BCOM MID

the do's of a resume

-Place your strongest material in the two-inch visual space that begins about 2 5/8 inches from the top of your resume -Using the company's job description, address keywords from their description in your "summary of qualifications" section -Give the most weight to your most recent professional positions. -Use stats to increase your impact on the organizations you have worked for. -Resumes can take on many different appearances. The key is to remain consistent. -Include publications, patents, presentations, honors, relevant volunteer experiences, and professional licenses or certifications in your resume, particularly if they are relevant to the position you seek. -Be sure to edit your resume. -Place your education after your experience if you've been in the workforce for more than five years. -Most employers will ask for a one-page resume. However, it is okay to have two if you can demonstrate related work experience, transferable skills, and campus involvement. -When submitting resumes via e-mail, always submit in pdf. form to "lock in" your formatting

cover letter

Accompanies your resume Illustrates more of your personality than the "factual" resume Enables you to attract the employer's interest! Tells the employer why you want to work there Communicates skills and highlights specific qualifications that are directly relevant to the job you are seeking

telephone interview

After confirmation that an employer wishes to proceed further with your application, the next step is generally about 30 minute telephone interview (screening interview). These are prearranged and will involve a conference call with one or more individuals from Human Resources and the management team. Telephone Interviews can be difficult due to poor quality reception and the absence of face-to-face communication. It is important that you present yourself in the best way possible, so we suggest the following: Ensure you are prepared for your interview and are ready to take notes. Ensure you are in a totally quiet, private space for the interview. Avoid background noise. Research the company prior to interview so you understand as much as possible and can ask pertinent questions. Do the same with the job description. Prepare questions for any aspects of the role or reporting structure that you wish to clarify. Write down the names of the interviewers and do not be embarrassed to ask them to spell their names. Many interviewers are inexperienced - be prepared to assist them by volunteering information that is relevant or valuable and display your interest by asking questions. It is a good idea to have your resume, notes, or any other material that may assist you "handy" so that you may reference them in the phone interview.

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As with the resume, the cover letter should be printed on high quality resume paper if you are mailing it and/or hand delivering.

sticking with your goal

Build in reminders to keep yourself on track, and make regular time-slots available to review your goals. Your end destination may remain quite similar over the long term, but the action plan you set for yourself along the way can change significantly. Make sure the relevance, value, and necessity remain high.

post interview questions

DO NOT ASK ABOUT SALARY AND BENEFITS. GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK What type of training does your company provide? What do you enjoy about working here? What are some of the challenges this role will face? What qualities are you looking for in the person you hire? What are the short and long term goals of this company? How would my performance be measured?

senior year

Decide which career to pursue Make sure that you have fulfilled graduation requirements by checking with Academic Advisor or Registrar's Office. Attend an orientation session and complete Handshake registration in order to participate in On-Campus Interviewing. Schedule a mock interview with a Career Counselor or School of Business Career Advisor Attend the various workshops offered by the Career Center/School of Business to become effective in your job search. Attend Career Fair/Meet the Companies to make contacts with potential employers and secure job interviews. Check job listings regularly on Handshake and other job search websites. Prepare for the transition from college to the working world. Inform the Career Center and School of Business of your future plans or job offers received. Keep networking even after you received a job

researching the company advantages

Demonstrate your knowledge of the profession and the organization Give reasons for your interest in working for a particular company Develop questions in advance to ask about the job and/or company based off your research

third paragraph of cover letter

Encourage action for the employer to extend an invitation for an interview Invite the employer to contact you by including your phone number and e-mail address Thank the employer for his/her time and consideration

post interview

Evaluate your performance Send a thank-you note within 24 hours Keep records of important dates and details for follow-up

common mistakes made

Failing to communicate a clear purpose Appearing unprofessional in form, structure, and design Spelling, grammatical, and punctuation errors Awkward language/use of passive voice Being overly assertive, boastful, obnoxious Appearing self-centered rather than job- or employer-centered Saying little about your interests, skills, accomplishments, etc. Addressed to wrong person and/or wrong place Produced on cheap paper

strength questions

For this question, give strengths and examples related to the job description. Hint: It should be a strength you bring to the job.

