creating a powerful resume

1
creating a powerful resume Cover LetterMGT
3213 org. communication

• Mississippi State University
• College of Business

2

• Your resume is the most financially important
  document you will ever own.

3
How much time does an employer spend looking at
your resume?

• Fifteen minutes
• Five minutes
• One minute
• Thirty seconds

4
Do you have a shot?

• As a rule of thumb, you need to have at least 70
  of the jobs listed requirements to even be
  seriously considered for the job.
• Dont have 70?
• How big is the company? Who is doing the hiring?
• The bigger the company, the more formal the
  hiring process, the more rigid they will be
  regarding listed requirements.
• Hiring processes run by HR departments or
  staffing agencies may be more picky.

5
Standard Résumé Parts
6
The customer is always right

• Who is the customer for your resume?
• A list of achievements and accomplishments what
  you think is important.
• How do you ensure your resume delivers what the
  customer wants?
• The job posting/job description.
• Tailored resumes always win over generic resumes.

7
So should I have more than one resume?

• Do you need more than one resume?
• Probably.
• What job titles/positions are you applying for?
• Applying for only one position you only really
  need one resume.
• BUT you still need to TAILOR it to the companys
  job posting.
• More than one job/position? Youll need separate
  resumes that better highlight the different skill
  sets required for each.

8
Choosing a Format

• Chronological
• Functional
• Chrono-functional

9
Use Chronological Format

• You have a strong, stable work history
• Your job titles match the skills required for the
  desired job

10
Use Functional Format

• You have held many jobs
• You have minor gaps in employment
• Re-entering the job market after a prolonged
  absence
• Past work history and job titles arent related
  to desired job
• Weak job titles
• Too little job experience

11
Creating a Functional Resume

• Step 1
• List all skills for each position youve held
• Step 2
• Re-label skills with skill headings

12
Step 1 List all Skills Step 2 Re-label With Skill Headings
Kids R Us, Head Cashier
Manage workstations and balancing tills Retail Sales Management
Train and oversee retail sales cashiers Staff supervision/training
Operate register, greet and assist customers Customer Service
Stocking/inventory Inventory Control/ Tracking
Increase revenues with add-on sales History of Increased Sales
Supervise opening closing Opening Closing Operations
Problem-solving/dealing with irate customers Customer Service/Problem Solving
13
Creating a Functional Resume

• Step 3
• Analyze a job posting for the required skills
• Step 4
• Select skill headings that match the job
  description
• Step 5
• Describe each skill heading

14
Analyzing a Job Posting

• Barnes Noble needs outgoing, customer-oriented
  sales staff for management positions. Must have
  professional appearance with at least 12 months
  retail supervisory experience. Qualified
  applicants will have experience managing all
  areas of customer service, overseeing multiple
  cashiering/workstations, opening and closing
  procedures, possess knowledge of retail
  accounting/inventory tracking systems.
• Please send resume to

15

• Retail Sales Management
• Staff Supervision/Training
• Supervised and trained over 40 managers and
  customer service staff in sales, cashiering, and
  inventory control as head cashier.
• Oversaw operations for new facility, audit, and
  daily cash reports.
• Coordinated performance evaluations with
  regional managers.

16
Detailing Your Experience

• Job duties tell the employer what you did
• Accomplishments show how well you did them
• Think time, money, results

17
Which description is more impressive?

1. Assisted with all accounting duties from general
   ledger to financial statements.
2. Maintained over 2,000 A/R and A/P accounts
   including preparation of financial statements for
   firm with annual revenues in excess of 140
   million.

18
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 1 Whom did you work for or with? Will
  mentioning them strengthen your image?

19

• BEFORERetail Sales Clerk
• Traveled throughout 12 stores, cashiering,
  dealing with customers, and solving problems.
• AFTER
• Customer Service/Regional Support
• Worked directly with Regional Manager, traveling
  to up to 12 stores to audit store procedures.
• Dealt with up to 200 customers, accounting for
  up to 20,000 daily.

