1. Résumé Basics Write and Use an Effective Résumé In Only One Day

2. Why Write One? Employers ask for one. Employers ask for one. Writing one structures your communications. Writing one structures your communications. If you don’t communicate what you can do-- who will? If you don’t communicate what you can do-- who will?

3. Honesty is the Best Policy Do NOT include negative information. Do NOT include negative information. Do make sure what you include supports your job objective WITHOUT claiming credentials you do not have. Do make sure what you include supports your job objective WITHOUT claiming credentials you do not have.

4. Appearance A résumé longer than two pages will NOT be read by a busy person. A résumé longer than two pages will NOT be read by a busy person. Do NOT have any typographical, grammatical, or punctuation errors. Do NOT have any typographical, grammatical, or punctuation errors. Avoid using too small or too many fonts. Avoid using too small or too many fonts. Use underlining, bold, and bullets. Use underlining, bold, and bullets. Include good use of “white space.” Include good use of “white space.” Use quality paper in white, ivory, tan, or gray. Use quality paper in white, ivory, tan, or gray. Use a good quality printer or copy service. Use a good quality printer or copy service.

5. How Do I Reach You? The telephone must always be answered appropriately and reliably. The telephone must always be answered appropriately and reliably. Include your area code. Include your area code. Your number must remain the same throughout your job search. Your number must remain the same throughout your job search. Include alternate ways to be reached: daytime, evening, message, cell, fax, email. Include alternate ways to be reached: daytime, evening, message, cell, fax, email. Include a complete address with zip code. Include a complete address with zip code.

6. Have a Clear Job Objective What sort of position, title, or area of specialization do you seek? What sort of position, title, or area of specialization do you seek? What level of responsibility interests you? What level of responsibility interests you? What are your most important skills? What are your most important skills? Position Desired or Career Objective Position Desired or Career Objective

7. Use Sizzle Words Describe job duties with each employer using action words. Describe job duties with each employer using action words. Use past tense if no longer there or present tense if currently employed. Use past tense if no longer there or present tense if currently employed. List greatest responsibilities first. List greatest responsibilities first. Supervised, trained, and scheduled a staff of…

8. Quantify Accomplishments and Results Word processing speed. Word processing speed. Transactions processed per month. Transactions processed per month. Percentage of increased sales. Percentage of increased sales. Number of people supervised or trained. Number of people supervised or trained. Total inventory value or budget managed. Total inventory value or budget managed.

9. Skills Employers Want HEAD Ideas/Information HAND Equipment/Machinery HEART People/Attitude

10. List References THREE people, age 18 or older, not related to you, who have a daytime, working phone number, and who AGREE to be your reference. THREE people, age 18 or older, not related to you, who have a daytime, working phone number, and who AGREE to be your reference. ASK previous employers for letters of recommendation. ASK previous employers for letters of recommendation.

11. Bob Smith, my assistant programmer, can always be found hard at work in his cubicle. Bob works independently, without wasting company time talking to colleagues. Bob never thinks twice about assisting fellow employees, and he always finishes given assignments on time. Often Bob takes extended measures to complete his work, sometimes skipping coffee breaks. Bob is a dedicated individual who has absolutely no vanity in spite of his high accomplishments and profound knowledge in his field. I firmly believe that Bob can be classed as a high caliber employee, the type that cannot be dispensed with. Consequently, I duly recommend that Bob be promoted to executive management, and a proposal will be executed as soon as possible.

12. Bob Smith, my assistant programmer, can always be found hard at work in his cubicle. Bob works independently, without wasting company time talking to colleagues. Bob never thinks twice about assisting fellow employees, and he always finishes given assignments on time. Often Bob takes extended measures to complete his work, sometimes skipping coffee breaks. Bob is a dedicated individual who has absolutely no vanity in spite of his high accomplishments and profound knowledge in his field. I firmly believe that Bob can be classed as a high caliber employee, the type that cannot be dispensed with. Consequently, I duly recommend that Bob be promoted to executive management, and a proposal will be executed as soon as possible.

13. Seven Steps to a Successful Search 1. Know your skills. 2. Have a job objective that matches skills. 3. Know where and how to look. 4. Spend at least 25 hours per week looking. 5. Get TWO interviews per day. 6. Do well in interviews. 7. Follow-up on all contacts.

