Job Interview Tips Resume Writing Tips

Target That Job
Job Interview Tips
Resume Writing Tips

Friday May 18, 2012

Interview Basics

Researching Companies

Before you begin to think about how you will dress for the interview, or answer questions, you should do your homework. By that I mean gather as much information about the employer as you can. Not only will you appear informed and intelligent, it will also help you make a decision if a job offer is eventually made.

Practice, Practice, And Then Practice Some More

You want to seem somewhat spontaneous, but you also want to appear self-confident. The way to do that is to rehearse, not exactly what you will say, but how you will say it. A great method is to rehearse in front of a video camera. Study your posture, the way you make eye contact, and your body language. If you don't have a video camera, a mirror will do. Have a friend do mock interviews with you.

Dressing For The Interview

Appearance is very important and whether we like it or not, it is the first thing people notice about us. You should match your dress to employees in the workplace in which you are interviewing and probably take it up a notch. For example, employees wearing suits means prospective employees in suits; employees in dress pants and dress shirts or skirts and blouses means prospective employees should still wear suits. If dress is very casual, those being interviewed should wear dress pants and dress shirts or skirts and blouses.

Establishing Rapport

Since the interviewer's job is to make sure that not only your skill, but your personality as well, is a good match, you must establish rapport with the person or persons interviewing you. That begins the instant you walk in the door. Let the interviewer set the tone. Nothing is as awkward as offering your hand and having the gesture not returned by the other person. Therefore you should wait for the interviewer to offer his or her hand first, but be ready to offer your hand immediately.

Body Language

They say that body language gives more away about us than speech. Eye contact is very important but make sure it looks natural. A smiling, relaxed face is very inviting. Hands resting casually in your lap rather than arms folded across your chest also is more inviting. If you normally move your hands around a lot when you speak, tone it down some. You don't want to look too stiff, but you don't want to look like you're a bundle of nervous energy.

Answering Questions

When it comes down to it, isn't this the main point of the interview? Speak slowly and clearly. I tend to speak very quickly, so this is something I must pay careful attention to when I am on an interview. Pause before you answer a question. Your answers will seem less rehearsed and it will give you a chance to collect your thoughts. Keep in mind that a very brief pause may seem like an eternity to you. It's not.

Asking Questions

Usually toward the end of the interviewer, the person conducting it will ask you if you have any questions. You should have some. You should ask about what a typical day would entail. You could also ask what special projects you would be working on. As in every other aspect of the job search, you are trying to show the employer how you can fill their needs. By asking about a typical day on the job or special projects, you are putting yourself in the job and showing the employer how you will satisfy the employer's needs. Don't ask about salary, benefits, or vacations, as those all imply “what will you, the employer, do for me?”

Following Up

This is something that is too often neglected. It's the thank you note or follow-up letter. It is your chance to reiterate something you mentioned on the interview or bring up something you forgot to mention. It is also a nice gesture and a simple matter of politeness.

Resume Writing Information

The overall appearance of your resume must make the employer want to read it.
Your resume layout must be modern, professional, and eye-catching.
Information must be organized for easy reading. When the recipient first glances at it, key skills and accomplishments must be easily seen. Remember, five to twenty seconds is all your resume gets.
Does the quality of the print look great? Don't mix fonts. Highlight and capitalize relevant job titles.
Quality paper is a must. Avoid coloured paper as most recruiters prefer white, ivory, or beige. If you are faxing the resume, use only white paper.
There must be no typos or grammatical errors. Remember, this is an indication of your best work.
Your writing style must be clear and concise. Do not use inappropriate jargon or slang.
Statements should begin with action verbs, and should communicate results, accomplishments, and the value you can offer the company.
Verb tenses must remain consistent. Sentences must be parallel.
If including a career objective, make sure it is clear and well-written. Your resume should focus on this objective if you want it to accomplish its purpose.
Are your strengths relevant to the objective, and do they stand out? The reader must see that your qualifications are what the company is looking for.
Stress accomplishments and skills, rather than responsibilities and job duties.
Make sure you show the reader that you are a troubleshooter and can solve the company's problems. Include examples and quotes from previous supervisors..
Include community, volunteer, or unpaid work experience that might be relevant to the position you are seeking.
Keep your resume to one page if possible. However, it is imperative not to leave out relevant points. It's common for job seekers with less than seven years of experience to have only one page.
Keywords and industry buzzwords are a must. Use these words in your resume to ensure it arrives in the "Yes" pile.

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