We have put together a list of resume, video
resume and interview tips to help you be prepared so you can stand
above the rest and obtain the job you're applying for.
Basic Resume Tips
Clean and easy to read is always the best
way to go. Although you always want to get all your qualifications
down, you need to do it in a way that gives all the key information
but too much information can overwhelm a reader and they may just
skip the information all together.
While writing your information down, write
the most important information down first with the minor details
at the last.
Use positive descriptive working to describe
skills and experience.
Use industry appropriate terms.
Always write the most recent information at
the top and the oldest information at the bottom.
Watch social website accounts you have. Facebook
and MySpace are wonderful to keep in touch with friends and family.
When you're job searching it extremely important to keep profile
pages clean and portray the image you would want interviewers
to see. Most interviewers will google you and search for you on
these social websites to shorten their list. They may never say
it, but what you do on your weekends and the life style you lead
does matter to them. If there are pictures of you partying it
up all over your page, they'll just move onto the next resume.
If you have friends that like to place information or unattractive
photos of you online, ask them to stop.
Video Resume Tips
Dress right. You should where the same clothing
you would where for an job interview. See below for more tips.
Watch your mannerisms and body language. When
you're nervous it very easy to slip into nervous habits like biting
your nails or touching your face or hair. A video resume gives
you the opportunity to get the first impression right by allowing
you to get comfortable in front of the camera and perfect your
video recording before you post the video. This is way video resumes
are so great. They not only do the job they need to do, they also
give you the opportunity to see yourself the way an interviewer
would see you so you can work on anything you see that needs improving.
When you interview your hands should be still and in your lap.
It’s also important that you do not to talk with your hands.
Speak as articulately and fluently as possible.
Be sure not to stutter or say expressive sounds like "um".
Check the clarity and level of your voice,
before making final recording.
Speak clearly, confidently and smoothly. Don’t
rush it.
Consider your video background and zoom when
recording your video.
Be friendly and relaxed and as personable
as possible.
Plan what you want to say in your video resume
recording. Practice your wording to a point that wording is smooth
and natural.
Hit the highlights. This is your opportunity
to give them the main and most important details about your qualifications,
skills, experience and/or experience. This information should
not be about personal life, keep it all business and to the point.
Keep it short. 1 to 2 minutes of video is
the max length of time the video should be. You'd be surprised
how much information you can give in a minute.
Interview Tips
Practice questions so that your answers are
thoughtful and fluent in the interview. The internet is a great
resource for sample questions that may be asked in an interview.
The questions will vary depending on the interviewer, the company
the position is with, and the position itself. You can also check
out our sample interview questions page for a great list of interview
questions you may be asked in a job interview. LINK*****************************
Think briefly before your answer. Think about
why they are asking this question. There's always a reason. Try
to think like the employer and what he might be looking for. Slight
pauses are good, long awkward pauses are not.
Practice interviewing with someone you trust.
This can really help and a real learning experience, especially
if you don't have a lot of experience in interviews or it's been
a long time since you were in one. Ask your interview partner
to make notes during the practice for feed back so you know how
you can improve your interview skills. This is not the time to
be easy on you. Tell them to be brutally honest so you can prefect
your interview skills. Surprisingly practice interviews can also
help with interview jitters.
Answers should be natural. Even if you've
thought and practiced the wording for questions, make sure you
pause before answering to at least make it look like you’re
coming up with the thought at that moment. When you practice make
sure your answers are naturally expressive.
Dress for success. You will always want to look your best. Although
you want to be looking your best, the job you’re applying
for will affect the suitable attire you wear. An accountant would
dress more formal than a landscaper; however, jeans and t-shirts
are never appropriate. Think about the job and what you would
normally were for that position, and then take it up a couple
notches. If the company you are applying for has company uniforms,
try to find something similar in style and colour to help your
image fit in.
Body language says a lot. Over half of what
we say, we say through body language so this is a big part of
how we present ourselves to an interviewer. Most of our body language
is unconsciously communicated so it’s important to be aware
of how you hold yourself in the room. It’s important to
send the message that you’re confident and open. Never cross
your arms during an interview as this will make you appear offensive.
You should sit facing your interviewer with a slight lean toward
them. Your video resume is another opportunity for you to look
at your body language and see if there is anything you can improve
on or need to beware of during your interview. Some people
Clean it up. I now this seems obvious, but
you would be surprised how many people show up for an interview
with long hair or not even showered. It’s also important
not to wear heavy perfumes and colognes.
Be confident. Confidence is your best friend.
If you’re not confident about yourself, your qualifications
or if you’re just really shy or nervous, do your best to
FAKE IT. You want them to be confident that you can do the job
and if you don’t make them believe it who will.
