Earthsoft Foundation of Guidance presents -To prepare resume -n-Covering letter

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To succeed in getting a dream job To prepare
Resume Covering letter
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Index

• Preparing effective resume
• Writing covering letter
• Examples

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Preparing effective resume
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Road Map

• Role of the Resume
• Types of Resumes
• Resume Formats
• Resume Sections
• Additional Documentation
• Miscellaneous Tips
• Sample Resumes
• On-line Resources

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Job objective

• Answers the question, what do I want to do?
• State the type of position you are seeking or the
  actual job title
• Consider including how you will benefit the
  employer not what you are seeking from the
  employer

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Balancing
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What is a Resume?

• Resume is your belief of profile, qualifications,
  skills, experiences achievements
• Purpose of the resume is
• To get you an interview
• To capture the readers interest and attention
• To convince your ability to fill-in the position
• Resume always helps you
• To build a career
• As an opportunity to impression first time
• To convey suitability possible contribution
• To project as someone who understands what is
  important to the organization and can contribute
  to its success

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Purpose of resume

• To open doors for an opportunity
• To share education, experience, skills, past
  performance, achievements, personality personal
  details
• To convey suitability for the job convince
  employer that you are worth an interview
• To get an interview to enable you to share more
  details about you your expertise
• To answer possibly the employers question, What
  can you do for us?
• Ultimately, to get a job at a dream organisation

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Its a sample to judge

• Your resume is a reflection of you!
• Its considered to be a sample to judge you!
• Your resume is an example of how best clarity you
  have, structured output you can translate
  document you can deliver
• Your resume is your personal knowledge
  representation, to convey your personality
• Employer to decide in 10sec to keep it or pass it
• First impressions are lasting ones.

A well written resume sets you apart from all
other applicants.
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Types of Resumes

• A Paper Resume
• To be clean
• Use at job fairs, interviews, career breakfast,
  etc
• An Electronic Resume
• Submitted online, mostly using job portals or at
  employers website
• A word file as an attachment for on-line
  submission or sharing by emails
• An HTML Resume
• Includes links to homepage to be avoided

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Attributes in demand

• Employers always want
• highly energetic, able to motivate team
• expert in the subject matters
• good in execution
• ethical
• well organized following etiquette
• problem solvers
• growth oriented, ownership responsibilities
  takers
• leaders!
• Do you fit in above?

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Standard Sections

• Header Name, email, mobile no.
• Your career objective
• Details in reverse chronological order
• Education
• Relevant courses
• Seminar, Academic projects, White papers
• Honors , Activities
• Work experience Employment history
• Skills, duration last used
• Projects
• Personal information

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The Header Section

• Name - first line should be your name
• Mobile number including country code
• Email address
• Use your UWEC email address
• Dont use BIGBOY_at_HOTMAIL.COM
• Larger than the largest font used in body
• Avoid using decorative fonts
• Dont use black or gray shaded backgrounds
• Exclude titles Mr., Mrs., Ms.,
• Include following personal information at last
• Date of Birth
• Marital status
• Blood group
• Permanent address
• Current address

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The Objective Section

• Make statement clear, concise, and to the point
• Bad I want to get a job
• To attain an internship in the computer
  industry.
• Good To attain an internship in the computer
  industry working with database or network
  security.
• Avoid being overly specific to single company
• To attain a position at 3M Pharmaceutical
  working on
• Objectives from the perspective of organisation
• To attain a web application programming position
  where knowledge of Java and the Struts framework
  will add value the overall development process.
  
• To be a senior professional in Service Delivery
  Management in a growth oriented and technology
  driven IT organisation

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Education Courses

• List academic non-academic qualifications
• Include a table chronological order for
• Higher schooling college
• Courses either unique or considered as elective
• Include following
• Duration in year (from to), educational degree,
  university/college, grade/division/ marks, main
  subjects
• Followed by self explaining seminar project
  title, brief description, and attributes
• Allied courses with attributes - leadership,
  public speaking, foreign language, computer

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The Honors/Activities Section

• This section should convince that you are a
  leader
• To use self explaining title brief description
• honors awards bagged during college
• academic or extracurricular activities
• leadership positions held
• membership in various organizations
• relevant volunteer work
• hobbies or activities

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Work Experience

• Align resume to capture attributes in demand
• Describe appropriately relevant experience to the
  job be consistent in wording
• To capture work experience in reverse
  chronological order in table format, header
  detailed responsibilities
• Duration from to in month-year, name of
  organisation, designation / role, key
  responsibilities, knowledge, skills abilities
  gained utilised, contribution, accomplishments
• Good to mention url of past companies

