Introducing Yourself To A Potential Employer The Do’s And Don’ts In Resumes And Interviews Terra Tadlock-Smith, LPCC Director of Programs and Services

Resume And Interviews What are some of your concerns? New Directions Career Center

Resume For The Employer Screening tool A summary of candidate’s experience New Directions Career Center

Resume For The Job Seeker Introduction to potential employers Summary of your relevant skills and experience First step in job application process Tool for networking “Calling-card” for potential contacts/jobs New Directions Career Center

Do’s Make it concise (1-2 pages) Be honest Use direct, concrete language Quantify results whenever possible Target it to the job you want PROOFREAD New Directions Career Center

Don’ts Include salary information Include references Include personal information Include irrelevant information Abbreviate, use slang, or contractions New Directions Career Center

Chronological Organized by job title or company Most recent job to least recent job Staying within the same career field and/or with sufficient experience in their chosen field No gaps in their work history Most commonly used and accepted resume format New Directions Career Center

Functional Organized by skill areas Most relevant skill areas pertaining to the desired job Career changers, recent graduates, or anyone who lacks sufficient paid work experience in their chosen field Gaps in their work history Rely heavily on one’s cover letter New Directions Career Center

Accomplishment Statements More than listing job duties Contribution to previous employers ◦ Action Word and Object and How/Why ◦ Features vs. Benefits New Directions Career Center

Examples ACTION + OBJECT  Answered inbound calls  Resolved application issues ACTION + OBJECT + HOW/WHY  Answered inbound calls in support of customer needs. Conveyed in a reassuring manner step by step instructions to resolve application issues New Directions Career Center

Key Words Resume scanning software will catch them People will notice what they’re looking for Demonstrate your knowledge of the position Hiring managers understand your qualifications New Directions Career Center

The Interview Do Your Homework The Company ◦ What do you know about the employer? Yourself ◦ Why do you want the job? ◦ What skills do you bring to the job? New Directions Career Center

In The Interview The STAR Method ◦ Situation ◦ Task ◦ Action ◦ Results New Directions Career Center

Salary Employer should talk first Ask what the employer what they will pay Have a number in mind Be flexible Do your homework Keep in mind the economy New Directions Career Center

Wrap Up Questions New Directions – Next Steps New Directions Career Center