Resume Building and Job Search in a Tough Economy

1. Resume Building and Job Search in a Tough Economy Nancy Larker Assistant Director Career Center

2. Career Center Simmons Hall 301 – 3rd floor

3. Career Center www.uakron.edu/career Hours: • Monday – Friday: 8 am – 5 pm Evening hours (by appointment): • Tuesday & Wednesday: 5 pm – 6 pm Walk-in hours: • Tuesday - Thursday: 11 am – 4 pm CONNECTING YOU . . . . .

4. What do you need to do? • Preparation • Focus • Persistence • Connect

5. Preparation • Getting started • Plan Ahead • Create time for your career search

6. Basics of Resumes, Cover Letters, And Reference Page

7. Getting Started • Use Word Document • 1 page best; 2 pages is the limit • Margins: .5 – 1 inch • Font: Basic used TNR, Courier, and Ariel, Garamond, Tahoma • Font Size: 10 – 12 (depending on font used) • Must provide enough info for employer to evaluate your qualifications • Best to tailor resume to meet specific employer requirements, if possible

8. Resume Components • Personal Data: Name, Address, Phone Number, and email address • NOpicture, date of birth, marital status • Objective/Summary of Skills/Qualifications (Optional) • Education (degree, institution, major, GPA, honors) • Coursework (???) • Related Experience and/or Experience / Work Experience • Skills: Computer and/or Language • Special Training • Leadership/Campus and/or Community involvement/Community Service • Reference page (separate page)

9. Resume Format The Chronological Resume - Displays work history in reverse chronological order and included dates employed, job titles, job duties, etc. The Functional Resume - Presents your experience and skills in terms of functions rather than chronological listing of titles held

10. Cover Letter • Address letter to specific person (spelling and title?) • Keep letter short and to the point (1 page) • Refer to the enclosed/attached resume • Ask for an interview • Express your individuality • Create a new cover letter for each new position • Print on resume paper • Highlights of relevant experience/education • Follow-up action statement • Statement of appreciation

11. Important Cover Letter Elements • INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: • Opening paragraph should contain a hook, how did you find out about the position • generates interest • states/implies employment interest • BODY “Value-selling” PARAGRAPH: • Summarize what you have to offer (w/o reiterating your resume) • demonstrates ability • highlights key strengths and abilities • CONCLUSION: • Give contact information (phone number and email address)

12. Keys for your Reference List • Provide 3-5 professional references (no relatives, friends, clergy). • Ask your references prior to listing them (set up appointment, give resume, tell them what you are looking for). • Provide reference’s name, title, organization, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail. • Keep in touch with your references about your job search.

13. Sample: Reference Page ZIPPY MASCOT 111 Spirit Lane, Akron, Ohio 44325 (330) 972- 1111, gozips@uakron.edu REFERENCE PAGE Ms. Mariah Fisch: President National Steel Corporation4100 Edison Lakes Pkwy. Mishawaka, IN 46545-3440 812-555-3200 mfisch@nsc.com Mr. Benjamin Riley:Senior Project ManagerSprint Corporation 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Westwood, KS 66205 620-555-2903 Dr. Scott Handy: Professor of Accounting College of Business Administration The University of Akron Akron, OH 44325 330-972-7111 Dr. Robert Phillips:Professor of Information Systems Management College of Business Administration The University of Akron Akron, OH 44325 330-972-7111

14. Key Points on Resumes and Cover Letters • Free Resume and Cover Letter handouts • Cover letters and resume gets your foot in the door, but only if they convey that you can do the job or have “Potential.” • Tailor your cover letter and resume for each job. • Have at least one other set of eyes read your cover letter and resume (free critiques from Career Center

15. PrepareBottom line … • Resume and cover letter are marketing materials • Why should the company “buy” your services? • What can you do for them? How can you stand out in a positive way?

16. Prepare andPlan ahead … • 5.5 months to find a job 5.5

17. Fact or Myth? On average, you only need to send 10 resumes out to get a job.

18. Myth! • For about every 10-20 resumes you send out, you may get 1 interview. • 5 month time for job search means actively applying for jobs. • Weekly goals: at least 15 applications a week.

19. Fact or Myth? GPA is the most important factor in hiring.

20. Myth! Employers want well-rounded candidates … • What are the Top 5 Skills employers want… • Communication • Analytical • Teamwork • Technical • Strong Work Ethic (Source: Job Outlook 2010, National Association of Colleges and Employers)

21. Fact or Myth? If the culture of the business is “dress casual”—then dress casual for the interview.

22. Interview Tips • Professional: dark blue or grey suit, tie, white or blue button down shirt. Even if culture is “dress casual,” wear suit for interview. • Well groomed: conservative haircut, shined shoes, no visible tattoos or piercings, clean finger nails, freshly showered. • Be 15-30 minutes early. • Bring copies of your resume (on resume paper), notebook, turn off your cell phone. • Be professional! Show you “fit” with their pre-existing team.

