Section One:

INSTRUCTIONS FOR IDENTIFYING YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

YOUR GOAL IS TO GET A JOB. But, before you can get a job, you must be invited to an interview by an employer. And before you can be invited to an interview, you need a resume that will make the employer want to see you. Therefore, if the resume is the key to getting an interview, it must appeal to the interests of the employer. It must tell the employer what she/he wants to hear and it must show that you are familiar with the skills required for the job.

Here are a few tips on how to develop the qualifications section of your resume.

1.) Go to you local library and look up your occupation in the "Occupational Outlook Handbook."

2.) As you read the chapter on your occupation, pick what you consider to be the FOUR most important skills needed for the job.

3.) After selecting the FOUR most important skills for your job, write them down on a piece of paper.

4.) Under each skill - stop and think - where have you used that skill before? It is NOT necessary for you to have used that skill in a past work experience. You can show that you have command of a skill even if you only used it in your leisure of volunteer activities - the point is, that you have used it. Review the check list below and think of where you used each skill.

[ ] Activities you organized [ ] Activities you participated in [ ] Successes you are proud of

[ ] Special accomplishments [ ] Schools, seminars, workshops [ ] Full-time work projects

[ ] Part-time or summer jobs [ ] Charitable or volunteer work [ ] Civic or political work

[ ] Leisure activities [ ] Money making activities

 Section Two:

WRITING YOUR RESUME

A resume is like a sales brochure. Your effort is to try and sell a company the idea of granting you an interview. Your resume must be persuasive, it must excite the reader and arouse his interest. If you are looking for a job, you need a resume.

There are two different types of resume formats.

1.) A chronological resume and a functional resume. They consist of the following categories:

[ ] Name, Address, Telephone [ ] Job Objective [ ] Educational Qualifications

[ ] Work History (for chronological) [ ] Special Accomplishments

[ ] Skills and Abilities (for functional)

[ ] Hobbies and Achievements (Optional - use only if relevant and appropriate.)

The chronological resume is the most popular form of resume. It stresses accomplishments, achievements, qualifications and experiences. It charts the "chronological development" of the applicant from his first job to his current status. The chronological resume was designed for people with solid work history, and not necessarily intended for those who are switching fields or just starting out in the working field.

2.) A functional resume, on the other hand, stresses skills and abilities rather that work history. The functional resume was designed for those people who are switching fields or just starting out in the working world. It has the unusual ability to show that an applicant is qualified - despite the fact that the applicant has little experience in the job field. 

Instructions for developing a "Resume."

Name

Address

Telephone Number 

JOB OBJECTIVE: States what job you are seeking.

EDUCATION: Start with your most recent educational accomplishment. Give the date attended, the degree, the name of the school and the school's city / state address. Then, immediately under each school, list those courses, classes, and seminars you attended which helped you to prepare for this job. Don't forget to list any professional training programs or seminars you attended through a former employer - enter those seminars as if the were a private school.

WORK HISTORY: For the chronological resume work history goes next. For the functional, work history, if any, can go at the end (remember you want to emphasize your skills and abilities). Start with you most recent employer and give the dates of employment, the name of the employer, and the employer's city / state address. Then, immediately under each employer, state the title of your position and explain your duties.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Decide on the FOUR basic skills required for this job. State each of these skills on your resume and explain how you used each skill. Stress your accomplishments and capabilities.

PERSONAL DATA: This section is optional - you do not have to list any personal data. However, you might want to tell the employer about any languages you speak, and whether you would be willing to travel of relocate. This is the section to include any relevant hobbies and achievements.

REFERENCES: Do not list your references on the resume. Instead, use the phrase "References on Request". Before you do offer someone's name as a reference, make sure you have that person's permission to do so. 

Section Three:

FINDING THE EMPLOYERS

A quick glance through the help-wanted section of any newspaper will tell you some of the companiesthat are actually hiring. Keep in mind though that most jobs are not advertised here. Most companies advertise only when they have a definite need for certain types of people. Use all the resources available; ask your friends, or career counselors at your school about job openings. Many companies have phone numbers that give you recorded listings of jobs. Often times you can check out a company's job openings on the internet. 

 Section Four:

THE APPLICATION

The following information will be asked of you by the employer:

Friends and Relatives: If you have friends or relatives who work for the employer, the manager will be interested to learn who they are.

Criminal Record: If there are ghosts in your past, other than traffic violations and misdemeanors, they could influence the manager's decision. Rather than listing your convictions on the application, simply write, "Request a private conference." Once in the interview, you can explain the details in person.

Dates of Employment: Be sure to account for lapses in time between jobs. Also be prepared to explain why you may have stayed with a previous employer for only a short period of time.

No Employment Record: If you are in high school or a recent graduate, use the functional form of resume. The functional resume is used by people who don't have work experience. However, it is used to identify your skills and abilities (See Section Three for more on functional resumes.)

