How to Write a Résumé

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Introduction

Résumés• Traditional• Scannable• HTML• PDF

Job Search• Finding Companies• Networking

Interviews• Company Research• Interviewing

2

Welcome to Café Résumé

Café Résumé is a collection of resources every college graduate needs to:

Create a great Résumé

Plan a Job-Search Strategy that gets an interview

Ace the Interview & get the job


Introduction




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Where do you go from here?

Twilight of College Years

As you near the end of your college years, you may be thinking it’s about time to:

start earning your keep,

get some change in your pocket,

start your “real” life


Introduction




4

Start Selling . . . Yourself

Product: You

Marketplace: Companies in your chosen career field

Any prospective employer

Do you have an action plan?


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5

A Final Project About You

Subject/Thesis – You

The Research – Career choices, prospective companies

Design a Strategy – Build a network, create contacts, write cold call letters, customize résumés

Conclusion/Culmination – The Interview that seals the job


Introduction




6

The Tools for the Job Hunt

Résumé

Job Search Strategies

Interview Techniques

“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Confucius


Introduction




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The Résumé

A document about You

Your most important job-search tool A summary of your skills, qualifications,

education, and background

A sort of “calling card” you leave for prospective employers after an interview


Introduction




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What is A Résumé

Ré-su-mé or resume or resumé \ ‘rez-e-,mä \ n [F résumérésumé, fr. pp of résumer to resume, summarize]

1. A short account of one’s career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position

2. A summing up; a condensed statement; an abridgment or brief recapitulation


Introduction




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Types of Résumés

Traditional Good old-fashioned The building block of other versions of rèsumès

Scannable Electronic version with little or no formatting Must include tag & action words

HTML Make a web site to market yourself

PDF Portable Document Format


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Anatomy of a Résumé

Objective

Education

Work Experience

Interests & Extracurricular Activities

Awards & Achievements

Volunteer Experience

Skills

Other Categories

Summary

Name


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The Basic Résumé Rules

One Page only

Maintain active voice (not passive)

Customize for specific positions

Keep layout design simple

Avoid personal information such as age, marital status, children

Use Action Words to describe past experience


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Customize! Customize!

Tailor your résumé & cover letter for specific criteria for a specific job

TIP: put a date or some kind of tracking number in the footer of your résumé. Use very small type (5-6 point). During an interview you can be sure the company has your latest version by checking that number at a glance.

Highlight and quantify your achievements with specific details on the positive impacts

Skip some of the résumé sections if they don’t make sense to your particular experiences

Add other sections – i.e. Courses Taken & Major Research Projects


Introduction




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Action Words

Basic Tag words to work into your Résumé Study these words and see how many can describe your past experiences

AcceleratedAccomplishedAccounted for Achieved Acted Adapted Addressed Administered Adopted Advanced Advertised Advised Aligned AnalyzedAnticipated Appraised Approved Arbitrated Arranged Ascertained Assembled Assessed Assigned Attained Audited Augmented AutomatedBalancedBudgeted

CalculatedCharted Checked Classified CollaborateCollected Communicated Compiled Completed Composed Conceived of Conceptualized Conducted Consolidated Constructed Consulted Contributed toControlled Coordinated Counseled Created Debated Decorated Decreased Defined Delegated Demonstrated Designed Detected

Determined Developed Devised Diagnosed Directed Discovered Displayed Diverted DraftedEdited Effected Eliminated Enforced Enhanced Enlarged Enlisted EstablishedEstimated Evaluated Examined Exhibited Expanded Expedited Experimented Explained Facilitated Financed Formulated Founded

Gathered Generated GuidedHandled Headed Identified IllustratedImplemented Improved Increased Influenced Informed Initiated Innovated Inspired Installed Instituted Instructed Integrated Interpreted InterviewedInvented Investigated Judged Launched LecturedLed Maintained Managed

Manufactured MarketMediated Modeled Molded Monitored Motivated Navigated Negotiated Observed ObtainedOperated Ordered Organized OriginatedOversawPainted Participated in Perceived Performed Persuaded Planned Predicted Prepared Prescribed Presented Prioritized Processed Produced

Projected Promoted Proposed Provided Publicized Published Purchased Realigned Recommended Reconciled Recorded Reduced Rehabilitated Reinforced ReorganizedRepaired Reported Researched Resolved Restored Restructured Revamped Reviewed Revised Saved Scheduled Selected Separated Served

Serviced Set up ShapedSorted Spearheaded SpokeStarted Streamlined Strengthened Structured Studied Summarized Supervised Supported Surveyed Synchronized Synthesized Tabulated Taught Tested TrainedTranscribedTranslatedTransmittedTravelTriggeredUnifiedUpgradedVerbalized


Introduction




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Scannable Résumés

An electronic “scannable” résumé is designed to be utilized in an electronic résumé database.

