RESUMES THAT WORK

Resumes and Cover Letters1Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.- ConfuciusHR Professional SkillsDefine professional.Define professional identity.Put on your professional hats.Task for the day: identify the best ways to communicate your professional identity to others.

Professional IdentityClean sheet of paperEight boxesList strengths and assets you will contribute to an organization.8 Room for notesProfessional Identity, cont. 2nd sheet of paperList successful past work experiencesWhat did you do at these successful jobs?Note job skills and transferable skillsKeep it brief!Who at these places could be a connection for you? Potentially a reference?

Professional Identity, cont.Back to your strength boxesConnect the info from page 2 to page 1Identify which job utilized your strengthIdentify persons that can be connections for you to use that strengthComplete the following sentence:Through my work as ____, professionally I am _______. Professional NetworkFormer co workersColleaguesSupervisorsProfessional contactsOn the back of your paper:Write a list of potential professional connectionsHow many can you write in 60 seconds?

Social Media and Professional NetworksLinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/Social identity versus professional identityProfessional Identity, cont. Create your elevator speech!What is it?A statement about who you are professionally that is quick enough to give someone in an elevator ride. May answer:What do you do?Which types of jobs interest you?What do you want to do with your life?

PRACTICE!!!Communicate your professional Identity to groupShare elevator speech with your groupWhat is a Resume?Tool to present an individuals skills and qualifications to a potential employer

Advertisement of you and your skills

Gets you selected for an interview11Sarah A. Smith123 South Wood StreetOmaha, NE 68103(402) 555 1234smith@server.netObjective

To obtain cashier position with ABC Corporation.

Education

Metropolitan Community College Omaha, Nebraska Pursuing an Associates in Applied Science Degree: Office Skills TechnologyJanuary 2005-present Anticipated Graduation: May 2006 GPA 3.23

Experience

Cashier May 2002 to present Super TargetOmaha, NE Balance drawer at beginning and end of shift Enter charges for all items; total items; subtract discount Take payments; issue receipts; count change Deliver outstanding customer service Employee of the Month: August 2002, January 2003

Skills

Completed 4 years of Spanish in high school12RememberEmployers get their first impression of your professional standards and talents from the resume.Employers spend 35-60 seconds on your resumeYou may be eliminated from consideration due to your resume.13Components of a Resume:Heading- no title!ObjectiveEmployment HistoryEducationTraining/Special Skills14HeadingSarah A. Smith123 South Wood StreetOmaha, NE 68103(402) 555 1234smith@server.netBoldAccurateClearly identify youConservative Professional15Career Objective and Personal ProfileIntroductory statements for resumBoth statements are used on rsum to relate to target career, target employer, introduce key skills, and express interest in a positionStatement will be first item listed on resum

Career ObjectiveA Career Objective is for individuals with little or no work experienceInclude interest in positionBrief one line description of skills related to position and how you will utilize your skillsAcceptable to use I and my in career objective

Example:Seeking a position with an established accounting firm where I can utilize and apply my current accounting and computerized skills toward the excellence of Bell Company.Career ObjectivePersonal ProfileA Personal Profile is for individuals with extensive work experienceGroup key skills and accomplishments into general categoriesIdentify key qualities that match target jobTake information and turn into two-three sentence statement that provides snapshot of professional qualificationsExample:Highly professional and detail-oriented accounting professional with demonstrated leadership and success in the areas of payroll, collections, and project management. Excellent analytical, communication, computer, and organizational skills. Bilingual (English/Spanish).Personal ProfileTips!Decide if your education or your work experience is the stronger qualificationList the strongest firstFor work experience, decide between:Chronological (most recent job 1st) pg. 129Functional (list of competencies and skills developed) pg. 130Employment HistoryA section that emphasizes your past and present employmentOther Names: Professional Experience, Work History, Volunteer WorkProvide information to help persuade prospective employers that your experiences make you qualified for the job 22Tip!Stress duties or skills that are TRANSFERABLE to the new positionUse short phrasesUse action verbsProvide SPECIFIC EVIDENCEExcellent customer service skillsPeople personWhat goes in this section?Position titleDates of employment/involvementCompany or organizationLocation (City, State)Descriptions of skills, knowledge or accomplishments, etc.24ExampleCashier May 2002 to presentSuper Target Omaha, NEBalance drawer at beginning and end of shiftEnter charges for all items; total items; subtractdiscountsTake payments; issue receipts; count changeDeliver outstanding customer serviceEmployee of the Month: August 2002, January 200325Describing Experiences Use Action Verbs pg 120 and 121They are more descriptive and powerfulFind an area of past employment and write down 5 action words you can use in your resume

