Preparing for Your Next Job Search

1. Preparing for Your Next Job Search Association of Women in Computing February 18, 2009

2. Resume Writing Formatting Positions Proofing What should you exclude Other information Q&A Interviewing Preparation Phone interview STARS In person Q&A Networking 30 second elevator speech Job networking groups Personal contacts How to build an effective network Q&A Preparing for Your Job Search

3. Resume writing - Formatting • Use 10pt Arial • Clarity at glance • Company Name • Time at each company • Titles • Selected accomplishments associated with that role. • Do not clutter your resume - Let it "breathe" - it will be easier to read • Use Italics, bold, underlining for clarity

4. Resume writing - Positions • Provide a description of your span of control • Responsibility for 4 manufacturing sites, 2 distribution centers and division headquarters totaling 4,500 employees • Provide scope and results • Implemented new process improvement program Vs • Implemented new process improvement program, whichresulted in a 25% increase in daily productivity and 64% increase in customer satisfaction • Descriptive action verbs • Start each sentence using an action verb • Established, Analyzed, Implemented, Created, Streamlined, Organized

5. Resume writing • Proofing • Spelling and typing mistakes reflect the poor quality of work that they can expect from you • Do not rely on computer spell checkers, read every word to be sure it is correct • Proof read! • What to exclude • Marital status • Gender • Height • Weight • Health

6. Resume writing • Other information • Do not state that you will provide references upon request • Hobbies and personal interest rarely add value • Q&A

7. Interviewing • Preparation • The company • Business, size and location, profitability • Recent news • Company culture • The job • Skills and competencies required • Prepare for behavioral or situational interviews • Behavioral – a past situation when you had to… • Situational – hypothetical – How would you…

8. Interviewing • Phone interview • You pick the time for the call • Prepare for a long call • Find a quiet secluded place to talk • Be prepared---have all documents • Stand up during the phone interview • Smile during the interview

9. Interviewing • In person • Firm, vertical hand shake • Smile • Dress for success • Look interested • Ask for the job –I look forward to … • working with you and your team • developing and implementing your total rewards strategy

10. Interviewing • Behavioral and Situational Interviews • Be concise and to the point • STARS – • Situation – state your specific situation • Task • Action - in which you took an active role • Results • Snap - link it to the job opening • Different answers for different questions • Q&A

11. Networking • 30 second elevator speech • Speak clearly and slowly • Name • Role you are seeking • High level background • Do Not • Offer why you are looking • Speak negatively about past employer or situation • Job networking groups

12. Networking • Personal contacts • Look for people you don’ t know • Listen to people/don’t sell yourself • Get their business card • Contact your new friend—E-mail • Find ways to help these contacts

13. How to build an effective Network • Decide how to organize contacts • Get involved: Church, Groups etc. • Participate in Groups • Offer your help (20 to 1 ratio) • Contact your Network • Q & A