as though it is fact) • Resume should fill page –use font type/size and margins to assist with this • Should fit on the front of one page UNLESS you have EXCEPTIONAL RELEVANT EXPERIENCES that completely FILL two pages • And MOST IMPORTANTLY make sure you spell the office name and job title correctly • Office of Residence Life • Resident Assistant

27. COVER LETTERS • Should not repeat information from resume • Should fit on one page • Should be four-six paragraphs: • First Paragraph: Introduction • Short personal introduction, how you heard about the position, why it interests you • Middle Paragraphs: Short elaborations on/ additional examples that highlight how you have the skills for this position • At least two but no more than four parapraphs • Paragraphs should each have their own “theme” • Be concise • Use this as your opportunity to elaborate on items they might question on your resume • Final Paragraph: Conclusion • Summarize/reiterate your skills/interest in the position • Use a different specific example than you’ve already used from their job description to highlight • Strong concluding sentence • Don’t “demand” consideration, make sure everything is phrased respectfully … imagine a continuum between embarrassing begging for the job like it’s your last hope and telling them you’re so awesome they should do the work to be lucky enough to land YOU –and avoid both –aim for the middle where you are confident but understand you are an applicant

28. COVER LETTERS: OTHER ADVICE • Date your cover letter • Make sure the institution-specific information is correct EVERYWHERE • Use applicant information to address cover letter • If none is provided, use “To Whom It May Concern” • Use paragraphs and full sentences only • Bullets are for your resume

29. RESIDENT ASSISTANT BULLETS/DESCRIPTORS: • COMMUNITY BUILDING/ADVISING • Provided paraprofessional advising to undergraduate students in three distinct residential environments • Provided paraprofessional advising for twenty-two undergraduates each semester • Responsible for providing educational programs and paraprofessional counseling for a residence hall wing of 40 male college students • Assisted 28 freshmen women with their first year transition • Responsible for the welfare of 25 first year students. Developed and implemented programs to strengthen the community • Assessed and responded to the needs of 30 residents on wing • Counseled peers on personal, academic, and career concerns • Supervised a floor of 40 residents, organized floor programs, and advised residents on personal and academic issues • Fostered the development of relationships among 55 residents: consisting of graduate, undergraduate, and international students • Maintain central floor bulletin board and fliers with accurate, current and relevant information • Manage a university residence hall floor of 36 ethnically diverse undergraduate students • Run monthly floor meetings and conduct frequent room drop-ins to discuss events, developments, and concerns to ensure that students are kept up-to-date on all pertinent information • Stress to residents the fundamental requirements of community life and promote an environment in which residents value the community and take responsibility for their own actions. • Supervise and attend to the needs of students residing in the residence hall • Infused self-awareness and personal accountability amongst the residents • Created/Developed a positive living environment designed to link community, faculty, and residents, often resolving conflict • Promoted academic excellence, addressed student needs, and encouraged involvement among residents in a way that supported the mission of the University and the Department of Housing and Residence Life • Promoted the interaction and construction of social networks between community and residents • PROGRAMMING/MARKETING/EVENT PLANNING • Developed and conducted programs on diversity, chemical abuse, personal development, relationships, security, and academic performance • Developed and presented proactive, retention focused educational and community building programs • Created, planned, and implemented educational, social, and recreational programs • Planned and implemented programs to assist transfer students in transitioning into the university • Received programming award for creating and supervising a sheltered teen volunteer project • Design printed marketing material for bi-weekly programs • Marketed/Developed/Led student centered hall programs to promote social, education, diversity, health, emotional understanding and growth • Budgeted and allocated money used for residence hall/floor events

