Résumé Writing and Interview Prep

Sept. 18, 2012|

Introductions

Sara Sanders Staffing Supervisor

Jessica CurtisStaffing Supervisor

get you in the door.

Résumés

Résumé = Sales Pitch

• What makes for good advertising?– All good ads make the same assertion:

If you buy this product, you’ll get certain direct benefits.– The same applies with a great résumé.

• What’s the purpose of a résumé?– Make an employer interested in your product (you) which

wins an interview!

• Your résumé must convince the employer that you have what it takes to be successful in this new position or career.

Resume = Self-Marketing Tool

• Set yourself apart– Highlight the value and achievements you

brought to your past employers.– Show how you stand out above others.

• Tailor to each job– No "generic" resumes for different job

opportunities.

• Research the company and position– Find out what each company is looking for in

a qualified applicant.

Resume,Are You Ready?

Resume Do’s

• Be mindful of length– 1-2 pages only– Too much longer and readers lose interest

• Use bullet points– Paragraph format hard to read

• Bring attention to key factors– Names, titles, and dates

• List most recent work first– Use chronological order

Resume Don’ts

• Don’t lie!

• Don’t use personal pronouns– I, me, my

• Don’t use colored paper or heavy stock paper– Difficult to read or fax

• Don’t use non-standard font– May look nice, but hard to read

• Don’t use pictures

SAMPLE RESUMEFORMAT

References

Have a reference page available with three business references (not friends and family). Include the following:

NAMECOMPANY

JOB TITLE

EMAIL ADDRESS

ADDRESS

PHONE NUMBER

Sample Reference Page

Proofread

Have a friend read over your resume• Can identify errors• Can point out unclear

or confusing areas

Put in the time and effort to make a great first impression!

prepare. perform. prosper.

Interview

Come Prepared

• Know yourself — An interview is not the time to wing it. • Prepare as much as you

would for a presentation to the Board of Directors of a company. KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS

KNOW YOUR WEAKNESSESKNOW YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Research the Company

• Find out as much as you can about the company through:

– Annual Reports

– Newspapers

– Company Web Sites

Dress Appropriately to Match the Company Culture

• Many companies have gone to corporate casual.

• Check with your contact to see what they require.

• When in doubt, always err on the side of formal business attire.

Arrive 15 Minutes Early

• Punctuality is a subtle clue about attitude and behavior.

• Tardiness, no matter the excuse, is a major blunder.

Exhibit Enthusiasm and Be Self-Confident

• Exhibit Enthusiasm– First impressions, positive or negative, dramatically affect

the ultimate evaluation. – You can make or break an interview within the first five

minutes.

• Be Self-Confident– High self-esteem and self-confidence are the hallmarks

of the successful individual.

Appear Friendly and Outgoing

• Smile and say hello to everyone. – A positive reaction from the support staff is an important

factor in the evaluation. Many hires have been heavily influenced by an administrative assistant.

Come Prepared for Key Questions

• How well you speak will have a bigger impact than what you say.• Practice your responses to all the typical questions.

“Why are you looking for a new

position?”

“Tell me about

yourself”

Remain Involved

The most effective interviews are those where an active two-way conversation takes place. Not the typical question and answer type.

Establish Your Worth

• Discuss your specific accomplishments that demonstrate a proactive attitude. Such as: – Have you installed systems – Done something not required – Trained someone – How you either created revenue

or saved expenses (be specific with the amounts and how you accomplished that goal).

Know Your Six Key Strengths

• Be prepared to discuss in detail and with examples your five or six main attributes. – These should be the ultimate

reason you get the job over someone else.

– These strengths should also be closely aligned to the key traits the employer is looking for in a person to fill their position.

Give 1 to 2 Minute Responses

• A minimum of one to two minutes of well-prepared discussion gives the interviewer insight into your intellect and supports your contentions.

Remain Attentive

DON’T!

These actions can maintain or generate momentum during the interview.

DO!

• Stay alert during the interview:– Maintain good eye contact– Sit forward in your chair– Show high levels of interest– Stay enthused!

Don’t Be Arrogant

A presumptuous attitude will offset the finest abilities. There’s a fine line between being too confident and over- bearing. Don’t cross that line.

Ask Probing Questions

A few strategic questions can demonstrate your intelligence, analytical skills and assertiveness. – Prepared from your research– Avoid superficial small talk

Be Positive About Co-Workers

Don’t bad mouth previous positions, companies or employers. No matter how well founded. This implies a negative attitude, typical of those who don’t take personal responsibility for their actions.

Clearly State Your Interest

By the conclusion of the interview, state that you are definitely interested in the position and would like to know when the next step will take place.

Building Interview Skills: Closing and Follow Up

• Ask the interviewer about next steps.

• Tell the interviewer why you are qualified for the job.

• Ask if any additional information about you is needed, in order to make a decision.

• Send a thank-you note.

Interview Checklist

Come Prepared

Research the Company

Dress Appropriately to Match the Company Culture

Arrive 15 Minutes Early

Exhibit Enthusiasm

Be Self-Confident

Appear Friendly and Outgoing

Come Prepared for Key Questions

Remain Involved

Establish Your Worth

Know Your Six Key Strengths

Give 1 to 2 Minute Responses

Remain Attentive

Don’t Be Arrogant

Ask Probing Questions

Be Positive About Co-Workers

Clearly State Your Interest

Know Your Objective and End with It

About Kelly Services

Kelly Fun Facts

• Kelly puts a new employee to work every thirty-eight seconds.

• Every three and half minutes, a Kelly temporary employee is hired permanently by a Kelly customer.

• Kelly employees work 3.5 million hours per week.

Kelly Commercial Fun Facts

Light Industrial temporary employees work 78 million hrs per year.Kelly hires 99,800 new Light Industrial employees every year.176,100 Light Industrial temporary employees worked last year.

Office temporary employees work 34 million hours per year.Kelly hires 29,500 new Office employees every year.64,500 Office temporary employees worked last year.

Call Center temporary employees work 11 million hours per year.Kelly hires 12,900 new Call Center employees every year.24,700 Call Center temporary employees worked last year.

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