Resume Building and Job Searching

Resume Building

and Job Searching

@ the Milton Public Library

Toda

y’s T

opics

• Thinking like a recruiter• Resumes and coverletters• Social media and your job search• Interview skills

Wha

t job

recr

uite

rs w

ant:

Mind

your

resu

me

and

cove

rlette

rYou need a flawless

resume and coverletter

Make

it p

erso

nal

Write a coverletter for each job. Review your resume for each job.

Act l

ike y

ou w

ant

the

job Share your enthusiasm

when interviewing or applying. Show that you can do the job, will enjoy the job and you will bring something positive to the job environment.

High

light

you

r sk

ill se

t No recruiter wants to read a four page resume, so try to keep it succinct. Highlight the skills that make you the perfect match for the job rather than detail every minor thing you have ever worked on.

Resumes and Coverletters

Books: 650.14 in the non fiction section of the Milton Public Library

Online: search for resume examples, resume templates, or in Microsoft Word search for resume templates.

Know the purpose of your resume

The objective of a resume is to land an interview!!!!

Back up your qualities and strengths

Back up your qualities with real life and work experiences (don’t forget your outside organizations…volunteering = excellent way to get experience and to meet people in the field)

Make sure to use the right keywords by analyzing the job ad

Check the job description, use a thesaurus, look for clues as to what the employer might be looking for.

Use effective titles

Grab the employers attention and be descriptive to give a better idea of past work experience.

Example: Accounting

Better:Management of accounts received, accounts paid and financial Recordkeeping

One resume and coverletter for each employer

Tailor your resume and coverletter for each employer and job ad.

No scattered information

Your resume must have a clear focus.

Use action verbs

Action verbs are basically verbs that will get noticed more easily, and that will clearly communicate what your experience or achievement were. 

Examples: managed, coached, enforced and planned.  List of many examples to use can be found at

http://www.quintcareers.com/action_skills.html

Don’t forget the basics

Make sure that your contact details are clearly listed.

Have someone else read it!!!

Social media, the job search, and interview skills Email addresses Answering machines/ phone messages Ringtones Answering the phone in person Facebook and other social media Job sites The interview

Email addresses Make a new one. Make it professional. Your name. Great way to keep track of the resumes you have sent and

the responses.

Answering machines / phone messages / ringtones

No cutsey ringtones, definitely no cursing, or your favorite music. Professional…you are trying to get a job, not make friends.

Answering machines/phone messages should be polite, refrain from “Leave a message”…try “You have reached _____ please leave a message and I will return your call. Thank you.”

Answering the phone in person Be polite. You never know.

Facebook and other social media (twitter, blogs, websites, etc.) Be careful what you post and what you make public. Employers will most likely Google you or Facebook you even

if they do not do a background check.

If you do not want your boss to see it…do not post it or post it anonymously.

Job searching Try going directly to the company website rather than a job

database. Figure out the industry you want to work in, do some

homework. Consider job searching, resume writing as your full time job.

The interview Dress for success. Be positive. Do not LIE!!! Do not lie on your resume or it could show in the

interview. The interview is your time to shine. Tie everything into a couple of themes that you have chosen

from the job ad. Example: collaboration, team playing, building partnerships with other organizations, etc. Listen to the interviewer, jot down notes and take your time answering each question.

Represent yourself…no one else will.