It should be a precise description about accomplishments, skills, and experience so tltit employers will want to know more in an interview.. • Specific accomplishments related to perform
Trang 1The 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
1 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
3 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
4 Personal pronouns They weaken
statements
5 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
2 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
4 Careful editing to check for typos and
grammatical errors These may suggest to
prospective employers your work is careless
5 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 ORGANIZING INFORMATION
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
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
RESUMES DOs & DO NOTs RESUME DOs
1 Write brief phrases Full sentences not I necessary
2 Start with a first draft Expect to do several (
3 Begin with a summary statement that describes
4 Use present tense in describing current job All previous positions are described in past tense 4
5 Support all activities and responsibilities with
6 Describe specific responsibilities ,
7 Summarize early employment by briefly describing your functions at the end of the resume
8 Pick a resume format and be consistent Dates appear on the right side of the page
9 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
RESUME DO NOTs
1 Do not use italics, dashes, or underlining to emphasize items and make them stand out •
They confuse scanners and electronic mail ,
2 Do not use abbreviations Use professional and technical information when it is relevant 1
3 Do not use odd-sized, bordered, or colored paper
- anything that may be considered eccentric ~
4 Do not include your picture with the resume II
5 Do not list references; reserve them for the • interview or follow-up activities 4
6 Do not include personal data, marital status, •
number of children, or "excellent health." ,
7 Do not devote more space to earlier jobs than to more recent employment Employers are interested in most recent, relevant experience
8 Do not list grade point average or college honors unless you are a recent graduate
9 Do not leave gaps between employment dates List jobs by years rather than by month 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
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 I
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
• As follow-ups after interviews to thank interviewers, I
emphasize skills, and summarize your fit for the position
• To cover any omissions or errors during the interview
Trang 21 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
2 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 do you do?" or "Tell me
about yourself."
3 Strcngths that have been developed
accomplishments Key words for
elcctronic scanning or passes reader's
five-to-15-second glance test
4 Use titles at beginning before
company name to emphasize level of
position Dates are included in right
description of the company if not
generally known, with some
indication of size or sales volume, is
helpful Do not include street address
5 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
COMBINATION
FORMAT
achievement with actual experience
associated with college majors will
not always be paid work Can be
volunteer, internships, and
independent study
2 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
3 Special skills are included Thcy
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
4 This heading indicates you are
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
5 Begi n with strong action verbs
Indicate your role in the action For
example, "supported" the executive
director is more effective than
"helped."
2600 Scott Road,Adams City, Ohio 419-882-5100 email jonathon@cyb.net.com 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
• International Experience • 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
• 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
7 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
Previous experiences include Controller, Stuart Mitchel Corporation, Himmelville, Ohio for six years @
MBA, Finance, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
BS, Business Administration, University ofToledo, 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
Treasurer, Hunter Foundation for Protection of
1630 Justin Avenue, Grayson Park, FL 33454 (561) 555-4521 email bax@ 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 • Promotional Materials
• Event and Volunteer Coordination • Customer 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 6
• 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,
Graduated
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
6 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
7 Position somewhat unrelated to present career focus but must be used for chronological order Not necessary to go into great detail
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
9 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
performance
6 College-related activity impresses employer and substantiates claims
7 Demonstrated leadership working
with persons outside of academic environment Indicated maturity and ability to shorten learning curve
in a new situation
8 Heading of professional experience; while a student indicates that although the work history may be spotty, irregular, or inconsistent 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 related
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
9 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 abilities Replaces hobbies and interests that are not relevant to job performancc
Trang 3INTERVIEWING
PLAN AHEAD
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
Interviewers often make d ec isions about an
applicant during the first f e w minut e s and s pend the
interviewing time justifYing that decision B e ready
to take advantage of that small amount of time to
make the right impr e ssion The following tips
will assist you in c reatin g a positive image of
credibility and likability P e rsonal c hemistry
is as important as job qualifi c ations
• Arrive early with extra resumes, research about the
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
• 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," do 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
requesting information about dress codes
WILL WORK FOR YOU Avoid "casual
Friday looks." Clothing, hairstyles and
accessories must fit the company image and the
image is a sign of your credibility, and they expect
you at your very best
For Women:
sleeves, or dress with jacket in conservative style,
color and fabric Be feminine, but business-like
to the position YOll are se e king and th e s e ason of th e
yeCll: Theji,//owing ar e general rul e s:
• Keep makeup and accessories to a minimum Less is
more when it comes to jewelry; avoid jangly bracelets
fragrances - some people have allergies
light color polish
• Shoes should be suitable in color and style to your
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:
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
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
expectations that you are seeking a job You are
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
• Are there special qualities or attributes that enhance entry-level job seekers')
• What are the career paths or advancement opportunities?
