What You Need to Know to

Transition From the Classroom to

Competitive Employment

Key Terms to Know:

Action words
Key words
Networking

Resume

What is it? Intro

What is its purpose? Gatekeeper
Target it to your job objective
Generally one page
How and where you place information
indicates its relative importance

Resume writing
Write it yourself
Make it error-free:
Proofread, Proofread!!!
Make it look good
Simple is best
Be brief, be relevant
Be honest
Be positive
Be specific
Update it as needed

Do not include:
Personal info
Salary history
Hobbies
Names of references
High school IF you are in
college or have a college
degree
Philosophy statement [of
life, work, etc.]

Styles of Resumes:
Chronological
Functional
Combination

Chronological
Information organized in reverse order of occurrence

Pros:
most employers prefer this format
showcases steady work record, steady growth &
promotion

Cons:
bad news for those who have gaps in their work
history or for new grads who dont have much
experience
doesnt help employer visualize the future

Functional
Information is organized by functions or skills
related to the job being sought
for example: Marketing, Organizational
skills, Supervisory skills,
Problem-solving

Functional Resume,

cont

Pros:
ideal for presenting transferable skills [skills that can
move from one occupation to another]
downplays irrelevant jobs, spotty work history,
career reversals
helpful when your most impressive skills came from
volunteer work
makes for interesting presentation
Cons:
most employers dont like this format
unless handled well, can be confusing to read
difficult to write well

Combination Resume
Takes the best from both chronological &
functional
Sells what you can do & shows your
work history to prove it

Resume Structure:
Name, Address, day time Phone number,
Email
Objective [simple job title - not your goals]
Skills summary
Education & training
Employment history
Portfolio / References

 Extra copies of your

RESUME
List of PROFESSIONAL
REFERENCES
Complete WORK
HISTORY
Examples of your BEST
WORK
PAD & PEN

 Be specific as to how your training or skills

learned in any p/t or volunteer job will help you

do a good job for your prospective employer
Take credit for the duties
and responsibilities you
performed on your past
jobs
References - ask
their permission
before using
their names

Electronic & Scannable Resumes

Now you need to know how to plan & write your
resume both for the computer and for the human
eye
Need to focus on nouns and key words
Scanners differ in their capabilities

Rules for Scanned

resumes:
Sans serif typefaces that scan well:
Helvetica, Futura, Univers, Optima, ITC
Avante Garde Gothic
Serif fonts that scan well: Times, New
Century Schoolbook, ITC Bookman,
Palatino, Courier

Scannable resumes

cont

* Between 11 - 14 point size type

Boldface is usually okay; when in doubt,
check with prospective employer
Asterisks are okay
Avoid italic, script, * underlining
Avoid graphics & shading
* Keep horizontal & vertical lines away from
text

Scannable resumes

cont

Omit parentheses & brackets, especially

around phone numbers
* Lots of white space
Laser printer
* Always send originals
* Minimize abbreviations; when in doubt,
spell it out
* Use traditional resume structure

Scannable resumes

cont

* White, 8 1/2 by 11 paper printed on

one side only
Your name should always be the first text
on the resume
* No staples
Do not fold resume; if it must be folded,
make sure fold is not along a line of text

Additional tips for

resumes:
Update as often as necessary
Join a professional society & put that
membership on your resume
Keep the most important data
& keywords at the top of
your resume

90 second selfmarketing ad
Intro: who you are &
what you want from
your target
Your training & skills
Your hook
How you will follow up
The closing
PRACTICE!!

 Cover letters and other business

correspondence

Business
Correspondence

Cover letter
Networking letter
Thank you
Keep-in-touch

Cover Letter
Every sent resume must have cover
letter
Purpose?
Address letter to a person
Know your targets needs

Cover letter structure

1st para - purpose of letter; identify job title;
mention specific info about company
2nd para - describe professional &
academic qualifications
3rd- continue; why you should be
considered; expand on resume
4th - ask for interview
closing

Cover letters,

cont

Do not discuss salary, unless required

No negatives
Action/key words
Cite work-related accomplishments
Highlight personal attributes

Networking letter

Must be addressed to a person

Mention person who referred you
Ask for Help, Information, Advice
Request brief face-to-face

