THE JOB SEARCH PROCESS A special thanks to The George Washington University Career Center with whose permission the following articles were reprinted. For information regarding campus interviews, career fairs, career consulting, workshops, mock interviews, etc., please visit your campus' Career Center. * How to Conduct an Effective Job Search * Researching Employers * How to Develop Opportunities Through Networking * How to Explore Careers Through Informational Interviewing * Career Fairs * Internships * Cover Letters and Related Job Search Communications Business Communications Protocol & Correspondence Tips Cover Letters/Application Letters Thank-you Letters Terminating Discussions Accepting an Offer Rejecting an Offer Application Forms * Resumes Designing Your Resume Resume Checklist Scannable Resumes Key Resume Phrases & Words and Additional Categories Sample Resumes * Steps to Successful Interviewing * Effectively Negotiating Salary Packages * Factors to consider in Evaluating a Job Offer * A Guide for Working with Employment Agencies _________________________________________________________________ How to Conduct an Effective Job Search How prepared are you for planning and conducting an effective job search? Successful job seekers must have both good information and well-developed job hunting skills. Three of the most important keys to being a successful job seeker are an awareness of your goals and skills, an understanding of the labor market, and a well planned job search campaign. The following six steps are used to conduct an effective job search. Step 1. Analyze Your Career Goals The job search process begins with an identification of your values, interests, skills, accomplishments, experience and goals. How can you seek a position if you don't know what you want from a job and what you have to offer prospective employers? Self-assessment, though a time-consuming process, provides invaluable information to facilitate career decisions and to prepare you to market your background effectively. Values An awareness of what you value (qualities that are important and desirable) in a career will aid you in exploring career goals and attaining greater satisfaction in your work. The following exercise can help you assess your career values. Review the following list of values and check those most important to you. Then go through and rank your top five values in order of priority. * Job Security * Working as part of a team * Working independently with little supervision * Making a contribution * Professional status * Mental challenge * Pleasant surroundings * Challenging, stimulating co-workers * Different tasks to accomplish daily * Financial rewards * Creating something * Ability to advance Adapted from Training For Life, by Fred Hecklinger & Bernadette Curtin, Copyright 1994. Reprinted by permission of Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. Skills A skill refers to those things you do well, including handling problems or tasks. The key to your successful job search is in recognizing these skills and being able to communicate their usefulness verbally and in writing to a prospective employer. Use accomplishment statements to do so. They should: * Describe your skills in concise, unambiguous terms. * Refer to actual experiences to demonstrate your skill level. * Concisely connect your skills to the needs of a prospective employer. Defining Your Skills Skills are not one dimensional, they come from a wide variety of work and life experiences. Skills traditionally fall into the following categories: 1. Specific Content - skills require specific training, knowledge or competency (i.e., mastering a foreign language). On a sheet of paper, write down two of your specific content skills. 2. Functional - skills that enable you to relate to data, people and/or things (i.e., communicating technical information, analyzing the results of a research project). On a sheet of paper, write down two of your functional skills. 3. Self-Management - skills that relate to your ability to manage yourself in relation to a job (i.e., able to easily adhere to deadlines or display good sense of humor which results in a positive work environment). On a sheet of paper, write down two of your self-management skills. Some of the most marketable skills are those which are useful in a wide variety of work environments. These are known as transferable skills. For example, the ability to write effectively, communicate verbally, and use word processing or database software are valued skills in the private as well as public sectors. Interests Interests (areas that arouse your attention or enthusiasm) are closely related to values and frequently trigger skill development. You can identify interests by looking at enduring themes in your life - activities that persist over time, consistent choices, recurring dreams, or the way you spend your time. Try keeping a time-log or examining your most enjoyable times in-depth. If after doing so, you are still not clear about your interests or cannot rank them, consider meeting with a Career Center consultant or use vocational guidance and testing services. Step 2. Explore Career Options The next step in the job search process is to explore the "matches" between your identified skills, interests, and values and the demands of career fields and organizations. Resource materials on occupations and employers and informational interviews are two excellent tools for this search. It is probable that no single career will have the potential to utilize all your skills, allow you to develop all your interests, and incorporate a value system completely compatible with yours. Therefore, try to target a career field that will satisfy some of your high-priority needs. Other needs of less importance can perhaps be satisfied in your leisure time activities. Step 3. Target and Organize Your Job Search After thoroughly researching possible careers/jobs, several options will emerge as most realistic and attractive. These options should become your career or job search goals. At this point, it is useful to get realistic feedback from experts in the field or career consultants to determine if they agree with your assessment. If so, these options should be the focus of your job search. If not, more research and self-assessment may be necessary. The assertive job search tactics necessary in the current economy require a lot of time and energy. Those who believe that the best way to approach their search is to remain totally flexible ("I'm open to anything") will soon find themselves wasting a great deal of energy and time trying to cover too much territory. Job seekers who are sure of their goals and conduct a targeted job search will find the most success. Experts have also determined that those who begin their job searches by first deciding on their primary job goals, then targeting all their tactics in pursuit of those goals, have the highest rate of success in finding satisfying positions. Next, establish a target date for getting a job and decide how much time you can devote to your search. Some individuals believe they cannot afford to take time from their studies or a demanding job. Others procrastinate. Whatever the reasons, the results are the same - your search will languish and you may miss out on industry hiring cycles and job opportunities. So it's very important to get organized early by setting aside a certain amount of time each week to work on your search. Use a calendar and weekly planner and work backward from your target date. Write down activities and names and set dates for completion. Step 4. Prepare Job Search Support Materials Once your job goals have been targeted, resumes and application letters can be tailored to reflect your qualifications as they relate to the interests of prospective employers. Step 5. Develop and Conduct Job Search Campaign A campaign or plan of action requires you to decide which employers you want to reach and which strategies you will use to make contact with them. Here, good research on employers and well thought out strategies will give you the competitive edge. In a study to evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies, investigators found that the greater the number of contacts and interviews a job seeker has, the greater the number of job offers. Therefore, it makes sense to use multiple strategies. A. Pursue Advertised Vacancies The most commonly used job search technique is to respond to advertised vacancies. Sources of vacancies include: * JOBTRAK/Career Center Job Listings * Campus interviews * Newsletters from professional associations and trade journals * Newspaper classified ads * Employment services and agencies run by government and for-profit businesses * Personnel department postings and phone recordings To increase the odds of your success in responding to advertised vacancies, by telephone or letter, keep these tips in mind: * Do not waste time responding to long shots. * Use your cover letter to answer every requirement in the advertisement. * Personalize your response as much as possible. Direct your materials to specific individuals, not "To Whom It May Concern," or "Dear Sir/Madam," unless the advertisements are blind newspaper ads (name of organization withheld). A quick phone call can provide appropriate names. In a blind ad, address your letter to a specific position title, (e.g., Dear "Marketing Manager"). * Try to contact or write to the manager who will make the final hiring decision as well as the personnel representative named in the advertisements. B. Develop a Contact Network Once you have targeted a career or specific position, you should acquaint yourself with professionals in that field or organization. These professionals offer you an insider's view and can constitute your contact network, which can open doors that might otherwise remain closed. Your network can also consist of family members, friends, classmates, professors, doctors, and so on. The importance of networking cannot be overemphasized. C. Contact Employers Directly There are several methods and combinations of methods that can be utilized to contact employers. * Send a letter of application and your resume to the personnel department or specific managers. This direct contact method is most successful for candidates in high-demand fields (e.g., engineering and computer science). The success of this method is greatly increased when letters are followed up by phone calls. A phone call may result in an invitation to visit the employer. * Contact managers in organizations by phone or letter to request an appointment to discuss the information you have obtained by reading annual reports, trade literature, etc. For example: "I understand XYZ is planning to expand its foreign market. I am completing an international business degree and am very interested in this expansion. It seems a very progressive move. May I have 20 minutes of your time to discuss it?" Indicate your desire to meet with them even if they have no positions currently available in their department. Some job seekers find it useful to state that they will be looking for jobs in the near future, but are not just gathering information about organizations. * During your appointments with department managers, emphasize your knowledge and interest in the organizations. * Always follow up all interviews with thank-you letters, phone calls, and, when appropriate, resumes that have been revised based on information and suggestions provided by managers. * Even if managers have no positions available, once they have had a personal interaction with you, they may think of you the next time they have, or hear of, an appropriate opening. * Many job seekers have used this contact method to create new positions by identifying organizational needs (through the interview, research, etc.) and proposing these needs to be filled with their own skills. D. Follow-Up and Record Keeping No matter what job search strategies you choose, follow-up and record keeping are important for success. Maintain a careful record of all interviews, thank-you notes sent, referrals made and follow-up actions. Job seekers who fail to maintain this information often lose valuable contacts as well as credibility with prospective employers. E. Be Persistent Job searching is hard work and there are times when you will get discouraged. But if you keep up with it, you can avoid feeling anxious and will actually have more energy. If your search is not producing the results that you would like, avoid blaming yourself and try a new strategy. Do not be reluctant to submit your credentials on more than one occasion to an organization you would like to work for. This demonstrates your enthusiasm and interest. Step 6. Obtain Offer and Continue to Develop Your Career Action Plan Congratulations! Your job search campaign has been successful. You have been offered a position you wish to accept. Send a note to all the people who helped you relaying the good news. _________________________________________________________________ Researching Employers Why Research Information on Employers? There are two basic reason to research employer: 1) to aid you in your job search; and 2) to help prepare you for your interview. 1. Researching an employer during your job search can help you determine more about that organization and your potential place in it. Some important information to look for includes what activities are carried out by the employer, how financially stable the employer is and what types of jobs exist with the employer. Using available resources, you can gain a better idea about what career potential exists with a particular employer. One approach to finding a new job is to use a hierarchical strategy: + Find industries that meet your needs. + Locate employers within your targeted industries. + Research information on executives. 