This document provides guidance on developing a résumé, cover letter, and following up after a job interview. It emphasizes keeping the résumé concise and focused on relevant skills and accomplishments. Cover letters should be tailored to a specific job and company. Following up with a thank you letter after an interview is important. The document also lists common mistakes like including inappropriate personal details or coming to an interview poorly dressed or groomed.

1. Your Ticket to Employment The Résumé

2. Résumé assignment Pick a job from the list summer job part time job entry level job Cover Letter Résumé Follow Up LinkedIn Profile and Connections

5. Resume mistakes—A job candidate... specified that his availability to work Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays is limited because the weekends are "drinking time." included a picture of herself in a cheerleading uniform. drew a picture of a car on the outside of the envelope and said the car would be a gift to the hiring manager. listed hobbies that included sitting on a levee at night watching alligators.

6. A job candidate... mentioned the fact that her sister had once won a strawberry-eating contest. stated that he works well in the nude. explained an arrest record by stating, "We stole a pig, but it was a really small pig."

7. LinkedIn A professional networking site Post an online version of resume Make connections to others in field of expertise or interests. Profile Groups Answers

9. A piece of advertising than a comprehensive data sheet.

10. Use margins and good spacing that make it easily skimmed White space draws the eyes in to the actual text

12. highlights your accomplishments to show a potential employer that you are qualified for the work you want.

13. not a biography of everything you have done.

16. Don’t apologize for a lack of experience or weaknesses

17. Be positive

19. Anything longer is an autobiography.

21. Developing the Career Objective the career objective can be arranged to a person’s unique background or wishes. The “Topic Sentence” of the résumé

22. Career Objective (advantages) 40% of Employers WANT an objective on a resume If your previous jobs are different from the type of job that you are now seeking, then an objective communicates your decision to change careers. may help sharpen the focus of your resume, especially if your experience is very diverse, or you are switching into a career not supported by the experience listed on your resume

23. ARGUABLE VALUE Career Objective (disadvantages) If you are applying to the company, but not necessarily for a specific position, then an objective can limit your chances of getting a job with that firm. Having both a career objective and a cover letter may be redundant. If you choose NOT to do an objective, you will probably want to include a qualifications section

24. Good Objectives(examples) Seeking a position in sales where five years of customer service experience will add value to a company Position where three years of management experience will contribute Seeking a position as a corporate trainer, where a thorough understanding of English will be useful To manage people, interface with customers, and work with highly technical software or hardware applications

25. Crappy Objective Seeking a position that will be fulfilling while providing opportunity for advancement

26. The Résumé EXPOUND ON YOUR RELEVANT EXPERIENCES. Condense jobs or experiences that are not directly related. Slant your résumé to the typeof job you are seeking.

27. Chronological Lists your achievements and employment in reverse chronological order Most recent or current job first Next most recent Third most recent, etc. Education secondary to employment Most recent education first

28. Chronological Use when the employer would be most concerned with your work history Part-time, menial labor job Job where your education is secondary to work ethic

29. From www.jobstar.org

30. Functional This is the resume you use when applying for a job that is in your field of expertise highlight areas of skill and accomplishment Specific education, training or skills relevant to the job FIRST Job history and/or other education next

31. Functional match up skills and accomplishments that might not be obvious to the employer in a traditional chronological format. new graduate or entering the workforce. You must show how the skills you have used in the past (in volunteer or coursework) apply to the job you are seeking.

32. From www.jobstar.org

33. Cover Letter typically provides detailed information on why are you are qualified for the job you are applying for. Effective cover letters explain the reasons for your interest in the specific organization and identify your most relevant skills or experiences.

34. Cover Letter Clean, neat laser or ink jet copy, yet not mass generated Best possible paper and ink Match it to your résumé To a specific person at a specific company Title, Male or Female? Use full name or omit salutation DON’T use “To Whom It May Concern”

35. Cover Letter No humor, graphics or cartoons “Squeaky Wheel”theory—provide a specific step that you will be taking. Include a date by which YOU will contact THEM if you don’t hear from them.

