Résumé BasicsRésumé Basics

Write and Use an Effective RésuméWrite and Use an Effective Résumé

In Only One DayIn Only One Day

Why Write One? Why Write One?

Employers ask for one.Employers ask for one. Writing one structures your Writing one structures your

communications.communications. If you don’t communicate what If you don’t communicate what

you can do-- who will?you can do-- who will?

Honesty is the Best Honesty is the Best PolicyPolicy

Do NOT include negative Do NOT include negative information.information.

Do make sure what you include Do make sure what you include supports your job objective supports your job objective WITHOUT claiming credentials WITHOUT claiming credentials you do not have.you do not have.

AppearanceAppearance A résumé longer than two pages will NOTA résumé longer than two pages will NOT

be read by a busy person.be read by a busy person. Do NOT have any typographical, grammatical, Do NOT have any typographical, grammatical,

or punctuation errors.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.

How Do I Reach You?How Do I Reach You? The telephone must always be The telephone must always be

answeredansweredappropriately and reliably.appropriately and reliably.

Include your area code.Include your area code. Your number must remain the sameYour number must remain the same

throughout your job search. throughout your job search. Include alternate ways to be reached: Include alternate ways to be reached:

daytime, evening, message, cell, fax, daytime, evening, message, cell, fax, email.email.

Include a complete address Include a complete address with zip code.with zip code.

Have a Clear Job Have a Clear Job ObjectiveObjective

What sort of position, title, or area of What sort of position, title, or area of specialization do you seek?specialization do you seek?

What level of responsibility interests What level of responsibility interests you?you?

What are your most important skills?What are your most important skills? Position DesiredPosition Desired or or Career Career

ObjectiveObjective

Use Sizzle WordsUse Sizzle Words

Describe job duties with each Describe job duties with each employeremployerusing using actionaction words. words.

Use past tense if no longer there or Use past tense if no longer there or present tense if currently employed.present tense if currently employed.

List greatest responsibilities first.List greatest responsibilities first.

Supervised, trained, and scheduled a Supervised, trained, and scheduled a staff of…staff of…

Quantify Accomplishments and Quantify Accomplishments and ResultsResults

Word processing speed.Word processing speed. Transactions processed per Transactions processed per

month.month. Percentage of increased sales.Percentage of increased sales. Number of people supervised or Number of people supervised or

trained.trained. Total inventory value or budget Total inventory value or budget

managed.managed.

Skills Employers WantSkills Employers Want

HEADIdeas/Information

HANDEquipment/Machinery

HEARTPeople/Attitude

List ReferencesList References

THREE people, age 18 or older, THREE people, age 18 or older, not related to you, who have a not related to you, who have a daytime, working phone daytime, working phone number, and whonumber, and whoAGREE to be your reference.AGREE to be your reference.

ASK previous employers for ASK previous employers for letters of recommendation.letters of recommendation.

Bob Smith, my assistant programmer, can always be foundBob Smith, my assistant programmer, can always be foundhard at work in his cubicle. Bob works independently, withouthard at work in his cubicle. Bob works independently, withoutwasting company time talking to colleagues. Bob neverwasting company time talking to colleagues. Bob neverthinks twice about assisting fellow employees, and he alwaysthinks twice about assisting fellow employees, and he alwaysfinishes given assignments on time. Often Bob takes extendedfinishes given assignments on time. Often Bob takes extendedmeasures to complete his work, sometimes skipping coffeemeasures to complete his work, sometimes skipping coffeebreaks. Bob is a dedicated individual who has absolutely nobreaks. Bob is a dedicated individual who has absolutely novanity in spite of his high accomplishments and profoundvanity in spite of his high accomplishments and profoundknowledge in his field. I firmly believe that Bob can beknowledge in his field. I firmly believe that Bob can beclassed as a high caliber employee, the type that cannot be classed as a high caliber employee, the type that cannot be dispensed with. Consequently, I duly recommend that Bob bedispensed with. Consequently, I duly recommend that Bob bepromoted to executive management, and a proposal will bepromoted to executive management, and a proposal will beexecuted as soon as possible.executed as soon as possible.

Bob Smith, my assistant programmer, can always be foundBob Smith, my assistant programmer, can always be foundhard at work in his cubicle. Bob works independently, withouthard at work in his cubicle. Bob works independently, withoutwasting company time talking to colleagues. Bob neverwasting company time talking to colleagues. Bob neverthinks twice about assisting fellow employees, and he alwaysthinks twice about assisting fellow employees, and he alwaysfinishes given assignments on time. Often Bob takes extendedfinishes given assignments on time. Often Bob takes extendedmeasures to complete his work, sometimes skipping coffeemeasures to complete his work, sometimes skipping coffeebreaks. Bob is a dedicated individual who has absolutely nobreaks. Bob is a dedicated individual who has absolutely novanity in spite of his high accomplishments and profoundvanity in spite of his high accomplishments and profoundknowledge in his field. I firmly believe that Bob can beknowledge in his field. I firmly believe that Bob can beclassed as a high caliber employee, the type that cannot be classed as a high caliber employee, the type that cannot be dispensed with. Consequently, I duly recommend that Bob bedispensed with. Consequently, I duly recommend that Bob bepromoted to executive management, and a proposal will bepromoted to executive management, and a proposal will beexecuted as soon as possible.executed as soon as possible.

