career planning workshop resume writing &interviewing presenter: brandon pendleton – human...

Career Planning Workshop

Resume WritingResume Writing&&

InterviewingInterviewing

Presenter: Brandon Pendleton – Human Resource Administrator Presenter: Brandon Pendleton – Human Resource Administrator (HWC)(HWC)

During this workshop you will learn:

What a resume isWhat a resume is What a resume should containWhat a resume should contain How you should dress for an interviewHow you should dress for an interview How you should conduct yourself in an interviewHow you should conduct yourself in an interview Things you should say and not say during an interviewThings you should say and not say during an interview The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know when The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know when

interviewinginterviewing What to do after an interviewWhat to do after an interview

When looking for a job it’s important to remember that

image is everything!

A resume and an interview reflect an image of you to a prospective employer.

Resume Writing

What is a resume?

A resume is a snapshot. Similar to a picture, it gives a prospective employer an idea of how you will be as an employee of their company or organization.

What should a resume contain?

A resume should always include:

NameName Correct AddressCorrect Address Correct contact numberCorrect contact number Correct e-mail addressCorrect e-mail address ObjectiveObjective EducationEducation Work History/ExperienceWork History/Experience Awards (Optional)Awards (Optional)

Resume Contents: Name

Always use first and last name.Always use first and last name. Middle name or initial is optionalMiddle name or initial is optional Take advantage of “unique” name.Take advantage of “unique” name. NO NICKNAMES!NO NICKNAMES!

Resume Contents: Address

Make sure it is a place you can be reached by mailed Make sure it is a place you can be reached by mailed correspondence.correspondence.

P.O. Boxes raise eyebrows (remember….IMAGE).P.O. Boxes raise eyebrows (remember….IMAGE). If using someone else’s address, make sure you let them If using someone else’s address, make sure you let them

know that you may receive information in the mail. Some know that you may receive information in the mail. Some information is time-sensitive.information is time-sensitive.

Resume Contents: Contact Number

Make sure it is a number you can be reached at during Make sure it is a number you can be reached at during normal business hours.normal business hours.

Pay your phone bill.Pay your phone bill. Cell phone is okay.Cell phone is okay. If using a cell phone, change your message to a If using a cell phone, change your message to a

professional one. No music, slang or “sexy” talk. professional one. No music, slang or “sexy” talk. Remember…..IMAGE.Remember…..IMAGE.

Resume Contents: E-Mail Address

Make sure it is one you have access to during business Make sure it is one you have access to during business hours if you can.hours if you can.

Shy away from your current company’s e-mail. Use a Shy away from your current company’s e-mail. Use a personal one if you can.personal one if you can.

Make sure you have a “professional” or “normal” Make sure you have a “professional” or “normal” sounding e-mail address. E-mail names like sounding e-mail address. E-mail names like “MajorHottie1” should not be used. “MajorHottie1” should not be used. Remember…..IMAGE.Remember…..IMAGE.

Resume Contents: Objective Statement

Make it specific to the job you are applying for.Make it specific to the job you are applying for. Be honest about why you are applying for the position.Be honest about why you are applying for the position. Try to keep it to one or two short sentences at the most.Try to keep it to one or two short sentences at the most.

Resume Contents: Education

Tell the school you attended/are attending AND degree Tell the school you attended/are attending AND degree you received/will receive.you received/will receive.

If you have not received the degree yet, always give an If you have not received the degree yet, always give an anticipated date.anticipated date.

Only include GPA if it’s a 3.0 or better.Only include GPA if it’s a 3.0 or better. Education information can go at the top or bottom of Education information can go at the top or bottom of

resume. It depends on your experience level.resume. It depends on your experience level. Don’t ever lie about your education. You may be asked to Don’t ever lie about your education. You may be asked to

provide transcripts.provide transcripts.

Resume Contents: Work History/Experience

Always start with the most recent position and work Always start with the most recent position and work backwards.backwards.

Always include name of company, your position and Always include name of company, your position and length of time you worked there.length of time you worked there.

Try to always make your experience relative to the job you Try to always make your experience relative to the job you are seeking. The job description can help you do this.are seeking. The job description can help you do this.

Don’t lie about what you have done and don’t over Don’t lie about what you have done and don’t over exaggerate.exaggerate.

Resume Contents: Awards/Honors

Only use if relevant to the job.Only use if relevant to the job. Typically you only need to list two or three.Typically you only need to list two or three. Make sure they are awards you can verify.Make sure they are awards you can verify.

