Creating Your Marketing Toolkit

1. Creating Your Marketing Toolkit

2. Marketing Toolkit • In this workshop, you’ll discover the “tools” you need to WOW the employer. You’ll learn how to: • Write a cover letter describing how your skills match the job description • Write a resume targeted to a specific job • Write a thank-you note Completing applications is offered in another workshop

3. Marketing YOU! Before starting your resume you need to identify your skills so you will know what you have to “sell” to an employer. • There are many ways to identify your skills: • Create lists of past job duties • Highlight major projects and accomplishments • Look over past employee evaluations • Think about knowledge and skills gained through volunteerism, hobbies, school and sports activities Take the Skills Identification class!

4. Cover Letters Building Your Toolkit

5. Cover Letters • Your cover letter is important because it shows the employer how you are a good match for the position. • When sending a resume be sure to include a cover letter unless the employer indicates they don’t want a cover letter • The cover letter consists of three parts: • Opening paragraph • Middle paragraph • Closing paragraph

6. Cover Letters • The first paragraph tells the employer how you found out about the job and that you are interested. This paragraph needs to show some enthusiasm. Start your letter with a little pizzazz. • Paragraph twogives the employer a few good reasons why they should pick you over other applicants. Tell them about your past work experience or key skills, and personal qualities you would bring to the position.

7. Cover Letters • In paragraph three you tell the employer that you are looking forward to interviewing for the job and how they can contact you. • It is important that you change your cover letter for each company. Employers look for communication skills and this is the first place they see your skills–do it well.

8. Tips…for Writing Cover Letters • Be sure to address the letter, by name and title, to the person who could hire you. When it’s impossibleto learn their name, use a title such as Dear Hiring Professional–today we don’t use…To Whom It May Concern or Dear Sir or Madam. • Express your enthusiasm and interest in the job and in the company. • Avoid generic phrases such as “Enclosed please find”–this is a letter to a real live person.

9. Tips…for Writing Cover Letters • Set yourself apart from the crowd – identify one thing that makes you unique, such as a specific talent for getting along with everyone or something that goes beyond the basic qualifications of the job. • Be specific about what position you are applying for and what skills and experience you have that relate to the position. • Keep it brief – one page – but powerful!

10. Tips..for Writing Cover Letters • It should not be a “template” letter. You should write a separate cover letter for each position you have applied to. • The letter should make the employer want to read your resume. • Always have someone proofread your letter before sending. Letters should be typed unless the employer asks for a handwritten letter. Keep copies of your cover letters as a way of tracking where you have applied.

11. Let’s Write The Resume! Your next tool in your kit!

12. Questions? • Why do I need a resume? • How do I identify my skills? • What format should I use for my resume? • What is included in a good resume? • How do I know what is included in each section? • How do I know what the employer is looking for? This workshop will answer these questions and more!

13. Creating a Resume • To write a good resume, you need to know why you have to have one and what makes a good resume. • The resume is the key that opens the door to the interview. {It does not get you a job!} • There are several parts to a resume:

14. Creating A Resume Here are a few tips to get you started: • Everything on a resume supports the objective – target your resume for each job you are applying to • A resume can be more than one page – employers like to see no more than two pages (though sometimes your industry will accept more than two pages – check it out!) • A resume is not your life history – nor is it an application • The purpose of the resume is to get you an interview – you have to get the job!

15. Choosing a Format There are many ways to write a resume and you must choose the one that fits you best and is the one your industry prefers. The format that puts your best foot forward is one that is easy for the employer to read and tells the employer very quickly what skills you have that they are looking for. Look in your packet for the advantages and disadvantages of each format – the format used in this presentation is the “targeted” format.

16. Parts of a Resume These are the parts of a resume…see how they all support the objective! Objective– Targeted to the position Highlights of Qualifications–statements that support the objective and match you to the position Relevant Skills and Experience–support your highlights and objective Employment History–supports your experience Education, Seminars, and Professional Affiliations

17. Objective • Target your objective to the position you are applying. • It should be straight and to the point, such as: Customer Service Representative – Nike, Inc. • Yes, you may have to change your resume for each job. • Employers are not mind readers – make it easy by letting the employer know exactly which position you are applying to.

18. Highlights of Qualifications • Four or five statements about yourself that show the employer how you match the position and will want to read on • They can include: experience, personal qualities, accomplishments and skills that you want the employer to be aware of very quickly. • They support the objective • They can change each time you write your resume Read the job description to see the four or five skills the employer is looking for that you have and make those skills your highlights. This “targets” your resume to the position and supports the objective!

19. Examples of Highlights Of Qualifications • Extensive customer service experience in a call center environment • Listens well and follows directions, accurately recorded data and information • Read technical manuals and correctly interpreted the information. • Team member, assisted co-workers in being successful in completing projects, my attitude motivated and inspired co-workers to meet goals • Quickly resolved problems as they arose. Received letters of appreciation from the customers. • Fun person to work with and demonstrates a positive work attitude Applying for a Customer Service Rep position – what are the skills the employer looks for?!

20. Relevant Skills and Experience This area of your resume tells the employer exactly how your skills relate to the opening they are trying to fill. If the employer wants someone with communication skills, they will be looking for good oral and written communication skills. You will need to make sure the employer can “see” that you have these skills by telling the employer you prepared written reports, provided customer service, or as a team member you communicated safety procedures, etc. In this part of the resume is where you really show the employer that your skills are the perfect match for their open position.

