career management associates

Resume and Interviewing Tips

Following are a few thoughts for your consideration regarding resumes and interviewing. While each job search and career transition is unique, there are some well-agreed-upon principles. Categories below include:

YOUR RESUME - A SALES TOOL

A resume frequently makes possible - or facilitates - a job interview, and without an interview, you cannot expect to receive a job offer. As such, it becomes an indispensable sales tool - a distillation of your work history in an attractive and engaging summary form. But summaries are often dull and matter of fact, so you'll need to add a little spice - a spark of life - to attract a reader's attention. Of all the elements that make up a good resume, it will inevitably be your 'results - oriented accomplishment statements' that will ignite the reader's interest in you as a candidate.

Objective Statement

Although there are differing opinions on the subject, we suggest that a statement of objective not be included on the resume. Your job/career objective is a subject for your cover letter.

It's quite possible that you'll be considering two or more job or career objectives at the same time. If that's the case, and you state an objective on your resume, you'll need to have several different resumes - and that could come back to haunt you more than once (let's say a company receives two or three versions from different sources - what do you say and do then?).

If You Already Have a Resume

Do you need a new resume? Here are some points to check against your current resume to help you determine whether or not it needs rewriting:

  • Does your resume begin with what we call your 'footprint', a brief summary of your experience, special talents, and skills?
  • Are your "Accomplishment Statements" crisply written, with quantifiable results? (e.g. How many dollars/ man hours saved, etc.?)
  • Is your resume over-written (too wordy)?
  • Is it limited to one or two pages in length (it should be!)?
  • Would a reader get a sense of your personality, or is it cold and impersonal?
  • Is the layout of the resume balanced, easy-to-read, and pleasing to the eye?
  • Can a reader clearly and easily discern the type of jobs/functions you are qualified to fill?
  • Do your selling points come across effectively?
  • Is your resume clean and neat, free of typographical errors and/or misspellings?
  • Is there anything about your resume that is not clear -- isn't easily understood? Let an objective outsider make this decision.

SELECTING A RESUME STYLE

There are two styles -- the Chronological resume and the Skill-based Functional resume. Choose the style that suits you best.

The Chronological Resume

If you are...
(1) changing jobs within your industry,
(2) seeking upward mobility and more responsibility in a similar career path, or
(3) currently employed with a steady work history and no unexplainable gaps,

You may wish to use the chronological resume style. This style simply lists your employment history, beginning with the most recent position and working backward. This style will deal more with the content of your work -- that which will be familiar to the potential employer. You can insert accomplishments in this style if they are geared to the specific title you held.

This style contains the following information.

  • Identification. List your name, address and home telephone number. No abbreviations.
  • Background Summary. List general functions and responsibilities which you have performed during your career that support your employment objective.
  • Business Experience. List employers in chronological order, starting with the most recent. List dates of employment, as well as the name, city and state location of employer. Also list your title, a brief description of your general responsibilities, some specific key functions and three or four significant accomplishments that support your job objective. Give this information for each job you've held during the past 10-15 years that is directly relevant to your present job objective.
  • Education and Training. List degrees earned; dates are not critical. Also, list all courses taken that support your job objective. For jobs that do not require a college degree -- and if you don't have one -- leave this section out of your resume. If you've gone to college and are short of a degree, you may wish to indicate the number of years you have completed. List certifications that apply to your job objective.
  • Professional Associations (Optional).
  • Publications (Optional).

The Skill-Based Functional Resume

If you are...
1) making a career change,
2) have a short work history, or
3) wish to high-light particular results

You can use the skill-based functional resume style. This style will allow you to stress skills that are transferable, and will keep the reader from getting too involved in the content of your responsibilities with previous employers. You can play-up your accomplishments and play-down your experience, or lack of it.

