Preparing Graduates for the

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• Preparing Graduates for the
• Competitive Edge
• Presented by
• Becca Turner

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Our Mission

• Career Placement Services provides the essential
  services to assist seniors and alumni in reaching
  their career goals.
• Our commitment is to facilitate placement of the
  JSU student and to provide the employer with an
  individual who has the competitive edge.

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Resources for Students

• Educational Resources
• Occupational Outlook and Salary Information,
  Employment Directories, Internet Access, Student
  Career Guides
• Directed Networking
• Fall Career Fair, Spring Interview Day, On
  Campus Interviewing, Guest Speakers, Pre-Career
  Expo Events, other Special Events
• Growth Experiences
• Mock Interviews, Resume Assistance, Strategic
  Plan of Action for Job Search (SPA)
• Employment Assistance
• Credential File through MonsterTRAK, Employment
  Postings, Resume Referrals

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MonsterTRAK
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Getting a Password

• Make an appointment
• Janet White
• Becca Turner
• Bring your resume
• Edit if needed
• CPS will activate your personal password

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The Three Basic Tools for Success

• An informative, organized, and polished resume
• Effective interviewing skills
• A professional appearance

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Resume Writing 101
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Items Recruiters Look For On A Resume
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Questions to Ask YourselfWhen Writing a Resume
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• Previous Work Experience
• Is it relevant work experience?
• Do your skills benefit their company?
• Are the skills needed in previous jobs similar to
  this position?

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• Educational Background
• Do you have additional skills or training?
• Did you graduate with honors or awards?

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• Extracurricular Activities
• Have you held leadership positions?
• Are you involved in an organization?
• Do your have volunteer experience?

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Action Words

• Achieved
• Analyzed
• Communicated
• Coordinated
• Defined
• Developed
• Excelled
• Enabled

• Facilitated
• Implemented
• Initiated
• Launched
• Maintained
• Managed
• Revamped
• Supervised

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Items Recruiters DO NOT Want On A Resume
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Personal Information

• Physical Statistics
• Age, race or ethnicity, marital status, number of
  children, religious beliefs
• Pictures
• Employers cannot discriminate or make decisions
  based on appearance.
• Hobbies and Interests

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Irrelevant Educational Information

• Anything Related to High School
• You can gain a lot of experience from four years
  of college. You shouldnt need to list high
  school activities to showcase your talents.
• A List of Classes You Have Taken
• Employers often find this unnecessary because
  many class titles are not descriptive of the
  class content.
• A Low GPA
• Unless a company states a GPA requirement, it is
  unnecessary to include it in your resume.

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Additional Tips

• Address the envelope to someone specific
• Use correct postage
• Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!!

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Additional Tips

• Address the envelope to someone specific
• Use correct postage
• Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!!

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Interviewing 101
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Appearance

• Neat
• Clean
• Professional

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Women
Image Courtesy of www.symsdress.com
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Men
Image Courtesy of www.symsdress.com
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Ace the Interview

• Learn About the Company
• Do research. The more you know about the company
  and job you are applying for the more confident
  you can be
• Arrive Early
• About 10 minutes is early enough
• Display Confidence
• Maintain good eye-contact
• Call the interviewer by name
• Have a firm handshake

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Communicate!!

• Speak Clearly
• Use Positive Body Language
• Avoid Distracting Habits
• Bring Additional Copies of
• Everything

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Practice Answering Questions
Be an expert on your own characteristics and
experiences
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Practice Asking Questions
It is better to have a question than it is to
have a blank stare
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The Waiting Game

• Take the Opportunity to be Proactive
• Send a thank you note
• Follow up
• Be accessible
• 2nd Interviews are important too

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3 Things to Remember About Getting a Job

• Be Proactive
• Row against the flow
• Be an active participant in your own future
• Build a Plan
• Expect success
• Forfeit immediate gratification
• Success Through Action
• Make the first move
• Assertiveness is acceptable

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• 105 Bibb Graves Hall
• [phone]
• www.cps.jsu.edu
• Monday thru Friday
• 800am-430pm