Presentation for USF class on Monday, April 9, 2012

1. Jennifer Fisher
Full Time Program Manager
Part Time Wanna be Rock Star

3. Bachelor of Social Work degree
Master of Business Administration

7. By day I am the Program Manager for the
Graduate Retention Program at the Greater
Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce

16. I am the Lead
Singer, Business
Manager, and
“wanna be country
music rock star”
in the band
Sugar Shot

21. FINDING A JOB OR INTERNSHIP
“The Quick and dirty, Get down to it, All you
ever wanted to know about getting noticed
by employers” speech

22. Be a SUPER candidate

27. Resumes - The Basics
Should highlight your skills and qualifications
Looks are just as important as content
DO NOT USE A PRE-EXISTING TEMPLATE
Know your audience
Always include a cover letter
Spelling and grammar mistakes will kill your chances of
getting noticed so check it, have someone else check it, and
then check it again!
1-2 pages (one for now)
Customize your resume every time you send it out!
Rather than a generic objective statement, put together an
action oriented opening

28. First, Why Follow Up???
1. It demonstrates initiative and interest in a position
2. You can verify that your resume was received and not lost in a
spam filter somewhere
3. It can help you stand out in the crowd of qualified candidates
When Should I Follow UP?
 Generally within 2 weeks of sending your resume
How Do I Follow Up?
 Email the hiring manager (Quick way to remind them to look for
your resume)
 Send a typed letter (Great for reiterating why you’re a good fit)
 Send a hand written note (only if you have good handwriting)
 Call (make sure you rehearse what you’ll say)
"Hi, my name is ______ and I submitted my resume for
your ______ opening. I'm extremely interested in this
opportunity, and I just wanted to touch base with you on
how I can benefit your operation..."

30. Making an impression
INTERVIEWS

31. RESEARCH THE COMPANY YOU ARE
INTERVIEWING WITH
Check out their website
The more that you know,
the more they will listen
Know how your skills
can help their company
Be prepared with questions for
them based on your research

32. SWOT Analysis
•What do you have to offer an •What are areas that you feel
organization? you need to improve on?
•What sets you apart from other •What steps are you taking to
candidates? ensure that these weaknesses
•Keep it professional! do not affect your work?
Strengths Weaknesses
Opportunities Threats
•Based on what you know about • What are barriers you have
the organization, what identified based on what you
opportunities do you see for know about the organization?
yourself there?
•What do you see for your
future? (1 year plan, 5 year
plan, etc.)

34. If you Remember Nothing Else
…Remember This!
Be Prepared
Smile
Firm handshake
Be Courteous
Answer this question before you go in…
“What is one thing you want them to remember about you
during your interview?”
Get there early, take time to relax

35. SEND A THANK YOU LETTER
 Within 24 hours of you interview
• Typed letter
• Hand written card
• Email
• Send a thank you letter to everyone you interview with
 It’s likely that many other candidates will also send a letter,
so be sure to utilize other follow up strategies
Haven’t Heard Anything a Few Weeks Later (or by the
date they gave you)?
 Send another hand written note indicating your interest
 Call the person you interviewed with (after the timeframe they
gave you)
Tip
 Get business cards printed up and provide one when you
follow up. It’s a great way to get noticed and keep your
information fresh and interesting.

36. Always be professional and don’t follow up more than once a week!

37.  Send a follow up letter thanking
them for letting you know about
your status. Let them know you’re
still interested in their company
 Keep looking, a rejection is
not the end of the world so
don’t take it personally.
 Consider asking the
person who interviewed you
for advice on how to make
yourself a stronger candidate
 Look for ways to make yourself a
stronger candidate…take a class, join a
professional organization, practice
your interview skills, clean up your
online profile

38. According to a recent survey by the Department of
Labor, networking accounts for at least 69% of all
annual hires.
Networking is one of the BEST ways to find
a job or internship.

45. You can’t win the
lottery, if you don’t
buy a ticket!

46. Jennifer Fisher, Program Manager
jfisher@fwchamber.org
www.twitter.com/jenfisherfw
Graduate Retention Program
www.fwchamber.org/grad
www.indianaintern.net