Seven Steps to a Successful Seven Steps to a Successful SearchSearch

1.1. Know your skills.Know your skills.

2.2. Have a job objective that matches skills.Have a job objective that matches skills.

3.3. Know where and how to look.Know where and how to look.

4.4. Spend at least 25 hours per week Spend at least 25 hours per week looking.looking.

5.5. Get TWO interviews per day.Get TWO interviews per day.

6.6. Do well in interviews. Do well in interviews.

7.7. Follow-up on all contacts.Follow-up on all contacts.

Direct ContactDirect Contact

““I realize you may not have any I realize you may not have any openings now, but I would still openings now, but I would still

like to talk to you about the like to talk to you about the possibility of future openings.”possibility of future openings.”

NetworkingNetworkingMake a list of Make a list of ALLALL the people you the people you know:know:

Friends, relatives, acquaintances, Friends, relatives, acquaintances, anyone you ever worked with or for, anyone you ever worked with or for, people who went to your school, people who went to your school, people in your social or religious people in your social or religious groups, members of your communitygroups, members of your communityand professional organizations…and professional organizations…

Networking MagicNetworking Magic““Do you know of any openings for a person Do you know of any openings for a person

with my skills?” If the answer is no, then with my skills?” If the answer is no, then ask:ask:

““Do you know of someone else who might Do you know of someone else who might know of such an opening?” If they do, get know of such an opening?” If they do, get that name and ask for another one. If that name and ask for another one. If they don’t, then ask:they don’t, then ask:

““Do you know someone else who knows a Do you know someone else who knows a lot of people?” If all else fails, this will lot of people?” If all else fails, this will usually get you a name.usually get you a name.

Phone ScriptPhone Script

““Hello, my name is Hello, my name is ______. .

I am interested in a position in ___. I am interested in a position in ___.

I have ___ years experience in ___. I have ___ years experience in ___.

During my employment, I ___.During my employment, I ___.

I have good problem-solving skills and am ___.I have good problem-solving skills and am ___.(good with people, well organized, (good with people, well organized, hard working, and detail oriented)hard working, and detail oriented)

When can I come in for an interview?”When can I come in for an interview?”

Your Interview Starts NOWYour Interview Starts NOW

There are no innocent questions.There are no innocent questions. You are being evaluated from the timeYou are being evaluated from the time

you walk in until the time you walk out.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?”

Handshake HandsHandshake Hands

Keep your right hand free.Keep your right hand free. If seated, ALWAYS stand to shake If seated, ALWAYS stand to shake

hands.hands. Meet the interviewer’s hand web to Meet the interviewer’s hand web to

web.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.

Mind Your MannersMind Your Manners

Dress neatly.Dress neatly. Be Be on timeon time to the interview. to the interview. Turn off cell phone prior to the Turn off cell phone prior to the

interview.interview. Shake hands firmly at the beginning Shake hands firmly at the beginning

AND end of your interview.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.

Be PreparedBe Prepared Extra copieExtra copiess of of résumérésumé TranscriptsTranscripts Questions to askQuestions to ask Directions Directions Company phone number & Company phone number &

contact namecontact name Driver’s license & Social Security Driver’s license & Social Security

cardcard Pen & notepadPen & notepad

Listen carefully Listen carefully to what the to what the interviewer interviewer is asking or saying before responding.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, If you don’t know something,

don’t pretend you do. don’t pretend you do. Keep detailed notes.Keep detailed notes.

LISTEN and Take NotesLISTEN and Take Notes

Don’t Talk TOO Don’t Talk TOO MuchMuch

Do NOT try to “wing it.” Do NOT try to “wing it.” Keep answers to Keep answers to 1-2 minutes1-2 minutes each. 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?”

Stay POSITIVE!Stay POSITIVE! Never mention anything negative Never mention anything negative

about previous employers or about previous employers or coworkers.coworkers.

Quickly explain any work gaps or Quickly explain any work gaps or terminations and move on.terminations and move on.

Emphasize positives learned and whyEmphasize positives learned and whyyou are excited about the PRESENT.you are excited about the PRESENT.

““Why did you leave your last job?”Why did you leave your last job?”

Get Noticed and Get Noticed and RememberedRemembered

““Can you describe a project that you worked Can you describe a project that you worked on that you were especially proud of?” on that you were especially proud of?”

