The 4 Dollar Workshop
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The document provides guidelines for job seekers on effectively using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to increase their chances of securing interviews. It emphasizes the importance of following specific application instructions, including using appropriate keywords, formatting, and tailoring resumes and cover letters to job postings. Key statistics and tips for resume updates, interview preparation, and networking at career fairs are also included to enhance overall job search strategies.
The 4 Dollar Workshop
- 1. Frank Alaniz Missouri Workforce Regional Liaison Job Readiness Training
- 2. Wordle.net
- 3. Wordle Test • Favorite Job Portal – Select 5jobs from different companies – Highlight and copy the entire job posting • Ctrl “A” then Ctrl “C” – Paste the entire posting into Wordle • Ctrl “V” • Print each posting – Change “create” to your design • Paste your entire resume into Wordle • Compare all 6 documents for Keywords
- 6. Resume
- 7. Editing
- 9. On-Line Job Applications Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) • Note: This information is provided as a general reference and does not apply systemically to all ATS programs or to all companies as a whole.
- 12. Where do résumés go after I hit send? • The first step is to make sure that you understand and follow to the letter the employer’s resume and application submission instructions. – Format…there might be a specific format they require to read your resume or to scan your resume. Maybe they want it E-mailed as an attachment or embedded in the e-mail. – They usually include these instructions within the job requisition. – Make sure you follow these steps to the letter.
- 13. Running the Numbers • A recent survey indicated that 85% of the fortune 1000 companies are now using an ATS system • Microsoft receives about 50,000 resumes a month • Starbucks attracted 7.6 million job applicants over the last 12 months for the 65,000 job openings nationwide • Proctor & Gamble Inc. received nearly a million applicants for their 2,000 positions
- 14. Did You Know? • 1 out of 3 companies do not respond to unqualified candidates • At least 75% of resumes are discarded for using the wrong words • 1 out of 10 respond to every candidate • More than 20% of the resumes are rejected for using the wrong format
- 15. On-Line Job Boards • How many of you have completed an on- line application and received “NO” feedback from the company? • Accept that the system is a black hole. You job-seekers out there know the drill.
- 16. ATS Formatting • Keywords – Make sure your application is filled with “Keywords” that come from the job you are targeting – The more specific your skill set is and the more closely it’s matched to the online ad, the greater chance you have of success – Prioritize listings that match your skill set directly
- 17. Resume |Cover Letter • Should be in a Word format. – doc vs. docx is optimal – PDF is acceptable with reservations • The only fonts that you should use in your resume are the “universal fonts”. These are the ones that open the same on PCs and Macs of all ages. These are: Times Roman, Arial, Century, MS Sans Serif, Book Antiqua, Century Gothic, or Calibri
- 18. Resume • Tailor your résumé to the listing; make sure it includes keywords • Avoid placing your contact information in the header of the resume, because filtering software could ignore headers and footers and actually delete that info • Resume Formatting – Do not have lines that run across the width of the page – Do not format using tables – Do not use borders around your resume – A one-inch margin top and bottom is best
- 19. Horror Stories • Out of every 1,000 applicants who view a job requisition only 25 will complete the application correctly and only 3-5 will be called in for an interview • Peter Cappelli, a management professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, recently noted a case after a company's resume-screening system concluded that none of the 29,000 applicants for an engineering job had the right qualifications.
- 20. Examples • Example #1: – Locally conducted an experiment in late 2011 with 50 job seekers. • Example #2 – Designed an ATS program with only one set of instructions: “Type in all appropriate information”
- 21. On-Line Application Tips • Use Keywords found in the job description • Use correct formatting • Craft a short and targeted cover letter • Save your work frequently • Print each page prior to moving to next page • Avoid using the “back” button
- 22. Additional Tips • Don’t over click buttons on slow computer • Complete blank job application • Many ATS are timed – Plan to spend at least one hour per application • Be ready to complete an online assessment (45-60 minutes) • Don’t Assume • Follow-Up
- 23. Organization Job Search LogJob Application
- 25. Click Review Apply Pray #1 Job Search Method
- 26. The Ladders have found recruiters spend an average of just six seconds looking at a resume before deciding ‘Yes' or ‘No' on candidates
- 27. Reality of Today’s Job Search • Interviewed over 180 Hiring/HR Managers – Number One Complaint • Communication Skills – Inability to articulate skills » Resume » Applicant Tracking Systems » Interviews (Telephonic | Seated) » Social Media
- 28. Culture Skills Education “Searching for the best talent that fits our culture” Senior Talent Acquisition Manager – St Louis Fortune 500 company Today’s Talent
- 29. Top Ten Signs Your Resume Needs Updating 1. The title is …… Resume 1. Make the title your name and make sure the file name is your name as well. 2. It’s only one page 1. The rule of thumb is, the longer the career, the longer the resume so go ahead and fill out what you have done and if it lands at 2 full pages that is fine (as long as it’s relevant information).
- 30. 3. You have included age, height, weight, and marital status 4. You have a photo 5. Your resume lacks social media contact details 1. To indicate how tech savvy you are, you will want to include your public LinkedIn and other professional networking details
- 31. 6. Objective Statement 1. You should focus on what you can do for the company, tune in to their WIIFM and entice them to get you in for an interview 2. The cover letter is an excellent place to tell the world your reasons for wanting this job. 7. You’ve listed all your jobs 8. Terminology 1. Focus on accomplishments
- 32. 9. References available (and happily supplied on request) 1. No need to write that in your resume, it’s only wasting space. Surely this is implied when you apply for a job anyway? 10.Submitting the same resume to each job posting 1. Your resume is a living document that needs to be tweaked, fine tuned or calibrated for each job you apply for!
