Resumes Cover Letters Applications Interviews. The times are changing!

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Resumes Cover Letters Applications Interviews Finding a Job

Transcript of Resumes Cover Letters Applications Interviews. The times are changing!

Page 1: Resumes Cover Letters Applications Interviews. The times are changing!

Resumes

Cover Letters

Applications

Interviews

Finding a Job

Page 2: Resumes Cover Letters Applications Interviews. The times are changing!

The times are changing!

Now and Then Facts

Page 3: Resumes Cover Letters Applications Interviews. The times are changing!

1999 – Not that long ago…Job seekers did not trust email to deliver a

resume; snail mail or fax was used to deliver resumes to employers.

Resumes were stored by job seekers on 3.5 inch disks.

Paper resumes were toted to interviews

Facts - Then

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2014…E-mail is the name of the game; have a professional e-mail address and file naming system

Integrate keywords into the entire document for electronic searches

Store your resume on a thumb drive

Still bring a paper resume to in-person interviews

Facts - Now

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Ten years ago the common joke was that job candidates merely had to be breathing to be employed.

HOT market 1999. dot-com bubble instant stock-option millionaires

everywhereCEOs in their twenties especially

in start-up companiesdream world for job seekers with

employers practically bidding for candidates

Facts - Then

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As a job seeker, you must be very competitive in every aspect of your job search.

Pull all the punches when laying out your qualifications and you cannot afford to be humble.

Don’t use passé resume formats/templatesResumes are living documents that change over time and

adjust to the needs of the market. They evolve to best market job seekers to a changing

employment world. Decade long time in “resume years”

and light years in terms of job market conditions.

Brush up your arsenal and you’ll be well onyour way to a 21st century job search.

Facts - Now

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Eight Tips for making a great one

Resumes

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Tell the reader who you arewhat you want right awayfirst section of résumé, reiterate key points in

cover letter.the kind of position you’re looking for. Be

specific.they will spend a few seconds with your résumé. Do them a favor and give them a cheat sheet.

Don’t make them search your résumé for information, they won’t. They’ll move to the next.

Tip #1: Include a List of Your Qualifications Right Up Front

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customizing the section headings of your résumé

great way to highlight the relevance of your résumé for the reader.

instead of writing “Work Experience,” tailor it to the job you’re applying for --“Public Relations Experience.”

use this method to highlight different levels of relevant experience.

Tip #2: Customize Your Section Headings for the Position

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It’s tempting to include all of your work experience, whether it’s relevant or not.

Including only most relevant work experience shows the reader that you’re clearly qualified for the position.

Only include irrelevant work experience if it’s the only experience you have.

Tip #3: Include Only Your Most Relevant Experiences

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Big name organizations look great on a résumé and are sure to impress any reader.

But if you’ve had a great, relevant position at an organization that’s not a big name, consider highlighting the position rather than the company

However, if you have worked for a high profile firm or organization, definitely list the company name before the position title.

Tip #4: Consider Emphasizing the Position Title Instead of the Organization

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You might think that you need to devote the majority of your résumé to the experience where you spent most of your time = résumé myth.

recommend using the 80/20 rule: if 20% of your experience is relevant to the desired position, use 80% of your résumé to discuss it.

Even if it was for only a short time,describe your relevant experience in detail.

Tip #5: Describe the Experiences that are Most Relevant to the Targeted Position

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Using action verbs to describe your experience will show the reader just how skilled you really are.

For example, instead of writing, “responsible for” certain duties, explain exactly what those duties were. “Organized, planned, and coordinated

corporate events and conventions,” this, gives the reader a clear idea of how you spent your time in this position and enables them to ask you specific, targeted questions in an interview.

Tip #6: Use Action Verbs to Describe Your Experience in Detail

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The cover letter is your chance to shine and tell the reader about yourself.

It’s also the place to explain why and how you are perfect for that specific position.

Use the cover letter as an opportunity to tailor your application to the individual organization and position.

Tell them why you want to work forthem and what you can bring to the table in a way that’s direct and concise.

Tip #7: Sell the Résumé in a Custom Cover Letter

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Sending the résumé and cover letter in separate PDF files accomplishes two important things. 1) When the two items are in separate documents,

the reader won’t have to scroll through your résumé or cover letter to find the information they are looking for. It will save them time and hold their interest.

2) Also, the vast majority of résumés have formatting issues and highlighted misspellings.

A PDF file will ensure that your résumé functions properly without software or translation issues.

Tip #8: Send the Résumé and Cover Letter in Separate Files

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1 Stress your Success Rather than listing the basic job duties you've performed in a ho-hum way, emphasize your accomplishments.

2 Steer clear of vague objective statements.

Prepare a clear and specific objective for each employer.

3 If you truly need more space, use it.

The pressure to keep your resume to one page can get to be a little ridiculous, so don't fall prey to it. Tell your story.

