Resume Guide -
The key to a successful
first step
1. Market Yourself - A resume is
an extension of yourself. You are the product, in which you
are marketing yourself to
a potential buyer. What
makes you stand out from your peers? Why should a potential
buyer hire you? Convey this information
in your resume.
2. Determine your Search/Objective -
Once you have pinpointed your job search or objective, the rest
of the resume will be
structured around that
search or objective. By having a clear understanding of what
you want in your next opportunity, potential
buyers will have a clear
focus about you and what you are looking to do.
3. Structure - The body of your
resume should be short and to the point. Use bullets with short
sentences that begin with
action words such as
prepared, performed or analyzed. Action words stand out to the
reader and add enthusiasm to your resume.
4. List Strengths - Determine what
your strengths are for each particular job opportunity. Again,
remember who your potential
buyers are and market
to their needs. Do not mention anything that sounds irrelevant
or negative.
5. Use Buzzwords - Potential buyers
like to see certain words that fit their job description. Match
up the same buzzwords
that are mentioned in
the employers job description to your resume. List percentages,
dollar amounts and numbers in your
bullet sentences if applicable.
6. Who,
What, Where & How - It is very important to list
who you reported to in
regards to supervisor, manager or controller, what responsibilities
you did for that individual, where you
performed the activities
in regards to a corporate or satellite office and how you achieved
these duties and functions.
7. Easy on the Eyes - Resumes are
reviewed very quickly. You want to make your resume stand out
and allow the reader the
move quickly through
the document. Leave spaces, use an appropriate font such as
10 point and limit your resume to 1-2 pages. Remember,
you want your potential
buyer to scan your resume efficiently and effectively.
Interview
Guide - You
only have one chance
to make a first impression
Things to Remember:
· Dress
appropriately (Minimal jewelry, No perfume/cologne, Your SHOES
are shined)
· Arrive on Time
· Smile
· Firm handshake with direct
eye contact (ONE OF THE
MOST IMPORTANT!!)
· Show a genuine interest
and enthusiasm in the
company
· Do your homework on the
company prior to the
first interview.
· Maintain direct eye contact
throughout the interview
· Perfectly acceptable
to take notes
· Be aware of your body
language - (do not fold
your arms - appear relaxed,
yet poised)
· Thank the interviewer
for their time at the
end and ask about next
steps.
· Ask for a business card
· Send an email thanking
the interviewer
· Call your recruiter and
let him/her know how the
interview went
Questions an Employer Might Ask:
· What
did you like most/least in your last job?
· Give me an example(s)
of how you worked under
pressure to meet a deadline.
· What
is your management philosophy/style?
· What are your salary
expectations?
· What is
your current base salary and what is your bonus potential?
· What business references
can you provide?
· How long would it take
you to become productive
in this position?
· If you are hired, what
do you see in your
future?
· What are your career
goals and expectations?
· What position do you
expect to have in five
years?
· How do you rate yourself
as a professional?
· What new goals have you
established recently?
Did you meet any of these goals?
· What did you think of
your last company?
· What does success mean
to you?
· How do you feel you can
benefit our company
in the position I have described to you?
· What do you consider
to be your greatest
strengths? Can you name some weaknesses?
· Define success/failure.
· Have you ever had any
failures? What did
you learn from them?
· Have you ever spoken
before a group of people?
How large?
· What can you offer us?
· Why did you choose to
attend your college/university?
· Why did you choose your
major?
· In what extracurricular
activities did you
participate?
· Did your grades accurately
reflect your ability?
Why/Why not?
· Did you work while going
to school? In what
positions?
· Give an example of a
situation in which
you provided a solution to an employer.
· Give an example of a
time in which you worked
under deadline pressure.
· How do you think a former
supervisor would describe
your work?
· What did you enjoy most
about your last employment?
Least?
· What kind of boss would
you prefer?
· What other types of positions
are you considering?
· How do you feel about
working in a structured
environment?
· Are you able to work
on several assignments
at once?
· How do you feel about
working overtime/travel/relocation?
· Give an example of working
with a team on a project
or an on-going basis.
Questions to Ask an Employer:
· What
is the largest single problem facing your staff/department right
now?
· What kinds of assignments
might I expect during
the first six months on the job?
· Are salary adjustments
geared to the cost of
living or job performance?
· In what ways is a career
with your company better
than one with your competitors?
· Please describe the duties
of the job for me?
· Does your company encourage
further education?
· How often are performance
reviews given?
· How do you feel about
creativity and individuality?
· What is the usual promotional
time frame?
· What do you like best
about your job/company?
