Presented by

Human Resource Services

February 2011

Career Planning

Keys to moving forward

Objectives

• Where to start

• Cover letters- simple but effective

• Resumes- the 20 second look

• References

• Preparing for your interview

• Resources

Where to start

• Local papers, search engines– HRS/ End of Employment/Job Resources

• Attend a job fair

• Temp agency

• Net-work-it– Facebook– LinkedIn– Twitter– Friends or family working for companies you are

interested in– Social groups and Professional Organizations

• Monitor your favorite companies employment pages

Tailor your qualifications to each job posting

• Requirements of the position–Demonstrate how you meet each one

• Preferred qualifications–Call attention to any of the preferred

qualification you have

• Adjust your resume for each position to which you apply.

• Do you really meet the minimums?–Be realistic and don’t waste time–Quality vs. quantity

• How should you apply?

• Be sure to submit all required application materials.

   

The little things really do matter.

• If your email address is nakedrunneronthepalouse@hotmail.com

• If your out going voicemail sings, plays music, has the voice of a 2 year old that is not audible to anyone except her parents

• If you have an online profile with pictures, statements or language that does not represent you professionally….

• Other little things to consider spelling, formatting, no pictures or artwork on resumes (yes, people do this!)

Make some changes

Cover letters

• Should a cover letter always be included? Bad sign if not included

• What if the ad does not provide the name of the hiring manager? Call and ask. Send it to the department manager.–Dear Marketing Manager

• Use a generic salutation such as Dear Hiring Manager Dear Search Committee

Cover letters- a few tips

• Write in a business letter format and have a neat, professional look.

• The first paragraph of the letter explains the purpose and generates interest.

• The body of the letter focuses on what the writer can offer and not what the writer wants.

• The style of the letter can be conversational but still businesslike. You don’t need to use a lot of jargon or cumbersome sentences.

Cover letter samples

• A sample template

• Example 1

• Example 2

Resumes

• Resumes typically get a 10-20 second review by the hiring manager.

• There are three main types of resumes:

–Chronological

–Functional

–Chronological-Functional combination

Resume - Chronological

• Chronological listing of positions you’ve held in order, starting with the most recent

• Key elements:– Job Title: List your most recent job first, and

include a brief description of your job title, and years you’ve worked there.• Human Resources Services Employee Recognition Program Assistant

–Primary Duties: Describe your primary duties. Move relevant duties to the top.• Assisted in the planning, coordination and execution of employee

recognition events and activities.

–Accomplishments: List your accomplishments and quantify your achievements• Developed and maintained database system for tracking employee

years of service for over 5,000 employees across all four WSU campus sites

Resume – Chronological

•Advantages•Demonstrates stability •Demonstrates career growth

•Showcases qualifications and strengths

•Disadvantages• Gaps in employment

are clearly visible• Frequent job changes

are easily identified• No job history for entry

level position seekers

Resume - Functional

• This format allows you to highlight your selected skills

• Key Elements:–Summary statement: A one or two sentence

overview of your abilities and work history• To obtain a full time position with ABC company where I can

utilize my excellence customer service and sales skills. – Job functions: List areas of expertise and provide

one or two examples of quantifiable accomplishments• Management

• Led successful team of five sales agents exceeding sales goals for three consecutive years.

– Job history: company, job title, years of service

Resume - Functional

•Advantages•De-emphasize dates•Promote skills•Recency of skills is unclear

•Beneficial for changing careers or entry level

•Easily fits a lot of information on one page

•Disadvantages•Formats other than the chronological format raise questions

•Recency of skills is unclear

•Stability and career growth not as evident

Resume - Combination

• In this format your skills are listed prominently at the top of the page followed by a full chronological listing –Summary statement: A one or two sentence

overview of your abilities and work history– Job functions: List areas of expertise and provide

one or two examples of quantifiable accomplishments

– Job history: Full history including company, job duties and years of service

Resume - Combination

•Advantages:•De-emphasize dates•Promote skills•Can demonstrate stability

•Can demonstrate career growth

•Disadvantages:• Formats other than the

chronological format may raise questions

References

•Provide as many references as requested on a separate page.

• Ensure you have updated information and submit all requested information

•Give your references a heads up.

References should be able to speak to your previous job performance

References

Name of Reference:

Phone Number:

Email

How do you know this reference?

Bob Johnson

208-555-5555

bobjohnson@email.com

Former Supervisor

Suzie Special

509-555-5555

suzieisspecial@email.com

Owner of XYZ Box Company

Alex T Lion

616-555-5555

alextlion@emailcom

Former Supervisor

• What if my supervisor and I didn’t have a great relationship?–Using negative language may reflect poorly on you

–Use a positive statement such as • “My supervisor was the most demanding person I ever worked for but I learned a lot and value the opportunities I was given.”

• What will WSU-HRS say?–Without a signed consent form, HRS will only verify information provided

–With a signed release form, HRS will verify all requested information. (start date, end date, title, salary)

References

Interviewing – The process

There may be a series of interviews

There may be a panel of interviewers

There may be one-on-one time with the decision maker

Interviewing - Preparation

• Learn as much as you can about the company and where the position fits

• Practice- practice – practice! –Review interview questions your responses–Recruitment ToolKit/Evaluation & Interviewing

• If you are unfamiliar with where the interview is, consider a dry run

• Request a full position description and be very familiar with the contents

• Prepare a few questions for the interviewer

Interviewing – Tips for Success

•To Do:• Dress professionally• Be honest• Be confident (see

preparation)• Listen to the questions and

answer what was asked• Collect your thoughts

before responding when asked a tough question

• Ask any questions you have

• Send thank you note or email as soon as possible

•Use Caution:• Dressing casually• Perfume/cologne or other

scents• Failing to use active

listening skills resulting in not answering the question

• Body language• Humor• Slang

After the interview- a few tips

• Send a Thank You note

• Follow-up

• Create packets for each position

• Keep moving forward

Resources

• One on one coaching at the Center for Advising and Career Development (CACD)–CACD offers resume and interviewing assistance to employees

–Online resources• CACD/CurrentStudents/Resources

• Human Resources Services–Recruitment ToolKit/Evaluation & Interviewing–Skill Soft