JOB SEARCH TIPS
Resumes
Write your resume to capture the attention of a prospective employer, stimulate interest and get you an interview.
- Produce a professional looking product—computer generated or professionally printed, organized and easy to read. You want to make an immediate favorable impression.
- Print on good quality white, off-white or light gray paper.
- Proofread, use spell check and correct all grammatical errors. Keep your presentation simple and easy to read.
- Include personal contact information (name, address, phone number, email and fax number), a clear objective, experience (company name and location, dates employed, skills, responsibilities, achievements, etc.), industry associations and education.
- Detail your responsibilities and use industry buzzwords to catch the employer's attention. Indicate skills and training that are relevant to your job search.
- Use positive, action oriented words to describe your accomplishments.
- Attach specific dollar amounts, percentages or numbers to your accomplishments and achievements.
- Do not include references—list them on a separate piece of paper and submit them when asked.
- Do not include personal information such as height, weight, age and marital status.
- Include a personalized cover letter that summarizes your skills and experience.
Tips for Answering an Interviewer's Question
- Listen carefully. If you're not sure about a question, ask for clarification before answering.
- Think about what you want to include in your response and answer honestly.
- Always stress the positives and your successes, stay away from negatives.
- Remain on track and do not ramble or give unnecessary information.
- Maintain eye contact and be aware of proper posture.
Common Interview Questions
Be prepared for these types of questions:
Personal
- Can you tell me about yourself?
- How do you measure success?
- What motivates you?
- Tell me about your short range and long range goals?
- What was your greatest achievement and greatest disappointment?
- What are some of your weaknesses?
- What constructive criticism have you received from employers?
- Is there anything else that you would like to tell me about yourself?
Work Experience
- Why are you looking for another position?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What do you know about our company?
- What do you think you can contribute to our company?
- What is your leadership/management style?
- What did you like most and least about your current position?
- What are some of the problems you have encountered in your past positions?
- How did you solve those problems?
- What do you expect to gain from this position that you did not gain from your past positions?
- Why should we hire you?
Questions You Should Ask the interviewer
- What qualifications are you looking for?
- What would I be expected to accomplish in this position?
- What are some examples of what others have achieved in this position?
- Can you prioritize the responsibilities of this position?
- Do you forsee these responsibilities and priorities changing in the near future? If so, how?
- What will be the greatest challenge in the position?
- Can you tell me about the people who have held this position in the past and what made them succeed or fail?
- Why aren't you filling this position from within?
- What is your management/leadership style?
- What are the company's strengths and weaknesses?
- How much travel is involved?
Thank You Notes
- Send a thank you note immediately after the interview. If you interviewed with multiple people, send each one a personalized thank you note—do not send the same note to each person.
- Generate the thank you note on your word processor—do not hand write.
- Emailing thank you notes is an accepted practice.
- Confirm the spelling of all names and exact titles.
- Spell check and proofread for typos and grammar.
- Reiterate your interest in the position, your qualifications, how you can benefit the company and why you are the one for the job.
- Be enthusiastic and to the point.
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