Writing Winning Resumes Cover Letters THIESS OVERVIEW Writing Winning Resumes

Writing Winning Resumes & Cover Letters THIESS OVERVIEW Writing Winning Resumes & Cover Letters August 2008 Sydney University Workshop Engineering and Information Technology Faculties Founded 1933 One of Australasia’s largest construction, mining and services companies Turnover A$4.7 billion 2006/07 Work in hand A$9.9 billion (March 2008) Over 22,000 employees and sub-contractors across more than 180 projects Operations in Australia, the near Pacific and Asia Part of listed Leighton Holdings Limited − − − Revenue A$12 billion (Australia’s 18th largest company) Net Profit A$450 million Work in hand >A$21 billion LHL GROUP ORGANISATION CHART Thiess Business Areas Services 9% Building 5% Mining 38% Process 22% Civil 26% Overview The key elements of a resume and how to present them How to decode a job advertisement How to address selection criteria How to tailor a resume to meet the selection criteria and requirements of the position Learn the key elements of a cover letter Promoting yourself What Employers Look For Although the specific details differ across industries, the fundamental questions remain the same: Can you do the job? → Relevant education & knowledge, discipline related skills and abilities, demonstrated generic/business skills, work experience, talent/aptitude, ability to analyse and think for yourself Will you do the job? → Motivation, flexibility, drive to succeed, willingness to learn, client focus, confidence, desire to contribute, self discipline Will you fit into the company? → Shared culture and values, team player, positive attitude 1 Writing Winning Resumes & Cover Letters Other Important Factors Sound academic performance Basic business sense Understanding of the industry Some career focus Desire to make a positive contribution & learn Relevant generic / transferable skills (communication, leadership, work ethic etc …) Understanding of own accomplishments Balanced involvement in work, study and leisure 1. Preparation Essentials Job and Company Analysis → Research the target company: How do they do business, who are their major clients, who is their prime competitor, what is happening in the company, how many employees, company structure, latest achievements, products, services, how do they market themselves, corporate image Research the job: What position title, what skills and qualities are needed, winning attributes of good candidates Be a “job detective”: Corporate web sites, databases, industry magazines, professional associations, attend gatherings, talk to people in the industry, take up invitations, make contacts, learn the lingo… → → Why Research Companies? Employers consider the applicant’s knowledge of the company as: → a distinguishing feature between candidates → a reflection of interest in the job → an indication of initiative and resourcefulness → a critical factor in the hiring decision Aids informed decisions by the candidate → good ‘fit’ ? → professional interests? → career direction & organisational opportunities? Identifies needs of the company & personal marketing tool Builds your confidence at interview 2. Preparation Essentials Cont’d Take account of your strengths What can you offer the organisation? Technical (discipline) skills, transferable skills, interests, values, experience, career aspirations, personal attributes, attitude Balance Review the Selection Criteria think of concrete examples to demonstrate your skills & attributes Prepare your Resume 3. 4. Decoding the Job Advert What to look for: → → → → → → → → → Selection Criteria Deal with each criterion in turn Give concrete examples Use a “Key Competencies” section for private sector Use “Statement of claims against Selection Criteria” for government / public sector positions Be systematic Demonstrate your achievements skilfully Use appropriate language - jargon is okay if it demonstrates your knowledge or suitability for the position Key words Style of communication Relevant skills - do you have them? Key qualities - how can you demonstrate these? Put yourself in the employer’s shoes Read between the lines Know the process Make good notes If minimal information given, research industry requirements 2 Writing Winning Resumes & Cover Letters Resume Preparation Tips Remember that first impressions DO count Be CLEAR, CONCISE & RELEVANT Make the information easy to find - don’t expect the employer to wade through wads of text Use a combination of sub headings, brief text and dot points The 20 second cull Use a consistent layout throughout (including dates and positioning) Effective use of white space, minimal colour Spell check (use people!) 2-3 pages for new graduate Photographs not standard – check industry requirement Elements of a Resume Name & Contact Details Career Objective / Career Aim Education Achievements/projects Employment / Experience Achievement oriented Key Competencies Examples to support your claims Professional Affiliations / Professional Memberships Awards Interests / Extra-Curricular Activities Referees Contact Details – key points Your NAME at the top → → Career Objective – key points Gives the potential employer an idea of what you want & what your aspirations are Should give a glimpse of the relevant qualities you possess Avoid being too general: mention 2-3 categories or areas of work that are currently of interest. Too specific could limit opportunities; too general is meaningless Tailor your Career Objective to each position / job you are applying for Refer back to the job advertisement An Objective is optional, but preferred by employers larger than all other text do NOT write Resume of….. Keep formatting simple, especially for on-line applications Minimise use of space for contact details Avoid item names eg. Address: Avoid information that could discriminate against you - eg age, marital status, health, unless to your advantage Sample Career Objectives To obtain a challenging entry level position in the IT industry where I can apply my high level technical skills (or highlight specific, relevant technical skills e.g. Java programming), strong interpersonal skills, and well developed analytical skills to achieve positive results for the company. To secure a promotions role in a small to medium sized winery or fine foods group where I can use and extend my marketing, communication and print media skills to design creative and cost effective