The résumé, once scanned into a database, will be retrieved by employers searching for specific key-words to match specific positions.

You can take steps to make your résumé more readable and more likely to get more “hits”

Describe positions with concrete action words rather than vague passive-voiced sentences (i.e. "managed a team of auditors" rather than "responsible for managing, training...”)

Key words vary from occupation to occupation, so be sure to incorporate your industry’s “buzz” words

Increase your list of key words by including specifics, for example, list the names of software you use such as Microsoft Word and Lotus 1-2-3 and specific development you’ve done in each software.


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Tips for Scannable Résumés

Save in ASCII format - *.txt

Text version of résumé easily integrate into résumé-posting web sites

Compose résumé in simple text editor such as Windows Notepad

Most companies have tips for scannable résumé formats submitted to them. Visit websites and make sure your scannable résumé adheres to a company’s requirements.

Avoid any graphic elements - bold and italics type; any shading; graphic bullets; lines


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More Tips for Scannable Résumés Use a san serif font (Arial, Helvetica; not Times New

Roman)

Send clean copies of your résumé – printed on a laser printer if possible

The higher the quality, the better the scan and less likelihood of lost data in the scan

If you have extra space, describe your interpersonal traits and attitude.

Key words could include skill in time management, dependable, high energy, leadership, sense of responsibility, good memory.


Introduction




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HTML Résumés

Why This format offers flexibility from traditional résumé

formats or the raw, unappealing scannable format

Gives prospective employers more information about your background

Easily integrates to online job-posting sites

Shows off your knowledge and expertise in the computer age


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HTML Résumés

How Make a web site about You

Make online version of your résumé with links to previous employers’ web pages, educational institutions, or to some of your major research projects

Include web site address on all résumés you send out

Monitor the hits


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PDF Résumés

PDF = Portable Document Format

Adobe Exchange

Most colleges and universities offer the software on campus at special rates; www.adobe.com - for more information about software

Ensures universal compatibility

Viewable through most HTML viewers (Explorer or Netscape Navigator)


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The Job Search

Consider it a full time job – until you find one!

Find hiring companies through every resource possible

Build a network of contacts and invest time in developing these relationships

Practice your “pitch” — you are the product you are selling

“There are two types of education... One should teach us how to make a living, and the other how to live.”

- John Adams


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Tips for the Job Search

Campus Career Development or Placement Office

Networking (building contacts)


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Finding Companies that Hire

College Placement/Career Development Offices These offices provide a plethora of resources for starting your job

search (they are experts!) plus they are the key contact for companies coming to campus to interview students

Job Fairs are often coordinated through these offices – look for Job Fairs & Career Days, plan to attend them, and make contacts

Make a habit of visiting these offices regularly as you near graduation and be aggressive about contacting companies that have indicated they are hiring

Department Placement Offices Many departments have their own placement offices that specialize in

jobs in a specific field

Get to know the faculty in these offices – they often have excellent contacts and can get you in touch with specific hiring managers


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Networking: The Hidden Job Market

Unfortunately, Jobs don’t seek out people.People must seek out the jobs.

As many as 80% of

all jobs are never

advertised

The old saying:

“It’s not what you know, but who you know”

is rather accurate

How do you break into the Hidden Job Market?


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Making the Connection

Faculty

Friends

Recruiters from job fairs

College Alumni

RelativesFamily Friends

AcquaintancesChurch Members

ClassmatesClub Members

Former Employers Clients Internet friends

Family LawyerFamily Accountant

Family Doctor

A network can be far-reaching & profitable


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What is a Network?

An organized collection of your personal contacts and your personal contacts’ networks

Giving and receiving information, ideas, referrals, recommendations, leads and support

Finding fast contacts for specific information and helping others do the same

Can be used to introduce you to leaders in your field or other contacts, suggest companies you should target, provide job-search guidance, inform of specific openings or serve as a sounding board

It’s about utilizing the sources and resources available to you


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Mechanics of Networking

Make a list of contacts you know right now What information can each contact give you? Write down as much information as possible about the contact To keep track of contacts use a Contact Information Sheet Find out hobbies,

interests, family info, big events in their lives (new baby, promotion, illness) or anything else you may have in common

Don’t ask contacts for a Job – Ask for their Knowledge People feel uneasy to be begged for a job – make it clear that you are not

asking them for a job Many are flattered to be sought after for their knowledge If they know of a job in their company, they will include it in the information

they give you


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Make the Phone Calls!!

