Strategies for getting a great job - TargetCW | Contingent · PDF file ·...

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TARGETCW STRATEGIES FOR GETTING A GREAT JOB

Strategies for Getting a Great Job Page 1

Strategies for Getting a Great Job Your Résumé Your Résumé . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Résumé Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Sample Résumé . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Interview The Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Interview Preparation Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 “Tell Me About Your Weaknesses”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Interview DO‟s and DON‟Ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Interview Questions To Be Ready For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 During the Interview & After the Interview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Follow-Up Sample Thank You Letter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13


Your Résumé Your Success Starts Here Your résumé has one main function—to be impressive and intriguing enough to get you an interview. A résumé reflects the choices you make, and the way you present information is nearly as important as the information itself. Keep in mind that résumés are always changing (for instance, e-mailing résumés is now more the rule than the exception).

Creating Your Résumé • Take the time to identify your skills, interests, and career goals before creating your résumé. • Write clearly and concisely. Use power verbs like „achieved‟, „awarded‟, „coordinated‟, „created‟, „developed‟, „managed‟, „prioritized‟, „recognized for‟, and „coordinated‟. • Be specific when you list dates, making sure to mention months as well as the years. • Always spell-check and thoroughly review your résumé. • Never lie on your résumé. Even one embellishment can jeopardize your chances of getting hired. • Highlight and detail those achievements that are most relevant to the position you are applying for.

Customizing Content • Using your sets of skills and experiences, customize your résumé and yourself to fit the position. Remember, interviewers are trying to match the person with a specific job. • Your résumé must reaffirm, before and after your interview, how hiring you solves the employer‟s problem. • Use search-friendly words. Many employers use electronic scanners that search for key words in résumés. Review the job description or requirements to determine which key words to use. • When submitting a printed résumé, make sure to use paper that has a scanner friendly color and texture. Use white or very light-colored paper and avoid using stationery with designs. Printing your résumé on somewhat thick, lightly textured paper can help it stand out in the pile.


Résumé Tips

• Remember your audience. Tailor your résumé to each specific job or employer

you submit it to. Feel free to move or replace elements to highlight information that is most relevant to the specific employer you are sending your résumé to.

Remember, when applying for a position, make sure to read the job carefully and to add any job duties or software listed in the job posting that you have experience with into your résumé (don’t assume they know you know it). Most of the time it isn‟t the Hiring Manager who is doing the preliminary résumé screening, it‟s someone in a different department and if they can‟t see the matching “keywords” on your résumé they may not call you to ask you if you know it, they‟ll just go on to the next résumé. Every job is different, so don’t blast the same résumé to every job, if your skills and experience don‟t match well, you won‟t get an interview. Take the time to craft your résumé for each job that you match and point out how you match in a cover letter.

• Make sure to bring several clean, presentable copies of your résumé to your interview.

• Instead of simply writing “Dear Hiring Manager,” or worse, “To Whom it May Concern,” find out the name of the person to whom you are sending your résumé. This not only increases the chances of your résumé being seen by the right people, it also gives you the advantage of addressing the person in your cover letter.


Sample Résumé

Karen Smith 456 Main Street

San Diego, CA 92110 777-987-6543

[email protected]

OBJECTIVE: Seeking a position in which my skills and experience can be utilized for mutual benefit.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Administrative- Over 8 years of administrative experience. Possess strong organizational skills. Self-starter with the ability to prioritize and multi-task. Effective correspondence skills, both written and verbal. Efficient and detail-oriented with the ability to interface effectively on all levels in a demanding and fast-paced environment.

Computer Skills- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Access, Office Communicator (internal instant messaging), Adobe Acrobat and Web Meetings.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

4/2009-Present UNIVERSAL SCIENTIFIC, INC., San Diego, CA Executive Administrative Assistant

Provide key administrative support to marketing team which includes 8 Directors and 3 Associate Directors in Marketing.

Heavy calendar management for Directors as well as schedule coordination with affiliated company personnel and their administrative staff.

Coordinate web meetings, teleconferences and videoconferences. Secure meeting room locations and all catering. Book all travel and meeting logistics for 8 Directors

o Given 2010 Achievement Award for exceptional PowerPoint presentation creations. 8/2007-4/2009 GLOBAL SOFTWARE, INC., San Diego, CA Sr. Administrative Assistant

Provided key administrative support to both the CEO and Manager of Operations.

Maintained complex calendars and coordinated all meetings as appropriate.

Make sure your message is short and professional

(no music or personal messages).

Ensure you have a professional email address (your

name is best). Nothing racy, cute, or unprofessional.

Do not abbreviate any information, capital

letters for state, 2 spaces between the state

and zip.

Keep your Objective brief and generic.

Remember to list ALL the skills you have which pertain to the type of job you are pursuing.

List your awards or special honors.

mailto:[email protected]


Primary office support handling all tasks pertaining to successful management of the office including creating expense reports, processing invoices, ordering supplies, maintaining office equipment and greeting clientele.

