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

1. What You Need to Know to Transition From the Classroom to Competitive Employment Resume Workshop

2. Key Terms to Know: • “Action words” • “Key words” • “Networking”

3. Resume • What is it? Intro • What is its purpose? Gatekeeper • Target it to your job objective • Generally one page • How and where you place information indicates its relative importance

4. Resume writing • Write it yourself • Make it error-free: Proofread, Proofread!!! • Make it look good • Simple is best • Be brief, be relevant • Be honest • Be positive • Be specific • Update it as needed

5. Do not include: • Personal info • Salary history • Hobbies • Names of references • High school IF you are in college or have a college degree • Philosophy statement [of life, work, etc.]

6. Styles of Resumes: • Chronological • Functional • Combination

7. Chronological • Information organized in reverse order of occurrence • Pros: • most employers prefer this format • showcases steady work record, steady growth & promotion • Cons: • bad news for those who have gaps in their work history or for new grads who don’t have much experience • doesn’t help employer visualize the future

8. Functional • Information is organized by functions or skills related to the job being sought • for example: Marketing, Organizational skills, Supervisory skills, Problem-solving

9. Functional Resume,con’t • Pros: • ideal for presenting transferable skills [skills that can move from one occupation to another] • downplays irrelevant jobs, spotty work history, career reversals • helpful when your most impressive skills came from volunteer work • makes for interesting presentation • Cons: • most employers don’t like this format • unless handled well, can be confusing to read • difficult to write well

10. Combination Resume • Takes the best from both chronological & functional • Sells what you can do & shows your work history to prove it

11. Resume Structure: • Name, Address, day time Phone number, Email • Objective [simple job title - not your goals] • Skills summary • Education & training • Employment history • Portfolio / References

12. Your portfolio • Extra copies of your RESUME • List of PROFESSIONALREFERENCES • Complete WORK HISTORY • Examples of your BEST WORK • PAD & PEN

13. 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

14. 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

15. Rules for Scanned resumes: • Sans serif typefaces that scan well: Helvetica, Futura, Univers, Optima, ITC Avante Garde Gothic • Serif fonts that scan well: Times, New Century Schoolbook, ITC Bookman, Palatino, Courier

16. Scannable resumes con’t • * Between 11 - 14 point size type • Boldface is usually okay; when in doubt, check with prospective employer • Asterisks are okay • Avoid italic, script, * underlining • Avoid graphics & shading • * Keep horizontal & vertical lines away from text

17. Scannable resumes con’t • Omit parentheses & brackets, especially around phone numbers • * Lots of white space • Laser printer • * Always send originals • * Minimize abbreviations; when in doubt, spell it out • * Use traditional resume structure

18. Scannable resumes con’t • * White, 8 1/2” by 11” paper printed on one side only • Your name should always be the first text on the resume • * No staples • Do not fold resume; if it must be folded, make sure fold is not along a line of text

19. Additional tips for resumes: • Update as often as necessary • Join a professional society & put that membership on your resume • Keep the most important data & keywords at the top of your resume

20. 90 second self-marketing ad • Intro: who you are & what you want from your target • Your training & skills • Your “hook” • How you will follow up • The closing • PRACTICE!!

21. Cover letters and other business correspondence

22. Business Correspondence • Cover letter • Networking letter • Thank you • Keep-in-touch

23. Cover Letter • Every sent resume must have cover letter • Purpose? • Address letter to a person • Know your target’s needs

24. Cover letter structure • 1st para - purpose of letter; identify job title; mention specific info about company • 2nd para - describe professional & academic qualifications • 3rd- continue; why you should be considered; expand on resume • 4th - ask for interview • closing

25. Cover letters, con’t • Do not discuss salary, unless required • No negatives • Action/key words • Cite work-related accomplishments • Highlight personal attributes

26. Networking letter • Must be addressed to a person • Mention person who referred you • Ask for Help, Information, Advice • Request brief face-to-face

27. Thank you letters • Keep-in-Touch letters

28. Networking… & Other Ways to Job Search • Career Services • Job Fairs • Employment & Temp Agencies • Newspaper Ads • Employment Service • Internet- NJPIN, MonsterTrak, ... • Networking - Uncovering the Hidden Job Market

29. NETWORKING The best route to and through the “Hidden Job Market”

30. What is Networking? Cultivating & expanding your contact base to enlist their help & support in your job search

31. How do I start? Begin with the people you know well: • close relatives • friends and neighbors • your pastor, priest or rabbi • current & former teachers • current & former employers & co-workers • people you meet in your every day activities

32. What do I say? • First begin with an introduction: who you are and what kind of job you are looking for • Continue with a short description of your skills and what you can do for the company you would be working for

33. And then... • Let your target know you are not asking them for a job; instead, you are asking for information, advice and support • Make it clear that you are a resource person and will add value to any company you will work for • Ask open-ended but specific questions

34. For instance... • How did you get started in your career? • Based on my current skills and education, what kind of jobs in this field should I be applying for? • What are the most important skills needed for the jobs in this field ? • What do you like most and least about your job?

35. What do you see happening in this industry in the next 3 - 5 years? • Who else do you know in this field who might be willing to talk to me? • Can I mention your name when I contact them? • Would you like to see a copy of my resume? If you have any suggestions, I would like to hear them.

36. Tips for networking success • Tell your target you will take only 20-30 minutes of his/her time… and stick to your schedule • Make a networking goal and stick to it • Be sincere but positive when discussing your strengths and weaknesses - don’t mislead anyone • Thank your target for his/her time and information. Send a thank-you note within 24 hours of your meeting.

37. Also, • Keep in touch with your contacts… a short note, call or e-mail will work wonders • You can find good networking contacts by joining a professional organization in your field and/or by volunteering or obtaining an internship in your field

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

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

40. 90 second self-marketing ad • Intro: who you are & what you want from your target • Your training & skills • Your hook • How you will follow up • The closing • PRACTICE!!

41. Interviewing

42. Interviewing • 2 Way - Process • Home Stretch • Presenting Self • oral & • non-verbal communication • Presenting Skills

43. 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...

44. Presenting Self: • 1st impressions are lasting impressions • Research company • Get good night’s rest • Arrive at interview early • Arrive alone • Dress / cologne / jewelry

45. Self con’t Be positive about past & present employers • Don’t address target by 1st name • Be pleasant to receptionist • Speak clearly • Friendly, businesslike • No food or drink

46. Self con’t • Do not smoke, chew gum, bite nails, squirm • Be honest • Be positive • Don’t let silence make you uncomfortable • ** Illegal questions

47. Presenting skills: • Primary objective: convince prospective employer to hire you • Communicate positive attitude about yourself & prospective job • enthusiasm • flexibility • eagerness to face challenges • desire to learn & grow

48. Presenting skills con’t • Prepare ahead of time: • work experience • transferable skills • personal strengths [communication, organizational, problem-solving…] • education & training & how they will help you on the job • special talents [bilingual…]

49. Most frequently asked questions: • what are they really asking? • how would you answer? • Problem questions • Salary issues

50. Behavioral Interviewing • Based on belief that past performance is indicative of future success • Questions relate to job-related skills & technical ability in • coping • assertiveness • commitment to task