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Resume writing tips
How to handle the phone interview
How to handle the face-to-face interview
Answers to common interview questions
What to wear to an interview
Resume
writing tips
A resume, no matter how good, will not get you a job by itself. However,
a good resume will attract the attention of the hiring manager help and secure
a job interview. The purpose of a resume is to disclose your accomplishments
and qualifications to a potential employer. If the employer likes what
he/she sees, he/she will contact you for a face-to-face meeting.
Think of your resume as a promotional brochure about you. You need to
show a potential employer what you have accomplished and where your experience
lies. Your strategy should be to emphasize the experience and skills that
a particular employer is looking for.
Your resume is also an example of your communication and organizational
skills. A well-done resume is itself another reminder of what kind of
valuable employee you would be. Likewise, a sloppily produced resume is
a terrific way to get yourself taken out of the running before it even
starts.
Here are some tips to help you build a successful resume:
Keep it concise.
Employers have lots to do, so don't make the mistake of asking them to
read through an unnecessarily long resume. A long, wordy resume will put
off someone who is already short on time. Resumes should be one page,
if possible, and two if absolutely necessary to describe relevant work
experience. A two-page resume is no advantage if it's full of information
that isn't reasonably applicable to the position you're applying for.
Use the space only if you need it to fully disclose your accomplishments.
Make your words count.
Your use of language is extremely important; you need to sell yourself
to an employer quickly and efficiently. Address your potential employer's
needs with a clearly written, compelling resume.
- Avoid large paragraphs (over six or seven lines). Resumes are often scanned by hiring managers. If you provide small, digestible pieces of information you stand a better chance of having your resume actually read
- Use action verbs such as "developed," "managed," and "designed" to emphasize your accomplishments.
- Don't use declarative sentences like "I developed the..." or "I assisted in..."; leave out the "I."
- Avoid passive constructions, such as "was responsible for managing." It's not only more efficient to say "Managed," it's stronger and more active.
Make the most of your experience.
Potential employers need to know what you have accomplished to have an
idea of what you can do for them.
- Don't be vague. Describe things that can be measured objectively. Telling someone that you "improved warehouse efficiency" doesn't say much. Telling them that you "cut requisition costs by 20%, saving the company $3800 for the fiscal year" does. Employers will feel more comfortable hiring you if they can verify your accomplishments.
- Be honest. There is a difference between making
the most of your experience and exaggerating or falsifying it. A falsified
resume can be easily spotted by an employer (if not immediately then
during the interview process), and if it doesn't prevent you from getting
the job, it can cost you the job later on.
Don't neglect appearance.
Your resume is the first impression you'll make on a potential employer,
and a successful resume depends on more than what you say; how you say
it counts as well.
- Check your resume for proper grammar and correct spelling-evidence of good communication skills and attention to detail. Nothing can ruin your chances of getting a job faster than submitting resume filled with (easily preventable) mistakes.
- Make your resume easy on the eyes. Use normal margins (1" on the top and bottom, 1.25" on the sides) and don't cram your text onto the page. Allow for some breathing room between the different sections. Avoid unusual or exotic font styles; use simple fonts with a professional look.
How to
handle the phone interview
You just got word that you landed a job interview with a company that
really interests you -- only there’s a slight catch.
You won’t be meeting with your interviewer(s) face to face. Instead,
you’ll be taking part in a phone interview, the results of which
will determine whether you’re invited to meet with company representatives
in person.
Many companies use phone interviews as an initial employment screening
technique for a variety of reasons. Because they’re generally brief,
phone interviews save companies time. They also serve as a more realistic
screening alternative for cases in which companies are considering out-of-town
(or out-of-state and foreign) candidates.
So the chances are pretty good that, at some point in your job hunt, you’ll
be asked to participate in a 20- to 30-minute phone interview with either
one person or several people on the other end of the line. In many ways,
the way you prepare for a phone interview isn’t all that different
from the way you’d get ready for a face-to-face interview -- save
for a few slight additions to and modifications of your list of preparation
tasks.
Here’s what to do:
Treat the phone interview seriously, just as you would a face-to-face
interview.
