MBA Career Seminar Stand Out Resumes and Cover Letter = RESULTS !!

1. NANYANG TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY MBA Career Seminar Stand Out Resumes and Cover Letter = RESULTS !! by Carolyn Chan ATKEARNEY Executive Search 11 September 2003

2. A.T. Kearney Executive Search CAREER SEARCH PROCESS • Self Assessment • Research • Resume Preparation • Cover Letters • Networking • Interviewing • Negotiation, Evaluation and Closing • Success on the Job 2

3. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 1. SELF ASSESSMENT What Do You Want To Do? • Draw your own career map. Tools • Career Leader (www.careerleader.com), CISS • Forte, MBTI, DISC Determine You Own . . . • Values • Strengths & Weakness • Positive and Negative Experiences 3

4. P = Projects S= Skills I= Impact What? • Hard • Soft • Technical • Job-specific • Accomplishment • Contribution A.T. Kearney Executive Search 1. SELF ASSESSMENT Analyze Your Accomplishments • Ten most important accomplishments. • Skills, knowledge and abilities required for each. • Develop your resume using these item . . . 4

5. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 2. RESEARCH Types of Information to Search for • Company size • Location • Number of employees • Services and products • Industry outlook (market viability) • Competitor information • Financial history and status • Company size • Location • Number of employees • Services and products 5

6. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 2. RESEARCH A. Library B. Internet • Jobpilot and Jobpilot-Asia (www.jobpilot.com, www.jobpilot-asia.com) • MBA Jungle (www.mbajungle.com) • Careers-in-Business (www.careers-in-business.com) • Wel Feet (www.welfeet.com) • Vault.com (www,vault.com) C. Networking • Alumni Directory • University wide networking database • Other organizations, Previous company contacts • Corporate Presentations and Industry Events • Professional Association and Organizations • Personal contacts (family, neighbours, schools, community) 6

7. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 2. RESEARCH Some General Guidelines for Conducting Informational Interviews • Ask for information, DO NOT ask for a job. • Ask for personal introduction and referrals, especially with more senior levels. • Research and prepare your line of questioning industry, markets, products, other information relating to that company. • Target individuals doing what you hope to do. • Come to the interview with a resume in case the interviewer asks; do not ask them to take if they don’t offer. • Send a thank you note after the meeting/phone call to the interviewer and anyone involved with setting up the meeting, including administrative assistants. • Don’t feel discourage if you get turned down or no response. Keep plugging away at your networking list. 7

8. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 3. RESUME PREPARATION Your resume is your calling card to an employer. In most instances, the hiring individual has never heard of you and knows nothing about you. First impressions begin with how you present yourself in your resume and can very well determine whether or not you will get called for an interview. It’s worth the time to do it right. 8

9. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 3. RESUME PREPARATION Responsibilities vs. Accomplishments • Responsibilities = what you did Accomplishment = how well you did its • Responsibilities = provides scope about your job Accomplishment = provides the benefit to the client and/or company for you having the job • Responsibilities = paints the picture of you in that job Accomplishment = paints the picture of how successful you were in that job How do you know when to go with a responsibilities resume vs. an accomplishment oriented one? KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE research, research, research 9

10. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 3. RESUME PREPARATION Choose Your Format • SUMMARY • EXPERIENCE • EDUCATION • ADDITIONAL INFORMAITON • PERSONAL • LANGUAGE, MEMBERSHIP / AFFILIATIONS (2 page maximum) 10

11. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 3. RESUME PREPARATION Proofread • Review carefully for typos. • Review your resume in comparison to the job function you are targeting – is there a clear connection? • Have someone else objectively review your resume. • Be prepared to further refine your resume as you gather more information and feedback. Remember, your resume is a work in progress. You will likely work on it over time and continually refine it as you progress in your search process, and your career 11

12. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 3. RESUME PREPARATION Final reminders . . . • Don’t forget to include all your contact information (full name, address, telephone numbers, and email address) at the top of your resume. Avoid using work address, telephone numbers, and email addresses. • If you are developing a two page resume,don’t forget to include your name and the page number of the second page – in case the pages get separated. • Keep margins to a minimum of 1 inch (25.4 mm) on the left and right sides, and to a minimum of .6 inches (15.2 mm) on the top and bottom. • Electronic Resumes: Need to be transferable across different types of software and PCs. It’s best to save electronic versions in ASCII or plain text format. Use keywords (nouns and verbs) that fit your goals, skill set, experience and industry you are targeting. Many employers and search firm use keywords to bring up resumes. Use plain fonts, no italics, underlining or borders. 12

13. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 4. COVER MOTIVATION LETTERS Like your resume, your cover letter paints a picture of you. It can say how concise and articulate of a communicator you are. It can convey your ability to effectively develop your thoughts to get your point across. It can also indicate, by its tone, the type of leadership skills you have. 13

14. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 4. COVER LETTERS Minimum of the paragraphs • Paragraph 1: Introduction/statement of career objectives • Paragraph 2: Summary of qualifications • Paragraph 3: Closing/next steps Optional paragraph between paragraphs 1 and 2: • Company knowledge/why you are interested in working for that company specifically. 14

15. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 4. COVER LETTERS Final reminders . . . • Don’t forget to include all your contact information (full name, address, telephone numbers, and email address) at the top of your letter. This should mirror what you have on your resume, including layout. • Standard business writing indicates the “Enclosure” or “Attachment” should be included at the very end of the letter. • Once again, keep margins to a minimum of 1 inch (25.4 mm) on the left and right sides, and to a minimum of .6 inches (15.2 mm) on the top and bottom. • Electronic Cover Letters: You can either attach your cover letter and resume to an email, or cut/paste your letter format right into an email. If you cut/paste, instead of putting your contact information on top, include it at the bottom just after your resume. 15

16. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 5. NETWORKING Networking, especially as you move upward in your career, is one of the most important tools for developing your career, creating visibility, and growing as a professional. Whether done internally or externally, networking is simply the ability to establish and maintain relationships to gather, as well as give information. 16

17. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 5. NETWORKING Top Reasons for Networking . . . • To market yourself to those that can potentially assist you in your job search. • To gather inside information about an industry or company. • To develop a clearer and more relevant understanding of potential career paths. • To develop a referral base that can assist you both in searching for a job, and in your professional development. • If you are in sales or work independently, to gain exposure to potential clients. • To open the opportunity for you to mentor and assist someone else needing the value of your experience and knowledge. 17

18. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 5. NETWORKING Begin with Developing a Networking List • Start with your closest friends and relatives. Who do they work for? Who do they know? • Add current/former classmates, instructors, administrators, coaches, counselors, etc. • Look at who you know in your community – government officials, religious leaders, business owners, volunteer organizations, etc. • Look at your business connections – former colleagues, managers, competitors and clients. • Look at the associations you belong to – if you don’t belong to any, join one or two that are related to what you want to do. 18

19. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 5. NETWORKING Executive Search Firms, Ads, The Internet and Direct Marketing While networking is still your most fruitful method of finding your next job, more passive methods should also be used in order to cover all avenues of opportunity. Use the 80/20 rule to be most effective: 80% of your time on networking, 20% of your time on the passive search process. 19

20. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 6. INTERVIEWING While getting an interview is the payoff to all the networking, letter and resume writing, the real work of landing your ideal job now begins. As with all the work previous to this point, making the connection that you are a perfect “fit” for the job is key. Research and preparation will help you towards this end. 20

21. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 6. INTERVIEWING Three Types of Interviews • Traditional (resume based) • Behavioral • Case Depending on the profession, it is not uncommon to encounter all or some of these interview types in the overall process of interviewing. 21

22. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 7. NEGOTIATION, EVALUATION & CLOSING • GET THE OFFER • Identify and remove obstacles • Confirm/establish next steps • Access offers (if more than one to choose) • Negotiations on salary 22

23. A.T. Kearney Executive Search 8. SUCCESS ON THE JOB Tips . . . • Take initiative. • Make a point to meet with your boss regularly at least on a weekly basis. • Keep a list of your achievements for reference during reviews and performance evaluations. • Keep your guard up in the beginning. • Learn as much as you can about the company’s services or products and financial performance as quickly as you can. • Make a good first impression. • Increase your visibility. • Make self-improvement a priority. 23