Tips for Job Seekers
No matter where you are looking for a job, the process is pretty much the same. Start by creating a compelling résumé, which will identify your marketable skills. Remember though, before you apply for a job, make sure that your skills match what the company is looking for in a candidate. Prepare an effective cover letter and send it to the prospective employer along with your résumé. If you get an interview, get ready for it well before you go, don’t walk in unprepared. Create a Compelling Résumé
In general, your résumé should be no longer than one page, unless you have significant experience. Use a simple layout.
- Know what you want. Compose a clearly stated job objective statement. State what you want to do, for whom, where, and at what level of responsibility.
- Stand out from the crowd. Instead of just listing your job skills, describe the results of your performance. For each permanent job or staffing assignment, develop a list of major accomplishments, placing the most emphasis on your recent achievements. What problems or challenges have you faced? What actions did you take to overcome them? How did your actions benefit the company? Keep in mind that most companies value workers who enhance profits and save time and money. It is also likely you will hear some of these same questions in an interview.
- Sell yourself. You only have one shot to make a great impression. Your résumé is a word picture of yourself. Highlight your strengths and outstanding skills or abilities. List your education and training.
- Never list the reasons for termination or leaving a job on the résumé. This could affect potential employment opportunities and you are far better off explaining employment lapses in person.
- Make sure the résumé and the cover letter are error-free. Proofread and have others proofread them too. Avoid using jargon.
The cover letters main purpose is to emphasize your strengths in a way that will interest employers in interviewing you.
- To attract the reader’s attention, the cover letter must look good and be easy to read. Focus on spelling, grammar, punctuation, spacing, paragraph length, and margins. Address it to a person by name and make sure that the spelling and title are correct. A good cover letter is not too long, so limit yours to a single page.
- The first paragraph should arouse the reader's interest. Knowledge about the reader's business indicates interest.
- The body of the cover letter should explain what you can do for the company. Present facts that accurately describe your assets and qualifications. Your prospective employer will be interested in your ability to make decisions that save company assets. Do not discuss weaknesses.
- The last paragraph should request action. Ask for an interview, but in all circumstances be courteous, but be direct. Also, offer a brief thank you.
- The letter should end with the formal salutation “Sincerely.” Include your name and signature.
It is important to have an electronic cover letter and résumé to send if needed.
- Remove all formatting, including lines, boxes, bold, italics, and underlining.
- Reformat and clean up your résumé.
- Make sure your cover letter and résumé are e-friendly. Do not send them as attachments, but, rather, pasted in the body of the e-mail. Try e-mailing friends to ensure your documents are legible.
Your cover letter and résumé has paid dividends and you have an interview. Now, you must get ready for the interview and making a great first impression.
- Confirm the interview appointment. Do this one day before your interview and be sure to know the date, time, and location of the interview, as well as your contact’s phone numbers in case you need to call.
- Clear your calendar. The interview could run late and it is possible that you could be asked to stay longer. Attempting to explain that you have to be somewhere else could jeopardize your possibility for employment.
- Say their names correctly. Don’t mispronounce or misspell names.
- Be on time. Don’t arrive too early (more than 10 minute) and most important, don’t be late.
- Dress to impress. Find out in advance what attire works and if you are still not sure, wear a suit.
- Shut off the cell phone.
- Use your mouth for talking only. No drinking, eating, smoking, and chewing gum.
- Prepare a short information statement. You must be ready to answer questions such as, “Tell me about yourself and your background.” Your statement should include some information work history and experience, your strengths, your transferable skills, and some of your personal traits.
- Be prepared to talk about your successes and experiences. The employer will want to find out about your past experience, both successes and failures.
- Be nice. Everyone you meet should be treated with respect and courtesy.
- Follow up. Send a thank you letter within a day of the interview.