Be polite to everyone that answers the phone You never know who you are speaking with

Some sample conversation starters “Ibey A. Graduate said you were very knowledgeable about the public accounting arena in

Nashville. I’m curious about the future business growth in that area and Ibey said you were the man to talk to. Do you have time now or in the near-future to talk to me about the industry there?”

“Dr. Nitpicky at UTC gave me your name as a good source of information about opportunities in the auditing field in the Atlanta area. I understand that you are a CPA and have held several positions in accounting and auditing prior to your current position as Auditing Manager. My major is accounting and I’m starting a job search in the near future. I’d like to get your advice on how you started your career in the Atlanta area and any other tips you may have for a recent graduate starting a job search. Do you have time now or in the near future to talk to me?

Try to get an Information Interview An interview that is intended to provide you – the job seeker – with information

to help structure your job search Basically, sit down with successful professional in your field and pick their

brains about how they got to where they are


Introduction




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What Makes Networking Work?

Reciprocity – You must give as well as you get

Interdependency – People within a network must depend upon on each other

Sharing – Get the right information to the right people at the right time

Keeping at it – Stay plugged into the network. Maintaining relationships is paramount to making the network work for you


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Prospects for Network

Alumni Clubs & School Clubs (TVA’s Investment Challenge)

Industry Associations - great place to meet people in a specific industry.

Social Clubs - golf clubs, athletic clubs, and other similar clubs. An invaluable place to entertain business associates or prospective customers.

Hobbies - by taking up several hobbies, one can interface with a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds … presenting many new networks that can be tapped.

Family Members - family members are already a part of your network. Expanding your network by making use of their contacts is an easy way to begin growing your contact list.


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So You Got The Interview...

Researching a Company

Interview Preparation

Someone liked your résumé or one of your contacts paid off.

Don’t forget these critical steps:


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Researching the Company

Researching the company helps you decide whether the opportunity is worthwhile and to understand what your interviewers’ questions mean and how to respond.

The “Things You Want to Know About The Company” should start you thinking of the kinds of questions you want to pursue, why they are important to you, and where you find the answers:


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Things You Want to Know About the CompanyWhat You Want to Know Why You Want to Know It How You Can Find Out

What does the company do?– Primary products– Key markets

How big is the company?

What future product expansion does the company plan?

Will key markets grow or shrink in the future?

To what does the company attribute fluctuations in sales?

What kind of culture does the company have?

Any “downsizing” or reorganizations recently?

Do “downsizing” or forced retirements seem likely in the future?

• To be a knowledgeable candidate

• To decide whether you want to work for the company

• To know the strengths of the company

• To judge future opportunities

• To see if you are compatible with its culture

• To judge its stability

• Annual reports

• Marketing Materials

• Company Newsletters

• Chamber of Commerce

• Business Journals, periodicals & newspapers

• Stockbrokers

• Internet

• Network contacts

• College Career offices


Introduction




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The Interview

Every step in the job hunting process leads to getting an interview.

A potential employer uses the interview to decide if you are right for the job.

The more you know about interviewing, the better prepared you will be to show that you are the best candidate.


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Types of Interviews

The Type of Interview you have depends on who

conducts it. Since different people within the

company may approach interviewing

differently, it pays to know what to say in each

situation.


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• Make a positive First Impression• First Impression is extremely important

• Prepare thoughtful questions and answers• Review Answering Questions Effectively and practice trial runs with a close

friend

• Ask questions that show interest in the job or the company• Company Research is essential in this situation• See Your Turn to Ask the Questions

• Follow-up interview effectively with letter or thank-you note• This is an extremely important step in communicating with the interviewer.

Don’t consider the interview complete until you send a follow-up letter.

Successful Interviewing


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The First Impression

• Arrive on time – at least 15 min before interview.

• Arriving late may give the impression that you do not care about getting the job.

• Dress appropriately. See Do’s and Don’ts of Clothing & Grooming.

• Be courteous and friendly to everyone you meet.