10/2003-8/2007 NATIONWIDE TRANSPORTATION, INC., San Diego, CA Administrative Assistant (5/2005-8/2007)

Supported top Regional Sales Manager who originated 15-22 million in sales per month

Worked directly with clients in obtaining appropriate documentation to close transactions as well as handling heavy customer incoming calls, emails, and faxes to ensure timely turn-around of Customer Support service.

Receptionist (10/2003-5/2005)

Answered multi-line phone system (15 lines /300 extensions)

Assisted visitors to the lobby.

Promoted to Administrative Assistant. EDUCATION: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing AFFILIATIONS: Member – San Diego State University Marketing Association, 2000-Present REFERENCES: Excellent personal and professional references furnished upon request.

Only list High School if it’s your highest level of

schooling and do not list your year you graduated.

If you have multiple positions in the same company,

list your start/end date you worked for the

company next to the company name, and then list

the dates you held each job title next to each job.

If you have multiple positions in the same company,

list your start/end date you worked for the

company next to the company name, and then list

the dates you held each job title next to each job.


The Interview

Preparing for the Interview The interview is the most important part of your career search. Preparation is key to acing and interview. Attire, attitude, and communication sum up the keys to interviewing success. Like anything, the more interviews you do, the sharper your skills will become.

Researching • Learn pertinent facts about the company such as their services and products, locations, and successes. • View the company website and talk to those in your network to get more information such as policies, workload, and the business environment.

Rehearsing • Take the time to practice your interviewing skills. • You can‟t over-prepare or over-practice for an interview, but do not get so consumed that you sound robotic and insincere.


Interview Preparation Tips

• Develop a brief introduction in which you describe your experience, goals, and

suitability for the job in question. Interviewers will often ask you to tell them about yourself, and this is a good, quick way to start selling yourself.

• Create a reference sheet that contains the addresses and phone numbers of your

previous places of employment, the dates when you worked there, and any other information you may need when filling out the application form.

Have your résumé and/or a fact sheet about your job history, education and background with you. It will enable you to quickly and easily have the facts ready to share with the interviewer.

• Employers look at the way an application is filled out as well as the information on

it. Read the directions before writing, complete the form neatly, and don‟t write “See résumé.” Never misrepresent your education or work experience. Present only the facts, and always write the word “open” in the space for salary desired.

• NEVER cancel on an interview, or worse, do a no-show. These are major red flags

that indicate you lack professionalism and cannot be depended upon. If you must cancel, make sure to do so well ahead of time, and call.

Rehearse your answers to difficult questions.

Learn as much as you can about the company AND the job for which you are applying.


How to Answer the Interview

Question: “Tell Me about Your

Weaknesses” Know your strengths and weaknesses. "Tell me about your weaknesses." is one of the toughest, and how you answer it can either help or hurt you. Do not use over-used answers like, "I'm a perfectionist" or "I don't have any weaknesses", when asked about your weaknesses. Instead, use one of these approaches to this tough question, but remember to keep your answer honest:

1. Think about a weakness you used to have and describe how you overcame it.

(Choose a subject that is somewhat light, please. Don't talk about anything personal, only job related. Something like how you have never liked filing, who does?, but you always take care of it because it is necessary to keep important files organized and easy to locate so you always file right away. Or something similar to that.)

2. The following insights may be helpful the next time you have to answer a question about your shortcomings. The "good answers" to the weakness question come from those who admit their humanity but go on to demonstrate how they learn from their mistakes. For example:

"When I first started supervising and managing others, it was difficult to delegate appropriately. I quickly found that if I were going to be an effective manager and meet the needs of our organization in a timely way, I had to learn to trust others. I made it my business to know my staff 's strengths and weaknesses. Soon I became comfortable with the management role. Over the years I have learned how to give staff the rein they need to effectively meet the needs of our organization. I believe the people I work with now would tell you that I am an effective and personable manager."

Or the same strategy with a different focus:

"When I went to work for the Jane Doe Company, I found that I lacked knowledge of a specific computer program they were using. I learned the junior college offered an evening class detailing this program. So I took the course and really came up to speed quickly.

Be aware of any past mistakes which might come up and be ready to answer

questions about them as positively as possible.


Interview DO's:

Dress appropriately for the industry; err on the side of being conservative to show you take the interview seriously. Your professionalism should be impeccable.

Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes to get there, park, find a rest room to freshen up, etc.

Arrive early; 10 minutes prior to the interview start time. Treat all people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you

might be solicited during hiring decisions. Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you

are greeted by your interviewer. Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer's name and the correct

pronunciation.. Maintain good eye contact during the interview Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with specific

examples whenever possible. Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question. Be thorough in your responses, while being concise in your wording. Be honest and be yourself. Dishonesty gets discovered and is grounds for

withdrawing job offers and for firing. You want a good match between yourself and your employer. If you get hired by acting like someone other than yourself, you and your employer will both be unhappy.

