Your Career Journey Part 2: Exploring Resumes, Cover Letters, & Interviewing Presented by Career Coach: Art Scibelli

Resumes & Cover Letters  A resume  is a summary of your qualifications  A cover letter  Properly introduces you  Highlights the qualifications you have that you know the company uses and needs  Explains what your resume can't  Shows you’ve researched the company  Demonstrates your written communication skills  Convinces the employer to grant you an interview

Your Resume  First impressions you will make on an employer.  Often it is critical to the success of your job search.  Allow the employer to easily pick out the important and relevant information related to THEIR needs.  A resume is a "door-opener,"  instilling initial interest in you  a "calling card,“ reminding an employer of you  Its quality should reflect your quality.

Your Resume Encourage the employer to find out more about you Help keep an employer on track during an interview Make you proud of your own accomplishments Stand out under a 20 second scan Be attractive to the eye, not crowded Be well organized and concise Have accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation Attract attention to your special abilities & personal qualities

Use a Profile and Attribute Statement Example #1 Profile Insurance Industry Professional with twenty years of progressively, responsible experience in Property/Casualty and Life insurance sales, claims adjusting, marketing and underwriting. Attributes Experiential Problem Solver Effective Client Relationship Builder Utilize rapid rate of idea flow to brainstorm in areas of product marking and development Ability to motivate, mentor and coach team members when appropriate to foster a productive team oriented work environment Utilize strong abilities in visual dexterity/accuracy and number memory for the effective administration of the detail related document processing

Use a Profile and Attribute Statement Example #2 Profile Administrative Professional progressively responsible business management experience that includes inventory/financial oversight, personnel recruitment functions, and external promotion/ community relations. Attributes Diagnostic Problem Solving Ability Demonstrated Leadership Ability Commitment to life-long learning of new subject matter Empathic compassionate heart for others

Use Action Words

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF Interviewing Basics  Two-way exchange of information  Is there a match between you and the employer?  First few minutes are key!  project a positive image  direct eye contact, smile, friendly greeting, a firm handshake.  PREPARATION- KNOW YOURSELF  Skills & interests, education & experience, goals & values  Knowledge of the profession or field

The Interview 1. Arrival o minutes before your scheduled interview. o If possible visit the location the day before to be sure you know where you are going. Be prepared. Act confident. Dress for success. Be yourself. Try to relax. 2. Bring o Extra copies of your resume and a list of your references. o List of questions for the interviewer o Samples of your work, if appropriate. 3.Wear o Women: Suit or pantsuit-muted tones. Avoid low cut blouses or frilly materials. Hosiery -no pattern. o Men: Dark suits/matching socks, coordinated collared shirt & tie o Both: Conservative is usually the best guideline. It is better to over dress than under dress. Polished shoes and ironed blouses and shirts are the little details that get noticed. Avoid perfume or cologne. Hair neat, clean and not draw attention.

Interviewing Basics 4. Format o Warm up: Greetings & handshakes, and an explanation of the structure of the interview. 5. Data Gathering o Open-ended questions, behavior­ based interview questions, follow up questions and a determination for fit and chemistry. 6. Interviewee Questions YOUR chance to ask questions and gather your own data. 7. Closing o Next steps and wrap up of any additional questions and details. Interview Questions Behavior-Based Interviewing (BBI) is a common type of interview. o Past behaviors are good predictors of future behaviors. o The questions are open­ ended, focus on past events and encourage the interviewee to ask about a particular past event.

Interviewing Basics 4. Format o Warm up: Greetings & handshakes, and an explanation of the structure of the interview. 5. Data Gathering o Open-ended questions, behavior­ based interview questions, follow up questions and a determination for fit and chemistry. 6. Interviewee Questions YOUR chance to ask questions and gather your own data. 7. Closing o Next steps and wrap up of any additional questions and details. Interview Questions Behavior-Based Interviewing (BBI) is a common type of interview. o Past behaviors are good predictors of future behaviors. o The questions are open­ ended, focus on past events and encourage the interviewee to ask about a particular past event.

Interviewing Basics Some Examples: BEHAVIOR BASED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 1.Tell me about yourself. 2.Tell me about a time when you were able to solve a problem that others could not. 3.Tell me about a time when you managed conflict successfully. 4.What have you done that caused you to stand out amongst your peers? 5.What have you done that saved time, increased efficiency, or improved a process? 6.Tell me about your most (or least) challenging thing you have done. 7.Tell me about a time when you had to overcome major obstacles to meet a challenge. 8. Tell me about a time when you tried to do something and failed. 9.Tell me about a mistake you made in dealing with people or working on a team. 10. Describe your most creative work or school-related project

The Thank You Letter AFTER the Interview Within 24 hours after the interview takes place:  Start your letter by thanking the interviewer for taking time to talk with you  Include the actual date of the interview  Reaffirm your interest in the organization by pointing out particular issues brought up during the interview that appeal to you  Try to personalize the letter by referring to some topic or common interest you discussed during the interview  Close the letter with another word of appreciation, an offer to provide more information and a statement that you look forward to hearing from them  Keep it short and to the point

Questions? Call or me with your questions or to make an appointment to meet with me face-to-face: CMC Rifle Room 121 A