tell me about yourself question

For this question, utilize the "30 Second Commercial" as a framework for your response. 30 Second Commercial Education Why this major/University? Experience How has your experience prepared you for this position? Internships Part-time jobs Volunteer Extracurricular Major/Class projects Skills/Strengths What skills/strengths can you bring to this position? Direct Skills Indirect Skills Personal Characteristics

weakness questions

For this questions, remember everyone has weaknesses, how do you neutralize them? Hint: Your weakness should not undermine your ability to do the job.

Freshman year

Get involved on campus by joining an organization of interest. Use the Career Center's computerized career exploration tools to evaluate your interests, values, and possible career paths. Obtain part-time, summer, or volunteer jobs to gain experience and explore possible careers. Use MyOleMiss, visit academic web pages, and talk to faculty to explore the curriculum of various majors. Conduct informational interviews with people working in occupations of interest to ask questions about careers while making valuable contacts Talk to current students enrolled in majors of interest. Develop a tentative four-year action plan. Take a variety of electives to explore your options Keep a list of your accomplishments/ activities.

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Hand out your business cards between your middle and index finger. Use your thumb and index finger or both hands when receiving/ giving cards.

junior year

Narrow down your career options to those of greater interest. Research specific jobs and/or graduate programs through Career Center resources. Begin serious networking with alumni and professionals in your career field. Keep a record of your contacts. Increase your leadership and organizational skills through active participation in organizations. Attend a resume and cover letter workshop. Utilize critiques service in Career Center or School of Business Attend Career Fairs with resumes in hand, making connections with employers for relevant summer jobs, internships, and potential full-time employment. Begin collecting references from employers and professors. Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor or School of Business Career Advisor to review your action plan.

before the interview

Research the employer. Identify your strengths and skills for the specific position. Compile examples of accomplishments and scenarios that showcase your skills. Prepare questions for them. Practice with a mock interviews.

second paragraph of cover letter

Sell yourself in this paragraph! Tell the employer why he/she should hire you Describe your educational background and relevant experiences that qualify you for the position Illustrate through SPECIFIC examples how you will be an asset to the company/program Use key words from the job listing and focus directly on the skills/qualifications the company/program is seeking Okay to use 1-2 paragraphs for this section

follow ups

Send a thank-you note to every person who grants you an informational interview. Not only will this express your appreciation for their assistance, it will also help to establish you in their minds as a courteous, professional person. You may email a thank you letter, but it should be formal. Hand written notes provide a nice touch.

sophomore year

Students who are still undecided majors should seek assistance from a Career Center counselor or the Academic Support Center. Explore your interests and personality through career assessments. Become actively involved in organizations of interest to gain skills sought by employers. Attend employer information sessions and lectures and network with people in professions of interest. Continue exploring occupations through Career Center resources. Gain relevant experience through work or volunteer experiences, class activities, and internships. Begin creating a resume. Visit the Career Center or Office of Undergraduate Career Preparation. Attend Career Fairs to explore the variety of career options available to you.

researching the position

Talk to people: Find people who work for or know about the organization. This could be people you meet at a Career Fair, family members, neighbors, parents of friends, students who graduated ahead of you, and alumni contacts. The employer's web site: This is a no-brainer! Look for basic facts, information about mission, culture, values and more. Internet research: Note sources of information you find and gauge the credibility of those sources. Call or write the organization and ask for information: Only AFTER you've searched for it elsewhere without success. This is perfectly appropriate to do if you simply cannot find information about the organization through their web site, or if the information is not clear. Be careful: If you e-mail with a question to which you could have found the answer online with a little effort, you'll be perceived negatively as a potential employee (lazy, unintelligent, etc.). As a potential employee, you want to be perceived as a person who does work, not creates more for someone else.

