Business Cards

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Do people still have Business cards these days? The answer is yes.  Business cards are used for more than just businesses today.  They are a great way to get your name out there without a lot of paper.  It provides a quick snapshot of YOU!

• Your Name
• Phone Number
• Email
• LinkedIn URL
• Twitter Handle
• website - if you have one
• Tag Line - What about you in a quick sentence.

It's easy to do with computer software and Avery Business Card stock.  Or you can try these online sites:

• Vistaprint
• Moo
• Zazzle
• 123 Print
• Staples

In the digital age, having a digital resume located on a personal website is becoming more common.  Having LinkedIn be your source of an electronic resume is also popular - reflecting your work experience and endorsements from co-workers. Technology is great - but having that card can give you the presence of being remembered by that person even better.

How many times have you bumped into someone and wanted to exchange information.  What do you do?  Pull out your phone, create a new contact and type in their info.  Then when you go back into your phone later in time, you question - Who is this person.  I'm sure that happens more than you imagine. Having a Business Card or Personal Card is also a great networking tool for Job Fairs, Interviews, Dinner Parties, Networking events of any kind etc.  You name it you can pass it out!

Ever been to a restaurants where you drop your card in the bowl for a chance to win something?? That's right - makes it easy to participate!  Who doesn't love to win things?

Have you created your personal business card yet?

#TBT: Tom Brady's Resume

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Back 14 years ago, before he made it to the big leagues, Patriots star Quaterback Tom Brady had a resume! That's right, for #TBT a couple of weeks ago, Tom shared a photo of his post-college resume with his 2.4 million Facebook fans. The caption read: "Found my old resume!  Really thought I was going to need this after the 5th round. #tbt"

Fast forward 14 years and see Business Insider's feature of the Pro's and Con's of Tom's resume as shown right here.

Formatting your resume for today's job market can be overwhelming.  Here are a few tips for creating a stand out resume to capture your next dream job. Recruiters and managers want to know what you bring to the table, so tell them just that! Keep it brief and to the point.  A clean, clear and concise view of YOU!

What should be on the resume?

Contact Information: Make your name stand out in LARGE, BOLD Print at the top. Be sure your Phone #, Email and LinkedIn url are visible - at the top. Addresses are secondary, and take up valuable real estate.  If you do put it on - only list one.

Professional Summary: This is your "Elevator Pitch", share what value you bring to the company, along with your career goals.  Be brief and to the point.

Education: List your school, graduation year and degree(s) List scholarships and academic achievements.

Professional Experience: List your jobs chronological order - be sure you have your most recent experience on it. Don't have any gaps in time - if you do, explain it!  Better to have something than nothing at all.

Technical Skills: Summarize your technical skills and core competencies in a bulleted format.

Accomplishments and Extracurricular Activities: Share your accomplishments. List your activities; sports, clubs, volunteer work.

Be prepared to explain any section of your resume if asked for details. Check more information from Business Insider and their feature on Tom's resume here. When was the last time you updated your resume?

Let's Do This: Are you Prepared?

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Ok so you're ready to start your job search, but are you prepared for the process ahead?  

The job search process can be a lengthy and time consuming process.  Gone are the days when you have one interview and you're hired.  In today's world, the process can have many steps.  As you enter your job search I thought it would be helpful to share some of the most common steps in the interview process, along with some Tips & Tricks to help you be more prepared as you venture through the process to landing your next job.

Here is a list of the most common steps in the interview process which I will breakout into a series of blogs (which I have dubbed 'Let's Do This'....insert fist emoji here) over the course of the next couple of weeks. So here's the low down, and don't forget to keep an eye out for the next posts titled 'Let's Do This' and you'll be right on track to score that job!

• Applying  
• Screening Interviews
• Phone Interviews
• In Person Interviews
• Verbal Offer
• Written Offer

Applying:

It's important to identify the types of jobs you want to apply to and the type of company you want to work for.  Do your research to learn about the job and environment of the company before applying so you can customize a cover letter so you stand out.

That's right a Cover Letter!  Most companies expect to see one.  The goal of a cover letter is to gain their attention.  Make it stand out!  Get right to the point -  Highlight your qualifications and objective in the first sentence. Give them a snapshot of your skills by having a bullet-point list of relevant qualifications and accomplishments. Preface it with “Representative skills that make my background ideal for this position are…"

Keep it short and to the point, after all they will read your resume next.

ASK for the interview.  In the last paragraph say something like, "I look forward to learning more about (insert company name) needs and how my qualifications and experience can best be leveraged to meet those needs.  Please contact me at your earliest convenience to set up an interview." 

Thank them in a closing statement such as:  "Thank you for taking the time to review my cover letter and resume.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.".

Be sure all your contact information is on your resume and cover letter.  Proof read your cover letter and resume to ensure no errors.

SEND... and the waiting game begins.  

It could take up to a couple of weeks before you hear anything.  Be patient.  If you don't hear from anyone in 7-10 days, and the job posting doesn't state "do not call", give the Human Resources department a call to make sure your application was received, and find out the status of it.  Open the call with "Thank you for taking my call, is this a good time to speak?  I just wanted to check on the status of my application." 

Some job sites don't allow for a cover letter - when this happens, Save your cover letter as part of your resume document.  

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Do you have tips for a successful cover letter?  We would love to hear how you stand out! Stay tuned for the next 'Lets Do This Post' ... The Phone Screen.

College Career Fairs

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So your fall college career fair is coming up and you're not sure if you should go, what to bring, what to wear or what to expect.

Career Fairs are a great opportunity to present yourself to potential employers.  The cool thing is they come to you!  There will be upwards of 50+ businesses that are hiring New College Grads all vying for your attention.

So, where do you start?

1.  Do your research

• Your college will have a directory of represented businesses with a short profile of who they are and what positions are open.  This gives you the ability to research them prior to the fair, so you can pick and choose who you want to present yourself to.  
• Go to their websites and see who they are.  Most businesses have a "What's it like to work here" section on their website.  Check it out to learn more about their culture!

2.  What to Wear

• Dressed to Impress!  Based on the position you are applying for you should wear:
• Guys -  a suit and tie, dress slacks and nice button down shirt with or without a sport coat.
• Ladies - a dress suit, dress with blazer, dress slacks with a dressy blouse.

• What NOT to wear:
• Jeans, shorts, T-Shirt and sneakers or flip flops.

• First impressions say a lot about someone - you want to be remembered for the Good, not the Bad!

3.  What to Bring

• Your Resume  
• Make enough copies to pass out.
• Customize a Cover Letter:
• If you have done your research on each company, customize your Cover Letter to each company you want to speak with.  Put it in an envelope specific to them.
• Why are you interested in their company
• Why you would be a good fit for the position
• ASK for the interview - Let them know your availability for an onsite interview.
• Electronic Profile?
• If you have your resume and profile out on LinkedIn or a personal website, you can present a Contact Card directing them where they can find your resume and other information about yourself.

4.  What to Expect

Have a Plan and stick to it!

• It's going to be a mad house.  Lots of companies, people, and noise.  Don't let that scare you and don't give up!  

5.  Leave a lasting Impression!

• You will have limited time to IMPRESS - so prepare your "Elevator Pitch"/"2 Minute Commercial" about YOU!
• You want to stick out in their minds and be rememberable!  (In a Good Way)
• Firm Handshake!
• Be sure to shake the hands of each and every person you speak with when you introduce yourself, and when you leave!
• Speak Clearly and Concisely - Be Confident!
• Thank them for their time and let them know you look forward to hearing from them to schedule an interview.

In the end - Relax, be yourself and have fun!  

This is your future!