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Work Experience

• Include as applicable
• Metrics indicating success in previous jobs.
• Big-name employers or impressive job titles
• Promotions or increased responsibilities.
• Highlight marketable specific skills if any if
  market demands
• Be sure to not leave gaps however be honest if
  there is a gap
• Use present tense for current job
  responsibilities and past tense for previous
  responsibilities
• Reason for leaving could be optional

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Experience

• Dont need name of supervisor, address, or
  contact information
• Dont emphasize duties but outcomes
• Increased efficiency of by 20
• Improved user navigation experience on
• Avoid passive language such as Responsible for,
  Duties included, or Worked on in descriptions

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Skills Section - IT

• This is where you emphasize your technical skills
• Programming Languages
• Put in order of familiarity, Can use Exposure to
  
• Platforms
• Nice to list Windows and Linux
• Packages
• Eclipse, Oracle 9i, MS SQL Server, Rational Rose
• To list the real products having worked on
• Development Methodologies
• Rational Unified Process, Extreme Programming,
  Agile Development
• Awareness of SDLC
• Expertise in Estimation methodologies

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Skills Section- Mechanical

• This is where you emphasize your technical skills
• Knowledge of
• Design development
• Production cycle or methodologies
• Hydraulics/ Pneumatics
• Machining Fabrication
• Welding technologies
• Material science
• CAD-CAM, AutoCAD, Ansys, 3-D packages
• Quality norms their acceptance levels

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Detailing Accomplishments

• Detail each accomplishment
• Prepare a separate sheet answering following
• Prioritize your accomplishments
• What about the accomplishment makes it stand
  out as something special?
• How did you initially involve?
• What did you do?
• How did you develop, design, create, implement
  plan, program, product, service, procedure?
• What was especially enjoyable about doing it?
• What are the quantifiable results benefits of
  accomplishment to you organisation?

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What Is an Accomplishment?

• You accomplished or achieved
• more with the same resources
• the same results with fewer resources
• Improved operations, efficiency, process
  orientation, reviews, accuracy, better formats
  periodic reports, simply made things easier
• Brought in the quality aspects, objectives
  actual achieved, and further improvements
• Resolved panic problems with little or no
  increase in time, energy, cost, personnel, etc
• Accomplished something for the first time.

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What did you do?

• Did you strategise the growth architecting a
  business?
• Did you took initiative resolved any problems,
  or accepted any opportunities or met any
  challenges
• Did you create or develop or design a new
  department, program, procedure, plan, service, or
  product?
• Did you identify a need implemented a plan,
  program, product, service, procedure, etc.?
• Prepare original reports, papers, documents,
  process?
• Did you participate in any technical
  contributions?
• Did you participate in any major management
  decisions or organizational changes?
• Did you implement or participate in any sales
  and/or profit and/or cost saving recommendations?

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How did you do it?

• Answering following questions might help-
• Did your results save cost, generate new
  business, increase sales/profits?
• Did your results improve efficiency (efforts,
  duration, manpower, procedures)?
• Did results make an impact on the organization?
• Can your results be measurable?

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Caution

• Avoid excessively general statements
• Claiming improvements without explanation
• Citing reductions in costs or increases in
  efficiency without quantified measurements
• Taking credit for progress without providing some
  element of detail
• Mentioning projects not worked for
• Using terms such as excellent, world-class,
  superior, etc. without independent evaluation
  that provided the rating
• Obvious false statements

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The Projects Section

• Using this section correctly can differentiate
  you!
• Show impressive relevant projects you have
  contributed
• Each project should have attributes like name,
  domain, efforts, duration, generic technologies,
  key latest technologies
• To write appropriate
• Brief project description
• Benefits achieved by clients organisation

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Interests References

• Personal Interests
• List your interests, but do not generalise.
  Instead simply saying 'football', say you have
  played for a local club for last four years now
  holding a post of Treasury Officer.
• References
• Provide 2-4 professional references at the end
• Share full name, designation context of knowing
  them, no family members
• Pick individuals that think highly of you are
  familiar with your work, from recent work history
• Seek consent from them before using names

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References

• Choose references carefully they should convey
  your ability to perform for the position
• You should provide
• References when the employer asks for
• The number of references as requested
• You must contact people on your reference list
• Get their prior agreement to be a reference
• Let them know job(s) you have applied
• Provide them a copy of your resume
• List on the same quality bond paper as resume
• Should have the same heading information

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References Example
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Optional sections

• Relevant coursework
• Split work experience in two (relevant experience
  and other work experience)
• Research experience
• Community service
• Volunteer experience
• Extracurricular activities
• Professional memberships
• Publications/presentations
• Licenses/certifications

