Presented by Human Resource Services February 2011

1. Career Planning Keys to moving forward Presented by Human Resource Services February 2011

2. Objectives • Where to start • Cover letters- simple but effective • Resumes- the 20 second look • References • Preparing for your interview • Resources

3. Where to start • Local papers, search engines • HRS/ End of Employment/Job Resources • Attend a job fair • Temp agency • Net-work-it • Facebook • LinkedIn • Twitter • Friends or family working for companies you are interested in • Social groups and Professional Organizations • Monitor your favorite companies employment pages

4. Tailor your qualifications to each job posting • Requirements of the position • Demonstrate how you meet each one • Preferred qualifications • Call attention to any of the preferred qualification you have • Adjust your resume for each position to which you apply. • Do you really meet the minimums? • Be realistic and don’t waste time • Quality vs. quantity • How should you apply? • Be sure to submit all required application materials.

5. The little things really do matter. • If your email address is nakedrunneronthepalouse@hotmail.com • If your out going voicemail sings, plays music, has the voice of a 2 year old that is not audible to anyone except her parents • If you have an online profile with pictures, statements or language that does not represent you professionally…. • Other little things to consider spelling, formatting, no pictures or artwork on resumes (yes, people do this!) Make some changes

6. Cover letters • Should a cover letter always be included? • Bad sign if not included • What if the ad does not provide the name of the hiring manager? • Call and ask. • Send it to the department manager. • Dear Marketing Manager • Use a generic salutation such as • Dear Hiring Manager • Dear Search Committee

7. Cover letters- a few tips • Write in a business letter format and have a neat, professional look. • The first paragraph of the letter explains the purpose and generates interest. • The body of the letter focuses on what the writer can offer and not what the writer wants. • The style of the letter can be conversational but still businesslike. You don’t need to use a lot of jargon or cumbersome sentences.

8. Cover letter samples • A sample template • Example 1 • Example 2

9. Resumes • Resumes typically get a 10-20 second review by the hiring manager. • There are three main types of resumes: • Chronological • Functional • Chronological-Functional combination

10. Resume - Chronological • Chronological listing of positions you’ve held in order, starting with the most recent • Key elements: • Job Title: List your most recent job first, and include a brief description of your job title, and years you’ve worked there. • Human Resources Services Employee Recognition Program Assistant • Primary Duties: Describe your primary duties. Move relevant duties to the top. • Assisted in the planning, coordination and execution of employee recognition events and activities. • Accomplishments: List your accomplishments and quantify your achievements • Developed and maintained database system for tracking employee years of service for over 5,000 employees across all four WSU campus sites

11. Resume – Chronological • Advantages • Demonstrates stability • Demonstrates career growth • Showcases qualifications and strengths • Disadvantages • Gaps in employment are clearly visible • Frequent job changes are easily identified • No job history for entry level position seekers

12. Resume - Functional • This format allows you to highlight your selected skills • Key Elements: • Summary statement: A one or two sentence overview of your abilities and work history • To obtain a full time position with ABC company where I can utilize my excellence customer service and sales skills. • Job functions: List areas of expertise and provide one or two examples of quantifiable accomplishments • Management • Led successful team of five sales agents exceeding sales goals for three consecutive years. • Job history: company, job title, years of service

13. Resume - Functional • Advantages • De-emphasize dates • Promote skills • Recency of skills is unclear • Beneficial for changing careers or entry level • Easily fits a lot of information on one page • Disadvantages • Formats other than the chronological format raise questions • Recency of skills is unclear • Stability and career growth not as evident

14. Resume - Combination • In this format your skills are listed prominently at the top of the page followed by a full chronological listing • Summary statement: A one or two sentence overview of your abilities and work history • Job functions: List areas of expertise and provide one or two examples of quantifiable accomplishments • Job history: Full history including company, job duties and years of service

15. Resume - Combination • Advantages: • De-emphasize dates • Promote skills • Can demonstrate stability • Can demonstrate career growth • Disadvantages: • Formats other than the chronological format may raise questions

16. References • Provide as many references as requested on a separate page. • Ensure you have updated information and submit all requested information • Give your references a heads up. References should be able to speak to your previous job performance

17. References • What if my supervisor and I didn’t have a great relationship? • Using negative language may reflect poorly on you • Use a positive statement such as • “My supervisor was the most demanding person I ever worked for but I learned a lot and value the opportunities I was given.” • What will WSU-HRS say? • Without a signed consent form, HRS will only verify information provided • With a signed release form, HRS will verify all requested information. (start date, end date, title, salary)

18. Interviewing – The process • There may be a series of interviews • There may be a panel of interviewers • There may be one-on-one time with the decision maker

19. Interviewing - Preparation • Learn as much as you can about the company and where the position fits • Practice- practice – practice! • Review interview questions your responses • Recruitment ToolKit/Evaluation & Interviewing • If you are unfamiliar with where the interview is, consider a dry run • Request a full position description and be very familiar with the contents • Prepare a few questions for the interviewer

20. Interviewing – Tips for Success • To Do: • Dress professionally • Be honest • Be confident (see preparation) • Listen to the questions and answer what was asked • Collect your thoughts before responding when asked a tough question • Ask any questions you have • Send thank you note or email as soon as possible • Use Caution: • Dressing casually • Perfume/cologne or other scents • Failing to use active listening skills resulting in not answering the question • Body language • Humor • Slang

21. After the interview- a few tips • Send a Thank You note • Follow-up • Create packets for each position • Keep moving forward

22. Resources • One on one coaching at the Center for Advising and Career Development (CACD) • CACD offers resume and interviewing assistance to employees • Online resources • CACD/CurrentStudents/Resources • Human Resources Services • Recruitment ToolKit/Evaluation & Interviewing • Skill Soft