 Thank you letters

Keep-in-Touch letters

Networking
& Other Ways to Job
Search
Career Services

Job Fairs
Employment & Temp
Agencies
Newspaper Ads
Employment Service
Internet- NJPIN,
MonsterTrak, ...
Networking Uncovering the Hidden
Job Market

The best route to and through the

Hidden Job Market

What is Networking?
Cultivating & expanding your contact base
to enlist their help & support in your job
search

How do I start?
Begin with the people you know well:

close relatives
friends and neighbors
your pastor, priest or rabbi
current & former teachers
current & former employers & co-workers
people you meet in your every day activities

What do I say?
First begin with an introduction: who you
are and what kind of job you are looking
for
Continue with a short description of your
skills and what you can do for the
company you would be working for

And then...
Let your target know you are not
asking them for a job; instead, you
are asking for information, advice
and support
Make it clear that you are a resource
person and will add value to any
company you will work for
Ask open-ended but specific
questions

For instance...
How did you get started in your career?
Based on my current skills and education,
what kind of jobs in this field should I be
applying for?
What are the most important skills needed
for the jobs in this field ?
What do you like most and least about
your job?

 What do you see happening in this

industry in the next 3 - 5 years?
Who else do you know in this field who
might be willing to talk to me?
Can I mention your name when I contact
them?
Would you like to see a copy of my
resume? If you have any suggestions, I
would like to
hear them.

Tips for networking

success

Tell your target you will take only 20-30

minutes of his/her time and stick to your
schedule
Make a networking goal and stick to it
Be sincere but positive when discussing
your strengths and weaknesses - dont
mislead anyone
Thank your target for his/her time and
information. Send a thank-you note within
24 hours of your meeting.

Also,
Keep in touch with your contacts a
short note, call or e-mail will work
wonders
You can find good networking
contacts by joining a professional
organization in your field and/or by
volunteering or obtaining an
internship
in your field

Dont get discouraged when you

encounter rude people; most of
your contacts will be polite!

Take personal responsibility for

maintaining the positive energy
in your networking relationships

90 second selfmarketing ad
Intro: who you are &
what you want from
your target
Your training & skills
Your hook
How you will follow up
The closing
PRACTICE!!

 Interviewing

Interviewing
2 Way - Process
Home Stretch
Presenting Self
oral &
non-verbal
communication

Presenting Skills

If you have the right skills, this is

your opportunity to elaborate on
your training & experience;
if you do not have all the
requirements for the job, this is
your opportunity to stress
willingness to learn new skills, how
well you work with people, how
eager you are to contribute to the
company...

Presenting Self:
1st impressions are
lasting impressions
Research company
Get good nights rest
Arrive at interview
early
Arrive alone
Dress / cologne /
jewelry

Self

cont

Be positive about past

& present employers
Dont address target
by 1st name
Be pleasant to
receptionist
Speak clearly
Friendly, businesslike
No food or drink

Self

cont

Do not smoke, chew

gum, bite nails,
squirm
Be honest
Be positive
Dont let silence make
you uncomfortable
** Illegal questions

Presenting skills:
Primary objective:
convince prospective
employer to hire you
Communicate positive
attitude about yourself
& prospective job
enthusiasm
flexibility
eagerness to face
challenges
desire to learn & grow

Presenting skills
Prepare ahead of time:
work experience
transferable skills
personal strengths
[communication,
organizational,
problem-solving]
education & training &
how they will help you
on the job
special talents
[bilingual]

cont

Most frequently asked questions:

what are they really asking?
how would you answer?

Problem questions
Salary issues

Behavioral Interviewing
Based on belief that
past performance is
indicative of future
success
Questions relate to jobrelated skills &
technical ability in
coping
assertiveness
commitment to task

Closing the sale

Find out when a
decision will be made
State your interest
Thank the
interviewer

Follow up
Always thank your
target [in person &
with follow-up letter]
Be assertive
Remember - you are
a resource, not a job
begger

If youre still not finding

a job...
Review your
techniques
Try applying to
smaller companies
Take a temp job & try
to turn it into
something
permanent
Try networking

GOOD LUCK & PLEASE

LET US KNOW WHEN YOU
ACCEPT A JOB OFFER!

90 second selfmarketing ad
Intro: who you are &
what you want from
your target
Your training & skills
Your hook
How you will follow up
The closing
PRACTICE!!