Image Enhancement Program
for Job Seekers
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng
Maynila (PLM)
Graduating Class 2005
The Job Hunting Process
Submitting YOUR
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
The First Interview
The Follow-up/Second
Interview
Job Offer
What is a Curriculum
Vitae (CV) or Resume
Curriculum Vitae is Latin for the course
of your life.
Sets out your career, achievements
and experience you have had.
Objective of a Resume
GET THAT JOB INTERVIEW!!!!
Your resume is your marketing tool
YOUR ADVERTISEMENT!
Presents you in the best light;
Convinces the employer that you have
what it takes to be successful.
What It ISNT!
NOT JUST: a history of your past;
: a personal statement;
: some sort of self-expression.
NOTE: Write your experiences with
intention to create interest; to persuade
the employer to call you.
Job Market Reality
ONE interview is granted for every 200
resumes received.
Your resume will be given 10 to 20
seconds only.
Therefore . . .
The top half of the first page of your
resume will either make or break you;
Your resume must be written the way a
well-written ad is written: IT GETS THE
READER TO RESPOND!
To write an effective resume, you have
to learn how to write powerful but subtle
advertising copy.
Writing a Resume that
Generates Results
Focus on employers needs, not yours;
Match your skills and experience with
the employers needs;
Consider word choice carefully;
Decide which resume format fits your
needs best;
Use the 20-second test;
Make the final product presentable.
Focus on Employers
Needs
What would make someone the perfect
candidate? What does the employer
really want? What special abilities
would this person have? What would
set a truly exceptional candidate apart
from the merely good one?
What do Employers
Want?
1. Willingness to share information and
ideas.
2. Commitment to teamwork.
3. Responsiveness to change.
4. Ability to work under pressure.
5. Sense of ownership of work and
ideas.
6. Willingness to take calculated risks,
without fear of consequences.
What do Employers
Want?
7. Ability to communicate clearly and
honestly with peers, managers,
customers.
8. Understanding of business strategy
and how you create shareholder value.
9. Commitment to continuous learning,
skill development.
Match Your Skills with
Employers Needs
Brainstorm on answers to What would
make someone the perfect candidate?
Prioritize based on which qualities or
abilities would be most important.
Write down everything you have done
that demonstrates you have what the
employer needs.
These brainstorming pages will be the
raw material from which you will
craft your resume.
A Great Resume
SECTION 1: Assertions
SECTION 2: Evidence
*Too many resumes only have the
evidence section. The juice is in the
assertions section. You dont want to
just inform them. YOU WANT THEM
INTERESTED AND EXCITED.
Assertions Section
Objective
Summary
Skills and Accomplishments
Objective
OBJECTIVE: A software sales position in an
organization seeking an extra ordinary record
of generating new accounts, exceeding sales
targets and enthusiastic customer relations.
COMMUNICATES: "I want exactly the job you
are offering. I am a superior candidate
because I recognize the qualities that are
most important to you, and I have them. I
want to make a contribution to your
company."
Objective
Asserts how you can make a contribution to
the employer, not for fulfilling your private
goals and agenda!!!
How to Write your
Objective
Decide on the specific job title;
Identify two or three qualities, abilities,
achievements that would make your
stand out as truly exceptional for that
specific job;
Do not use fluffy phrases. (Example:
"allowing the ability to enhance
potential and utilize experience in new
challenges.)
Format
OBJECTIVE: An xxx position in an
organization where yyy and zzz would
be needed (or, in an organization
seeking yyy and zzz.)
Xxx name of position you are applying
for
Yyy and zzz most compelling qualities,
abilities or achievements
Examples
An entry-level position in the hospitality
industry where a background in
advertising and public relations would
be needed.
A position teaching English as a
second language where a special
ability to motivate and communicate
effectively with students would be
needed.
The Summary
Consists of several concise statements that
focus the reader's attention on the most
important qualities, achievements and
abilities you have to offer.
Gives you a brief opportunity to telegraph a
few of your most sterling qualities.
your one and only chance to attract and hold
their attention, to get across what is most
important, and to entice the employer to keep
reading.
The Summary
May be the only section fully read by
the employer, so it should be very
strong and convincing.
Is the one place to include professional
characteristics, which may be helpful in
winning the interview
Writing Your Summary
A short phrase describing your profession
A sentence describing professional
objective or interest.
Followed by a statement of broad or
specialized expertise
One or more professional or appropriate
personal characteristics
Writing Your Summary
Followed by two or three additional
statements related to any of the following:
breadth or depth of skills
unique mix of skills
range of environments in which you have
experience
a special or well-documented accomplishment
a history of awards, promotions, or superior
performance commendations
Examples
Highly motivated, creative and versatile real
estate executive with seven years of
experience in property acquisition,
development and construction, as well as the
management of large apartment complexes.
Especially skilled at building effective,
productive working relationships with clients
and staff. Excellent management, negotiation
and public relations skills. Seeking a
challenging management position in the real
estate field that offers extensive contact with
the public.
Examples
Over 10 years as an organizational
catalyst/training design consultant with a
track record of producing extraordinary
results for more than 20 national and
community based organizations. A
commitment to human development and
community service. Energetic self-starter
with excellent analytical, organizational,
and creative skills.
Skills and
Accomplishments
More detailed than the summary
section;
Results produced, result of the efforts,
what you are experienced doing;
Writing the Skills and
Accomplishments
Section
Describe accomplishments using RAP
statements:
Results that you achieved based on
the Action that you took in response to
the Project or the Problem you faced
(Result + Action + Problem/Project).