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Online Resume

• Most large employers will upload resume to a
  central database
• Use appropriate keywords for better retrieval
• Samples Unix, C, Java, hardware, networking,
  trouble-shooting, testing, security, data mining,
  cloud, managed services, data warehouse , etc
• Dont use italics, underlining or graphics
• Use bold only for headers
• Use black ink on white background

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Delivery of resume

• Emailing your resume
• Write appropriate body in email
• Attach resume as a PDF or Word document
• Check before submitting your resume
• Make sure to check it thoroughly, for spelling,
  grammar and clear representation of your profile
• Check that the content is relevant to the reader
  or business to encourage to contact you
• Send resume to you, check email body
  attachment, get it printed verify

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Review Steps

• One can apply limited jobs per day month for a
  portal
• Search for the job online
• Input right search criteria like experience,
  technology, location city or country, ECTC
• Read header information make a judgment for
  suitability of job, responsibility, organisation,
  etc
• Match education, experience, skills with
  requirements, duties, skills and apply if
  suitable
• Note contact details of recruiter for the most
  suitable job, you may want to contact

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Result oriented action statements

• Passive Duties included Website re-design.
• Active Worked on successful Website re-design.
• Active w/Results Created an effective
  association Website that resulted in a 25
  increase in hits within 2 weeks through usability
  testing and re-design as a member of a 3-person
  team.
• Passive Responsible for cataloging.
• Active Provided cataloging function in mid-sized
  public library
• Active w/Results Managed a trouble-free
  migration of a card catalog system to an online
  catalog system through a comprehensive cataloging
  vendor selection process
• Passive Responsible for childrens programs.
• Active Managed successful childrens library
  programs.
• Active w/Results Increased participation in a
  childrens summer reading program by 20 through
  the redesign of the program and the development
  of Web-based marketing

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Dos

• Act as a professional Be consistent in font
  type size, get the words punctuation correct
• Be simple, use easy-to-read word flowing
  statements
• Pleasant layout - to be clean, concise well
  formatted, Bulleted bold at specifics
• Be truthful and don't be afraid selling your
  skills
• Be clear about your profile job
• Keep balance of information presentation
• Focus on strengths and accomplishments
• Check recheck to eliminate spell mistakes

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Dos

• Use template
• Be sequential logical, Make your points clear
• Use past tense and choose right action verbs
• Share your achievements strengths
• Make your resume results oriented, give proof to
  back up your capability statements and what you
  can do
• List relevant work
• Include attitude like - Team Player, Involved
  with -,Contributed to , Served on ,Volunteered
  to
• Demonstrate leadership, communication, cultural
  awareness

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Do not

• Do not use ugly format
• Do not lie, manipulate, exaggerate to match
• Just listing the duties, it is not impressive
• Refer yourself with the third person
• Images, fancy fonts, letters in upper case,
  spelling mistakes, broken English. difficult buzz
  words
• Coloured paper or type, glazy photographs
• Jargon and acronyms that other people might not
  understand .eg. CRO, TB, SOX
• History more than 15 years old

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Do not

• Avoid lists of boring sentences
• Photographs Personal
• Family health information
• References
• Folded resume
• Avoid abbreviations and acronyms
• Never use pronouns as I, me, my, our
• Never type (use a laser, jet printer)
• No fancy fonts, binders, layouts

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Tips

• Limit it to two pages if you have little
  experience
• Place name page number on all pages
• Use a good quality white colored bond paper
• Use a 12 point font keep consistency for font
  type size across
• Do not fold or staple the resume
• Use language keywords aligned to job
• Minimize bold lettering, italics, underlining.
• Provide factual education, skills, experience
  achievements to meet job requirements

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A successful resume

• Shows purpose and direction
• Consistent (verb tense, format, etc.)
• Factual
• Dynamic
• Visual appeal (balanced statements, sufficient
  margins, consistency, etc)
• Well-organized
• Reads like a good newspaper story - with
  headlines and leading phrases
• Zero typographical errors
• Printed on quality resume paper

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Resume Examples
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Good Examples (1)

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Writing covering letter / email
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Why a covering letter/email?

