Job Seeking Guide Workshop

Jubail University Collegeby

Yousef Abugosh, PMP

Sunday - 18/11/2012

الرحيم الرحمن الله بسم

The Resume’

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

General Advice • It is easy to make mistakes, so proof read, and

then reproof read, and again, and again.• Start with strong and clear examples of excellent

CVs.• Always seek advice.

1. Typos and Grammatical Errors

• Careful of what you know (Microsoft spell checker does not know what you meant)– Activities vs. Activates – Launch vs. lunch– Reminder vs. Remainder– Dear vs. Deer– Piece vs. Peace – Parking vs. Barking– Meet vs. Meat

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

2. Lack of Specifics

• Employers need to understand what you've done and accomplished. For example:A. Worked with volunteers in my communityB. Designed, printed, and distributed smart invitation letters to business

owners to attend university fundraising functions resulting in 78% attendance prate and over 1 million Saudi Riyals raised.

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

3. Attempting One Size Fits All

• Employers want you to write a resume specifically for them. They expect you to clearly show how and why you fit the position in a specific organization.

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

4. Confusing Responsibilities with Accomplishments

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

It's easy to simply start listing job duties on your resume. For example:

• Attended group meetings and recorded minutes. (no)• Worked with children in a day-care setting. (no)• Updated departmental files. (no)

• Developed a new procedure for filing university records resulting in speeding up students access of their records by 300% using Microsoft Access and my special program

(YES)

5. Not limiting your CV to one page, or two pages at maximum

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

One page can contain all of your information and accomplishments. Recruiters get bored very quickly if they cannot catch the meat of your CV after 30 seconds.

6. A Bad Objective

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

Employers read objectives, but if your Objective statement is not clear by being to general, they will be turned off and may choose candidates with specific clear objectives.

"Seeking a challenging position that offers professional growth.""A challenging entry-level marketing position that allows me to contribute my skills and experience in fund-raising for nonprofits."

7. No Action Verbs

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

Avoid using phrases like "responsible for." Instead, use action verbs: "Resolved user questions as part of an IT help desk serving 4,000 students and staff."

8. Leaving Off Important Information

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

You may assume that not mentioning that you ran your own business after hours in construction or selling Real Estate is better than mentioning it, but typically, however, the soft skills you've gained from these experiences (e.g., work ethic, time management, self-starting, leadership, management, etc., are more important to employers than you might think.

9. Visually Too Busy

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

If your resume is wall-to-wall text featuring five different fonts, it will most likely give the employer a headache.

show your resume to several other people before sending it out. Do they find it visually attractive? If what you have is hard on the eyes, revise it.

10. Incorrect Contact Information

Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

Imagine your mobile number is wrong on your CV? How many calls will you receive?

NEVER

Common Resume Mistakes

• Title your CV as “CV” or “Resume”• Say: “References available upon request”• Use more than one font• Use colors• Put hobbies or interests

The Interview

Most Common Interview Mistakes

• Most common job interview mistakes that you must avoid.

• Unfortunately, it's easy to make these mistakes without even realizing it - and many of them are more common than you might think!

• Take the time to prepare before your interview, so you don't have to stress out about blunders after it.

Most Common Interview Mistakes

Mistake # 1 Not Dressing Appropriately

• When you interview a job, it's important to look professional.

• You should wear business casual clothing to an interview for a non-professional job or startup casual garb to an interview at a small startup company - it's important to look well-dressed and put together, no matter what the company.

Most Common Interview Mistakes

Mistake # 2 Arriving Late

• Everyone knows that first impressions are very important in landing a job, but did you know that you can make a bad first impression before you even arrive at your interview?

• Running late not only suggests poor time management skills, but shows a lack of respect for the company, the position and even your interviewer.

Most Common Interview Mistakes

Mistake # 3 Bringing a Drink With You

• Ditch the coffee or soda before you enter your interview. If you need to fuel up, do it before you get to the interview.

• It does not look professional, and it will distract you from being focused on making a good impression, answering questions, maintaining eye contact with your potential employer, and paying attention throughout the entire interviewing process.

Most Common Interview Mistakes

Mistake # 4 Bringing your Mobile Phone

• Before you get to your interview, turn off your mobile phone.

