resumé & interviews
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Resumé & Interviews. Employer’s Perspective. October 10, 2012 Bruce Meyers. Agenda. Get Planning Get Busy Get Ready to Interview (on the employer’s level). Get Planning 1. Career Plan. Establish Specific Goals and a process. Specific Goals. Goal - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Resumé & Interviews
Employer’s Perspective
October 10, 2012Bruce Meyers
Agenda
• Get Planning • Get Busy• Get Ready to Interview (on the employer’s level)
Get Planning 1
• Career Plan
PLAN
Do
Study
Adjust
Establish Specific Goals and a process
Specific Goals• Goal
E.g. “a successful career in the hospitality industry”
• Add specificityHotel Manager in Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer,
Canmore or BanffHead chef at 3 Star or better in AlbertaTravel agent for an airline, cruise line or Bus lineTour bus driver
Get Planning 2
• Self-assessment– Workplace values– Technical skills– People skills (‘soft’ skills)– Some work-related accomplishments– Academic credentials– Other activities
Get Planning 3• Research your ‘primary’ job market
– Industries and companies best suited to your interests and talent
– Which companies are hiring? • Develop a network of people who know
people.
You
WaiterThe Bay
Pier 1
Neighbor Graham
Summary of Plan The plan is prepared
• Self-assessment• Goals and objectives clearly defined• Job market research; Targets identified• Network contacts list and communication
schedule for inquiries and ‘thank you’ notes• Job search schedule is clear• Rest and recreation time is allocated
Get Busy 1
• Job Search Process
PLAN
Do
Study
AdjustImplement your plan
The Employer’s Thinking• Can the applicant do the job ?• Does the applicant possess the skills to become productive in a
reasonable time period?• Has the applicant demonstrated they have performed the job duties
before?• Was the applicant successful at this job in the past?• What types of problems did the applicant encounter at previous jobs
and did they demonstrate problem-solving abilities? • If applicant has not experienced the job can s/he prove the
necessary skills to succeed after reasonable training?
Job Posting AnalysisReview the job posting or job description carefully summarizing the requirements…Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) on a ‘worksheet’
Job Requirements MY QualificationsDegree or diploma in the area of education
B Sc. Environmental StudiesM Ed. - University of Bangalore
Strong computer skills and good knowledge of MS Office
Formally trained in MS Office ; advanced Outlook, Word and Excel, used basic PowerPoint skills for dozens of successful presentations in school and work settings.
Experience working with children ages 2-12 years
Counselor at Camp WillyWonka during summers 2005,6,8; designed and taught Environmental Responsibility to ages 8-12; PT Child Care Worker with prominent non-profit daycare in India
Familiar with resources available in Calgary for Childrens Settlement Program
Volunteered 100 hours at Centre for Newcomers in 2007; Volunteered with Youth Central civic engagement project in 2010-11.
Strong team work skills Team skills acquired as member of university junior football (soccer) club; voted Most Valuable Player by team mates following regional championship.
Why I Like a Good Cover Letter• The cover letter introduces you and gets me focused on
you• Assess your written communication skills (clear and
succinct) • Clear idea of why you are interested in the company and
the job• Summarize the match between the job requirements and
your knowledge, skills and experience ; make my work easier
• Always accompany your resumé with a cover letter
Dear Recruiter :
Re: Posting # 12345 – Child Settlement Advisor
I have been researching your organization on the recommendation of people in my network and following your web site for career opportunities. I know we will agree that a good match between the job and my skills, motivation, experiences and abilities is important to our mutual success. The Child Settlement Advisor role excites me on many levels. Please review my attached resumé and grant me a preliminary interview to present myself and credentials in person. For your convenience, the following table highlights several of your requirements for this job and examples of.
Job Requirements MY QualificationsDegree or diploma in the area of education B Sc. Environmental Studies
M Ed. - University of Bangalore Certificate in Child Care- Mount Royal U
Strong computer skills and good knowledge of MS Office
Formally trained in MS Office ; advanced Outlook, Word and Excel, used basic PowerPoint skills for dozens of successful presentations in school and work settings.
