PREMIER RESOURCES
Below are some tips and tricks we’ve assembled to help you properly prepare your resume and master the art of the interview.
CRAFT THE PERFECT RESUME
KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL
Whatever you do, if you are skilled, unskilled, or highly lettered your Resume should always be professional. Why? Because it is a document that is selling you: your skills, your abilities, your experience, your worth to this new company. This is a professional transaction regardless of what the job is and the employer will be on the lookout for the best person for the job. Stand out by being professional in your presentation both on paper and in person – this includes NOT using colored or fancy paper. Crisp white paper, dark clear ink.
KEEP IT CLEAN
The overall layout of your Resume must be clean to the eye. It must be easy to read, easy to run an eye down, even inviting. Go with headings, paragraphs and bullet points. The first person to read your Resume will most likely peruse it, searching for highlights and pertinent abilities and experience. If they receive a pile of Resumes, and they usually do, they will want to create a shortlist. Only then will they read your Resume closely, probably intending to pare that shortlist even further before deciding who to interview. Make it clear and obvious that you have what they are looking for. This means carefully reading their advertisement to ensure you are indicating that you have what they are looking for.
KEEP IT PERTINENT
Don’t fill up your Resume with miscellaneous, unrelated or personal information. Putting all your social activities just isn’t pertinent – unless it is in some way related to the tasks you will undertake in the job. Don’t include every job you’ve done since the year dot – unless it is pertinent. And the further back you go, the less information you include – unless that is the job that is pertinent. There is plenty of time to share miscellaneous information once you have the job, or at interview if they ask.
PREPARE FOR YOUR INTERVIEW
BE PREPARED
Presentation is everything. Always dress one step up from what you would typically wear if performing the job. IE: Jeans/T-shirt job. Where a clean pair of jeans not stained or Khaki pants and a polo shirt.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Research the company you are interviewing with ahead of time and what they are looking for in this position. Come up with 3 questions you can ask during the interview.
BE ON TIME
It is always best to arrive 5 – 10 minutes early to an interview to give yourself time to be calm and prepared.
FIRM HANDSHAKE AND EYE CONTACT
When you meet with the interviewer(s) be sure to have a firm handshake. This shows confidence. During the interview always make eye contact. This shows your interest in the interviewer, company, and position.
BE POSITIVE
Ensure that your responses have a positive tone. Try to avoid negative comments. Don’t bad mouth past employers.
STAY CALM
Realize you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Engage in conversation.
EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST
If you feel this position is the right match for you at the end of the interview let the interviewer know. Express your interest and why you feel you would be the right fit for this position.
CLOSE THE INTERVIEW
Be sure to give a firm handshake again and thank the interviewer for their time and address them by their name. Ask them when a decision will be made.