36. EXPECT A PHONE CALL Most employers call to set up an interview. Seldom will they write. Make sure they have your phone number. Email is becoming moreimportant Conservative sounding address

37. fluffykitty@hotmail.com

38. Follow Up Letter Writing a thank you letter, or thank you email, after an employment interview is a must. Some employers think less of those interviewees who fail to follow-up promptly. Send out as soon as possible (preferably within 24 hours) after interview

39. Follow Up Letter If possible, each interviewer should get an individualized “Thank You” letter. Do NOT simply change the name at the top of the letter. OK to send the thank you by email Use proper letter format. NOT AN ATTACHMENT Proper business English—NO SLANG

40. Follow Up Letter If possible, add additional information Info you left out in interview Info you want to remind them of

41. Top 10 WORST Interview Mistakes 2007 Candidate answered cell phone and asked the interviewer to leave her own office because it was a "private" conversation. Candidate told the interviewer he wouldn't be able to stay with the job long because he thought he might get an inheritance if his uncle died -- and his uncle wasn't "looking too good." Candidate asked the interviewer for a ride home after the interview. Candidate smelled his armpits on the way to the interview room. Candidate said she could not provide a writing sample because all of her writing had been for the CIA and it was "classified."

42. Top 10 WORST Interview Mistakes 2007 Candidate told the interviewer he was fired for beating up his last boss. When applicant was offered food before the interview, he declined saying he didn't want to line his stomach with grease before going out drinking. A candidate for an accounting position said she was a "people person" not a "numbers person." Candidate flushed the toilet while talking to interviewer during phone interview. Candidate took out a hair brush and brushed her hair.

43. Tips for Men AND Women Dress one step up from what you would be wearing on a day-to-day basis for the job Conservative two-piece business suit Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse Clean, polished conservative shoes Well-groomed hairstyle Clean, trimmed fingernails Minimal cologne or perfume Empty pockets--no bulges or tinkling coins No gum, candy or cigarettes

44. Interview Tips for Men necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern dark shoes dark socks (black is best) get a haircut; short hair always fares best in interviews no beards (unless you are interviewing for a job as a lumberjack) mustaches are a possible negative, but if you must, make sure it is neat and trimmed no rings other than wedding ring or college ring No earrings (if you normally wear one, take it out)

45. Interview Tips for Women Always wear a suit with a jacket; no dresses No high heels Conservative hosiery at or near skin color (and no runs!) No purses, small or large; carry a briefcase instead Nail polish (not required), use clear or a conservative color Minimal makeup (it should not be too noticeable) No more than one ring on each hand One set of earrings only

46. Tips for Men AND Women I’m here for the three o’clock interview. No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc.) Wear a watch Light briefcase or portfolio case a pen that writes-more than one is best Names & addresses of references a notebook or pocket calendar Do NOT keep hands in pockets while waiting Turn off cell phone or put on silence

47. Be Prepared to Answer Such Questions As... Tell me about yourself? Tell me about your background, accomplishments? What are your strengths? Weaknesses? How would you describe your most recent job performance? What interests you about our company? How do you stay professionally current? What outside activities are most significant to your personal development?

48. And, be prepared to ASK questions, such as... What would I be expected to accomplish in this position? What are the greatest challenges in this position? How do you think I fit the position? Remember a lack of questions may be mistaken as a lack of interest.

49. Top 10 WORST Interview Mistakes 2007 Candidate answered cell phone and asked the interviewer to leave her own office because it was a "private" conversation. Candidate told the interviewer he wouldn't be able to stay with the job long because he thought he might get an inheritance if his uncle died -- and his uncle wasn't "looking too good." Candidate asked the interviewer for a ride home after the interview. Candidate smelled his armpits on the way to the interview room. Candidate said she could not provide a writing sample because all of her writing had been for the CIA and it was "classified."

50. Top 10 WORST Interview Mistakes 2007 Candidate told the interviewer he was fired for beating up his last boss. When applicant was offered food before the interview, he declined saying he didn't want to line his stomach with grease before going out drinking. A candidate for an accounting position said she was a "people person" not a "numbers person." Candidate flushed the toilet while talking to interviewer during phone interview. Candidate took out a hair brush and brushed her hair.