The document provides an overview of a workshop on resumes, cover letters, and applying online. It includes tips on resume formatting and components, cover letter styles, using applicant tracking systems, and online job searching resources. The workshop aims to help job seekers identify the key elements of resumes and cover letters, translate their experience into achievable terms, and understand how to best apply online and get through applicant tracking systems.
Simple, 3-Step Strategy to Improve Your Executive Presence (Even if You Don't...
Resumes, Cover Letters and Applying Online
1. Resumes, Cover Letters
& Applying Online
brought to you by
Bruce A. Bennett
Career Coach Corner
February 3, 2021
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Introduction & Notes for Workshop
Introduction
Professional Career in Media & Marketing Research
MCWN Volunteer & Contractor
Career Coach Corner Blogger, Podcaster & Presenter
General Notes for Today
My contact info is on last slide
Presentation file available on SlideShare
Workshop is interactive, Q/A & Parking lot
Red Arrows
Social Media Revolution 2019
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Outline for Workshop Today
Resume
Different Formats
Components
General Points & Mistakes
Fine Tuning Your Resume
Cover Letters
Standard Format
Comparative Style
Applying On-line
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Identify specific ATS vendors
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Goals for Workshop
Goals
Identify core elements of resume and cover letter
Restate job responsibilities into STARs
Use of Job Boards and Employer ATS
Know Thyself – Personal Intelligence
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Not all Resumes are Created Equal
Paradigm for job search changed radically
Seven seconds - really??
One resume does not work
Customize resumes to fit job posting
Keywords from description must be in
resume
Detail work experience history by dates
Self Awareness
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Not all Resumes are Created Equal
What do you want?
Identify five job titles
Determine target companies
Research what skills are needed for those jobs
Create a spreadsheet with 3 columns
List your skills
Discover which skills are required
Ascertain any shortfalls
Decide on how to address issue
Education?
Training?
Catherine Breet Byers suggests 3 simple steps
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Resume Formats
Chronological
Details work experience history by dates
Functional
Highlights skills and expertise
Blended
Combo of the two
Infographic
Graphic, colorful, & creative
Plain Text
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Resume Components
Contact information
Name
Address (printed vs. digital)
Phone number (only 1)
Email
LinkedIn URL
Career or Professional Summary
Elevator speech scripted out
Skills, Keywords or Buzzwords and phrases
relevant to industry & skills
Avoid clichés
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Resume Components
Work Experience
Company
Job Title
Dates (Month/Year)
Description about company and/or URL
Achievements, not duties or responsibilities
Previous performance appraisals helpful
More bullets for current position
STARs or CARs
Situation or Task, Action and Results
Circumstance, Action and Results
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Resume Components
Quantify or Recognize experience
Maintained accounting records for AR and AP
Managed 1,000+ AR & AP accounts working
directly with the CFO
Answered the phone
Resolved customer issues through inbound calling
system, averaging 60 calls a day
Sold computers and printers to customers
Practiced consultative sales techniques to provide
customers with their hardware & software needs
Managed and supervised 10 staff members
Coached and developed 22 direct reports into
supervisory role positions
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General Points
White space
Applying on line, stick around to the end
Two pages maximum
Font type consistency is important
Printed white paper 20#
Recruiter Relates Resume Tips
John Marty Offers More Resume Advice
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Typical Resume Mistakes
Typos
Objective
References available upon request
ABC’s of references
Providing a Home and Cell phone number
25+ years of experience
Putting a 3 page resume on 2 pages
Distracting formats and/or fonts
Overused stale
Responsible for….
Duties include
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Fine Tune Your Resume
These websites help refine your resume
Match your key skills with job description
Empower you to get past ATS robots
www.jobscan.co
https://theprofessional.me
https://skillsyncer.com/
https://cultivatedculture.com/resume-
scanner/
This is How Job Scan Works
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Cover Letters
A recent Ladders article stressed several
changes in hiring practices post Covid-19
Recruiters say if you don’t do this, you may as
well not apply for the job
Survey by TopResume revealed these findings
A cover letter is more likely to be read - 48%
Candidate’s thank you note is more significant - 68%
Employment gaps no longer have red flag - 87%
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Cover Letters
What function does it serve?
