Hostos Community College

Catherine Palmiere, Author“Unlocking the Door to Your Career”

Catherine Palmiere, President Adam Personnel, Inc.

Adam Temporary Services, Inc.

Palmiere Career Services

Be your best YOURemember, when you are looking for a job, everything you do, including how you present yourself, will be evaluated by a recruiter. It is the little things you do that will make you stand out among your competition.

A Few Interview Tips

• Dress for success• Avoid speaking poorly about a former employer• Have several copies of your resume• Bring your references with you• Be at the interview ten minutes early (no more, no less)• Be ready to turn a negative into a positive• Remember to be yourself (after all, everyone else is taken)

“Success means having the courage, the determination and the will to become the person you believe you

were meant to be.”

- George Sheehan

SUCCESSSuccess

Cover Letters

Cover letters are vital because…

They highlight your written communication abilities and demonstrate that you have a vast understanding of the company and the position.

In addition… Often, your competition won’t take the time to send a thank you letter, which puts you way ahead of the pack!

Be 100% sure you proofread it before sending. I recommend reading the letter from the bottom up. It helps to find errors.

4 Spaces

Your Street AddressCity, State Zip Code

Month Day, Year

4 Spaces

Mr./Ms./Dr. Last NameTitleName of OrganizationStreet or P.O. Box AddressCity, State Zip Code

2 SpacesDear Mr. /Mrs. /Dr. Last Name:

Opening Paragraph: State the reason you are writing and how you learned about the opening.

2nd Paragraph: Tell why you are interested in the position you are applying for. Be specific. Indicate that you know about the company and/or about the position you are applying for. Mention specific qualifications and skills that relate to the job and the value you bring to the position. This is a great opportunity for you to state your accomplishments and achievements. Be sure to mention that your resume is enclosed.

3rd Paragraph: To convey your interest in the company and position, request the opportunity to interview. State that you would be happy to provide any additional information needed. Do not forget to thank the employer for his or her consideration.

2 SpacesSincerely,

4 Spaces (Your hand written signature)

Your name typed

Send a Thank You!

Thank You … Two Powerful Words Send a warm and gracious email AND a hand-written thank you card to everyone you met with. It will speak volumes about your authenticity and remind them that you were an amazing potential hire too.

Thank You Letters

Sealing the Deal:

• Thank-you letters can land you the job.• Thank-you letters are vitally important but

are often overlooked. • These letters are part of the job interview

process.

Tips for Thank You Letters

Here are five helpful hints regarding thank-you letters:

• View your thank you letter as another selling tool.• Reiterate your qualifications, express your desire for the job,

and highlight any qualities not addressed in the interview.• Proofread and proofread again. Errors are the fastest way to

disqualify you from consideration.• It is acceptable to send a thank-you note via e-mail. This may

even be the preferred way; especially if you are aware that the company wants to fill the position quickly.

• Remember, a well-written resume gets you in the door. A good interview sells you to the employer, and a thank-you note can seal the deal in landing the job.

Responsibility

"If you want to be really successful, and I know you do, then you will have to give up blaming and complaining and take total responsibility for your life -- that means all your results, both your successes and your failures. That is the prerequisite for creating a life of success.“

– Jack Canfield (Author of The Success Principles)

Rejection Letters• We all wish we landed every position we interview for.

Unfortunately that is not realistic.

• It’s important to remember that one day you may be in a position to interview, to follow up with the candidate and to send out a rejection letter.

Remember the following:

• How you treat candidates that you do not make a job offer really does matter.

• Sending a rejection gives a candidate closure, builds good will for your company and keeps the door open for communication with candidates for future positions.

Tips for Rejection Letters

Points for rejection letters:

• Personalize your letter with the candidates name and position they applied for.

• Be professional and gracious.• Don’t write something you don’t mean. For example if you

know they would not be a fit for future positions do not encourage them to apply for other positions.

• If you feel a candidate would be right for a different department, encourage them to apply to that department.

• Do not write something that can come back to haunt you.• This is your chance to make the candidate think favorable of

your company even though they didn’t get the job.

Sample Candidate Rejection Letter

Date

Name of CandidateAddress of Candidate

Dear (candidate name):

First paragraph: Mention you have interview a number of candidates and have determined another candidate’s qualifications are more suited to the department. State your purpose of the letter is to let them know they have not been selected.

