Career Planning Workshop

1. Career Planning Workshop Resume Writing & Interviewing Presenter: Brandon Pendleton – Human Resource Administrator (HWC)

2. During this workshop you will learn: What a resume is What a resume should contain How you should dress for an interview How you should conduct yourself in an interview Things you should say and not say during an interview The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know when interviewing What to do after an interview

3. When looking for a job it’s important to remember that image is everything!

4. A resume and an interview reflect an image of you to a prospective employer.

5. Resume Writing

6. What is a resume?

7. A resume is a snapshot. Similar to a picture, it gives a prospective employer an idea of how you will be as an employee of their company or organization.

8. What should a resume contain?

9. A resume should always include: • Name • Correct Address • Correct contact number • Correct e-mail address • Objective • Education • Work History/Experience • Awards (Optional)

10. Resume Contents: Name • Always use first and last name. • Middle name or initial is optional • Take advantage of “unique” name. • NO NICKNAMES!

11. Resume Contents: Address • Make sure it is a place you can be reached by mailed correspondence. • P.O. Boxes raise eyebrows (remember….IMAGE). • If using someone else’s address, make sure you let them know that you may receive information in the mail. Some information is time-sensitive.

12. Resume Contents: Contact Number • Make sure it is a number you can be reached at during normal business hours. • Pay your phone bill. • Cell phone is okay. • If using a cell phone, change your message to a professional one. No music, slang or “sexy” talk. Remember…..IMAGE.

13. Resume Contents: E-Mail Address • Make sure it is one you have access to during business hours if you can. • Shy away from your current company’s e-mail. Use a personal one if you can. • Make sure you have a “professional” or “normal” sounding e-mail address. E-mail names like “MajorHottie1” should not be used. Remember…..IMAGE.

14. Resume Contents: Objective Statement • Make it specific to the job you are applying for. • Be honest about why you are applying for the position. • Try to keep it to one or two short sentences at the most.

15. Resume Contents: Education • Tell the school you attended/are attending AND degree you received/will receive. • If you have not received the degree yet, always give an anticipated date. • Only include GPA if it’s a 3.0 or better. • Education information can go at the top or bottom of resume. It depends on your experience level. • Don’t ever lie about your education. You may be asked to provide transcripts.

16. Resume Contents: Work History/Experience • Always start with the most recent position and work backwards. • Always include name of company, your position and length of time you worked there. • Try to always make your experience relative to the job you are seeking. The job description can help you do this. • Don’t lie about what you have done and don’t over exaggerate.

17. Resume Contents: Awards/Honors • Only use if relevant to the job. • Typically you only need to list two or three. • Make sure they are awards you can verify.

18. Interviewing

19. Remember…….IMAGE!

20. Did you know that a decision NOT to hire you could be made within the first 10 seconds of your interview?Why would that be the case?

21. How to interview properly: • Attire & appearance • The actual interview • After the interview

22. Interviewing Attire & Appearance

23. Interviewing: Attire & Appearance • Leave the latest fashions for the club or your personal life! • Always wear a suit. If you don’t have one, buy one. • Make sure it fits properly. • Ladies watch the cleavage and skirt length. You want the attention on what you have to say, not anything else. • Conservative colors (blue, black or brown). It’s always better to play it safe. Leave the lime green and orange for your personal clothes. • Hair should always be neat and more to the conservative end as well. Guys, no twenty inch afro’s or corn rolls. Ladies, watch the colors. Remember…..image!!

24. Interviewing: Attire & Appearance • Shoes – Guys should always have on dress shoes. Ladies, if you wear heels, no plastic or see through heels and none that are TOO high. • Ladies, watch the nails. Have them cut to an active length. • Don’t overdue the perfume or cologne. Your lasting impression shouldn’t be your scent. • Always be well groomed. Men make sure you shave. Looking disheveled or ungroomed usually means no job. • As a rule of thumb…if you have to ask yourself, “Can I get away with wearing this?”….you probably shouldn’t.

25. Interviewing The Actual Interview Overview Do’s & Don'ts (meaning what you do say and don’t say) Most Important Thing

26. Interviewing: The Actual Interview(Overview) • Be punctual. Actually a little early. • Listen to the questions very carefully. • Only answer what is asked. You can elaborate but make sure you don’t go way off on another tangent. • Maintain eye contact. • Answer questions confidently • Take your time….but not TOO much time. • Use examples whenever possible. Employers love that. • Be honest.

27. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Overview) • Watch negative language or comments about current or previous employers. • Watch the slang. Speak clearly. Remember…..image. • Only ask questions that are relevant to the position you are interviewing for. You should also always ask a question about the company. Make sure you do your homework.

28. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) “You all here at McDonald’s make Big Mac’s right?”

29. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) DON’T Go into an interview without knowledge of the company. DO Make sure you do your homework. Research the company and understand what they do. If possible, research the position you are applying for. Check recent headlines (merger, new product, etc.).

30. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) “I want this job so bad, I don’t care what you pay me!”

31. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) DON’T Sell yourself short on salary. Pretend to be flexible if you aren’t. DO Research what similar jobs pay (company, region, etc.). Have a range in mind.

32. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) “I have the swag necessary for this job! That’s what’s up!”

33. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) DON’T Use slang in an interview. PERIOD! DO Speak professionally. Use the English language correctly. Practice if need be (we don’t interview everyday).

34. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) “I could have worked for the Obama Administration as Vice President, but turned it down to come work here instead.”

35. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) DON’T Lie or over exaggerate your experience or your reasons for seeking the job. DO Be honest about your skills and work history. Know the difference between selling yourself and going overboard.

36. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) “In five years, I expect to be rich and start my own reality show.”

37. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) DON’T Give a “long term goal” answer that doesn’t relate to the company. DO Give an answer that demonstrates that you are ambitious and can see yourself establishing a career with the company.

38. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) “No, I don’t know how to use Excel.”

39. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) DON’T Focus on what you DON’T know how to do. DO Stress that you are a fast learner and resourceful. Show that you are excited about learning a new skill. Understand that employers would much rather hire smart employees who need to be trained than those with the skills but aren’t eager to learn something new.

40. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) “I will be so happy when my divorce is final!”

41. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) DON’T Allow yourself to get to personal with the interviewer. DO Keep the conversation polite and professional. Be “warm” but not to comfortable.

42. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) “So how long before ya’ll recognize my talent and promote me?”

43. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) DON’T Be arrogant or selfish in the way you present yourself. DO Stress how you can contribute to the company’s success. Talk about how you helped your previous employer. Recognize that the company is interested in you, however don’t come off as if you are doing them a favor.

44. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) “My last boss was an idiot”

45. Interviewing: The Actual Interview (Do’s & Don'ts) DON’T Bad-mouth your previous employer as the reason you left your previous company. DO Focus your reason for leaving around positive comments. Say you wanted greater opportunities for advancement or you were looking for a change.

46. And the most important thing to remember is…….

47. KNOW YOUR RESUME!

48. Interviewing After The Interview

49. Interviewing: After The Interview • Ask about next steps in the process. • Ask for a business card. • Thank them for taking the time to speak with you. • Reiterate how excited you are about the opportunity. • Send a “Thank You” letter or e-mail.

50. So now you know……. What a resume is What a resume should contain How you should dress for an interview How you should conduct yourself in an interview Things you should say and not say during an interview The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know when interviewing What to do after an interview