Preparing for Your Next Preparing for Your Next Job SearchJob Search

Association of Women in Association of Women in ComputingComputing

February 18, 2009February 18, 2009

Preparing for Your Job SearchPreparing for Your Job Search Resume WritingResume Writing

• FormattingFormatting• PositionsPositions• ProofingProofing• What should you excludeWhat should you exclude• Other informationOther information• Q&A Q&A

InterviewingInterviewing• PreparationPreparation• Phone interviewPhone interview• STARSSTARS• In personIn person• Q&AQ&A

NetworkingNetworking• 30 second elevator speech30 second elevator speech• Job networking groupsJob networking groups• Personal contactsPersonal contacts• How to build an effective How to build an effective

networknetwork• Q&AQ&A

Resume writingResume writing - Formatting - Formatting

Use 10pt Arial Use 10pt Arial

Clarity at glanceClarity at glance• Company NameCompany Name• Time at each companyTime at each company• TitlesTitles• SelectedSelected accomplishments associated with that role. accomplishments associated with that role.

Do not clutter your resume - Let it "breathe" - it Do not clutter your resume - Let it "breathe" - it will be easier to read will be easier to read

Use Use ItalicsItalics, , boldbold, , underliningunderlining for clarity for clarity

Resume writingResume writing - Positions - Positions Provide a description of your span of controlProvide a description of your span of control

• Responsibility for 4 manufacturing sites, 2 distribution centers Responsibility for 4 manufacturing sites, 2 distribution centers and division headquarters totaling 4,500 employeesand division headquarters totaling 4,500 employees

Provide scope and resultsProvide scope and results• Implemented new process improvement programImplemented new process improvement program Vs Vs• Implemented new process improvement program, Implemented new process improvement program, whichwhich

resulted inresulted in a 25% increase in daily productivity and 64% a 25% increase in daily productivity and 64% increase in customer satisfactionincrease in customer satisfaction

Descriptive action verbs Descriptive action verbs • Start each sentence using an action verbStart each sentence using an action verb

Established, Analyzed, Implemented, Created, Streamlined, Established, Analyzed, Implemented, Created, Streamlined, OrganizedOrganized

Resume writingResume writing ProofingProofing

• Spelling and typing mistakes reflect the poor quality of Spelling and typing mistakes reflect the poor quality of work that they can expect from youwork that they can expect from you

• Do not rely on computer spell checkers, read every word Do not rely on computer spell checkers, read every word to be sure it is correctto be sure it is correct

• Proof read!Proof read!

What to excludeWhat to exclude• Marital status Marital status • Gender Gender • HeightHeight• Weight Weight • HealthHealth

Resume writingResume writing

Other informationOther information• Do not state that you will provide references Do not state that you will provide references

upon requestupon request• Hobbies and personal interest rarely add value Hobbies and personal interest rarely add value

Q&AQ&A

InterviewingInterviewing

PreparationPreparation• The companyThe company

Business, size and location, profitabilityBusiness, size and location, profitability Recent newsRecent news Company cultureCompany culture

• The jobThe job Skills and competencies requiredSkills and competencies required Prepare for behavioral or situational Prepare for behavioral or situational

interviewsinterviews• Behavioral – a past situation when you had to…Behavioral – a past situation when you had to…• Situational – hypothetical – How would you…Situational – hypothetical – How would you…

InterviewingInterviewing

Phone interviewPhone interview• You pick the time for the callYou pick the time for the call• Prepare for a long callPrepare for a long call• Find a quiet secluded place to talkFind a quiet secluded place to talk• Be prepared---have all documentsBe prepared---have all documents• Stand up during the phone interviewStand up during the phone interview• Smile during the interviewSmile during the interview

InterviewingInterviewing

In personIn person• Firm, vertical hand shakeFirm, vertical hand shake• SmileSmile• Dress for successDress for success• Look interestedLook interested• Ask for the job – Ask for the job – I look forward to …I look forward to …

working with you and your teamworking with you and your team developing and implementing your total developing and implementing your total

rewards strategyrewards strategy

InterviewingInterviewing

Behavioral and Situational InterviewsBehavioral and Situational Interviews• Be concise and to the pointBe concise and to the point• STARS – STARS –

Situation – state your specific situationSituation – state your specific situation TaskTask Action - in which you took an active role Action - in which you took an active role ResultsResults Snap - link it to the job openingSnap - link it to the job opening

• Different answers for different questionsDifferent answers for different questions

Q&AQ&A

NetworkingNetworking

30 second elevator speech30 second elevator speech• Speak clearly and slowlySpeak clearly and slowly• NameName• Role you are seekingRole you are seeking• High level backgroundHigh level background• Do NotDo Not

Offer why you are lookingOffer why you are looking Speak negatively about past employer or situationSpeak negatively about past employer or situation

Job networking groupsJob networking groups

NetworkingNetworking

Personal contactsPersonal contacts• Look for people you don’ t knowLook for people you don’ t know• Listen to people/don’t sell yourselfListen to people/don’t sell yourself• Get their business cardGet their business card• Contact your new friend—E-mailContact your new friend—E-mail• Find ways to help these contactsFind ways to help these contacts

How to build an effective NetworkHow to build an effective Network

Decide how to organize contactsDecide how to organize contacts Get involved: Church, Groups etc.Get involved: Church, Groups etc. Participate in GroupsParticipate in Groups Offer your help (20 to 1 ratio)Offer your help (20 to 1 ratio) Contact your NetworkContact your Network

Q & A Q & A