- 33. 30 Second Resume Test 1) Hold the 1st page of your Resume and fold the Header (name, address, etc.) back so it’s no longer visible. 2) Fold the employment section of your resume back so it too is no longer visible. 3) What you have left is your 30 second resume review. Summary Skills Experience Education Accomplishments
- 34. Understanding Job Postings Most Job Posting contain three sections Company Information: Overview of the company mission and basic information pertaining to the company goal in hiring a qualified applicant Job Description: Overview of the position and some of the day to day job duties for the position the company is trying to fill Position Requirements: Qualifications an individual must possess prior to applying for this position
- 35. Read the Job Posting from beginning to end Select and highlight the top ten (10) items from the entire posting that you feel the employer is looking for in a qualified candidate. These selections from you are subjective and may not reflect 100% of what the employer is actually looking for. Then look at your resume…how many of the top ten items that you selected for this position are reflected in your resume and cover letter?
- 36. Resume Guide No objective statement Once you graduate move education to last item on resume Summary of Qualifications Accomplishments Skills Section It’s not about what you’ve done in the past it’s about what you bring to the table for that employer! Match your resume to the job posting!
- 37. Cover Letter Guide Complete name/address including email Date Hiring Manager ~ HR/Personnel Manager ~ Internal Point of Contact ~ Complete Name Complete Company Address Greetings Name of Position and Position Number 3 Qualifications per Job Postings Employment Gap Explanation more than 6 months Highlighted skills tailored to position Recap 3 qualifications and one qualification that you feel is your strongest not required by position Sign in Blue
- 38. Interviews • Do your homework first! • The interview starts when you arrive in the parking lot! • Turn cell off • Dress for Success! • Meet and greet everyone • Take Notes (1st Dollar) • Interview Resume (2nd Dollar) • Ask Questions • Follow-up!!!!! (3rd Dollar)
- 39. Most Harmful Common Mistakes 3,000 Employers • Answering cell phone or texting: 77% • Appearing disinterested: 75% • Dressing inappropriately: 72% • Appearing arrogant: 72% • Talking negatively about current or previous employers: 67% • Chewing gum: 63%
- 40. Interview Concerns • Candidate brought a “how to interview” book with him to the interview. • Candidate asked, "What company is this again?” • Candidate put the interviewer on hold during a phone interview. When she came back on the line, she told the interviewer that she had a date set up for Friday. • Candidate wore a Boy Scout uniform and never told interviewers why. • Candidate talked about promptness as one of her strengths after showing up ten minutes late. • Candidate took off his shoes during the interview. • Candidate asked for a sip of the interviewer's coffee. • Candidate told the interviewer she wasn't sure if the job offered was worth "starting the car for.”
- 41. Career Portfolio
- 42. Career Portfolio • Create Folder (4th Dollar) • Job Requisitions • Cover Letter • Resume • ATS • Follow-up Information • Notes
- 43. Navigating A Career Fair
- 44. #1 Mistake • Bad Breath – Careful not to drink Coffee – Don’t Smoke – Watch what you eat • It’s best to always use a strong mints before the entering the fair
- 45. Navigating a Career Fair • Career Fairs are not about Jobs they are about • These events are not about YOU and JOBS! They are about networking with companies that you would like to work for – The Job Referral was just a Bonus to the event and means that you did everything right to warrant that referral….
- 46. Business Cards • Bring Business Cards – Professionally designed business card is a must – Resumes are your second choice • Ask the recruiter which they prefer
- 47. Portfolio • Clean Tablet with a list of questions – Take good notes for follow-up – Remove the page when you’ve completed the interview with each recruiter – Have your resumes in a separate folder inside your portfolio
- 48. What to do When you First Arrive • Smiling is required – Start with the gatekeepers and others in queue waiting to enter the event – A recent study indicated that smiling faces were easier to remember • Obtain a floor plan of the event • Locate your targeted employers
- 49. Relax • Walk the room first if needed to relax and get the feel of how the recruiters are working their stations • Questions not to ask – Are you hiring – Salaries – What kind of jobs do you have
- 50. Listen • Listen to what questions are being ask of the recruiter by other candidates – Try not to ask the same question others have asked – If you did not hear the answer then indicate so and rephrase the question • Listen to what the recruiters are asking the other candidates; these same questions may be asked of you
- 51. Meeting the Recruiter • The amount of time you will have with the recruiter can vary from mere seconds to minutes. • Take notes if possible and offer your business card or resume. – When finished networking with the recruiter take a minute or two before moving to the next booth to recap your conversation
- 52. Meeting the Recruiter • Don’t be offended if the recruiter tells you that they don’t need your resume and to apply on line for positions • If you have time ask if there are any suggested tips for completing their ATS process
- 53. Before you Leave • Ask, "What is the next step?" • Request the recruiter's business card for future correspondence • In closing, shake hands and thank them for their time • Move away and finalize your notes
- 54. Follow-Up! • Thank you note! – 2-3 days after the event send a thank you note (email) to the recruiter thanking them for their time and recap your conversation (Why your notes are so important) – Attached a PDF version of your resume
- 55. Pet Peeves • Too much cologne or perfume • Weak or sloppy handshake • Walking from booth to booth picking up swag – Even worse walking up to a recruiter with a bag full of stuff and then fumbling for resume/business card stuck in the bag of nickel toys and pens from all other vendors
- 56. My Personal #1 Pet Peeve • Leaving the event complaining that there were “NO JOBS” and all the recruiters told you to go online and apply for their positions! – With the follow up statement of …“I could have stayed home and done that!”
- 57. Jobs and Career Fairs • Remember these events are not all about YOU and JOBS! This is about networking with companies that you would like to work for!
- 58. 85% of all Jobs are Found Through Networking