20
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 2 Will describing the size of the
  department strengthen your image?

21

• BEFORE
• Accounting Assistant
• Assisted with all accounting duties from general
  ledger to financial statements.
• AFTER
• A/R and A/P Management
• Maintained over 2,000 A/R and A/P accounts
  including preparation of financial statements for
  firm with annual revenues in excess of 140
  million.

22
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 3 Will using numbers to describe your
  responsibilities strengthen your image?

23

• BEFORE
• Outside Sales Representative
• Market to established accounts and cold call
  prospective accounts to sell exterior building
  products.
• AFTER
• Territory/Key Account Management
• Manage a five-state territory composed of 125 key
  accounts generating revenues of 2.5 million
  annually.

24
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 4 Did you create, reorganize,
  conceive, or establish any procedures or systems?

25

• BEFORE
• Floor Supervisor
• Oversaw retailing space, displays, and use of
  schematics. Supervised, scheduled and trained
  staff.
• AFTER
• Operations Design/
• Departmental Management
• Managed operations for 100,000-square-foot
  facility with sales of 24 million annually.
• Increased annual sales by 15 by designing
  schematic systems that were implemented in 15
  departments.

26
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 5 Have you increased productivity,
  saved money, or reduced labor?

27

• BEFORE
• Developed new bulk-mail processing forms that
  reduced number of forms to be completed by
  public.
• AFTER
• Developed new bulk-mail permit forms that reduced
  number of required forms from 3 to 1.
• System was implemented in 1,500 offices with
  estimated paper and labor savings of 250,000
  annually.

28
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 6 Did you have responsibility for
  special projects? If so, how large were they?
• Purchased and managed implementation of a
  200,000 computer system installed in 10
  divisions.

29
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 7 Have you been complimented for
  special talents?
• Recognized by management for increasing
  profitability by 9 within a one-year period of
  being hired.

30
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 8 Do you have technical or special
  skills relevant to the desired job?

31

• Human Resources Assistant
• March 2003 August 2003
• People For People Yakima, Washington
• Acted as the sole human resource representative
  while HR manager was out on FMLA leave, providing
  benefits administration for 200 employees.
  Coordinated a random drug- and alcohol-testing
  program in compliance with FTA DOT mandates.
• Developed policies and programs in compliance
  with federal and state laws.
• Maintained personnel files in an HRIS
  (Microsofts Solomon).

32
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 9 Do you have experience training or
  supervising staff? If so, how many?
• Trained and supervised over 200 sales and
  customer service staff working three shifts in
  two locations.

33
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 10 Have you received promotions that
  demonstrate achievement?
• Within six months of hire was given full
  responsibility for customer and vendor account
  processing.

34
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 11 Have you received any awards or
  certificates that relate to your desired job?
• Completed ATTs Management Program selected as
  1 of 3 candidates from three divisions of 400
  staff.

35
Twelve Questions to Ask Next

• Question 12 Have you identified the top five
  skill requirements for the position you want?
• MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF!!
• Make sure your resume reflects evidence of these
  skills!

36
Use Action Verbs

• Managing Editor, The Reflector
• Supervised a staff of 35 people, maintaining the
  lowest turnover rate in five years.
• Coordinated editorial and art production
  schedules, oversee budget, recommend cost-
  cutting procedures to campus advisor.
• Developed a training program for new employees
  resulting in increased productivity.
• Wrote an orientation handbook.
• Initiated an on-campus recruitment program which
  generated 40 more applicants.

