1. THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB WRITING THE EFFECTIVE RESUME

2. WHAT IS A RESUME? The word "resume" comes from the French for "to summarize," which is the purpose of a resume: to summarize your education and experience for your potential employer in a way that positions you as a good candidate for the job. Prospective employers may receive hundreds of resumes for any one job, and their time is limited. Therefore, you want to make sure that your resume will help you stand out among all the other applicants as a good fit for the position by tailoring the information you include to your audience and to the position description. Your integrity is important, so make sure that anything you include on your resume is accurate and will stand up to questioning in an interview.

3. WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE IN A RESUME? Identify Yourself Education Continuing Education Work or Professional Experience Volunteer Experience Activities Computer Skills Professional Associations Optional Sections Objective Special Skills and Abilities Reference Statement

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL RESUME Focuses on skills. Uses action words to define the responsibilities of your job-related experience. Easy to read and understand. Visually powerful and free of gimmicks. One page, or at most 2 pages long (if you have been in a profession for a lengthy period of time).

5. CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL RESUME Language is grammatically correct. Spelling has been checked. Formal Style Everything should be SINGLE SPACED

6. RESUME FAUX PAX Typos and Grammar Slips “Great attention to detail.” “Proven ability to track down and correct erors.” “Am a perfectionist and rarely if ever forget etails.” Accomplishments: Completed 11 years of high school.” Don’t use 1st person, e.g. “I” or “me”

7. CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL RESUME Must always be 100% truthful – they will find out! Contains no inappropriate personal information. Produced on a computer and printed. Data presented in chronological order.

8. SCANNABLE RESUME Watch bullet points (don’t always scan). How about a dash - ? Use labels or keywords. Less is more. Keep the design simple. Minimize use of abbreviations.

9. BASIC CHECKLIST No spelling or grammar errors. Neat, clean, and professional looking. Length should be 1-2 pages. Margins at sides, top, and bottom are one inch. Layout makes reading easy. Use of white space is effective.

10. BASIC CHECKLIST Important titles should be emphasized. Experiment with fonts & styles; bold, italic, and underlines. No more than 2 or 3 different sizes. Information is logically recorded. Use Action Verbs for accomplishments & results.

11. BASIC CHECKLIST Bullet points when possible for accomplishments. Quantify your results whenever you can. Format - chronological

12. COVER LETTERS

13. WHAT IS A COVER LETTER? The cover letter is your chance to sell your résumé to the employer. They are less direct than résumés and provide you with the opportunity to make a great first impression. It is important to include a cover letter with every résumé you submit. Your cover letter is your chance to include information that your resume may not reflect.

14. HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER - RULES Give enough information to interest the reader, don’t overwhelm. Research the company. Address the letter to a specific person. Answer an ad if you have 50% of the skills or background that the ad requires. Mention the person who referred you if appropriate.

15. HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER - CONTENTS Your address, city, state, zip, and telephone number. Date Name, title, company, address, city, state, and zip of person you’re writing to. Greeting, followed by a colon.

16. OPENING PARAGRAPH The opening paragraph is your first chance to grab the employers attention. Include the following in your introduction: The reason you are writing The name of the position you are applying for The place the job was announced or how you heard about it Your degree(s), including when and where you received it (them) Date of availability Rule of thumb: Recycle terms directly from the job announcement, especially the exact “title” of the position.

17. THE BODY PARAGRAPHS The body paragraphs allow you to highlight your credentials to the employer Include one or two qualifications that the employers would be interested in Explain why you are interested in this organization Provide any previous experience which is related to the position Refer the employer to the enclosed résumé Be positive about your skills Rule of thumb: Tailor these paragraphs to the specific job. Remember, the most important information should come first.

18. THE FINAL PARAGRAPH Be brief and direct Indicate the time period you are available for an interview Thank the employer for their consideration After final paragraph, sign your cover letter and at the bottom indicate that your resume is attached.

19. COVER LETTER DO’S AND DON’TS DO Be direct and “to the point” Address the specific person and not “To Whom it May Concern” Highlight Tailor your letter to the specific job Recycle terms from the job announcement Proofread, proofread, proofread Sign the letter Make sure your cover letter is single spaced DON’T Be sloppy Be longwinded—one page is preferred Try to flatter the employer

20. SURVIVING AND EXCELLING IN A BEHAVIORAL BASED INTERVIEW SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWING SKILLS

21. First Impressions Count … Do You Make The Best Impression You Can? On-Time Dress Physical Contact Eye Contact Smile Fidgeting

22. CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW Preparation Presentation Content

23. PREPARATION Research the Job and company Review the Job Requirements Know your Resume Know Where You Are Going Be Prepared to Give Behavioral Based Examples Anticipate Questions Be Prepared to Sell Yourself!

24. PREPARATION Visualize Yourself In the Interview Know this: There is no question you cannot answer You are well suited to the position You will be an asset to the department Bring: Extra copies of resume Paper and pen A list of potential questions Breath mints

25. INTERVIEW PRESENTATION Be Prepared and Responsive For Questions Take Time to Organize Your Thoughts Make Effective Eye Contact and Smile Express Confidence in Your Abilities Consider Each Interview An Adventure! Be Attentive to Body Language No gum Watch those pens

26. LEAVE THE BAGGAGE AT THE DOOR Shut the Door to Personal Trouble Don’t slam the organization or put down your current employer

27. INTERVIEW CONTENT Listen Carefully to the Question Understand Behavioral Based Interviewing Rehearse Your Answers Sell Yourself! Silence is Golden, Know When to Stop Answering Tie Your Background to the Position Focus on Your Accomplishments Turn Weaknesses Into Strengths

28. BEHAVIORAL BASED QUESTIONS Can You Tell Me About A Time… Think Specific Don’t Say “Usually, Always, Or Never” Say “I” Be Prepared to Answer the Negative Question Was The Result Positive? Measurable? Don’t Forget To Smile Be Concise

29. SAMPLE QUESTIONS Tell Me About A Time… You Persuaded Someone To Do Something You Solved a Small Problem Before It Turned Into Something Large You Interacted With Someone And Wished You’d Interacted Differently You Worked Well in a Team You Worked in a Team Where Not Everyone Was Putting Forth The Same Amount Of Effort

30. TECHNICAL SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT Attention To Detail Computer Skills Analytical Skills Technical Skills Specific to Your Degree

31. SOFT SKILLS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT Adaptability Teamwork Initiative Innovation Integrity

32. INTERVIEW FOLLOW-UP Common Interview Mistakes Coming Unprepared Not Smiling or Showing Enthusiasm Negativity The Thank You Note References