Getting Hired in Brevard

Resumes, Interviewing, Networking, and Follow Up!

Agenda

I. Assistance in BrevardII. Resume HelpIII. Networking – Get Your Name Out ThereIV. Interview TechniquesV. Follow Up!

I. Assistance• www.EmployFlorida.com

• www.Indeed.com

• Brevard Workforce

• Social Media

• Staffing companies

• Many more…

II. Resumes

• More than 1 page is ok as long as it’s relevant• Tailor!

– Objective– Work History– Skills

• Cover Letter• Email – include (but make sure it’s appropriate)• Achievements rather than tasks performed

II. Resumes (cont’d)

• Make sure your skills match the job description (key words are key !!)

• Highlight the positive (seems obvious but…)• Know what your resume says and be able to talk about

each item on your resume! – Exactly what you did and how you added value– Gaps in employment

III. Networking

• Chamber Events• SPECIAL Venues for YOUR Industry• Target a Company and Get Referred In!• Ask your friends/family who’s hiring.• Get on LinkedIn! It’s a great resource to meet

and get to know the right decision makers• Get out and be seen in the community! Think

of yourself as the best and only salesperson of YOU!

IV. Interview Techniques (cont’d)

• KNOW YOUR “AUDIENCE”• Dress ABOVE the job. Neat appearance includes clothing,

hair, nails, shoes polished…EVERYTHING! • Show up early• Turn off your phone• Prepare for the interview

– Know something about the company (pet peeve of HR people to not know)

– Be ready to answer commonly asked interview questions– Know the interviewer’s name (and how to pronounce it)

• Walk in confidently, smile, look the interviewer in the eye, and give them a FIRM handshake!

Interviewing (cont’d)

Before the interview:

Consider the job description. – What skills are listed as qualifications for the job? (‘team

player, strong attention to detail, problem solvers, customer service’)

– Now match your skills to the qualifications.– If you don’t have a job description, think about the skills

that might be necessary for the job or speak to an advisor in career services.

Follow Up!• Be persistent and not annoying!• Send a handwritten THANK YOU note – it’s classy and it

keeps your name in front of them• Follow up with a call within 3 days if you have not heard

back (unless they told you a specific timeframe)• If you don’t get the position, ask for feedback. It may make

the next interview, the winning interview!