37
Top Twenty Non-Technical Competencies Employers Look for in Job Candidates Top Twenty Non-Technical Competencies Employers Look for in Job Candidates
1) Communication Skills (verbal and written) 11) Leadership Skills
2) Honesty/Integrity 12) Organizational Skills
3) Interpersonal Skills (relates well to others) 13) Self-Confidence
4) Motivation/Initiative 14) Friendly/Outgoing Personality
5) Strong Work Ethic 15) Tactfulness
6) Teamwork Skills (works well with others) 16) Well Mannered/Polite
7) Analytical Skills 17) Creativity
8) Flexibility/Adaptability 18) GPA (3.0 or better)
9) Computer Skills 19) Entrepreneurial Skills
10) Detail Oriented 20) Sense of Humor
38
Writing a Powerful Objective

• Remember your audience!
• Biggest turnoff? A selfish objective.
• Dont describe what you wantdescribe what you
  can offer the company
• Avoid general statements
• Avoid
• To gain experience in accounts payable.
• A position in marketing with promotion
  opportunities.

39

• Seek a challenging position with opportunity for
  advancement. (selfish!)
• Seek a position using my people skills. (better)
• Seek a position utilizing over five years of
  customer service experience managing 300 customer
  accounts with proven ability to interface with a
  diverse customer base and resolve problems.
  (best!)

40
How long should your resume be?

1. No longer than one page
2. Up to two pages
3. As long as you need to cover your work history

41
How much work history should you list?

1. All the jobs Ive ever worked
2. Only the jobs that are in the same field as the
   job Im applying for

42
Other Considerations

• Listing colleges attended
• GPAif 3.0 or higher
• Dates
• Is your e-mail address professional?
• References

43
Other Considerations

• What about keywords?
• Do not include in a big list or keywords
  section
• Include them in the descriptions of your
  accomplishments in your work experience section
• Where do you find them? How do you know which key
  words to use?
• The job posting!

44
Other Considerations

• Layout and design
• Ensure that section headings clearly stand out
  (use bold, larger font size, underline)
• Ensure that font size isnt too small to read
  easily
• There should be plenty of white space
• You should evenly fill the page (dont leave a
  large gap at the bottom of the page)
• Pick a layout that is easily scanned (no
  paragraphs)

45
Things to Leave off Your Resume

• Your picture (unless they request one)
• Interests and hobbies
• Personal attributes (height, weight, race,
  religion)
• Negativity
• Flair
• A selfish objective
• Spelling mistakes and grammar errors
• http//blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/07/i_wont_hire_people
  _who_use_poo.html

46
Lying on a Resume

• ResumeDoctor.com fact-checked 1,000 resumes
• 42 contained significant errors
• Common lies?
• Reporting staying at jobs longer than they really
  did.
• Inflating job titles
• Saying they earned degrees when they were a
  couple of semesters short.

47
Can You Get Away With It?

• http//abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id4817202
  

48
Famous Examples

• RadioShack CEO David Edmondson resigned
• Star-Telegram of Fort Worth, Texas, reported he
  had lied on his resume
• Marilee Jones, dean of admissions at MIT
• Hired in 1979
• When she was promoted to the deanship in 1997,
  she "did not have the courage to correct my
  résumé," she wrote.

49
Famous Examples

• George OLeary, resigned five days after being
  hired as Notre Dame football coach (2001)
• http//sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/
  news/2001/12/14/oleary_notredame/null

50
Cover Letter Techniques

• Opening Paragraph Why you are writing.
• State why you are writing. Name the position or
  type of position for which you are applying.
• Mention how you learned of the position.
• Mention the name of any referring person.
• Briefly describe why you are interested in this
  particular position.

51
Cover Letter Techniques

• Be straightforward, dont use flashy gimmicks
• If youre looking for a top salesman who can
  double your sales, Im the one to call.
• People often tell me that Im the best manager
  theyve ever hired.
• Need a secretary who can handle pressure, solve
  problems, and manage details? If so, put my 10
  years experience to work in your office.

52
Cover Letter Techniques

• Body of the Letter Sell yourself.
• Briefly describe the skills and/or experiences
  you possess that fit the requirements of the
  position.
• If you have related experiences, mention your
  qualifications and achievements.
• Provide more detail than your resume will allow.
• Mention personal qualities or special experiences
  and motivators.