• Content of cover letter is same as email body
• Transmit your resume to a potential employer
• Stimulate interest in you and in your resume
• Provide critical pieces of information
• Why are you qualified to meet their needs?
• What makes you different from others?
• What you can do for the employer?
• How will you meet their goals for the future?
• How you will benefit the employer?
• How will you add value to the organization?
• Communicate what you expect next action

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Things to Consider

• Effective cover letter/email require substantial
  research about the job about the employer
• Covers letter must be written for specific
  position and directed to a specific person
• It demonstrates written communications ability
• It should have following without any spelling or
  grammatical errors
• Salutation
• Introductory paragraph
• Body of letter (1 or 2 paragraphs)
• Closing paragraph Complementary close
• Name
• List of enclosures

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Cover Letter (1)

• Why do I need to write a cover letter?
• It acts as verbal introduction to the employer
• To seek attention on your relevant background
• Send it to a person, not a place
• Avoid To Whom It May Concern,
• Worst case Dear Recruiter
• First sentence should tell why you are writing
• I am writing in regard to your posting listed
  on
• Ms.Sarita of ED cell suggested that I
• As you may recall, I spoke with you briefly
  at..
• Indicate why are you interested in the company

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Cover Letter (2)

• Opportunity to convey some basic information
• What position you're applying for
• Who you are
• Why you want the job
• What you have to offer
• Highlight your skills
• 2-4 statements for in-depth description like
  education, experience, skill, contribution,
  knowledge, etc
• Each statement should be stand alone clear
• Close with a request of action
• Like Kindly grant an appointment to enable me to
  share more details
• Like Please advice next step. Shall appreciate
  your guidance.

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Cover Letter (3)

• Must convey the above objectives in a single page
  and tempt the employer with some key points from
  your resume
• Review company website, Find out about the
  company highlight this in your cover letter
• Employers look for two points 
• Someone who can do the job
• Someone who wants to do the job
• Covering letter helps to convey your enthusiasm

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Sample(1)

• Role you are
• applying for

Why you are applying
Why they should read on and interview you
Show you are familiar with their business
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Sample(2)

• Set the scene

Relevant to current business situation
What you are interested in
Additional 3rd party referees talking your
capabilities
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Sample(3)
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To achieve

• Get the readers attention, but avoid catchy
  phrases and gimmicks
• Show your enthusiasm for the position
• Stimulate the interest of the employer
• Convey why you are writing - State the position
  or assignment for which you are applying
• Mention the resource used in finding out about
  the opening or how you learned of the opening

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Introductory Paragraph

• Include when youre graduating from University
  and with what degree, and future career plans
  (only if theyre related to the position)
• Provide a transition sentence that links your
  education, experience, and skills to the need
• Provide a strong case for how your qualifications
  provide what the employer needs
• Highlight key strengths like education, skills,
  total experience (work experience, volunteer
  experience, class projects), achievements

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Main paragraph

• Include certain skills you want to highlight that
  are mentioned in the job posting
• Where and how you developed those skills
  (academic background/training, work experience,
  personality traits)
• Achievements that relate to the field in which
  you are applying, without duplicating exactly
  what is included in your resume
• How you would make a good fit in the company
  based on its mission, goals, and current projects

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Closing paragraph

• Your resume is included which gives a more
  complete view of your qualifications
• Youd like to further discuss the job opportunity
  or you desire an interview
• Restate your interest in the position.
• State what you expect next - interview.
• State what you will do as follow-up when
• How you can be reached (phone number and e-mail)
  to answer any questions
• Thank the person for his/her time and
  consideration

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Print Cover letter format

• Your Street Address
• City, State Zip Code
• Date
• Name of Person
• Job Title
• Company/Organization
• Street Address
• City, State Zip Code
• Dear Mr./Dr./Ms../Mrs. XXXXXXXXX
• First paragraph
• Second paragraph
• Closing paragraph
• Sincerely Your Name

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Printed Cover Letter
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Organize Your Career Search

• Keep copies of all submissions, by organization.
• For each organization, keep
• Job announcement
• Notes while researching job and organization
• Copy of resume
• Copy of cover letter
• Copy of references
• Keep all documents in binder or file box or file
  folder that is readily accessible.

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Use action words
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Bad statements incorrect spell

• Education Curses in liberal arts, corses in
  computer science, courses in accounting
• Personal Married, 1992 Sangeet
• Proven ability to track down and correct erors.
• Disposed of 2.5 billion assets
• Accomplishments Oversight of entire department
• Cover Letter Thank you for your consideration.
  I hope to hear from you shorty!

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On-Line Resources

• www.collegerecruiter.com
• www.developercareers.com
• www.writinglettersandresumes.com
• www.professional-resumes.com
• www.1stresumes.com
• www.a1resumes.net
• www.10minuteresume.com
• www.crsresume.com
• www.resumeservice.com

Free
Not Free

• Additional resources on resumes are available
  online at Google search like Presentations,
  eBooks, Tips

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Thank You