Resume Writing Workshop

Resume Writing WorkshopTips and Secrets to Land that

Interview

Career Journey

• What is the purpose of a resume?• Who is the Interview for? Why?• What is the purpose of a Cover

Letter?• What is the purpose of a Thank-

You Note?

Workshop Content

• What are the parts of a resume?• What are the types of resume?• What should be on the resume?• What are some “No-No’s” to

resume writing?• Cover Letters• Thank-you Notes• Networking

Expectations

• What are your expectations of this course?

• What have you learned about resumes, cover letters, thank-you notes?

• What have you learned about networking?

• What are your fears in the job search?

• What assumptions do you have?

Resume

• Resume (noun) - ré⋅su⋅mé - reh – zoo – mey – a brief written account of personal,

educational, and professional qualifications and experience, as that prepared by an applicant for a job.

Resume

• Reality of what a resume is!– The resume is “You.”– The resume is your pride listed on a document!– The resume is your first interview.– The resume is used as “bait” to get you in the

door.– It must be a perfect 10!– It must be without falw (Flaw)!

Resume

• Reality of what a resume isn’t!– The resume is NOT a list of stuff you did.– The resume is NOT a piece of paper used to “pick” the

lucky person.– The resume is NOT your final word so don’t put “all” the

words on it. (Summarize)– The resume is NOT a thing that helps you beg for a job

rather it showcases your skills, experience and accomplishments!

Resume

• What we will cover– Types of resumes– Top 10 Do’s / Don’ts– Preparing for the resume– Parts of a resume– Important “little things”– Cover Letters– Thank You Notes– LinkedIn for Networking

Types of Resumes

Types of Resumes

• There are four types of resume’s that we use:• Chronological – This is the most popular and shows each job in date

order. Unfortunately if a person had multiple jobs it can look like they hop around.

• Functional – This resume focuses on skills rather than chronology. It shows that the person is a master of their craft and deemphasizes work history. While effective, some employers think the person has something to hide by not listing chronology.

• Combination – This is a highly effective resume that lists both skills and chronology. I recommend this for those who had multiple jobs.

• Targeted - This is how an effective resume should be written. This lists only skills and experiences relevant to the job description.

Types of Resumes

• Functional Jane Funkchenno Address – City, State Zip Code

630-555-1212 [email protected]

Types of Resumes

• Chronological Brad Cronkite 630-555-1212 [email protected]

Address – City, State Zip code

This document is confidential to Honor Services and its employees and consultants. It is only to be distributed with permission from Honor Services Inc.

Types of Resumes

• Combination Brad Cronkite

Address – City, State Zip Code

630-555-1212

[email protected]

Types of Resumes

• Other Resume Types:• Entry Level – Less than 2 years of professional experience• Mid Career – Over two years of professional experience.• Executive – Directors, VP, and C-Level Leaders• Skilled - Highlights talents and services

10 RESUME DO’S

10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1

10 Resume Do’s

1. Make your resume “Scan-able”

2. List Quantifiable Achievements

3. Use Standard Headings

Max Adder773-555-1212 [email protected]

1234 Address Lane City, State Zip Code

10 Resume Do’s

4. Speak in Problem Action Result (PAR) terms.

5. Use Strong Verbs.6. Use Industry

Keywords.

Marketing KeywordsB2B – B2CBrand ManagementBrand MarketingBudgetsBusiness WritingCase StudiesCopyeditingCopywritingCommunicationCommunity RelationsConsensus BuildingConsumer ProductsCorporate CommunicationsCrisis ManagementCustomer SensitivityDemographicsDirect MailDirect MarketingE-MarketingEvent ManagementGlobal Marketing PlansGuerilla MarketingInnovationIntegrated MarketingInternet PublishingMarket Research

Responsible for

10 Resume Do’s

7.Try To Make A One - Two Page Resume.

8.Use Page Numbers.9.Be Unique.10.Show Personality.

10 RESUME DONT’S

10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1

10 Resume Don’ts

1.Use “dead” words.2.Develop a strange

Resume.3.Ramble on your

Resume.

Responsible forExperienced in

Excellent written communication skillsTeam Player

Detail OrientedSuccessful

Goal drivenFlexible

MotivatedStrong work ethic

ReliableMulti-taskerIndependent

Self motivated

10 Resume Don’ts



Resume.