Introduce yourself to the recruiter
State your interest in the position
Relate why you are a good fit
How to write a cover letter by ZipJob
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Cover Letters
Provides additional means of communication
Gaps in employment
Why Company or position interests you
Relevant experience or industry knowledge
Bullet points to highlight skills
No more than a few paragraphs
4 Sentence Cover Letter by Andrew LaCivita
Pain Letter by Liz Ryan
Traditional format
Comparative format
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What is an ATS?
Majority of major companies use an ATS for HR
Human Resource Information System (HRIS)
Software that enables the electronic handling of
HR documentation
Cradle to grave capability
Tracks hiring compliance for company
Taking the human out of Human Resources
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How Does an ATS Work
Parses your resume into the system
Scans resumes to qualify candidates
Matches keywords in job description
Performs data mining and collecting
Ranks candidates by resumes & responses
Can manage many tasks
Identify top candidates/Reject unqualified
Send applicant emails
Schedule interviews
Onboarding process
Tracks reviews, promotions, terminations
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ATS Pitfalls
Many ATS cannot read a PDF, unless
specifically directed to submit a PDF, submit doc
Word Doc not Docx format
Resume templates
Cannot read tables or multiple columns
Cannot read wording in header & footer
Misspelled words are not recognized
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ATS Pitfalls
Single column format
Avoid lines and borders
Avoid underline usage
Left justification
Serif fonts are not accurately read
Times New Roman
Sans Serif fonts are better
Arial, Helvetica, Futura, Gotham, Circular,
Franklin Gothic, Tahoma, Verdana, etc.
Size does matter - 11 or 12 pt font is better
Margins of 1” preferred, .75” at the maximum
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ATS Resume Friendly Tips
Use standard terminology for section titles
Work Experience not Career Achievements
Education not Professional Training
Keyword matches found in job description
Name document for relevant position
BruceBennettManager.doc, not resume.doc
Use full name instead of acronym
Interactive Opinion Network, not ION
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Video & Blog Links
Catherine Breet Byers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8od1iolitg&feature=related
Kimberly Bishop - Recruiter Give Resume Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpQaLX343Js
Socialnomics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4znQDyz038
ATS Do’s and Don’ts
https://www.resumetoreferral.com/ats-resumes/
Pain Letters
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2015/11/26/how-to-use-pain-
letters-in-your-job-search/#310855967b44
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Success Stories
Michele N. – Medical
Attended Resume & LinkedIn workshops and gained confidence
Rick P. – Sales
Attended workshops and one on one LinkedIn Critique
Liz F. – Graphics Designer
Attended workshops, incorporated concepts and was hired
Terri A. – Accounting Professional
Attended webinars and negotiated her position
Val M. – Retail Supply Chain
Incorporated my recommendations from workshops & 1 on 1
I want to add your name to the list!!
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McHenry County Workforce Network
February Calendar of Events & Services
McHenry County Workforce Network
Personalized Job Search Assistance Services
To sign up, request the professional directly by email
Resume Critique
30-45 minute sessions
Dean Eitel
February 1 & 15
10:00 - 12:00
Email: deitel@depaul.edu
Resume Critique
30-45 minute sessions
Kathy Hayhurst
February 8
8:30 - 11:30
Email: mcwnkmh@gmail.com
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Upcoming Webinar Events
Guide to a Winning Interview
Monday February 8, 2021 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Network to Success Job Club
Using Social Media in Job Search
Wednesday February 10, 2021 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
LinkedIn for Your Job Search
Monday February 15, 2021 at 1:00pm to 3:00pm
LinkedIn Strategic Guidelines
Wednesday February 17, 2021 at 1:00pm to 3:00pm
78. Questions?
Feel free to follow up or
connect with me on LinkedIn
Bruce A. Bennett
Mobile: 815-302-9552
Email: BABennett73@gmail.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bruceabennett
Career Coach Corner Blog: http://bruce73.wordpress.com/
https://bruce73.wordpress.com/upcoming-presentations/
Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/b-squared-linkedin