• To resist the temptation to check your phone, leave it in the car.

Most Common Interview Mistakes

Mistake # 5 Not Knowing Anything About the Company

• Don't let your potential employer stump you with the question, "What do you know about this company?" It's one of the easiest questions to answer.

• Background information including company history, locations, divisions, and a mission statement are available in the "About Us" section.

Most Common Interview Mistakes

Mistake # 6 Not Paying Attention

• Make sure you are well-rested, alert and prepared for your interview. Getting distracted looks bad.

• If you zone out, your potential employer will wonder how you will be able to stay focused during work.

• If you feel your attention slipping away, make the effort to stay engaged, focused and concentrated.

Most Common Interview Mistakes

Mistake # 7 Talking Too Much

• The interviewer really doesn't need to know your whole life story.

• Keep your answers brief, but complete and to-the-point.

• Keep your answers focused and don't ramble.

Most Common Interview Mistakes

Mistake # 8 Not Being Prepared to Answer Questions

• Don't let yourself be caught off guard. Prepare for your interview by reviewing what questions to expect, and how to answer them.

The Traditional Interview

Traditional Interview

• In a traditional interview, you will be asked a series of questions which typically have straight forward answers like "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" or "What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?" or "Describe a typical work week.“

Expected Questions – About You

• Tell me about yourself.• What is your greatest weakness? • What is your greatest strength? • How will your greatest strength help you perform? • How would your friends describe yourself?• Do you work well with other people?• Do you take work home with you?• Do you prefer to work independently or on a team? • Give some examples of teamwork. • Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you

overcame it.

Expected Questions – About You

• How do you handle stress and pressure? • What motivates you? • What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make? • What has been the greatest disappointment in your life? • What are you passionate about? • What do people most often criticize about you? • When was the last time you were angry? What happened? • If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do

differently?• If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would

you handle it? • What are your salary expectations?

Expected Questions – Work History

• What were your responsibilities in a job role you had? • What major challenges and problems did you face? How

did you handle them? • What have you learned from your mistakes? • What did you like or dislike about your previous job role? • Which was most / least rewarding? • What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this

position?

Expected Questions – About the new job

• What interests you about this job? • Why do you want this job?• What applicable attributes / experience do you have? • What can you do for this company? • Why should we hire you? • Why are you the best person for the job? • What do you know about this company? • Why do you want to work here? • What challenges are you looking for in a position? • What can you contribute to this company?

The BehavioralInterview

Behavioral Interview

• Behavioral based interviewing is interviewing based on discovering how the interviewee acted in specific employment-related situations.

• The logic is that how you behaved in the past will predict how you will behave in the future i.e. past performance predicts future performance.

Sample Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral interview questions will be more pointed, more probing and more specific than traditional interview questions:

• Give an example of an occasion when you used logic to solve a problem. • Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it. • Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing

it. • Have you gone above and beyond the call of duty? If so, how? • What do you do when your schedule is interrupted? Give an example of how you handle

it. • Have you had to convince a team to work on a project they weren't thrilled about? How

did you do it? • Have you handled a difficult situation with a co-worker? How? • Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.

During a Behavioral Interview

During the interview, if you are not sure how to answer the question, ask for clarification. Then be sure to include these points in your answer:

– A specific situation – The tasks that needed to be done – The action you took – The results i.e. what happened

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

You may be asked "What can I answer for you?" Have interview questions of your own ready to ask. You

are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company/position are good for you.

Sample Questions to ask:– How would you describe the responsibilities of the position? – How would you describe a typical week/day in this position? – Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do? – What is the company's management style? – Who does this position report to? If I am offered the position, can I meet

him? – How many people work in this office/department?

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

More sample Questions to ask:

– How much travel is expected? – Is relocation a possibility? – What is the typical work week? Is overtime expected? – What are the prospects for growth and advancement? – How does one advance in the company? – Are there any examples? – What do you like about working here? – What don't you like about working here and what would you change? – Would you like a list of references? – If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start? – What can I tell you about my qualifications? – When can I expect to hear from you? – Are there any other questions I can answer for you?

Questions NOT to Ask the Interviewer

– What does this company do? (Do your research ahead of time!)

