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.