| A good resume is the tool that can get you an | | | | now, even if you get hired, could cost you your career |
| invitation to the interview for your dream job. If writing | | | | later if you are exposed as a fraud. |
| a good resume is part of your preparation for the job | | | | TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS |
| hunt, performing at the interview is an even greater | | | | Research The Company |
| part. Here are a few tips on how to write a good | | | | In brief, you need to have gathered sufficient |
| resume and ace interviews. | | | | information on the organization. This should be |
| TIPS FOR WRITING RESUMES | | | | information that has the potential to affect your |
| Select A Format | | | | long-term employment, such as ethics, environment |
| A critical part of writing good resume is using the right | | | | and culture, potential for growth for both you and the |
| format. Without the proper format, your resume will | | | | company, your potential boss and subordinates etc. |
| look like a PhD dissertation that will instantly bore the | | | | You also need this information so that you can ask |
| interviewer. A scattered and cluttered appearance will | | | | intelligent questions during the interview. You don't want |
| send the wrong signals about you. One suggestion is | | | | to come off like a robot, or worse, like you were not |
| to use tables with light grey background for headings | | | | even interested in the company enough to do come |
| and to use bold font for subheadings. Details under the | | | | basic research. |
| subheadings can be on white background and can be | | | | Be Polite: |
| laid out in columns or bullets, if appropriate. You should | | | | This sounds like a no-brainer, doesn't it? Sadly, it isn't |
| always start with your name and contact details first. | | | | always practiced by everyone. Be polite when |
| Don't forget your email address. You want the person | | | | greeting the interviewer. Shake his or her hand, and |
| reviewing your resume to know that you at least have | | | | finally ask questions politely, even if the interview has |
| an email address! This sends the signal that you are | | | | lasted well over 2 hours. This is the time to take |
| tech-savvy. | | | | particular care to mind your manners. Never try to |
| Proofing Your Resume | | | | expose the faults of either the company or the |
| A resume with lots of grammatical errors, or one that | | | | interviewer (if any). Speak in an well-organized, |
| contains lots of typos drives recruiters crazy. Don't | | | | structured manner. Mixing up concepts has the |
| forget that your resume is really an index of your | | | | potential to confuse the employer and you potentially |
| abilities. If you can't do this and you are applying for a | | | | lose out if they perceive you as not having clarity of |
| proofreader's job, you have failed miserably. More | | | | thought. |
| importantly, you run the risk of looking incompetent. If | | | | Present Your Skills |
| you can't proofread your resume yourself, get a friend | | | | Present your skills separately - close off all other |
| or a professional do it for you! | | | | discussions. Before starting on this subject, make them |
| Presenting Your Skills As The Employers Would Like | | | | understand what you are beginning to say, so that |
| To See | | | | they are attentive. This is the most important factor |
| This is where you can make the best possible | | | | they want to know about you after your character. |
| impression, even if your education is not exactly what | | | | Use concrete examples, and explain how they can |
| the employer is looking for. For example, you have | | | | benefit by hiring you. Speak about six sigma, justifying |
| applied for a job where the employer wants to know | | | | your expertise in this area with examples of various |
| whether you can handle 1ooo payable and receivable | | | | companies that are benefiting by implementing the |
| accounts. Simply writing a bland statement that you | | | | methodology. Tell them that you can implement it in |
| maintained account records will not interest him. You | | | | their company as well, or at least become a key |
| need to make your skills match that of the job | | | | player. Let them know that you play to win! |
| description. Put yourself in the shoes of the employer. | | | | Ask Questions |
| Use Power Words | | | | Any questions should be limited to your work and the |
| Use power words or phrases such as "managed | | | | company. They should never be personal unless you |
| workflow direction" instead of "gave work | | | | have a special reason. |
| assignments to staff". Also use action-oriented words | | | | Practice, Practice! |
| and instead of passive ones. Using high-end industry | | | | Even if you are well prepared, employers can smell |
| jargon also immediately creates a positive impression | | | | anxiety a mile away, and if you display this to the |
| about you, that you are professional and | | | | employer it will wreck your chances of getting the job. |
| knowledgeable. You want the employer to know that | | | | Anxiety often comes across to employers as |
| they are looking at a senior-level resume, not one of | | | | desperation. Don't let this happen to you. Practice, with |
| someone who merely takes orders. | | | | a friend or in front of the mirror if you have to. The |
| Be Truthful | | | | point to remember about the interview is to not let |
| Quantify your achievements and highlight them in | | | | yourself fall prey to your own anxiety. |
| bullets. But being truthful is just as important. Telling a lie | | | | |