A phone interview seems so informal on the surface that it can be easy
to fall into the trap of "phoning it in" -- i.e., not preparing
for it as well as you would for an in-person interview. Don’t get
caught with your guard down. Be sure to research the company, study the
job description, and practice your responses to anticipated questions,
just as you would for any other interview.
Have your resume and cover letter in front of you.
You’ll almost certainly be asked about some of the information that
appears on these documents. You might also want to have in front of you
any supporting materials that relate to information in your resume and
cover letter, like documents you’ve designed or written, a portfolio
of your various projects, or the written position description from your
key internship.
Make a cheat sheet.
Jot down a few notes about the most critical points you want to make with
your interviewer(s). Are there certain skills and experiences you want
to emphasize? Do you have certain interests or passions you want your
interviewer(s) to know about and understand? Be sure these pieces of information
appear on your crib sheet. Then touch on them during the interview, even
if your only chance to do so is at the end of the session when the interviewer
asks you if you have any questions or anything to add.
Get a high-quality phone.
This isn’t the time to use a cell phone that cuts in and out, or
a cheaply made phone that makes it difficult for you and your interviewer(s)
to hear and understand each other.
Stand up, or at least sit up straight at a table or desk.
Again, there’s a psychological, frame of mind aspect to consider
here. But on a more tangible level, research has shown that you project
yourself better when you’re standing up, and you'll feel more knowledgeable
and confident.
Phone interviews can be tricky, especially since you aren’t able
to read your interviewers’ nonverbal cues like facial expressions
and body language during the session -- a big difference from the typical
interview. But if you prepare well for your phone interview, you won’t
need to read anyone’s nonverbals to gauge your performance. You’ll
know for sure how you’ve done because you’ll be invited to a
face-to-face interview, where you’ll have yet another opportunity
to prove you’re the best person for the job.
How
to handle the face-to-face interview
Practice your answers to common questions. Likewise, prepare a list of
questions to ask the employer. Most interviews follow this pattern: First,
you answer questions about your experience and qualifications, then you
ask questions about the job.
Prepare your interview materials before you leave. Bring several copies
of your resume, a list of references, and, if appropriate, any work samples.
Make sure they are all up-to-date.
Dress professionally and comfortably. You will be judged in some respects
by what you wear. When in doubt, dress conservatively.
Before the Interview
- Be on time. Being on time (or early) is usually interpreted by the interviewer as evidence of your commitment, dependability, and professionalism.
- Be positive and try to make others feel comfortable. Show openness by leaning into a greeting with a firm handshake and smile. Don't make negative comments about current or former employers.
- Relax. Think of the interview as a conversation,
not an interrogation. And remember, the interviewer is just as nervous
about making a good impression on you.
During the Interview - Show self-confidence. Make eye contact with the interviewer and answer his questions in a clear voice. Work to establish a rapport with the interviewer.
- Remember to listen. Communication is a two-way street. If you are talking too much, you will probably miss cues concerning what the interviewer feels is important.
- Reflect before answering a difficult question. If you are unsure how to answer a question, you might reply with another question. For example, if the interviewer asks you what salary you expect, try answering by saying "That is a good question. What are you planning to pay your best candidate?"
- When it is your turn, ask the questions you have prepared in advance. These should cover any information about the company and job position you could not find in your own research.
- Do not ask questions that raise red flags. Ask, "Is relocation a requirement?", and the interviewer may assume that you do not want to relocate at all. Too many questions about vacation may cause the interviewer to think you are more interested in taking time off than helping the company. Make sure the interviewer understands why you are asking these questions.
- Show you want the job. Display your initiative by talking about what functions you could perform that would benefit the organization, and by giving specific details of how you have helped past employers. You might also ask about specific details of the job position, such as functions, responsibilities, who you would work with, and who you would report to.
