This document summarizes Vijay Ingam's career workshop on resumes and job interviews. The workshop covers what a resume is, the purpose of a resume and cover letter, appropriate interview attire, how long hiring managers spend reviewing resumes, tips for answering common interview questions, and preparing for an interview. Attendees will learn how to create an effective resume and cover letter, dress appropriately for an interview, answer questions in an interview, and spend 2-8 hours preparing for an interview.

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E m a i l : v i j a y i n g a m @ i n t e r v i e w s o s . c o m , P h o n e : 1 - 8 0 0 - 2 1 2 - 2 6 7 0
Vijay In g am’s
CAREER WORKSHOP
Resumes and Job Interviews
www.InterviewSOS.com

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• A letter of introduction and personal
advertisement
• A short summary of your professional and
educational background, skills and
qualifications for the specific job
• Forward-looking, NOT backward-looking
• Your resume is a “living document”, like the
Constitution
• It is a self-contained and self-explanatory
document
What is resume?

3. What is the purpose of a resume?
• To Get a Call Back for an
Interview
• To Impress Potential
Employers
• To Create Talking Points for
Your Interview

4. How Long Does A
Typical Hiring Manager
Spend Reading A
Resume?
A. 60 Minutes
B. 30 Minutes
C. 10 Minutes
D. 5 Minutes
E. 60 Seconds

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• Career summary tailored to fit the needs of a specific
job
• Opportunity to mention your contacts or reasons for
personal interest in a company
• Make it personal and professional
• Include your relevant accomplishments
• Studies have show it is required for about 30% of jobs
What Is a Cover Letter?

6. Appropriate Interview Attire

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The Best Prepared Applicant Usually Gets the Job.
Plan to spend
2-8 hours
preparing
The Secret
to Job
Interview
Success is
Preparation!

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General Guidelines for Answering
Interview Questions
Present yourself as reliable, self-
motivated, proactive, and
organized
Provide concrete examples
whenever possible
Provide specific benefits of your
actions in $, % improvements, or
time saved
Never say anything bad about
anyone
Never repeat a negative
assessment of your
performance

9. 3-5 Sentences
Summarizing your
education
Degree
Received, Activities, Leadershi
p
Positions, Accomplishments, A
wards
and Recognition
2-3 Sentences about each
job or position
Job Title, Company, Your
Responsibilities &
Accomplishments
Tell me about yourself?
[Hint: Give a 2-3 minute personal sales pitch]
End by explaining how your background and experience make you the best
candidate for the job

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Cite a:
1.Weakness that you
have since corrected
2.Strength that is a
weakness in some
situation
What is your greatest weakness?
Don’t say an
actual weakness!
Show self-insight and
self-improvement

11. Ask anything you want.
Questions?