Post on 17-Dec-2015
Presented by
Human Resource Services
February 2011
Career Planning
Keys to moving forward
Objectives
• Where to start
• Cover letters- simple but effective
• Resumes- the 20 second look
• References
• Preparing for your interview
• Resources
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
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.
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
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
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.
Cover letter samples
• A sample template
• Example 1
• Example 2
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
References
Name of Reference:
Phone Number:
How do you know this reference?
Bob Johnson
208-555-5555
bobjohnson@email.com
Former Supervisor
Suzie Special
509-555-5555
suzieisspecial@email.com
Owner of XYZ Box Company
Alex T Lion
616-555-5555
alextlion@emailcom
Former Supervisor
• 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)
References
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
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
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
After the interview- a few tips
• Send a Thank You note
• Follow-up
• Create packets for each position
• Keep moving forward
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