26Developing your descriptionsAnswer the journalistic questions:Who?...With whom did you work?What?...What duties did you perform?Where?... Where did your job fit into the organization?Why?..What goals were you trying to accomplish?When?...What timelines were you working under?How?...What procedures did you follow?27Developing your descriptionsSampleBefore:Planned activitiesQuestions asked: What kinds? When?For Whom?After:Planned arts, crafts, activities, and exercises weekly for children28Try to see your experiences as a professional wouldUnderstatedAnswered phone

Wiped tables

ProfessionalActed as liaison between clients and legal staff

Created healthy environment for customers and maintained positive public image29Another common trouble spot with describing experiences may be called selling oneself short. Individuals often have to take jobs that are not directly related to their career goals. As a result, some resume writers think about job descriptions as sets of things they were forced to do to earn a living.

One way to boost descriptions of experiences is to think about how a professional would perceive each job task. Professionals generally se their work as satisfying to some greater organizational need. Tailor this section to the specific job descriptionSelect content that supports your qualifications and matches job descriptionsConsider organizing by order of importanceUse professional wording, integrating job specific terms30Education SectionA section that emphasizes your educational background and formal training

Persuade employers your educational background is relevant to the job, providing evidence of your qualifications31You need to includeSchools you have attended, including universities, community colleges, technical schools, etc.Do not include high school informationLocation of school(s) (city, state)Date of graduation, actual or anticipatedDegree(s) earned or pursued32Generally speaking, high school experience is not listed once one has entered college degree program. For location, one need not list the schools full address, only city and state. Dates of graduation may be either actual or expected. For degree and GPA information, it may be necessary to check school records for the exact name of your degree program and your GPA.What else may be included?Extra information about your degreeMinorGPAHonors, etc.Specializations

Special projects / involvements

33ExampleMetropolitan Community College Omaha, NebraskaPursuing an Associates in Applied Science Degree: Office Skills TechnologyJanuary 2010-present GPA 3.23Anticipated Graduation: May 201334Training/SkillsOther relevant skills and trainingComputer skillsLanguage proficiencyCertificationsLicenses, etc.

35Tips!No personal information Gender, race, religious affiliation, family informationProvide a statement that references are available upon request

Highlight your strengths and minimize your limitationsReview your resume:Circle strengthsDiscuss with groupResume Writing TipsWrite your own resumeMake it error freeMake it look goodBe brief and relevantBe positiveBe specificUse action verbs and short phrasesBe honestEdit and edit and edit again37Tailor the resume for the readerConsider how much space you have on your resume

Read job ads closely

Select your most relevant experiences

List in reverse chronological order or in order of importance38Using fontsSize: Use 10 or 12 fontavoid more than 2 different font sizes

Two major kinds:Serif (Times New Roman and Courier)Sans Serif (Arial and Helvetica)

Use bold type sparingly39Resume PresentationQuality paper off-white, cream, gray, whitePaper weight high quality,100% cotton fiberProducing word processorERROR FREE!!!

