Career Development Workshop

Quaid e Azam University, School of Management Sciences

3rd December, 2014

Hassan Arshad
Pakistan Human Capital Forum
&
Manager Talent at Ufone

About PHCF
Cultivate the grounds of growth and potential for professionals
through highlighting opportunities of:
1. Best Practice Sharing
2. Learning and Development
3. Mentoring Relationships
4. Youth Connect
Phcf.pk

Program Structure
Career Planning Model
Resume writing

Acing the Interview

Career Advice

Closing/ Questions

http://icc.ucdavis.edu/students/careerplanning

Self Exploration
Academic experiences (projects, etc)

Extra curricular activities

Internships/work experience
Reading
Career Talks
Seminars
Self Awareness Assessments
Career Guidance

Self Exploration Contd..

Planning & self-evaluation
Know your traits, skills, knowledge, abilities, limitations

Inputs from: Friends, family, Hobbies, Extra-curricular activities

What traits do you think a ---- position should have?
Increase your awareness through Corporate Exposure
Projects
Internships
Work Experience
Voluntary work
Visiting faculty
Mentors

Perceptions about exploring

careers
Looking only at 2-3 careers
Limited awareness of other avenues
Perception about those 2-3 careers:
There is more opportunity in this career
There is more status & prestige in this career - Social acceptability
Apprehension to try new things

You may be tempted to do majors in a particular field because its

hot and the job prospects and earning potential are very high.
Reality the career is hot for you if you have the required
interest, potential & the personality to meet the requirements of
the Career

Gaining an extra edge!

Academics top priority
Extra curricular activities
Foreign Languages
Computer proficiency, English concepts
Development of right set of skills
Communication

Public Speaking
Interpersonal Skills
Life Skills (handling pressures, managing stress, effective management of time,

Resume

A personal marketing tool that outlines your skills and experiences so an

employer can see, at a glance, how you can contribute to the companys
growth and productivity.
Resume is one of the most important documents of your career!

The Resume Package

Cover Letter
Resume
Picture??

References

Cover Letter
Is it important?
Should not be more than one page.
Focus on soft skill characteristics.
Connection between your skills and job requirements (university vs.
corporate).
What makes you a better candidate than others?
Emphasize on grammar, sentence structure, spelling and word choice.

Cover Letter Tips

Dont write in block paragraphs.
Be short, concise and straight to the point.
Project image of assertive, confident and action-oriented individual.
Should be addressed to an individual.
Use bullet points when needed.
Highly recommended that it not be more than of a page.
Should not be repetitive.
Inappropriate terminology (i.e. fathom, reckon, slang etc).

Cover Letter Check List

Is the letter addressed to an individual?
Has the cover letter clearly specified the position applied for and where it
was listed?
Is the letter focused, concise, clear, and well organized?
Is the font, style and paragraphs professionally presented?
Are there any spelling, grammar and typographical errors?
Have I kept a copy of the letter and resume I sent?

Types of Resumes
Chronological
Organized by job titles with the most recent position listed first.
Employers preference.
For individuals with solid experience and job stability.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A detailed, lengthy and structured listing of work experience, education,
publications, projects and awards

Essential for researchers, scientists and educationists.

Style of Resume

Design
Length
Format

Organization (Chronological or functional)

Design
A sales device used to project a positive image.

No standard template.
Name, personal information on top.

Avoid:
Overcrowding
Usage of small fonts and styles.
Inconsistencies (style, format, fonts)
Times New Roman, Arial Size 11-12
Avoid italics and fancy fonts.

Length and Format

1-2 pages maximum.

Attract attention and create interest.

Easy to follow and pleasing to the eye.
Use capital letters, underlining or bold face to emphasize important information.

Contents of a Resume
Identification
Objective (optional but recommended)

Work Experience
Education
Other categories
References

Identification
Always on the top
Should contain the following information:

Full Name

Current address

Telephone Number(s) (Landline and Mobile)

Active email address

Name should be in larger font size.

Objective

Short, concise and straight to the point.

Should clearly define your area of focus.
Be specific enough to give an element of sound career direction.
Provide different objective for every type of job applied for.
Continually reinforced and supported throughout your resume.

Work Experience

Include internships, summer jobs, military experience, consultancies,

volunteer work.
List position titles, names of organizations, locations, (city and state), dates
and duties.
Format consistency.
Emphasize on degree of responsibility, skills demonstrated and achievements.
Highlight dependability, resourcefulness, and responsibility.

Education
Chronologically listed with latest degree first.
Training programs and certifications.

Do not include High School, unless it adds value

Include Deans List, GPA
Coursework completed??

Other categories
Create categories that enhance personal value.
Categories should fit with job description.
Important categories include:

Honors/Awards/Distinctions

Computer Skills

Certifications

Memberships and Professional Activities

Workshops/Seminars and Publications

Languages

References

Optional to include comment on furnishing references.

3-5 people
References who know you professionally and academically.

Send copy of your Resume to each reference.

Resume Check List

Have I included a cover page?
Does my objective clearly align with the job description?
Do I know the specific duties and skills required for the job?
Have I mentioned the most relevant accomplishments, skills and experiences
needed for THIS position?

Do my skills and experiences mentioned provide me with a competitive

advantage over other candidates?
Does my resume look presentable, professional and error-free?

WAS I HONEST??

Resume Tips
Dos

Donts

State your job objective

Mention personal information

Keep resume simple (paper size, fonts, styles).

Fold resume!

State sex of candidate if name is generic.

Go beyond 10-15 years of work experience, unless

necessary.

If you worked for only one employer for 20+

years, individually mention each position
held.

Use inconsistent fonts

Focus on P.A.R. statements (Problem-ActionResults) e.g. Transformed a disorganized,

inefficient warehouse into a smooth-running
operation by totally redesigning the layout;
this saved the company Rs. 2,500,000 in
recovered stock.

Use the same resume for every job applied for

Hide facts

Sources
Networking
Professional forums
Online professional networks
Institutes career office / career portals
Newspapers
Job Fairs

Alumni

Acing the Interview

Company Research
Position Details
Know your CV!!

Assessment Types

Telephonic
One-on-one
Panel

Assessment Centers

Interview Techniques

Situation-based/hypothetical
Behavior-based/Competency-based
Technical
Hybrid

Acing the Interview

Donts

Dos
Be on time. Dress appropriately

Be critical about your current/last employer

Hide facts

Know interviewer's name and use it during

interview

Argue with the interviewer

Bring extra copy of your resume and list of

references

Be sarcastic with the interviewer

Remain calm
Ask for clarification if you're not sure what's been
asked
Sit comfortably but upright. Maintain eye contact

Key Skills Employers looks for??

The core Skills

What

Projects

Communication
Skills
Presentation Skills
Leadership
Initiative
Teamwork
Analytical Thinking
& Decision Making
Problem Solving
Planning &
Organizing
Working under
pressure

a
a

Sports Internships

a
a
a

a
a

a
a
a

Inter Uni
Compt
a

a
a
a

How
Volunteer Societies Events
Work
a
a

Career Advice
Make your learning greater than your experience.

Make your performance greater than your applause.

Make your gratitude greater than your success.

Make your purpose greater than your money.

Make your questions bigger than your answers.

Thank you & all the very best!

hassan.arshad@gmail.com