The purpose of the resume is to describe your life-work experience to best advantage for the prospective employer It should be a precise description about accomplishments, skills, and experience so tltit employers will want to know more in an interview You may need more than one version for different jobs THE RESUME SHOULD INDICATE: • Contact information- your name, address, phone number, fax and email • Background information in a summary or brief overview • Education, training, employers, and dates of employment • Specific accomplishments related to performance on the job and leadership activities in professional, civic, or community affairs • List employment experience and education, in reverse order (highest degree or most recent job) OMIT Names and addresses of references These can be supplied at the interview Listing "References available on request" is not required; it is assumed Salary information If requested, include in cover letter Personal data, such as age, marital status, height, weight, etc Prospective employers must consider you solely on the basis of your qualifications It is illegal to request pictures or information related to race, r~ligion or national origin pronouns They weaken Personal statements Objectives narrow your options Your objective is to get an offer from the company INCLUDE I A generally stated professional summary It is an overview of what you have done and how you fit the needs of a company Includes business environment experience, personal characteristics and industry key words Unpaid experiences, as well as paid employment, if it is significant, professional, pertinent to the industry Resumes placed on Internet sites must follow company format Avoid bullets, italics, underlines Use HTML format Careful editing to check for typos and grammatical errors These may suggest to prospective employers your work is careless May be more than one page with experience, butnotmore~th~a~n~tw~o~. -, The following guideline~ are important Translate skills and achIevements mto actIOn statements • Express skills with action verbs and industry key words to show benefits or results of the work you have performed Express problems you have solved that lend punch and add variety to your resume • Quantify and qualify, using statistics, percentages and numbers whenever possible • Include key words or nouns that specify areas of experience, e.g.: Team Leader, Manager, Strategic Planning MIS Bilingual Computer Software Skills Systems Analyst • Begin statements with actions that are followed by results: Increased company market niche and profitability by designing customer preference survey and focus groups Supervised 10 focus interview teams to conduct focus groups of more than 350 people and 2.000 surveys Analyzed data and presented results of 2.000 interviews to senior management • Omit personal pronouns, "I," and articles, "the" and "a." RESUME FORMATS RESUMES DOs & DO NOTs ORGANIZING INFORMATION RESUME DOs There are three basic styles of resumes: Chronological, Functional and Combination Each format organizes information differently and has distinct advantages and disadvantages The following descriptions will help you determine which format is most appropriate for you Write brief phrases Full sentences not necessary Start with a first draft Expect to several revisions Begin with a summary statement that describes the functional area of your work Use present tense in describing current job All previous positions are described in past ten se Support all activities and responsibilities with • results and accomplishments Describe specific responsibilities , Summarize early employment by briefly describing your functions at the end of the resume Pick a resume format and be consistent Dates appear on the right side of the page Write out all numerals up to and including the number "nine." Use the numerical form for 10 to 999,999 10 Layout resume so that a job description or a sentence on the first page does not run over to the second II Proofread final product for correct spelling, punctuation, grammatical, and typographical errors Have independent, "critical" person proofread for errors you may have missed 12 Omit information or dates that may be used to screen you out CHRONOLOGICAL This type of resume lists work experience in reverse chronological order it is best for the person who has had extensive experience in a chosen career field Advantages • Allows for different formatting to include key words and career highlights • Human Resources interviewers, recruiters, and employers seem to prefer this format • Easiest to prepare, since it is arranged by titles, companies and dates • Steady employment record is highlighted • Provides interviewers with a guide Disadvantages • Reveals employment gaps (It is recommended that any gaps include reasons, e.g.: job search, family responsibilities, travel, or educational opportunity in cover letter.) • May not emphasize areas that you want to maximize • Skills and achievements at last position must match current position search FUNCTIONAL Generally not recommended because it raises too many red flags • Organizes work experience into skill clusters • Dates and places of employment are left out • Re-entry people and recent graduates may find this style effective • A special section, Analysis of Experience, is written instead of listing employment history Usually three to four areas are emphasized, showing results and accomplishments • Sections may be arranged in any order Advantages • Stresses