Resume writing and interviewing skills training workshop held in Hebron University - March 2014

1. ‫‪Resume Writing and Interviewing Skills‬‬
‫مهارات كتابة السيرة الذاتية ومقابالت العمل‬

2. THE PRESENTATION ON :
http://www.slideshare.net/loayq
https://www.facebook.com/loayq.trainer

3. ARE YOU READY

4. WORKSHOP AGENDA

What a resume is and its purposes

Types and formats of resumes

Effective Writing of a resume.

Guidelines for preparing cover letters

Be ready for a successful job interview.

Being Online, search for a job.

5. Your Goal
Follow up
Writing
The Resume
Interviewing
Skills
Search for a
job

6. WHAT IS A RESUME ?
 What
is the purpose of the
resume?

Main sections.
 CV

vs. Resume.
Cover letter

7. RESUME … IS
A brief summary of your qualifications,
skills, and background which represent
your educational and work experiences in
terms relevant to potential employers.
A self-promotional and marketing tool.
The first impression a prospective
employer has of you.

8. Watch
and Discuss

9. Remember
Your first contact with a prospective
employer will be when he reads your
resume.

You only get one chance to make a first
impression!

First impressions are lasting – so think
of your resume as an extension of you!

Never forget that the goal of a resume is
to obtain a job interview.


10. A NOTE TO THE WISE!

There is no such thing as the “right”
or “wrong” resume.

The best indicator of whether your
resume is doing its job is by answering
this question,
“Are employers contacting you?

11. What is the Purpose of a Resume?

To describe your accomplishments, qualifications,
professional and educational experiences

Serve as a record to leave with an employer

Share information with the people who are
assisting you with your job search

Attach to a job application- Some forms don’t
allow us to express our skills and abilities very
well

To answer “the” question : Why should I be
selected for an interview?

12. CV

13. SOME STATISTICS



A single job offer attracts between 100
and 1,000 resumes.
Your resume will get between 10 and
20 seconds of the recruiters time.
Only 1 interview is granted for every
200 resumes received by the average
employer.

14. Live
Flexible
Content VS
Presentation
KISS
Career Path

15. LET US GET A CLOSER LOOK

16. WRITE A RESUME STEP BY STEP
1)
Understanding the Purpose
2)
Understanding the Audience
3)
Look at other Resumes.
4)
Start writing your first draft.
5)
Revise, carefully review and re-organize
your draft
6)
Get feedback from a reader.
7)
Revise, Proofread and Edit.

17. RESUME SECTIONS:
Contact
Information
Experience
Objective
Skills
Profile/Summary
Honors and
accomplishments
Education
References

18. START THE WRITING
http://goo.gl/C1wO1

19. TIME TO BREAK.

20. CONTACT INFORMATION
 Address
 Phone and Mobile numbers
 E-mail address
 Personal Website (if any)
 LinkedIn /Skype

21. CONTACT INFORMATION

22. CONTACT INFORMATION
Keep it Simple
Be professional
Use a permanent
address
Avoid nicknames

23. OBJECTIVE
 Reason for sending the résumé
 A brief paragraph that states
your career plan in relation to
what an employer is looking for
 Focus on your interest as well as
your employers interest.

24. OBJECTIVE
 To obtain a position as a Software
Engineer with a company offering
opportunities for professional growth.
 Seeking a position as a Civil Engineer in a
well established company that will fully
utilize my experience and expertise in
hydrological
modeling,
design,
construction, construction management,
planning and cost analysis.

25. OBJECTIVE
 Your objective must be specific, clear,
short and concise.
 You can targeted specific job title.
 Stay focused on one title or two similar
 Use general objective when needed.
 …..

26. PROFILE / SUMMARY
• Several concise statements that focus
the reader’s attention on the most
important qualities, achievements,
and abilities you have to offer.
• A short phrase describing your
profession.
• Bullet : 3 to 4 one-liners about who
you are.

27. PROFILE / SUMMARY
 A team player with excellent communication skills
and academic qualifications, who has recently
graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering.
 A highly talented, professional and dedicated Civil
Engineer with over ten years experience in planning,
designing and directing the construction and
maintenance of roads, bridges and pipelines.
 Accounting manager with five years of accounting
experience in real estate and marketing industries.
Fully knowledgeable in general accounting, payroll,
budgeting, and journal entry preparation.

28. PROFILE/ SUMMARY
• Think about what you want to say about yourself.
• Create a well-rounded view of yourself.
• Be honest.
• Be confident.
• Avoid trying to answer every question about yourself.
• Use specifics over generalities

29. Objective Vs. Profile by an example

Objective:
Seeking position as English teacher at
a governmental school.

