Resumé & Interviews

1. Resumé & Interviews Employer’s Perspective October 10, 2012 Bruce Meyers

2. Agenda • Get Planning • Get Busy • Get Ready to Interview (on the employer’s level)

3. Get Planning 1 • Career Plan • Establish Specific Goals and a process

4. Specific Goals • Goal E.g. “a successful career in the hospitality industry” • Add specificity • Hotel Manager in Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Canmore or Banff • Head chef at 3 Star or better in Alberta • Travel agent for an airline, cruise line or Bus line • Tour bus driver

5. Get Planning 2 • Self-assessment • Workplace values • Technical skills • People skills (‘soft’ skills) • Some work-related accomplishments • Academic credentials • Other activities

6. People Skills • www.skillsyouneed.co.uk

7. Get Planning 3 • Research your ‘primary’ job market • Industries and companies best suited to your interests and talent • Which companies are hiring? • Develop a network of people who know people.

8. Summary of Plan • The plan is prepared • Self-assessment • Goals and objectives clearly defined • Job market research; Targets identified • Network contacts list and communication schedule for inquiries and ‘thank you’ notes • Job search schedule is clear • Rest and recreation time is allocated

9. Get Busy 1 • Job Search Process Implement your plan

10. The Employer’s Thinking • Can the applicant do the job ? • Does the applicant possess the skills to become productive in a reasonable time period? • Has the applicant demonstrated they have performed the job duties before? • Was the applicant successful at this job in the past? • What types of problems did the applicant encounter at previous jobs and did they demonstrate problem-solving abilities? • If applicant has not experienced the job can s/he prove the necessary skills to succeed after reasonable training?

11. Job Posting Analysis Review the job posting or job description carefully summarizing the requirements…Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) on a ‘worksheet’

12. Why I Like a Good Cover Letter • The cover letter introduces you and gets me focused on you • Assess your written communication skills (clear and succinct) • Clear idea of why you are interested in the company and the job • Summarize the match between the job requirements and your knowledge, skills and experience ; make my work easier • Always accompany your resumé with a cover letter

13. Sincerely, Rekha A Dear Recruiter : Re: Posting # 12345 – Child Settlement Advisor I have been researching your organization on the recommendation of people in my network and following your web site for career opportunities. I know we will agree that a good match between the job and my skills, motivation, experiences and abilities is important to our mutual success. The Child Settlement Advisor role excites me on many levels. Please review my attached resumé and grant me a preliminary interview to present myself and credentials in person. For your convenience, the following table highlights several of your requirements for this job and examples of.

14. High-Impact Resumé • Is it easy on my eyes? • White space • Bold headings • Two pages • Are past roles somewhat relevant, relevant, very relevant ? • What has this applicant accomplished for past employers? • What education and professional development has occurred to support the applicant’s candidacy for the role? • How is/has the applicant contributed to bettering the community?

15. Good/Bad Resumé Features Good email address Bad email address Melikesbeer@email.ca Crazyforcats@email.com harleydude@email.com kmjaworsky@email.ca carlosortega@email.com johnharley@email.ca

16. Objective Bad A challenging creative opportunity where I can apply my skills in a dynamic organization with plenty of room for advancement. Good To apply the knowledge acquired through a bachelor’s degree in Marketing & Communications and two summer internships at a public relations agency to an entry-level position on the marketing or PR team of a major financial institution.

17. Summary of Qualifications Good Accomplished loan and credit underwriter with nine years experience in commercial and retail banking; Proven track record of profitable lending transactions; Adept at combining knowledge of industry practices and legal requirements with analysis, negotiation and relationship-building to secure new and repeat business. Awarded top achiever 4 years running. Bad A loan and credit underwriter, experienced at analizing loan applications and working with customers in commerical and retail loan transactions.

18. Work Experience Bad Senior Commercial Loan Underwriter – Sept 2005 to present Lotsa Money Commercial Bank • Took construction loan apps. • Negotiated terms • Five direct reports • Trained new hires on loan research methods • Organized company soccer team Good Senior Commercial Loan Underwriter – Sept 2005 to present Lotsa Money Commercial Bank • Processed $10bb in commercial construction oan applications • Led a team of five junior underwriters who exceeded plan for past 6 months • Facilitated professional training on loan research to shorten learning curve • Applied team-building skills to development of company soccer team; resulted in higher company visibility and improved employee morale.

19. Education Bad MRU, 1998 Calgary, AB Dip, Comfin GPA: 2.75 • Beta,Beta Fraternity, Party Planning Committee Chari • Elected to Student Union • Led campus movement for re-election of Mayor Nenshi B.K. Burger High School 1994 Good Mount Royal University, 1998 Calgary, AB Diploma, Commercial Finance

20. Professional Development • Optional section • Keep it short and relevant • Don’t list every course you’ve ever taken

21. Summary • Job Search Process Keep at it ! Study your plan, get feedback and don’t be afraid to make a few adjustments

22. Interviewing Best Practices For Employers

23. What is the Employer Thinking? • About Interviews • Pre Interviewing Preparation • Interview Process • Different Interview Types • Pre-Employment Testing • Common Interviewing Mistakes • Final Thoughts

24. Hiring Mistakes are Costly • A hiring mistake is unnecessary and costly to all involved. • Hiring Manager • Co-workers • (You), the new employee • Customers

25. thorough job description in place employer has understanding of the type of individual that will succeed Employer has a short list of candidates from the resume received Employers are wise to take time during preparation to create an atmosphere that brings out the best in the candidates Pre-Interview Preparation

26. Interview Process (advice to Employer) Keys to Interviewing success: • Be prepared • Remove distractions • Hold calls • Choose a comfortable environment • Start with small talk to put the applicant at ease. This will entice responses that are less guarded. • Assess all candidates under similar conditions • Close the interview positively and set a firm understanding as to the next steps to be taken.

27. Different Interview Methods • Phoneinterview • Screening interview (by HR staff) • Selection interview (HR staff and hiring manager) • Approval interview (hiring manager’s manager)

28. Different Interview Methods 2 • Unstructured Interview • Panel Interviews • Group Interviews

29. Pre-Employment Testing • Interviews can be very subjective and prospects can also have their resumésprofessionally written, this is why many organizations are including pre-employment testing into their interview process • Valid testing must meet professional standards such as being reliable, free of discrimination • Types of tests can include personality tests, cognitive ability tests, simulations and work samples

30. Final Thought • Know yourself; knowledge, skills and accomplishments • Have a realistic career plan based on research; have a job search process mapped out • Get busy implementing and adjusting your plan • Know what employers are thinking • Prepare your example STARs Message to employers and candidates Be patient, take your time and find/be the “right” Candidate!