SAMPLE SUMMARY STATEMENTS A results-oriented manager with extensive experience in sales and administration. Special strengths in project management, developing cost effective programs and building strong functional teams. A dynamic leader focused on the bottomed line with highly developed interpersonal and presentation skills. Over twenty years of successful sales, sales management and account management experience. Proven negotiating strengths and versatility in dealing with a wide variety of products, services and markets. Special expertise in identifying and developing sales opportunities and resolving customer problems. Excellent communications, presentation and interpersonal skills. More than 16 years management experience in budgeting, project management, security and facilities services. A strong team leader with comprehensive involvement in total quality processes and exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Broad supervisory experience in several customer service and administrative support functions. Strengths include adaptability, problem resolution and organizational skills. A conscientious professional adept at developing and maintaining customer satisfaction. A proven leader in management of both people and resources. An effective, empathetic communicator with superior skills in organization, problem analysis and resolution, and achievement of team goals. Over 15 years of diverse staff and management positions with expertise in supervision of customer service and claims processes. A resourceful, results-Oriented professional focused on maintaining superior customer and employee relations in a fast paced environment. More than 15 years experience in office processes and supervision in increasingly responsible positions. A knowledgeable and goal oriented team player who develops and maintains strong working relationships and solves tough problems. Strengths include the ability to complete multiple tasks simultaneously, effective systems development, and organizing workflow. An experienced customer service manager who surpasses goals by maintaining consistently superior customer satisfaction ratings. Result-oriented team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as highly developed negotiating skills. Diversified background in planning, development implementation and operation of programs, businesses and services. Exceptional analytical, planning and negotiating skills.. Special ability to coordinate complex business details and elicit cooperation of multiple decision makers in a highly competitive environment.Mock Interview Questions Name of Interviewee: Name of Interviewer: Questions Rating: Excellent, Good, Improvement Opportunity Tell me about yourself What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses? How do you rate yourself as a presenter? Cite examples of accomplishments where you have been an excellent communicator. How do you keep subordinates, colleagues, bosses, and clients informed? ‘What did you like least in your last position? What type of work interests you? Describe your three most significant accomplishments. Tell me about a time you failed and the impact it had on you. What is the minimum salary you would accept? What is more important-money or the job itself? Why? Tell me why you would be a good team player. How would your previous supervisor describe you? How do you motivate team members? How do you cope with change? Tell me about your most difficult decision. How do you handle conflict with others? What values drive you in your professional career? How do you personally define success? What has been your toughest professional challenge? What professional experience has been most valuable to you? What.consideration have you given to further enhance your performance and personal growth?Resume Guidelines Do’s and Don'ts The ultimate purpose of a resume-is to get you in front ef the interviewer. In order. to.do so, you'll needa resume that is concise, easy to read, and showcases your unique talent, skills and abilities. By following these guidelines, you will be well on your way to an effective, door- opening resume. V Do’s White/beige paper Boe lie Times Roman or Arial font 11pt or 12 pt font White space Include Accomplishments, not just job duties Include contact info (phone, email, address) Include years of employment only Include a Summary statement Past tense action verbs Write summary in 3” person Periods at end of bullets Capitalize all words in summary bullets Include a Technical Summary Include email address Include total years with company as well as years for each position | Include key words that highlight your experience and qualifications as well as those that match industry lingo Proofread, proofread, proofread Have a scannable, text and word doc version Use only words needed to convey the message—you can fill in the blanks in the interview. X Don’ts Color paper Include personal info Use personal pronouns Include an objective “References Available Upon Request” Include months Include graduation dates Exceed 10-12 year work history Exceed 2 pages Use template “Responsible for....” High school Parenthesis Pronouns Staples Salary requirements or historyACTION VERBS FOR ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEME! Action verbs tell-a prospective employer what you do. They imply energy, motive purpose and end results. When you write your accomplishments, make sure to us action verb fo describe your activity. | Accelerated Established Persuaded Stressed Accomplished Evaluated Planned Stretched Achieved Expanded Presented Structured Administered Financed Processed Succeeded Analyzed Forecast Produced Summarized Approved Formulated Programmed Superseded Budgeted Founded. Promoted Supervised Built Generated Proposed Systemized Completed Headed Provided Terminated Conceived implemented Purchased Traced Conducted Improved Recommended Tracked Consolidated Improvised Recruited Traded Controlled Increased Redesigned Trained Converted Influenced Reduced Transferred Convinced innovated Reorganized Transformed Coordinated