Treat the interview seriously and as though you are truly interested in the employer and the opportunity presented.

Exhibit a positive attitude. The interviewer is evaluating you as a potential co-worker. Behave like someone you would want to work with.

Have intelligent questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Having done your research about the employer in advance, ask questions which you did not find answered in your research.

Make sure you understand the employer's next step in the hiring process; know when and from whom you should expect to hear next. Know what action you are expected to take next, if any.

When the interviewer concludes the interview, offer a firm handshake and make eye contact. Depart gracefully.

After the interview, make notes right away so you don't forget critical details.


Interview DON'T’s

Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or others).

Don't falsify application materials or answers to interview questions.

Don't treat the interview casually, as if you are just shopping around or doing the interview for practice. This is an insult to the interviewer and to the organization.

Don't give the impression you are only interested in salary; don't ask about salary and benefits issues until the subject is brought up by your interviewer.

Don't chew gum or smell like smoke.

Don't allow your cell phone to sound during the interview. (If it does, apologize quickly and ignore it.) Don't take a cell phone call.

Interview Questions to be ready for

What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest weaknesses? Describe your present/former job. Why do you want to leave your present job? What are the best and worst aspects of your present or former job? What was your greatest accomplishment or most important contribution to your former

employer? What do you understand this job to be about? What qualities do you have that will make you successful in this role? Why do you want to join our company? What do you know about our company and its business? Describe your strengths and weaknesses. What motivates you? What type of environment do you enjoy working most? What are your plans for the future and where do you want to be in five years‟ time? 10

years? How do rate your ability to work under pressure? Independently? To handle details? How well do you work with others? What is the most important thing to you in a job: Salary? Growth potential? Co-workers?

Job Duties? What are your salary expectations? What do you like to do in your spare time?


Questions You Might Want to Ask

What are the company's strengths and weaknesses compared to its competition? How important does upper management consider the function of this department and/or

position? What is the organization's plan for the next five years, and how does this department fit

in? Could you explain your organizational structure? How will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured? By whom? What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job? Could you describe your company's management style and the type of employee who

fits well with it? What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in this job? What is the company's policy on providing seminars, workshops, and training so

employees can keep up their skills or acquire new ones? What particular computer equipment and software do you use? What kind of work can I expect to be doing the first year? How much opportunity is there?

During the Interview:

1. Pay careful attention to questions and reply with clear, concise answers. Try to avoid a simple "yes" or "no" as this can seem abrupt.

2. Always relate your responses to the job you are applying for.

3. Avoid speaking negatively about other companies or colleagues.

4. Try not to talk over or interrupt the interviewer.

5. Convey energy and enthusiasm throughout the interview, but equally, feel confident enough to pause while considering the most appropriate way to answer a question. This demonstrates confidence and carefulness.


Clichés to Avoid

1. “I‟m a quick learner” (sounds like you don‟t know things). 2. “I‟m a people person” (so common that it has become meaningless). 3. “If you‟ll just give me a chance” (sounds desperate).

4. “To be honest with you” (you should already be honest).

After the Interview:

• Thank the interviewer and tell him/her that you are very interested in the position.

• Ask for the job!! Asking for the position increases your odds of being hired by

more than 50%.

• Say, “I‟m impressed by your company and the people I‟ve met today--this

position interests me. What is the next step?”

• Ask if he/she requires any additional information.

• Follow up with a “Thank You” note within 24 hours of your interview. Be

enthusiastic about the position and professional—ensure that your letter is

grammatically correct


Sample Thank You Letter

Ms. Jane Katsu ABC Corporation 2354 Broadway Avenue San Diego, CA 92123 Dear Ms. Katsu, Thank you for taking the time to discuss the Administrative Assistant position at ABC Corporation with me. After meeting with you and observing the staff‟s high energy level, I am convinced that my attitude and skills fit well with your needs. I appreciate that you have a need for PowerPoint presentations that are both graphically pleasing and incorporate audio. In addition to the information I shared with you during our meeting, I want to emphasize that I possess the advanced-level PowerPoint skills to create presentations that have the impact you desire. I received an Achievement Award for my PowerPoint presentations at my previous employer. I look forward to hearing from you concerning your hiring decision, and am available to speak with you further regarding this position. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Karen Smith

1. In the first paragraph, thank the interviewer and express your appreciation for the chance to meet with him or her to discuss the job and observe the company. Communicate your positive impressions of the company. 2. In the second paragraph, offer a reason for the employer to be interested in you for that job. You can either reiterate a specific skill or touch on something you didn’t mention in the interview. 3. In the last paragraph, inform the employer that you expect to hear from him or her again. Indicate that you’re willing to come in and discuss the position further, if required.

Strategies for getting a great job - TargetCW | Contingent · PDF file ·...

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