SSQ: Career Night

Resume Rework and Interviewing

Tips
 Introductions

Aaron Smith
– Sr. Technical Recruiter, Adecco Engineering
and Technical

Sharonna Clishem
– Cardinal Health On-
On-site Manager, Adecco
Engineering and Technical
 Quick Adecco Overview:

As a leading global provider of
engineering and technical workforce
solutions, Adecco Engineering &
Technical offers a comprehensive
array of services, including:
 Temporary and contract staffing
 Direct Placement
 Training and consulting

We have 3 Engineering & Technical
offices in Southern California
 Current Climate

Layoffs are on the rise:

– Following a year where 2.6 million people lost their jobs, 2009 has
unfortunately begun with a continuation of this trend with 598,000 job
losses in January according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

– The IT industry posted a total of 10,000 job losses in March. The

sector’s unemployment rate is at 5.2% a record high since 2004 but still
much lower that the national average which is at 8.5%. According to
the Labor Department, in the past nine months U.S. companies have
cut about 380,000 IT jobs and employment is down 7% from its level of
one year ago.

Intuitive employers are still positioning themselves for long-

long-term
success by making sure they have the right people in place when
the economy comes back around
 Some things you should think
about:
Being laid off can be a traumatic and stressful experience,
but with the right approach and tactics, displaced
workers can go from out of work to identifying their next
career opportunity quickly and effectively

Don’t panic
– Our first reaction is normally to go into a state of alarm. This can
often lead to non-
non-strategic decisions and missteps.
– Let the news set in and take the first few days to gather your
thoughts and develop a plan. You should approach your job
search like you would a project at work, with plans, timelines,
targets and deliverables clearly mapped out.
 Some things you should think
about:

Network, network, network
– It's times like these that your professional and
personal network can be the most helpful. Get
out there and let people know you're looking
for a new job/career.
– In fact, networking today is easier than ever
with social networking sites -- both personal
and professional -- that you can use to update
people on where you are and what types of
opportunities you are seeking.
 Some things you should think
about:

Be open-
open-minded.
– As you pursue a new opportunity don't just limit
yourself to one industry or functional area. Think
about your transferable skill set and where else you
could apply your experiences.
– Also, while looking for permanent work, think about
pursuing a temporary or project assignment in the
interim. Temporary and part-
part-time positions often
serve as paid auditions for permanent, full-
full-time
opportunities.
 An increasing number of employers are hiring temporary
employees to help control costs
 Some things you should think
about:

Refine your resume
– There are three common mistakes people make with
their resumes: too long, too wordy and unfocused.
– A resume should indicate who you are as a
professional, what skills you possess and most
importantly how you would add value to a company.
– And, it should utilize achievement statements to
demonstrate how you have helped previous
employers achieve their goals.
 Quick Tips – Resume Flow

No Objective Needed
– If the objective doesn’t exactly match the position open this
acts as more of a reason to disqualify a candidate
– Summary is ok

Education
– List College Degrees earned
– Partial college hours do not need to be listed.

Professional Certifications
– Be able to back these up some employers like to see the
certifications.

Resume should only be 2 pages long. No one wants to read a

book.
 Quick Tips – Resume Flow

Work History
– Only go back ten years ago. (Due to rapid advancements in technology,
stuff you did 30 years ago is really irrelevant)
 List your most recent position first

– Make sure to put exact dates so the length of service can be

determined.
 Use months and years. Example 04/2009

– Highlight cost savings

– Major accomplishments

– Installs, Upgrades etc…

– List items that only you are responsible for in your department.
 Something that sets your apart from the rest.

– Use industry specific terminology and phrases, if that is the type of

position you are seeking.
 Example if you are in the Medical Device industry and you work on FDA
regulated material be sure and list that.
 Quick Tips – Resume Flow

Closing
– List references available on request
– Don’t not list your references’ names and numbers.
 You need to value your references’ time. You don’t want others
calling those references with other motives.

Please proof read and have someone else review

Interviewing Techniques and Tips:

Prepare for the interview
– Research the company
– Read the full job description
– Know who you are interviewing with
 Human Resources – more of a
characteristics/personality interview
 Manager
Manager-- Technical interview
Interviewing Techniques and Tips:

Practice Interviewing
– Role play with spouse, friend, relative etc…
– Think about questions that might be asked that might
stump you
 Example: Most successful moment
 Weakness?
Weakness?-- Everyone has one then explain how you
overcome it
 Why are you leaving your company? Don’t be negative
about current company or supervisor
– Example-
Example- ready to expand and learn something new or break
into new technology
 Why are you the best person for the job? Go over your
qualifications from the job description that you read before
your interview.
Interviewing Techniques and Tips:
It takes 7 subsequent meetings to
change a first impression…...

Dress for Success
– Shine Shoes
– Iron Clothes

Firm hand shake
– NO DEAD FISH

Make Eye Contact
Interviewing Techniques and Tips:

Answer Questions Directly and Honestly
– Be brief (Remember the 3 minute rule) Don’t go off
on any tangents

What questions do you have?
– Make sure you ask a question. It shows your interest
in the company.
– A good question to ask is – What is your highest
priority in the next six months and how can someone
like me help?
– What are the common characteristics of your top
people?
 Managers tend to hire in their own likeness
Interviewing Techniques and Tips:

DO NOT ASK – Salary, Benefits, hours, parking
in the first interview. It is inappropriate.

Follow Up
– Email a follow up / Thank you letter the same day as
your interview.
– It might just be the difference between you and
another candidate.
– Reinforce qualifications
– Clear up any awkwardness that may have occurred in
the interview.
Questions
 Thank you!
Contact Info:

Aaron Smith, Sr. Technical Recruiter

Aaron.smith@adeccona.com
(858) 576-
576-6922

Sharonna Clishem, On-

On-site Manager
Sharonna.clishem@adeccona.com
(858) 617-
617-5234