selected skills and experience areas that are marketable or in demand • Attempts to camouflage a spotty employment record • Allows the applicant to emphasize professional growth • Positions not related to current career goals can be played down Disadvantages • Employers are suspicious and need to see additional work history information • It does not allow you to highlight companies or organizations for whom you have worked COMBINATION This type of resume combines the skills and achievement section from the functional format with the employment history listing from the chronological format Advantages • Provides opportunity to emphasize the applicant's most relevant skills and abilities • Order of sections on the combination resume can be changed to market yourself in the best possible light • Good tool for almost anyone; however, re-entry people, recent college graduates and career changers find it particularly useful • Provides opportunity to highlight skills, while showing evidence of employment Disadvantages • Employers can lose interest, unless it is very well­ written and attractively laid out I , ( ~ RESUME DO NOTs Do not use ita lics, dashes, or underlining to emphasize items and make them stand out They confuse scanners and electronic mail attachments Do not use abbreviations Use professional and technical information when it is relevant Do not use odd-sized, bordered, or colored paper - anything that may be considered eccentric Do not include your picture with the resume Do not list references; reserve them for the interview or follow-up activities Do not include personal data, marita l status, number of children, or "excellent health." Do not devote more space to earlier jobs than to more recent employment Employers are interested in most recent, relevant experi ence Do not list grade point average or college honors unless you are a recent graduate Do not leave gaps between employment dates List jobs by years rather than by mon th and year Briefly state a good rcason for the gap, e.g.: returned to school full-time, worked on temporary jobs, or left career for family responsibi lities • , ( ~ II • • , COVER LETTERS Always include a cover letter explaining your reason for submitting the resume It serves as an introduction, highlights specific qualifications or objectives you may have for this job, and exhibits written communication skills Do not use standard letters from books Create your own business letter Every resume, whether faxed, emai1ed, or hand-delivered, must include a cover letter The cover letter can also include additions to the resume that specifically match the job description Other Uses for Letters • To initiate networking • As follow-ups after interviews to thank interviewers, emphasize skills, and summarize your fit for the position • To cover any omissions or errors during the interview I ,( r I CD JAKE KEST GOODMAN 2600 Scott Road,Adams City, Ohio 419-882-5100 email jonathon@cyb.net.com Use of word "resume" as heading unnecessary Good use of space for the information employer needs about you Uses only two lines instead of three or four Email and/or fax numbers are helpful Omit cell phone number You don't want an employer calling you when you are busy with something else Profi Ie emphasizes general background related to employer or industry needs Includes business environments, skill areas, and general accomplishments The use of nouns is important for detection by scanners looking for a good fit Uses both hard and soft skills that are more detailed in body of resume This should be a good general statement It may be explained in detail , or with examples in an interview, or with follow-up activities May also be used as 30· second sound bite in response to "What you do?" or "Tell me about yourself." PROFILE a> Account Executive with sales and management experience in a variety of financial services and business environments Dynamic leader with vision, organizational skills and a record of accomplishments built on ability to create relationships, produce results and bottom-line growth Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with capacity to handle projects and corporate clients on an international basis Bilingual in Spanish, French, and Portuguese AREASOFSTRENGTH GD • Business Development • Strong Negotiator • International Experience • Research and Product Development • Strategic Planning • Forecasting and Budgeting PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE @ Vice President Sales, Loren Jeffrey Corporation, Toledo, Ohio XXXX - Present 129-year-old financial services company with sales in excess of $170 million Promoted three times based on leadership and goal achievements • Reported directly to president of company Developed and implemented short- and long­ ® term strategic plan resulting in company becoming Number One Leader in the industry • Developed and maintained strong business relationships with customers, resulting in approximately $5 million in sales over a two-year period • Trained and coordinated 100 territory managers in North America, the Caribbean, Central and South America, resulting in increased sales and positive feedback from customers • Initiated business plans, marketing strategies, projections and forecasts, resulting in new growth for regional offices • Provided leadership in developing goals, implementing processes and policies for management, resulting in increased efficiency and profitability ® Strcngths that have been developed through experience and accomplishments Key