Second paragraph: Thank them for interviewing at (state name of your company). Express that you enjoyed meeting and talking to them.

Third paragraph: Let them know they can apply (if that is your policy) to positions in the future.

Fourth paragraph: Wish them well and thank them for their interest in your company.

Sincerely,

SignatureTitle

Resignation Letters

Resignation letters are used when you are resigning from a job.

They should be professional.

They should also be short, get right to the point and never say anything in writing that can come back to haunt you.

Sample Resignation Letter

Date you hand in your letter

Manager’s NameCompany NameCompany Address

Dear Mr. / Ms. / Dr. Last Name:

This is my formal notification that I am resigning form (company name) as (job title).

(Date) will be my last day of employment.

Please let me know how I can help to make a smooth transition to a new employee.

Thank you for the opportunity to work at (company name). I wish you and the firm continued success.

Sincerely,(your signature)

cc: (anyone else who may be getting copies of your letter)

“Unlocking the Door to Your Career”

Whatever your age or educational background, you will find guidelines here to help you succeed. You will be able to use the information and tips in this book to help you to obtain positive results. Our goal is to make the process of finding a job as simple and as easy as possible.

Yes, One Amazing Workbook Can Change Your Life

This book will provide you with the assistance you need to:

• Complete a self-assessment worksheet• Write professional award winning resumes• Write cover letters that apply to specific positions• Complete pre-interview checklists• Assess acceptable dress codes and professional attitudes• Execute post-interview checklists• Locate and explore employment opportunities

These guidelines will assist you in communicating effectively and efficiently in the marketplace.

Self-Assessment

Self-Assessment

Your ability and competence in eight areas of workplace skills can be evaluated using the reflective self-assessment exercise. The skill set is as follows:

human relations, personal effectiveness, communication, leadership, supervision, strategic thinking, planning, and computer skills.

Resume Writing Points

The dictionary defines the word resume as, “a brief written account of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experience.”

In real world terms, your resume is the primary selling tool used to convince a potential employer to invite you to interview. This is an important first step, since your resume should get you to the employer’s door.

Ultimately, it is your interview performance and a follow-up thank-you note that will land you the job.

Although a resume will not get you a job, it will put you in the running with the competition.

Sixty Seconds

Adam Personnel, Inc., conducted a survey of 50 human resource recruiters (including members of the Adam Personnel staff) and found that it takes a recruiter only 20 to 60 seconds to read each resume.

What does this mean? It means that there is less than one minute for your resume to get an employer’s attention.

Effective Resumes

In order to make your resume effective, you need to keep in mind four objectives:

Attention Interest Desire Action

A: First, you want your resume to attract attention, so it will stand out.

I: Second, you must show that your background is of interest to the employer.

D: Third, you want a potential employer to desire to speak with you.

A: Fourth, you want the company to act and contact you for an interview.

Resume Points • Point #1: Length• Point #2: Eliminate Errors• Point #3: Honesty• Point #4: Appearance• Point #5: Computers• Point #6: Use High Quality Paper• Point #7: Summary• Point #8: Communicate Your Accomplishments with Action Verbs• Point #9: Toot Your Own Horn• Point #10: Write Several Drafts• Point #11: Types of Resumes• Point #12: Send Your Resume To Many Places• Point #13: Handling Rejection

Job Search Ways to Find a Job:Networking is the number one way to find a job.

Make a list of personal, professional, social, and educational associates.

Contact them and ask the following networking questions.

– Do you know any companies that might be hiring someone with my skills and education?

– Do you know of someone who can put me in touch with someone who can help me? If the response is negative, follow up this way. Ask, “if you don’t know anyone hiring can you put me in touch with someone who can help me?”

– Contact these referrals and ask the same questions.

Job Search Ways to Find a Job:

• Join business associations and attend networking events.

Find associations and events, and attend their meetings and functions.Connect with your local Chamber of Commerce.

• Do volunteer work.(This is a great way to gain experience and make contacts.)

• Become an intern. (This is also a great way to gain experience and make connections.)

Job Search

Business oriented social networking websites are great ways to make new connections.

• www.facebook.com • www.linkedin.com• www.ryze.com• www.spoke.com

Job Search

Contact employers directly and respond to ads directly.

Advantages• Expresses your enthusiasm to a potential employer.

• A well-written cover letter, resume, and follow-up call can get you an interview.

