Are you looking for work, preparing for graduation and getting excited about putting together your cover letter and resume? In the current economy, one thing is for sure, you are NOT alone. Here are some tips that may help you prepare which will increase your confidence. Best of luck in your search - whoever hires you will be glad they did, because YOU are amazing. My dream for you is that your future is as bright as you are.
~Crystal
Finding
the RIGHT job is key!
·
If
you know people in the field you want to be in, ask for a referral or
introduction.
·
County
and State jobs are coveted – know where to find them!
·
Set
yourself apart – use the internet differently than the competition.
·
Ask
Questions.
·
Do
your home work.
If
you know people in the field you want to be in, ask for a referral or
introduction.
o
“________,
I’ve heard good things about your company and you seem to like it, right? Who
would I talk to about floating my resume?”
o
“________,
I haven’t seen anything that Company XYZ is hiring, but do you happen to know
anyone in HR you could put me in touch with?”
County
and State jobs are coveted – know where to find them!
§
Set
up your profile and find out what’s out there that may be a dream come true for
you!
Set
yourself apart – use the internet differently than the competition.
o
Have
Job Center jobs matched to you and emailed directly to your inbox.
o
If
you have a social networking profile, tidy it up a bit…foul language and
drinking pics should be taken down – you don’t want
to send the wrong message.
o
If
you have your resume on multiple sites, make sure it’s the same or similar on
each. If you update one, update all of them.
Ask
Questions.
?
(Before, During, or After the interview it’s important to ask questions. If you
aren’t sure what to ask – here are some examples:)
How would you
describe the company culture/work environment?
What type of
employees tend to excel at this company?
What qualities
are you looking for in your new hires?
Can you tell me
more about the interview process?
What is your turn
over rate for the type of position I am interested in?
What type of
training do you offer?
How often do you
provide reviews and feedback?
What are the most
important skills for the job?
How would you
describe your ideal candidate?
What are the
three key skills/strengths vital to this position?
Do
your home work.
o
Most
companies have a website with important information about the company and if
you’re lucky – information for job seekers.
The
Shiny Sparkly Resume!
If
a car on a car lot doesn’t look shiny and impressive, you’ll likely drive by
without checking the sticker. Your resume works the same way – if your resume
doesn’t catch the employers attention you will not get the phone call or the
interview much less the job.
Make
sure your resume is shiny and sparkling!
Choose
Resume Words Carefully / Surpassed vs. Completed
o
Anyone
can complete a task – surpassing expectations shows that you went above and
beyond. Catch the readers attention and capture interest by using strong words
to describe your accomplishments:
Sample
Headlines
o
Dedicated
______ professional with ___ years of experience in _______
o
An
accomplished _____ professional with proven entrepreneurial success and
expertise in ___________
o
Talented
_____ professional with over ___ years of experience providing outstanding
support to ____________
Sample
Qualifications
o
Extensive
hands on experience in ______
o
Diverse
_ skills with exceptional __ background in _________
o
Fluent
understanding and extensive experience managing _____
o
Thrive
in deadline-oriented, fast paced situations
Focus
on…
o
How
you saved the company time or money
o
How
you problem solve
o
How
you use your creativity
o
How
you initiate change and develop others
o
How
you use your skills
o
How
you work successfully with a team
Submit
Your Resume/Application
o
Always
read the fine print and submit your resume/application just ask the employer
specifies (ie: if they tell you to fax…don’t email – if they request a resume
and cover letter, don’t forget the cover letter, etc…)
o
Make
sure your resume is short and sweet, to the point, and impressive!
Follow
Up
o
Follow
up with a phone call or a card (yes, the kind you mail…set yourself apart)
§
The
follow up should be short and sweet – if you send a card, it could say: Thank
you for considering me for the _____ position with company XYZ; I am looking
forward to meeting with you. Please call me at ____ and we can schedule a phone
interview or face to face meeting.
Prepare
for the Interview
·
Make
your list of traits, skills, and abilities
·
Story
Format
o
Stories
Should…
§
Describe
a challenging situation
§
Describe
a difficult decision
§
Describe
your strengths
§
Describe
your successes
§
Describe
your weaknesses
§
Describe
a time when the result was not what you planned for
Don’t
Forget to Ask Questions?
·
When
the potential new employer asks: “Do you have any questions?” your answer
should always be a quick “yes” – and go back to those questions you had ready
during the job search:
THANK
YOU!
o
The
potential new employer will thank you – but be sure to thank them for their
time too. Then…follow up with a thank you card (yes the kind you mail – it will
set you apart from other applicants)