words for elcctronic scanning or passes reader's five-to-15-second glance test Use titles at beginning before company name to emphasize level of position Dates are included in right margin Company name, short description of the company if not generally known, with some indication of size or sales volume, is helpful Do not include street address Previous experiences include Controller, Stuart Mitchel Corporation, Himmelville, Ohio for six years @ Progression in a company and promotion titles with different dates may be confusing Use a general statement and be prepared to discuss at the interview or on an appl ication PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND LEADERSHfP @ COMBINATION FORMAT Indicates recent academic achievement with actual experience in related area Experience associated with college majors will not always be paid work Can be volunteer, internships, and independent study Computer and technical skills are a major part of job search focus Integral part of industry needs Make ccrtain they are updated to include latest software skills Special skills are included Thcy indicate you know what employability skills sets are important factors and that set you apart from other entry-level persons Interpersonal and communications skills are hi ghly desirable traits, as are leadership, teamwork, etc This heading indicates you are emphasizing skills and accomplishments related to your search Each highlight should be placed according to importance of employer needs, as well as skill levels and time spent using these skills Begi n with strong action verbs Indicate your role in the action For example, "supported" the executive director is more effective than " helped." Fund Advisor, Ellen Allan Foundation, Inc Sylvania, Ohio XXXX - XXXX • Doubled the investment of the foundation and initiated new accounting procedures compatible with MIS system • Capitalized on research information to develop liaisons within the community, resulting in the major agreements to expand funding and investment base through planned giving EDUCATION ® MBA, Finance, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan BS, Business Administration, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio Continuing Education Courses and Seminars in Executive Development, Sales Management, and Finance @ Chairman of the Board of Ilene Barry Children's Shelter Ethics Committee Co-Chair, Financial Services, National Association of American Executive Leaders Treasurer, Hunter Foundation for Protection of the Environment Bullets can be used to set off each major accomplishment Remember, electronic scanning or the Internet listing may change formatting Use spacing between e·ach to make certain that it can be read in all formats State problems, actions, results; quantify whenever possible Never exaggerate Be able to substantiate with documentation that does not compromise confidentiality of previous employer Position somewhat unrelated to present career focus but must be used for chronological order Not necessary to go into great detail Previous employment or professional history IS summarized If it has been more than 10-15 years Do include names of companies and length of time for credibility Interviewer can ask you more questions if needed Education is at the end of the resume, unless applying for an academic position Degree followed by major, If related, name of institutIon, city and state Date of graduation not included, unless it is recent Do not indicate that you have been out of school for more than 10 years - a red flag of age or that you may not be current Omit GPAs Dean's lists, etc to Add additional continuing education and training to indicate keeping current with professional development Continuous learning is important in a changing business environment II Professional leadership and community atliliations replace hobbies and interests that arc job not relevant to performance SYDNEY RACHEL MATTHEW 1630 Justin Avenue, Grayson Park, FL 33454 (561) 555-4521 email bax@4900.com College-related activity impresses employer and substantiates claims Summary CD Recent graduate with Communications/Marketing degree Academic background blended with hands-on marketing, event planning, and communications experience in a not-for-profit environment Successful record in working with collateral materials, including designing brochures and writing newsletters Work well on multiple projects, meeting time pressures and budget limits Excellent organizational, leadership and presentation skills Computer literate; Microsoft Office 2000, Print Shop and Press Writer a> Special Skills GD • News Releases and Media Relations • Event and Volunteer Coordination • Promotional Materials • Customer Relations Highlights @ • Provided administrative support for marketing and communications department of a not-for-profit agency Supported Director in all activities related to writing, editing and distribution of news releases Developed~ iances with the media to promote activities and increase visibility of agency events \§J • Developed and designed brochures and other promotional materials, resulting in increase of volunteer activities, resulting in expanded client direct services • Published author of feature articles for college new spa er Won second place III Advertising class project, national student ad competition • Served in leadership role for student organizations developlllg liaisons with local and national professional associations (J) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, FULL