Resume Tips

 

One of the largest challenges that job seekers face is creating a resume that will capture the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds.  The purpose of your resume is to get you an Interview.  To create a resume that will do this you need be strategic.  Hopefully you find these tips helpful, Enjoy!

 

• Resumes should stay between one and three pages.  When a resume looks like a novel, it is very discouraging to reader as they are meant to be understood at a glance.
• Stand resume practice is one page for every 5 years of work experience.
• Fancy fonts can be distracting, hard to read and take away from your message.  Use a basic font such as Times New Roman or Arial.
• Now is the time for you to retire your internships or anything before them if you have more than 5 years of experience.
• Remember that a lot of resumes are opened on mobile devices where there isn’t a full visual unless you scroll down.  Is the first third of your resume captivating?
• To get started you need to choose a simple format and be consistent throughout the entire document.

 

Summary

• Highlight who you are professionally and how that is applicable to the position.
• Review the job description and requirements, and then tailor each (yes, make different ones for separate jobs) summary to the position you apply for.
• Use this as a space to express how you are valuable and qualified for the position. It’s always a good thing to appear ambitious and precise.
• It can also be tempting to list EVERYTHING you’ve ever done, but try to identify what is desired for your future role.

 

Professional Work Experience

• List your titles per job, company, and length of time in chronological order, starting with your current position.
• You want to list the direct experience and accomplishments per job that are relevant. Ask yourself what did you do, and answer with how those aspects pertain to your potential future job.
• Use real life examples accompanied with strong but never repetitive verbiage. Be sure to reference actual situations or measurements of success instead of just describing.
• Stay away from generic and vague statements, and explain how you impacted your role!
• Software, list off Microsoft Office Products you have experience with, and any other relative software you have used, Databases, CRM’s, ERP’s, etc…

 

Education

• Put your education last on your resume, unless you have less than 5 years of experience, then place it at the beginning.

 

Professional Activities

• If you have awards, community involvement, “extra-curricular activities”, a skill set that DIRECTLY applies or is asked in the job requirements list it here. It is great that you have hobbies, but unless it directly applies do not include it.

 

Revision

• After you have reviewed and completed your resume, revise it one more time.
• Always print it out, and have a couple different people edit it for suggestions and punctuation. That one misspelled word or duplicate sentence could be the tipping point on the scale between you and another candidate.

Appearance Tips

 

First impressions are everything!  How do you dress for an interview?  You can never over dress for an interview but you can always under dress!

 

• Perception is how we are recognized and remembered by people, so your first task is to decide which lasting impression you want to leave behind.
• Many employers still favor a traditional and classic presentation. Think attire in the solid, neutral or dark color palette.
• No matter which outfit you choose make sure it is clean, not torn or missing any buttons
• Ill-fitting garments unintentionally convey lack of preparation and insincere interest which is not how you want to come across when meeting a potential future employer. Over time the suit that once fell just right may not fit as well, or the skirt you chose right off the mannequin might rise or fall just beyond the professional mark.
• Always do a “sit-down test” in front of a mirror before casting any final decision.
• Choose an outfit that you are comfortable in as it allows you to exude more confidence which positively effects your overall presentation

 

Men

• • • Conservative suit with white or coordinating button down Belt

• • • Tie
    • Dark Socks
    • Professional, polished shoes
    • Limited jewelery
    • Neat, professional hairstyle
    • Unscented aftershave
    • Clean, trimmed nails

 

Women

• • • Conservative suit with coordinating blouse
    • Professional dresses
    • Nude panty hose if legs are showing
    • Conservative heels or power flats
    • Limited jewelery (none if cheap or broken)
    • Styled professional hair
    • Light and natural make-up
    • Neat, no chipped polish - think natural or neutral

 

• If you choose to incorporate colors or patters, do so with taste. A bright pattern or bold color can create a favorable contrast when paired with a dark counterpart. Whether it’s a statement necklace, a mandarin blouse or pin-stripe pant, always remember to just pick one.
• Skip the cologne or perfume.
•  Unless you are told specifically to dress casual, do not assume it is ok.

 

Interview Tips

The most intimidating part of the job search for most people is the interview.  Remember that it is just a conversation between 2 people getting to know each other and talking about previous work experiences.

 

• Make sure you give yourself enough time to get there early, and leave any beverages from the car ride in your vehicle.
• Compose yourself as desired in the nearest bathroom before walking in if you can.
• Leave your cell phone in your car or turn it off prior to entering the building.
• Bring a leather portfolio with you.
• Have multiple copies of your resume inside the portfolio
• Research the company prior to the interview, know their mission statement and company history.
• Always utilize the time when they ask if you have any questions.  Have pre-written questions you want to have answered, however DO NOT bring up salary or benefit questions.  Sensible go-to questions are ones surrounding the company culture, day to day responsibilities or the interviewer’s career.  See below for some of our favorite sample questions:

• What prompted you most about my resume to bring me in for an interview?
• What is it that you like most about this company?
• What caused you to work here?
• What is the training process?

• Do not chew gum during an interview. However, having a breath mint is always advisable right before you walk in the door.
• Never ask for something not offered, e.g., if they offer coffee, do not ask for soda.
• Be friendly and shake hands with anyone who greets you.
• While waiting, sit quietly and don’t draw unwanted attention to yourself by texting, talking on your phone, listening to music or reading magazines – just wait patiently.
• Once you are called in try to keep appropriate posture, and be ready to remain attentive. Eye contact is very important, and you want to make sure you are giving your full and undivided attention.
• Maintain professionalism no matter how warm or welcoming your interviewer may be. This is an interview, and you do not want to get too personal.
• Do not panic or interrupt over extended pauses and silences. This is especially true on phone interviews as they may be jotting down notes or follow up questions.
• When asked questions give specific answers, and do not generalize. Try to remember the STAR formula: Situation/Task, Action you took, Result produced.
• If you do not understand a question, always ask for clarification. Do not try to figure out what the question was while you have already started to answer.
• Always stick to the question at hand, and do not to go off on tangents. Focus is key.
• If a time comes where you have to say no, compensate with a positive alternative!
• At the end of the interview always be sure to thank everyone in the room (by name if you can!) and shake hands.
• Ask for next steps, or if you feel comfortable ask for the job!Always ask for business card or at least write down their name and e-mail address.  As soon as you get home send a personalized thank you e-mail to them.  If you desire also send a handwritten, but always do e-mail.  Its ok to do both.