post interview

Thank interviewers for their time and shake hands firmly with a smile. Indicate that you look forward to hearing from them soon and welcome them to contact you if they need any additional information. Send a thank you letter within twenty four hours reiterating your interest in the position. Email a thank you that day and ideally follow‐up with a hand written version. Follow up promptly by providing any credentials, references, transcripts, or samples of work that might have been requested by the interviewer. Evaluate your performance immediately following the interview: o How well did you answer questions? What tone of voice did you and your interviewer use and how did the interview progress? o How comfortable was the interviewer with you and why do you think this is so? o What did you find difficult about the interviewing process? Think in terms of the preparation involved, speaking to them face to face or corresponding. o How well did you ask questions? Consider your confidence in asking them, the length of questions and the responses received. o What can you do to improve your performance next time? Remember interviewing is a learning process, so build the experience for the future. Keep records of important dates and details for follow-up

researching the position advantages

The job description and position requirements give you an insight into possible interview questions. Read through the job description and anticipate questions that could be asked.

resume layout

Use a font that is easy to read both in print and electronically, such as Times Roman, Arial, Calibri, etc. We recommend a 10-12 pt. font for the body of your document. You can enlarge your name to stand out on your resume (14-16 pt. font), and you can elect to use a smaller font for your demographic information, depending on the style you select to create your heading. Use bold or italics to make key information stand out in your document. Organize your information in a consistent manner throughout the document, making it easy for the reader to find key information. Either a bulleted format or a paragraph-style format is appropriate. Create a layout that has an uncluttered appearance, with white space remaining on the page. Use 1" margins, but no less than .5" margins.

sample informational interview questions

What is a typical day like in your current job? What drew you into this line of work? How did you break into this field/industry? Can you describe your career path? What skills have been most important in your field? What skills do you look for in an MBA hire? What do you like most about your job? What are the most difficult challenges in your position? What kind of experience would employers in this field look for in a job applicant? What is the market like? What areas do you feel promise the most growth? What are the opportunities for advancement within the field? What is the best advice you received regarding your career? To what professional organizations do you belong? Who else would you suggest I speak with to learn more about this field? May I use your name when I contact them? Would you be willing to look over my resume and to provide advice on how to market my skills?

stress interview question

What is the worst thing you've heard about working with our company?

off the wall interview question

What kind of animal would you be?

interviewing during a meal

When interviewing for an internship or full time position, the employer may invite you to lunch or dinner as part of the interviewing process. Your dining skills play an important role in creating a positive impression, and the lack thereof could result in the loss of an offer if you are unable to manage a meal in a social setting confidently. To ensure that you are successful in handling an interview or meeting over a meal, be sure to go over dining etiquette tips before you interview.

strength based interview question

Would you describe yourself as a hammer or a nail in your working style?

business card

Write your name, title (you could say "History Major" or "Student in Marketing Communications"), University & expected graduation date, contact information and links to your website, blog, and professional social media accounts.

job description

cheat sheet that determines the needs of the employers

functional resume

designed to draw attention to key skills, lessening the emphasis on graduation dates or dates of employment. This format is typically used by those who have diverse work experiences, or who have noticeable gaps in employment history.

chronological resume

designed to showcase your education, activities and your work history, highlighting your most recent experiences first, followed by additional information organized in reverse order.

resume

document used to introduce yourself to employers and to market your skills, accomplishments, and educational background relevant to the position. On average, employers spend 7-20 seconds reviewing resumes, so it is important that you create a document that aligns your best qualifications with the position you are seeking

attainable goals

goals that are possible to achieve; however, make sure they are a realistic challenge and not too easy

