What is a resume?
A resume is a brief document that highlights an individual's experience, qualifications, and
skills, in the hopes of securing a job interview!
0 In order to effectively convey your strengths,
you should do a self assessment (ex:
StrenghtsQuest)
0 Begin with a list of your greatest
accomplishments and personal qualities.
0 Describe your skills and accomplishments
with each employer by using action words.
List only the skills that you would like to use
on a new job. Use key words specific to that
field or industry.
0 Write a chronological history of your
employment, training, volunteer work and
extra-curricular activities.
0 Analyze the requirements of the new job you
want to apply for (job description).
0 Compare the skills required with your
background and indicate how you have
demonstrated these skills. (Apply for jobs
where you have the closest fit and interest.)
http://www.lcc.edu/ces/resumes/content/

Did you know?
Employers generally spend less than 30 seconds reviewing a
résumé before deciding whether the candidate deserves an
interview, so when you're crafting yours, you'll want to include the
most effective information to catch the hiring managers eye.

So what should my resume look like?
0 A resume
should:
• Grab the attention of
whoever is reading your
resume by selling
yourself and your brand
• Highlights your
strengths,
accomplishments, and
identifies your
transferable skills
• Showcases why you are
a potential match for the
position
• Communicates your
current capabilities and
future potential
Resume section What it tells the reader
Top portion of
resume (first third to
half)
If your resume is worth reading further. This opening
“snapshot” should entice readers to read more.
Header (name and
contact information)
Your preferred name and how to contact you. The reader
shouldn’t have to think about this (e.g., wonder what name
you go by).
Headline and
Summary
What you’re looking for and why you’re qualified.
Announces your job target and quickly sums up why you’re
a good candidate. Note that experts recommend this
approach to replace what used to be called "Objective" on
many resumes.
Skills Whether you have the required skills. Helps the reader
quickly match your skills to the position requirements.
Work Experience
or Professional
Experience
or Employment
History
What you’ve accomplished that’s relevant. Explains what
you’ve achieved that could also benefit the reader’s
company.
Education Whether you meet the education requirements. Again,
helps the reader quickly match you to the position
requirements.
Continuing Education
or Professional
Development
or Additional
Training
What further training you’ve pursued. Matches you to job
requirements and also illustrates initiative and commitment
to learning.
Other Information What other assets you offer. Provides additional
information (professional memberships, awards, etc.) to
support your candidacy.
Great

You have a resume…
Beth Smith, CAPM
215 W. State Street, Milwaukee, WI 53201 ● 555-263-1678 ● bethsmith@comcast.net
Mr. Paul Jones
SeniorProjectManager
PlatinumSoftware Consulting
1234 Drury Road
Milwaukee, WI 53204
Dear Mr. Jones:
I’mwritingbecause John Allison suggested you mighthave an opportunity forprojectcoordinator for
your upcoming Century software project.
John tells me the projectwill require someone with strong Microsoft SharePoint knowledge. As you can
see fromthe enclosed resume, I ran a projectat Grant Technology thatinvolved streamlining the
SharePoint filesystem. The new system is now in use firm-wide.
I alsounderstand you would prefersomeone whois certified in projectcoordination. I earned my CAPM
fromthe ProjectManagementInstitutein 2009. The trainingI received gave me new insightsinto the
importance of strongprojectcoordination forsoftware projects, especially forbusy consultancies such
as Platinum.
I would appreciate an opportunity todiscuss your requirements forthe Century project. I will call you on
Tuesday, June 15, to inquire aboutsettingup an interview.
Sincerely,
BethSmith
Enclosure:Resume
The next step is
marketing
yourself
1. Write an effective cover letter- it
explains to the recipient why you are
writing, address your qualifications
for the opportunity, and explain
how you intend to follow up.
2. Network -establish professional
relationships, share information, and
always have copies of your resume
available (LinkedIn, Twitter, and
Facebook).
3. Distribute your resume at job fairs-
it is a great way to meet people and
practice your interviewing skills.
4. Post your resume wisely-explore
niche job boards, target specific
companies of interest, consider
regional job boards, library
websites, aggregator sites like

You have an
interview!!!
Interview Essentials
RESEARCH THE COMPANY!!!!!!
1. Bring copies of your resume
2. Pen (blue or black ink)
3. Notepad or notebook
4. A copy of your references (at
least 3 people not related to
you)
5. Come prepared to ask the
interviewer questions
6. Have directions and contact
information for the person
you are interviewing with
7. Breath mints (avoid chewing
gum)
8. Folder or briefcase

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-
O0mAdXsp8
http://www.rasmussen.edu/images/bl
ogs/1314022058-how-to-dress-for-an-
interview.jpg
Dress for
Success!
Gray -- logical/analytical
White -- organized
Brown -- dependable
Green, yellow, orange, purple--creative
Red—powerful
Blue—confident/loyal

Interviewing
http://www.career.vt.edu/Interviewing/DosDonts.html
Do’s Don’ts
Always ask the interviewer
questions!
0 Ask questions to determine the
companies ‘culture’.
0 Provide questions that showcase
your interest in the position and the
company.
0 Discuss the history of the position;
who held it before you
0 Ask questions about the strengths
and personality types of current
employees.
0 Discuss what the hiring manger
wants you to accomplish within the
first year, if you are chosen for the
position.
Don’t forget to follow up with a
Thank You!
0 Avoid “why” questions, instead ask
“how?”
0 Don’t ask multifaceted questions.
0 Avoid questions that might create an
atmosphere of discomfort.
0 Do not discuss religion, beliefs, or
values in the interview.
0 Be careful when asking personal
questions of the interviewer

What to ask?
What do believe is the future of this company?
What do you consider to be your firm's most important assets?
What can you tell me about your new product or plans for growth?
How do you rate your competition?
What happened to the last person who held this job?
What are some major strengths needed for this job?
What types of skills do you NOT already have onboard that you're looking to fill with a new hire?
What is the overall structure of the company and how does your department fit the structure?
What career paths are offered in this company?
What have been the department's successes in the last couple of years?
How do you view your group/division/department?
What would you consider to be the most important aspects of this job?
What are the skills and attributes you value most for someone being hired for this position?
Where have successful employees previously in this position progressed to within the company?
Could you describe a typical day or week in this position?
What are the most immediate challenges of the position that need to be addressed?
What are the performance expectations of this position?
How will I be evaluated, and how often?
The next steps: At the end of the interview don't forget to ask
What are the next steps in the interview process?

What not to ask during an
interview!
 What is the salary for this position?
 When do you expect to make a decision?
 What does this company do?
 Did I get the job? When do I start?
 What does the benefits package include?
 When can I take my first vacation days?
 Do I really need to have requirements X,Y,Z as listed in the job posting?
 How many hours will I be expected to work?
 Do I have to work weekends/overtime/holidays?
 How long would I expect to wait to get promoted or transferred?
 When do employees get salary increases?
 What is it about my resume that got me this interview?

Warning: Some interview questions asked by
employers could be illegal?!
USATODAY.com - Illegal interview questions

Send
out your
Thank
you
cards 