21. Example of Accomplishment Statements • Security Position • Observed and reported all incidents of safety hazards to proper authority • Performed perimeter checks in parking areas • Used video surveillance system, performed detex patrols in commercial buildings • Checked and signed visitors in to lobby, performed detex patrols on construction site • Signed contractors in, reported any discrepancies on daily activity report • Checked all vehicles upon leaving site.

22. Example of Accomplishment Statements Supervisory Position • Skilled in solving employee disputes with schedule and duties. • Trained new staff on basic job duties, safety procedures, customer service standards, and encouraged them to continually stay busy by asking for extra task when regular duties were completed. • Developed and discussed work plans with individual employees, highlighted strengths and successes, areas for improvement, team goals, and training opportunities.

23. Skills • Your skills are broken down into targeted areas; such as Office Administration, Nursing, Teaching, Pharmacy • Your professional experience can include three to four skill areas that support the objective. • Under each skill area you will list the experience you have that shows how you used the skills. • These will be areas that you are skilled in that tell the employer how you match the job they have open. • They can change each time you write your resume • They tell the employerYOU ARE CAPABLE. See the functional heading list in your packet to help you pick and choose the best skill headings forYOU

24. Translating Action Into Experience • Use action verbs to eliminate unneeded words and information • An employer will be able to tell a lot about you from your action verbs. If you tell the employer you Organized, Managed, Assisted, Counseled, Trained. It says I am capableof organizing, managing, counseling, training. • This certainly says a lot more than: My duties and responsibilities were answering the phone and dealing with customers. Choose your action verbs carefully from the list in your packet - be sure they tell the employer what you are capable of doing.

25. Employment History • This information is always in chronological order. Your present or last position first and then backwards to your first position. No more than 10-15 years back. • Create a list with your job title - company name and city - dates you worked. • Mechanic L.L. Smith, Portland 1986-1997 • This is not an application so addresses, supervisor’s name, and wage information do not belong on the resume.

26. Education • List your most recent education first • Don’t forget about the seminars that your companies provide at your workplace or sent you to attend. This can fall under Related Education. • If you list college, you do not need to put down high school. • If you have military experience, show your education under this heading and your time spent under Employment History.

27. References • Make sure to contact those you have chosen for your references to make sure it is okay with them to be a reference for you. • Keep these on a separate sheet from your resume, but on the same type of paper and graphic style of your resume. Don’t send with the resume unless requested. • Include name, title/position, address, telephone, relationship and number of years known. • If you can, have 2-3 personal and 2-3 professional references.

28. Check to make sure your phone number is correct Education section should include your most recent education first Stress your accomplishments and the skills you used to get the desired results If you are making a career change stress what skills are transferable to support your new career objective Neatness counts – a poorly structured, badly typed resume is a reflection of the applicant Keep the personal “stuff” off the resume References are done on a separate sheet Dates can be shown 2001-2002 instead of 6/2001-4/2002 No more than 2 pages and 15 years Avoid references to hobbies, activities and memberships that are not business-related or have no relevance to your current goals or job objective. Tips..for Putting It All Together

29. 50% of the success of your resume will depend on its appearance Employers give about 30 seconds to your resume initially – make it easy for them to find the information that is relevant to the position you are applying for. Avoid all controversial information on a resume – do not give an employer a reason to screen you out. Print your resume on good bond paper – use a neutral light color. Only print a few at a time so you can make changes as you need to. Under employment history only include job title, employer and the dates you worked. Don’t mass-mail your resume as the only means of job search. Don’t marry your resume – change it if it isn’t working. More Tips…

30. Typing or spelling errors? Statements easily understood? Writing style – is it concise and direct? Paragraphs and sentences should be to the point. Have redundancies and repetitions been eliminated? Have you used appropriate action verbs? Are grammar, punctuation, and layout consistent? Is all unnecessary information eliminated? Is layout simple, professional and attractive? Did you leave white space? Does it present the best possible picture of you? Reviewing and Revising Have your resume reviewed by several people – remember spell check on your computer only checks words misspelled not misused.

31. Thank You Letters

32. Thank You Letters • After any contact with an employer it is important to send a thank you letter. It tells the employer: • you appreciated their time to interview you • you are courteous • you are interested in the job opening • you are available for a second interview • you are able and willing to start work • It reminds the employer about you. It brings positive attention to you one more time. It can bring your name to the top of the list or your resume to the top of the stack.

33. Tips…for Thank You Letters • Send a thank you every time you have contact with an employer – even if it was an impromptu conversation with an employer who took time out from work to talk to you. • The thank you letter has three parts: • Opening paragraph – thanking the employer for their time. • Middle paragraph – this could include something you told the employer that you would get back to them on or something else that you want them to know. • Closing paragraph - that you look forward to being part of the team – or that you can interview again – basically that you want the JOB!

34. Interviewing • By completing your marketing package, you will be able to interview with more confidence – because you will know more about yourself. • You will be the STAReach time you interview by producing your marketing package to reflect what makes you the best match or choice for the employer and then being able to talk about your skills during the interview. • For more information on how to be the STARsee the presentation on Interviewing.

35. Next Steps • For additional help or information to complete your marketing packet you can: • Ask a career center advocate • Check the books in the resource library • Use the Internet – enter your Resume • Attend a workshop – check the calendar Remember: Employers do not hire resumes – they hire people. It is up to you to show the employer YOU ARE CAPABLE AND THE STAR!