+ Action verb "Coordinated"
+ Project "3 fundraising events
for local shelters"
+ Result
"raised more than
100,000, 20% over goal,
and greatly improving
community awareness"
= Accomplishment
Coordinated 3 fundraising
events for local shelters, raising
more than 100,000, 20% over
goal, and greatly improving
community awareness
Writing the Skills and
Accomplishments
Section
Put your skills and accomplishments in
order of importance for the desired career
goal;
If you have many skills, the last skill
paragraph might be called "Additional
Skills."
Use action verbs and phrases to present
yourself as a "doer". Skills and
achievements are best highlighted when
active.
Action Verbs
Adapted Eliminated Launched
Administered Enhanced Monitored
Carried Out Formed Performed
Created Generated Reorganized
Delivered Implemented Trained
Designed Improved Surpassed
Structuring the Skills and
Accomplishments
Sections
1. A listing of skills or accomplishments
or a combination of both, with bullets
o Raised PHP150,000 in 21 days in
canvassing and advocacy on
environmental, health and consumer
issues.
2. A listing of major skill headings with
accomplishments under each. The accomplishments
can be a bulleted list or in paragraph form
National Training Project / Conference Management.
Director of "Outreach on Hunger," a national public
education/training project funded by USAID,
foundations and all the major church denomination.
Designed, managed and promoted three-day training
conferences in cities throughout the country.
Planned and managed 32 nationwide training
seminars and a five-day annual conference for
university vice-presidents and business executives.
Structuring the Skills
and Accomplishments
Sections
3. A list of bulleted accomplishments or
skill paragraphs under each job (in a
chronological resume)
Structuring the Skills
and Accomplishments
Sections
Example:
Director of Sales and Marketing
DELAWARE TRADE INTERNATIONAL, INC. Wilmington, DE
-Promoted from Sales Representative within one year of joining company to
Director of Sales and Marketing. Responsible for international sales of raw
materials, as well as printing and graphic arts equipment. Oversaw five
sales managers. Was in charge of direct sales and marketing in 17
countries throughout Europe and the Middle East.
Recruited, trained and managed sales staff. Developed marketing strategy,
prepared sales projections and established quotas. Selected and
contracted with overseas sub-agents to achieve international market
penetration.
Negotiated and finalized long-term contractual agreements with suppliers on
behalf of clients. Oversaw all aspects of transactions, including letters of
credit, international financing, preparation of import/export documentation,
and shipping/freight forwarding.
Planned and administered sales and marketing budget, and maintained sole
profit/loss responsibility. Within first year, doubled company's revenues,
and produced $7-9 million in annual sales during the next eight years.
Structuring the Skills
and Accomplishments
Sections
BASIC RESUME
FORMATS
1. Chronological - each job (or the last
several jobs) is described in some
detail
Makes it easier to understand what you
did in what job;
May appeal to older, more traditional
readers;
More difficult to highlight what you do
best
BASIC RESUME
FORMATS
2. Functional highlights your major
skills and accomplishments from the
very beginning
helps the reader see clearly what you
can do for them, rather than having to
read through the job descriptions to find
out
makes it hard for the employer to know
exactly what you did in which job, which
may be a problem for some conservative
interviewers.
Functional Resume
Best for:
Career changes;
Spotty or divergent careers;
Generalists;
Wide range of skills in given profession;
Returning to job market;
STUDENTS.
3. Combined - a shorter chronology of
job descriptions preceded by a short
"Skills and Accomplishments" section
(or with a longer Summary including a
skills list or a list of "qualifications");
may be a standard functional
resume with the accomplishments
under headings of different jobs
held.
BASIC RESUME
FORMATS
GUIDELINES FOR A
BETTER PRESENTATION
The resume is visually enticing.
There is uniformity and consistency in
the use of italics, capital letters, bullets,
boldface, and underlining.
There are absolutely no errors.
All the basic, expected information is
included.
Jobs listed include a title, the name of
the firm, the city and state of the firm,
and the years.
GUIDELINES FOR A
BETTER PRESENTATION
It is targeted.
Strengths are highlighted / weaknesses de-
emphasized.
It has focus.
Use power words.
Show you are results-oriented.
Writing is concise and to the point.
Vary long sentences (if these are really
necessary) with short punchy sentences.
GUIDELINES FOR A
BETTER PRESENTATION
Make it look great.
Dont follow rules blindly.
Cover Letter
Introduces you and your career
objectives to the employer
Summarizes relevant skills and
experiences
Is an asset to your search, interesting
the employer in taking a careful look at
your resume.
Four Easy Steps to Write
a Great Cover Letter
1. Clearly communicate in the first
paragraph the reason you are
contacting this employer.
2. Demonstrate that you have done your
research about the field and the
employer.
3. Identify and discuss two or three
main points about your resume that
are particularly relevant to the
position.
4. Express enthusiasm for the position
and the employer.
Four Easy Steps to Write
a Great Cover Letter
Cover Letter
Limit the length of your cover letter to one
page.
Use standard business letter format.
Take the time to carefully write, edit and
proof a targeted letter.
Address every letter to an individual (if
possible). Call the organization to inquire
about who the appropriate contact person is
and verify the exact title and the correct
spelling of his/her name.
Writing a Resume that
Generates Results
Focus on employers needs, not yours;
Match your skills and experience with
the employers needs;
Consider word choice carefully;
Decide which resume format fits your
needs best;
Use the 20-second test;
Make the final product presentable.