Interviewing

Remember…….IMAGE!

Did you know that a decision NOT to hire you could be made within the first 10 seconds of your interview?

Why would that be the case?

How to interview properly:

Attire & appearanceAttire & appearance The actual interviewThe actual interview After the interviewAfter the interview

Interviewing

Attire & AppearanceAttire & Appearance

Interviewing: Attire & Appearance

Leave the latest fashions for the club or your personal life!Leave the latest fashions for the club or your personal life! Always wear a suit. If you don’t have one, buy one.Always wear a suit. If you don’t have one, buy one. Make sure it fits properly. Make sure it fits properly. Ladies watch the cleavage and skirt length. You want the Ladies watch the cleavage and skirt length. You want the

attention on what you have to say, not anything else.attention on what you have to say, not anything else. Conservative colors (blue, black or brown). It’s always better to Conservative colors (blue, black or brown). It’s always better to

play it safe. Leave the lime green and orange for your personal play it safe. Leave the lime green and orange for your personal clothes.clothes.

Hair should always be neat and more to the conservative end as Hair should always be neat and more to the conservative end as well. Guys, no twenty inch afro’s or corn rolls. Ladies, watch well. Guys, no twenty inch afro’s or corn rolls. Ladies, watch the colors. Remember…..image!!the colors. Remember…..image!!

Interviewing: Attire & Appearance

Shoes – Guys should always have on dress shoes. Ladies, Shoes – Guys should always have on dress shoes. Ladies, if you wear heels, no plastic or see through heels and none if you wear heels, no plastic or see through heels and none that are TOO high.that are TOO high.

Ladies, watch the nails. Have them cut to an active length.Ladies, watch the nails. Have them cut to an active length. Don’t overdue the perfume or cologne. Your lasting Don’t overdue the perfume or cologne. Your lasting

impression shouldn’t be your scent.impression shouldn’t be your scent. Always be well groomed. Men make sure you shave. Always be well groomed. Men make sure you shave.

Looking disheveled or ungroomed usually means no job.Looking disheveled or ungroomed usually means no job. As a rule of thumb…if you have to ask yourself, As a rule of thumb…if you have to ask yourself, “Can I “Can I

get away with wearing this?”….get away with wearing this?”….you probably shouldn’t.you probably shouldn’t.

Interviewing

The Actual InterviewThe Actual Interview

OverviewOverviewDo’s & Don'ts Do’s & Don'ts (meaning what you do say and don’t (meaning what you do say and don’t

say)say)Most Important ThingMost Important Thing

Interviewing: The Actual Interview(Overview)

Be punctual. Actually a little early.Be punctual. Actually a little early. Listen to the questions very carefully.Listen to the questions very carefully. Only answer what is asked. You can elaborate but make Only answer what is asked. You can elaborate but make

sure you don’t go way off on another tangent.sure you don’t go way off on another tangent. Maintain eye contact.Maintain eye contact. Answer questions confidentlyAnswer questions confidently Take your time….but not TOO much time.Take your time….but not TOO much time. Use examples whenever possible. Employers love that.Use examples whenever possible. Employers love that. Be honest.Be honest.

Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Overview)

Watch negative language or comments about current or Watch negative language or comments about current or previous employers.previous employers.

Watch the slang. Speak clearly. Remember…..image.Watch the slang. Speak clearly. Remember…..image. Only ask questions that are relevant to the position you are Only ask questions that are relevant to the position you are

interviewing for. You should also always ask a question interviewing for. You should also always ask a question about the company. Make sure you do your homework.about the company. Make sure you do your homework.

Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts)

““You all here at McDonald’s make Big You all here at McDonald’s make Big Mac’s right?”Mac’s right?”


DON’TDON’TGo into an interview without knowledge of the company.Go into an interview without knowledge of the company.

DODOMake sure you do your homework.Make sure you do your homework.Research the company and understand what they do.Research the company and understand what they do.If possible, research the position you are applying for.If possible, research the position you are applying for.Check recent headlines (merger, new product, etc.).Check recent headlines (merger, new product, etc.).


““I want this job so bad, I don’t care what I want this job so bad, I don’t care what you pay me!”you pay me!”


DON’TDON’TSell yourself short on salary.Sell yourself short on salary.Pretend to be flexible if you aren’t.Pretend to be flexible if you aren’t.