Brad Cronkite

Address – City, State

Zip Code

630-555-1212

[email protected]

10 Resume Don’ts



Resume.

Responsible for making and taking and raking

and baking while snaking and breaking to

fit some of the work and …

Or

• Bullet 1• Bullet 2 • Bullet 3• .• .• .• Bullet 19

10 Resume Don’ts

4.Leave out accomplishments.

5.List selfish objective.6.Develop a generic

Resume.

I would like a job where I can work and be employed and get some money and use my skills and be able to watch my kids and is close to home.

10 Resume Don’ts

7.List wrong dates and titles.8.Spill your guts.9.List too much personal

information.10.Rely on Spell Check.

I was fired!

I like long walks on the beach

Mange five people

Eye can knot seam two spell very whale!

Preparing for the Resume

Know where you are headed• Do you have a plan for your resume / career?• Why do you want to do what you do?• Do you like what you are doing?Know how you relate to others• What is the best team you have ever worked on? List the

characteristics• What is the worst team? List the characteristicsKnow yourself• What motivates you? • What demotivates you?


Create a pre-resume list• Career plan for the next 6 months• Career plan for the next year• Career plan for the next five years• List the type of team you would like to work on• List your top 3 goals to reach what motivates you• List your plan to achieve these goals


Now we have our pre-resume list• Are you ready for your resume yet?

NO!


Ask yourself:• What did I accomplish this year? (Last year?)• How did I accomplish it?• What was the result?• What problem did I fix?• Can I measure what I did?• How does “what I do” fit into the big picture?• What are my plans?• How does what I currently do fit into my plans?


Keep it simple:• Problem – List a problem that you and your team

faced.• Action – List the action you and your team took to

resolve this issue.• Result – List the result (hopefully quantifiable) that

you and the team achieved.• Think of two or three PAR stories for each position


Keep it simple:• Problem – Our company had a 10% increase last year in restock

fees due to poor quality in manufacturing processes.• Action – I researched our current manufacturing processes and

identified 5 issues that could be handled better through robotics. I analyzed the cost of the robotic implementation with the team.

• Result – After implementing our modified version of the robotics solution from the chosen supplier we reduced our restock fees by $14 million in one year.

Engineered and implemented robotic manufacturing processes to reduce costly mistakes, increase quality and contribute $14 Million to the bottom line in restock savings

Our example translates to:

Parts of a Resume

You

Personality Accomplishments

Results

Awards

Books Patents

Licenses

Employment History

Skills

Technology

Associations

What

Makes

YOU

StandOut!

Parts of a Resume

Zula Mayer, M.D.Address – City, State

Zip Code630-555-1212

[email protected]

• Header (Name / Address / Phone / E-mail)• Employment Experience or Work History• Military Experience• Education• Computer Skills• Publications• Awards and Honors• Certificates and Licenses• Courses and Seminars• Affiliations• Hobbies and Interests

These are NOT pieces parts, rather it’s a story!

Parts of a Resume

• Header (Name / Address / Phone / E-mail)

John Doe123 Anywhere Place

City, State 11111Wk. 630-555-1212Hm. 630-555-1313

[email protected]

[email protected] Vanity Voicemail

mailto:[email protected]

Parts of a Resume

• Target Title

Vice President of Operations

This is NOT your current title unless you are going

for a lateral move

Parts of a Resume

• Employment Experience or Work History

Employment History

Ace Building Company (ABC) – Project Manager (2008 – Present)Manages 70 employees for this $5 Billion global company that develops property for relocating employees.

Company Name

Your Title Dates Employed

Description of Role / Company

Parts of a Resume

• Employment Experience or Work History

Employment History

Ace Building Company (ABC) – Project Manager (2008 – Present)Manage 70 employees for this $5 Billion global company that develops property for relocating employees.

• Implementing the Supply Chain Logistics ERP system, which expects to reduce costs by 15%

• Analyzing critical risk factors of existing Leases identifying the highest costs to cut from cut from the bottom line.

Accomplishments

Use Present Tense on current

job and past tense on the rest.

