How to Prepare to Write a Great Resume Robin Schlinger, CARW, CFRW, CPRW ©Robin’s Resumes®, 2011 Atlanta, GA robinschlinger@robinresumes.com 404-875-2688

What can a Preparing for a Great Resume DO For YOU? INCREASE YOUR CONFIDENCE Help you focus on where you want to go Learn your unique VALUE / BRAND Help you know who you are Show you how you have succeeded Help you realize your abilities Identify what you offer potential employers Create a positive attitude Get you the interview © Robin’s Resumes®, 2011, www.robinresumes.com Page 2

Steps for a GREAT Resume First KNOW where you want to go – IF not YOU will not end up where you want to be Understand career trends Understand your BRAND / VALUE Identify what YOU want to do Find positions that MATCH your GOAL and BRAND Be sure you MEET the job requirements / Show how you can ADD VALUE to the company = Brand Match ONLY after you complete these steps can you create a great resume © Robin’s Resumes®, 2011, www.robinresumes.com Page 3

BE POSITIVE – YOU CAN FIND A JOB Careers Trends Changes in the Marketplace High Unemployment / Underemployment will remain for next couple of years per Federal Reserve Changes in Jobs? Loss of Retirement Funds? These are just STATISTICS – Find the right opportunity for you Out of adversity comes new opportunities: Robin’s Resumes® business is way up BE POSITIVE – YOU CAN FIND A JOB © Robin’s Resumes ®, 2011, www.robinresumes.com Page 4

Identify Your Brand / Value Review your past experiences Determine what you enjoyed Review your past SUCCESSES See where you succeeded and ENJOYED what you were doing! Evaluate what you are good at that led to the success Remember – What you find the EASIEST to do and others find hard to do is a hint at your BRAND/VALUE Use tools to help you Books such as “What Color is My Parachute?” or “Now What?” Testing, i.e. DISC / MBTI / Kiersey / Strong Indicator Testing © Robin’s Resumes®, 2011, www.robinresumes.com Page 5

Identify What YOU Want Identify Your Job Goal and FOCUS on IT Investigate/Identify what you like to and can do See what is out there that MATCHES what you like and can do Match what you have done to support this Develop a path to get there if not a match I believe if you do what you WANT you are MUCH more LIKELY to SUCCEED than if you DO WHAT OTHERS EXPECT OF YOU © Robin’s Resumes®, 2011, www.robinresumes.com Page 6

Match Your Goal & Brand Look for positions / companies to apply to that MATCH your GOAL and your BRAND Find out what the company WANTS and REQUIRES from their candidates READ job announcements and other information about the companies carefully to find out job duties and requirements NETWORK to find out what they want © Robin’s Resumes ®, 2011, www.robinresumes.com Page 7

Sources to find a New Job Civilian Job Network, Network, Network Find Job Announcements – Internet, Newspapers, Your State Career Center, Associations, Magazines Start Your Own Company Federal Government – www.USAJobs.com Over 500,000 people retiring in next few years Over 35,000 jobs open at any given time - all fields Job stability However, it is NOT for career changers – you MUST match the job announcement requirements © Robin’s Resumes ®, 2011, www.robinresumes.com Page 8

Use Your VALUE / BRAND Identify Experience and Accomplishments to show HOW you can help the COMPANY reach THEIR goals and HOW you MATCH what THEY REQUIRE and WANT Companies hire people who can help them IF you are NOT a match for the job – FIND ANOTHER POSITION TO APPLY FOR – DO NOT WASTE YOUR OR THEIR TIME If the company does not FIT your VALUES or BRAND – FIND ANOTHER POSITION TO APPLY FOR – DO NOT WASTE YOUR OR THEIR TIME AND EFFORT © Robin’s Resumes ®, 2011, www.robinresumes.com Page 9

Prepare to Write the Resume Show how you ADD VALUE AND YOUR BRAND – Why They Should Hire You! Focus on ACCOMPLISHMENTS Identify and gather all required information Match qualifications with correct “keywords” Figure out how YOUR EXPERIENCE matches the company’s REQUIREMENTS and WANTS © Robin’s Resumes ®, 2011, www.robinresumes.com Page 10

Why Consult with Others as You Write Your Resume? Independent evaluation Help you identify the proper APPROACH Act as a sounding board to help you identify your unique skills and accomplishments Help you show how you can ADD VALUE Make sure you convey to others how you are the best candidate for the job Review for errors / omissions / readability / format If in doubt – you can always ask for a professional © Robin’s Resumes ®, 2011, www.robinresumes.com Page 11

In the Future: What Can You Do? Keep Track of Your Career in a “Brag File” Record “Facts” Titles / name and full address of the company Dates of employment (Start & End – Month, Day & Year) Salary / supervisor names and phone numbers Keep all evaluations, awards, transcripts, training certificates, letters of appreciation, etc. Write down ACCOMPLISHMENTS as you do them Note all job responsibilities and keywords © Robin’s Resumes ®, 2011, www.robinresumes.com Page 12