RESUME TIPS
Your resume is your professional bio. Depending on the position you are looking for and your seniority, your resume format may vary. For example, someone with 15 years of experience who is looking for an Executive Director position will have a longer resume than a person fresh out of school who is looking for an entry-level position. We will gladly help our candidates improve their resumes. We even offer a presentation on resume writing, which is free to applicants. Here are some hints for dazzling, efficient resumes:
Objective
We suggest omitting that section. Unless you are applying for a very specific position, this can be limiting your chances. Your future employer knows what you are looking for: A good job. Specifying exact career goals can deter potential employees from considering you for other positions.
Picture
We suggest omitting pictures. While common in other countries, the inclusion of pictures has not caught up in the US yet.
Education
List your degrees in reverse chronological order, beginning with the highest one. Include level completed, institution and year earned. Use a bullet format and aim for one line of text per degree.
Experience
This is probably the most important section. In this section, you are trying to showcase your professional profile in an inviting, engaging and brief way:
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List your employment history beginning with the most recent one and going backwards in time. We recommend omitting odd jobs that don’t have anything to do with the position you are looking for. Use a bullet format and include business name, city/state, begin and end dates and capacity in which you worked.
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Under each position, add a few details with the tasks that you performed, skills you learned, goals you achieved and any leadership experience in managing projects or people. Add more details for the most recent positions you held and reduce the amount of detail progressively as you get into older employment.
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If you don’t have professional experience, this is not a concern by itself, as long as it is clear that you are interested in an entry-level position. In that case, it may be useful to add a “Skills” section, where you list what you can do.
Skills
This is an optional section, where you can list specific skills that may differentiate you from other candidates. Examples of that include specialized software, artistic skills, leadership abilities and more.
Languages
Being fluent in one or more languages is an important part of your skills which may deserve to be mentioned separately.
References
You can usually offer “References Upon Request.” If you include them, make sure to mention the name, a phone number, and the position of that person. Include only professional references unless you have limited job history. A professional reference is a person who has seen you at work as a coworker, a report, or a supervisor.
What to Avoid
Often times,: applicants include entries in their resumes that hurt, rather than help, their cause. Here is a short list:
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“Authorized to work in the United States” or citizenship status. Unless there is reason for concern, it is assumed that candidates can legally be employed. However, be sure to include it if you require visa sponsorship.
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Personal information, such as marital status, age, hobbies, etc.
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Anything that fills up space without adding information relevant to employment.
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False or exaggerated statements of any kind. Employers will find out and then you are toast.
INTERVIEWING TIPS
The interview is the most important part of the candidate screening process. There isn’t really a universal, perfect way of interviewing. On the other hand, it is well-known what not to do during an interview. Avoid the following:
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Taking phone calls during the interview. You should turn off your phone during the interview, or at least put it on vibrator mode. You should not answer the phone unless you suspect a real emergency, and in that case ask to be excused, walk to a private space, and come back promptly. You should allow your interviewer to pick up phone calls, however. They are in their workspace, while you are not (yet).
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Asking about compensation or benefits before the closing phase of the interview. We all work for money, but you don’t want to send the signal that this comes before everything else.
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Talking too much, listening too little. An interview is an exploration process that goes both ways. Ask the interviewer relevant and informed questions, show interest in what they say, and keep a balanced conversation.
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Being abrasive or holding grudges. There might be things about this or past jobs that you do not like, but an interview is not the time to vent about them. Have an open mind and ask questions instead of making assumptions.
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Being disrespectful. You are talking to a future boss or coworker, and unless you show respect for their knowledge and experience, they will conclude that you do not care about taking the position and working with their team.
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Showing up late. Allow enough time to be there shortly before the interview. If you are late, you must have a convincing reason, and you must ask if they would like to reschedule the interview. Give the person a chance to rearrange the interview schedule in hope of making up for the lost time.
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Being unkempt. Unprofessional attire, ungroomed hair, conspicuous tattoos, flashy jewelry and unpleasant odors can ruin your chances before you even say a word. Practice your presentation ahead of time.
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Poor eye contact, appearing elusive. You should appear confident and competent, but not arrogant., Look at the interviewer and note their body language. This will help you figure out how to act yourself.
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Excess of caffeine. Caffeine is great at waking us up, but it also makes us nervous and irritable. Make sure you don’t drink more coffee than you should before the interview.
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Appearing unprepared. Visit the company’s website and find out about them ahead of time. Make sure to have a pad and a pen, a hard copy of your resume, your ID and any professional licenses that may be relevant.