AND PART-TIME, WHILE A STUDENT @ Staff Assistant, Nathaniel Marks Center, Boynton Beach, Florida XXXX - Present Receptionist, Berke Durant & Associates, Inc , Boca Raton, Florida XXXX- XXXX Previous Part-Time Employment Includes Summer Camp Counselor and Retail Sales EDUCATION ® BA, Marketing and Communications Major, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida Graduated With Honors XXXX PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND VOLUNTEER WORK @ President, Student Association, Marketing Club, Florida Atlantic University Public Relations Committee Co-Chair, Crossroads Project Student Liaison, Board of Directors, Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Demonstrated leadership working with persons outside of academic environment Indicated maturity and ability to shorten learning curve in a new situation Heading of professional experience; while a student indicates that although the work history may be spotty, irregular, or inconsi stent there was a good reason for it as opposed to someone who couldn't keep a job It also explains why the positions may not be directly rel ated to ncw career focus Emphasizing that you worked and went to school at the samc time indicates that you manage time well can handle stress deadlines and can prioritizc Education is at the end of thi s resume when there is related work experience that can be hi ghlighted Degree first, followed by major area of study, name of acadcmic or training institution followed by year of graduation or expected date of graduation 10 Leadership activities indicate well­ rounded individual with additional skills ' and abiliti es Replaces hobbies and interests that are not relevant to job performancc FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEWING PLAN AHEAD FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT Interviewers often make decisions about an applicant during the first f ew minutes and spend the interviewing time justifYing that decision Be ready to take advantage of that small amount of time to make the right impression The following tips will assist you in creating a positive image of credibility and likability Personal chemistry is as important as job qualifications • Arrive early with extra resumes, research about the company, questions you want to ask, contact numbers of references, and work samples • Be friendly to the receptionist and others you meet Show appreciation for any help or information given Observe the work areas and how employees relate to one another, to customers or vendors These are clues to the company culture • Review your notes to instill confidence in the expert on your skills and experience - YOU! • Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile Repeat his or her name along with your appreciation for the opportunity to interview APPLICATIONS Complete the entire application, even if the infonnation duplicates the resume This form often is an indication of how well you follow instructions The consistency of information provided may be necessary for the final hiring records • Read through the application first Determine what they are asking Follow all directions explicitly If the application states " print," so • Never leave blanks or say "see resume." Be specific; use notes and resume to be accurate • Read disclaimers at the end of the application They refer to references, employment requirements and other information Sign the application and be prepared to follow the rules • Inconsistent or incomplete information can result in dismissal after hire PROFESSIONAL DRESSING If in doubt, visit the location to see how current employees dress A telephone call requesting information about dress codes WILL WORK FOR YOU Avoid "casual Friday looks." Clothing, hairstyles and accessories must fit the company image and the job Conservatism is always in good ta ste Your image is a sign of your credibility, and they expect you at your very best For Women: • Wear a suit, skirt and tailored jacket, dress with sleeves, or dress with jacket in conservative style, color and fabric Be feminine, but busin ess-like Avoid very short skirts Clothing must be appropriate to the position YOll are seeking and the season of th e yeCll: Theji,//owing are general rules: • Keep makeup and accessories to a minimum Less is more when it comes to jewelry; avoid jangly bracelets and more than one pair of small earrings Avoid fragrances - some people have allergies • Hair should be worn in a conservative style; nails manicured, short to mid-length, with clear coat or light color polish • Shoes should be suitable in color and style to your clothing, polished and repaired Consider Iower­ heeled shoes; sometimes, an extended tour of the facility is part of the interview • Hosiery is a must in colors that complement your outfit Never wear hose darker than your shoes Carry an extra pair in case of emergency • Use a purse or a briefcase Portfolios of your work are acceptable Either should be of good quality and purses should match outfit You need a hand free to greet people, open doors, etc For Men: Consider the position you are applying for, the time of the year; styles, and the rules in general: Wear a suit, preferably in blue or gray, in a conservative style (pinstripe pattern is allowable) Blazers, slacks and a shirt with a collar but without a tie are acceptable in a few instances Consider the image you want to project Make certain the outfit is tailored to your body weight, height, and is freshly pressed • Shirts