1. Jackson A. Hayes, CDC Apex High School
Future Fridays – 12/16/16 Life Skills: Resume and Interview Preparation
Jackson A. Hayes, CDC
Apex High School

2. A Resume is…
A brief summary of your experience, education, and skills.
A marketing tool!
Usually one-two pages depending on your work experience.
Designed to make an employer want to interview you.

3. Why is it important to have a professional resume?
You need to stand out among the competition!

4. How long does a recruiter spend taking a first glance at your resume?
A recruiter spends no more than 30 seconds!
Therefore, your resume must be concise, accurate, and relevant to the job you are seeking.

5. True or False?
A good length for a resume is three to four pages.
False. A good length for a resume is one-two pages. Why?

6. True or False?
One well-written resume can be used to apply for any job opening.
False. You need to “sell” your skills that relate to the specific position!

7. True or False?
Your resume should only include skills related directly to the job.
True. You need to “sell” your skills that relate to the specific position!
Even if you do not have many specialized and technical skills, most occupations also require reliability, teamwork, and communication.

8. Resume Checklist
Did I use proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style?
Did I have several trusted people to proofread my resume?
Is my information logical?
Are my job descriptions clear and to the point?
Is my font easy to read?
Did I “sell” my transferable skills (computer, communication, teamwork, organization)
Did I tailor my resume to the job that I am seeking?
Was I honest on my resume?
Was I specific and did I give examples?

9. Resume Checklist Did I use simple everyday language?
Did I include dates whenever appropriate?
Did I write out what acronyms stand for because an employer might not know what they mean?
Make sure that your resume does NOT include your age, marital status, health information, salary history.
Make sure that your resume does NOT use pronouns “I” “We” or abbreviations “won’t” “can’t”
Make sure that your resume does not overdo use of bold, italics, or small font
Make sure that your resume does not crowd the margins of the page.

10. Guide to Resume and Cover Letter Writing (Cap-Sensitive Link):
goo.gl/1jjvN3

11. What do you know about interviews?

12. Research the Company Know the company’s mission and products
Know why you want to work for them
Know why they should hire you
Show you are truly interested and enthusiastic

13. How long does it take for the interviewer to make a first impression?
20-30 seconds!
That’s all you have to make a first impression!

14. DRESS CONSERVATIVELY
Important to make the interviewer focus on your intelligent answers, not your flashy attire!

16. Be Ready the Day Before & Arrive 20 Minutes Early

17. Handshake and Eye Contact

18. Why Smile? What does your smile say about you?
What does it say to the potential employer?
What characteristic does it show that an employer is seeking in an employee?

19. Have a Positive Attitude! Believe in Yourself!

20. PREPARE Interviews make people nervous!
Feeling prepared increases your confidence!
Being confident, not cocky will help you to have a more positive attitude and appear more competent!

21. HAVE A “PLAN B”
You want to brainstorm as many examples of your skills and experience as possible so that questions will not stump you!

22. Skills to Emphasize Teamwork Communication Computer Organization
Motivation
Work Ethic
Honesty
Flexibility
Goal-oriented

23. Know your strengths!

24. Know your weaknesses!

25. How to answer weakness question
Offer a weakness not related to position
Offer a weakness that you have overcome
Offer a weakness that is really a strength (this is difficult!)

26. Ex: Weakness that is a Strength
For example, you can say, “I try to take on too much work” or “I try to balance multiple projects” and have missed some deadlines because of it.
How does this make you appear to the interviewer?
It will hopefully make you appear to be a hard worker.
The manager can easily help you to manage your time and the workflow.
However, it is difficult for them to provide you with intrinsic motivation if you don’t already have it.

27. Don’t criticize others!

28. Difficult question…
It is okay to pause and get your thoughts together!

29. Practice and build confidence!

30. Practice Tips

31. Brainstorm Questions to Ask
WHY?

32. Sample Questions
Can you describe what a day is like working for your company?
What are the opportunities for advancement in your company?
Do you have a time-line for when you will fill the position?

33. After the interview…
WHY?

34. Thank you cards are a great idea!
Thank the Interviewer
Thank you cards are a great idea!

35. Mock Interviews 1/6/2016
On January 6th, we’re going to have mock interviews for this class in the Media Center.
Find a job, scholarship, or internship that you would like to apply for
Print a copy of the job/opportunity description
Create/Update your resume for that particular position
Dress For Success

36. Life Skills: Resume and Interview Preparation
Jackson A. Hayes, CDC
Apex High School