Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills
True or False: Hard skills are more important to hiring managers than soft skills.
False!
Hard skills and soft skills are important to hiring managers. They are looking for well-rounded employees!
What is a resume?
A resume is a summary of your work-related experience and qualifications, a tool that hiring managers use to decide which candidates to interview/hire, and a chance to show employers that you're the right person for the job.
True or False: It's possible to send the same cover letter for several job applications.
False!
Cover letters have to be tailored to the specific job application/company/position.
What is a reference?
A reference is someone that can speak to your experience and skills. Hiring managers will call your references to get more information about you as a candidate.
True or False: You should turn your phone off before walking into an interview.
True!
You want to avoid any unnecessary distractions like notifications, calls, or texts.
True or False: Hiring managers can assess your hard skills by looking at your resume, cover letter, and job application.
True!
Hard skills are technical, so hiring managers can tell what your hard skills are by seeing your certifications and past experience!
How long should a resume be?
1 full page
After you write your cover letter, what should you always do before you send it?
Proofread! Double-check your own spelling and grammar. Ask someone to read it, check for mistakes & give suggestions.
True or False: Your reference cannot be related to you (ex: family members).
True!
References should be professional contacts, (in most cases) you can't have a family member give a reference for a job.
True or False: Your body language matters in an interview.
True!
It's important to have good posture and show that you are eager and focused through your body language when meeting with an interviewer.
True or False: You have to wait for a job interview or your first few weeks on the job to show your soft skills.
True!
Soft skills are people/interpersonal skills, so you have to meet people in-person to show your soft-skills.
True or False: You can list unpaid work on your resume.
True!
Feel free to list unpaid work, volunteer work, job shadows, or other "unofficial" jobs as experience, especially if they are relevant to the jobs you are applying for or if you don't have paid work experience.
True or False: Your cover letter should complement your resume and highlight more information instead of just repeating what's already there.
True!
This is your chance to introduce yourself and your strengths in a more personal way (more than just bullet points)!
Who could you use as a reference?
Previous manager/boss, co-workers, guidance counselors, teachers, CCAP case managers, etc.
What kind of attire is usually appropriate for an interview?
Business Casual (button down shirt, polo, dress pants/slacks, etc.)
Name 2 Hard Skills
Examples: Microsoft Office, Google Suite, computer skills, social media management, coding/programming, operating machinery, marketing, data analysis, bilingualism
Name 1 optional section in a resume.
Languages, Skills, Extracurricular Activities, Honors & Awards, Certifications
What should you include in your cover letter?
The position you're seeking, your interest in the job, your experience/skills, your contact information
True or False: You should include your references on your resume.
False!
Most job applications ask for your references and their contact information online or on the paper form. You can also make a reference sheet to attach to your job application or bring into your interview.
What should you bring with you to an interview?
A copy of your resume and references
Name 3 Soft Skills
Examples: communication, flexibility, initiative, teamwork, leadership, integrity, awareness, presentation, problem-solving, respect, responsibility, time management
What are the required sections in a resume? Hint: there are 3!
Contact Information, Education, Experience
Name 3 parts of a cover letter.
Examples: heading, greeting, introduction, body paragraph, closing paragraph/contact information, signature
True or False: References are the most important part of your job application.
False!
All parts of your job application are important because they offer different information and perspectives. While you describe your qualifications in your resume, cover letter, and interview, your references can describe how you work for other people, what you are like as an employee, if you actually are a hard worker, etc.
What are 3 ways you can prepare for an interview?
Pick out your outfit beforehand, practice common questions, prepare questions, find the location, arrive early