A few more tips…

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4 Omit certain details.Avoid including any of these: the names of your spouse and children; your age, height or weight; detailed lists of hobbies and the like.

5 Use strong verbs.Don't refer to yourself with the terms "I" and "me"; instead, start each resume entry with strong verbs and action phrases, such as, "Managed a team of 80," "Saved the company $1-million.“

6 Be a perfectionist about spelling and grammar.Run your resume through a grammar and spell-check on the computer, but don't stop there. Proofread your resume again and again, and ask people you trust to read it.

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7 Remember to include key words.Key words are relevant job titles, responsibilities, skills and industry-specific terms, and they should be sprinkled throughout your resume.

8 Do just so.Submit your materials exactly how the employer wants to see them. If a company specifies it only accepts hard copies of resumes, don't e-mail it. If e-mail is preferred but attachments are not, don't send attachments.

9 Pay special attention to your cover letter.No matter how flawless resume is, it will all be for nothing unless you include a well-written cover letter.

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Your opening argument

Cover Letter

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The Function of a Cover Letter Many applicants are confused about the

difference between a cover letter and a resume. A resume lays out an applicant’s work and

education historyA cover letter is a space where the applicant can

explain how these will benefit the employer, as well as how these fit the specific position and company.

Cover letter functions like a persuasive sales letter to convince employer applicant is the best person for the job.

Cover Letter

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Before writing the cover letter, the applicant should make a copy of the job ad and go through it carefully, highlighting any key words, specific qualifications and duties that the job involves.

The applicant should then research the employer and the specific position, and determine the needs of the company.

Use your own qualifications, try and match these to key words in the ad

Top Ten Tips for Cover Letters

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Begin the cover letter with a “hook”. The employer will be receiving a lot of

applications so the applicant needs to ensure that his or her attention-grabbing opening will capture the employer’s interest.

The best way is to immediately indicate key qualifications for the position.

Avoid “I am applying for the ... position” or “Please accept the enclosed resume in application for the ... position” as these are common cover letter openings.

In the body of the cover letter, the applicant should expand on the qualifications stated in the opening and demonstrate how these can benefit the employer, using strong examples.

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The applicant can divide the letter up to include a paragraph on educational experience and one on work experience.

The applicant must give solid, relevant evidence and measurable achievements – for example: “While I worked as a Cashier at McDonalds I received the “Employee of the Month” award. The applicant is not repeating his or her resume, but supporting his or her experience with brief “stories”.

The cover letter should end with a strong request for an interview, and by providing clear contact details.

The cover letter should be roughly 4-5 paragraphs long – no more than a page.

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The applicant must proof read the cover letter carefully!

Final Tips for Cover LettersThe biggest mistake job applicants make is not to tailor

make each cover letter to the specific position. This is essential to getting an interview, as the

employer can see that the applicant has taken the time and effort to research the company and the position.

Another important step is to follow up after the application to show continued interest in the position.

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Simple and Neat

Applications

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Simple – Take two.Make sure to do a rough draft, you do not

want to submit an application full of white out or scratched out sections.

Applications

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A chance to shine

Interviews

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Practice Practice answering interview questions and practice your responses

to the typical job interview questions and answers most employers ask. Think of actual examples you can use to describe your skills. Providing evidence of your successes is a great way to promote your candidacy.

Prepare Prepare a response so you are ready for the question "What do you

know about our company. Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.

Get Ready Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy and appropriate for the

type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking.

Be On Time Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early.

Interview Tips

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Stay CalmDuring the job interview try to relax and stay as calm

possible. Take a moment to regroup. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to the entire question before you answer and pay attention - you will be embarrassed if you forget the question!

Show What You KnowTry to relate what you know about the

company when answering questions.  When discussing your career accomplishments match them to what the company is looking for.

Follow UpAlways follow-up with a thank you note reiterating your

interest in the position. If you interview with multiple people send each one a thank you note.

Interview Tips

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KNOW YOURSELF...What Are My Strengths and Weaknesses?What Are The Things I Do Well?What Are The Things I Like To Do?What Are The Things I Dislike Doing?What Are My Satisfiers, Constraints and

Needs?What Excites Me?How Do I Measure Success?What Kind of Person Am I?

Interview – Possible Questions

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Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment.

What were your responsibilities? What major challenges and problems did you face?

How did you handle them? What have you learned from your mistakes? What did you like or dislike about your

previous job? Which was most / least rewarding? What was the biggest accomplishment /

failure in this position? What problems have you encountered at work? Have you ever had difficulty working with a

manager?

Interview – Possible Questions

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Why are you leaving your job? What have you been doing since your last

job? How will your greatest strength help you

perform? How would you describe yourself? Describe your work style. How do you handle stress and pressure? What motivates you? What are your Goals & objectives?

Interview – Possible Questions

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What made you want to get into your field?What is it like to be a __________?What is the best part of your job?What advice would you have for a young

person just starting out?

Questions for YOU to ask…

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Good Luck

The End