should be a solid color; ties should also be NETWORKING & DEVELOPING CONTACTS Best way to research a company or industry and to make a positive first impression: • Attempt to get a referral from someone who knows someone in the company or the hiring manager Research the name of the hiring manager to ask questions about the company This can be done by telephone calls or found on Web pages Dispel expectations that you are seeking a job You are seeking information, resources and referrals Be on your toes; it is still a first impression • Organize questions to take a minimum amount of time If time runs out, request another appointment or the name of another contact for additional information • Send a follow-up letter Thank them for their time and information Ask for additional referrals or leads that may be avai lable Find out if you can leave your resume with someone in the company • Keep your contacts informed of your progress SAMPLE NETWORKING QUESTIONS • What skills or training are needed for this work? • Are there special qualities or attributes that enhance entry-level job seekers') • What are the career paths or advancement opportunities? • What advice you generally give someone interested in this company? • How my skills and experience fit into this industry? TYPES OF INTERVIEWS Interviewers are not always trained and may not always ask the right questions Your answers should help them j()CUS on your accomplishments, skills, qualifications and the research you conducted Pay attention to the interviewer s formal or informal interviewing style Reading books about interviewing can be helpful When appropriate, clarifY your answers with a probing question ofyour own WHEN YOU KNOW THE INTERVIEWER Do not assume you have the job The interviewer must hire the best person for the job His/her reputation is on the line Stay on task; cover your experience and skills WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS Your questions indicate that you have researched and that you understand the employer's needs This is a very important part of the interview COMPANY QUESTIONS What are the plans ofthe company for the future? How would someone with my background fit into the plan? Is there a career path? How would you describe the company culture? What are some of the challenges and priorities of the company? JOB QUESTIONS I Is this a new or replacement job? Is there a formal training program? How would the responsibilities of this position fit into the overall goals of the company? To whom does this position report? What qualifications does your ideal candidate need? (This is your opportunity to match your experience and skills to their needs.) conservative (small pattern or stripe to coordinate with the suit and shirt) • Keep accessories to a minimum Eliminate earrings, flashy jewelry or strong aftershave Some scents are unpleasant to others' tastes or allergies • Wear hair in a conservative style Facial hair can be a turn-off • Wear shoes with a dress style suitable in color and style to your suit (no sport or evening styles), polished and repaired • If you not have a quality leather briefcase, consider one of canvas or microfiber Follow-up is critical It is an opportunity to build upon your/irs! impression Many companies wait/or your follow-up, and eliminate anyone who/ails to so DURING THE INTERVIEW: Collect business cards; give them your card If you are not employed, have a generic card printed with your contact information Take notes related to job duties and major points discussed AFTER THE INTERVIEW: Critique your performance immediately after the interview Make additional notes on important points and answers requiring strengthened explanations Write the interviewer within the fIrst 24 hours You may fax or email if appropriate, but also mail a hard copy on quality paper FOLLOW-UP LETTER: One typed page expressing appreciation lor their time and restating your interest in the job, with a brief recap of how your qualifications meet the needs of the company Close with another statement of your strengths, your belief that you can perform the job successfully and a statement that you will call at a specific time to follow up on the process Asking for the job is not only appropriate, it is a must FOLLOW-UP FAX, EMAIL, OR TELEPHONE CALL: • Must be done within 24 hours of the interview, but others may follow at appropriate intervals to determine progress • Phone calls must be planned and organized just like a letter or an interview Write a script and keep it short and business-like • When you have sent a follow-up and have not heard back for a week or two, a follow-up fax or brief note may generate some interest or an answer about whether you are still a candidate • When you have received another job offer, and a company you have not heard from is your number one choice, a call will let them know ofanother pending offer • If something affecting your application has changed, and you want to make the company aware, a telephone call or brief note should be sent • List your priorities related to responsibilities, salary, location, working conditions, benefits, and how the position fits into your career goals Match the ofTer with your list Examine advantages and di sadva ntages separately You may want to assign a numerical ranking system to make your deci sion easier • If you have had a firm offer, it is OK to contact other pending compan ies to find out their time frumes for acti on • Contact all the people who havc hclped you in your search Tell them about your new job and thank them far their help SALARY QUESTIONS Never ask about salary The company will discllss salary with you when appropriate Usuallv reserved for the second interview or when there is a firm offer You are in a betler position to negotiate Be realistic and flexible Know their salary budgets and the market range.