14. Direct Contact “I realize you may not have any openings now, but I would still like to talk to you about the possibility of future openings.”

15. Networking Make a list of ALL the people you know: Friends, relatives, acquaintances, anyone you ever worked with or for, people who went to your school, people in your social or religious groups, members of your community and professional organizations…

16. Networking Magic “Do you know of any openings for a person with my skills?” If the answer is no, then ask: “Do you know of someone else who might know of such an opening?” If they do, get that name and ask for another one. If they don’t, then ask: “Do you know someone else who knows a lot of people?” If all else fails, this will usually get you a name.

17. Phone Script “Hello, my name is ___. I am interested in a position in ___. I have ___ years experience in ___. During my employment, I ___. I have good problem-solving skills and am ___. (good with people, well organized, hard working, and detail oriented) When can I come in for an interview?”

18. Your Interview Starts NOW There are no innocent questions. There are no innocent questions. You are being evaluated from the time you walk in until the time you walk out. You are being evaluated from the time you walk in until the time you walk out. “How was traffic this morning?” “How was traffic this morning?” “Did you have any trouble finding us?” “Did you have any trouble finding us?” “Would you like something to drink?” “Would you like something to drink?”

19. Handshake Hands Keep your right hand free. Keep your right hand free. If seated, ALWAYS stand to shake hands. If seated, ALWAYS stand to shake hands. Meet the interviewer’s hand web to web. Meet the interviewer’s hand web to web. Keep hand in a vertical position. Keep hand in a vertical position. Shake from the elbow, not the wrist. Shake from the elbow, not the wrist. Use two to three smooth pumps. Use two to three smooth pumps.

20. Mind Your Manners Dress neatly. Dress neatly. Be on time to the interview. Be on time to the interview. Turn off cell phone prior to the interview. Turn off cell phone prior to the interview. Shake hands firmly at the beginning AND end of your interview. Shake hands firmly at the beginning AND end of your interview. Use Mr. or Ms. with interviewer’s name. Use Mr. or Ms. with interviewer’s name. Do NOT interrupt, flirt, or bring a friend. Do NOT interrupt, flirt, or bring a friend.

21. Be Prepared Extra copies of résumé Extra copies of résumé Transcripts Transcripts Questions to ask Questions to ask Directions Directions Company phone number & contact name Company phone number & contact name Driver’s license & Social Security card Driver’s license & Social Security card Pen & notepad Pen & notepad

22. Listen carefully to what the interviewer is asking or saying before responding. Listen carefully to what the interviewer is asking or saying before responding. Be polite and respectful. Be polite and respectful. Don’t try too hard to please. Don’t try too hard to please. If you don’t know something, don’t pretend you do. If you don’t know something, don’t pretend you do. Keep detailed notes. Keep detailed notes. LISTEN and Take Notes

23. Don’t Talk TOO Much Do NOT try to “wing it.” Do NOT try to “wing it.” Keep answers to 1-2 minutes each. Keep answers to 1-2 minutes each. “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” “Why do you want to work here?” “Why do you want to work here?” “How did you choose this field?” “How did you choose this field?”

24. Stay POSITIVE! Never mention anything negative about previous employers or coworkers. Never mention anything negative about previous employers or coworkers. Quickly explain any work gaps or terminations and move on. Quickly explain any work gaps or terminations and move on. Emphasize positives learned and why you are excited about the PRESENT. Emphasize positives learned and why you are excited about the PRESENT. “Why did you leave your last job?” “Why did you leave your last job?”

25. Get Noticed and Remembered “Can you describe a project that you worked on that you were especially proud of?” “Can you describe a project that you worked on that you were especially proud of?” “How can you demonstrate that you have the skills needed to work in a position like this?” “How can you demonstrate that you have the skills needed to work in a position like this?” “What computer skills do you have to fit into this position?” “What computer skills do you have to fit into this position?” “Is there anything else you would like to share with us?” “Is there anything else you would like to share with us?”