Reason for Leaving a Job: You may be asked why you left previous employers. TELL THE TRUTH. If you left for a higher salary, more responsibility, or an advancement in position - say so.

Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates: If you have a degree, diploma, or a certificate of training put it on the job application. If you are about to receive a degree, diploma or a certificate, give the type and the date you expect to receive it. Don't give the impression you already have, if you don't. That is called falsification - and you will be exposed.

References: On a resume you don't need to list references, simply state "References on Request." On a job application however, you must list them. Think of three people who you could be used as references. You might select your minister or clergyman, teacher, former supervisor, a colleague, or neighbor. Before you give anyone's name as a reference, make sure you get that person's permission. NEVER assume someone will offer a good reference without asking them first.

Do not specify a salary. If you specify a salary, you might underprice yourself - or overprice yourself. Let the employer make you an offer, then negotiate.

The employer will conduct a background check after leaving the interview, the employer will call your former employers and references and ask for recommendations. He might call your school, ask for a transcript, plus the job might require a criminal record check from the police department.

ONE FINAL WORD:

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE APPLICATION FORM, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO SIGN A STATEMENT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT ANY FALSE OR OMITTED FACTS ARE CAUSE FOR DISMISSAL. PLAY IT SAFE AND TELL THE TRUTH. 

Section Five

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW

First impressions are always important. There are four basic areas that will mold the manager's impression of you........

1.) GOOD APPEARANCE is measured simply in the sense of personal respect you extend to yourself and the person you are meeting. As a general rule, you should dress in the clothing that you would wear to the job in which you are applying. When you go to an interview, make sure your clothes are clean, freshly pressed, and neat. Wear conservative colors, and please avoid excessive jewelry.

2.) ATTIDTUDE, separates those with jobs from those who are unemployed. The employer prefers a person with a heathy attitude and no experience, over someone with experience and a bad attitude. The employer likes to see someone enthusiastic and excited.

3.) GOOD MANNERS are always important. They show the other person that you have respect for them. Begin by offering a warm and friendly greeting. Extend a firm and sincere handshake. Smile. Express your thanks for the opportunity to be interviewed. Sit when you are invited to sit. Keep your hands away from your face - use them to illustrate what you mean. Don't drum you fingers or show nervousness. Obviously, don't smoke,eat,drink, or chew gum or candy. Be enthusiastic, friendly, and think of the best possible outcome.

4.) SENSE OF RELIABILITY,the manager wants to know if you will show up for work on time each day. To see whether you are reliable, the manager will check to see if you showed up for the interview on time. Plan to arrive at least fifteen minutes before the interview. If for some reason you are late for the interview, call the manager. Tell him/her you have been delayed, you are enroute, and you apologize for the inconvenience. If you don't call, he/she will assume you are unreliable - and this will lessen your chances of getting the job.

Section Six

THE JOB INTERVIEW

YOUR MOMENT OF TRUTH

* Verify the particulars. Write down the interviewer's name, the location, and the time and date of your interview. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early.

* Research the company's history, growth, products, services, finances and competitors!!! Does the product or service have a long term market.

* Take a good look at yourself. Employers are becoming increasingly broad-minded about clothes and hair, but few employers are totally "liberated". If you are serious about getting a job, then you had better look and dress the part. No interviewer will tell you what you are supposed to wear, but your "judgement" and your "maturity" will be partially measured by your appearance. So dress conservatively and neat. (Many books are available on dress - John T. Mallory's Dress For Success and Women's Dress For Success have been best-sellers.) You can also check out an office or branch of the firm. The sticklers for traditional dress will usually be those companies hiring for positions that mean contact with the public and clients.

The interview begins the moment of your FIRM handshake. Don't take this initial period lightly. Your ability to converse and express yourself intelligently is being measured.

The first questions will be designed to get you to talk about yourself - to ease tension and get you to open up and feel relaxed.

REMEMBER: Keep in mind that all interviews are different. There is no way to anticipate exactly which questions the interviewer will ask. The questions will depend largely on the type of job, your qualifications, and the manager's attitude. In all probability, the manager will ask questions similiar to the following:

-What brings you to ABC Company?

-Before we begin, tell me a little about your background.

-Tell me why you think you're qualified for this job and what skills you have.

The second part, is to give you a chance to answer "where," "when," and "why" questions about your background to supply information left out of your resume. (Now is the time to describe some of your work experience or volunteer activities. This is your chance to elaborate upon your strong points and maximize whatever you have to offer.

FOCUS ON THE EMPLOYER'S NEEDS. Discuss how your skills and abilities fit the position. The interviewer's description of the company operations and activities should bring to mind some of the research information you gathered earlier. From that information you should have prepared some questions. You can ask about opportunities for advancement or training. WAIT ON QUESTIONS ABOUT SALARY. Let the interviewer bring up the subject.

Concluding tips for the interview:

(1) Ask when the decision will be made.

(2) Ask for the job at the close of the interview.

(3) Follow up with a phone call within a week.