2. Preparing for an interview is essential for success! Before meeting your potential employer it is essential for you to know what they do; how they do it; what financial state they are in (if they are expanding or laying people off); what they might expect of you in terms of skills, education, and previous experience; and what you can offer them. Where Do You Find Information on Employers? The following types of resources should prove useful in your research. * JOBTRAK Company Profiles - Detailed descriptions on an organization's history, services, products, etc. can be found on the JOBTRAK Company Profile database. Many of these profiles are direct links to the organizations' own world wide web home pages. * Annual Reports - These reports and other materials are available from an organization's public relations/information office. Most large organizations produce a report, which presents an outline of the organization's successes, growth, history, goals, and financial status. Note: companies prepare two public reports: one for stockholders (Annual Report) and one for the Securities and Exchange Commission (10K Report). A 10-K report has less narrative but contains more comprehensive financial reporting. * Directories - These are geographic, business, occupational, professional, industry, and financial status directories available in your library. These directories may provide information about an organization's products or services, number of employees, principal executives, and location(s). * Trade Associations - These organizations produce membership directories, journals (which provide information about trends and issues in the field), and information briefs. They also hold annual conferences for your networking, information gathering, and professional development purposes. Remember, almost every type of field or industry that exists has a trade association affiliation (e.g., American Society of Interpreters, Museum Store Association, National Mental Health Association). * Newspapers - The business section of most papers contain numerous articles about local companies and their executives. Articles about non-profit organizations often appear in a newspaper's local interest section. * Fellow Professionals - Other professionals in the field can provide "word-of-mouth" information about organizations of interest. * Competitors - Often an organization's competitors offer excellent insight about the inner working of that organization. * Public Documents - Government and quasi-government organizations have records that must be made available to the public. * Computer Databases - Special sources for researching companies and organizations such as "Dialogue," "BRS," and "ABI Inform" may be available in your library. _________________________________________________________________ How To Develop Opportunities Through Networking Finding the Hidden Job Market Experience has shown that informal networking or contact development meetings are a very rich source of job leads and information about unpublished job opportunities. Successful networking requires that you have as many meetings as possible to tell your story to as many people as possible, so that they realize you are in the job market. The Purpose of Networking * Meet people who currently work in your career field. * Gain the maximum amount of exposure. * Get information about target industries or companies, actual job openings or employment trends. * Develop rapport with prospective employers. * Obtain additional names to enlarge your network. * Establish new and beneficial connections. Sources of Possible Contacts To begin your network, secure names of specific individuals. These names can be obtained through several means: * Professors, friends, relatives, and former employers - or any professionals these people recommend. * Members of professionals associations. * People in the information business - resource center directors or librarians. * Personnel directors, public relations officials or public information specialists. * Community service agencies or area chambers of commerce. * College alumni. Once you have identified people with whom you wish to speak, you can now plan to interview them. This is a powerful tool known as informational interviewing. Your objective during an informational interview is to gather career information from professionals in your field(s) of interest. How to Contact People in Your Network A. By Phone When calling to schedule an appointment, three points should be covered: 1. Offer a personal introduction. 2. Identify purpose for seeking an appointment. 3. Arrange a mutually convenient time. Tips * Write an outline or script of what you are going to say on the phone. This will decrease your anxiety and endure that you will obtain all the necessary information. Additionally, you will be perceived as organized and professional. * If you are having problems getting "past the secretary," call before 9:00am or after 6:00pm. Chances are, the individual you are trying to reach may be answering his/her own phone. * If you are calling as a result of a referral, state that person's name early in the conversation. * Indicate you need only 20 to 30 minutes of the person's time. (Make sure you adhere to this timetable.) * Express the need for a personal interview as opposed to a phone conversation. B. By Letter As with phoning for an interview, a letter requesting an appointment should include: 1. Personal introduction. 2. Purpose for seeking appointment. Tips * Type all letters in business format and double check for good grammar and spelling. * Always indicate in the concluding paragraph that you will be calling their office on a specific date (usually one week after you mail the letter) to arrange for a convenient appointment time. (Make sure you adhere to this timetable.) * Maintain an organized file of all letters. Tips for the Experienced Professional * Expand your basic network to include individuals you have known and interacted with over the past five, ten, or twenty years. * Make a list of at least 100 people who might be helpful to you in your job search. * Include on you list friends, and relatives, past and present neighbors, former classmates, past and present colleagues, previous employers, members of professional associations, and social acquaintances. * Since people in your network also have networks, try to link your network with theirs. * Continue to create new contacts for your network by trying the "cold turkey" approach (i.e., the phone book.) An excellent resource on networking is Change Your Job, change Your Life, by Ronald L. Krannich, Impact Publications, 1994. You may wonder if people will take time away from their busy schedules to talk with you. They will...for several reasons: * You have been referred to them by someone they know. * meeting with you and others helps keep them informed, up-to-date, and "well-connected". * Experts love to share their expertise (provided you don't ask for too much help from them). * People like to help others and find it rewarding. _________________________________________________________________ Explore Careers Through Informational Interviewing During the course of a given day, you have many opportunities to learn from people about their careers or jobs. You will find most people more than willing to talk about the subject at hand - themselves. The process of talking to people who have jobs that interest you is called informational interviewing. The following guidelines will help you with an informational interview. Know What You Want to Accomplish The primary objectives of informational interviewing are to: * Investigate a specific career field. * Gain insights into a career field. * Obtain advice on where you might fit in. * Learn the jargon and important issues in the field. * Broaden your network of contacts for future reference. Conducting the Informational Interview Before * Learn as much as you can about the organization. * Write down the questions that you wish to ask. * If possible, learn something about the person with whom you will be interviewing. * Dress professionally. * Bring copies of your resume. (Distribute only upon request.) During * Arrive 10-15 minutes before your appointment. * Restate your purpose and why you are talking with this particular person. * Be prepared to initiate the conversation, since you are the interviewer. * Adhere to the original time request of 20 - 30 minutes. * Ask for referrals to other appropriate individuals in the field or in related organizations. * Keep in mind that this is an information-gathering and advice-seeking interview, not an employment interview. * Let the individual you are interviewing bring up the discussion of specific job vacancies. After * Send a thank-you note and keep the individual you have interviewed posted on your progress. * Keep the door open to future contacts with this person. * Evaluate your style of interviewing. What could you have done better? Use what you have learned when you conduct your next interview. * Evaluate the information you received. How does it relate to your plans? What to Ask Make a list of questions you would like answered about any field or organization. Your questions will yield the most information if you use open-ended question to engage your contact in conversation. Listed below are sample questions to help you prepare for your interview. A. Questions about the Career Field * Types of positions most often found in the career field or organization. * General skills needed to perform responsibilities (e.g., organizing, supervising, writing). * Specific skills needed to do the job (e.g., academic, experiential). * Recommendations for training or education required to perform this kind of work. * Negative aspects of field, for example, "What would you change if you could?" or "If you had to do it over again, how would you have done it differently?" * Typical entry-level position in the field. * What is the outlook for entry-level professionals? * Alternative methods to gain entrance to the field (e.g., part-time, mid-career change, volunteer work or other kinds of training). * What is the future of this field in terms of new and expanding opportunities? * Other information that may be helpful (e.g., critique of resume, job-seeking tactics, names of other professionals in the field). B. About the Organization * Short- and long-term goals of the organization such as growth, new products or services, and expansion of facilities. * Philosophy of the organization and types of training programs available. * Descriptions of the various positions they have help between entry-level and present. * Description of the individual's present job (as defined in the job description as well as what is done beyond the job description). * Description of typical career path from entry-level to top management. Informational interviewing is an effective tool in your approach to career planning. It can be one of your most valued strategies in gathering information and establishing contacts as you begin/continue to build plans for the future. Like all other components of career planning, informational interviewing requires planning and focus on your part. Make the interview a benefit for you and your career. _________________________________________________________________ Career Fairs Information about professional opportunities and career options is provided at career and job fairs by employers who attend these events to meet students and recruit employees. How you participate in a career fair depends upon your current career needs and goals. As a student or alumnus attending a a career fair, you may be actively job seeking, gathering career information or developing your network of career contacts. Ask specific questions and be prepared to answer those of employers. What to Learn From Employers * Employment trends. * Skills necessary for different careers/jobs. * Current/future positions. * Salary, benefits, training, and other information about the company. * Who to contact for follow-up discussions. What Employers May Want to Learn About You * Specific career/job objectives. * Individual strengths and weaknesses. * Contributions you will make to the operation. Make the Most of Your Career Fair Experience * Have a pen/pencil and paper available for notes. * Bring resumes and something to put materials in. * Review the employer list. Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them. * Broaden your focus and include many type of employers. For instance, although you may not have thought of working for a hospital, hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields. * Be aware of time demands of employers. Do not monopolize the employers' time. Ask specific questions and offer to follow up after the fair, as appropriate. * Be direct. Introduce yourself. If you are job seeking, state the type of position you are interested in. If you are gathering information, let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information. * Ask for employers' business cards for follow-up discussions. _________________________________________________________________ Internships Each year, students obtain interesting, substantive, and career-related internships. The keys to their success: preparation and an early start in the job search process. Your search for an internship should be conducted in the following manner: * Determine Your Priorities. Do you want career-related experience? The opportunity to travel? Funds to support tuition fees? * Identify Prospective Employers. Organizational directories, the Yellow Pages, and local newspapers can be used to pinpoint organizations of interest, as well as the various internship listings on JOBTRAK and in your Career Center. * Develop a Resume to Emphasize Your Skills. A resume can effectively present your background and distinguish you from other job seekers. * Start Contacting Employers Early. If you seek a career-related position, it is appropriate to contact the manager of an organization in your area of interest, as well as the personnel department. Call or write to request information regarding internship opportunities. * Be Prepared for Interviews. During the interview, be prepared to answer questions about your background. If there are no positions available currently, request referrals to other employers in the field. If you are seeking a general, non-career-related position, you may be asked to complete and return a formal application. Be sure to complete these forms neatly and thoroughly, typing them when possible. When you submit the application, always request an appointment for an interview. * Follow-up All Interviews. Always send a thank-you letter to the interviewer expressing your appreciation. If you were not granted an interview, follow up your application with a phone call, a letter, or even a visit. Your interest and enthusiasm will distinguish you from other job seekers. Finding an Internship That's Right for You In a competitive job market an internship can make the difference in obtaining a full-time position. More employers are using the internship as a screening device to assess the skills and abilities of a prospective employee. Skills learned on the job supplement the applied skills learned in the classroom. A career-related internship on your resume is likely to give you a competitive edge when you seek your first job. There are an abundance of internship opportunities for students. You must keep in mind however, there a number of students competing for these positions. Summer internships are highly competitive and your search should begin no later that the first two week of the spring semester, and probably before. It is also important that you carefully evaluate an internship opportunity on its technical aspects and in relation to what you seek to gain from the experience. Internships provide you with opportunities to: * Gain valuable work experience before graduating. * Develop skills. * Evaluate personal likes and dislikes that will enable you to make sound career decisions. * Develop professional contacts. * Gain confidence in abilities. * Build a stronger resume, which will help you later in obtaining full-time employment You should clarify the following before accepting an offer: * What is the name of the individual to whom you will be responsible while you are involved in the experience? * What are the working hours and how flexible will your schedule be with regard to your specific responsibilities? * Will you be paid or receive academic credit? Keep in mind that some students choose volunteer experiences. * What kinds of day-to-day assignments can you expect to receive from your supervisor and others? * Are there any special requirements in connection with the work, such as medical examinations, overtime work, or personal expenses? * Where will you be working throughout your experience? * Will travel be necessary as part of your responsibilities? _________________________________________________________________ Business Communication Protocol * A universal format, style, and etiquette is accepted by nearly all organizations. Job candidates can alienate potential employers simply because they do no use standard business writing style. Professional communication ability remains a significant factor that employer use in evaluating and comparing applicants. * Each letter, however, must be individually tailored to the needs of the prospective employer and individually produced. * Misunderstandings often occur because of the failure to follow up in writing. Take the extra time needed to avoid confusion. * Always keep copies of letters sent because they may save later embarrassment. If correspondence is lost in the mail, showing potential employers the copy may save a job offer. * The importance of proper communications cannot be overemphasized. Written communication is the backbone of every personnel office. A good succession of communication shows the employer that you sincerely want the job. Correspondence Tips * Use a standard business style format and 8 1/2" x 11" paper. * Type all letters. Employers type even personal notes, so follow suit. * Address letters to a particular individual, and use his/her correct title. * Never duplicate a letter; each must be an original. * Make paragraphs average in length. * Always send a letter with a resume, never a resume alone. * Check your work carefully for grammar and spelling. It is a good idea to have someone else proofread it. * Be wary of suggestions to use gimmicky attention-getters, overzealous or desperate-sounding phrases, and exaggerated praise of the employer. A Note On The Examples In The Following Files These examples are only suggested forms for letters. Please do not copy them exactly as they appear. Be original. Let your letters express you. Check your work carefully for spelling and grammar. Use the format(s) with which you are comfortable and develop language to suit each organization you pursue. _________________________________________________________________ Cover Letters/Application Letters Cover letters must always accompany resumes and/or applications. Employers must be impressed by this initial introduction to pursue the resume or application with serious interest. a resume or application sent alone is not effective in acquiring an interview. Targeted cover letters (with strong emphasis on skills and experience as they relate to a specific job in a targeted organization) are more effective than generic "all-purpose" cover letters. The extra time it takes to carefully define your background will be worthwhile because of the attention you get from the employer. Each letter of application has two main purposes: 1. To present individual qualifications related to the specific job requirements and employer expectations. 2. To elicit further consideration by the employer. It is critical to state succinctly, and in the first paragraph, why you are sending your resume (e.g., "Dr. Carla Alexander suggested I contact you..."). * In pointing out relevancy of qualifications to job requirements, it is a good idea to repeat or draw attention to parts of the resume. The more detailed information you have about the position, the more directly you can gear your qualifications to the employer's needs. * Invite action in the closing paragraph of the letter of application. Better yet, indicate you will take the initiative by offering to call or visit. * Seasoned professionals, with several years of substantial experience and/or unique educational credentials, may want to develop a resume letter. Resume letters are standard letters of application which highlight key qualifications to potential employers. This type of letter includes pertinent professional information in short phrases. A resume letter can be sent alone or may accompany a resume. Resume letters are used to trigger employer interest in one's unique background or when inquiring about: 1. Organizational expansion where new positions may have been created. 2. Prospective openings. _________________________________________________________________ Example 1 Outline: Standard Application Letter (Indented Block Style) Your address City, State, Zip Date of writing Name Title Company Street Address City, State, Zip Dear Mr./Ms.: 1st paragraph-Tell why you are writing: name the person, field, or general vocation about which you are asking. Tell how you heard of the opening or organization. 2nd paragraph-Tell why you are particularly interested in the company, location, or type of work. If you have had related experience or specialized training, be sure to point it out. Be as specific as you can about your qualifications. Tell where, when and how they were developed. Communicate to the employer that you understand the position, the organization and how you would fit into both. Refer the employer to an enclosed resume and/or application form. 3rd paragraph-Close by suggesting specific additional contact and providing details on how and when you can be reached. If your request is for further information concerning the opening, it would be polite to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Make sure your closing is specific and evokes an action from the employer. Sincerely, (Handwritten sig.) Your name, typed Enclosures _________________________________________________________________ Example 2 Standard Letter of Application Street Address City, State, Zip Date of writing Name Title Company Street Address City, State, Zip Dear Mr./Ms.: I would like to apply for the sales associate position which we discussed during the Career Fair at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. on (date). My varied sales experience and my bachelor's degree in Business Administration are my strongest qualifications for this position. As you can see from the enclosed resume, I have a sold a variety of products through my extracurricular activities and have worked in many banking environments through my cooperative education and internship positions. My marketing, computer research, and customer relations experiences, as well as my oral and written communication skills, should prove valuable to increasing (name of company's) sales volume. I am enthusiastic about pursuing a career in sales with (name of company) because of its diverse product line and international scope. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and can be reached at (phone number) from noon to five daily. I will be in New York next week and will call you on (date) to discuss the possibility of an interview. Sincerely, (Handwritten sig.) Your name, typed Enclosure _________________________________________________________________ Example 3 Targeted Cover Letter Street Address City, State, Zip Date of writing Name Title Company Street Address City, State, Zip Dear Mr./Ms.: Union Carbide's extensive list of products and wide range of sales offices are attractive to me as I seek a position in the area of technical sales. My background encompasses both technical and sales abilities. You will notice in my resume that I worked as a summer intern for the city of Philadelphia and assisted a city engineer in the field of wastewater treatment. The UNOX System that you have developed is a method with which I am familiar, both from an experiential and a research capacity. In my summer job, the process we used involved utilizing oxygen gas in the wastewater treatment process. For various course projects, I had the opportunity to conduct in-depth research on a filtering process that supports wastewater treatment. As a supplement to my technical skills, I have developed capabilities in the field of sales. My position with the Southwestern Sales Company netted a $20,000 profit this past summer and the honor of being named Number 1 Salesperson in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In addition, I was privileged to be the co-author, with my marketing professor, of an article entitled "The Art of The Sales Deal." This combination of practical and research experiences can be applied to the distribution of the growing number of consumer products of Union Carbide. I would welcome the opportunity to review my qualifications and background in great detail and will call you next week about the possibility of such a meeting. I plan on being in South Charleston the of (date) and hope we can arrange a meeting at your convenience during this period. Thank you for your attention. Sincerely, (Handwritten sig.) Your name, typed Enclosure _________________________________________________________________ Example 4 Resume Letter Street Address City, State, Zip Date of writing Name Title Company Street City, State, Zip Dear Mr./Ms.: Should you be in the market for a seasoned, accomplished Senior Financial Analyst who has established an excellent reputation for successful acquisition analysis, the enclosed resume should be of interest to you. My background includes an M.B.A. in finance from The George Washington University, coupled with over six years experience in acquisition analysis with the Corporate Business Development Department of a Fortune 100 consumer products company. During this time, I completed analysis of 26 potential acquisition targets, which resulted in successful acquisition of six highly successful companies. These included: * a $30 million acquisition of a baking company that has provided a 22% average ROI for the first two years of operation. * a $22 million acquisition of a foods distribution company showing an 18% ROI in the third year of operation. * a $55 million purchase of a plastic wrap manufacturer that has yielded an 11% return during the first full year of operation. Importantly, all companies acquired have been profitable, with the lowest ROI standing at 6.2%. Additionally, all acquisitions were successfully concluded at an average purchase price of 2.3 times net profit. