The Official Website of the PGA of Southern California

Employers are looking for people that are motivated, have been successful, will be successful and will always strive to make things better. They do not want “status quo.”

Employment Consultants spend a considerable amount of their time working on resumes, cover letters, portfolios and other means to assist members and apprentices in their job search. The twelve consultants are available to help, and when combined with the tools and resources available on pgalinks.com in the employment area, job seekers should be well prepared for the job search.

There are always do’s and don’ts when capturing an employer’s attention and I like to say “let’s get to it very quickly.” Too many resumes and cover letters simply take too long to capture the employer’s interest. If an employer averages 20 seconds or so to decide if your resume and/or cover letter go in the “interested” pile, you had better get to it. Here are some things to consider:

What is more important, the resume or cover letter. Many say the cover letter is since the resume is a list of data and statistics and the cover letter provides you with an opportunity to inject your personality. Also, in a cover letter you can precisely match your qualifications to job requirements and/or to the facility to a degree that is difficult on a resume. Choose no more than five points where you feel your qualifications directly make you a standout and highlight the specifics of those in your cover letter. Use your cover letter to “connect” to that type of facility, the location or area, and why you are interested in that particular position. Make sure to “hit the hot buttons”.

“THE FOOL TELLS ME HIS REASONS, THE WISE MAN PERSUADES ME WITH MY OWN.”

I found this information helpful when building the anatomy of a memorable resume.

1. Format- Start out using 11 or 12 point font.  If you are a PGA member, use the logo next to your personal contact information at the top of your resume. The logo can be downloaded from pgalinks.com and adds color and professionalism.
2. Adding a tag line further promotes your skills and gives you a quick snapshot of brand value.
3. Provide a Summary of Qualifications- This valuable summary appears at the top of your resume and immediately highlights why you qualify for a position when you tie it directly to the “hot buttons” on the employment posting. There are several ways to write the summary. Consider bullet points to list accomplishments that apply specifically to the job.
4. Job History- If your resume goes back past 10-15 years, you can simply state the company or facility name and position unless the information is critical to your resume presentation. Make sure to highlight the successes or achievements that hit “hot buttons”. Quantify achievements using numbers, statistics and percentages. Show how you have made your former positions better because you have worked there.
5. Education- degrees and certifications are becoming more critical than ever in the golf industry. If you are CPP certified, here is an opportunity to show how you stand out amongst your peers. Include any certifications or degrees that are applicable to your career. Even seemingly unrelated degrees can be valuable to employers as in the case of sales and a psychology degree.
6. Additional activities or volunteer time show you continue to improve your skills and value outside of the workplace.

Additional points to consider

1. Many job seekers interrupt the search process because they believe they are close or will get a job offer. Keep your options open and apply and interview for multiple positions.
2. Don’t be fooled by a job posting. It may not sound like your dream job but how would you know if your do not interview. If an employer states a compensation range on the posting, many times it is not specific. You can negotiate and often can increase the compensation range significantly within the first year.
3. Do not use your business e-mail address on your resume. Employers may think that job seekers will not hesitate to use the employer’s equipment for personal use.
4. Ensure you check with your references and know what they will say.
5. During your interview, you will be evaluated on your appearance, dress, and all materials presented. Your personal and professional presentation will indicate your habits if hired in a particular position. Do not discount good habits. Practice your posture, demeanor, and answers to questions.
6. Develop a portfolio which illustrates programs you have designed that have been successful. You can send the portfolio pre-interview giving those an opportunity to review it beforehand rather than sifting through it during the interview.
7. Send a simple thank you note of four to eight sentences thanking the interviewer for their time and restating your interest in the position.
8. What will an employer learn about you online? You should know what is out there and available about you on social media that employers will review.
9. Study the employment area on pgalinks.com including the Career Fitness Manual and the Job Hunters Toolkit. The employment area includes samples of resumes and cover letters as well as additional tools and resources for job seekers. Consult with your Employment Consultant who can assist you with this information and more.

When seeking employment, it is not about you and your need for a job, it is about the prospective employer and their need to run a successful and profitable business. Your resume and cover letter should address how you can improve their business profitability and levels of service through growth and enjoyment of the game of golf.

Ken Ferrell, PGA serves as the PGA Career Consultant for the Southern California and Aloha Sections.  He can be reached at 951-894-5024 or by e-mail at kferrell@pgahq.com.