• Receptionists and secretaries are often asked their impression of job candidates.

• You never know who has the deciding vote to hire you.

• Have a positive attitude.

• This is one of the most important insights into your personality.

• A positive attitude will give you an edge over other candidates

• Smile!!


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Answer Questions Effectively

• Anticipate questions the interviewer will ask

• Try to determine what the questions may be based on the type of position.• See Questions Your Interviewer Might Ask

• Prepare and practice answers

• Be prepared to talk clearly about your abilities and accomplishments. Be able to relate your skills to a variety of situations.

• Keep answers thorough but brief.

• Be believable

• Maintain eye contact with the interviewer.• Don’t let your answers sound like you memorized them right before the

interview.

• Have a positive attitude

• Don’t down-talk your previous employer, professors, or schools• Show that you focus on the positive aspects of conflict, like solving problems


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Your Turn to Ask Questions

• Usually, the candidate is given the opportunity ask questions near the end of the interview.

• Let the interviewer control the questioning until it is clear that your turn has come to ask questions.

• This is your chance to make a great impression by showing your knowledge of the company

• See Questions You Might Ask The Interviewer

• Ask questions that show interest in the job or the company

• Company Research is essential in this situation

• Be able to ask specifics about recent business performance or major business events

• Shows that you did your homework and know a little about the company – may put you ahead of other candidates that did not do their homework


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It Ain’t Over Till The Letter Hits the Mailbox

Interview Follow-up

• Take good notes & refer back to them when writing follow-up correspondence

• Send a courtesy Thank-you note immediately after the interview, even if you are not sure you want the job

• Mail Follow-up Letter (2 days after interview)

• Show you are interested in the job

• Point out the matches between you and the position

• Include past related experiences

• Let them know they can call you for more information

• Follow-up call (4 days after interview)

• Shows continued interest in the job

• Try to arrange a second meeting or interview


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Some Final Tips

Searching for a job is one of the biggest learning experiences of your life.

Treat your job search like a full-time job.

Devote time to it every day!

Keep a “career file” and keep it updated it

Invest in resources to help you learn the ropes of resumes, cover letters, research, and interviewing.

See Suggested Resources for a list of books and web sites that are particularly helpful


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Conclusion

Looking for a job . . .

. . . It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.

“To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lonely labor, to be given a chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life.

The money is the gravy.”– Bette Davis


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Resource Slides beyond here . . .

Where Am I!

Navigation Information

P 1 coverP 2 WELCOMEP 3 twilightP 4 sell yourselfP 5 final projectP 6 tools for searchP 7* RESUMESP 8 definitionP 9 typesP 10* anatomy-traditionalP 11 basic rulesP 12 customizeP 13 action wordsP 14* scannableP 15 scannable-2P 16 scannable-3P 17* HTML-1P 18 HTML-2P 19* PDFP 20* JOB SEARCHP 21 Tips for searchP 22* finding companiesP 23* networkingP 24 connectionsP 25 what is networkP 26 mechanicsP 27 make callsP 28 how networking worksP 29 prospects for network

P 30* INTERVIEWING P 31* researching co.P 32 things to knowP 33* the interviewP 34 interview tipsP 35 types P 36 1st impressionP 37 answering QsP 38 asking QsP 39 follow-upP 40* TVA CFO orgP 41 look at CFOP 42 CFO departmentsP 43 FINAL TIPSP 44 conclusionP 45 end (cover)P 46 U R Here!!!

P 47 RESUME-nameP 48 RESUME-summaryP 49 RESUME-educationP 50 RESUME-experienceP 51 RESUIME-interests etcP 52 RESUME-awards etcP 53 RESUME-skills & otherP 54 SEARCH-recruitmentP 55 SEARCH-job fairsP 56 SEARCH-job fairsP 57 NETWORK-people to haveP 58 NETWORK-contact info sheetP 59 RESEARCH-annual reportsP 60 RESEARCH-marketing infoP 61 RESEARCH-stockbrokerP 62 RESEARCH-internetP 63 RESEARCH-other resourcesP 64 INTERVIEWS-types 1P 65 INTERVIEWS-types-2P 66 INTERVIEWS-types 3P 67 INTERVIEWS-groomingP 68 INTERVIEWS-interviewer Qs-1P 69 INTERVIEWS-interviewer Qs-2P 70 INTERVIEWS-interviewer Qs-3P 71 INTERVIEWS-candidate Qs-1P 72 INTERVIEWS-candidate Qs-2P 73 INTERVIEWS-follow up letterP 74 SUGGESTED RESOURCES