Installed Researched Translated Created instituted Revised Trimmed Cut Introduced Scheduled Tripled Delegated invented Serviced ~ Uncovered Delivered Launched Set up Unified Demonstrated Led ir Unraveled Designed Maintained Sold Utilized Developed Managed Solved Vacated Devised Motivated Sparked Verified ‘Directed Negotiated Spearheaded Widened Doubled Operated Staffed Withdrew Eaimed Organized- Started Won Edited Originated Streamlined Worked Eliminated Performed Strengthened WroteHow do you begin looking for a job? One of the primary tragedies of a slowdown in our economy is that as money becomes tight companies have to “tighten their belts” financially in order to remain competitive, and in some cases it is necessary in order for them to remain solvent. All the excess expenditures have to be trimmed and overhead has to be reduced. Nevertheless, many times money cuts in overhead and expenses are not enough. It is at this point that companies generally choose layoffs or downsizing as the next step in an effort to make ends meet. At this point laid-off employees must decide whether to start looking for another job. If the layoffs are seasonal or temporary, they probably should consider fill-in temporary work until they get called back to work by their employers. However, if the layoff is indefinite or permanent, employees need to begin a new job search. How to start As you begin your job search, there is no way to guarantee immediate success. It will take a focused and persistent effort on your part. Seeking God's direction through prayer is the most important thing to do during this time. Attitude will also be very important, and the best way to maintain a good attitude is to keep the big picture in perspective. This will be a time when you can see firsthand whether you really trust God or you just say that you trust God. Identify your objective A clear objective enables you to eliminate jobs that do not match your talents or abilities, and it will help you identify components of jobs that are consistent with your strengths. Categorizing your strengths, weaknesses, abilities, likes, and dislikes will help solidify your objective. e Based on your strengths and abilities, list the occupations for which you are best suited. * Describe the ideal company for which you would like to work (mission, work activities, organization, environment, processes, and values). ¢ List at least five companies that meet your specifications for an ideal company for which to work. ¢ List at least five companies for which you would not work. Develop a résumé Target your résumé to focus on your objective. The résumé needs to communicate quickly, clearly, and accurately your objective, qualifications, experience, and accomplishments. The résumé is generally the first impression of you and is therefore extremely important for any successful job search. If résumés are sent by mail, they should always be accompanied by cover letters... Develop a reference pool Compile a list of people who know something about your work ethics, habits, experience, performance, and history. Select people who will feel comfortable speaking positively and specifically about you. These references should be divided into three categories: character references, job performance references (boss or high level colleague in former job), and professional expertise references (clients or competitors).List several in each group, and then contact each one by phone. Discuss your situation with them and ask for their permission to use them as a reference. Refine your list to two references from. each category. Network The most effective method of finding a new job is through your contacts. These could include family members, friends, business relations, business contacts, and church family. Respond to classified advertisements Although many companies place advertisements in newspapers, Web sites, and elsewhere in their recruiting efforts, you should be aware that only 10 percent to 15 percent of positions available are advertised. For this reason you shouldn't feel that you have exhausted your job search options just because you might have answered all the classified employment advertisements. Investigate employment agencies and search firms Both employment agencies and search firms tend to specialize in certain kinds of jobs, such as engineering, finance, marketing, or research. Employment agencies and search firms represent businesses, not job seekers. In most states, agencies are regulated and are not allowed to charge clients for placement, or they are not allowed to charge until placement. Avoid those who charge an up-front fee. Search firms are contracted to fill specific needs of companies—generally high level positions. Consider temporary employment One of the fastest growing business concepts is the temporary employment service. The employer benefits by having someone to fill a need that may or may not become permanent, so many companies will hire temporaries before permanent employees. However, keep in mind that many temporary positions turn into permanent employment if you are a good employee. Consider consulting/contracting If you have experience in a particular area and feel confident that you could use that experience and provide a service to companies or businesses, you might want to consider independent contract work or private consulting. Follow a daily schedule If you are unemployed, your job search is your work. Set goals and deadlines for carrying out your strategy. Make yourself accountable by using deadlines. Develop a written schedule and spend six to eight hours a day looking for a job. Then when you return home, relax, get a good night's sleep, and start again the following day. Conclusion In addition to supplying our physical needs, work plays a very important role in our spiritual lives (Colossians 3:23-24), Therefore, throughout your job search, you'll want to be open to God's leading. It is God's will for us to work in order to support our families, so let Him direct your steps. Resource: Crown Financial Ministries http://www.crown.org