 Get into a Marketing Mindset  Identify what you have to offer  Identify who can use it  Present what you’ve got in a persuasive manner

 Informed  Planned  Active  Offering a good product or service  Targeted toward the customer’s needs and interests  Positively and persuasively presented Of YOU!

 What characteristics make you choose a laundry soap? ◦Packaging ◦Smell ◦Cost ◦How well it does the job ◦Biodegradable ◦Doesn’t fade colors ◦Whitens whites  Does every customer want identical features?

 Name one skill, ability, quality or qualification YOU have that your target employer could use.

Now try to identify at least 15 to 20:  skills,  qualifications,  credentials,  experience or  Abilities you have to offer an employer.  1st - Occupation Specific Skills _________________________  _________________________  2nd Transferrable Skills & Abilities  _________________________  3rd People or Interpersonal Skills  _________________________  4th Good Work Habits  _________________________ 

Through your ◦Applications ◦Resumes ◦Interviews  Work experience  Training  Education  References  Examples  Achievements  Certificates  Knowing the lingo

Often underestimated, the application is a signed contract stating that what you say is true!  Used to weed people out as well as in.  Has information not on your resume.  Employers use it to “verify” what you’ve claimed  Helps you job search more efficiently.  Serves as the foundation for your resume (they need to be matching profiles)  Will be required, as well as a resume.

 Employers use KEY WORDS to select applicants ◦Be specific about what you can do, your skills and abilities. Say it often! ◦Look over first. ◦Use only space provided. Use scrap paper to get right size. ◦Fill in all sections and blanks. Use NA if not applicable. ◦Have checked for spelling & grammar ◦Don’t forget to sign it.

 About your criminal record ◦Usually can say “Will discuss in interview”. ◦If must specify, also talk about rehabilitation & constructive activities. ◦ “ Why did you leave?” Must be honest, but can use less negative explanation:  Quit – Sought better opportunity.  Fired – Personal, Poor job match, transportation issues.  Arrested/Jailed – Legal issues. Our of workforce. ◦Line up your references

 Classifieds - on- line, in print  Search engines  Directories  Networking, Job Fairs  On employer website ◦Anything unique? ◦Needs: On-line reviews

◦It’s your advertisement, the bait that hooks an interview. ◦It’s to connect what the employer needs with what you’ve got to offer. ◦Honest, but biased in your favor. ◦What’s in it? What order are they in? You need ME!

 Contact information  Intro: Your story in a nutshell ◦An Objective, Summary, or Highlights of Qualifications  Key Skills  Work Experience  Education

◦Chronological  Features work history.  Good if you have a career, steady work history, progression upward.  Employers prefer it. ◦Functional  Features relevant skills.  Good for career changers  Gaps in work history  Varied jobs.

 Objective: Individual with _________ years experience in ________ seeking position as a _____________ with a company needing individuals who are __________, ___________, and __________. Also known for my __________, _________, and ____________. It summarizes why they should hire you.

Body of the Resume Chronological Intro (May also feature skills) Work Experience Education Functional or Skills Based Intro Key skill categories and specifics. Work Experience with Job Title, Company, Location, and Dates only Education & Training

Work Experience Job Title (Dates) Business, Location Duties: xxxxxx, xxxx, Xxxx, xxxxxx, xxxxx. Accomplishments:  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  xxxxxxxxxxxxxx,  (w/#s if possible) Education Credential, School, Location, Date GED, State of MD, 2001 BS, Columbia Union College, Takoma Park, MD Business (30 credits), University of MD GED (currently enrolled)

Body of the Resume  Use KEY words from the job and occupational description  Use past tense of vivid action verbs for duties and accomplishments  Installed  Built  Led  Trained  Marketed  Sold  Constructed  Estimated  Expanded  Increased

 Leave white space (you don’t need to throw in the kitchen sink!)  Use formatting features: ◦Bold you Name, Components, Job Titles ◦Bullets to make Skills, Duties and Accomplishments stand out. ◦Lines to set off sections  Spell check yourself and have someone else read over it.  Be cautious with “Templates” (fill in the blanks auto-formatting resumes)

 To your target customers  Tweak for different occupations  Tweak for different employers

Thank You Letters Shows you are seriously interested and registered what they said. ◦ or snail mail within 24 hours. ◦Thank them for taking the time to speak with you. ◦Mention things that impressed you. ◦Reiterate ways you can meet their needs. Cover Letters Shows you’ve considered their needs and are the best choice to meet them.  Inside Address  Dear Employer(Name if possible  P1 - Position applied to and where found.  P2 – Your attributes related to the job.  P3 - Thank them for reviewing the app. Request for an interview. Reiterate contact information.

 Helps prepare you for verbal explanation in interview  Useful if application has to go to a higher authority  Tells your story, your way.  Briefly state instant offense. If necessary summarize others.  Express regret.   Mention positive growth  State new goals