Put Yourself into the Spotlight:

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Put Yourself into the Spotlight

• Job Searching for Results
• Career Services
• https//edgenet.edgewood.edu/studentcenter/careers
  ervices/
• Marilyn Albert
• Executive Director of Career Services - Edgewood
  College
• malbert_at_edgewood.edu
• Shawn Johnson
• Director of Career Education - Edgewood College
• johnson_at_edgewood.edu

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Overview of Morning

• The Job Search Process Introducing yourself to
  the employer and the job market
• Know Your Skills
• Resume and Cover Letter Writing
• The Search Itself
• - Break
• Interviewing

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The Open Audition

• Advertisement of yourself
• Where are you now?
• Where have you been?
• Where are you going?
• Career Related
• Not personal not where you were born, how many
  brothers sisters you have, etc.

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The Open Audition

• Tell me a little bit about yourself
• Senior at Edgewood College majoring in Marketing
• Customer service through job at Annex, leadership
  in American Marketing Association
• Seeking position as a management trainee to build
  upon my general business skills

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The Open Audition

• Advertisement of yourself
• 3 minutes to come up with one
• Get into pairs
• Practice answering question
• Tell me a little bit about yourself.

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Talent Showcase
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Know Yourself, Know Your Skills

• Make a list of 10 skills and qualities you
  possess.
• Then write a specific example of how you might
  demonstrate that skill.
• Think of concrete examples to demonstrate those
  skills.
• Use examples from school, class projects,
  activities, volunteer experiences, internships,
  work, etc.

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Know Yourself, Know Your Skills

• Skills Identification Handout
• Transferable Skills
• Top Qualities and Skills Employers Seek

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Voice Lessons Resume Writing
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Voice Lessons Resume Writing

• Resume and cover letter are your only chance to
  make a positive first impression
• Advertisement of your skills
• How long does an employer take to read a resume?

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Voice Lessons Resume Writing

• There is no right way to write a resume
• Choose one that best highlights your skills
• Know what you would like to do, what your skills
  and career goals are

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Voice Lessons Experience

• Sample Headings
• Education
• Experience
• Related Experience
• Research and Publication Experience
• Community Service
• Volunteer Work
• Campus Leadership

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Voice Lessons Experience

• SMITH MANUFACTURING CO., Madison, WI Fall 2000 -
  Present
• Inside Sales Representative
• Communicate effectively with customers
• Handle all incoming orders by mail or phone
• Establish new accounts and manage computerized
  billing
• Compile new procedures manual for call center
• CITY BANK, Madison, WI Summers, 2003 2006
• Assisted customers with bank transactions
• Solved problems regarding customer accounts
• Began as part-time bookkeeping assistant,
  promoted to drive-up teller
• Trained new drive-up tellers
• Received accuracy awards on two occasions

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Voice Lessons Resume Writing Tips

• Print on 20-25 lb and 25-100 cotton content
  resume paper
• White, off-white, gray colors
• Use bold face, underlining, capitalization to
  highlight information
• No decorative fonts font size 10-12 points
• Matching cover letter

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Voice Lessons Cover Letters

• Any typos can cause rejection
• Paragraph One
• Purpose of letter
• Why you are interested in this position or
  company
• Summary of your qualifications

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(No Transcript)
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Voice Lessons Cover Letters

• Paragraph Two
• Explain how your background makes you a qualified
  candidate
• Use concrete examples
• Highlight information from your resume
• Paragraph Three
• Reiterate interest in the position
• Refer to enclosures
• Repeat how you can be reached

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References

• Dr. Andrew Anderson
• Assistant Professor of History
• Edgewood College
• 1000 Edgewood College Drive
• Madison, WI 53711
• 608-555-1234
• aanderson_at_edgewood.edu
• Professor and curriculum
• advisor for three years.

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Writing Samples

• Writing Samples
• Papers
• Articles for newspapers or journals
• Creative samples
• Research
• Special Concerns
• Dont send work that is heavily edited or of a
  quality that you could not replicate
• If your sample was edited, mention this in your
  cover letter
• Avoid sending a group product, but if you feel it
  is your best work, try to edit or otherwise
  indicate what portion is your work alone
• If using a memo you prepared for a client, it is
  best to ask permission and be careful not to
  expose confidential information
• Be aware that some employers may ask applicants
  to prepare a writing sample on the spot during
  the interview process

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Be Your Own Talent AgentSearching for Jobs
Three Moves
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Be Your Own Talent Agent

• Searching for jobs three tactical moves
• Network with potential contacts and employers
• Develop target list of employers
• Respond to position openings

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Be Your Own Talent Agent Develop Target List of
Employers

• List of Employers
• Industry
• Location (region, metro-area)
• What kind of employers would hire someone with
  your skills?

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Craft Service
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The Big Audition
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The Big Audition Getting Ready

• Clearly define your goals before the interview
• What are the 5 things you need in your next job
  for it to be satisfying

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The Big Audition Know the Organization

• Where to find information
• Employers website
• Google
• Competitors websites
• In the news

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The Big Audition Appearance

• Always wear a suit
• Err on the conservative side
• When purchasing a suit, tell the person helping
  you that it is for interviewing
• Quality suit/natural fabrics
• Minimal jewelry/fragrances
• Conservative/neutral colors (black, navy blue,
  gray are best)
• Tailored and pressed garments

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Now you are ready for the interview!
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The Big Audition Upon your arrival

• Get there early (about 10 minutes before
  scheduled interview time)
• Treat receptionist with respect
• Introductions
• Smile
• Firm handshake
• Eye contact
• Use names

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The Big Audition What to bring

• Padfolio
• Extra copies of resume
• Official transcript
• List of references
• Possible questions to ask the interviewer
• Pen and paper to use FOLLOWING the interview for
  notes

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The Big Audition Responding to Questions

• Behavioral interviewing focus
• Keep in mind at least five main points for each
  of the areas employers tend to explore
• Focus on how you can be an asset to the employer
• Relate your strengths to the job in question

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The Big Audition Practice

• Articulate and natural
• No canned answers
• Know your general strengths
• Three things you do well
• Back up EVERYTHING with examples
• Mock interview

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The Big Audition Tell me about yourself

• Advertisement of yourself
• Where are you now?
• Where have you been?
• Where are you going?
• Career related not where you were born, how many
  brothers and sisters you have, etc.

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The Big Audition Sample Questions

• What are three of your strengths?
• You have more than three, pick those most
  career-related
• What arent you good at?
• Think about what you wish you did better
• Tell me about a difficult situation and how you
  dealt with it
• Behavioral questions
• PAR Problem, Action, RESULTS

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The Big Audition Questioning the Interviewer

• You will be evaluated on the questions you ask
• Never ask about salary or benefits until the
  employer brings it up or a job offer exists
• Be ready to talk about salary just in case the
  employer does bring it up
• Avoid asking questions available in company
  literature
• End with this question What is your timeline
  for filling the position?

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The Big Audition After the Interview

• Always send a thank you letter
• Reiterate your skills
• Mention something you may have forgotten or
  hadnt had the chance to speak about
• Hand written on nice notecards or typewritten on
  letterhead/resume paper
• Send to all those with whom you met

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The Big Audition Evaluating your interview

• If youre feeling down about the interview
• Think about how you could have answered the
  questions differently
• Remember, practice makes perfect

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Final Interview Tips

• Dont talk too much
• Follow up in a reasonable manner
• Watch nervous mannerisms
• Be on time
• Be friendly and enthusiastic
• Wear a suit!!
• Knock em dead!

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Curtain Call