RESUMES, COVER LETTERS, AND INTERVIEWING Micah Willeford Jennifer Greenwood Career Specialists RESUMES, COVER LETTERS, AND INTERVIEWING

RESUMES Tips and Tricks

RESUMES GENERAL PRACTICES Keep a folder of everything! Use bulleted lists [Never] use abbreviations or acronyms Keep resume in the correct tense Highlight your strengths Use keywords from the job posting White space is good Stick to the basics Spell check!! Strengths: Do you know a second language? Are you proficient with any programs or certain aspects of technology? Do you take on leadership roles that result in success? Hint: What do you hear consistently? What do you fall back on to be successful? Keywords: Some resumes, especially when submitted electronically, are sent through a scanning process. There are a set of keywords the agency searches resumes for - if your resume doesn’t have some of them, your resume may be overlooked. Basics: Colors, intricate fonts, designs are less professional Specific: List the skills and responsibilities from past employment or volunteer work that you think applies to the responsibilities and tasks of the position for which you are applying 3

RESUMES THINGS TO INCLUDE Your contact information How professional is your e-mail address? [A summary] Current school information Related work experience Extracurricular activities Honors, Awards, Recognitions Skills, Abilities References Professional, not just personal

SAMPLE RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

SAMPLE RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

SAMPLE RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

SAMPLE ACADEMIC RESUME What is different? Where is the focus?

RESUME EXAMPLE

COVER LETTERS What should you include?

COVER LETTERS Include your contact information Consider using a similar header for your cover letter and resume Employer Contact information Greeting Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name Dear Hiring Manager Try to avoid “To Whom It May Concern” Why? First Paragraph Include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one. Yes, tactful name dropping is okay! Middle Paragraph(s) Describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. This should not be your resume in paragraph form. Just hit the high points.

COVER LETTERS Final Paragraph Closing Signature Thank them for considering you for the position Let them know you’re looking forward to hearing back from them, or that you welcome an opportunity to further discuss your qualifications/interest in the position. Let them know how you will follow up. Are you calling next week? Are you planning to wait it out, letting them make contact first? Will you send a follow up email? Closing Sincerely, Thank you, Respectfully yours, Signature Handwritten, if possible. Type your name below where you plan to sign

COVER LETTER Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

REFERENCE REQUEST LETTER What should you include?

Reference Request Letter Ask early -in person if possible Be prepared for the person to say ‘no’ to your request. Provide the potential reference with your resume, information about the scholarship, and an envelope you have already addressed and stamped Information about the scholarship would include things such as criteria, the focus of the scholarship [service, academic, etc.], the name of the person or group to whom the letter should be addressed, and the deadline. If possible, it’s better to waive your right to see the letter. The scholarship committee assumes that this will encourage a more candid letter, and such a letter will carry more weight. When the process is over, send a thank-you note to the person, and let them know the result -especially if it’s good news!

Reference Request Letter Include your contact information Similar header for your resume, cover letter, & reference request... Employer Contact information Greeting Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name The Letter Quick intro Information about the scholarship Thank them and provide a way to contact you . Closing Sincerely, Thank you, Signature Handwritten, if possible. Type your name below where you plan to sign

REFERENCE REQUEST LETTER

SAMPLE ACADEMIC RESUME What is different? Where is the focus?

INTERVIEWING Dos and Don’ts

INTERVIEWING EVERY INTERVIEW WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN THE NEXT INTERVIEWING EVERY INTERVIEW WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN THE NEXT. THAT CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO PLAN AHEAD, OR TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT! What to Wear Casual Business Casual Business Attire What to Bring with you Anything they requested An additional copy/copies of your resume and cover letter Questions you have for your potential future employer Paper to jot down things you want to remember How to Act Be professional NO: cell phones, chewing gum, or profanity Use formal rather than informal register when speaking Be yourself Yes, you want to make a good impression. Yes, you will be nervous. HOWEVER, you also want them to know who you are. Casual –Even if your work environment is casual (you could wear jeans, will be working outside, etc), dress nicer than you will once you are (hopefully) hired. It shows that you are taking the interview seriously. Business Casual- Some companies will indicate that dress is business casual. This generally means, for men, slacks or khakis and a collared shirt. If you want to make a statement, wear a tie! For women, that would be slacks and a conservative blouse or a women’s button up shirt. Either way, be sure your clothes fit well and you wear appropriate shoes –no sneakers, Chucks, Vans, Sperry’s, flip flops, etc. Business Attire- Wear a suit. There really isn’t much room for discussion on this one. When you select a suit, keep in mind that neutral colors are more versatile and more professional. Classic suits are less likely to go out of style. Men, a button up shirt and tie is a must. So are dress shoes and DARK socks. Ladies, you can wear a skirt suit or a pant suit. If you do not wear a button up shirt, but instead wear a camisole or a sleeveless top, do not remove your jacket during the interview. If you wear a skirt suit, it needs to cover your thighs when seated. Also, plan to wear pantyhose. Interview attire doesn’t have to be boring, but also never confuse party attire with business attire. If you would ever wear that top “out,” it is probably not appropriate to wear to an interview OR to work. You can wear a colored shirt or tie, just be careful with colors and patterns. If you plan to bring a bag with you, select a nice, understated tote bag or briefcase. No backpacks, beach bags, oversized purses, cartoon characters, or anything inappropriate. Be freshly showered, well groomed, and well rested. Try to avoid dramatic hairstyles or makeup, wear minimal perfume/cologne –or none at all!, have fresh breath, and clean fingernails. Whatever you decide to wear, it should be clean, pressed, and mended. 20

INTERVIEWING QUESTIONS YOU CAN EXPECT Tell us about yourself. Be ready to give about a 2 minute speech about yourself. Mention anything you’re comfortable with, including: General information about your family or your hometown Where you go to school, any activities/organizations in which you are involved Why are you the best candidate for the position? How do you handle conflict (or another job-specific example)? Tell me about a time that you failed and what you learned from it. What experience have you had? What is your work ethic like? How do you handle criticism?

INTERVIEWING QUESTIONS YOU CAN EXPECT What do you know about our company? What are you looking for in a supervisor? Co-workers? What did you like/dislike about your previous job? What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses? What motivates you? Questions about teamwork and working alone… What can you contribute to this team? Where do you hope to be in 5 years? What can this job teach you? Do you have any questions about our company or this position specifically?

SOCIAL MEDIA How many of you have Facebook? Twitter? Tumblr? Four Square? Instagram? Social networking can influence your career, not just your safety Are you posting vulgar images or using profanity? Are your friends posting those things on your wall, or tagging you in them? Are you drinking or smoking, taking inappropriate pictures, or even complaining about your teachers, parents or current boss? What are your privacy settings? If a potential boss wants to find information on you, they will. Maybe your friend who already works there shows him your page, thinking they’re helping you… There are endless examples. Just think about it.

ARE YOU JOB-READY? In a recent committee meeting, we asked employers what they wanted from an employee, and how they could improve their chances of being hired. Here’s what they said: Be on time Dress professionally No cell phones Be ready to learn Have a good attitude Be a self-starter: Work ethic, Initiative Know how to fill out an application Be respectful Know how to make change, do basic math

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! Micah Willeford Jennifer Greenwood Want to discuss further? Come see me! Micah Willeford Jennifer Greenwood Career Specialists Room C1 THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!