26. “What do you know about our company?” Internet Internet Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce Dun & Bradstreet d&b.com Dun & Bradstreet d&b.com Trade Journals/Newspapers Trade Journals/Newspapers Annual Reports/Glossy Brochures Annual Reports/Glossy Brochures People who work/have worked there People who work/have worked there

27. Illegal Questions What is your race? What is your race? Are you married? Plan to start a family? Are you married? Plan to start a family? How old are you? How old are you? What is your religion? What is your religion? Have you ever filed bankruptcy? Have you ever filed bankruptcy? Do you have a disability? Do you have a disability? Are you a U.S. citizen? Are you a U.S. citizen? Have you ever been arrested? Have you ever been arrested?

28. “Do you have any questions for me?” An interview is NOT an interrogation. An interview is NOT an interrogation. It’s impressive when YOU take out a list of questions to show you are taking the interview seriously. It’s impressive when YOU take out a list of questions to show you are taking the interview seriously.

29. Close the Interview Have a closing statement. Have a closing statement. Make one last effort to sell yourself. Make one last effort to sell yourself. Ask about the next step. Ask about the next step. Ask each interviewer for a business card. Ask each interviewer for a business card. Mail a thank you card or letter within 24 hours. Mail a thank you card or letter within 24 hours.

30. Ring, Ring, It’s For YOU! Telephone Interviews Keep résumé, pad, and pencil nearby. Keep résumé, pad, and pencil nearby. Record a professional voice mail message. Record a professional voice mail message. Turn off caller waiting. Turn off caller waiting. Turn off all electronics and close the door. Turn off all electronics and close the door. Do not eat food, chew gum, or smoke. Do not eat food, chew gum, or smoke. Yes, they can hear your SMILE! Yes, they can hear your SMILE!

31. Panel Interviews Be prepared for topics to change quickly and randomly, disrupting your flow. Be prepared for topics to change quickly and randomly, disrupting your flow. When introduced to the panel, determine who has the ultimate decision making power by asking, “Who will be my boss?” When introduced to the panel, determine who has the ultimate decision making power by asking, “Who will be my boss?” Focus your response on the questioner while still interacting with the other panel members. Focus your response on the questioner while still interacting with the other panel members. The panel interview may be by telephone. The panel interview may be by telephone.

32. Behavioral/Emotional Interviews “Tell me about a time when….” “Give me an example of…” Be a STAR… What was the SITUATION? What was the SITUATION? What was your TASK? What was your TASK? What ACTION did you take? What ACTION did you take? What was the RESULT? What was the RESULT?

33. Meal Interviews Unfold your napkin and place it on your lap after the host has done so. Unfold your napkin and place it on your lap after the host has done so. Be familiar with the table setting. Be familiar with the table setting. Order a meal that is moderately priced and easy to eat. Order a meal that is moderately priced and easy to eat. Avoid alcohol or smoking. Avoid alcohol or smoking. Do not talk with your mouth full. Do not talk with your mouth full. Place your knife and fork diagonally across your plate when finished with your meal. Place your knife and fork diagonally across your plate when finished with your meal.

34. Stress Interviews “Why should I hire you?” “Why should I hire you?” “How are YOU qualified for this job?” “How are YOU qualified for this job?” Q: “What is your greatest weakness?” A: “What I am working on to improve is…”

35. Total Compensation Package Total Compensation Package Insurance Insurance Medical, Life, Dental Accident, Disability Paid Leave Paid Leave Vacation, Holiday, Sick, and Personal Days Pension and Savings Plans Pension and Savings Plans Tuition Reimbursement Tuition Reimbursement

36. “How soon can you start?” “Right away!” “Right away!” “Today!” “Today!” “In two weeks to give notice to my present employer.” “In two weeks to give notice to my present employer.”

37. “You’re not what we are looking for, but thanks for stopping by.” Courtesy interview (position is already filled) Courtesy interview (position is already filled) You said something wrong. You said something wrong. Your appearance and body language didn’t fit. Your appearance and body language didn’t fit. “I see I didn’t do a very good job describing my experience. Would you mind if we went back over it?” “I see I didn’t do a very good job describing my experience. Would you mind if we went back over it?”

38. You have to get rejected before you can get accepted. No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes

39. Don’t Despair—Prepare! Did I talk too much or too little? Did I talk too much or too little? Was I too tense or too relaxed? Was I too tense or too relaxed? Did I give concrete examples to illustrate my skills or forget something? Did I give concrete examples to illustrate my skills or forget something? How can I improve for next time? How can I improve for next time?