– If I get the job when can I take time off for vacation? (Wait until you get the offer to mention prior commitments)

– Can I change my schedule if I get the job? (If you need to figure out the logistics of getting to work don't mention it now...)

– Did I get the job? (Don't be impatient. They'll let you know.)– Don’t ask the interviewer ay thing personal like you became

friends… (So, how old are you? Do you like hilal? How is the big boss here? Are you having any issues with him?)

How to Get the Advantage for Job Interviews

Visit the Company Website

– Review the company mission statement and company history, products and services, management, as well as information about the company culture.

How to Get the Advantage for Job Interviews

Use LinkedIn

– LinkedIn company profiles are a good way to find, at glance, more information on a company you're interested in.

– You'll be able see your connections at the company, new hires, promotions, jobs posted, related companies, and company statistics. Take a look at your interviewer's profile to get insight into their job and their background

How to Get the Advantage for Job Interviews

Use Social Media

– Check Facebook and Twitter. Become a Fan of the company on Facebook and follow it on Twitter. You'll find information you may not have found otherwise.

How to Get the Advantage for Job Interviews

Google and Google News– Search both Google and Google News for the company name.

• Sipchemwww.sipchem.com/ - Cached - SimilarWelcome to Sipchem website where you will find all the relevant information related to the company that was established on December 22, 1999.… more ...

• Sipchem announces groundbreaking of EVA films project in Hail CityAME Info - 3 days agoSaudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) announces the groundbreaking of its Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) films project in Hail ...

• Work on Sipchem's solar films plant beginsConstruction Week Online - 3 days agoSipchem said that the project would create investment opportunities and employment for the people of Hail region. The plant is likely to be ...

• SAUDI ARABIACogeneration & On-Site Power Production Magazine - 1 day agoSaudi Sipchem starts building USD 31.9mn solar films plant. Sipchem Chemicals Company, a 100% subsidiary of Saudi International ...

• Sipchem announce Q3 interim financial resultsSaudi Gazette - Oct 18, 2012Sipchem announce Q3 interim financial results. Last Updated : Friday, October 19, 2012 12:24 AM. JEDDAH – Sipchem announced the interim financial results ...

How to Get the Advantage for Job Interviews

Tap Your Connections

– If you have a connection that will help you find inside information, use it. Do you know someone who works there? Ask them if they can help.

– Ask your Career Office if they can give you a list of alumni who work there. Then email, send a message, or call and ask for assistance.

Tips For Work Success

Tips after you get the job

– Be very well dressed.

– Go early.

– If you are a coffee or tea drinker in the morning, drink before you go to work. IT is not a good impression to start asking about coffee and tea your first hour. Chances are they are busy to introduce you to others they may forget about the coffee and tea.

– Act like you are very friendly

– Be very patient. Even if you are neglected totally on the first day.. just do whatever they tell you to do without asking why?

Tips after you get the job

– When introduced to others, try to remember names. First impressions on the first day can be amazing for your future.

– Ask questions if you do not understand an instructions… follow the sandwich technique: • Thanks for your explanation• Could you explain the last part again please?• Thanks very much again.

– Try not to impress anyone by acting that you know. Everyone is expecting you to only look around and get familiar with the environment. Impressing others is coming soon enough, just try to absorb and learn like a sponge.

Tips after you get the job

– After few days, start asking how you can assist in anything.. but only after few days.

– Be very focused on everything you see, hear or learn

– After few weeks, do your best to complete your tasks to perfection. Keep asking questions, but please pay lots of attention before you ask questions.

Tips after you get the job

– The most important skills for professional success:• Be proactive• Have clear goals (ask for them)• Listen very well, and communicate clearly• Accept any assignment even if it scares you (positive before fear), even if you do

not know how to do it, then go google it. • Complete all tasks ahead of time, on time, but never late.• Never gossip or talk about others in their back• Have total integrity. Always display character. • Care about company resources• Give complements and thanks anyone who helps you sincerely• Always smile• Let others know that you can be trusted• Have a long-term strategy – So, ignore short term unfair events… low grade, low

performance appraisal, poor boss recognition, office jealousy…

Best of luck and success

والنجاح بالتوفيقالله شاء إن والسداد

Note: (In many places if this presentation, the textual content came from several web sites through search engines)