1. Writing a Cover Letter / Job Application Letter

2. Cover Letter / Job Application Letter
Similar to sales letter
Emphasize what you can do for the company and why you feel you are qualified
For organization, follow
A I D A
ttention
nterest
esire
ction

3. Attention (Paragraph 1)
Businesslike beginning.
Summary of qualifications
Name of referent
Question of reader benefit
News item related to employer
Other relevant reader-oriented statement
Mention of specific job or field of interest

4. Interest, Desire, Conviction (2 or 3paragraphs)
Discussion of your qualifications from a reader-benefit or reader-interest
Education and Training
Work Experience
Significant personal attitude, interests, activities and qualities
Reference to resume

5. Action (1 paragraph)
Request for interview at reader’s convenience, with suggestions when you will be available
Easy action
Phone number
Hours you can be reached

6. Writing a Great Resume

7. KISS Keep it Straight & Simple Short & Crisp One - Page
Reader Friendly
Follow Order of Relevance
Use Bullets
Be Brief and Clear
Projects, Achievements
Test of Recency, Knowledge & Relevance

8. Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offer
Think of functional skills
SAMPLE FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
Advising people Handling complaints Planning agendas Analyzing data Interpreting languages Programming computers Auditing financial records Interviewing people Promoting events Budgeting expenses Investigating problems Recruiting people Compiling statistics Listening to others Reviewing programs Coordinating events Managing projects Running meetings Corresponding with others Mediating between people Selling products & services Creating new ideas Motivating others Speaking in public Delegating responsibility Negotiating contracts Supervising others Designing data systems Organizing people & tasks Teaching classes Editing publications Persuading others Writing for publication
Try it now! List three of your functional skills.

9. Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offer
Think of personal qualities
SAMPLE PERSONAL QUALITIES
Assertive Expressive Persistent Attention to detail Firm Perform well under stress Authentic Flexible Poised Candid Generous Resourceful Committed to growth Hard working Respectful Cooperative Honest Sense of Humor Curious Loyal Sincere Dynamic Open-minded Spontaneous Empathic Optimistic Tolerant Enthusiastic Patient Versatile
Try it now! List three of your personal qualities.

10. Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offer
Think of functional skills & personal qualities
Build your list of…
work experience
academics
volunteer work
classes
course projects
activities
clubs
languages
technical skills
and so on…
Try it now! List at least five activities / experiences.

11. Use Action Verbs! Keep it brief and to the point Accomplished Achieved
Analyzed
Assisted
Communicated
Coordinated
Created
Designed
Directed
Described
Developed
Effectively
Edited
Formulated
Implemented
Initiated
Led
Managed
Organized
Planned
Proactively
Reported
Sold
Solved
Supported
Thoroughly
Your Résumé should be practical and not theoretical!

12. What should I put on my resume?
Follow the three tenets of resume writing:
Every resume has a purpose
Everything on your resume supports that purpose
The items that best support your purpose come first

13. Resume Categories – Identification
Name – Biggest thing on the resume
Full Address – May need current & permanent
Phone number with area code
– (Make it professional!)

14. Resume Categories - Objective
What does an objective do?
Clarifies the purpose of your resume
Presents a clear statement of your goals
When should I use an objective?
Include it on the resume when it is very targeted
specific type of position
specific skills you offer

15. Career Objective General Abstract Version: Personalized version:
To progress, through hard work, from an entry- level accounts representative position to supervisory level position.
Personalized version:
To join Ahmed Advertising agency as an entry- level accounts representative and through experience and training, progress to a supervisory role in creative projects.

16. Resume Categories – Objective
Some objective writing tips…
Focus on what you will offer, rather than what you are looking for
Remember: Everything on the resume should support this purpose/objective

17. Resume Categories – Education
Be sure to include:
Names of Schools
Degrees Earned
Major / Minor
Date Attended or Graduation Date
Could also include
GPA (general rule, include if 3.0 or above)
Honors / Awards
Selected Courses

18. Resume Categories – Experience
Remember – Experience can be:
Paid part-time/full-time positions
Internships
Volunteer work
Club/campus group involvement
Significant course projects

19. Resume Categories – Experience
Required Information
Name of Employer / Organization
Location – City & State
Position Title
Dates
Duties, Responsibilities & Accomplishments

20. Resume Categories – Experience
Guidelines for duties, responsibilities & accomplishments
Include most relevant skills & qualities
Most relevant information comes first
Use strong action verbs
Provide evidence of skills & qualities by quantifying information

21. Resume Categories - Other
Qualification Highlights
Summary
Relevant Courses
Course Projects
Honors & Awards
Work Experience
Management Experience
Research Experience
Leadership Experience
Other Experience
Computer Skills
Professional Associations / Memberships
Languages
Community Service

