1. CS210 - Career Development Strategies
Unit 5 Seminar
Job Search Documents

2. Agenda Unit 6 project – preview Types of Resumes
Components of a Resume
Cover letters – General Rules
References
Plain Text… what does THAT mean?
Resume Review… what do you think?
Wrapping it up

3. Unit 6 Project preview Contains: Resume Cover letter
Reference PAGE (yes, page)
Plain Text/Online version of your resume, cover letter and reference page

4. Resumes… Types of resumes: Chronological Functional Combination
Targeted
Chronological Resume:
A chronological resume starts by listing your work history, with the most recent position listed first. Your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your current, or most recent job, first. Employers typically prefer this type of resume because it's easy to see what jobs you have held and when you have worked at them. This type of resume works well for job seekers with a strong, solid work history.
Functional Resume:
A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history. It is used most often by people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history.
Combination Resume:
A combination resume lists your skills and experience first. Your employment history is listed next. With this type of resume you can highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for, and also provide the chronological work history that employers prefer.
Targeted Resume:
A targeted resume is a resume that is customized so that it specifically highlights the experience and skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for. It definitely takes more work to write a targeted resume than to just click to apply with your existing resume. However, it's well worth the effort, especially when applying for jobs that are a perfect match for your qualifications and experience.

5. What do I include on my resume?
Information commonly found on a resume:
Name and contact information (of course!)
Objective statement, Professional Profile or Summary of Qualifications
Education
Work history
Certifications or Licensures
Memberships/Affiliations
Resumes are a fluid history of your work experience and education that focus on what you have done that will support what you want to do…

6. Objective Statement Not necessary if it doesn’t work for you
If you use an objective statement, be sure it lets the employer know the type of work you are currently pursuing

7. Sample Objective Statement – What do you think?
Seeking a position in management with an opportunity for advancement.
2. A career with a reputable organization where I can use my education, skills, abilities and experience in an executive capacity, where I can effectively contribute to operations in any capacity that best matches my skills and experience.
Advancement to what? Is this just a stepping stone position or do you really want the position?
You are not telling the employer why you are best for the job advertised. Too long – too vague

8. More Objective Statements… what do you think?
A position in the accounting field where excellent analytical and technical skills can be utilized to improve the company's profitability.
Seeking a position which will allow me to utilize my network administrator skills in a NT/Novell environment interoperating with WAN/LAN connectivity.
A position in a reputable law firm where my skills in research and communication can assist in the protection of the public interest.
Why are these ‘good’ objective statements?

9. Sample Objective Template
Seeking a ________ position with a _______ which will require me to utilize my skills, abilities and experience in the _______ field to ensure the company's success.
When in doubt… use this template.

10. Education List your full degree
Degree/major program/graduation month,year
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, May, 2007
If you don’t have the degree yet (Anticipated graduation, June 2009)
More than one degree?
List most recent first
Don’t list your high school – if you’re in college, the employer assumes you have a high school degree.

11. Experience Remember: Experience supports your “objective!”
Experience can be paid or unpaid, volunteer positions, or even positions held in clubs.
Payment for a position does not equal relevance 
Consider using two categories of experience:
Related
Other

12. Experience Examples
Homeless Center Volunteer, Clara House, Greensboro, NC Worked hours per week; October May 2006 — Learned about community resources for various citizen needs. — Made referrals for mental health and social services issues. — Scheduled other volunteers for telephone hotline shifts. Accurate Accounting, Greensboro, NC July 2007 – Present — Prepare end-of-period financial statements. — Institute customer service hot-line to expedite tax questions. — Maintain appointment schedule during tax season to maximize the number of clients seen per day.
Note that the volunteer position lists very good skills – even though this isn’t a paid job.

13. Activities and Honors
Consider putting “honors” under education if applicable (this is a good idea if your GPA isn’t sterling).
If you list affiliations or memberships, use the entire name:
Active member of American Psychological Association NOT
Active member of APA

14. Certifications/Licensure/Skills
Networking
Certified Public Accountant
Licensure
License Professional Counselor
Master Electrician
Skills
Foreign Language
Computer

15. References
- Don’t include references in your resume... They need to go on a separate page.
“References Furnished Upon Request” is unnecessary.
Employers assume you will be willing to provide references if you are asked.

