FABULOUS RESUMES

Effective Job Searches

Welcome and…

What I want

you to walk

away with…

A sense of direction on how to present

your best self in written format

The ability to use an online job search

The ability to fill out an online

application

The ability to be in control of your job

search

As much a job for you to get,

as it is

something for someone to offer.

It’s Really Not

Gatekeepers…

Your resume

has to get

past…

The email or fax system

The tired recruiter or HR manager

The unenthusiastic hiring manager

The person who doesn’t know you

How do You Start?

What do you know?

What specializations

do you have?

What projects or

teams have you been

on?

Do you know the

correct name and

addresses?

Are they still in

business?

Skills List Where have you worked?

Cover Letters – Important?

The cover

letter is the

first

impression

that the

“gatekeeper”

has of you.

The cover

letter often

decides

whether they

will seriously

continue.

Should always accompany your resume.

In an email, be the email, not an

attachment.

In an online application, can be an

attached item, or often you can type it

in and it will be submitted along with

the “resume”.

Format

Forget the

letters of

past…

A clean,

symmetrical

look is best.

Justify left margins

Clean Fonts

Date at top

Who it’s going to

Saluation

Body

Closing

Signature

How it Should Look

The Beginning

State your

purpose and

intent.

Dear Recruiter/Hiring Manager:

I have attached my resume for your

review and consideration for the

position of Maintenance Supervisor as

posted on monster.com.

My background appears to be a good

match for the qualifications you are

seeking.

Next

Provide a

brief summary

of what’s

going on with

your current

situation.

I have recently been laid off as a result

of continuing job reductions due to the

ongoing economic crisis. Change can be

frightening, but my work experience

and skills are strong, and I look forward

to a new challenge.

Or

You still have

a job, but

you’re scared

won’t have for

long, or you’re

looking for

something

better

My current position is Accounting

Manager of the Accounting department

for a mid-sized manufacturing company.

We are experiencing volume decreases

and a reduced cash flow, and like many

organizations, we most likely will be

cutting jobs. The accounting team lead

description matches my skills and

experience, and I would like to learn

more about this opportunity.

Another example

It’s not bad to

look for

another job!

I am submitting my resume to you for

consideration for the Training Manager

position as posted on CCastd.org. I am

a member of CCASTD, and have

recently been looking at selective

opportunities, as my current employer

continues their second year of

continuous job reductions.

And briefly

Highlight your

background

As a lead mechanic, I have extensive

experience with equipment conversions,

installations, and retrofit of older

equipment and lines. Additionally, I

served on several improvement teams,

including safety and production.

Make it Easy for Them

Make sure

you include

contact

information

and when it’s

best to call.

I’d appreciate the opportunity to learn

more about this position, and your

needs. You may contact me at 773-

666-8898 (cell). Because of my

schedule, it may be hard to reach me

directly, but I will return your call

promptly.

Conclude

State the

positive!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

John Wilson

Words

Use words of

action and

power.

Create instead of made

Organized, and archived company

documents instead of filed

Led, leadership, performance

management, designed, contributor,

team member,

Read the job ad – match their words to

your resume

Resumes

Build the

resume as you

do a house –

start with the

foundation of

who you are

Start with Now

Chronological

– lists newest

first, oldest

last

If resume is

long, lop

some off! No

one needs

know you had

a job in

1976…

Several Positions with the Same

Company

Show

progression –

you grew!

May have to Use as Text Document

Strong

beginnings

keep them

reading!

Finish With

Certifications;

Training, and

Education

Outdated Useless Information

Leave off… Objective

References

Personal Data

Hobbies

Church

Formats

Your career

stage or

asked for

position can

help

determine

what style –

Chronological

or functional

Functional is usually best when you’re

fresh out of school, returning to work

after parenting, but have part-time or

volunteer activity.

Resources

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/resume

s/p/resumetypes.htm

http://office.microsoft.com/en-

us/templates/default.aspx?ofcresset=1

Careerbuilder

Monster

Local workshops – LIKE THIS!

Use these sites

for help and

inspiration.

Job Search Websites

Professional

organizations for

specific job types or

professions – such as

astd.org; dice.com;

Association websites

Company websites

Monster.com

Careerbuilder.com

Dice.com

Associationforum.org

Indeed.com

City or village

websites

Government

Go for a Drive

Always keep paper

and pen handy – write

down company names

Go back and look

them up – google is

your best friend

Go directly to the

company website and

look for postings

Park in the lot and go

to the buildings – ask

the guards about who

to see

Join a Group

Attend that group

meeting you never had

time for –

Ask people you know

Volunteer at church or

school – people know

people and share

information

But always pay it

forward

Share information

Get a breakfast group

going

Join an Online Group

Linkedin.com

Connect, connect,

connect

Join groups – and

read the postings

Your Own Website

What to Include•Resume

•Portfolio of work

•Scanned recommendations

•Project Lists – scope of work

•Anything pertinent to your skill base and

competencies

Stay Away from:•Personal philosophies

•Embarrassing pictures, jokes, anything you

wouldn’t mind immediately seen by a stranger

who you want to give you a chance

Details that can Make or Break You

To follow up

Confirm the recruiter

has what they need

from you

Check your voicemail,

your email

Ask for references

Know your company’s

policy about

references and

background checks

Always, always spell

check every single

document

Stay Focused

Don’t be afraid to ask

Pay it forward -

always