““How can you demonstrate that you have theHow can you demonstrate that you have theskills needed to work in a position like this?” skills needed to work in a position like this?”

““What computer skills do you have to fit intoWhat computer skills do you have to fit intothis position?” this position?”

““Is there anything else you Is there anything else you would like to share with us?”would like to share with us?”

““What do you know about our What do you know about our company?”company?”

InternetInternet Chamber of CommerceChamber of Commerce Dun & Bradstreet d&b.comDun & Bradstreet d&b.com Trade Journals/NewspapersTrade Journals/Newspapers Annual Reports/Glossy BrochuresAnnual Reports/Glossy Brochures People who work/have worked People who work/have worked

therethere

IIllegal Questionsllegal Questions

What is your race?What is your race? Are you married? Plan to start a Are you married? Plan to start a

family?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?

““Do you have any questions Do you have any questions for me?”for me?”

An interview is NOT an An interview is NOT an interrogation.interrogation.

It’s impressive when YOU take It’s impressive when YOU take out a out a list of questions to show you are list of questions to show you are taking the interview seriously.taking the interview seriously.

Close the InterviewClose the Interview

Have a closing statement. Have a closing statement. Make one last effort to sellMake one last effort to sell

yourself. yourself. Ask about the next step.Ask about the next step. Ask each interviewer for a business Ask each interviewer for a business

card.card. Mail a thank you card or letter within Mail a thank you card or letter within

24 hours.24 hours.

Ring, Ring, It’s For YOU!Ring, Ring, It’s For YOU!Telephone InterviewsTelephone Interviews

Keep résumé, pad, and pencil nearby.Keep résumé, pad, and pencil nearby. Record a professional voice mail Record a professional voice mail

message.message. Turn off caller waiting.Turn off caller waiting. Turn off all electronics and close the Turn off all electronics and close the

door.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!

Panel InterviewsPanel Interviews Be prepared for topics to change quicklyBe prepared for topics to change quickly

and randomly, disrupting your flow.and randomly, disrupting your flow. When introduced to the panel, determine When introduced to the panel, determine

who has the ultimate decision making who has the ultimate decision making power by asking, “Who will be my boss?”power by asking, “Who will be my boss?”

Focus your response on the questioner Focus your response on the questioner whilewhilestill interacting with the other panel still interacting with the other panel members. members.

The panel interview may be by telephone.The panel interview may be by telephone.

Behavioral/Emotional Behavioral/Emotional InterviewsInterviews

““Tell me about a time when….”Tell me about a time when….”

““Give me an example of…”Give me an example of…”

Be a Be a STARSTAR…… What was the What was the SSITUATION?ITUATION? What was your What was your TTASK?ASK? What What AACTION did you take?CTION did you take? What was the What was the RRESULT?ESULT?

Meal InterviewsMeal Interviews

Unfold your napkin and place it on your Unfold your napkin and place it on your lap after the host has done so.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 Order a meal that is moderately priced

and easyand easyto eat.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 Place your knife and fork diagonally

across your plate when finished with your across your plate when finished with your meal.meal.

Stress InterviewsStress Interviews ““Why should I hire you?”Why should I hire you?” ““How are YOU qualified for this How are YOU qualified for this

job?”job?”

Q:Q: “What is your greatest weakness?” “What is your greatest weakness?”

A:A: “What I am working on to improve “What I am working on to improve is…”is…”

Total Compensation Total Compensation PackagePackage InsuranceInsurance

Medical, Life, DentalMedical, Life, Dental

Accident, DisabilityAccident, Disability Paid LeavePaid Leave

Vacation, Holiday,Vacation, Holiday,

Sick, and Personal DaysSick, and Personal Days Pension Pension andand Savings Plans Savings Plans Tuition ReimbursementTuition Reimbursement

““How soon can you How soon can you start?”start?”

““Right away!”Right away!” ““Today!”Today!” ““In two weeks to give notice to In two weeks to give notice to

my present employer.”my present employer.”

““You’re not what we are You’re not what we are looking for, looking for,

but thanks for stopping by.”but thanks for stopping by.” Courtesy interview (position is already Courtesy interview (position is already

filled)filled) You said something wrong.You said something wrong. Your appearance and body language didn’t Your appearance and body language didn’t

fit.fit. ““I see I didn’t do a very good job describingI see I didn’t do a very good job describing

my experience. Would you mind if we wentmy experience. Would you mind if we wentback over it?”back over it?”

You have to get rejectedYou have to get rejectedbefore you can get before you can get

accepted.accepted.No No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No YesNo No No No No No No No No No No No Yes

Don’t Despair—Don’t Despair—Prepare!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 Did I give concrete examples to

illustrate my skills or forget illustrate my skills or forget something?something?

How can I improve for next How can I improve for next time?time?