Parts of a Resume

• Education

Education

Bachelor of Science – University of Illinois – May 2010Major: Computer TechnologyMinor: CommunicationsGPA: 3.5 / 4.0, Deans List, Research Apprentice Program Assistant, Rush Moore Award Recipient

Degree CollegeGraduation

DateMajor

Notable

Parts of a Resume

• Computer Skills

Computer Skills

Expert in: Excel Macro Programming, C++, SAP, Javascript, PERL and PHPOther Languages: Oracle SQL, SQLERP Systems: SAP, Teradata Business Analytics

Show your

expertise

Show other

computer skills

List Enterprise systems you are familiar with

Parts of a Resume

• Publications

Publications

Author: Project Management Handbook for Rising Stars - 2003Co Author: Object Oriented Programming Methodology - 2007

Parts of a Resume

• Awards and Honors

Awards and Honors

2010 ABC Top Ace Recipient – Awarded to top 1% performers globally

Parts of a Resume

• Certificates and Licenses

Certifications and Licenses

Project Management Professional – PMP – 2006 License Number: 1234

Parts of a Resume

• Courses and Seminars• Affiliations

Courses and SeminarsRisk Management Seminar – 2010 – Sat on a panel to discuss new risk metrics

AffiliationsMember: Project Management Institute – 2007

Important “Little Things”

Little things that become BIG things• Spelling • Grammar • Wrong dates / numbers / locations• Too many bullets• Misuse of space• Paper choice (No crazy colors / Textures)• No Pictures (unless asked – this is a very rare resume)• No Birthdates (unless asked – See Federal resume)• No sensitive information (unless asked – See Federal resume)• Don’t waste your time adding splashes of color• No stains / Rips / Wrinkles• Add a page number / your name to each page

Parts of a Resume

Questions?

Cover Letter

Also known as “the Hook!”

Cover Letter

• Cover Letter Purpose– Tell the hiring manager “the rest of the story”– Never restate resume items– Brief– Specific to the position– ALWAYS Included!

Cover Letter

• Cover Letter Purpose– Tell the hiring manager “the rest of the story”– Never restate resume items– Brief– Specific to the position– ALWAYS Included!

Cover Letter

• Cover Letter– Use a template to start but tailor it to the position– Your chance to show personality but…– Don’t get too relaxed– Do not use “Text Talk”

Cover Letter

• Cover Letter– Do not use “Text Talk”

February 02, 2010Jane Q. PublicAcme Bottle Washers123 Hip Hop StreetAnywhere, State 11111

Dear Jane, I wld lk 2 wk 4 ur cmpny. I thk I hv a lt 2 ofr. I hv wkd on mny prjcts ovr th yrs & I cn b t rt 1 4 u! I m nvr L8 & my wrk is gr8.

Thx,TTYLJoe Textyguy

Thx TTYL

Cover Letter<Date><Name of Hiring Manager, Title><Name of Company><Address><City, State Zip> Dear <Salutation>: I am a well-qualified operations and management professional with extensive leadership experience and consistent success in the achievement of objectives. I am confident I will contribute the same level of performance as a member of your team. I would be an excellent choice for a senior executive or operation management position with an innovative company offering aggressive growth objectives. Please review my enclosed resume for further details regarding my qualifications. My experience extends for more than 15 years as I achieved increasing responsibilities and successes in my roles from warehouse supervision to regional management and operations. Additionally I have offered my expertise as a business consultant to various national and local companies. Some of my areas of expertise and interest include: Profit Building and Sustained GrowthTechnology/Data SolutionsLogistics and Supply Chain ManagementRevitalization and Modification Project Management My achievements have been in diverse functions and organizations, thus demonstrating the ability to meet and exceed expectations in a variety of environments. I am certain that I will contribute the same level of performance with your organization as a leader and strategist. Again, please review my enclosed resume. I would welcome a meeting to discuss our mutual interests and the results you can expect from me. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Gia Washington

Cover Letter

• Cover LetterYour Name

titleHome Address

Anywhere, State 12345


Dear <Salutations>, Thanks, List how you heard about the position, Express Interest, Demonstrate Unique Background, List “Fit” items.

Best Regards,

Your Name

Cover Letter

Exercise:• Pair up.• Trade cover letters with each other.• Circle inconsistencies based on what you just

learned.• Five minute discussion.• Two minute debrief to the group.

Cover Letter

Questions

Thank You Letter

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.

