Human Resources Perspective on your Job Search

•PBG Overview •“The Rules”•Cover Letters•What Recruiters Look For•Useful Job Search Ideas•Interview Basics•Interview Don’ts•Final Thoughts•Questions

The Rules• One Page• Education First• Quantify Results• Use “Action” Verbs• Do not Use I or me or third person• No Paragraphs; Bullets Best• Proofread then Proofread again• Keep Resume Updated• PDF Preferred Format

Your resume represents you before you walk through the door!

Cover Letters Prioritize resume and networking

Should be specific to employer (no mistakes)

Help to apply for a job and create some interest

Briefly talk about interest and qualifications

Usually 3-4 Paragraphs: First – State why you are

writing; identify position of interest

Second: Outline strongest skill set/qualifications for position

Third (Optional): Personal interest in position; why should you be a candidate

Fourth: Conclusion, request of interview, and contact information

What Recruiters Look For•60 second or less review •Clear and concise objective •Include impressive GPA & Grad date•Also look for the well rounded candidates

• Previous experience• Activities• Leadership Roles• Special Interests

•Multiple Languages*•Achievements (Dean’s List, Awards, Honors)•Computer Skills•Mistake Free

Useful Job Search Ideas• Linked In

– Active Seekers:• Job Alerts• Add specific skills (Ex: IRI Nielsen, consumer insights)• Best in Class Headline, Branding Message

– Passive Seekers:• Keep your profile up to date• Copy and Paste Resume

– All:• Picture• Networking (Likes, messages, etc.)• Expand resume with professional interests/affiliations

• Career Fairs– Ex: Marketing: Ad Age, AMA, Association of National Advertisers– Diversity Fairs

• Monster/Career Builder• Leverage your Network

– Organizations/Affiliations• Know your “Buzz”

Interview Tips

Interview Basics

• Bring your Resume

• Dress to Impress

• Have prepared questions about the organization

• Research the organization

• Make frequent eye contact

Interview Basics cont.

• Plan what you are going to say (i.e. strengths, leadership, etc.)

• Highlight- What can you bring to the organization…

• Use examples of how your skills and abilities would fit the job

• Follow-up with the interviewer within 2 or 3 days

Interview “Don’ts”

• Application/Resume Incomplete or Grammatical Errors

• Overly Aggressive

• Lack of interest in the organization

• Responding Vaguely to Questions

• Lack of Maturity

• Arriving Late to the Interview (No Excuse)

Final Thoughts

• Be patient, Job search takes time and effort!• Figure out which works best for you• Resumes help you to obtain an interview; not a job• Referrals help, but they aren’t everything• Network, Network, Network• Preparation is key for each interview

Good Luck!

QUESTIONS!

Appendix

Resume Styles

Functional

Focus on skills rather than lengthy employment history

variety of unrelated work experiences

Career Change

Entering the job market

Emphasizes skills gained through coursework and or volunteer experiences

Resume StylesChronological

Works Best if:

Impressive employers in most recent jobs or internships

Progressive and consistent internships co-ops

Staying in the same career or field of work

Job history shows progress

Less Effective if:

Changing job interest Changed employers frequently Large gaps in employment history

Resume StylesCombination

Includes “Qualification Summary”

Brief work history in chronological order

Allows you to promote marketable skills

De-emphasizes employment history in jobs that are not as relevant

Minimizes gaps in employment

Usually works best for students and new graduates

Resume StylesScannable

No italics, underlining, shading, or other unusual enhancements

All capitals and bold okay, as long as letters do not touch each other

Arial and Tahoma the best at 10, 11, or 12 font size; Use one font throughout

No vertical or horizontal lines, graphs, or boxes

Use white paper; laser printer and send an original or high quality copy

If mailing, send cover letter and resume in a 9x12 envelope; do not fold or staple