• What advice do you generally give someone interested in this company?
• How do 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
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
into the plan?
of the company?
JOB QUESTIONS
I Is this a new or replacement job?
fit into the overall goals of the company?
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 do not have a quality leather briefcase, consider one of canvas or microfiber
FOLLOW-UP
Follow-up is critical It is an opportunity to build upon your/irs! impression Many companies wait/or y our follow-up, and eliminate anyone who/ails to do so
DURING THE INTERVIEW:
Collect business cards; give them your card If you are not employed, have a generic card printed with
duties and major points discussed
AFTER THE INTERVIEW:
Critique your performance immediately after the interview
requiring strengthened explanations Write the interviewer
FOLLOW-UP LETTER:
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
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
company you have not heard from is your number one
• If something affecting your application has changed,
position fits into your career goals Match the ofTer with
system to make your decision easier
• If you have had a firm offer, it is OK to contact other
Tell them about your new job and thank them far their help
SALARY QUESTIONS
Never ask about salary Th e c ompan y will discllss salary with you when appropriat e Usuallv r e se rv e d for th e second interview or when ther e is a firm offer You are in a betler position to n eg otiate Be realistic and flexibl e Know th e ir s a lary b u ge t s
and the market range ~ Co m panies wa llt pe ople who ar e interested in doing a good job lor the company When the o ffe r is mad e, th e jollowing l 1' ill help you n ego tiat e a good c omp e nsation pa c ka g e:
for the same or similar jobs and experience') BENEFITS QUESTIONS
Company benefits are oft e n worth fi'Om 25% to 50%, or more, 0/ the c ash salary of fe r e d and a r e
important to consider:
2 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
Salaries may stay consistent, but sign-on bonuses,
demand It will show an unpleasant side of your personality that could rescind an offer
Trang 4-:~ -..7L =L-C{!!! ill
Companies ofien use pre-employment testing tools.
~ Visualize and rehearse the entire interview SCREENING
~ Writing your answers in a practice session before
you verbalize them is a powerful technique to
Z make you more comfortable and effective
• Determine marketable skills and be clear about your
• 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
• Be prepared for answering questions Have short,
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 do 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
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
Z
PRICE: U.S $4.95 CAN $7.50
W
~ Author: Toby Chabon·Berger, IAOP, Human R e s
Org a niz ati onal D e v e !opment Consu lt a
Layout & Des i g
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Conducted by the Human Resources department
or an outside firm to eliminate persons who do 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 do 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 do 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
Cond u cted 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
• 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 peronality and care r 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 The y work f or
the companies they represent The y will onl y us e
ij'youfit thejob description exa c tl y
Critical fa c tors are thos e necessm y fiJ r the ri g ht person/job fit This fit will sati.llY y our c a r ee r
interests, use your skills and experien c ,
focus on strengths, a c hiev e m e nts, and d e al with job market r e aliti e s
• First step to a successful search is to complete a self-assessment so you are clear on your skills, alue
systems, needs and goals
• Priority-based networking skills are responsible 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 opportunity and for your own career management
• Find a verb action list to cover all of your skill 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, titles,
relationship to this person and the information they can provide
• After you have supplied an interviewer 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
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