CAR Method

helps uncover accomplishments and results for your experience; challenge/situation, action, result

read the job/internship description and highlight qualifications, identify your skills, highlight relevant skills in your resume

how do you match your skills to the job description

brain teaser

how many ping pongs can fit in a volkswagon

measurable goals

include precise amounts, dates and so on in your goals so that you can measure success degree

directed interview

interview will have a definite structure with an itemized agenda and specific questions

non-directed interview

less structured with broad, general questions. This may feel like a conversation.

chrono-functional/ combination resume

maintains the emphasis on skills and notable accomplishments, including a brief section that outlines work history and dates of employment

setting goals in writing

makes goals real and tangible; gives no excuses for forgetting about it; write "will" instead of want

resume

market tool that highlights your skills and experiences that are relevant for the position

time-bound goals

must have a deadline so that you can calculate success; provides sense of urgency and achievement will come quicker

personal characteristics

personal attribute that you bring to the position ex. work ethic, initiative

direct skills

skills directly related to the position ex. social media marketing, sales experience

transferable skills

skills that can transfer to the position ex. communication, leadership

behavioral interview questions

tell me about a time you demonstrated initiative can you give me a specific example of your leadership skills

making an action plan

the writing of individual steps that you should follow to fulfill your goal; cross off as you complete

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there is on eright way to write a resume

strong work ethic, adaptability and flexability, computer skills

what are my star skills (be able to explain)

Set goals that motivate you, set SMART goals, set goals in writing, make an action plan and stick with it

what are the rules of goal setting?

pre-interview, interview, post interview

what are the steps to an interview

research the company, research the position, research yourself, practice

what are the steps to prepare for an interview

traditional interview questions

what are your strengths and weaknessnes

offical degree name, university and location, graduation date, GPA (if 3.0 or higher), study abroad and relative course work/projects

what goes in the education section of the resume

title, company/organization, dates, city and state, related skills, responsibilities, accomplishments and results of your action

what goes in the experience section of the resume

name, address, phone number, professional email, professional social media or websites

what goes in the identifying info section of the resume

Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time bound

what is a SMART goal

contextual future interview question

what would you do if a customer walked in and was upset with a purchase

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what you do to prepare for an interview is just as important as what you say during the actual interview

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what you put in your resume and how you present it depends on your experience and the job you are applying for

STAR method (situation, task, action, result)

when answering behavioral questions what method should you use?

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without goal setting you lack focus and direction

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you shoukd match your skills to the job description

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you should follow up with a thank you note after an informational interview

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you should post your goals in visible places to remind yourself everyday of what it is you intend to do

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you should use action words, quantify, point accomplishments and scenarios and examples in the experience section and should be detailed

specific goals

your goal must be clear and well defined

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your resume is always changing as you grow in experience and apply for different jobs

during the interview

How to Dress If you have a suit, wear it, even if the employer is in a casual industry. If you don't have a suit, dress in professional work attire that is clean and pressed. Keep jewelry/perfume/cologne to a minimum. Making the first impression Plan to arrive at 10-15 minutes early. If you are late, call to let them know. Also, don't arrive too early; you don't want to have to wait around the lobby for too long. Introduce yourself to the receptionist and indicate who you are there to see. Remember the interview starts the moment you drive into the parking lot and doesn't end until you drive away. Know how to pronounce the interviewer's name. Shake hands firmly. Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Your attitude Show confidence, interest, assertiveness, and enthusiasm. Be yourself. Smile, relax, and be friendly. Be honest. Be courteous, polite, and respectful at all times. Allow the interviewer to lead the interview. Verbal Communication Pause for a moment before answering questions. Take time to formulate a well thought out, organized response. Answer questions thoroughly by stating results and using examples. Don't monopolize the conversation or ramble on. Answer questions succinctly. Make sure to answer each part of the question asked. Nonverbal Communication Make eye contact when speaking. Always wait until you have been offered a seat, or until the interviewer sits. Be aware of your posture the entire interview. Do not talk with your hands too much. Your Past Don't be evasive. While past failures need not be volunteered, do not try to cover them up. If you do have a blemish on your record, do not make excuses. Give a simple evaluation of the situation, and what you learned from it, and move on. Never speak poorly about former supervisors, colleagues, or employers. If you were unhappy, simply explain that it was not a good fit. Be attentive When introduced to others, remember their names. Pay attention. Do not ask questions about information that was already addressed in the interview. Ask for a business card at the close of the interview to ensure that you have proper contact information. Negotiating Salary The employer should be the one to introduce this topic. It generally will be discussed during the second interview or at the time of the offer