Know your resume. This is especially important
if you've had help putting your resume together. Make sure you
know exactly what's on your resume with all the details. If it
helps, make yourself a timeline with all the experience of the
work you did at each job. Include, the company name, phone number
and address, position title, your previous boss’s name and
position, the wages you started at and finished at, dates of employment,
and most importantly, your main duties while working there. Note:
This timeline can be very useful when you fill out applications.
Practice "What would you do if…?"
and "Tell us about a time when…?" questions. These
questions have become very popular with interviewers and they're
the hardest to prepare for ahead of time. Part of the reason interviewers
love to ask these questions is because they like to see how you
think on your feet and they show how you've handled problems in
the past. It's a good idea to think about a few situations you're
had in your work past that cover most of the possibilities. Usually
these questions cover a few themes including;
stress, safety issues, initiative, problem solving, and handling
problems with co-workers and/or superiors.
If you think of a few stories ahead of time that demonstrated
that you handled these situations well, it will go a long way.
It’s very important when you’re telling your story
that you cover a few key steps. If you cover steps, it will help
you tell your stories in an organized and positive way. Remember
STAR
S-State the situation. Tell the situation and/or problem.
T-Tell what happened. Tell a the main idea if what happen. The
where, when, why and what.
A-Action: What was your Action to solve the problem or resolve
the situation.
R-Result: What was the outcome, this is where you tell how you
saved the day and/or made your past employers happy with your
performance.
Even though these are touch questions to handle, if your prepared
they can be a great opportunity to shine in an interview.
Practice the art of handshaking. Take a minute to ask a friend
or family member to practice handshaking. I know it sounds corny,
but many interviewers will read into your body language including
your handshake. It should be dry, and firm, but not over powering
or too long.
Follow their lead. Some people prefer not
to shake hands.
Don't drink or smoke during the interview.
This might seem obvious, but you might be asked if you would like
something to drink. My advice is to kindly decline, you don't
need to take the chance of spilling coffee on the floor or desk.
You just don’t need anything else to think about. With anxious
sweaty hands, it does happen.
Have questions ready. Most interviewers will
ask you if you have any questions at the end of the interview.
It’s a good idea to come up with a few insightful questions
incase you’re asked. Make sure you don’t ask any questions
that have already been answered during the interview. Some example
questions you could ask are;
Why is this position open?
How many people work in this department?
When do you hope to make your decision by?
Never ask about wages in the first interview.
I know it may feel like a little waist of time going though interviews
for a job you may not consider taking if the wages are to small,
however many interviewers feel that your should be there for other
reason other than wages. So keep these questions for the second
interview. If you really want to know, see if you can find out
though someone that works for the company.
It's ok to take notes. There's nothing wrong
with taking in a notepad and pencil into an interview with you.
Most interviewers will only think that you’re prepared.
Taking a few notes here and there can be helpful when you’re
nervous. You can jot note key items as you go over information
with the interviewer to ensure you don’t forget later. Another
advantage to holding notepad and pen is it can help to keep nervous
hands busy and calm. Having a pad and pen in your lap can help
you remember to keep your hands where they belong, in your lap.
Just be mindful of any playing with pens.
Know who you're meeting with and the pronunciation
and spelling of their name and position with the company. It’s
important that you use the interviewer’s name when you enter
the interview. This helps with a personal connection. It is vital
that you pronounce their name perfectly. Nothing says I really
don’t care about you than mispronouncing a person’s
name, definite no no. It’s also important that you get their
full name and the title of their position with the company so
you can properly address your thank you letter to them.
Write a thank you note. A thank you for the
opportunity to meet with them is a creditable endeavor for a couple
of reasons. First, it not only says that you're very thorough
in what you do, it also says that you have a thoughtful personality,
two very positive traits. The second thing a thank you note can
do for you is, it gives you another opportunity to get your name
across the interviewer’s desk. Every opportunity you rise
from the crowd and make a positive impression the better.
Personalize where ever possible. It's not
what you know; it's who you know that is quite often the case.
People relate to people, so if you have a connection with the
company it often gives the impression that you're part of the
flock. If your uncle works for the company it doesn't hurt to
casually mention it to the interviewer. I would attach a small
compliment about the company or the people that work there also.
Note: Just ensure your inside contact is a model employee. You
don't want to associate yourself with someone they're trying to
get rid of because of all the trouble they cause.
Research the company. This is an absolute
must. Actually, most companies will ask you what you know about
the company, and if you come up blank, it's interview suicide.
Talk to people that presently work for the company or absolute
least check if the company has a website. If they don't have a
website, google the company name to see if there's been any articles
written about the company or news stories or articles done about
them. Read everything you can about the company and let them know
that you're well informed about them. This shows that you're serious
about the job and you're really interested in their company. When
you comment about the company you can start by stating facts like
the year the company opened, what they make or produce, locations
they have in the world, and the number of employees they have.
Then you should have at least one or two positive and interesting
facts about the company. Things like awards, contributions to
the community, expanding plans, etc. Make sure your information
is current and correct.