strategies to attract specific clients. To work in a policy development area within an appropriate public sector department using my keen analytical skills, love of research and writing for target audiences. Education Key Points Layout, layout, layout ….be consistent throughout! List from most recent to least recent Use a combination of short paragraphs and dot points Include dates eg: Dec 2000 - Feb 2003 Use a Degree Focus 2-3 dot points to outline your key learning areas…this is NOT the place to list all of your subjects Highlight the most important information Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) University of Sydney Date - Date Focus: dot points Achievement: Credit Average Special Projects: 3 Writing Winning Resumes & Cover Letters Employment Key Points Similar layout to Education Use achievement statements… try not to focus too much on duties Use active verbs to lead off achievement statements → Facilitated, analysed, led, managed, produced, etc… Quantify where appropriate Position Title Date - Date Company name Key Responsibilities: dot points Key Achievements: - Awarded the Customer Service title of the year for outstanding service. - Promoted after 6 months to train new staff - Trained 20 new staff in the last 12 months Key Competency Statements Brief statements about each of the key skills you possess → → Must be relevant to the position applied for Must be well worded for maximum effect How to write a Key Competency statement → → → → Title Give a brief example / mention where or in what capacity you utilised the skill Give an outcome / results or evidence of using the skill 3-4 lines for each statement Sample Competency Statement Communication skills → Other Resume Sections Awards → → In preparing my major project in (name of subject) I was required to liaise with a number of tour organisations for the purposes of a survey. My Distinction grade indicates my strong written and oral communication skills. I have also worked in customer service roles on a part time basis for the last four years. Don’t go back too far not necessary to list every merit certificate etc… from high school List association name then type of membership (student / full) Show that you are “balanced”. List teams you are in, other activities you are involved with. BE SELECTIVE. Indicate degree of involvement if considerable Professional Affiliations → Project Management → As a budding (name of position) I incorporated my (type of skill) when producing a number of promotions for (name of co) where I worked for six months. This involved planning, meeting budgets and engaging others. My efforts were rewarded with a bonus when the contract ended. Interests & Extra curricular activities → → Other Resume Sections Referees → → → → → → Writing a Cover Letter No more than oneA4 page, 4-5 paragraphs Vitally important opportunity to; → → If you have good referees – flaunt them For recruitment agencies, write “Referees available on request” Ask permission and give referees a copy of your resume AND a copy of the selection criteria (advertisement) if they are likely to be contacted Minimum of two, preferably work or academic Include position, organisation, and phone/email → demonstrate your interest and understanding of the role and organisation address the selection criteria required in the advertisement and/or skills and attributes that are likely to be required (prospective letter) match yourself to the role Be CONCISE and target to each organisation Highlight your relevant skills and attributes Demonstrate your communication skills and be authentic Express your enthusiasm Double check for spelling and grammar errors 4 Writing Winning Resumes & Cover Letters Cover Letter Key Points Your address & contact details (include email) Date Contact name(title), position, company, address Re: Position name and job reference number (if needed) Dear (Name), (avoid Sir/Madam when you can) Paragraph 1 Paragraphs 2/3 Introduction – why you are applying, your interest in the company and role, relevant education What you can offer the company, matching your skills and experience to their key assessment criteria or apparent needs. Mention where you used the skills – draw on examples from education/training, work experience, industry placements, extra curricular activities Refer them to your resume, express again your enthusiasm and fit, thank them for their consideration, and ask for an interview Resources www.careers.usyd.edu.au www.graduatecareers.com.au (includes e-applications) Stevens, Paul., The Australian Resume Guide, 2003 Bright, Jim., Resumes that get short listed, 2000 Thompson, Mary Anne., The Global Resume and CV Guide, 2000 White, Lloyd., Write a Winning Job Application, 2002 Paragraph 4 Yours sincerely Thiess Resources www.thiess.com.au/careers www.thiess.com.au/careers/graduate_programs www.thiess.com.au/careers/our_recruitment__ and__selection_process A Winning Resume Danielle Smith 24 Brown Road, Neutral Bay • 9554 5566 • 0401 341 111 • dsmith@uts.edu.au Career Objective To secure a promotions role in a small to medium sized winery or fine foods group where I can use and extend my marketing, communication and print media skills to design creative and cost effective strategies to attract specific clients. Education Bachelor of Business (Marketing and Communication) University of Technology, Sydney Focus: Advertising and promotion of new products Planning and managing marketing strategies Consumer behaviour Achievement: Distinction Average 2000 - 2003 Key Competencies Knowledge of Consumer Behaviour: In my role as Marketing Assistant for (name of company) Communication: Motivation: A Winning Resume Employment Marketing Assistant (Part- time) Price and Gamble Pry Ltd Dec 2002 – Current Key Responsibilities: Research, analysis and reporting of consumer behaviour related to target fast moving consumer goods Key Achievements: Compiled a professional quality report on … that was used in planning the 2003 marketing campaign for XYZ product. Professional Development “Marketing strategies in the modern world” (2 week intensive) Australian Marketing Institute Accredited course. Professional Memberships Australian Marketing Institute (Student Member) UTS Marketing Students Society (active council member) Interests Hiking, Competitive Basketball, Web page design Referees (usually two) Mr Joe Bloggs Marketing Manager, XYZ company Ph: 1232 3456 E-mail: jbloggs@xyz.com.au 5