Experience working with children ages 2-12 years
Counselor at Camp Willy Wonka during summers 2005,6,8; designed and taught Environmental Responsibility to ages 8-12; PT Child Care Worker with prominent non-profit daycare in India
Sincerely,
Rekha A
High-Impact Resumé• Is it easy on my eyes?
• White space• Bold headings• Two pages
• Are past roles somewhat relevant, relevant, very relevant ?• What has this applicant accomplished for past employers?• What education and professional development has occurred to
support the applicant’s candidacy for the role? • How is/has the applicant contributed to bettering the community?
Objective
Bad
A challenging creative opportunity where I can apply my skills in a dynamic organization with plenty of room for advancement.
Good
To apply the knowledge acquired through a bachelor’s degree in Marketing & Communications and two summer internships at a public relations agency to an entry-level position on the marketing or PR team of a major financial institution.
Summary of QualificationsGood
Accomplished loan and credit underwriter with nine years experience in commercial and retail banking; Proven track record of profitable lending transactions; Adept at combining knowledge of industry practices and legal requirements with analysis, negotiation and relationship-building to secure new and repeat business. Awarded top achiever 4 years running.
BadA loan and credit underwriter, experienced at analizing loan applications and working with customers in commerical and retail loan transactions.
Work ExperienceBad
Senior Commercial Loan Underwriter – Sept 2005 to presentLotsa Money Commercial Bank
• Took construction loan apps.• Negotiated terms• Five direct reports• Trained new hires on loan
research methods• Organized company soccer
team
GoodSenior Commercial Loan Underwriter – Sept 2005 to presentLotsa Money Commercial Bank
• Processed $10bb in commercial construction oan applications
• Led a team of five junior underwriters who exceeded plan for past 6 months
• Facilitated professional training on loan research to shorten learning curve
• Applied team-building skills to development of company soccer team; resulted in higher company visibility and improved employee morale.
EducationBadMRU, 1998Calgary, ABDip, ComfinGPA: 2.75• Beta,Beta Fraternity, Party
Planning Committee Chari• Elected to Student Union• Led campus movement for re-
election of Mayor NenshiB.K. Burger High School 1994
GoodMount Royal University, 1998Calgary, ABDiploma, Commercial Finance
Professional Development
• Optional section• Keep it short and relevant
– Don’t list every course you’ve ever taken
Summary
• Job Search Process
PLAN
DO
STUDY
ACT
Study your plan, get feedback and don’t be afraid to make a few adjustments
Keep at it !
Interviewing Best Practices
For Employers
About Interviews
• Pre Interviewing Preparation• Interview Process• Different Interview Types• Pre-Employment Testing• Common Interviewing Mistakes• Final Thoughts
What is the Employer Thinking?
• A hiring mistake is unnecessary and costly to all involved.– Hiring Manager– Co-workers– (You), the new employee– Customers
Hiring Mistakes are Costly
Pre-Interview Preparation
• thorough job description in place
• employer has understanding of the type of individual that will succeed
• Employer has a short list of candidates from the resume received
• Employers are wise to take time during preparation to create an atmosphere that brings out the best in the candidates
Interview Process (advice to Employer)
Keys to Interviewing success:• Be prepared• Remove distractions• Hold calls• Choose a comfortable
environment• Start with small talk to put the
applicant at ease. This will entice responses that are less guarded.
• Assess all candidates under similar conditions
• Close the interview positively and set a firm understanding as to the next steps to be taken.
Different Interview Methods
• Phone interview • Screening interview (by HR staff) • Selection interview (HR staff and
hiring manager) • Approval interview (hiring
manager’s manager)
Different Interview Methods 2
• Unstructured Interview• Panel Interviews• Group Interviews
• Interviews can be very subjective and prospects can also have their resumés professionally written, this is why many organizations are including pre-employment testing into their interview process
• Valid testing must meet professional standards such as being reliable, free of discrimination
• Types of tests can include personality tests, cognitive ability tests, simulations and work samples
Pre-Employment Testing
• Know yourself; knowledge, skills and accomplishments
• Have a realistic career plan based on research; have a job search process mapped out
• Get busy implementing and adjusting your plan
• Know what employers are thinking
• Prepare your example STARs
Final Thought
Be patient, takeyour
time andfind/be the “right”
Candidate!
Message to employers and candidates