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discus how, as a Senior Analyst, I might make similar contributions to your firm. Should you wish to explore this matter in greater detail, please contact me at (phone number). Sincerely, (Handwritten sig.) Your name, typed Enclosure Adapted from The Perfect Cover Letter, by Richard H. Beatty, copyright 1989. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. _________________________________________________________________ Example 5 Networking Letter (Using Contacts) Street Address City, State, Zip Date of Writing Name Title Street Address City, State, Zip Dear Simon: (appropriate to use personal reference) We have not had the opportunity to talk since the _________ conference in June, and I wanted to make you aware of my decision to leave my current position as Vice President of Compensation for The Education Network (TEN). With the influence of the recent recession, as well as the impact of universities and colleges becoming major players in our business, TEN has made dramatic changes in overall operating objectives and sweeping cuts to staff. These factors have contributed to my decision to look at other opportunities where the economic climate, cutting-edge vision, and corporate outlook are attuned to my goals. I believe my ten years of experience as a compensation and cost benefits executive will prove invaluable to an organization which is committed to an innovative benefits system. I would welcome your assistance with any networking prospects and I am not restricted geographically. I will call you in the near future to hear your thoughts and brainstorm any ideas. I appreciate your help and look forward to our conversation. Regards, (Handwritten sig.) Your name, typed _________________________________________________________________ Thank-You Letters Thank-you letters should follow every interview as a professional courtesy. Use this protocol to your advantage, keeping in mind the goals of such letters. * To express genuine appreciation for the employer's time and consideration. * To reaffirm your interest in the position and to cite additional qualifications you may not have discussed thoroughly in the interview. * To clarify information that may not have been positively conveyed. * To confirm your understanding of the next step in the application process. * To include your expense statement and any other detail of your visit. In some instances, thank-you letters serve another purpose. Some employers fail to respond expeditiously to job candidates and need a nudge. A polite way to nudge the employer to act is to enclose an updated resume or to comment about any new developments since the initial interview. Another approach is to say that another employer is pressing and a decision is necessary. _________________________________________________________________ Sample Thank You For An Interview Street Address City, State, Zip Date of Writing Name Title Street Address City, State, Zip Dear Mr./Ms.: It was a pleasure to visit you and to meet the members of your staff. I was pleased with the opportunity to get a closer look at (name of organization) and to hear of the many ventures being undertaken. 2nd paragraph - (See suggestions below for possible applicable paragraphs.) I was most impressed with your organization, especially in the area of quality control. As I understand, you will contact me within a month regarding further consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you again for the interview. Sincerely, (Handwritten sig.) Your name, typed 1. Paragraph to add information not covered in the interview: In reviewing the interview, I was aware that we did not discuss the area of ________. I would like to add that my summer employment provided an opportunity for development of some expertise in the ________ aspect of ________. 2. Paragraph to cover information unsatisfactorily presented in the interview: In reviewing the interview, I feel that I did not accurately answer your question about travel, schedule requirements, etc. I may have conveyed hesitancy about travel, or extra working hours or other special considerations. Your subsequent explanations and descriptions of the job helped me realize that I would find the situations mentioned to be acceptable. _________________________________________________________________ Terminating Discussions If after the visit you determine that you have no further interest in pursuing that employment opportunity, advise the employer immediately. The employer should be thanked for his/her consideration and you should state that you have made other plans. This should be done as soon as you decide so the employer can extend an offer to someone else. _________________________________________________________________ Sample Withdrawal From Consideration Street Address City, State, Zip Date of writing Name Title Company Street Address City, State, Zip Dear Mr./Ms.: I want to express my sincerest appreciation for the opportunity to interview with (company). I value our discussion about the position responsibilities, as well as the career possibilities within the firm, but find that they do not closely match my goals. I am therefore respectfully withdrawing from consideration. Yours truly, (Handwritten sig.) Your name, typed _________________________________________________________________ Accepting An Offer * After receiving an offer, written or verbal, an immediate acknowledgment of the offer should be made. If accepting the offer, the acceptance letter constitutes a moral (not legal) contract between you and the employer. An acceptance should include the terms and conditions of employment as well as such items as physical examinations (if required), reporting date, and perhaps househunting plans. Of course, you can accept only one offer and the decision is a binding commitment. If a more attractive offer comes at a later time, you should reject it on ethical grounds. * The decision to accept should not be taken lightly or done in haste. If pressure to make a decision is exerted by an employer, stay calm and weigh your options. In the final analysis, the decision to accept or reject an offer is your decision, but advice from others always helps. If the agreed upon decision date arrives and you need more time, an extension can be requested. It must be remembered, however, that an employer has the right to withdraw the offer any time prior to its acceptance. * It is seldom possible for you to collect all potential offers and make a decision after they are all in. Both you and the employer must make decisions in a chronological sequence. When you turn down an offer, the employer must have enough time to extend the offer to another applicant. Time can be critical for both parties. However, most employers will hold an offer open until the date mutually agreed upon. _________________________________________________________________ Example Acceptance of Offer Street Address City, State, Zip Date of writing Name Title Company Street Address City, State, Zip I am pleased to accept your invitation to become a (job title) for the (company) at the monthly salary of $_____. I am certain that the duties that will be assigned to me will be interesting and challenging. Thank you for your offer of assistance in finding housing in (city). This help will make my relocation much easier. I look forward to my future association with (company). As advised in your letter, I will report to your office at 8:30am on (date). Sincerely (Handwritten sig.) Your name, typed _________________________________________________________________ Rejecting an Offer * As soon as you have made a decision to accept a job, immediately notify all other employers of that fact. You should simply advise them that this was a difficult decision but that another employer's opportunity better fit your interests and aspirations. * It is proper to indicate where employment was accepted, but it is not necessary. By courteously thanking them for their interest, you keep the doors open for the future. _________________________________________________________________ Example Rejection of Offer Street Address City, State, Zip Date of writing Name Title Company Street Address City, State, Zip Dear Mr./Mrs.: Thank your for your employment offer for the position of (job title) with (company). I am unable to accept the offer since I have accepted a similar position with another company. Thank you for the opportunity of having an interview to discuss career possibilities and the work of your organization. Yours truly, (Handwritten sig.) Your name, typed _________________________________________________________________ Application Forms For school systems and government agencies the application is the primary document used to evaluate qualifications. Its presentation is key to obtaining an interview. * Almost every employer requires completion of the organization's official application form. Even if the resume contains the same information, an application form is required for legal, data processing, and employer convenience reasons. * The application is an official document. The information must be complete and accurate. If the space is inadequate for a certain situation, explain the situation on an attached page. * Be certain that you document is neat, error- and smudge-free, typed, centered, and complete. Typing application forms is not always possible; however, it is preferred. The form is often copied and widely circulated internally, and a typed form is a more effective presentation. * In the "salary desired" blank, you may write, "negotiable" if you have no significant work experience related to the sought-after assignment. For candidates with work experience or a minimum acceptable salary, the minimum should be specified. If the employer cannot meet the minimum, an offer is unlikely, so both parties can save time. Designing Your Resume Purpose A resume is a self-marketing tool. It is designed with one purpose in mind - to "sell" your skills, knowledge, and experience to an employer so that he/she will invite you for an interview. An effective resume speaks to the employer's needs and requirements and demonstrates a match between what you have to offer and those requirements. It stimulates interest in you by summarizing information: unique qualities, well developed skills, relevant work or academic experiences, or accomplishments that clearly differentiates you from the competition. Preparation In preparing to write your resume, remember that you can only count on an employer to spend twenty seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether to review it further or put it aside. The key is to design the format in such a way that it leads the employer's eye to words that speak to his/her needs. Obviously then, effective resumes are developed by individuals who have thoroughly researched the organizations they want to work for, have identified the specific job they want, and have figured out what they have to offer. In addition, well designed resumes have these characteristics in common: * Visual appeal, easy to read layout, and high quality reproduction; * Highlights strengths and links them to employer's needs; minimizes or excludes irrelevant experience; * Presents the most important information first; * Entirely free from any errors: spelling, typographical, punctuation, or grammatical; * Succinct and organized; does not exceed two pages. Types of Resumes The chronological and functional resumes, or some combination of these two formats, are the standard types of resumes used by job seekers in today's employment market. To select the type which best supports your needs, review the following information. Chronological Resume In this type of resume, job history is organized chronologically with the most recent information first. Job titles and organizations are emphasized and duties and accomplishments are described in detail. A chronological resume is easy to read, since it highlights names of employers and job titles, and emphasizes career growth. It is best suited to those whose career goals are clear and whose job objectives are aligned with their work history. A chronological resume is advantageous when: * your recent employers and/or job titles are impressive; * you are staying in the same career field; * your job history shows progress; * you are working in a field where traditional job search methods are utilized (e.g., education, government). A chronological resume is not advantageous when: * you are changing careers; * you have changed employers frequently; * you want to de-emphasize age; * you have been absent from the job market. Functional Resume In a functional resume, skills and accomplishments developed through work, academic, and community experiences are highlighted. Your skills and potential can be stressed and lack of experience or possible gaps in work history de-emphasized. However, it is important to realize employers often view functional resumes more critically for these very same reasons. The functional resume is advantageous when: * you want to emphasize capabilities not used in recent work experience; * you want to emphasize personal qualities relevant to the job such as industriousness, cooperative attitude, related interests, and aptitudes; * you want to focus on capabilities rather than lengthy employment history; * you are changing careers/re-entering the job market; * your career growth in the past has not been continuous and progressive; * you have a variety of unrelated work experiences; * your work has been free-lance, consulting, or temporary in nature. The functional resume is not advantageous when: * you have little work experience; * you want to emphasize promotions and career growth; * you are working in highly traditional fields, such as teaching, accounting, and politics, where employers should be highlighted. Combination Resume This format combines the best elements of the chronological and functional types. It presents patterns of accomplishments and skills in a section headed "Areas of Effectiveness" or "Qualifications Summary." But it also includes a brief work history and education summary. This format is advantageous for those who wish to change to a job in a related career field. Constructing Your Resume Ronald and Caryl Rae Krannich in their book, Dynamite Resumes, point out that the categories of information you include on your resume should provide answers to these questions: * Contact section: Who are you and how can you be reached? * Objective statement: What do you want to do? * Experience section: What can you do? * Employment section: What have you done? * Education section: What have you learned? Sequence the categories according to what is most important to the employer and your career objective. A recent college graduate with limited experience should usually put the education section first since it is the most significant qualification. Education should also be listed first when, as in the case of teaching, law, medicine, or engineering, education is a qualifying requirement. In a situation where an applicant wants to emphasize significant work or extracurricular experience or when an employer seeks to fill jobs in fields such as sales, public relations, or merchandising, the experience or work history category may be listed first. 