Writing your first Resume and the job interview

Seppo KarrilaSpecial Topics in Industrial Chemistry

March 2015

Executive summary

• Once you graduate you will go find a job• For written application, you need to prepare a

Resume• If you get on the short list, you are invited to an

interview• That interview decides whether you get the job… • These short notes should help you get your first

job

What is a Resume

• One- to two-page summary of you, for a specific job vacancy

• Purpose is to make it easy to pick from candidates– Long resume takes too much time (goes to trash)– Additional information goes elsewhere:

• Cover letter• Complete Curriculum Vitae (CV) if you apply for an

academic job• References that the employer may contact (advisor,

previous boss in another job,…)

Examples

• Come from http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/

• We have two basic one-page resumes, and a pdf example (not in this presentation, separate files) of a detailed two-page resume and its cover letter

Notes

• Above example is very basic, could be for any job application

• Length kept to one page (second page can not be lost on making copies)

• To add details for a specific job, you list skills of importance to the job, under PROFILE as in next example

About…

• E-mail:– If you don’t have an e-mail with your name,

roughly, create one and use it with job applications (not hotpotato18@... or lovelylady21@... or ladiesmanA1@...)

You can make a 2-page resume

• Details about coursework and skills– Not everything, but skills that job might require

• Do NOT print double-sided on one paper, print single-sided on two papers– Then it is more difficult to lose a page on making a

copy…

The Job Interview

• Introducing yourself– Nice to meet you Sir/Madame, my name is …– How do you do– I have a scheduled job interview with … My

name is …

If you need to hire someone, what would you look for?

• What the employer is looking for– Skills to do the job– Wants to do the job

• Matches personal likings– Is available when we need– Fits the “culture” at work

• Is not offensive or odd– Accepts reasonable pay– Communicates well

• This helps carry out the job and avoids problems– Has basic skills

• Typing, MS-Office, …

Typical interview questions (prepare answers)

• Why do you want to work for us?– You need to know about the employer

• Does location affect?• Is there a match with something personal?• Tell me about yourself• Teamwork experience?• Your most rewarding achievement?• How do you handle disagreement with teachers or

supervisors?• Why do you want to leave your current employer?

On interview day• Smart clothing• Be on time (actually, be ahead of time)

– You must know how to get there!• Take notes

– You must have a notepad• Ask questions

– If the interviewer does not tell you • When they need you to start• When you can expect they let you know about results of the interview• Is there a “mentoring system” so you get regular help from someone

who knows how things work• …

Follow-up

• After a few days send an e-mail– Thank you note, shows you behave well– Ensures they have your return e-mail– Puts you ahead of other “equals” who don’t do

this

Conclusions

• It doesn’t matter that you could do a job, if you don’t get that job

• Getting it requires that you participate in some useful practical “rituals”

• These rituals don’t have fixed rules or regulations, but common sense and experience give some guidance

• So keep these few pages and follow the guidance when the time comes