Petaluma students missed out on an informative discussion group that aimed to give students insider tips and better tools for their job search.

Led by Career Services Advisor Suzanne Papa and Regional Recruiter for Nelson Staffing Jill Sheehy, the job discussion group had only two attendees. However, the low turnout did not faze Papa.

“I think it went well,” Papa said. “I think we covered the things people wanted to know.”

Basic tips included focusing resumes for specific jobs, using cover letters to wow employers, employing many different job search techniques and networking effectively.

“Enticing the employer with your cover letter and resume gets the interview,” Sheehy said. “It makes me want to call you.”

It is important to use language that highlights specific skills. Terms like “results oriented professionals” are meaningless to employers, according to Sheehy.

Other tips included using social networking sites like LinkedIn and making business cards as a job seeker.

“I liked the business card idea,” said Larry Williams, a former AutoCAD draftsman who has been unemployed almost a year. “I run into people and never have anything to give them.”

Another way to get noticed by hiring managers is to take a technological step backwards and send a cover letter and resume through the mail in addition to email. Hiring managers might receive 200 emails and 2 pieces of mail each day. Letters are more memorable, according to Papa.

The SRJC job board has also been redesigned and is accessible only to students. The website will host a virtual career fair in mid-October. Visit the SRJC Job Board or the Virtual Career Center  for more information.