-Meister Eckhardt

Thank You Letter

• Thank You Letter Purpose– This may be the most important document that

is often overlooked.– Used as a reminder to the hiring manager to

contact you.– Let’s the hiring manager know you are

interested– Should be done after every interview.– Common courtesy

Thank You Letter

• Thank You Letter– Use a Template– Be brief– Try to use a small Thank You card– Use e-mail as last resort– Should be sent within 24 hours– Do not use “Text Talk”

Thank You Letter

• Thank You LetterYour Name

titleHome Address

Anywhere, State 12345


Dear <Salutations>, Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule, I look forward to…

Best Regards,

Your Name

Thank You Letter

Exercise:• Pair up.• Trade Thank-You Notes with each other.• Circle inconsistencies based on what you just

learned.• Five minute discussion.• Two minute debrief to the group.

Thank You Letter

Questions

So What?

Unemployment Rate• 9.1% in August 2011Resume submissions• 70:1 for every job submitted there are 70 applicantsSuccess Rate• 4% of jobs found on web (Job Sites)• 4% of jobs found with recruiters• 4% of jobs found by other publications / cold calling• 88% of jobs found through networking

Source: LinkedIn Poll conducted by Honor Services Inc.

LinkedIn

Are you

LinkedIn for Networking

• Purpose of LinkedIn.com• Parts of a profile• Job search on LinkedIn• Groups on LinkedIn• Recommendations from colleagues• Connecting (Shhh! It’s really networking)• Tools• No! No’s! of LinkedIn

Purpose of LinkedIn

• Is – a professional tool for networking• Not – a social place to put every minute of your life• Is – a free website• Not – always free• Is – a great place to document accomplishments• Not – your resume rather a summary• Is – effective when you have over 100 connections• Not – as effective with fewer connections


Ineffective Job Search

Your Web Application

Gets placed in piles of resumes

More work for the HR screener.

Low energy.

1 in 200 chance of a low percentage

phone screen

Applying on the Web

= = =


Ineffective Job Search


Gets placed in piles of resumes

More work for the HR screener.

Low energy.

1 in 70 chance of a low percentage phone screen

Applying on the Web

= = =

70:1 for every job submitted there are 70 applicants


LinkedIn Job Search

Applying on the Web

Go on LinkedIn

to connect

with people

you know.

Meet friends who work at the

company. Get names and information

Ask

“How did you get started at this company?”

“Do you have any advice for my search?”

“How do you like working here?”

“Do you know the hiring manager in “this” department?”

DO NOT Ask

“Can you help me get a job?”

“Why is the company in peril?”



LinkedIn Job Search

Title Keyword or Company Name Search

I like searching by Title, but Company Name is sometimes the most effective


LinkedIn Job Search

Refine


LinkedIn Job Search

You mean I have to pay to get noticed by

companies!


LinkedIn Groups

Join Groups pertaining to

your profession!

• Participate in discussions• Show your expertise• Watch your spelling and

grammar• Be brief• Everyone will see what

you wrote


LinkedIn Recommendations

Write a polite note to any of your connections

You can “decline” a recommendation if

you don’t like what it says. You can delete it

as well.

• If you don’t ask you won’t get!• If you are not connected, you

can’t ask.• Some employers require a

minimum of 3 recommendations.

• Be choosey about who recommends you!

• Send it back if poor grammar is used or if misspelled as it reflects on you!


Networking on LinkedIn

Search for people through companies

Search for people through groups

Search for people through people

Search for people through your connections’

connections


Networking on LinkedIn

Remain Organized

Follow Up Date

Comments:

Network / Interview Worksheet

Name:

Company

Phone Number:

Research your interviewer on

LinkedIn

Document your research about the

company

Following up without pestering is key.

Be prompt!


http://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/MOC/

http://www.mynextmove.org/vets/

Job Resources / Skill Transfer

Other On-Line Tools


Other On-Line Tools

Aggregators

Research

Search Sites

25 New sites for jobs specific to your field

added each day


LinkedIn No-No’s

• Treating LinkedIn like Facebook• Putting your entire resume on your profile• Poor Grammar / Misspellings• Half done profile• Not looking professional (picture / words on blogs)• Pestering people• Being shy• Trying to connect to people not affiliated in a group

without being introduced

Resume Writing Workshop

Career

circle inconsistencies

state zip

fluorescent

work historyemployment

list selfish

relevant work

list quantifiable

measurable