preparing for informational interview

Identify people you would like to meet who are working in a career field that interests you. Research the career field and the company's website of the person whom you are interviewing and prepare a list of questions you want to ask. Contact the person and set up an appointment in-person, over the phone or via email.

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Include a cover letter even if you are e-mailing your resume to an employer

first paragraph of cover letter

Include information about how you learned of the particular company or position Clearly state the particular position for which you are applying "Name drop" if someone referred you or indicate how you have had exposure to the company (Meet the Companies, etc.) Indicate what interests you about the position (based on your research of the company)

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It's best to have a position posting in front of you when you write the cover letter so that you can tailor your letter to the needs of the company as expressed in the posting

face to face interview

Many employers will have their preferred candidates visit their offices for a face-to- face interview. This interview can be with only one person or with a panel of interviewers

the don'ts of a resume

Never lie or falsify previous position titles or length of employment. This is good cause for termination of employment. 2. Never use the same resume for every job you apply to. Remember, employers are looking for specifics items unique to their company and job. Be sure you address those items in your resume. Tailor each resume to meet that company's expectations. 3. Don't use pronouns ("I") or articles ("a," "the"). 4. Don't provide personal data. Marital status, date of birth, height/weight, and similar non-work-related information can be used to illegally discriminate against applicants, and they rarely add anything of value to your qualifications. 5. Don't repeat the same action words throughout the resume. See the "Action and Descriptive Words" at the end of the handout. 6. Make sure your dates are accurate. Employers routinely call Human Resources offices to verify an applicant's length of employment. If you have doubts, contact HR and check your dates before including them on your resume. 7. Don't use more detail than you need to convey your accomplishments. If an employer sees paragraph-sized bullet points, they generally will not read them. A good rule of thumb is to limit each bullet to one to two lines of text with three to five accomplishments for each position. 8. Don't make your resume a list of your job duties — make it a list of your accomplishments! Weave your job responsibilities into your descriptions of your accomplishments.

dining etiquite

Portfolios, cell phones, wallets or purses should be placed under your seat and not on the table. Familiarize yourself with your place setting. Avoid rearranging the table setting. Follow the lead of your host and allow him to direct the conversation. Typically, the "business" portion of the discussion will begin after you place your orders. Ask for recommendations if you are unsure what to order from the menu. Don't take too long to make your selection and don't order the most expensive or the least expensive item. Stay away from selections that are messy or difficult to eat. Always be kind to your server. If there is something wrong with your meal, subtlety is the key; don't create a scene. Avoid alcoholic beverages, if possible. If you elect to drink, limit yourself to one drink. If you need to excuse yourself from the meal, please do so between courses. Pass items to your right, or counter-clockwise. Salt and pepper shakers are always passed together. Gently place your napkin in your lap, following your host's lead. The fold of a large napkin should be near your waist. Use your napkin to dab at the corners of your mouth and not to discard items from your meal. Place your napkin to the right of your plate when the meal is finished. Silverware should never touch the linens, once used. When in doubt about which fork to use first, start from the outside of your place setting and work inward toward the silverware nearest your plate. Or, you can watch your host. If you drop your silverware, you do not have to pick it up; just ask the server for another one. Stir your beverage quietly, and use sweeteners sparingly. Do not slurp, smack, or chew with your mouth open. Begin eating after everyone is served, unless your host invites you to go ahead and start the meal. Avoid seasoning your meal before you taste it. It's polite to try everything that you are served, even if you don't eat it all. Butter your bread or roll one bite at a time. Spoon your soup away from yourself, sipping from the side of your utensil. Cut one or two bites of your food at a time. Eat small bites so that you can continue to carry on a conversation without a long delay. Do not push your plate away from you when the meal is complete. Place your fork and knife on your plate in the "4 o'clock" position to signal to your server that you are finished. Refrain from using a toothpick or applying makeup at the table. If you need to remove a particle of food from your teeth, excuse yourself and head to the bathroom.