30. RESIDENT ASSISTANT BULLETS/DESCRIPTORS: • ADMINISTRATIVE PROFICIENCY • Managed administrative tasks including room condition reports, maintenance requests, incident reports, and the room change process • Managed various administrative duties including maintenance requests, incident reports, and room transfers • Employed exceptional time management in balance of live-in staff role with academics and co-curricular involvement • Complete and submit in a timely and accurate fashion all paperwork regarding hall operation • Keeps accurate records and writes detailed reports • CONFRONTATION/ POLICY ENFORCEMENT • Enforced university policy • Confronted and resolved issues on diversity, racism, alcohol and drug abuse, academic performance and social acceptance • Conducted rounds throughout the building in order to assure security and enforcement of University policies • Responsible for the safety and security of the building on duty nights • Enforced residence hall policies and procedures • Enforced and upheld university policies • Serve as a responsible employee and mandated reporter for Title IX concerns • Quickly assessed and responded to crisis situations including alcohol poisoning and physical assault • Frequently inspect floor/building for an damage and communicate concerns to Housing and/or Plant Operations • Explained and disseminated college regulations to the residents • Responded to student behavior which violates university and residence hall policies, procedures, and/or expectations, approaching discipline in an educational and developmental manner. • Interpret, enforce, and support university policies with residents.

31. RESIDENT ASSISTANT BULLETS/DESCRIPTORS: • TEAMWORK/INTERPERSONAL SKILLS/COMMUNICATION • Worked with group dynamics on a staff of sixteen people • Communicate policies, procedures and expectations in monthly meetings to 40+ residents • Mediate conflicts • Negotiate compromise and cooperation through facilitated mediation • Maintain open communication with residents, supervisors, maintenance and custodial staff and campus safety personnel • Confronting peers in difficult situations while maintaining interpersonal relationships • Facilitated group discussion on self-image • Built a rapport with 36 diverse residents through daily interactions and intentional outreach • Identify resident needs and refer to appropriate campus resources as necessary • Attend weekly staff meetings, bi-weekly one-on-one meetings and monthly in-service training • LEADERSHIP • Served on departmental diversity committee and assumed additional staff leadership positions. • Trained new staff members • Attended leadership conferences and regular staff development in-services • Served on Resident Assistant Selection Committee • Acted as a liaison between residents and Department of Residence Life • Trained staff of 54 on effective mediation

32. Returning resident assistant interviews REMINDERS AND TOUCH-POINTS

33. RETURNING RA INTERVIEWS • TIMELINE INFORMATION: • RAD applications will be live on the student employment website from Friday February 1st through Friday February 8th 2019 (applications are slated to close at noon on the 8th) • Returning RA Interviews will take place the week of Monday-Friday February 11th-15th 2019 • RA candidates will receive hire/no hire notifications Mon-Wed March 4th-6th • All 2019-2020 staff will attend the 2019-2020 all-staff kick-off event Wednesday April 3rdfrom 9-10pm • All Resident Assistants re-applicants will be required to present a portfolio during their scheduled individual interview. The format of the portfolio is at the discretion of the applicant and could include print (folder, binder, posterboard), electronic (website, blog, prezi, powerpoint), etc. The thirty minute interview will consist of a portfolio presentation by the candidate, follow up questions by the professional staff, and then time for the candidate to ask questions.

34. THE PORTFOLIO LIST IS NOT A MENU • Introduction • Why are you re-applying? • How did your experience as an RA balance with academics and extra-curriculars? • What has been your greatest learning moment as a RA? • Current resume and cover letter will be uploaded in your online application, as usual • Highlights of Your Experience/Efficacy as a Resident Assistant as a: • Community Developer • Programmer • Effective policy enforcer • Contributing team-member • University representative • Administrator • Reflection on the RA position within your holistic identity • How would being re-hired as a Resident Assistant complement or further your future goals? • What were your greatest weaknesses as a Resident Assistant and how have you/will you work to overcome those? • What would you like to accomplish next year? • If you were assigned to work in a living learning community or specialty community which community(ies) do you see yourself being most successful in working with and why?* • What student population or area of campus do you see yourself being most successful in next year if rehired as a Resident Assistant and why?

35. SPECIALTY COMMUNITIES • Prayer & Mindfulness LLC • Academic Excellence LLC • Leadership & Service LLC • FIRSTS LLC • East Campus

36. RE-HIRE REMINDERS • Being re-hired is not guaranteed • Both the portfolio presentation AND holistic job performance will be considered in re-hire decisions • Meeting all job expectations also does not guarantee re-hire • We do not quota-fill • We do look for diversity when we consider staff teams/hiring decisions • what all can this include?!

37. WHAT ELSE? • What other resume/cover letter advice have you received that would be helpful for others to hear? • What other questions do you still have?