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PROVEN 15 STEPS TO OBTAINING A JOB: How to Run a Successful Job Search Campaign
(Page under construction - please check back soon).
Contents of this Page:
> Prepare your strategy.
> Prepare a Qualifications / Skills-based Resume, Cover Letter, and Letter of Referral.
> Implement the strategy.
RESUMES:
A professional-looking resume which highlights the QUALIFICATIONS, STRENGTHS, SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS is necessary to gain the immediate attention of employers who are looking at multiple resumes per day.
RESUME SAMPLES:
Customer Service (Word format) Manufacturing (Word format)
Customer Service (PDF format) Manufacturing (PDF format)
Customer Service2 (Word format) Counselor (Word format)
Customer Service2 (PDF format) Counselor (PDF format)
Teacher 1 (Word format) PC Tech (Word format)
Teacher 1 (PDF format) PC Tech (PDF format)
Design (Construction) (Word format)
Design (Construction) (Word format)
RESUME PHILOSOPHY:
HEADER: State your name, address, all phone numbers, and email address.
OBJECTIVE: Although you may change the objective to fit the particular job you are pursuing, always have an objective. You won’t get something unless you ask for it, right?
QUALIFICATIONS AND STRENGTHS: The purpose of this section is to highlight the skills you were utilizing on past jobs so that your potential employer can see what transferable skills you will utilize to help them in their organization.
Note: Avoid listing too much detailed information about day-to-day duties under former jobs; rather go through your past experiences and ask yourself, "When I was performing those duties, what skill sets and strengths was I exhibiting? What can I offer another employer?"
Important: Be careful not to word these statements in the past tense. These are qualifications and strengths you can share with an employer today.
ACHIEVEMENTS: These are generally measurable results which are in the form of an “improvement," an “increase” in something (productivity, efficiency, sales, work flow, etc.) or in the form of “reduction” or “decrease” in something (costs, incidents, etc.). Place the results in % (percentages) or $ (dollar amounts) where possible. Make sure the percentages or dollar amounts make sense and can be discussed. Also it is better to use 17% instead of round numbers like 20%.
Note: Numbers stop readers' eyes and will therefore get the attention of a potential employer. Go through your past experiences and ask yourself, "What aspects of my former experiences are measurable?
Also: This is a perfect location to state an award received or recognition obtained, i.e. "Recognized by ABC Company for exceptional analysis and calculations on approximately 100 projects." (taken from a design resume).
EXPERIENCE:
The sample resumes show the format and information which is required. Month/Year, followed by company/title, followed by city, state. Bold your title only. Give 1-2 brief bullet points about the type of function/work performed but save the strengths for the upper section. Ask yourself, "If I developed and implemented a strategic plan for XYZ Company, can I do it again for ABC Company?" If the answer is YES, then place this "ability" under Qualifications and Strengths, stating: Proven ability to develop and implement a strategic plan to....".
Breaks in employment: It is always better not to have breaks in employment, although in this economic environment, it is very common. If you have a break in employment, place the date (i.e. month/year - Present) and state activities in which you were engaged. Examples: 1. Advanced Education. ABC Technical School, Electrical installation. 2. Neighborhood Security. Ormewood Park. Developed formal security and neighborhood watch. 3. Internship. Regional Medical Hospital. Volunteered hospice assistant services.
EDUCATION: List most recent education first, followed by less recent education. If you have a degree, list the degree.
Example: Masters of Business Administration, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Bachelors of Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
 SPECIAL TRAINING & SKILLS: You can divide categories (see resume). For example if you have any certifications or special licensing, list them.
List any training you have received.
List any special skills, such as computer software or languages: (if you are bi-lingual or multi-lingual, also incorporate that into your Qualifications and Strengths because many employers are looking for employees who can speak other languages).
INTERESTS: This is another area that shows your uniqueness. Share with the potential employer your particular interests.
REFERENCES: The standard “Available Upon Request” is sufficient. They want to know you are willing to give names/contact information of people who can speak about you.
COVER LETTERS:
Sample cover letters Word format
Sample cover letters Adobe PDF format
Job Banks/Job Postings
www.dol.gov/dol/jobs.htm
www.usajobs.gov
www.craigslist.org
www.careerbuilder.com
www.monster.com
www.jobbankinfo.org
www.classifieds.yahoo.com
www.job-hunt.org/classified.shtml
www.ajcjobs.com (Atlanta)
Military Websites:
www.va.gov/JOBS
www.military.com
www.hirevetsfirst.gov
www.transitionassistanceprogram.com
Referral network for veterans: National Veterans Foundation: www.nvf.org
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