video chat interview

Potential employers will often request a video conference interview (Skype) in the first stage with top applicants. You must remember that this type of interview is just as important as if you were meeting the interviewer in his or her office. Here are a couple of additional points to keep in mind for Skype interviews: Always do a test run with your equipment prior to the interview. Be prepared to have a telephone interview at short notice if there are technical problems with connections. Now that you can be seen, it is important to ensure that you are appropriately dressed and that the scene behind you is free of distractions. Make sure the room is clean and neat. You don't want to distract the interviewer. Be aware that the microphone picks up all the noise in the room. Don't tap your pen or shuffle papers. Make eye contact with the camera, not your computer screen. If you don't, the camera will be focused on the top of your head (not your face or eyes), which is a missed opportunity to build rapport. Use the picture-in-picture feature so you can see how you appear. You will be asked the same type of interview questions as in a face to face interview. Also, be prepared to ask your own questions.

requesting informational interviews

Writing an email to prospective contacts is often the best approach. Even if they already know you, it is courteous and lets them prepare for your request. Identify yourself as an Ole Miss student and explain where you found their name and why you are writing. I recommend that you attach a resume to provide more information about your background. Mention that you are broadly interested in their field and that you would like to schedule a visit in their office to get some advice and information about their career field. A 30 minute face-to-face informational interview is recommended; however, when schedules or geographical location preclude the possibility of this, a telephone interview can also be effective. You may want to indicate some days and times that work for you as a place to start, but let them know that you are flexible would like to work around their schedule. When emailing, remember to be professional. First impressions are crucial! Confirm the date, time, and location of the meeting. Follow through if you book a time. Keep in mind that you do not want to ask directly for a job. This is an opportunity to gather information and get advice from an experienced person working in a field of interest to you. The Informational Interview is a professional appointment: Arrive on-time, and dress and act professionally. If you must cancel, call the contact with days of advance notice.

cover letter opening

Your Identifying Information (same header as resume) Today's Date Inside address and salutation Contact the company/program for the actual name of the employer to whom you are writing Verify address and correct spelling of names Do not use "Dear Sir or Madam" and avoid "To Whom It May Concern" If employer or recruiter is unknown, use "Dear Employer" or "Dear Search Committee", etc. Use a colon for punctuation

ending cover letter

Your Signature Use "Sincerely" Sign your name neatly in blue or black ink Type your name under your signature Sincerely, [SIGN NAME HERE] Charley S. Jones Enclosure(s) Type "Enclosure(s)" at bottom of letter if you are mailing the letter and including resume, list of references, or other supporting documents Attachment(s) Type "Attachment (s)" at bottom of letter if you are emailing the letter and attaching a resume, list of references, or other supporting documents

case study interview question

Your client is a $300 million a year copper mining company. This year it has lost $50 million. How do you turn it around?

informational interview

a conversation you have with a professional who can provide information and expertise about career options, industries, employment conditions, employers/ professional organizations, or their personal experience. Can help direct your job search and establish rapport with alumni in your prospective field. While the contacts you make from these interviews may help you find a job down the road, the purpose of the interview is to gather advice and information

relevant goals

a goal that moves in the direction you want your life or career to move into

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a resume is an ehausted list of everything youve done