Show Slides Additional Slides (via links)


Introduction




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Name & Objective

Name Name should be in large, bold print at the top of the page

Think of it as the Title of the résumé

Objective A short, to-the-point statement about what type of position

an applicant is seeking

Some prefer to leave this off, but it is becoming increasingly preferred by managers as a sorting tool – no objective, no attention to the résumé

Back to Résumé Section


Introduction




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Summary

This is an excellent opportunity for the “Quick Sell”

A chance to make an impression by highlighting skills, experience, or any other features that make you stand out from the crowd – make them keep reading

• More than two years of accounting and auditing experience.• Auditor internship with Acme Accounting in Knoxville, TN.• Magna Cum Laude graduate with BBA in Accounting.• Proficient with MS Office (including Access), Windows 98/2000, and Internet

research.

Summary



Introduction




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Education

Should include all educational institutions you attended

List most recent schools first

Include the degree attained or current class level or anticipated graduation date

GPA If lower than 3.00

- Be prepared to explain why it’s lower than the B average (i.e. “I put myself through school with my own money”)

- Only include your GPA in you major – not cumulative - Consider not including it at all- It’s your call whether to include – sometimes a tough call



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Work Experience

Chronological Include most recent employer, dates employed,

job titles held, and a brief description of duties using strong, action words

Functional List particular work experience first (great for

customizing your résumé for a particular job-posting)



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Interests & Extracurricular Activities

Include any activities in high school & college, include any leadership positions here

Include TVA Investment Challenge

List hobbies & other interests here

This section helps to build a “paper” impression of you



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Awards & Achievements

List any awards received in high school or college Deans Lists America’s Who’s Who Awards Academic organizations (Golden Key, Phi Beta Kappa, etc.)

Include both academic & extracurricular Volunteer or service awards Good place to include information about paying for ones own

school (i.e. “paid 75% of college expenses by working during college”)



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Skills & Other Experience

Skills Include any computer experience when applying

for an office position Any pertinent skills that may pertain to the job

applying for

Other Experience Great place to customize your résumé for a

particular job- (i.e. if applying for position at a major sports company, include any previous

athletic experience; if applying for position in a global company, include any significant travel experience and language skills)



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Recruitment on Campus

Job Fairs• Sponsored/Coordinated

by the College Placement/Career Development Office

• Good way to meet networking contacts at other companies

• Some companies bring recent grads to meet prospective grads

• Meet people and get contact information

Career Days• Companies may not be

actively recruiting

• Opportunity to learn information about a company

• Good way to meet networking contacts at specific companies

• Meet people and get contact information for each company

Next Recruitment pageBack to Job Search


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Professional Job Fairs

• By Independent companies, hosted in centralized locations in U.S.

• Attract large crowds for entry-level candidates

• Gather network contacts

Entry Level Job Fairs


• Geared to a wide range of professional occupations

• Attended by many who have practical work experience in the field

• Good place to ask questions about starting a job search

• Gather network contacts Next Recruitment pageBack to Job Search


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Commercial Specialty Job Fairs

• Geared to a specialty group (i.e. Technical job fair)

• Excellent source for gathering information about hiring companies for later direct contact

CommunityJob Fairs

• Made up of potential employers throughout the local community

• Often very large – over 100 companies participating

• Great place to make contacts with specific companies

Back to Job Search


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Important People to Have in Your Network

Real Estate Broker

Travel Agent

Community Leader

Headhunter

Banker

Elected Local Official

High-Ranking Police Officer

Firefighter

Source for Events Tickets

Celebrity

Veterinarian

Insurance Expert

Auto Mechanic

Media Contact

Best Friend

Back to Networking Section


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Keeping Track of Contacts

Date: gives you a clue about how old the contact is. When updating information, update this line as well.

Nature of Contact: keep track of how you know this person.

Job Title: keep this accurate and acknowledge any promotions or job changes

Birthday: people are impressed if you remember. Keep address up to date so you can send cards for promotions, birthdays, or births/deaths.

Other: this is a place you can record any pertinent information, such as shared experiences, trips, etc..

Contact Information Sheet

Back to Networking Section


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Annual Reports

Single best source of inside information on a company

Contains “Letter to the Shareholders” from the President or CEO

Catalogs the company’s past year performance and vision for the future.

