Resume Building and Job the Milton Public Library

Today’s Topics Thinking like a recruiter Thinking like a recruiter Resumes and coverletters Resumes and coverletters Social media and your job search Social media and your job search Interview skills Interview skills

What job recruiters want: Mind your resume and coverletter You need a flawless resume and coverletter

Make it personal Write a coverletter for each job. Review your resume for each job.

Act like you want the job Share your enthusiasm when interviewing or applying. Show that you can do the job, will enjoy the job and you will bring something positive to the job environment.

Highlight your skill set No recruiter wants to read a four page resume, so try to keep it succinct. Highlight the skills that make you the perfect match for the job rather than detail every minor thing you have ever worked on.

Resumes and Coverletters  Books: in the non fiction section of the Milton Public Library  Online: search for resume examples, resume templates, or in Microsoft Word search for resume templates.

Know the purpose of your resume TThe objective of a resume is to land an interview!!!!

Back up your qualities and strengths  Back up your qualities with real life and work experiences (don’t forget your outside organizations…volunteering = excellent way to get experience and to meet people in the field)

Make sure to use the right keywords by analyzing the job ad  Check the job description, use a thesaurus, look for clues as to what the employer might be looking for.

Use effective titles  Grab the employers attention and be descriptive to give a better idea of past work experience. Example: Accounting Better: Management of accounts received, accounts paid and financial Recordkeeping

One resume and coverletter for each employer  Tailor your resume and coverletter for each employer and job ad.

No scattered information  Your resume must have a clear focus.

Use action verbs  Action verbs are basically verbs that will get noticed more easily, and that will clearly communicate what your experience or achievement were.  Examples: managed, coached, enforced and planned.  List of many examples to use can be found at

Don’t forget the basics  Make sure that your contact details are clearly listed.

Have someone else read it!!!

Social media, the job search, and interview skills  addresses  Answering machines/ phone messages  Ringtones  Answering the phone in person  Facebook and other social media  Job sites  The interview

addresses  Make a new one. Make it professional.  Your name.  Great way to keep track of the resumes you have sent and the responses.

Answering machines / phone messages / ringtones  No cutsey ringtones, definitely no cursing, or your favorite music. Professional…you are trying to get a job, not make friends.  Answering machines/phone messages should be polite, refrain from “Leave a message”…try “You have reached _____ please leave a message and I will return your call. Thank you.”

Answering the phone in person  Be polite. You never know.

Facebook and other social media (twitter, blogs, websites, etc.)  Be careful what you post and what you make public.  Employers will most likely Google you or Facebook you even if they do not do a background check.  If you do not want your boss to see it…do not post it or post it anonymously.

Job searching  Try going directly to the company website rather than a job database.  Figure out the industry you want to work in, do some homework. Consider job searching, resume writing as your full time job.

The interview  Dress for success.  Be positive.  Do not LIE!!! Do not lie on your resume or it could show in the interview.  The interview is your time to shine.  Tie everything into a couple of themes that you have chosen from the job ad. Example: collaboration, team playing, building partnerships with other organizations, etc. Listen to the interviewer, jot down notes and take your time answering each question.  Represent yourself…no one else will.