40Tips for Using Your ResumeWhen directly contacting employers, always have a copy of your resume availableAttach your resume to employment applicationGive a copy of your resume to your referencesBring copies of resume to interviews41Sarah A. Smith123 South Wood StreetOmaha, NE 68103(402) 555 1234smith@server.netObjective

To obtain cashier position with ABC Corporation.

Education

Metropolitan Community College Omaha, Nebraska Pursuing an Associates in Applied Science Degree: Office Skills TechnologyJanuary 2005-present Anticipated Graduation: May 2006 GPA 3.23

Experience

Cashier May 2002 to present Super TargetOmaha, NE Balance drawer at beginning and end of shift Enter charges for all items; total items; subtract discount Take payments; issue receipts; count change Deliver outstanding customer service Employee of the Month: August 2002, January 2003

Skills

Completed 4 years of Spanish in high schoolPAGE 127-13442Anytime a resume is sent, it must be accompanied by a cover letter.Cover Letters43What is a cover letter?An opportunity to personalize your resume and target your skills

A good cover letter will sell your qualifications

Standard business letter

Takes the reader into consideration It should be tailored to the reader44Components of a Cover Letter:Heading (same on resume)DateName/Address of CompanyDear Mr. Ms./Appropriate title (do not use, To Whom It May Concern)Avoid Miss or Mrs. BodyClosingSignature

45Body of Letter:1st paragraph- GreetingBegin by stating the reason for the letterIdentify the position for which you are applyingTell how you learned about the positionAny previous contact

462nd - this is why I want to work for youDo research on the organizationKeep it ShortSimpleSincere

Why are you interested in position, organization, or services providedCommunicate your research3rd Take the job ad and tell them what you have to offer- how you meet their requirementsHighlight your strongest qualifications and relate them DIRECTLY to the needs of the positionBe specific

I am an accurate personSo what?In my two years of experience as a student secretary, none of the letters, memorandums, and reports I typed were ever returned with a typographical error marked. PRACTICE!Highlight a statement about your qualificationsShare with groupRe-write to make it more specific4th- closingDesire for interviewThanksInclude contact informationWhen you will follow-upClose with Sincerely , type name and sign in blue ink

Cover Letter Presentation:Ask someone to proofread your letter for spelling, grammar, and contentState a time when you will follow upSign the letter in blue ink (original)Structure letter to reflect your individualityKeep sentences short and to the pointNo more than one pageUse resume paper52Tips!Maintain formality throughout lettersYou will not be hired for being cutePuppies are cuteProfessional, attractive, conservativeError Free!ApplicationsCan go to MCC application from website http://resource.mccneb.edu/hmrReason for leavingReason for leaving pg 324Be honest, but professional

54The InterviewPrior to the interviewPrepare:Do researchUtilize your connectionsPrep your elevator speechCreate portfolioPortfolioClass portfolioInterview PortfolioResumeCover letter for jobReference ListLetters of recommendation/ accomodationApplicationCopies of certificationsPerformance EvaluationsPractice for the InterviewPg 71 of your bookNext week = Class Interviews!!15 MinutesDress according to your own interview

Test RunAttire

The InterviewArrive early: 5-10 minutesFreshen upNo gumCellphone off Communicate effectivelyVerballyNonverbally:SmileEye contactFeedbackGreet everyoneMaintain a pleasant attitudeAnswering questionsClosing the interview

After the InterviewDeliver thank-you noteCongratulate yourselfPrior to leaving company property, make notesEvaluate impression of companySalary negotiation

HandshakesThe Interview PRACTICETalking about yourselfVerbalNonverbalMaking a connectionHandshakingEye contactPostureGroup up with another groupStand up and line upPractice greeting and shaking hands of potential employers/ colleguesOne person shake hand of at a timeOffer feedback to that person

ApplicationWatch videoIn your groups answer the following questions. One recorder. All names of group members on piece of paper.Answer:Who was dressed appropriate? Who was not? 4 recommendations for SeanAdvice to KevinHow did Francesca use of portfolio/personal commercial to help her? Any advice for her?