Information on principal lines of business, financial statements, suppliers, customers, target markets, challenges

Internal perspective of what the company considers its competitive advantage.

Get an Annual Report from the company’s corporate Shareholder Services Department (many are now online on company’s website). Call and request a copy.

Back to Research Section Next Research Source


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Marketing Materials

A good source of general information about a company and its product line

Most companies will be happy to supply brochures and literature about their company (you just have to ask!!)

Marketing staff are usually well-prepared to answer questions about their company, so they may provide answers to specific questions.

Call the company and ask to talk to Marketing Department.

Many companies have internal newsletters that are a good source of information about the culture of the company. Ask your HR contact to send you one.

Next Research SourceBack to Research Section


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Stockbroker

Good for researching a specific company

A full-service stockbroker can provide objective information about the overall prospects and state of the company

Provide insight into how the company is managed



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Internet

For companies with a web presence, the Internet usually provides a wealth of information

Most corporate web sites give information about the products and services offered by the company as well as information for shareholders, job searchers, researchers, and employees

To find a company’s web site, try searching Yahoo or some other search engine or call the company and ask them



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Other Resources

College Placement Office or Library College Placement Directory College Placement Annual F&S Index of Corporations & Industries Dun & Bradstreet’s Various Directories Moody’s Manuals

Chamber of Commerce Has information about the local community’s impression of the

company/division

Trade Magazines & Industry Associations

Network Contacts May have insights into the company via other contacts

Business Editors of Local Newspapers They know the inside scoop on many businesses. Call and ask them

questions for a change.Back to Research Section


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The World of Interviews – 1

Interview Type Description/Purpose

Face-to-Face • Candidate and Interviewer in same place• Make a personal connection. • Visual first impression is paramount• Opportunity to make an impression

Screening • Usually a telephone interview by Human Resources staff using formal interviewing techniques & strategies

• Little or no warning• Answer questions quickly; don’t self-promote• Intended to screen applicants for job by verifying

qualifications on résumé

Group • Candidate is put with other team members to see how they react, integrate, and respond to situations or common tasks

• Leaders & team player type personalities emerge• Play nice with the other kids!

Back to Interviewing More Interviews


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Structured • AKA: The checklist interview• Candidate responds to set list of questions• Little room for spontaneity• Answer questions thoughtfully

Informal • Usually in a non-formal setting – lunch, park, lobby area• Interviewer is more of a moderator• Intended to bring out candidate’s personality• Be relaxed and keep conversation light• Be prepared to talk about hobbies, clubs, volunteer

activities, school interests

Panel • Several interviewers ask questions• Often made up of team members• Each person asks set of questions• Stay relaxed and positive• Respond to each person with the same respect• You never know who has the deciding hiring vote

More InterviewsBack to Interviewing


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Situational • Candidate is put to the task – either literally or hypothetically• Lets interviewer see the candidate in action• Rely on confidence in your skills to get you through it

Stress • Purpose is to challenge candidate• Qualifications, opinions, college performance may all be

attacked• Make candidate feel uncomfortable with body language

– curt responses, staring effect• Don’t get offended or defensive• Watch the tone of your voice

Hiring • Purpose is to make offer to candidate• Don’t Blow This One! You’re close!• Don’t be afraid to negotiate • Be polite in whatever you say• Express gratitude to whomever calls with the offer• Deal is not final until you’ve signed acceptance offer

Back to Interviewing


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Do’s and Don'ts of Clothing & Grooming

Do Don’tModerately conservative business wear

Men: blue, gray, charcoal solid or pinstripe suits; long-sleeve light colored solid shirt; dress shoes; coordinating belt and shoes

Women: wear conservative colors with moderate heels or flats, not open toe; skin-tone hosiery

Carry only what you need

Brush hair & teeth; be clean-shaven; have a general well-groomed appearance

Make a fashion “statement”

Men: Wear brown, black or another color

Women:Wear mini skirts

Wear summer colors in the winter or vice versa

Eat garlic or onions right before the interview

Wear jewelry, make-up or nail polish that may be distracting



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Questions your Interviewer Might Ask – 1Question Suggested Response

Tell me about your professional experience.

Keep your answer brief. Emphasize diversity. Don’t appear narrow or specialized. The interviewer will ask for more detail, if needed.

Name three accomplishments you are most proud of.

Be ready with some good examples; stress how your accomplishments helped others on your team, especially your employer.

