This presentation discusses career development basics. Topics discussed are as follows: preparing application letters, designing resumes, Learning About Job openings, writing a cover letter, resumes for scanners, cover letter for scanners, successful Resumes, resume organizational types, and critical resume information.

1. Overview of CareerOverview of Career
Development Basics 101Development Basics 101
Learning about JobsLearning about Jobs
Preparing Application LettersPreparing Application Letters
Designing ResumesDesigning Resumes

2. Learning About JobsLearning About Jobs
Present JobsPresent Jobs
Previous JobsPrevious Jobs
Professional OrganizationsProfessional Organizations
Civic/Political OrganizationsCivic/Political Organizations
NeighborhoodsNeighborhoods
Social ActivitiesSocial Activities
Daily ActivitiesDaily Activities
Professional NetworkingProfessional Networking

3. Other Ways to SearchOther Ways to Search
University Placement OfficeUniversity Placement Office
Alumi AssociationsAlumi Associations
Job FairsJob Fairs
Company Open HousesCompany Open Houses
Ads in Professional JournalsAds in Professional Journals
Staffing firmsStaffing firms
Online Job Boards (worst way)Online Job Boards (worst way)

4. Writing the Cover LetterWriting the Cover Letter
Introduction (solicited)Introduction (solicited)
• Confident ToneConfident Tone
• Value Add PropositionValue Add Proposition
• ConnectionConnection
• Illustrate How You Meet the RequirementsIllustrate How You Meet the Requirements
• Reference to ResumeReference to Resume
• Request an InterviewRequest an Interview

5. Body Paragraphs -Body Paragraphs -
Skills/AptitudeSkills/Aptitude
Avoid FlatteryAvoid Flattery
Be SpecificBe Specific
Support ClaimsSupport Claims
Avoid LettereseAvoid Letterese
Trim FatTrim Fat
Show enthusiasmShow enthusiasm
Illustrate Knowledge of CompanyIllustrate Knowledge of Company

6. ConclusionConclusion
Re-state Interest/WillingnessRe-state Interest/Willingness
to Relocate or Retrainto Relocate or Retrain
Request an InterviewRequest an Interview
Follow UpFollow Up

7. Resumes for ScannersResumes for Scanners
Plaintext Format for SeachabilityPlaintext Format for Seachability
Check Specs for Each Company’sCheck Specs for Each Company’s
PreferencesPreferences
Pay Strict Attention to Details andPay Strict Attention to Details and
Follow ThemFollow Them

8. Cover Letter forCover Letter for
ScannersScanners
BriefBrief
ConciseConcise
Kind of Work - Process Engineering,Kind of Work - Process Engineering,
etc.etc.
Geographic Preferences/RestrictionsGeographic Preferences/Restrictions
AvailabilityAvailability

9. Scanners - Fortune 500Scanners - Fortune 500
Optical ScanningOptical Scanning
Computer DatabasesComputer Databases
Buzzwords, Achievements, & MetricsBuzzwords, Achievements, & Metrics
6,000 Resumes/Second6,000 Resumes/Second
Longer Resume OkLonger Resume Ok
Cuts Search in HalfCuts Search in Half

10. Successful ResumesSuccessful Resumes
Look goodLook good
Read EasilyRead Easily
Provide Appropriate Info in Best OrderProvide Appropriate Info in Best Order
Consider a Video ResumeConsider a Video Resume

11. Resume OrganizationResume Organization
ChronologicalChronological -- Not goodNot good
for entry levelfor entry level
OrganizationalOrganizational -- GoodGood
Co’s/Orgs,Co’s/Orgs,
UnimpressiveUnimpressive
Title/PositionTitle/Position
FunctionalFunctional -- Skills/TitlesSkills/Titles
Good MatchGood Match

12. Resume - CriticalResume - Critical
InformationInformation
Name/Phone/Email/LinkedIn/WebsiteName/Phone/Email/LinkedIn/Website
Clearances or Ability to ObtainClearances or Ability to Obtain
Professional Job TitleProfessional Job Title
Summary of AchievementsSummary of Achievements
CertificationsCertifications
Work ExperienceWork Experience
SkillsSkills
EducationEducation