Profile:
English teacher with ten years of
experience in governmental school
systems

30. EDUCATION
• Your most recent educational information
is listed first.
• Include your degree (B.A., M.A., etc.), major,
institution attended, minor/concentration.
• Add your (GPA) if it is higher than 3.0.
• Mention academic honors

31. EDUCATION
2002-2005
2000-2003
Graduate Diploma in Law
BA in Economics
BBP Law School London
University of Manchester
1995-1998 , B.S. in Business Management , Yeshiva University New York, NY
Certified Public Accountant, CPA, New York State

32. WORK EXPERIENCE
 Briefly give the employer an overview of work
that has taught you skills.
 Use action words to describe your job duties.
 Include your work experience in reverse
chronological
Include:
• Title of position,
• Name of organization, Location
• Dates of employment
• Describe your work responsibilities with
emphasis on specific skills and
achievements.

33. WORK EXPERIENCE

34. WORK EXPERIENCE
 Include: paid work, unpaid internships, extensive job
opportunities
 Use keywords and jargon from your field : You want
to appear to be an insider.
 Include skills, experiences and interests that relate
to the target position.
 Begin statements with action verbs. Use short
phrases and concrete examples, numbers and
quantities to describe your experiences (i.e., “Supervised
camp activities for 30 girls, ages 6-12”).

35. SKILLS
It includes your abilities
that are related to the jobs
you are applying for.
Include skills that are relevant to
the position / career field that you
are interested in i.e. computer
skills, software skills, and/or
language skills.

36. SKILLS
 Teaching, Lecturing and Curricula design
 Troubleshooting of computer HW/SW faults
 Supervising Projects: including in house,
external contractors and sub-contractors.
 ….

37. SKILLS
 Customize the skills section of your resume to
match, as much as you can, the requirements
listed in the job posting.
 The closer a match your skills are to the job
requirements, the better your chances of being
selected for an interview.
 Employers quickly scan resumes, so long lists are
not likely to get read.

38.  Here
you will go into more details than you
did in the objective and summary
 Great
 List
opportunity to really sell yourself!
any activities that would show special
skills, community involvement, leadership
ability, etc.
 List
any special honors you have received

39. No
need to say “References available
upon request” .
You’ll need three to five people to write
or speak on your behalf.
 Ask permission before you use someone’s
name.
 write contact information for them.
 Give them your resume.
 WHO ARE THEY ?

40. RESUME FORMATS:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Chronological
Functional
Combination
Targeted
Mini

41. COVER LETTER

42. A
business letter that accompanies a
resume.
 Informs
reader of your purpose and
requests as in-person meeting.
 Highlights
and directs attention to the
important information in the resume.
 May
take the form of an email message
or a brief note that accompanies an
electronic application

43. 
First paragraph: State the name of the job
for which you are applying and how you
learned about the job opening.

Second paragraph: Emphasize skills and
abilities that relate to the open position.
However, do not repeat what is said on your
resume.

Third paragraph: Thank the employer
and request an interview.

44. An Effective Cover Letter
Introduces You; Your Resume
Summarizes Appropriate Aspects of your
Education or Experience
States briefly how your Qualifications relate to
the Job
Indicates if you have included a Resume,
Writing Samples, Transcript, or other
documents
Is Brief and to the Point.
Requests an Interview.

45. Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone Number
Your Email
COVER LETTER
SAMPLE
Date
Name
Job Title
Company
Adress
Dear Mr./Ms. LastName,
Please accept my application for the teaching assistant position advertised on Craig's List. I would like to
continue to develop my teaching skills while creating a challenging and fun learning environment for students.
The middle school age group is particularly appealing to me, because students are very impressionable,
interested in learning, and open to new concepts.
I am very well qualified and would be an asset to the school because of my experience working as a teaching
assistant for XYZ School. I have worked with both elementary and middle school teachers, as well as camp
directors to develop curricula that meet the needs of students. I enjoy tutoring students and helping them build
confidence in their ability to achieve, both academically and socially. In addition, I have artistic and computer
skills that will be an asset when developing class projects.
I have attached my resume for your review. Thank you for considering my application. I would appreciate the
opportunity to interview and look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Typed Name

46. TIME TO BREAK.

47. ‫على مين الحق‬

48. INTERVIEWING SKILLS
48

49. IT IS NOT ALWAYS MY DAY :
49

50. INTERVIEWING - WHAT IS IT?
A
structured meeting
between you and an
employer.
Interviewing is a skill
that can be enhanced by
training.
PRACTICE makes
PERFECT
50

51. INTERVIEWING IS A TWO-WAY STREET
 Employers
are attempting
to determine if you are an
appropriate fit for the job
and their culture.

You decide if the work
environment is right for
you.
51

52. TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
Screening
One
2
One
Panel
52

53. TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
Group
Series
Tele
Conferencing
53

54. WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW
54

55. Speak clearly
and show that
Be on time
Bring your
résumé
you have
prepared
yourself for
the interview
Look and
sound
friendly
Dress
appropriately
Be clean
 Ensure you have a high level of hygiene
55
 Answer all the questions the best way you can.