This style contains the following elements:

  • Identification. List your name, address and home telephone number. No abbreviations.
  • Employment Objectives or Professional Experience. State briefly and clearly.
  • Background Summary. List general responsibilities and job functions you've performed during your career that highlight your strengths and problem-solving
  • Significant Accomplishments. List five to ten significant accomplishments in your field of expertise. Be concise.
  • Business Experience. List dates of employment, titles held and companies. (Leave out details.)
  • Education and Training. List degrees, college or university, and courses taken that support your objective. List professional certifications.
  • Professional Associations (Optional).
  • Publications (Optional).

GROUND RULES FOR AN EFFECTIVE RESUME

Here are some simple DOs and DON'Ts that can help you avoid many of the more common mistakes associated with a poor resume:

  • DO'S
  • Make sure your resume is easy to read. Remember, it's a summary, not an autobiography. Use concise, unambiguous sentences and avoid over-writing. The reader is likely to be busy and not inclined to struggle through flowery prose.
  • Keep the overall length of your resume short. Depending upon your experience, one or two pages is ideal. A three-page resume should be considered only if it is absolutely necessary to do justice to your career experience.
  • Stress your past accomplishments and the skills you used to get the desired results. Your accomplishment statements must grab the reader, and quantify the results. Did you increase profits? By what percentage or dollar amount? Did you save the organization time and/or money? How much?
  • Focus on information that's relevant to your own career goals. If you're making a career change, stress what skills are transferable to support your new career objectives.
  • Neatness counts. And how! A poorly structured, badly typed resume tells the reader much about the applicant -- none of it good. Spend the extra money to have your resume typed or word processed, or even printed. It's well worth it.
  • DON'TS
  • If you're considering enclosing a photograph of yourself, don't! It's not necessary, and no matter how attractive you may be, it's possible that you may bear a striking resemblance to someone the reader doesn't like, and that could mean a strike-out for you!
  • If you're planning to include personal references on your resume, don't! A potential employer is interested in references only if he or she is seriously considering hiring you. At that time, you may be asked to provide reference information.
  • Avoid odd-size paper or loud colors. 8 1/2 X 11-inch paper -- in white, buff or beige, is appropriate. Also, be sure to use a good quality paper.
  • Your salary history or reasons for leaving previous jobs should never be included in a resume. Also, don't mention sexual harassment issues, lawsuits, workers' compensation claims, or say, "they fired me for no good reason." In addition, leave out any discussion about hobbies, musical instruments you play, sports you enjoy, your marital status (with the number and gender of kids), age or race. This is a business marketing document, so limit the information on it to business related issues.
  • Don't include references to areas of your life that are not business related, or have nothing to do with your current career goals. Membership in outside social organizations, military service, etc., have no place in a resume, unless they somehow apply to your job objectives.
  • Last, but certainly not least -- don't have any unreasonable expectations of what a resume can do. You will be guilty of a grave error in judgment if you expect someone to hire you because of your resume. It never happens! Your resume is simply a piece of paper. It comes with no guarantee of truthfulness, and it certainly can't close a deal. You may choose to believe that your record speaks for itself, but the truth is: Only you speak for yourself.

THE JOB INTERVIEW - TECHNIQUES TO WIN

When you have identified a possible job and set an appointment for a personal interview, congratulate yourself! You've done your homework. Everything you've done was preparation for this event. It's the most critical stage of your job-search because, there's no payoff unless you make a sale.

Little Things That Make A Difference

The most important non-verbal communication you make about yourself is your appearance and grooming. In the first few minutes the person with whom you are talking will form an impression of you which will affect his/her opinion.

Dressing for success means dressing appropriately for the environment for which you are interviewing. By wearing the quality and style of clothing you would wear if hired, you help the interviewer visualize you on the job. Your appearance should make the interviewer think, "This person will fit in well."

You should be mentally prepared to describe briefly specific personal accomplishments you want the interviewer to remember.

Plan to be on time. In fact, it is good to be early. Check out the situation in terms of location and parking before the appointment.