23. Professional Grooming . . . Besides having a conservative haircut, shined shoes, no visible tattoos or piercings, clean finger nails, and being freshly showered you should also keep the following in mind: • Cleanliness: • Smell good and fresh (in class and everyday) • AVOID wearing clothes without washing and/or wearing them over and over (even if you think you don’t sweat too much) • Listen: • Be more attentive and listen well before you speak • Learn: • the formal culture and behaviors (America is a blend of formal and informal)

24. Fact or Myth? Thank you letters have an impact on the hiring decision.

25. Fact!Thank-you letter has impact on hiring decisions! • 83% said thank you letter was important or very important in hiring decision! • 14% said “not important.” Source: CCM employer survey, Fall 2009

26. Thank You Letters • Send within 24-48 hours. • Write and personalize them to every interviewer. • Use to market yourself one more time. • Recap interview and/or summarize key points. • Prefer handwritten or typed, but if you have been corresponding through e-mail or there is not enough turn around time then email the letter.

27. Sample: Thank You Letter 111 Spirit Lane Akron, Ohio 44325 (330) 972- 1111 gozips@uakron.edu January 15, 2009 Ms. Glenna Wright Human Resources Manager The Computer Store 2000 Line Drive Fairfax, VA 22030 Dear Ms. Wright: I enjoyed interviewing with you during your recruiting visit to The University of Akron on January 15. The management program you outlined sounds both challenging and rewarding and I look forward to our decision concerning an on-site visit. As mentioned during the interview, I will be graduating in May with a MBA in Management. Through my education and experience I’ve gained many skills, as well as an understanding of retailing concepts and dealing with the general public. I have worked seven years in the retail industry in various positions from Salesclerk to Assistant Department Manager. I think my education and work experience would complement the management program. I have enclosed a copy of my college transcript and a list of references that you requested. Thank you again for the opportunity to interview with The Computer Store. The interview served to reinforce my strong interest in becoming a part of your management team. I can be reached at (330) 972 1111 or by email at gozips@uakron.edu should you need additional information. Sincerely, Zippy Mascot Enclosures

28. Fact or Myth? • Employers will research you on social networking websites (Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter) before they hire you.

29. Fact!Social Networking is You… • 24% of all employers will check profiles of potential hires. • 70+% of Marketing and Advertising employers will check profiles. • 78% will network with potential hires, 60% will advertise on social networking websites. • Sources: NACE Job Outlook 2010, USA Today.

30. Social Networking • LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com • Purely Professional • Profile = resume • Add contacts • Research organizations • Facebook • Clean up • Set privacy to “friends only”

31. What do you need to do? • Preparation • Focus • Connect • Persistence

32. Transition from college to career not as easy as a few years ago … • Why? • Here are actual headlines from January 2010 …

33. Pfizer to Cut Researchers as It Hones Its Focus Total number of jobs lost last year: Over 2.5 million Budget deficit could force Cleveland teacher layoffs Arts Groups Paint Grim Economic Picture for 2010 Google to cut 100 jobs, close engineering offices Gannett to Furlough Workers for Week Motorola Plans 4,000 More Job Cuts in 2010 Barnes & Noble Lays Off 100 Unemployment rate climbs to 7.2% Yearly Job Loss Worst Since 1945

34. “I’ll just move somewhere else …” • National and world-wide economic downturn • Just FYI …

35. What US States (plus 1 non-state) have highest unemployment? • Michigan (14.6%) • Nevada (13%) • Rhode Island (12.9%) • South Carolina (12.6%) • California (12.4%) • D.C. (12.1%) Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

36. What states have lowest unemployment? • North Dakota (4.4%) • South Dakota (4.7%) • Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma (6.6%) • Montana (6.7%) Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

37. Face Realities … • Increased competition • Experienced competition

38. “Experienced Competition?” • 2.5 million lost jobs in 2009 • Those are experienced workers • They have the experience employers want & need

39. FocusYour Career Goals • Plan A: Ideal • Plan B: Another way to get to Plan A • Plans C, D, E, F: May be temporary, until A & B kick-in.

40. FocusYour Career Goals • Part-time job? • Internship? • Volunteer? • What can help you gain more experience?

41. FocusWhat is out there? • Smallest employers (<54 employees) increase hiring for MBAs (up 30%) • Large companies (>3700) will decrease total hiring by 9% and make deeper cuts at the MBA level (down 19%) (Recruiting Trends 2008-09)

42. Web Career Resources for International Students http://www.internationalstudent.comInformation, services, and resources for international students http://bilingual-jobs.comBilingual-Jobs: Job seeker and employer info, job listings http://www.H1visajobs.com, http://www.h1bsponsors.com, http://www.h1base.com and http://www.h1bvisalaw.com Job listings for students with H-1 Visas www.overseasjobs.com and http://www.foreignmba.com/ Overseas Job Web: Job and resource listings, resume posting http://www.visalaw.com and www.VisaNow.com

43. What do you need to do? • Preparation • Focus • Connect • Persistence

44. ConnectWith Job Opportunities • RooLink • CareerShift • Coming soon: • Going Global • Career Fair • On-Campus Interviews

45. Focus – self-assessment & career planning • CareerShift – bring multiple parts together • RooLink – online database & networking tool • What Can I Do With A Major In? • www.uakron.edu/career Online Resources