56. BEFORE THE INTERVIEW…
Do Your
Home
Work
Know
Your Self
Prepare
Necessary
Material
56

57. DO YOUR HOME WORK
 Research
 Know
position, company and industry.
who you will be interviewing with.
 Be
ready for a variety of interviewer styles.
 Be
ready to discuss your strengths and
weaknesses
 Know
How to reach the location.
57

58. KNOW YOUR SELF





Be able to articulate skills, strengths,
accomplishments, and career goals
Familiarize yourself with your resume
Make a list of five accomplishments that you
enjoyed.
Make a list of five things you have done with proud.
Make a list of how your colleagues, staff, and
supervisors describe you. Include the positive and
negative feedback.
58

59. WHAT TO TAKE TO THE INTERVIEW
Copies of
your resume
Typed
reference
sheet
Pen and
paper
59

60. GREETING & INTRODUCTION
 Smile
 Maintain
 Firm
eye contact
handshake
 Remain
confident
60

61. TYPICAL INTERVIEW TIMING
Component
Time

Introduction/Greeting
2 minutes

Employer questioning
15-20 minutes

Applicant questions
5 minutes

Closing
3 minutes
61

62. THE INTERVIEWER EVALUATES
Attitude
10%
40%
25%
Image &
Appearance
Communication
Job
Qualifications
25%
62

63. WAYS YOU CAN SHOW A GOOD ATTITUDE
• Concentrate on being likable and friendly
• Positive language and non-verbal cues
• Demonstrate enthusiasm
• Demonstrate interest
• Excellent Listener
• Be Professional
63

64. WHAT DO EMPLOYERS SEEK FOR :
Time
Management
Problem Solving
Being Adaptable
Communicating
Effectively
Working Well in a
Team
Using Initiative
Being Well
Organized
Creativity
Leadership
Customer/
Client Relations
64

65. TYPES OF QUESTIONS
Experience
Behavioral/Competency
Opinion questions
Credential questions
65

66. INTERVIEW QUESTIONS : USEFUL TIPS

Tough Questions
Questions can vary and may be categorized
under Personal Assessment, Education and
Experience, Career ambition and Plans,
Company or Organization.
Expect
the unexpected
Turning
a Negative into a
Positive
66

67. THE BALANCE OF LISTENING AND TALKING
 Do not be afraid to ask clarifying questions about the
interviewer’s questions.
 Listen well so that you can identify opportunities to
link your skills and qualifications to what the
interviewer is looking for.
 It is acceptable to take notes.
 Do not interrupt the interviewer.
 Take time to formulate your thoughts before
answering a tough question and balance talking with
listening.
67
 Be as clear and concise as you can in your answers.

68. BODY LANGUAGE :
WHAT SIGNALS ARE YOU SENDING?
Positive Signals
Negative Signals

Leaning forward = interest


Smiling = friendly


Nodding = attentive

Eye contact = curious and

Crossed arms = defensive
Fidgeting hands or
tapping feet = nervous or
bored
Lack of eye contact =
untrustworthy
focused

Leaning back= discomfort
68

69. INTERVIEW QUESTIONS … HOW TO ANSWER
69

70. QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK
 What




are the responsibilities of this position?
What are the reputations, academic
training and tenures of the employees
in this department?
Do you support professional development?
How?
What do you see as the biggest
challenge that someone would face
70
during the first month on the job?
………….

71. • An elevator pitch is a short summary
used to quickly and simply define a
person, profession, product, service,
organization or event and its value
proposition.
• The name "elevator pitch" reflects the
idea that it should be possible to deliver
the summary in the time span of an
elevator ride, or approximately thirty
seconds to two minutes

73. GENERAL INTERVIEW STRATEGIES
 Be
prepared to talk about yourself and
your experiences
 Master
the art of storytelling
 Provide
specific and concrete examples of
your results/accomplishments
 Remain
positive, enthusiastic and
confident throughout the interview
process
73

74. GENERAL INTERVIEW STRATEGIES





Remember an interview is a formal
conversation--avoid filler words like “Um”,
“Ah”, & “You know”
Avoid indecisive phrases like: “I think,” “I
guess,” “probably,” or “pretty good”
Think before speaking
Avoid long verbose answers--limit your
response to 1-2 minutes
If you do not hear or understand a
74
question, ask them to repeat or clarify it for
you

75. REASONS WHY CANDIDATES RECEIVE
REJECTION REPLIES

Lack of proper career planning

Lack of knowledge in field of specialization

Inability to express thoughts clearly and
concisely.

Insufficient evidence of achievement.

Not prepared for the interview.

No real interest in the organization
75

76. FOLLOW-UP
 Ask
good questions
 Thank
the interviewer
 Request
 Inquire
a business card
about next steps in the process
76

77. FINAL THOUGHTS
 Remember
that only 15% of the success of
an interview is out of your control
 Take
some time to reflect
- Overall, how well did I do?
- What went well?
- What steps can I take next time to improve?
77

78. SUGGESTIONS


Conduct a test run the day before the
interview
Practice! Practice! Practice!




Obtain a list of practice interview questions and jot down
short answers
Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your answers
Get a good night’s sleep-be well rested
and alert for the interview
Be relaxed and be yourself!
78

80. YOU CAN FIND ME HERE
loayq
Loayq.trainer
loayq