22. Avoid giving too much information
Hobbies
Height,
Weight
Health
Marital Status

23. Putting It All Together… Formatting
Attract & hold your reader’s attention
Combinations of capital lettering, underlining, bold face type, and indentations can jazz up your paper
Well placed white space can help the reader’s eye move across the paper
Whatever format you choose, be sure to be consistent

24. How does a good résumé look?
contact
objective
How does a good résumé look?
education
major
gpa
overall
in major
‘special
coursework’
experience
job title
company
tasks
activities
offices
‘refs available’

25. Three Types of Resumes
Chronological
Functional
Hybrid

26. The Chronological Resume
When would you use this type?
You have a significant amount of continuous experience, OR
Your experiences have been progressively more responsible.
What is the general outline of this type?
List experience in reverse chronological order
Most important information at the top

28. The Functional Resume When would you use this type?
When you don’t have a lot of experience in the specific area of work for which you are applying
What is the general outline of this type?
Group your skills and qualities into 3 or 4 functional areas
Strengthen your skills and qualities by listing where you acquired them

30. The Hybrid Resume When would you use this type?
Your most related experience is not your most recent, OR
You have related experience and want to add special emphasis to your skills and qualities
What is the general outline of this type?
Resume is organized by skill categories
Under each category, experiences are in chronological order

32. A resume does get you an interview.
Remember
A resume does not get you a job…
A resume does get you an interview.
And, putting time and consideration into your resume is one of the best ways to prepare for your interviews!

33. How to Give an Interview?

34. There are different types of interviews:
On-campus interviews
The Group interview
The Panel interview
The One-on-One interview

35. Employer Objectives * Assess your communication skills
* Meet you and put a “face” to a résume
* Assess your communication skills
* Get to know you
* Describe details of the position
* Fill in gaps in your résume or history
* Determine if you are a good fit with the organization and the position

36. Applicant Objectives Sell yourself Learn more about the position
Learn more about the organization
Get the job offer
Decide if you want the position

37. BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

38. Research -- Be able to ask ???
Research -- Be able to ask intelligent questions
Newspaper articles
Talk to people who work for the company
Visit their internet site
Check Human Resource Department for press kit about company history
The more information you know, the better you can showcase yourself!!!

39. Rehearsal Time Interview with a friend
Practice typical questions using a mirror and tape recorder

40. What Should I Wear? ?

41. Dress For Success Be conservative in dress.
Avoid loud colors and printed fabrics.
Make sure your clothes are nicely pressed.
The way you dress is the single biggest nonverbal communication you make about yourself.

42. AT THE INTERVIEW
It’s
Showtime

43. Body Language Good Posture Inviting Gestures
Sit up straight: edge or back of the chair
Avoid crossing legs and arms
Inviting Gestures
Firm handshake
Nod your head,
indicates you are listening.

44. Body Language Eye Contact Speak Clearly Indicates confidence.
Standard English, not slang.
Not only what you say, but how you say it.

45. Honesty is the best policy???
Typical Questions
Tell me about yourself.
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What are some of your goals?
Do you like working with others or on your own?
Honesty is the best policy???

46. Typical Tough Questions???
What qualities do you have that offset your lack of experience?
Are you going to move to a better job as soon as you gain experience here?
If you are faced with a deadline you can’t meet, what will you do?
Stay Calm. Don’t be Defensive. Focus on your Skills.

47. BEHAVIOR-BASED INTERVIEWS
Five Popular Behavior-Based Questions:
Give me a specific example of a time when you sold your supervisor or professor on an idea or concept.
(Shows negotiation and persuasive skills)
Describe the system you use for keeping track of multiple projects.
(Shows organization and prioritizing skills)

48. Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company or class was facing.
(Shows creativity and imagination)
Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor.
(Shows problem-solving and decision-making skills)
Describe a time when you handled a disgruntled customer.
(Shows communication and customer service skills)

49. Employee Questions Whom would I be working with most closely?
How many people have held this job in the last 10 years? Where did they go?
What advancement do you see for me in five years if I have proven myself?

50. Questions to Avoid Salary Vacations Benefits Sick leave
Research other companies, give a range
Vacations
Benefits
Sick leave

51. Final Comments Thank the interviewer for the interview
Decide a convenient time you can call on the hiring status

52. TOP TEN NEGATIVE FACTORS EVALUATED BY INTERVIEWERS
1. Poor personal appearance
2. Lack of planning for career – no purpose, goals, or focus
3. Lack of confidence and poise – nervousness
4. Overemphasis on compensation as the deciding factor
5. Making excuses for unfavorable events in work history
6. Lack of tact, maturity, and courtesy – overbearing or egotistical behavior
7. Condemnation of past employers
8. Failure to look the interviewer in the eye
9. Limp handshake
10. Failure to appreciate the value of experience

53. After an Interview
Following Up