The Hollywood Principle

1. The Hollywood Principle Resumes & Cover Letters Lesson Created by Meredith Marasco, Workforce Development Specialist

2. Do you feel like writing a resume is a chore? It doesn’t have to be! Use the Hollywood Principle to stand out from the crowd. Work on your resume regularly & revise it often.

3. The Hollywood Principle • http://wishingwellcoach.com/wordpress/the-hollywood-principle/ • The Hollywood Principle: No matter how “passionate” you are about something, nobody cares. Unless you make sure they do. • To get paid for doing what you enjoy, you must stand out. You have to give your audience (or client or customer) a compelling reason to want you. • Dig deep and determine what makes you a star. What are your core strengths and skill sets? Build your resume, LinkedIn profile, and interview responses around understanding what you have to offer.

4. What is a resume anyway? • You, your experiences, on paper • Should be a representation of who you are as a potential employee • Sales Pitch to earn an interview – make sure they call you back! • Brand Yourself and Stand Out • What are your strongest skills?

5. What Is On a Resume? • What should you include? • What should you not include? • Does one size fit all? • Chronological vs. Functional?

6. What Do You Include? • Contact Information • Work History • Specific Job Duties & Accomplishments • What makes you stand out? • What makes you a star? • Education • Other Experience

7. Contact Name? • Name – full legal name • At some point, you will have to submit documentation as to who you are. • Your nickname (Twinkie) should not be the name used. • Make sure the name you use on your resume matches your license/birth certificate/social security card.

8. How can an employer reach you for an Interview? Employers contact you in different ways; Use all that apply. • Mailing Address • Phone number (home, cell) • Make sure your voicemail is set up & personalized • Include +1 before the area code for international reference • Email You have to check it to know they contacted you! • LinkedIn Profile • Twitter Profile • Skype Address

9. Work History Chose work that showcases your accomplishments and represents your core strengths • Select experiences relevant to the positionthat will demonstrate your abilities in that field and type of work. • Yes, even if they are not your most recent • RELEVANT trumps RECENT • Include positions that show increased responsibility • Did you get a promotion? INCLUDE! • Did you receive specific training? INCLUDE! • Did you supervise other employees? INCLUDE! • Mix it up to demonstrate a range of experience • Don’t list the “same” job with the same duties 3 times

10. What did you do and what do you represent? • Translate Describe what you did for layperson not from the field • Quantify things Use real numbers & figures when possible • Accomplishment Focus – Why are you a star? Highlight contributions/improvements that you made while employed with Company X. • Descriptive Action Words – Be Compelling Use language that reflects that of the industry/company where you are applying. Make your audience want what you have to offer!

11. Studies… • Education • “Brag” about your classes & experience • Include degree (AA/AS, BA, etc.) and major • Include expected graduation date • List courses when relevant (GIS, Accounting I) • Include honors, scholarships, awards • GPA – when appropriate • Future plans • What do you want to do or create in life? • What will you be famous for?

12. There is still more to you! • Other Experience • Volunteer hours • Student government or club involvement • Leadership positions/appointments • Unpaid Work - INTERNSHIPS • School projects or research studies • Licenses • Certifications

13. What you should not include? Don’t include EVERYTHING! • You, how you want to be seen • Like “Match.com” dating…but for work positions • Leave out what is not appropriate

14. This information should have been left out • Other Interests: “Playing with my two dogs (They actually belong to my wife but I love the dogs more than my wife)”. • Hobbies: “enjoy cooking Chinese and Italians” • “Revolved customer problems and inquiries.” • “Planned new corporate facility at $3 million over budget.” • “It’s best for employers that I not work with people.” http://jobmob.co.il/blog/funniest-resume-mistakes/

15. Chronological VS. Functional • Chronological • Traditional Layout, focus is on positions • Listing of employment from most recent or relevant, working backward • Tells work history using time and dates • Functional • Focused on duties rather than the “when” • Group similar work together if they overlap in duties • Looks at skill sets more than individual positions

16. Is there a “Magic” Formula?(x + 2y)10 - 2x + 5y = JOB • Use what works for you • Look at templates & examples to get ideas but create your own! • Don’t be afraid to show your style • Use some color or a unique format • Own it – Make it memorable • It is your resume and should reflect you • Take a chance!

19. Cover Letters:A Reason to Read On 3 Main Components • Purpose of the Letter • Specific description of your skills and your point of view. • Closing paragraph– final pitch Make an argument for why they need what you have! Convince them that they have to call you back!

20. 1st Paragraph - purpose • Who are you? What skills can you bring? What makes you a star? • I have volunteered for five years at a local shelter, assisting families with crisis management, and I would like to continue this work as a Case Manager at Haven. • What is the purpose of you letter? “I would like to gain experience working on website design with your company.” • Closing sentence that summarizes why you stand out. Keep it relatively short; no more than 5 sentences.

21. 2nd & 3rd Paragraph - Specifics • Detailed explanation of how you are the person the employer is looking for. • Be SPECIFIC! • Again, this is where you want to quantify your experience. (i.e. Gained valuable customer service skills working in a high volume salon with an average of 50 clients a day.) • RELEVANCE – make them care • Relate your interests and experience to the employer

22. Closing “Impact” Paragraph • Summation – Be memorable • State purpose again – position applying for • Why & how the employer can take the next step and contact you (Phone/Email/LinkedIn) • Thank you! Closing argument as to why you are the best candidate. Convince the employer why they don’t want to miss out on calling you back.

23. Revise Every Time • Write your cover letter for a specific position • Research • Gather information about the employer, agency, company and tailor the letter to them. • Know your audience! • Cover letter has more to do with them than you. • Explaining your strengths to an employer and how those skills can benefit them (save them time, make them $...). • Make sure to leave some details out • Give them a taste but leave something for an interview.

24. Sample Cover Letter Good or Bad?

26. References • Professional • Supervisor • Co-Worker • Client • Mentor • Instructor Did you work for this person? Yes. • Personal • Relative • Neighbor • Friend • Religious Advisor • Partner Did you work for this person? No.

27. Letters of Recommendation What is a letter of recommendation? • Should be written by someone who will speak positively about you and your strengths for a position. • Write now, submit later! • Ask your current supervisor or instructor to write you a letter while you are fresh on their mind. • It is much easier to update a date or title later than for that person to recall specific information about you. • How many? • The standard is 3 but you can also request more and use those that relate to the position the most.

28. Feeling Overwhelmed? • Brainstorm Using the Skill List Handout • Refer Back to the Resumes, Cover Letters & Letters of Rec Handout