How do you "sell yourself" when applying for jobs?

[Lachesis00]

What's the best type of resume layout? What do you accentuate on your job history? How about a cover letter? How do I sell myself so I can get a good job?

I am in need of some serious help. I am going back out on the job market. I had my previous job almost 7 years. Before that I had a seasonal job 5 years (infact the 2 over lapped by 3 years).

I would shoot for a temp agency but I am kind of scared. (How would one find temp agency here in AZ?). They test you for typing speed (I know it's over 60 and once clocked at 98 w/3 errors, years ago) and office products. I have a severe test anxiety. I can use the programs well but... :/ I'd bomb if tested.

I am open to any advice you guys might have....

 

[sk8belle]

Tailor your cover letter and resume to the job you are applying for. Look over the ad you are responding to, pick out the required skills that match the ones you've got and be sure to 1-mention them in your cover letter and 2-that you phrase those skills just like they are mentioned in the ad. This will draw the recruiter's attention to you. If you are applying online or if the company uses a computer program to screen resumes, these "key words" will let the program flag your resume for a recruiter. In a case like this, emphasize your work skills on the resume.

Don't be afraid of a temp agency. When you have to take those computer tests with them, you sometimes get a trial run or two before you take a final test. That might help ease your nerves. The agency I used to work for would let its employees come in on their days off to take the test again to see if they would test higher.

Good luck!! After having recently gone through the process myself, I know how tough finding a job can be.

sk8belle

 

[mudnuri]

Boy I wish I could help you!

My job I start on the 14th, I did not bring my resume, as my previous experience had nothing to do with the new position.

I went in, filled out an application, only puttin on my current job...as the others had no "bonus" points for me. My current job is 3 years in management, with 20+ employee's under me.

I got an interview, called that same day, and was able to smooth talk through it.

The interviewer was limping- finally I asked what he did to his leg- seems he crashed his motorcycle- small talk beginning....found out what he rode- told him about DH's new bike...JOB ACED...(thank god he bought that bike LOL)

Further into the interview- back in his office- noticed pictures of his kids- looked same age as mine...started talking about the kids- they are the same age.

Moved into a discussion about the temperature at the warehouse- well, freezer 7-15 below zero at everytime...moved into the fact that I ski every weekend, with the girls...

BOOM- he skies- kids want to start, since I teach lessons- asked me about that etc.

i'm not good at typing resumes- but boy it's the sale that matters! I have found that resume's are a dime a dozen- if you can someway get beyond that first step into the interview you can sell yourself.

Of course- I'm in no way an expert. I'm sure those HR people here will tell ya resume's count. LOL

Brandy

 

[Lachesis00]

I need to do up a resume and cover letter first :/ Man I hate this. No wonder I never easily quit my previous jobs!! I didn't wanna job hunt.

 

[caitycaity]

Tailor your cover letter and resume to the job you are applying for.

and also, please do some research about the company you are applying for. questions are ok, but not questions like: "so what is it that your company does again?" i interview a lot of people for my job and you wouldn't believe some of the questions we get.

 

[disneyatl]

My piece of advice has to do with the actual interview. If the job is something you are definitely interested in....don't be afraid to say it. Tell them that you would be a great asset to the company and you want the job. You have nothing to lose by telling them you are truly interested.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

To keep yourself in the interviewer's mind, make sure you ALWAYS send a thank you letter after the interview. It's also a good way to reinforce your strong points and help sell yourself.

 

[totalia]

Two years of college and massive attempts at writing resume's and cover letters and I still don't know how to "sell yourself" on it lol.

I went to a professional at my college and had it done (it was free ). Now I just adjust the one I have to fit what I need and that seems to be working perfectly.

 

[Lachesis00]

Once I get the resume and cover letter written I should be OK. I am pretty good at interviewing. It's snagging the interview I am worried about.

 

[barbeml]

First off, I love your "fateful" screen name!

A resume these days needs to be short and to the point. Even tho it seems like work, your resume needs to be customized to the particular position. Use bullet points and words that show ownership of accomplishments, such as "Created" "Implemented" "Designed" "Solved" as you describe your work history. Such terms really paint a picture of your capabilities.

Do a little homework. If a job interests you, try to find out more about the company or organization on line. If you are sincerely excited about working for them, it will come across in interviews and you will have enough info to write a cover letter that conveys enthusiasm.

If you score an interview, answer questions by telling stories that illustrate your problem solving skills and creativity. Prepare by thinking about past jobs and how you handled problems and sticky situations. I was able to convince a newspaper to hire me for a retail sales position even though I had no "traditional" sales experience. I sold them by describing how I convinced a committee to buy in to the course of action I suggested. Of course, I knew I could produce and I did. Don't ever lie or go for a job you don't really want.

Take some time to think about "non-work" achievements. Be confident in what you do best--are you the person everyone comes to for advice? Then you are probably a good problem solver.

I have worked with a lot of interns lately, and the qualities I look for are good communications skills (grammar, descriptive answers, no fear of writing) and interpersonal dynamics (eye contact, empathy, humor). I can teach the right person the specifics of what I need, but some qualities are innate.

Good luck!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by mudnuri
Boy I wish I could help you!

My job I start on the 14th, I did not bring my resume, as my previous experience had nothing to do with the new position.

I went in, filled out an application, only puttin on my current job...as the others had no "bonus" points for me. My current job is 3 years in management, with 20+ employee's under me.

I got an interview, called that same day, and was able to smooth talk through it.

The interviewer was limping- finally I asked what he did to his leg- seems he crashed his motorcycle- small talk beginning....found out what he rode- told him about DH's new bike...JOB ACED...(thank god he bought that bike LOL)

Further into the interview- back in his office- noticed pictures of his kids- looked same age as mine...started talking about the kids- they are the same age.

Moved into a discussion about the temperature at the warehouse- well, freezer 7-15 below zero at everytime...moved into the fact that I ski every weekend, with the girls...

BOOM- he skies- kids want to start, since I teach lessons- asked me about that etc.

i'm not good at typing resumes- but boy it's the sale that matters! I have found that resume's are a dime a dozen- if you can someway get beyond that first step into the interview you can sell yourself.

Of course- I'm in no way an expert. I'm sure those HR people here will tell ya resume's count. LOL

Brandy

You've done A LOT of what I've always been told NEVER to do! LOL!

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by Lachesis00
Once I get the resume and cover letter written I should be OK. I am pretty good at interviewing. It's snagging the interview I am worried about.

Make sure your resume pops out to the person reading it. When I re-did mine, I started with a "Summary of Qualifications" (which I tailored to each job I applied for), listing 5 or 6 key qualifications in bold print.

This was followed by a concise, well-tailored career statement that summarized me and indicated the position I was looking for (which just happened to match their job opportunity!).

In the experience section, I detailed only the top 3 or 4 major accomplishments, but like barbeml said, I used big action words. Each one also briefly indicated the value to the company (eg., Saved $45,000 in cost overruns; Reduced voided/wasted forms by 37%, etc.). Stay away from listing responsibilities like a job description.

Keep it short, simple, easy to read but noticable.

 

[Lachesis00]

Originally posted by Pin Wizard
You've done A LOT of what I've always been told NEVER to do! LOL!

 

[Lachesis00]

Originally posted by Pin Wizard
You've done A LOT of what I've always been told NEVER to do! LOL!

 

[Lachesis00]

Originally posted by Pin Wizard
You've done A LOT of what I've always been told NEVER to do! LOL!

 

[Lachesis00]

Any advice on a cover letter?? I have the resume done but I need to tweak it still.