Home About Career Services Staff Action Plan (3)

Action Plan / Going After the Job 

Networking Information You've done your research and you know what you want. Now it's time to talk with real people who know what it takes - people who can tell you what it's like to work in the field. Here are some useful links to check out:

10 Steps to Making Connections - Information Interviewing
Employment Information from the University of Michigan Employment and Executive Services Office. Check out the University of Michigan's Job Postings for an intermediate move or two.

Cover Letters are your chance to really introduce yourself in the selection process. At the University they are indicated as being "Optional" for our staff positions. Take it upon yourself to make it mandatory. Many units see a lack of a cover letter as "unprofessional" and that usually means no interview.

Pointers for Cover Letters

DO:

• write it as a business letter.
  
• address it to someone. Perhaps you can do some research and discover the actual hiring supervisor; at least address it to the Employment Representative handling the posting.
  
• make sure the letter adds information and is worth the supervisor's time.
  
• help the supervisor see how the information on the resume, and other aspects of your background that are not on the resume, ties together to make you a powerful candidate for the position.
  
• proofread before sending.
  

DON'T:

• address the letter " To Whom It May Concern."
  
• speak of yourself in the 3rd person.
  
• repeat information verbatim from your resume.

Resumes Supervisors prefer the standard reverse chronological type of resume. This style gives an overview of your progress over time, reveals gaps in the work history, and should have enough substance about what you have done to help the person hiring see what you bring to the table. This is needed to answer the underlying question, "Is it worth using my time for an interview?"

The purpose of a resume is to get you to the interview. If you are getting invitations to interview, you probably have a good resume. If you are not getting the job, the resume is not the issue and you should take a look at the section on polishing your interview skills. 

back to top

A Resume should contain:

• Who are you? (Name)
  
• How & Where can an employer contact you? (Address, phone, e-mail)
  
• Optional: Your objective)
  
• Your knowledge and experience. The most important selling feature first. Example: New graduates are usually selling their degree, list it first. If you are capitalizing on your experience, list work history first in reverse chronological order.)
  
• Optional: Awards, or other information pertinent to the career.

If you really feel you must use a non-traditional type of resume, be sure you help the hiring supervisor see your skills, how you got them, and how well developed they are. A long list of skills or claims that lacks substance does not make a strong positive impression.

Some word processing programs have aids to formatting a resume built into them. For instance, recent versions of Microsoft Word have a Resume Wizard that can be helpful in the process.

When presenting yourself as the ideal candidate for a position, you don't want to add inadvertent humor. Proof read carefully and ask a trusted friend to proof it too.

For more on resumes try:
CareerBuilder.com    
The Riley Guide
Use a search engine and type "resume writing."

Interviewing techniques When you have the chance to accept an opportunity for an interview, be polite and always take it seriously.

Preparations

• Do you have enough background information about the job, the project, the program, the college? Can you reasonably get more? University of Michigan web sites are a good starting point.
  
• Do you know how to get to the interview, and where to park? How much time do you need for getting there?
  
• What will you wear? It is usually easier to be over-dressed and observe that the unit is more relaxed than to find yourself underdressed.
  
• Review typical interview questions and how you can answer them honestly and in the best light. One style of interviewing bases questions on your past actions. It is called "Behaviorally Based Interviewing." The questions ask, " Tell me a time when you . . . ." They can be quiet challenging to answer. A good interviewer will give you time to think through the question and formulate your answer. Don't be afraid to leave some dead time.
  
• Plan how you will sell yourself as being the person best able to solve this supervisor's staffing problem.
  
• Prepare questions you may want to ask. It helps to have notes in case you blank during the interview.

back to top

Preparations

• Do you have enough background information about the job, the project, the program, the college? Can you reasonably get more? University of Michigan web sites are a good starting point.
  
• Do you know how to get to the interview, and where to park? How much time do you need for getting there?
  
• What will you wear? It is usually easier to be over-dressed and observe that the unit is more relaxed than to find yourself underdressed.
  
• Review typical interview questions and how you can answer them honestly and in the best light. One style of interviewing bases questions on your past actions. It is called "Behaviorally Based Interviewing." The questions ask, " Tell me a time when you . . . ." They can be quiet challenging to answer. A good interviewer will give you time to think through the question and formulate your answer. Don't be afraid to leave some dead time.
  
• Plan how you will sell yourself as being the person best able to solve this supervisor's staffing problem.
  
• Prepare questions you may want to ask. It helps to have notes in case you blank during the interview.

Wrapping up
A Thank You Note Yes, write a "thank you." The old fashioned hand written note is generally sufficient and more personal. Depending on the position, a formal typed letter may be more appropriate. An e-mail is not acceptable unless it is for a "techie" job where e-mail is second nature to the supervisor. In any case, an actual mailed letter is more likely to be well received. Remember how easy it is to read, delete and forget e-mail? A note or letter will probably be filed with your material and linger in the supervisor's memory.

Compensation Negotiation
Salary - not usually discussed at the first interview or in depth until an offer is made, unless there is serious concern of a mismatch of expectations. Then anticipate discussion to be of a general "ballpark" nature.

Benefits at the University of Michigan - This is a set package depending on your job family. Go to the Benefits Office Website for more information.

back to top