16. Cover Letters – General Rules
Make sure your cover letter is original.
Use standard business letter formatting.
Clearly state why you are writing your letter.
Be creative! Don’t re-write your resume.
Don’t forget to invite the employer to interview you!
Check carefully for spelling/grammar errors.
No longer than one page.

17. Cover Letter - Salutation
Dear Mr. Smith:
Dear Hiring Manager:
Dear Captain Jones:
Notes:
- Always use a colon – this is standard business letter format.
- Never write: To Whom It May Concern

18. Cover Letter – Opening Line
Example:
In reference to your advertisement for the position of ______, enclosed is my resume for your consideration.
Notes:
- Never use “Enclosed please find.”
- Don’t start the letter with “I”. Example: I am writing in reference to your advertisement. . .

19. Cover Letter – Middle Paragraph
Reiterate your skills – Don’t regurgitate your resume! Example: In addition to the skills listed in my resume, my community involvement with the local rape crisis center has given me the insight to work in this area of law enforcement. Note: Be very careful of “I” statements. Don’t start every paragraph and sentence with “I.”

20. Cover Letter – Final Paragraph
Here’s where you ask for what you really want – the interview! Unsolicited: - My combination of business and accounting experience is well-suited to the accounting position you described. Within the next week I will contact you to confirm that you received my and resume and to answer any questions you may have. Solicited: - My combination of business and accounting experience is well-suited to the accounting position you described, and I welcome the opportunity to interview with you.

21. References
References can include professional references and personal references
Do not include references unless you have asked permission
Information to include:
Name
Mailing address
Telephone
address
Do not provide more than 5 references on your reference page
Don’t forget to include the same heading as your resume in case your reference page gets separated from your resume!

22. Plain Text… what does THAT mean?
It is a simple text format that does not use formatting specific to any particular application. You can use any word-processing application.
Some Pointers for Plain Text:
You cannot use bullets in ASCII format -- instead use asterisks or hyphens (dashes)
Use a fixed width font, i.e. 10 point Courier
Use spaces to line up your text
Use left justification, and use spaces to center text
Do not use word wrap -- use hard returns instead
To save as plain text, click the Word drop down box that says “Save As Type” and choose Plain Text.

23. Sample Plain Text Resume

24. Resume Reviews what do you think?
Font is not consistent
Objective focuses on what the company can do for the employee rather than what the employee can do for the company
Tense disagreement. Current jobs should have present tense action words

25. Resume Reviews what do you think?
Tricia Graenemon 123 Anywhere Lane • Two Ville, CA
Customer Service Manager
Seasoned, results-oriented manager with extensive experience in the retail industry with a 10-year track record of success. Effective leader skilled in developing a results-oriented, productive team with customer-focused training and support. Exceptional ability to build rapport with customers and direct-reports to create customer and employee loyalty.
- Bullets should be used rather than paragraph. Remember, your resume is initially reviewed for 9 – 30 seconds. Paragraphs take longer to read

26. Resume Reviews what do you think?
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Green Clothiers of Northern California, Two Ville, CA
Customer Service Manager • 2003 - Present
Charged with managing a range of key operational functions in support of eco-friendly clothing retailer with two locations and $55M in annual revenue. Recruited, trained and managed 15-member team, ensuring continuous delivery of outstanding customer service generating over $23 M in annual revenue.
Selected Achievements:
• Awarded Employee of the Month for a total of 12 quarters for outstanding customer service, problem resolution and customer-focused orientation • In 2005 and 2007, awarded Manager of the Year for exemplary staff management • Redesigned, developed and implemented employee training program which increased sales revenues by 22% for the first year and 30% for each successive year
Resume Reviews what do you think?
Inconsistent, use bullets throughout
Use white space, everything is too meshed together making it difficult to read

27. Wrapping it up… Questions?
Thank you for taking the time to join us tonight! Please feel free to contact me via AIM: DeborahJBrien For if you have any questions.
Have a great week!!