What do you know about our company? Research pays off. Do the research before the interview and this should be an easy question. Try to convey that you are aware of where the company fits into the big picture of it’s industry.

Name 3 things you like about your job and 3 things you don’t like.

Accentuate the positive and minimize the negative. Good examples of negatives include limited growth opportunity, desire for more challenging work, maturing priorities that necessitate a career change.

Tell me about … (open ended question) This question is designed to keep you from simply answering “yes” or “no.” Be prepared to explain something briefly.

Back to Interviewing More Questions


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Have you ever had more work than you could finish? How did you handle it?

You resolved this common problem in the past by setting priorities and negotiating new terms for deadlines.

How long would it take you to make a contribution here?

Offer a hypothetical situation and accomplishment based on prior experiences. Be realistic.

What salary are you looking for? Never talk salary during an interview! If you get this question, simply ask what the pay range is and say that your goal is to be within that range.

What skills have you improved the most in the last 2 years?

This question aims at getting you to admit to a shortcoming and show how you overcame it. Plus it exposes your most recent learning experiences.

Tell me about one of biggest mistakes. Have an example ready and show how you learned from your mistake. Take ownership of it by admitting to it but show how you learned from it.

Why do you want this job? Stay general; emphasize that you researched the company and were impressed with it’s management.

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What do you think you could contribute to this firm?

Be ready match your skills to the company’s needs.

What style of management is do you work with best?

Don’t name a single style, but stress that you are flexible and adaptive to any style

What qualities do you like in a boss? If possible, reflect the qualities of the interviewer; otherwise say that you prefer a supportive manager that sets a positive example and gives you new challenges.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Stress that you expect to be in the same job for the 5-year period and hopefully at this company.

Why did you leave a previous position? Maintain positive attitude about previous employers. If bad parting, say how you could have made things better and stress how you have grown as a result.

Why do you change jobs so often? Stress that you have learned much from a progression of positions and that you are seeking a more permanent position with this company.



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Questions You Might Ask the Interviewer – 1Question Why You Want to Ask It

How many people work in this department?

This helps see where the department fits into the overall organization.

How do you see the company developing over the next few years?

To see what an insider has to say about the company’s growth opportunities.

Where would I fit into the organization? Get a better understanding of your job title and where you fit into the organization relative to other employees.

Why did my predecessor leave? To see if this position has a problem with growth, since many people leave jobs to seek better opportunities, you may draw a conclusion that this position was not rewarding enough for predecessors

How long has this position been open? If previous interviewees rejected the position, there may be a cause to reevaluate an offer.

How many people have had this position in the last 3 years?

This may reveal that this position has been difficult to succeed in.

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Questions You Might Ask the Interviewer – 2Question Why You Want to Ask It

How many people have been promoted from this position during the last 3 years?

Helps to see if the job is a good entry level with potential for advancement.

What would some of my priorities be, if you hire me?

Clarify many of the real tasks for the job, not just the vague descriptions of the position.

Why did you join this company? How long? Why stay?

This will reveal the interviewers level of satisfaction with the company.

What training opportunities will I have, if you hire me?

Training opportunities is a great insight into the value a company places on its employees. It is especially important for the recent graduates entering the work force.

Is there a formal job description?

Ask to see it?

Gives you a better understanding of the position. Sometimes when recruiters are wooing you, they may embellish the duties to make a minor position sound like a major one.



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Follow-up Letter

Thank the person for their time, interest, tour, etc.

Mention something that impressed you about their offices or operations.

Reflect on discussion of position and emphasize how your skills and experience will fit their needs.

Discuss references, next meeting and follow-up telephone call.



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Suggested Resources

Books InternetCollege Grad Job Hunter, Forth EditionBy Brian D. Krueger, CPC

Cover Letters That Knock ‘Em Dead By Martin Yate

Your First Interview, Third EditionFor Students and Anyone Preparing to Enter Today’s Job Market By Ron Fey

Your First Job, Second Edition By Ron Fey

101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions By Ron Fey

Dig Your Well Before You’re ThirstyThe Only Networking Book You’ll Ever Need By Harvey Mackay

The Perfect Cover Letter By Richard H. Beatty

The Quick Interview and Salary Negotiation BookBy J. Michael Farr

www.hotjobs.com

www.monster.com

www.headhunter.com

www.eresumes.com

www.collegegrad.com

www.snagajob.com

www.jobstar.org

www.dreamjobcoach.com

Documents

How to Write a Résumé