- Avoid negative body language. An interviewer wants
to see how well you react under pressure. Avoid these signs of nervousness
and tension:
- Frequently touching your mouth
- Faking a cough to think about the answer to a question
- Gnawing on your lip
- Tight or forced smiles
- Swinging your foot or leg
- Folding or crossing your arms
- Slouching
- Avoiding eye contact
- Picking at invisible bits of lint
After the Interview
- End the interview with a handshake and thank the interviewer for his or her time. Reiterate your interest in the position and your qualifications.
- After the interview, send a brief thank-you note. Try to time it so it arrives before the hiring decision will be made. It will serve as a reminder to the interviewer concerning your appropriateness for the position, so feel free to mention any topics discussed during your interview. If the job contact was made through the Internet or e-mail, send an e-mail thank-you note immediately after the interview, then mail a second letter by post timed to arrive the week before the hiring decision will be made.
Answers to common interview questions
"Tell me about yourself."
Make a short, organized statement of your education and professional achievements
and professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for
the job and the contributions you could make to the organization.
"Why do you want to work here?" or "What about our company
interests you?"
Few questions are more important than these, so it is important to answer
them clearly and with enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in
the company. Share what you learned about the job, the company and the
industry through your own research. Talk about how your professional skills
will benefit the company. Unless you work in sales, your answer should
never be simply: "money." The interviewer will wonder if you
really care about the job.
"Why did you leave your last job?"
The interviewer may want to know if you had any problems on your last
job. If you did not have any problems, simply give a reason, such as:
relocated away from job; company went out of business; laid off; temporary
job; no possibility of advancement; wanted a job better suited to your
skills.
If you did have problems, be honest. Show that you can accept responsibility
and learn from your mistakes. You should explain any problems you had
(or still have) with an employer, but don't describe that employer in
negative terms. Demonstrate that it was a learning experience that will
not affect your future work.
"What are your best skills?"
If you have sufficiently researched the organization, you should be able
to imagine what skills the company values. List them, then give examples
where you have demonstrated these skills.
"What is your major weakness?"
Be positive; turn a weakness into a strength. For example, you might say:
"I often worry too much over my work. Sometimes I work late to make
sure the job is done well."
"Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?"
The ideal answer is one of flexibility. However, be honest. Give examples
describing how you have worked in both situations.
"What are your career goals?" or "What are your future
plans?"
The interviewer wants to know if your plans and the company's goals are
compatible. Let him know that you are ambitious enough to plan ahead.
Talk about your desire to learn more and improve your performance, and
be specific as possible about how you will meet the goals you have set
for yourself.
"What are your hobbies?" and "Do you play any sports?"
The interviewer may be looking for evidence of your job skills outside
of your professional experience. For example, hobbies such as chess or
bridge demonstrate analytical skills. Reading, music, and painting are
creative hobbies. Individual sports show determination and stamina, while
group sport activities may indicate you are comfortable working as part
of a team.
Also, the interviewer might simply be curious as to whether you have a
life outside of work. Employees who have creative or athletic outlets
for their stress are often healthier, happier and more productive.
"What salary are you expecting?"
You probably don't want to answer this one directly. Instead, deflect
the question back to the interviewer by saying something like: "I
don't know. What are you planning on paying the best candidate?"
Let the employer make the first offer.
However, it is still important to know what the current salary range is
for the profession. Find salary surveys at the library or on the Internet,
and check the classifieds to see what comparable jobs in your area are
paying. This information can help you negotiate compensation once the
employer makes an offer.
"What have I forgotten to ask?"
Use this as a chance to summarize your good characteristics and attributes
and how they may be used to benefit the organization. Convince the interviewer
that you understand the job requirements and that you can succeed.
What
to wear to an interview
For women:
- A straight-forward business suit is best.
- Wear sensible pumps.
- Be moderate with make-up and perfume.
- Wear simple jewelry.
- Hair and fingernails should be well-groomed.
For men:
- A clean, ironed shirt and conservative tie are a must.
- A simple jacket or business suit is a good idea as well.
- Shoes should be polished.
- Face should be clean-shaven; facial hair should be neatly trimmed.
- Hair and fingernails should be well-groomed.
- Use cologne or after-shave sparingly.
- Bring pen and notepad to jot down any information you may need to remember (but don't take notes during the interview).