DODOResearch what similar jobs pay (company, region, etc.).Research what similar jobs pay (company, region, etc.).Have a range in mind.Have a range in mind.


““I have the swag necessary for this job! I have the swag necessary for this job! That’s what’s up!”That’s what’s up!”


DON’TDON’TUse slang in an interview. PERIOD!Use slang in an interview. PERIOD!

DODOSpeak professionally.Speak professionally.Use the English language correctly.Use the English language correctly.Practice if need be (we don’t interview everyday).Practice if need be (we don’t interview everyday).


““I could have worked for the Obama I could have worked for the Obama Administration as Vice President, but Administration as Vice President, but

turned it down to come work here turned it down to come work here instead.”instead.”


DON’TDON’TLie or over exaggerate your experience or your reasons for Lie or over exaggerate your experience or your reasons for seeking the job.seeking the job.

DODOBe honest about your skills and work history.Be honest about your skills and work history.Know the difference between selling yourself and going Know the difference between selling yourself and going overboard.overboard.


““In five years, I expect to be rich and In five years, I expect to be rich and start my own reality show.”start my own reality show.”


DON’TDON’TGive a “long term goal” answer that doesn’t relate to the Give a “long term goal” answer that doesn’t relate to the company.company.

DODOGive an answer that demonstrates that you are ambitious Give an answer that demonstrates that you are ambitious and can see yourself establishing a career with the company.and can see yourself establishing a career with the company.


““No, I don’t know how to use Excel.”No, I don’t know how to use Excel.”


DON’TDON’TFocus on what you DON’T know how to do.Focus on what you DON’T know how to do.

DODOStress that you are a fast learner and resourceful.Stress that you are a fast learner and resourceful.Show that you are excited about learning a new skill.Show that you are excited about learning a new skill.Understand that employers would much rather hire smart Understand that employers would much rather hire smart employees who need to be trained than those with the skills employees who need to be trained than those with the skills but aren’t eager to learn something new.but aren’t eager to learn something new.


““I will be so happy when my divorce is I will be so happy when my divorce is final!”final!”


DON’TDON’TAllow yourself to get to personal with the interviewer.Allow yourself to get to personal with the interviewer.

DODOKeep the conversation polite and professional.Keep the conversation polite and professional.Be “warm” but not to comfortable.Be “warm” but not to comfortable.


““So how long before ya’ll recognize my talent So how long before ya’ll recognize my talent and promote me?”and promote me?”


DON’TDON’TBe arrogant or selfish in the way you present yourself.Be arrogant or selfish in the way you present yourself.

DODOStress how you can contribute to the company’s success.Stress how you can contribute to the company’s success.Talk about how you helped your previous employer.Talk about how you helped your previous employer.Recognize that the company is interested in you, however Recognize that the company is interested in you, however don’t come off as if you are doing them a favor.don’t come off as if you are doing them a favor.


““My last boss was an idiot”My last boss was an idiot”


DON’TDON’TBad-mouth your previous employer as the reason you left Bad-mouth your previous employer as the reason you left your previous company.your previous company.

DODOFocus your reason for leaving around positive comments.Focus your reason for leaving around positive comments.Say you wanted greater opportunities for advancement or Say you wanted greater opportunities for advancement or you were looking for a change.you were looking for a change.

And the most important thing to And the most important thing to remember is…….remember is…….

KNOW YOUR RESUME!

Interviewing

After The InterviewAfter The Interview

Interviewing: After The Interview

Ask about next steps in the process.Ask about next steps in the process. Ask for a business card.Ask for a business card. Thank them for taking the time to speak with you.Thank them for taking the time to speak with you. Reiterate how excited you are about the opportunity.Reiterate how excited you are about the opportunity. Send a “Thank You” letter or e-mail.Send a “Thank You” letter or e-mail.

So now you know…….

What a resume isWhat a resume is What a resume should containWhat a resume should contain How you should dress for an interviewHow you should dress for an interview How you should conduct yourself in an interviewHow you should conduct yourself in an interview Things you should say and not say during an interviewThings you should say and not say during an interview The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know when The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know when

interviewinginterviewing What to do after an interviewWhat to do after an interview

Now…..

Go get that job!!! Good luck!Go get that job!!! Good luck!

Questions?

career planning workshop resume writing &interviewing presenter: brandon pendleton – human...

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