~ Companies wallt people who are interested in doing a good job lor the company When the offer is made, the jollowing l1'ill help you negotiate a good compensation package: I Is there a sign-on bonus or commission in addition to the sa lary? How often are reviews? Is the salary at or above what others are getting for the same or similar jobs and experience') BENEFITS QUESTIONS Company benefits are often worth fi'Om 25% to 50%, or more, 0/ the cash salary offe red and are important to consider: I When am I eligible for each plan? Do I have a choice of the benefits available? NEGOTIATIONS Everything can be negotiated after you have received an offer Know the market and request their consideration in terms of sa lary, benefits and perks Salaries may stay consistent, but sign-on bonuses, temporary housing, tuition reimbursement, persona l time off, etc can be added to a package Never demand It will show an unpl easant side of your personality that could rescind an offer  - :~ PRACTICE EVERYTHING ~ ~ Z Visualize and rehearse the entire interview Writing your answers in a practice session before you verbalize them is a powerful technique to make you more comfortable and effective W ~ o ~ • Determine marketable skills and be clear about your achievements • Research the company and the industry • Make a trial trip getting to the interview, if possible, to anticipate traffic or parking problems If you are taking public transportation, allow time for delays • Be prepared for answering questions Have short, summary-type answers for questions that begin with words like "Summarize for me " or "Give me a brief recap of ", as well as specific details to add to questions like "Give me an example of a problem you've had and how you handled it." Or, 'Tell me some specific details about " Be concise, but not so brief that important information is omitted • Rehearse with others Ask a mentor, member of your network, friend or family to ask you questions and actually go through several interviews The more you tell your story, the more relaxed and adaptable you are A tape or video recorder can give you valuable feedback • Facts about the company Find information about the company and decide how you will use it in the interview Include how your achievements fit the company objectives • Questions you will ask Asking questions shows your interest The best questions are about the job, the company, expectations and other related areas Sample questions can be found within this guide What to take to the interview: extra copies of resumes, references, letters of recommendations, portfolios or work samples NON~ERBALLANGUAGE • Handshake: Always otfer your hand; use firm, but not crushing, pressure • Eye contact: Be natural as with any conversation Avoiding contact is a sign of deception, disinterest, or lack of confidence • Sitting: If a place to sit is not indicated, choose the chair closest to the interviewer; sit relaxed, but not slouch Leaning slightly forward shows interest, but never lean on the desk • Gestures: Use hands naturally to emphasize a point Do not cover your mouth, hold your head or twist your hands together COCKTAILS OR MEALS They may be held to see how you handle a social situation If there is a spill or other problem, stay calm and on track • Order a non-alcoholic drink You need to be in control • Order a meal in the middle-price range or follow the lead of the interviewer Order something easy to cut, chew and swallow You will be doing a lot of talking and may not even have time to eat • Do not smoke ~ ~ Z W ~ o ~ Toby Chabon-Berger, M.Ed, is a Nationally Certified Career Coullselor and was the first professional in the state of Florida to cam a Fellow designatioll from the International Association of Career Management and Outplacement Professionals Listed in Bolles, "What Color is Your Parachute," as a resource , Chabon-Berger is also a published author, columnist, and media contact in her field She can be contacted at Tobycareer@aol.com PRICE: U.S $4.95 CAN $7.50 CREDITS: Author: Toby Chabon·Berger, IAOP, Human Resources! Org anizational Deve!opment Consultant Layout & Design: Andre D Brisson .7L =LC{!!! ill ••~~~~~31~11~:~~I~~~JIr ~~ ~ SCREENING Conducted by the Human Resources department or an outside firm to eliminate persons who not meet the basic requirements of the company They will usually compare your qualifications against a job description or thejob requirements • Treat screeners as if they were making the final decision - they are deciding if you will go to the next step • Use information from this interview to your advantage • Your main purpose is to make a good impression ONE-ON-ONE Most often used • Informal: Interviewer has a general idea of what will be asked, but after the first question, the interview follows the trend of a conversation rather than any pre-set pattern or list of questions • Structured: Questions will be written out, based on the job requirements, and will be asked of every applicant This is often a longer interview, since all questions must be asked of all candidates and then compared • Unstructured: Can be interpreted as a type of stress interview if you are not prepared After one or two