· Has there been much turnover
in this job area?
· Is there a lot of team/project
work?
· What characteristics
do the achievers in this
company seem to share?
· Where does this position
fit into the organization
structure?
· Do you fill positions
from the outside or promote
from within first?
· What skills are especially
important for someone
in this position?
· What qualities are you
looking for in the candidate
who fills this position?
· Will I have the opportunity
to work on special projects?
· What is the next course
of action?
· When should I expect to hear from you, or should
I contact you?
Things NOT to Do:
· Over
emphasis on money - Interested only in best dollar offer.
· Condemnation of past
employers - Bad boss,
unfair treatment, etc.
· Failure to look at interviewer
when he is talking and
when you are.
· A limp, weak fishy handshake
- It should be firm and
friendly.
· Unwilling to go to work
at locations where needed.
· Arrive late for interview.
· Failure to express thanks
for interviewer's time.
· Ask few or no questions
about the job - Indicates
lack of interest in the
job or ignorance.
· Indefinite response to
questions: Do not be
evasive.
·
Overbearing, over aggressive,
conceited with a superiority of "know it all" attitude.
· Inability to express
yourself clearly - Poor
diction, bad grammar,
slang,speaking too low.
· Lack of planning for
a career - No purpose,
no goals set forth.
· Lack of confidence and
poise - Nervous, ill
at ease, tense.
· Failure to participate
in the interview - Pay
no attention, let your
eyes wander.
· Unwilling to start at
the bottom - Expects
too much too soon.
· Makes excuses, evasive
- Hedges on unfavorable
factors in record.
· Lack of tact - Discussion
of personal matters not
related to job.
· Lack of courtesy - Ill
mannered, crude language,
etc.
· Lack of maturity - Child-like
opinions and attitudes.
· Lack of vitality - Slouch
walk, lounge in the chair,
etc.
· Indecision - Weak, vacillating
answers to questions.
· Merely shopping around
- No particular interest
in this job.
· Wants job only for short
time - Just stop-gap
employment.
· No particular interest
in the company or the
industry.
· A cynical attitude -
This can imply distrust.
· Low moral standards -
Self-explanatory.
· Intolerant - Bigoted,
strong prejudices.
· Narrow range in interests.
· Inability to take criticism.
· Lazy - Interested only
in the easy, unchallenging
job aspects.
· Keep your cell phone
or pager on during an
interview.
Reasons for Not Accepting a Counteroffer:
· What
type of company do you work for if you have to threaten to resign.
· Where is the money for
the counter offer coming
from? Is it your next
raise early?
· Your company will immediately
start looking for a new
person at a cheaper price.
· You now have made your
employer aware that you
are unhappy. Your loyalty
is questioned.
· When promotion time comes
around, your employer
will remember who was
loyal.
· When times get rough,
your employer will begin
the cutback with you.
· The same circumstances
that caused you to consider
a change will repeat
in the future.
· Ninety-six percent of
those who accept counter
offers are gone the next year.
· Accepting a counter offer
is an insult to your
intelligence and pride;
you were bought.
· Once the word gets out,
the relationship you
now enjoy with your co-workers
is gone.
· You will lose the personal satisfaction of peer-group
acceptance.
Resignation Guide - The
professional way to say goodbye
Sample Letter #1
Dear Mr. Jones:
I want to thank you for all that you have done for me during
my time with XYZ Corporation. It has been a pleasure working
with you and representing the company.
It is now time for me to move on and I have accepted a position
with another organization.
This decision was not
an easy one and took a lot of consideration. However, I am confident
that
this new role represents
a positive move towards
fulfilling my career goals. I wish the company continued success
and once again, would
like to thank you for
allowing me to be a part
of your team.
Sincerely,
Bob Smith
Sample Letter #2
Dear Mrs. Jones:
Please accept this letter as my formal notice of resignation
from XYZ Clinic effective January 1, 2001. The associations
I've made during my employment here will truly be memorable
for years to come.
I hope a two-week notice is sufficient for you to find a replacement
for me. If I can help to train my replacement please let me
know.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to work at XYZ Clinic.
Sincerely,
Bob Smith
Sample Letter #3
Dear Mr. Jones:
I have decided to tender my resignation. My last day will be
January 1, 2001.
I made this decision, not because I'm unhappy with the opportunities
you've presented, but as a strategic career move. It's been
a great pleasure working with you and representing the firm.
I wish you and XYZ law firm continued success.
Sincerely,
Bob Smith
Please call South Florida Recruiters
for more career tips that can benefit you in your next career
opportunity.