RESUMES COVER LETTERS REFERENCES INTERVIEWING Jennifer Greenwood, Career Specialist

RESUMES Tips and Tricks

RESUMES GENERAL PRACTICES Keep a file of everything! White space is good! Use bulleted lists Abbreviations and acronyms –yes or no? Keep resume in the correct tense Highlight your strengths Use keywords from the job posting Stick to the basics paper, color, font, etc… Spell check!! 3

RESUMES THINGS TO INCLUDE Your contact information How professional is your e-mail address? [Summary/Objective] Current school information GPA Related (work) experience Extracurricular activities Honors, Awards, Recognitions Skills, Abilities, Training References Professional, not just personal

EXAMPLE RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

EXAMPLE RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

EXAMPLE RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

EXAMPLE RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

EXAMPLE RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

ACADEMIC RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

COVER LETTERS What should you include?

COVER LETTERS Your contact information Consider using a similar header for your cover letter and resume Employer Contact Information Greeting Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name Dear Hiring Manager Avoid “To Whom It May Concern” –Why? First Paragraph Why you’re writing How you heard about the position Middle Paragraph(s) Describe what you have to offer the employer Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job This should not be your resume in paragraph form

COVER LETTERS Final Paragraph Thank them for considering you for the position Let them know you’re looking forward to hearing back from them, or that you welcome an opportunity to further discuss your qualifications/interest in the position. Let them know how you will follow up. Are you calling next week? Are you planning to wait it out, letting them make contact first? Will you send a follow up email? Closing Sincerely, Thank you, Respectfully yours, Signature Handwritten, if possible. Type your name below where you plan to sign

COVER LETTER Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

REFERENCE REQUEST LETTER What should you include?

REFERENCE REQUEST LETTERS Ask early -in person if possible Be prepared for the person to say ‘no’ to your request. Provide the potential reference with your resume information about the scholarship the date you need the letter completed/mailed an envelope, already addressed and stamped If possible, it’s better to waive your right to see the letter. The scholarship committee assumes that this will encourage a more candid letter from the professor, and such a letter will carry more weight. When your application has been submitted, send a thank-you note!

REFERENCE REQUEST LETTERS Include your contact information Consider using a similar header for your cover letter and resume Greeting Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name The Letter Include your purpose for writing Give information about the scholarship Thank them and give them a way to contact you Closing Sincerely, Thank you, Signature Handwritten, if possible. Type your name below where you plan to sign

REFERENCE REQUEST LETTER Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

SAMPLE ACADEMIC RESUME What is different? Where is the focus?

SOCIAL MEDIA Social networking can influence your career, not just your safety What are you posting? Clothing (or lack of…) Profanity Substance use Disrespectful of authority figures What are you liking, favoriting, retweeting, tagged in? What are your privacy settings? If a potential boss wants to find information on you, they will There are endless examples. Just think about it.

INTERVIEWING Dos and Don’ts

INTERVIEWING What to Wear Casual Business Casual Business Professional Exceptions?

WHAT NOT TO WEAR

INTERVIEWING What to bring with you What NOT to bring with you Anything they request Additional copies of your resume, cover letter Questions to ask Paper, pen to jot down things you want to remember What NOT to bring with you Phone, profanity, gum, food, people, pets… How to act Be professional, but be yourself Yes, you want to make a good impression, but you also want them to know who you are & if you would be a good fit for their team

INTERVIEWING QUESTIONS YOU CAN EXPECT Tell us about yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20LfN8ENbhM Tell me about a time that you failed and what you learned from it. How do you handle criticism? What do you know about our company/institution/school? What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses? What motivates you? What can you contribute to this team? Where do you hope to be in 5 years?

INTERVIEWING QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73Nm7HF8dro Why is this position available? What would my job responsibilities be? What is the top priority for this job position of the next few months? What are some challenges of this position? What skills are you looking for in an ideal candidate? What does a typical day look like? Are there opportunities for advancement? What is your favorite part about working here?

SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEW QUESTIONS YOU CAN EXPECT Describe what you think it will take to have a successful college career. Why did you choose to participate in the various clubs, sports, etc. in which you have participated in high school? How did you choose your college major? Have you thought about the possibility of your major changing during your college career? Do you plan to work while attending college? Have you worked while in High School? How did you select the colleges/universities to which you applied? If accepted by more than one, how did/will you choose where you will attend?

Follow Up After an Interview INTERVIEW FOLLOWUP Follow Up After an Interview Always send a note or an e-mail to thank the interviewer for his or her time Follow Up Tips Keep it short Addressed to the person who interviewed you at his/her work address Thank the interviewer for the time spent with you and for the opportunity to learn more about the job that is available Consider: "I particularly enjoyed..." and refer to some part of the interview Could end with "I look forward to hearing from you.“ Sign it "Sincerely," with your name.

Jennifer Greenwood Career Specialist THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! Jennifer Greenwood Career Specialist