1. Contact Information * Begin your resume with your name by capitalizing or using bold type. * Include street address, city, state, and zip code. * Include phone number(s) where you can be reached weekdays, 9am-5pm. Designate your home phone with an "H," and work number with "W," or a "Messages" number. 2. Career/Job Objective This component of the resume can be very challenging to write. The purpose of the objective statement is to inform the reader of your career goals and qualifications. The statement should be written specifically enough to let the reader know that you have a focus to your job search. If you are considering a variety of objectives, you may want to relay the relevant objective in an accompanying cover letter. A good objective includes: * type and/or level of position * environment (i.e., type and style of organization) * skills/qualifications Pros and cons of including a career/job objective Pros * Identifies your specific interests and where you would fit in the organization. * Presents the impression of a focused, self-confident person. Cons * May be too broad and meaningless, reflecting indecision. * May be too exclusive, eliminating you from job your might consider (or be considered for). Examples * Project assistant in a mid-sized public international organization involved in economic development. * Desire entry-level electrical engineering position in the telecommunications industry. 3. Qualifications or Experience Summary A brief summary of qualifications can condense an extensive background by emphasizing experiences and accomplishments in brief phrases. The qualifications summary is accomplishment-oriented and provides an overview of your work experience. A summary is most appropriated for someone with substantial experience, for someone who is changing careers and wants to demonstrate transferable skills, or for someone with an eclectic background. Examples * Accomplished editor, news reporter and promotional writer. Demonstrated skills in project management and staff development. * Two years' experience as office administrator; four years' teaching experience living abroad; two and one-half years' high school teaching experience; M.B.A. in International Business and Information Systems; B.A., Mathematics; French language fluency. 4. Education * Start with your most recent degree or the program in which you are currently enrolled. List other degrees or relevant education in reverse chronological order. * Highlight your degree by using bold type, capital letters or underlining. * If the degree is relevant to your job objective, begin with degree and emphasis, followed by university, location of university, and date of graduation or anticipated date of graduation. Example: M.S., Communications Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, May 1995. * If degree/program is not directly related to current job objective, begin with the university, followed by the location, degree and emphasis, and graduation date. * If you are within two semesters of graduation, do not use "expected" or "anticipated" with month/year of graduation. * If you have a high GPA, include it on your resume. You may want to highlight your GPA on a new line, or in an educational highlights section. Note: Some employers believe no GPA on a resume indicates an extremely poor GPA. Example: The George Washington University, Washington, DC, B.A., Political Science, May 1995. GPA 3.4. * If your education relates to your objective and is within the past three years, it should be the first section. If not, education should follow the work experience section of your resume. 5. Educational Highlights This section is most effective when you have experiences from your education that are impressive and/or directly relate to your objective. Adding this section is useful when you have developed skills and specific knowledge through your education rather than work experience. This section can be used to highlight coursework, research, or special knowledge that complements your objective. Consider listing relevant coursework under the appropriate degree. Example Relevant coursework; Investment and Portfolio Management Advanced financial Management Capital Formation Marketing Research International Banking * An alternative to highlighting courses is to list the skills and knowledge acquired through important courses and research. Example 1. Developed model investment portfolio for Fortune 500 company. 2. Analyzed stock market trend using state-of-the-art computer simulation programs. 3. Invested innovative capital formations strategies at metropolitan Washington area investment firms. 4. Designed promotional campaign for new consumer product in a targeted market. * You may want to describe research of design projects. Example Design Projects: RF radio control, Laser and Microwave Amplifiers, Transmission Lines. Research: "Brazilian Economic Policies Beyond the Coffee Exports: U.S. Foreign Policy: Transition in Latin America" 6. Employment Experience Compiling a Chronological Resume * Begin with your current/most recent position and work backward, chronologically. Devote more space to recent employment. * If your job titles relate to your current job objective, start each position description with job titles. If not, begin with the organization. * Follow job title and organizational information with the organization's city and state. Example Telecommunications Engineering Aide, Center for Telecommunications Studies, Washington, DC, September 1987-January 1993 * Use the first and last month and year to describe dates of employment. * Describe the last three to five positions in detail. Summarize earlier positions unless relevant to your objective. * Do not show every position change with each employer. Only list the most recent and describe promotions. * Do not repeat skills that are common to several positions. * Within each listed position, stress the major accomplishments and responsibilities that demonstrate your competency. It is not necessary to include all responsibilities, as they will be assumed by employers. * Tailor your position descriptions to future job/career objectives. * One-page resumes are preferred for entry-level positions. * Two-page resumes are acceptable as long as the information on both pages demonstrates the skills and/or experiences relevant to your chosen profession. Compiling a Functional Resume * Use two to four sections to summarize each area of functional skill or experience. * Develop the functional skill heading based on the areas you want to emphasize to employers and/or are most related to your job objective. * Describe your skills in short phrases and place under the appropriate functional skill categories. * Rank the phrases within each category and place the most important skill or accomplishment first. Example WRITING + Reported on-the-spot news stories for suburban Washington newspapers. + Provided in-depth coverage of Capitol Hill issues, including unemployment compensation and merit pay for teachers. + Researched and wrote an article on job opportunities for a national magazine with readership of three million high school seniors. + Edited and marketed a brochure for a cultural/educational program designed to focus on life in London. * Do not identify employers within functional skills sections. * List a brief history of your actual work experience at the bottom, giving job title, employer and dates. If you have had no work experience or a very spotty work record, leave out the employment section entirely (but be prepared to talk about the subject at the interview). _________________________________________________________________ Resume Checklist The following checklist has been designed to assist you in writing your resume. 1. Overall appearance... + makes an immediately favorable impression + is inviting to read + is easy to read + looks professional 2. Contact information... + is clearly presented at the top. + includes address information; permanent and temporary + includes telephone number(s) where you can be reached from 9am to 5pm 3. Objective (optional; use if yours is specific)... + includes type and level of position sought + includes type and size of organization sought + emphasizes strongest qualifications and skills pertinent to desired job 4. Organization... + highlights strongest qualifications or credentials + uses headings to help establish common ground with employer e.g., Graduate Business Education, Professional Social Work Training, Retailing Experience + is brief - usually one page unless you have 5-10 years experience 5. Content... + demonstrates ability to do the job and speaks to employer's needs + supports and substantiates objective + stresses transferable professional skills, accomplishments, and results + contains only that personal data relevant to your objective e.g., language skills, computer skills + omits racial, religious, or political affiliations unless a bona fide occupational qualification 6. Education section includes... + most recent degree or program in which you are enrolled; date of graduation or anticipated date + list of other degrees or relevant higher education, training certificate programs, licenses, or short courses + name and location of university, college, or training institution + major, minor, and/or area(s) of concentration or interest + relevant coursework, skills, or knowledge acquired through research or projects + GPA, honors, and awards + percentage of educational expenses earned 7. Extracurricular activities section (optional) includes... + list of most impressive offices held, including title and organization + leadership roles and transferable skills + pertinent professional memberships 8. Experience section... + Each paid, volunteer, extracurricular, intern, or co-op experience relevant to your objective, includes: title held, organization name, city, state, or country location (if not U.S.) + dates position held + position description that stresses transferable skills, previous accomplishments, and effectiveness (rather than a mere summary of past duties and responsibilities) + specific examples of successes and results supporting your objective + examples that quantify results or successes e.g., increased sales by $50,000, reduced turnover by 25% 9. Language... + is expressed in succinct manner + uses action verbs to begin phrases + has short action-oriented phrases instead of complete sentences + is free from grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors + is in active rather than passive voice + uses vocabulary of working world e.g., Sales and Marketing Employment, Budgeting Experience 10. Layout and space utilization... + is crisp and clean + separates sections and incorporates enough blank space for easy reading + centers text with adequate margins 11. Highlighting and emphasis... + uses bold type, underlining, different type styles and sizes, to emphasize key words + is well balances - does not use highlighting and emphasis too frequently 12. Printing and reproduction... + paper is high quality; heavy weight bond + paper is off-white, ivory, light tan, light gray, or other conservative and conventional color + reproduction is clear, clean and professional + print is letter quality, never photocopied _________________________________________________________________ Scannable Resumes The job search is moving into the electronic age, so make sure your resume is on the cutting edge. Employers who receive several hundred resumes for each advertised opening and a couple of hundred unsolicited resumes now have a better way to manage all the paperwork. How? By investing in electronic databases which store resumes and are quickly accessible by a few simple computer commands. Resumes are entered into a system using an optical scanner and the images stored, thereby building a database of applicants and relevant skills. Employers then access candidates by searching the database for qualifications. Your resume is a place to express individuality and style. However, some