questions, the interviewer may sit back and wait for you to make the next move Ask questions about the job or the company and, after an answer, respond with how your strengths and interests match • Sequential: Interviewing with several people, one at a time Handle this as though each one was the only one, even if it means many things will be repeated GROUP You may meet with more than one person at a time • Teamwork is important to the company They want to see how effective you are as part of a group • Take it one question at a time Focus intently on the questioner • Answer the person who asked the question Follow up with a statement or summary to include the group When you look around, see if anyone seems to need further clarification • Do not assume the questioner is the decision-maker Try to figure out the power structure within the group, but not let it distract you • Make eye contact with each member of the group BEHAVIORAL • You will be called on to act as you would in a real-life situation An example would be a sales presentation If you have a choice of selling anything in the room, choose yourself! • You will be asked questions that describe how you would things under certain circumstances or how you have done things in the past TELEPHONE Designed to screen out less-qualified applicants Initial screening can also be done by faxes and emails • Expect a call outside of normal business hours • Eliminate background noises • Have all information by the phone • Stand while you speak Your voice will sound stronger and more confident STRESS Conducted either to see howyou handle pressure, or, may be an untmined interviewer on a power trip Interviewer stares, lets long silences go by, fires questions, interrupts answers, uses sarcasm, etc When you recognize this: • Take a deep breath and keep calm • Answer as much as possible before the next interruption • Do not let silences rattle you • Do not be defensive or argumentative Companies ofien use pre-employment testing tools • Drugs/Alcohol Includes questionnaires and blood, urine or hair analysis testing If you arc turned down because of a positive drug test, ask if a validation test was done If you are taking prescription or over-the­ counter medication, indicate it prior to the test It often will point to positive results Make certain that the employer is consistent in testing procedures • Psychological Includes personality and career interest tests Do not try to outwit the test Be honest and truthful Some questions may be culturally biased If you find many of these questions, discuss them openly with the recruiter You may inquire if this lest is constructed to reflect job success in the position you are seeking • Skills Includes keyboard, mathematics and dexterity tests • Honesty Reliability/Dependability Includes questionnaires and background checks • Assessment Centers Various exercises simulate day­ to-day (usually management) activities, including teamwork, conflict managemcnt, dccision-making and writing skills • "In" Basket Type of skills test Tip: Go through the entire basket first and set priorities You may find a later direction that cancels a prior onc Do not rely solely on these sources They work f or the companies they represent They will only use ij'youfit thejob description exactly Critical fa ctors are those necessmy fiJ r the right person/job fit This fit will sati.llY y our career interests, use your skills and experience, focus on strengths, achievements, and deal with job market realities • First step to a successful search is to complete a self-assessment so you are clear on your skills, value systems, needs and goals • Priority-based networking sk ill s are responsibl e for finding the best jobs Use all your resources and everyone you know who knows someone Everyone has at least 250 contacts A good job is only three to four peoplc away • Use all the resources on the Internet; you can post your resume and find career listings • Never rely solely on classified ads and the Internet You are responsible for creating your own opportun ity and for your own career management • Find a verb action list to cover all of your sk ill areas Create achievement statements and use key industry words • Set aside a workspace for your search where all information is kept up-to-date and organized • Follow-ups are critical Use the fax and send new industry research as an alternative to constant telephoning Be creative, but not a pest • Close the sale by asking for the job • Reference lists should include names , titl es, addresses, and phone numbers Also, include your relationship to this person and the information they can provide • After you have supplied an intervi ewer with your references, call and tell them the type of position for which you interviewed • Attitude and persistence make a difference If you are feeling stalled or not getting anywhere, get ~ r~rr(>i I Ll"t' (1 or I m n5mi t!~1 in ~ fl y ! ... results and bottom-line growth Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with capacity to handle projects and corporate clients on an international basis Bilingual in Spanish, French, and. .. • Phone calls must be planned and organized just like a letter or an interview Write a script and keep it short and business- like • When you have sent a follow-up and have not heard back for a... the Caribbean, Central and South America, resulting in increased sales and positive feedback from customers • Initiated business plans, marketing strategies, projections and forecasts, resulting