Make sure you've done your homework. There is certain factual information you should be expected to possess. This is one of the best ways to ensure a successful interview. Investigate the company before you interview (size, product-line, major problems, programs, needs, etc.). This will gain you credibility. For example, if you are seeking a position with a major hardware manufacturer, discover how the product is sold locally. If asked, you will be able to make tactful comments regarding displays, sales approaches, advertising, etc. If not asked, bring it into the conversation to let the interviewer know that you've done some study on the subject.

Sources of information for such homework would be web sites, annual reports, trade journals, news magazines, the company newspaper, people in the field, brokerage houses, Chamber of Commerce publications, and industrial directories.

In a small company, the top people will usually control the hiring procedures. Use your network to gather as much information as possible about these key decision makers and their role in the company. Decide if you will contact Human Resources or the person directly responsible for the hiring. Learn the correct name and exact title and discover the person's background with the company, education, interests, etc.

PREPARE...PRACTICE!...PRACTICE!...PRACTICE!

The interviewer's task is to find out just how effective you might be in a specific job. Prepare answers for the following questions in as clear a manner as possible. Make your responses upbeat and positive. Make sure you've done your research on this company, and it will pay off. Also, always remember that an interview is a "two-way street." You are entitled to ask the interviewer questions in order to determine whether or not you want the job. An easy formula to remember is Q = A + P, which simply means "Q" (the interviewer's question) = "A" (your answer) + "P" (probe -- in other words, you now ask a question).

For example, suppose the interviewer were to ask you, "Are you free to travel?" You might answer, "Yes," but then follow up your answer with the question, "How much travel does the job require?" Q = A + P. The interviewer's answer to your question could certainly have some bearing on whether or not you want the job.

Typical Interview Questions

  • Here are some questions you're likely to be asked in an interview, along with some suggested responses.
  • Q. Tell me about yourself.
    A. Pre-plan your answer to this question, it's usually the first one asked. Talk about your work experience, skills, and accomplishments, not personal statistics such as where or when you were born, or whether or not you are married. Keep it brief.
  • Q. What do you know about this company?
    A. Be prepared with as much information about the company as possible, especially its products or services. Do some homework on the company's web site, in the research department of your local library, or talk with friends who may work for = or have knowledge of the company.
  • Q. Why do you want to work for this company?
    A. If you've done some research, this should be easy. Refer to the company's fine reputation, growth opportunities, etc.
  • Q. What kind of benefits are you looking for?
    A. Answer this question honestly, otherwise you'll be unhappy and less than productive.
  • Q. Describe your value to your past (or current) employer.
    A. Refer to your resume and your accomplishments.
  • Q. You've changed jobs frequently. Why?
    A. Unless you've been a victim of layoffs, talk about better opportunities and more money.
  • Q. Have you ever been fired?
    A. This can be checked, so be truthful. If the answer is yes, you might want to describe the circumstances, and your side of it. Whatever you do, don't bad mouth your boss or the company.
  • Q. What did you like best in your last (or current) job?
    A. Pre-plan your answer because this question is often asked.
  • Q. What direct supervisory experience have you had?
    A. Refer to your resume.

Types of Questions to Ask in the Interview

When it is appropriate, ask questions during the interview.

The following questions are guidelines only. Use them when and if it is comfortable for you.

  1. Do you have a job description available?
  2. With whom would I be working if I accepted a position here?
  3. What is the most important qualification for this position?
  4. To whom would I be responsible?
  5. When will you be making a decision regarding this position?

Conclusion

When the interview comes to an end, be sure to leave in a professional manner

  1. Stand
  2. Thank them for their time.
  3. Shake hands, look them in the eyes and smile.
  4. Ask for a business card (from them or the secretary).
  5. Ask them when they will make their decision.
  6. Tell them you will call at that time to hear their plans.

After leaving, write a short thank you letter. Thank them for seeing you. Restate your interest in the position and tell them why you feel qualified for it. Tell them you look forward to talking with them again and will call on the agreed upon date.

Your Career is your business - so start running it like one!