Disadvantages• You have to have strong communication and follow-up skills.

• You have to become your own salesperson.

Job Search

Job Search Engines & Resource Boards

Over 40 listed in my book

“Unlocking the Door to Your Career”

Job Search

Post Your Electronic Resume On-Line

An electronic resumes should include all of the following:

• Keyword section

• List of skills

• Easy to read font

• Avoid graphics, lines, bullets, paragraph indents, centering, or tables

Job Search – Staffing Firms

Staffing Firms

Advantages

Starting as a temporary employee can lead to a full-time position. Staffing professionals know where the openings are. Staffing professionals have strong business relationships and can

often get you an interview.

Disadvantages

Many potential candidates apply for the same positions. Competition is very strong.

Job Search – Career Coaches

A career coach is a trained professional who guides clients in planning and managing career choices. Many career coaches are certified by a coaching association.

Advantages

Offer career assessment tools Assist with resume construction Provide career planning Role play interview scenarios

Disadvantages

Charge a fee

Q U O T E

To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and

your business in your heart

Thomas Watson, Sr., Founder IBM

The Interview

Remember, the interview starts as soon as you send out your first resume.

Pay attention to the following details:• Cell phones and/or home machine recording should have a professional

message and should not play music.• A professional e-mail address is necessary.• Check your e-mail and voice mail regularly for messages.• Return calls and e-mails immediately.• When returning calls, be sure you are in a quiet place without

distractions.• When receiving a call, move to a private location.• Always have a pen and pad on hand to take notes.

What is an Interview?

It is a personal meeting with an individual who has the authority to hire or supervise you.

Job interviewing can be a stressful experience. You may feel qualified for a position but do not know how to convey that to an employer. The main reason candidates fail is their lack of preparedness for the interview.

Helpful tips:– Be prepared. Research the company via the Internet.– Dress for success.– Bring several extra copies of your resume.– Bring a list of references.– Complete the application form in its entirety.– Be on time.– Provide a firm handshake.– For a complete list, refer to my book.

APPROPRIATE DRESS ETIQUETTE

• No matter what the atmosphere, conservative or casual, always dress conservatively.

• From our research carried out at Adam Personnel, Inc. and Adam Temporary Services, Inc., which conducted a survey of 50 human resource recruiters, “When you first meet someone, it takes less than three seconds to form an opinion about that person.”

• Read my book for the complete list

Interview Day!

Interview Day Checklist

Questions to ask on an interview

Post Interview checklist

Read my book to learn more

YOU’RE HIRED!

Once you land that perfect job, it is important to:

• Know what employers want

• An employee should want to learn new things

• An employee should enjoy working as part of a team, yet have the ability to work independently

• An employee should feel comfortable to ask for direction when needed

• An employee should be punctual and not a clock watcher

• An employee should have excellent computer, interpersonal, and writing skills

• An employee should not use the internet to surf at work

• An employee should not use their cell phone, business phone or text message while at work

• An employee should be not take their personal issues to the office

• Overall, employers want an employee to have a strong work ethic and be motivated

FIND ME and MY FREE RESOURCES

Follow me on my social networks to get daily tips and join my Facebook Group for free tools and support.

• Facebook: Your Personal Coach

• Weekly Radio Show: www.BlogTalkRadio.com/jobmentor

• Linkedin: YourCareerMentor@Gmail.com

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/jobmentor

• Blog: http://www.yourcareermentor.blogspot.com

Your Most Important Entrepreneurial Tool: Personal Development

DiSC = Blending your behavior with your optimism to achieve success

10 Minutes of Your TimeBegin a Lifetime of Learning and Success

www.PalmiereCareerServices.com

"Unlocking the Door to Your Career"

Well known NY CEO, Catherine Palmiere announced recently that her eagerly-awaited book on finding the perfect job is now in production.

The book is titled Unlocking the Door to Your Career: Guidelines to Finding the Perfect Job and Taking Charge of Your Life. This is the first book for Ms. Palmiere, CEO of Adam Personnel, Inc. and Adam Temps, and President of Palmiere Career Services. Ms. Palmiere also teaches at the Grace Institute in Manhattan and writes the popular blog Your Career Mentor: Catherine Palmiere.

A fantastic gift for graduates! To purchase a signed copy of Ms. Palmiere's book, visit

http://www.PalmiereCareerServices.com and click the “Buy Now” button.