The How-tos of Finding, Preparing for, and Getting a Job

The How-tos of Finding, Preparing for, and Getting a Job

Larry HausSigma Green Belt3M – Supply Chain AnalystUniversity of Wisconsin, Eau ClaireOperations & Materials Management

Lyndsy Haviland CPIM

Schneider Electric – Project IT AnalystIowa State University

Supply Chain Management

The How-tos of Finding, Preparing for, and Getting a Job

Today you will learn:

•Social media tips•Importance of research for job fairs, internships, and interviews•How to focus your resume•How to improve your interviewing skills

•Preparation tips•Elevator speech•Dos and don’ts of interviewing

Hand Shakes

• Firm grip but not a knuckle breaker• Do not use a limp fish grip • Introduce yourself• Web to web contact• Eye contact• Confident• Smile

Practice Activity:

Social Media• Facebook

• Clean-up your account• Consider starting a new account• Delete unnecessary friends• If your employer insists on being friends

• Ask yourself…are they worth it?• Limit their access

• Twitter• Clean-up posts and be careful what you post • Make private if it is explicitly connected to you

• Take a long look at privacy policies of social media websites

Social Media Continued• LinkedIn

• Networking• Create a professional looking page • Use a professional profile picture (a friend can take it for you)

Company ResearchKnow the company• What does the company make or provide?• Topical, relevant, and conversational in tone• Not too in-depth or gratuitous• Do not mention upcoming mergers or negative news• Use their website to discover a few basic points of interest

• Current projects they are working on, etc• Shows you are taking an active interest in their company

Job ResearchKnow the position you are applying for• What are the minimum qualifications?• How do your skills match the

qualifications?• Relevance to current position• Educational requirements

• Years of experience• Weaknesses and improvements

Resume WritingSimplify:• Keep to one page• Clean and concise• Easily readable • Blank space is good• Able to find information• Scan friendly and readable font• Ariel or Times New Roman• 12 point font, 10 point minimum• Chronological format is preferred

Resume WritingInclude:• Name and contact information• Professionalize your personal email address

• @yourcollege.edu• @gmail.com• @outlook.com

• Current and previous titles, companies, and dates• Education

• GPA - use overall or major (whichever is better)• Additional classes, education, or skills

• Specialized training and/or certifications• Specific computer and/or technical skills

• SAP, Oracle, etc

Resume Writing Dos• Include qualifications profile versus objective • Relevant experience and accomplishments• Job descriptions

• Start with action verbs• Present tense for current jobs• Past tense for non current jobs• Include special projects

• Make sure technical skills are up-to-date• Be able to elaborate about accomplishments• Know what information is on your resume

Resume Writing Don’ts• Career objective statement• Career timelines older than 10 years• Colored resume paper• Puff, fluff, or exaggerate skills • Personal statements• List common skills• Fill white space with information• High school accolades• Volunteer information• “Reference Available upon Request”

Does Your Resume Pass the Six Second Test?

Resume Exchange

Exchange resumes with your neighbor

Within six seconds must be able to locate the following:1. Name2. Current position/title3. Current start and end dates4. Previous position/title5. Previous start and end dates6. Education

Practice Activity:

Cover Letters• Header matches resume• Open with hiring manager’s name• List where and how you discovered opening• Casually name drop

• Use personal contact if you have a connection• Obtain permission first• Use only if you want to be connected

• State how skills meet qualifications• Include results, numbers, and percentages• End with how you will follow-up

• Email or phone call• Do not be over zealous or too pushy

Job Fairs• If unsure about dress code always overdress• Don’t wear perfume/cologne• Make eye contact during handshake• If the company representative doesn’t give you a card make

sure to write their name down• You will forget it later!

• After talking with a company take a few minutes to make notes about what you talked about

• Don’t be offended if a recruiter doesn’t take your resume• Elevator speech

Elevator Speech

1. Create a 30 to 90 second speech to sell yourself• Highlight specific career expertise• Match skills to prospective employer• Why should you be hired?

2. Practice your speech with your neighbor• Feedback• Evolve as skills change

Practice Activity:

Job Interviews – Dos• Dress appropriately

• Cleaned, pressed, and shined• Nothing too trendy

• Clean vehicle inside and out• Arrive ten minutes early• Research company• Bring extra copies of resume and

• Keep one for yourself • Maintain positive self attitude during

interview• Be personable, open, and HONEST

• Very obvious when you are not being honest

Job Interviews – Dos Continued• Have specific examples of times you’ve failed and what you

did better next time• Talk about other classes you have taken

• Management Information Systems, etc• Always send a Thank You Card

Job Interviews – Closing the Interview

• What is the immediate need on your team that you are hoping to fill with this position?

• What projects can I contribute to right away?• Is this team empowered to find better and more efficient ways to do

things?• Can you tell me how your organization defines success?• How would you describe a typical day on this team?

Always Ask Questions:

The Interview Question That’s Always Asked (and How to Nail It)Jefferson McDowell

Job Interviews – Don’ts• Ask what does the company does• Give a list “here’s why you should hire me”• Ask how flexible the company is• Use the phrase “to be honest”• Ask how much you will make• Ask about vacation time• Telecommuting options• Personal questions• Too many questions• Don’t slouch

Job Interviews – STAR Method• Situation or Task

• Describe a situation or task you accomplished• Be specific and not generalized

• Action• Describe your action(s) and keep focus on you

• Results• What happened?• What did you accomplish?• What did you learn?• What would you do differently?

Job Interviews – STAR MethodPractice Activity:

Tell me about time when you were the leader of a group project and you had someone who was not pulling their weight?

Internships• Don’t be afraid to ask questions• Don’t be afraid to ask for more work

• Most companies don’t know how to utilize interns well• After a few weeks propose a project that will:

• Help employer• Build career skills• Helps leverage existing skills

Review of Today’s Topics:• Correct use of social media• Importance of company and job research• Focused resume and cover letter writing

• Pass the 6 second test • Uncluttered and concise• Use of qualifications profile

• Improved interview skills• Firm handshakes are good• Elevator speech• Dos and don’ts • STAR Method• Close with questions

Questions?