Transcript Preparing for Your Next Job Search

Preparing for Your Next
Job Search
Association of Women in
Computing
February 18, 2009
Preparing for Your Job Search

Resume Writing
•
•
•
•
•
•

Formatting
Positions
Proofing
What should you exclude
Other information
Q&A
Interviewing
•
•
•
•
•
Preparation
Phone interview
STARS
In person
Q&A

Networking
•
•
•
•
30 second elevator speech
Job networking groups
Personal contacts
How to build an effective
network
• Q&A
Resume writing - Formatting

Use 10pt Arial

Clarity at glance
•
•
•
•


Company Name
Time at each company
Titles
Selected accomplishments associated with that role.
Do not clutter your resume - Let it "breathe" - it
will be easier to read
Use Italics, bold, underlining for clarity
Resume writing - Positions

Provide a description of your span of control
• Responsibility for 4 manufacturing sites, 2 distribution centers
and division headquarters totaling 4,500 employees

Provide scope and results
• Implemented new process improvement program Vs
• Implemented new process improvement program, which
resulted in a 25% increase in daily productivity and 64%
increase in customer satisfaction

Descriptive action verbs
• Start each sentence using an action verb

Established, Analyzed, Implemented, Created, Streamlined,
Organized
Resume writing

Proofing
• Spelling and typing mistakes reflect the poor quality of
work that they can expect from you
• Do not rely on computer spell checkers, read every word
to be sure it is correct
• Proof read!

What to exclude
•
•
•
•
•
Marital status
Gender
Height
Weight
Health
Resume writing

Other information
• Do not state that you will provide references
upon request
• Hobbies and personal interest rarely add value

Q&A
Interviewing

Preparation
• The company
Business, size and location, profitability
 Recent news
 Company culture

• The job
Skills and competencies required
 Prepare for behavioral or situational
interviews

• Behavioral – a past situation when you had to…
• Situational – hypothetical – How would you…
Interviewing

Phone interview
• You pick the time for the call
• Prepare for a long call
• Find a quiet secluded place to talk
• Be prepared---have all documents
• Stand up during the phone interview
• Smile during the interview
Interviewing

In person
• Firm, vertical hand shake
• Smile
• Dress for success
• Look interested
• Ask for the job – I look forward to …
working with you and your team
 developing and implementing your total
rewards strategy

Interviewing

Behavioral and Situational Interviews
• Be concise and to the point
• STARS –
Situation – state your specific situation
 Task
 Action - in which you took an active role
 Results
 Snap - link it to the job opening

• Different answers for different questions

Q&A
Networking

30 second elevator speech
•
•
•
•
•
Speak clearly and slowly
Name
Role you are seeking
High level background
Do Not



Offer why you are looking
Speak negatively about past employer or situation
Job networking groups
Networking

Personal contacts
•
•
•
•
•
Look for people you don’ t know
Listen to people/don’t sell yourself
Get their business card
Contact your new friend—E-mail
Find ways to help these contacts
How to build an effective Network
Decide how to organize contacts
 Get involved: Church, Groups etc.
 Participate in Groups
 Offer your help (20 to 1 ratio)
 Contact your Network


Q&A