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Focus on your results. Be detailed and use numbers where appropriate. And think not only in terms of what you did, but how well you did it. Take a look at the following bullet points; each presents a progressively more detailed way of describing the same work accomplishment:
Who cares?! Target your resume’s content, thinking about the specific job you’re applying for and what the person reading your resume will want to see. While it’s commendable that you delivered newspapers when you were in junior high school, is it really going to help you get a job as an auditor? Anything that doesn’t relate to the job you’re applying for can be safely left off your resume. Make sure that whatever you write passes the “who cares” test. If your prospective employer won’t care, out it goes. Volunteering is valuable. Just because you didn’t get paid for a job doesn’t mean it’s not valid experience—especially if it’s the only experience you have. Volunteer work and school projects count! The important thing is not whether you received a paycheck but whether you developed skills that are relevant to the job you’re seeking. Margins are not marginal. Be sure to leave sufficient white space—we recommend margins of at least .7" on all sides. Create a pain-free resume. Carefully consider the overall layout and design of your document and make sure it’s easy to read. Is the font type too small? Isthissentencefuntoread? (Translation: Is this sentence easy to read?) No! It’s a headache waiting to happen. So unless you’re planning to send your resume in an envelope with two aspirin enclosed, be sure to make your resume easy to read—otherwise it won’t get read at all. Be brief. Do not be wordy in trying to convey the many positive, dynamic, and marketable skills and attributes that you can offer the various businesses and organizations which you are approaching for gainful and satisfying employment so that you can advance your career (pause for breath)…Get the point? Well I know so and so… Name dropping. It’s so pretentious. It’s just a way to get your foot in the door. It just feels wrong. (OK. But you need to do it!). Using the name of someone who suggested you write to your target employer sets you apart from other candidates, and gives you an instant and credible reference. “Dear Mrs. what’s-your-face…” Whenever possible, be sure to include the name of the person to whom you’re writing. Addressing your letter “To whom it may concern” is not only impersonal, but ups the odds that your letter will fall into the wrong hands. Ready…aim…hired! Take aim at your target employer. How? Do some research, and make a clear connection in your cover letter between your background and the skills and qualifications that the organization is seeking. You might even describe a current need or shortfall of the organization and describe how, if hired, you would begin to address it. We’ll spell it out for you: Correct spelling and grammar are a must! Show me, don’t tell me! Give specific examples of the work you’ve done. Don’t just tell your reader you’re good with deadlines. They’ve all heard that one before. Instead, show your reader by addressing how you’re good with deadlines. For example: What deadlines did you have to meet? What obstacles did you face in meeting them? How did you overcome those obstacles? Investigate. The more you know about your prospective employer the better you can position yourself in the interview with respect to their staffing needs. Put your best foot forward. Arrive early and “make nice” with the office receptionist. If you make a positive impression on the receptionist, chances are he/she will tell the person who interviews you: “Hey…I get a good feeling about that guy…you should hire him!” In addition, striking up a conversation with the receptionist may enable you to gain an insider’s view of the organization. Make a few simple observations: Is the receptionist already holding her head in her hands when you arrive at 9:00 a.m. for your interview? Does she say, “You have an interview with John Crimmins? Oh, he’s a jerk…” Little clues like this may shed some light on the overall atmosphere within the organization. Bring it! Being able to produce the following items upon request demonstrates your superior preparation and organization skills:
Be honest. You’re not perfect…no one is. Feel free to tell your prospective employer about your weaknesses, but be sure to include how you’re addressing and overcoming them. Be professional. Don’t bash your ex-boss or the last place you worked. Although it’s unlikely that the person interviewing you knows your old boss, why risk putting your foot in your mouth and sealing your fate? And if you’re willing to publicly condemn your old boss, who’s to say you won’t do it again some day to the person with whom you’re interviewing? Remember to say thank you! Be sure to follow up with a thank you letter that addresses something specific you learned during the interview. In other words, let your interviewer know that you were present at the interview in mind and body. This will make your interviewer feel like their time was well spent. Take your time. Never accept a job on the spot. As tempting as an offer might seem, you should always take some time to carefully reflect on the whole package. Any reasonable employer will give you 48 hours to mull over an offer. In that time you should consider if the job really provides what you want. Think not only about the salary, but also consider your responsibilities, opportunities for advancement, the benefits, and the work environment. I’ll scratch your back… Remember that networking works both ways. Rather than approaching someone with the sole intent of getting them to help you, why not also consider what you can do to help them? That’s an easier way to “break the ice” and may also place you in a more favorable light. Rah, rah, sis boom bah! Make it clear that you are genuinely interested in your work. The degree to which a contact will help you is often correlated with your level of excitement and enthusiasm. Do your homework. If you approach a networking appointment or informational interview without having thoroughly researched your target field, don’t expect much help from your contact. Do your homework and prepare several professional, intelligent questions that demonstrate your knowledge of the field. Follow up. If Jane Smith suggests you call Maureen Williams for more information, make sure you call Maureen Williams within the next two business days. And whether Ms. Williams turns out to be a fount of knowledge or a human paperweight, you should write Jane a thank you letter, letting her know how the meeting with Ms. Williams went and showing her gratitude for the referral. At that time, you can also ask Jane for additional assistance. You should also write a thank you letter to Ms. Williams. If Ms. Williams turned out to be a dud, use the opportunity to ask her if she has any contacts to which she can refer you.
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