53
Transitional Phrases

• As a ________, I have established a proven
  history of .
• My background demonstrates an ability to .
• As a _________, I was responsible for .
• During my employment with _______, I ..

54
Cover Letter Techniques

• Closing Paragraph Request an interview.
• Confidently, but politely, indicate your desire
  to further discuss your qualifications in an
  interview.
• Make it easy for the reader to contact you by
  providing your phone number(s), email, and the
  best time to reach you.
• Thank the contact person for his or her time and
  consideration.

55
Example

• I am very interested in this position and look
  forward to scheduling an interview. If you have
  any questions, please contact me at (555)
  555-5555. Thank you for your time and
  consideration.

56
Cover Letter Techniques

• Use the job description as a CHEAT sheet!
• Provide specific evidence of your skills
• Always address the letter to a person
• AVOID to whom it may concern
• Make sure the cover letter expresses your
  enthusiasm for the position and employer!

57
What Not to Write in Your Cover Letter

• I demand a salary commiserate with my extensive
  experience.
• Its best for employers that I not work with
  people.
• Lets meet, so you can ooh and aah over my
  experience.
• I procrastinate, especially when the task is
  unpleasant.
• Reason for leaving last job They insisted all
  employees get to work by 845 a.m. every morning.
  I couldnt work under those conditions.
• The company made me a scapegoat, just like my
  three previous employers.

58
Example

• Dear Ms. RobertsYour advertisement for
  software engineers in the January issue of the
  IEEE Spectrum caught my attention. I was drawn to
  the ad by my strong interest in both software
  design and Database.I have worked with a CALMA
  system in developing VLSI circuits, and I also
  have substantial experience in the design of
  interactive CAD software. Because of this
  experience, I can make a direct and immediate
  contribution to your department.
• I would like very much to meet with you to
  discuss your open positions for software
  engineers. If you wish to arrange an interview,
  please contact me at the above address or by
  telephone at [phone].
• Thank you for your time and consideration.

59
Supplementing a Résumé
A professional portfolio . . .

• Illustrates past activities, projects, and
  accomplishments
• Can be easier to organize and transport if
  presented digitally
• Must show clear understanding of audiences needs
  and your qualifications

60
Examples

• http//douggarciadesign.com/
• http//jaciemoriyama.com/index.html
• http//www.brsarchitects.com/portfolio.php
• http//myweb.wit.edu/petrovicd/networking.htm

61
Your Online Image

• What results come up when you Google your name?
• Would you want an employer to see your Facebook
  page?
• 45 of employers reported using social networking
  sites for screening job candidates (June 2009)
• Up from only 22 in 2008

62
Reasons for RejectingPotential Candidates

• Candidate posted provocative or inappropriate
  photos or info (53)
• Candidate posted content about drinking or using
  drugs (44)
• Candidate bad-mouthed previous employer,
  co-workers, or clients (35)
• Candidate showed poor communication skills (29)
• Candidate made discriminatory comments (26)
• Candidate lied about qualifications (24)
• Candidate shared confidential information from
  previous employer (20)

63
Reasons for HiringPotential Candidates

• Profile confirmed that candidates personality a
  good fit with org. (39)
• Profile confirmed candidates professional
  qualifications (39)
• Candidate was creative (38)
• Candidate showed solid communication skills (35)
• Candidate was well-rounded (33)
• Other people posted good references about the
  candidate (19)

64
Some Tips

1. Clean up your digital dirt before you begin your
   job search.
2. Keep gripes offline.
3. Be selective about who you accept as friends.
4. If youre still employed, dont mention your job
   search online.

65
What not to do

• Connor Riley, 22 yr old Masters student tweeted
• "Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh
  the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily
  commute to San Jose and hating my work."
• But someone from Cisco was paying attention and
  wrote back, "who is the hiring manager. I'm sure
  they would love to know that you will hate the
  work. We here at Cisco are well versed in the
  Web."