fonts and style choices could present too much of a challenge for the scanner. If you follow the tips below, the system will be better able to extract your information accurately. * Font - Standard serif and sans serif fonts work best. Avoid ornate fonts and fonts where the characters touch. Font size is also important. Sizes between 10 points and 14 points work best. * Italics and underlining may cause problems for the scanner, especially if combined. Use boldface for emphasis. * Vertical or horizontal lines should be used sparingly. When used, leave at least a quarter of an inch of space around the line. Avoid graphics and shading or shadowing. * Do not compress or expand the space between letters or lines. Also, do not double space within sections. * The resume you submit should be an original. It should be printed with a laser printer on white or light- colored 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Print on one side only. * Resumes which have been folded, stapled or otherwise mutilated will not scan well. * It is imperative that you describe your skills and accomplishments using the language of your (desired) profession. These new systems search for applicants by using key words or phrases. So in order for your resume to have appeal in your chosen career field, use the jargon of the field. While sections which highlight experience, education, languages, technical skills and other categories are important, emphasize specific skills and achievements. Nouns are also more distinguishable than action verbs. Remember the rules differ for unusual or different looking resumes. The fancy graphics used to catch an employer's eye will only confuse a computer, so keep it simple. _________________________________________________________________ Key Resume Phrases and Words & Additional Categories Key Resume Phrases and Words The following phrases and words may help with organizing your resume statements. They convey involvement and accomplishments and make your resume more readable. Interaction with... Acted as liaison for/between... Edited... Established... Formulated... Handled... Initiated... Implemented... Maintained... Managed... Assigned territory consisting of... Promoted to/from... Instrumental in... Recipient of... Honored as... Remained as... Innovation resulted in... ...amounting to a total savings of... Recommendations accepted by... Administered... Assisted with... Adept at... Analyzed/Assessed... Arranged... Coordinated... Conducted... Counseled... Delegated... Directed... Demonstrated... Developed... Advised... Budgeted... Consulted... Delivered... Drafted... Evaluated... Gathered... Improved... Installed... Instructed... Investigated... Negotiated... Organized... Performed... Planned... Presented... Recommended... Proven track record in... Experience involved/included... Successful in/at... More than ____ years experience... Expertise and demonstrated skills... Experienced in all facets/phases... Knowledge of/experienced as... Extensive training/involvement... Proficient/competent at... Initially employed... Specialize in... Temporarily assigned to... Direct/Indirect control... Served/Operated as... In charge of... Familiar with... Assigned to... Contracted/Subcontracted... Acted/Functioned as... Provided technical assistance... ...on an ongoing/regular basis... ...to ensure maximum/optimum... Worked closely with... _________________________________________________________________ Additional Resume Categories To add relevant information to your resume that focuses on special knowledge or skills, consider the following resume headings: PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS TECHNICAL SKILLS ACCOMPLISHMENTS INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE ASSETS COOPERATIVE EDUCATION HONORS SCHOLARSHIPS TRAVEL LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES LANGUAGES INTERESTS PUBLICATIONS QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY PRESENTATIONS REFERENCES TRAINING VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES _________________________________________________________________ Sample Resumes Note: These resume samples only. They provide stylistic ideas and should not be copied. _________________________________________________________________ Sample Functional Resume Tania Y. Henry 501 G Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20006 (202) 222-1111 SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Extensive and diverse health care experience in both acute care and research hospital settings. Knowledgeable of current regulatory standards, biomedical technology, and medico-legal considerations. Strong background in designing, implementing, and directing patient care programs. Experience with hospital information systems. ADMINISTRATION * Administered all aspects of operations for in-patient and ambulatory patient care units * Managed unusual incidents related to personnel functions and medical care. * Acted a liaison between medical and nursing staffs. * Supervised two to four para-professionals. * Participated in auditing medical records for compliance with accreditation standards. * Administered in-service educational programs. RESEARCH * Collected data for research studies and protocols. * Incorporated findings into clinical applications * Collaborated in development of clinical investigation. HEALTH CARE * Assessed, planned, implemented, and evaluated holistic care for diverse patient populations. * Designed, administered, and directed teaching programs. * Worked extensively with biomedical technology. EDUCATION Master of Health Services Administration, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, January 1997. BS in Nursing, Hampton Institute, Hampton, VA May 1976. EMPLOYMENT The National Institutes of Health, Warren Grant Magnuson clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, Clinical Nurse (May 1980-present). Machael Reece medical Center, Chicago, IL, Staff Nurse (May 1979-April 1980). University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, Staff Nurse (September 1976-May 1979) AFFILIATIONS Member, The George Washington University Health Services Administration Associate, American College of Hospital Administrators Association References available upon request _________________________________________________________________ Sample Chronological Resume (Entry Level) Stella Starlight 2100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20037 (202) 222-1111 Education The George Washington University , Washington, DC. B.A. International Affairs; May 1994, concentration -International Politics. International Experience The Overseas Development Council, Washington, DC. Research Assistant, May 1992 - May 1994 + Instrumental in the selection of potential donors and obtaining over $50,000 in funding for projects and publication of 501(c)3 international research organization. Responsible for the drafting of aid request letters and project summaries. + Researched current issues involving the relationship between the developing and the developed world. The World Bank; Sahelian Africa Department, Infrastructure Division, Washington DC. Staff Associate, May 1991 - December 1991. + Performed research on the feasibility and implementation of infrastructure projects in the Sub-Saharan African region. + Provided assistance to professional staff in bilingual office utilizing French language skills. Proofread, edited, and translated reports. Drafted and delivered aid documents for signature. Initiated contact with ambassadors, country officials, and Bank executives for discussion of project proposals. American Field Service (AFS), Exchange Student to Iceland, 1987. + Utilized diplomatic, communication, and adaptability skills while living, working and experiencing the culture in a foreign country. Work Experience: Have held the following positions in order to finance 30% of educational and living expenses. The George Washington University, Career Center, Washington, DC. Staff Assistant, January 1991 - May 1994. + Earned progressively more responsibility over three years of experience. + Currently assist in the planning, implementation, and management of innovative Job Hotline computerized job database. + Devised new filing system for better advertisement of full-time job listings. + Established and maintained confidential credential files, performed computerized resume referral searches for employers, assisted customers on a walk-in basis, and managed Credentials department while supervisor was on extended sick leave. + Assisted patrons in job searches and maintained joblistings in Career Resource Library. The U.S. Senate; Sergeant at Arms, Washington, DC. Security Personnel, Summer 1990. + Assisted Senators and staff throughout the Senate facilities. The George Washington University; Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC. Usher, Summer - Fall 1990. + Directed patrons to assigned seating, sold and accounted for concessions. Skills: Language + Competency in written and spoken French. + Familiarity with basic written and spoken Spanish and Portuguese. Computer: + Compenent in the use of Apple Macintosh and IBM PCs. + Working knowledge of WordPerfect 5.1, Lotus 1-2-3, Paradox, Condor, SAS, MS Works, MS Excel, Dbase III, DOS Windows, Internet, and E-mail. Activities: + Member - Society for International Development (SID). + Member - Metro Washington MENSA. + Member/Treasurer - Student Residence Hall Council 1989 - 1991. _________________________________________________________________ Sample - Chronological Resume (Alumnus with Experience) Ian Ryan 2230 Shamrock Lane Alexandria, VA 22312 (703) 222-1111 OBJECTIVE: A retail management position where demonstrated skills in sales and marketing and enthusiasm for innovation will be used for improving customer service and expanding department profitability. SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS: Twelve years of progressively responsible experience in all phases of retail sales and marketing with major discount stores in culturally diverse metropolitan areas. Annually improved profitability by 15 percent and consistently rated in top 10 percent of workforce. EXPERIENCE: Sales Manager, K-Mart, Alexandria, VA Managed four departments with annual sales of nearly $8 million. Hired, trained, and supervised a culturally diverse workforce of 14 full-time and 6 part-time employees. Reorganized displays, developed new marketing approaches, coordinated customer feedback with buyers in upgrading quality of merchandise, and improved customer service that resulted in 25 percent increase in annual sales. Received "Outstanding" performance evaluation and "Employee of the Year" award. 1987 to present. Assistent Buyer, Wal-Mart, Manasass, VA Maintained inventory levels for three department with annual sales of $5 million. Developed more competitive system of vendor relations that reduced product costs by 5 percent. Incorporated latest product and merchandising trends into purchasing decisions. Worked closely with department managers in maintaining adequate inventory levels for best-selling items. 1983 to 1986. Salesperson, Zayers, Alexandria, VA Responsible for improving sales in four departments with annual sales of $3.5 million. Reorganized displays and instituted new "Ask an Expert" system for improved customer relations. Sales initiatives resulted in a 20 percent increase in annual sales. Cited for "excellent customer relations" in annual performance evaluation. Worked part-time while completing education. 1980 to 1982. EDUCATION: The George Washington University, Washington, DC B.B.A., Marketing, 1982 Earned 80 percent of educational expenses while working part-time and maintaining full course load. _________________________________________________________________ Sample Chronological Resume - Education TISHA AIKENS 2809 Cameron St., Apt. 227 Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 222-1111 EDUCATION M.A. Elementary Education. The George Washington University, Washington, DC. Graduated Magna Cum Laude, May 1994. GPA 3.6, Dean's List - three semesters B.A. Special Education, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA. (May 1992) Arapahoe High School, Littleton, CO (June 1980) Editor-In-Chief of The Calumet (yearbook) RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Student Teacher, Garrison Elementary School, Washington, DC. Taught first grade class of over 20 students. Experience involved 15 weeks of independent teaching. Garrison is an emergent literature demonstration school consisting of a multi-cultural population including ESL and mainstream students. (1/94-4/94) Pre-student Teacher. Amidon Elementary and Shepherd Elementary, both Washington, DC public schools. Experience involved 15 weeks of part-time supervised teaching for elementary and sixth grade classes. Created and implemented developmental-appropriate lessons following the Competency Based Curriculum guidelines. (9/93-12/93) Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC. Planned and implemented weekly biology labs for 32 freshmen. Assisted in developing and administering lab practicums. Tutored hearing-impaired student. (8/92-12/92) Student Teacher, Arapahoe High School, Littleton, CO. Participated in the Student Teacher Education Program in which select high school students assist a teacher in the local elementary school. Assisted in the design and implementation of stimulating thematic units for a combined fifth and sixth grade gifted and talented class. (8/90-12/90) RELATED EXPERIENCE Teacher, Child Care Center, Arnold and Porter Law Firm, Washington, DC. Provided activities, stimulus, and care for children ranging from three months to 12 years of age. maintained records and prepared daily activity reports. (4/91-10/91) Voluntary Teachers Aid, Chestnut Hill School for the Blind, Chestnut Hill, MA. Assisted in hands-on activities and classroom management for the visually impaired. (10/87-4/88) LANGUAGES Basic knowledge of Spanish. Intermediate fluency in American Sign Language. References Available Upon Request _________________________________________________________________ Sample Chronological Resume (M.B.A.) KENNETH TRAN 2020 16th St., N.W. Washington, DC 20009 (202) 111-2222 EDUCATION M.B.A., Marketing, August 1992 The George Washington University, Washington, DC GPA: 3.9/4.0 B.A., Sociology, June 1988 Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ GPA: 3.5/4.0 EXPERIENCE Marketing Staff Manager, Sprint Communications, Fairfax, VA, September 1989-present. * Manage promotion programs for company's mid-atlantic region. * Develop and implement local advertising programs. * Coordinate a 30-show exhibit project. * Edit and write feature stories for company newsletter with a circulation of 1,000. * Produce special events programs with sports focus. * Serve as liaison to print and broadcast media. * Supervise six marketing professionals and two support staff members. Marketing Representative, Proctor and Gamble Co., New York, NY, 1988-1989 * Assisted with product marketing plans for national advertising campaign. * Developed and implemented marketing strategy for new low-cost product. * Handled twenty new regional accounts. Administrative Assistant, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, 1986-1988 * Assigned to the Admissions Office with responsibility for processing incoming student applications. * coordinated admissions visits by state for professional staff of five. * Arranged on-campus tours for prospective students. * Utilized computer software knowledge to create smoother documentation process. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Secretary, American Marketing Association, 1989-present Member, GW MBA Association, 1991-present TECHNICAL SKILLS Proficient on IBM and Macintosh software (Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect 5.1, Mac Write, Harvard Graphics and Excel) REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST _________________________________________________________________ Sample Combined Resume AMY LINKS 2600 Eye Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037 Bus: (301) 111-2222 Res: (202) 333-4444 QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY * Extensive knowledge of computer software design and implementation. * Comprehensive management experience of professional teams and individuals. * Expertise in program development for telecommunications and manufacturing fields. * Skilled at communicating technical and non-technical materials to audiences, peers and administrators. * Effective negotiator on contracts and with outside vendors. EMPLOYMENT OVERVIEW Management Systems Analyst, Provere Corporation, Manassas, VA Develop over twenty software programs to date to maximize user efficiency and communication. Supervise a staff of six technicians with responsibility for troubleshooting including program debugging. June 1989-present. Technical Assistant, Pacific Bell Telephone, San Jose, CA Worked with other members of the technical staff to develop a data-network for overseas communication. September 1985-August 1987 Sales Associate, Handyware Technologic, San Francisco, CA June 1983-April 1985 EDUCATION M.S., Computer Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, May 1989 B.S., Computer Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, June 1985 EXPERIENCE Design/Development Review existing systems to enhance design of a Data communication Network. Interact with manufactures and other clients to develop interactive programs for users. Team-designed a hotline system utilized by four hospitals to maximize emergency care. Develop a comprehensive hands-on orientation program for new employees. Administration/Support Coordinate computer automation activities for a 150-employee company. Supervise 15 professional and support staff and schedule staff assignments. Assist Department Manager with long range planning goals and implementation. Plan negotiations with military and other prospective contractors. COMPUTER SYSTEMS/LANGUAGES IBM 370, VAX, PS/2; PC, FORTRAN, COBOL, ASSEMBLY PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Association for Women in Computing, 1986-present Computer and Communications Industry Association, 1989-present Independent Computer Consultants' Association, 1989-present References and Further Data Available Upon Request _________________________________________________________________ Steps to Successful Interviewing The job interview is a strategic conversation with a purpose. Your goal is to persuade the employer that you have the skills, background, and ability to do the job and that you can comfortable fit into his/her organization. At the same interview, you should also be gathering information about the job, future career opportunities and the organization, to determine if the job and work environment are right for you. You can strongly influence the interview outcome if you realize that an interview is not an objective process in which the employer offers the job to the best candidate based on merit alone. But rather, an interview is a highly subjective encounter in which the interviewer offers the job to the qualified person whom he likes best. personality, confidence, enthusiasm, a positive outlook and excellent interpersonal and communication skills count heavily. One key to success is to use every means at your disposal to develop effective interviewing skills: selective presentation of your background, thoughtful answers to typical interview questions, well researched questions about the organization, and an effective strategy to market yourself. There is no magic to interviewing: it is a skill that can be learned and improved upon with practice. A second key to success is careful research about the job and the organization, agency, or company with whom you are having the interview. You can request printed materials such as annual reports from the employer in advance or use library resources. You should also talk with your contacts in the organization or use your personal network to discover the names of current employees you might call prior to the interview. Knowing about the job will help you prepare a list of your qualifications so that you can show, point by point, why you are the best candidate. Knowing about the employer will help you prepare an interview strategy and appropriate questions and points to emphasize. The Interview Structure Before receiving a job offer, you will typically have a series of interviews with an employer. The first interview is a screening interview that could be conducted over the phone or at the place of employment. On-campus interviews are also considered screening interviews. Screening interviews are rather brief, usually lasting 30-60 minutes. During that time the employer will want you to elaborate on experiences outlined in your resume or application, and will describe the organizations and available position. If the employer is impressed with your performance in this interview, you will be invited to a second (and perhaps third or fourth) interview. The second interview process is longer, lasting anywhere from two hours to a whole day. It could include testing, lunch or dinner, a facility tour, as well as a series of interviews with various employees. You should come away from the second interview with a thorough understanding of the work environment and job responsibilities and have enough information to decide on a job offer should one be extended. The "Warm-up Each interview follows a rather predictable communication pattern of "warm-up," information exchange, and "wrap-up" conversations. during the first few minutes of the interview (the "warm-up"), an employer will be formulating a first, and perhaps lasting, impression of you. How you greet the employer, the firmness of your handshake, the way you're groomed and dressed, will all be a part of this initial impression. To help you feel at ease, a practiced interviewer might ask "common-ground" questions about shared interests or acquaintances, or your travel to the interview. Some interviewers might start by saying, "Tell me about yourself," an opening for you to concisely describe your background, skills, and interest in the position. Information Exchange The information exchange will be the primary part of the interview. It is when you will be asked the most questions and learn the most about the employer. In screening interviews, many employers will spend more time describing their opportunities than asking you specific questions. The reverse will be true in second interview. Interview questions may range from "Why did you choose to pursue a degree in ...?" and "Describe the job you had last summer" to "What are your strengths/weaknesses?" and "What are your long-term career goals?" If you are prepared for the interview, you will be able to promote your qualifications effectively as you respond to questions. With practice, you will gain confidence and become more polished in your presentation. The "Wrap-up" Eventually the employer will probably say, "Do you have any questions?" This is the cue that the interview is moving to the "wrap-up" stage. Always ask questions because this demonstrates your prior research and interest in the job. Your questions might be direct, logistical questions such as, "When can I expect to hear from you?" (if that has not been discussed); a question to clarify information the employer has presented; a question regarding the employer's use of new technology or practices related to the career field; or a question to assess the culture and direction of the organization such as "Where is this organization headed in the next five years?" or "Why do you like working for this organization?" Do not ask specific questions about salary or benefits unless the employer broaches the subject first. The employer may also ask you if you have anything else you would like to add or say. Again, it's best to have a response. You can use this opportunity to thank the employer for the interview, summarize your qualifications and reiterate your interest in the position. If you want to add information or emphasize a point made earlier, you can do that, too. this last impression is almost as important as the first impression and will add to the substance discussed during the information exchange. Communicating Effectively Because a job interview is a communication process, your skills will become more polished over time. It is helpful to remember the following: * Speak clearly and enthusiastically about your experiences and skills. Be professional, but don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. * Listen carefully. You will want to remember what you learn about the job, and you will certainly want to be answering the question the was asked. * Be positive. Employers do not want to hear a litany of excuses or bad feelings about a negative experience. If you are asked about a low grade, a sudden job change, or a weakness in your background, don't be defensive. focus instead on the facts (briefly) and what you learned from the experience. * Pay attention to your nonverbal behavior. Look the interviewer in the eye, sit up straight with both feet on the floor, control nervous habits (cracking knuckles, drumming fingers, etc.), and smile as you are greeted. * Don't be afraid of short pauses. You may need a few seconds to formulate an answer. The interviewer may need time to formulate an appropriate question. It is not necessary to fill up every second with conversation. Interview Tips * Plan to arrive for your interview 10-15 minutes prior to the appointed time. If you are earlier than that, go for a walk, get a cup of coffee, drive around the block, or sit in the lobby. Arriving too early confuses the employer and creates an awkward situation. By the same token, arriving late creates a bad first impression. Ask for directions when making arrangements for the interview. * Carry a portfolio notepad or at the very least a manila file folder labeled with the employer's name. Bring extra resumes and a list of questions you need answered. You may refer to your list of questions to be sure you've gathered the information you need to make a decision. Do not be preoccupied with taking notes during the interview. * Be prepared to market your skills and experiences as they relate to the job described. Work at positioning yourself in the mind of the employer as a person with a particular set of skills and attributes. Employers have problems that need to be solved by employees with particular skills; work to describe your qualifications appropriately. * In many career fields, the lunch or dinner included during the interview day is not only employer hospitality, but a significant part of the interview process. Brush up on your etiquette and carry your share of the conversation during the meal. Often social skills are part of the hiring decision. * After the interview, take time to write down you impressions, remaining questions and information learned. If you are interviewing regularly, this will help you keep employers and circumstances clearly defined. * Follow-up the interview with a thank-you letter. Employers regard this as evidence of your attention to detail, as well as an indication of your final interest in the position. Interview Styles Many employers are well-trained to interview potential employees. Others, however, may not be skilled in the art of interviewing. Maintain your professionalism and use effective interviewing techniques, whatever the skill level of the interviewer. Interviewers adopt different techniques for each interview and it is valuable for the job seeker to recognize these styles in preparation for interviews. * Directed - A directed interview has a definite structure. The will usually have an agenda and a list of specific questions. * Nondirected - A nondirected interview tends to be less structured. The interviewer may ask broad, general questions and not take charge of the interview. The applicant in nonverbally encouraged to present qualifications. * Stress - A stress-styled interview is not as common as other interview styles. It is used to determine how the applicant reacts under pressure. There are many possible forms of stress interviews, which may include timed and problem-solving tasks. * Group - A group interview is one where several candidates are interviewed at once. this style is often used to determine how candidates interact as team members, or may be used if the organization hires in large numbers. * Panel - A panel-style interview involves more than one interviewer questioning a candidate. While similar to the directed interview, it is necessary to establish rapport with each interviewer. Direct eye contact is extremely important. Questions Often Asked By Employers 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. What are your long-range and short-range career goals and objectives, and how are you preparing to achieve them? 3. Why did you choose your career? 4. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths? Weaknesses? 5. How would you describe yourself? How would a friend or professor describe you? 6. How has your college experience prepared you for your career? 7. Why should I hire you? 8. How do you determine or evaluate success? 9. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company? 10. Describe a situation when you had to use your creativity to the fullest to complete a project. 11. Describe your most rewarding college experience. 12. If you were hiring for this position, what qualities would you look for? 13. What led you to choose you field or major? 14. What have you learned from participation in extracurricular activities? 15. How do you work under pressure? 16. Describe the ideal job. 17. Why did you decide to seek a position with this organization and what do you know about us? 18. What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it? 19. Give me an example of how you convinced your supervisor to assign you to a project. 20. What salary do you want? Questions Often Asked By Applicants 1. What are the strengths of the organization or department? 2. Whate are the career opportunities for someone entering this position? 3. What kind of orientation and training is available to new employees? 4. How large is the department? What are some of the other offices with whom I would work? 5. To whom would I be reporting and what kind of communication channels are there? 6. What are the long range plans for this organization? 7. What are the prospects for promotions in the future? 8. In what areas of the organization do you expect growth? 9. Is there an opportunity to transfer from one division to another? 10. How long was my predecessor in this position? Why did he/she leave? 11. What kind of support staff is available? 12. How and when will I be evaluated in this position? 13. Is continuing education encouraged? Is tuition reimbursement offered? 14. What is the management philosophy of this company? 15. What are your expectations of the person in this position? 16. Can you tell me about the history of this position, and changes anticipated? 17. Is overtime the norm in the office? 18. Generally, what percentage of time will be devoted to each of my responsibilities? 19. Do you work with daily, weekly, monthly, or annual deadlines? 20. Does the organization have a process for sharing creative ideas? _________________________________________________________________ Effectively Negotiating Salary Packages Employers expect you to negotiate your salary, so don't let the process of negotiating be a roadblock for successful discussions. With a basic knowledge of negotiation, your anxiety will be reduced and your success rate for negotiating will increase. There are several ways to make the process of salary negotiating effective. Start by taking a good look at your own salary requirements as well as developing an understanding of what your skills are worth in the current employment market. * Start the research process before you even begin the interviewing process. Look at your monthly cash requirements. Keep in mind that your paycheck after taxes is approximately 28% less than your gross monthly salary. Factor fringe benefits into your calculations. Include savings and contingencies in your budget planning. (You do not need to tell anyone your salary requirement: it only provides you a foundation on which to make decisions.) * Enter the salary negotiation portion of your interview with a firm understanding of your skills and what they are worth to different segments of the economy and in a variety of industry settings. Salary range information is available from several sources, including your Career Center, the state labor office, professional journals, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. * The first inquiry about salary may come in the form of an application. When completing application forms, be sure to use "open," "negotiable" or "competitive." Avoid stating a specific figure. * When an interviewer asks for salary history or salary range, he/she is interested in establishing a starting point for negotiation. The important thing is to avoid basing your desired salary on your current salary. Do not lie about your past salary -- reference checks can easily provide this information. Provide information about why your salary may have been lower, if appropriate. * When stating a salary range, use the top of the employer's stated salary, and extend the range to approximately $5,000 above. This shows that you are within their price range but interested in somewhat more compensation. * Ask about promotion opportunity. Job progression is an important factor in making salary decisions. Ask how promotions and salary reviews are handled. By taking a good look at your own salary needs, understanding the current market, and approaching salary as something that you and the employer will agree on as mutually beneficial, your chances of salary negotiation success are greatly enhanced. _________________________________________________________________ Factors To Consider In Evaluating A Job Offer The National Business Employment Weekly and George Washington University Career Center recommend that after the interview you review what you learned about the position and the company. The Position * Why is it available? * How long has it been open? * What happened to the previous incumbent? * What would you specific responsibilities be? * Are the goals set for the position realistic and attainable? * Can you successfully champion the responsibilities of the position? * What is your growth potential in this position? * Can this position provide bridges to future opportunities? * How does the position fit into your long- and short-term career goals? * Do the daily work activities appeal to you? * Are your salary and benefit requirements satisfied? * Is there opportunity for advancement? * Will you be developing new skills and expanding your experience? * Are the demands of the job compatible with you lifestyle? * Can you manage the stress associated with changing jobs/relocating? * Are your values of the organization compatible with your own? * Is this employment opportunity a mutually beneficial relationship? The Company * Is the company growing or downsizing? * Is the company a result of an acquisition or a planned expansion? * Has this growth affected its profitability? How will it affect you and your position? * What is the growth potential of the company's products and/or markets? * What is the company's market share? * Who are its competitors? * What is the tenure of its management? * Does the management team consist of new hires or people promoted from within? * Does the company have a high retention rate of employees, or do they have a problem with attrition? Your Potential Supervisor * How long has he/she been in this position? * To whom does he/she report? * What was his/her previous work experience? * How does this relate to his/her background? * What is his/her growth potential? * Do you think you can work well with this person? _________________________________________________________________ A Guide For Working With Employment Agencies Candidates may consider seeking the services of a commercial employment agency. According to Kenneth J. Cole, author of The Headhunter Strategy, there are an estimated 20,000 such firms in the United States, and distinguishing the type and quality of services they offer is no simple task. First of all, many labels are used interchangeably; executive search firms, personnel consultants, headhunters, outplacement firms, employment agencies - to name a few. The industry is further complicated by its questionable reputation and little-regulated standards. Cole offers some relief to this confusion with the following descriptions of the four basic types of third- party recruiting: * Outplacement Organizations. They accept money from individuals (private outplacement), or from corporations sponsoring individuals (corporate outplacement), to conduct job campaigns for displaced employees. The fee is paid up front (retained fees) and the firm markets the individual (candidate marketing). * Employment Agencies. Working primarily with candidates who seek their services, these organizations market the candidates to employers who can potentially use their skills. Fees are earned either from the candidate (applicant paid fees) or the employer (employer paid fees), but only after the candidate is successfully placed in a position (contingent fees). * Contingent Search Firms. Instead of depending on walk-in or mail-in candidates, they custom locate (recruit) candidates, and are paid on successful assignment completion (contingent fees). * Retained Search Firms. Like contingent search firms, retained search firms recruit candidates for their corporate clients, but are either paid up front or on a progress basis (retained basis). If you decide to become involved with a commercial third-party firm, make sure you are familiar with its identifiable traits, then follow these guidelines: * Exercise caution with employment advertisements directing you to call "900" telephone numbers. The Federal Trade Commission warns that you will be billed either a flat fee or a per-minute charge for each call. Most reputable firms will state the cost of these calls up front. * Study the classifieds. Familiarize yourself with agencies that run the same ads week after week. This is usually an attempt to stockpile resumes for potential clients. * Be wary of glamour jobs. Offers of high salaries plus the bonus of meeting stars, politicians, etc. are lures to get the unwary in the agency's door. * Request specific job information. A reputable agency should tell you by telephone the location of the job, the skills required, experience needed, the size of the firm, and the salary. If the agency refuses, hang up. (For its own protection, the agency will not give you the name of the employer.) * Demand only fee-paid jobs. Otherwise, be prepared to spend from 5 to 20 percent of your annual salary for perhaps three hours' work that the agency spent locating your job. * Do not sign contracts without precaution. If you do, and you find the job you accept is a mistake, you are still bound to pay the agency its full fee. Ask agencies if you can have a copy of the contract to take to a legal counselor or local consumer protection agency for professional guidance before you sign. * Verify that the job you originally sought exists. If the agency refuses, either leave or file a complaint with your area's consumer protection agency. * Know about the job before the interview. In spite of what the agency says, you have a right to a written copy of the job description and qualifications. * Avoid the interview treadmill. Some agencies will arrange countless interviews for jobs, even though the applicant is not qualified. The idea is to get the applicant a job, any job, and the placement specialist a commission. * Take the job you want. Do not fall for "You'd better take what you can get." Again, that line is strictly to land a placement specialist his/her commission. Keep in mind that regardless of what is promised, these firms cannot guarantee they will find you a suitable job. * Complain. Unethical business practices will continue until the public begins to apply pressure where it hurts. Report your complaints to your area's consumer protection agency, the Better Business Bureau, an appropriate state licensing board, or your state attorney general. An excellent resource on third-party commercial services is The Headhunter Strategy: How to Make It Work for You, by Kenneth J. Cole, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1985. You may also want to order the free FTC brochure, Job Hunting: Should You Pay? Write to: Federal Trade Commission, Public Reference, Washington, DC 20580