Resume Writing Tips

A resume is meant to give potential employers a current and concise glimpse of your work experience and education. Following are a few tips to help you draft a resume that helps you stand out from the other applicants.

• Maintain a current resume at all time. Even if you are currently employed, make sure to update your resume at least quarterly. You never know when a great opportunity is on the horizon and it is best to be prepared.
• Use concise wording. Keep your resume to one page.
• Design in a crisp and professional manner. Make sure the resume is easy for the eye to review.
• Outline start and end date of each position. For instance if you worked for a company for 2 years, make sure your entry for that job experience also includes a dates such as Sept. 2004 - Dec. 2006.
• Factually state job duties.
• Outline specific skills, education or special unique qualities.
• Create a computer-friendly copy. Rich Text (.rtf) or Text (.txt) formatted resume that can be easily e-mailed or uploaded to a resume database. Avoid graphics and templates as they often interfere with search capacities within electronic data bases.

Interview Tips

A resume provides you a chance to get in the door but the interview is your chance to make a lasting impression. Most employers can tell within the first few minutes on an interview whether or not you would be a good fit for their team. The following tips may help you get to the next step.

• Research. Prepare by researching the company with which you are interviewing. Use the Internet to search for and learn about the company.
• Know your work experience. Prepare answers to questions regarding your past work performance. Be thinking of a few scenarios at pervious jobs that demonstrated skills necessary for the job you want.
• Know the job expectations and the company. Prepare answers to questions about the job and company.
• Show inquisitiveness. Prepare questions to ask about the company. This will show the interviewer that you came prepared and you spent time getting to know their business.
• Practice with a friend or family member. Before going to the interview, have the friend interview you just like a potential employer would. This will help calm your nerves and help you feel prepared.
• Dress for success. Present a professional appearance appropriate for the company with which you are interviewing.
• Be on time. Arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to the interview time.
• Relax. Be yourself during the interview.
• Compel the interviewer. When talking with the interviewer, make sure to state compelling reasons why they should hire you.
• Thank the interviewer for his/her time.
• Send a thank you note. Immediately following the interview, send a thank you note via e-mail followed-up by a hand written note sent by United States mail.