10 Resume Rules to Follow

Posted by admin at 7:38 pm

Whether this is your first time creating a resume or you have written several over the years, knowing what rules to follow and when can be frustrating and confusing.  Here are 10 tips to help you get started:

• Always include an objective.
• Customize your resume for each different position you are applying to.
• Include the dates, employer’s name and title for each job listed on your resume.
• Update your resume when you have acquired a new skill or changed jobs.
• Check for punctuation and spelling errors.
• Keep it to one page, unless you have an extensive amount of experience.
• Follow the instructions each employer gives you on what to include and how to send it.
• Do not include the reason for leaving each position, but do have them prepared.
• Only include what is relevant, not every place you have ever worked.
• Be honest about everything on your resume.

Your resume is the first impression you make on an employer. Remember to have someone review your resume before sending it out.

For more tips on resume writing and job searching, click here.

Interview Tip: Selling Yourself

Posted by admin at 10:29 pm

Selling yourself during an interview could be the deciding factor between a job offer or denial. Here are a few tips for increasing your chances:

1. First impression is most important. Make sure you are on time, prepared, your hand shake is firm and that you make eye contact.
2. You should have studied the company and the position thoroughly so that you can answer as well as ask questions. The interviewer will know you do your homework.
3. Relate your strengths to the position you are interviewing for.
4. Bring a brag book of your accomplishments, awards, certificates, or any work relating to the position.
5. Turn negatives into positives. If you do not have a ton of experience, let them know anything you have done that would represent any characteristics of the position. For example, if you don’t have sales experience (but are interviewing for a sales job) you might want to mention the fund raising you did for your charity, or the door knocking you did for a campaign.
6. Be enthusiastic, responsive, truthful and friendly.
7. Always follow-up. Send a thank you note or e-mail and remind them of your interest and strengths.

Following these simple rules should put you above your competition. Your resume has gotten you in the door, now comes the real work.

For more interview tips, click here.

No Call, No Show?

Posted by admin at 9:44 pm

Interviewing can be stressful and over-whelming. When interviewing for a job that might not feel like the best fit, you still have to take time off, commute or even spend time (that you don’t have) on a brag book. You then decide you might just skip this one.

So you didn’t call or e-mail; you just didn’t show up. It doesn’t matter since you don’t know the interviewer and you have other opportunities, right? Wrong. There are several ways not showing up to an interview without canceling can hurt you.

You close the door of opportunity for good. You never know when you will be job searching again, and when a position you once passed on might look very appealing. If you declined or canceled on good terms, you might just have a chance of getting a position at that company again. But, if you no called/no showed to an interview, you can forget about it. Once that impression has been made on a potential employer, that door is shut, locked and most likely guarded.

It’s a small world. People know each other, especially corporate recruiters. You might think no one will ever know that you didn’t show up to an interview besides you and the hiring manager. Think again. The world is not that big and if word got around that you don’t show up to interviews, this could look very bad on your part, hence, making it hard to find the perfect opportunity.

You don’t know ’till you get there. An opportunity might not seem like a great fit at first glance. An interview can give you great insight into a job; what the environment is like, what is expected and what the management might be like. You’ve heard the phrase, “Never judge a book by it’s cover.” You should also apply this to jobs; it could be just the position  you are looking for.

Courtesy is not dead. If you made plans with another person and they did not show up but decided against letting you know, you would be frustrated, angry, sad, etc. Showing respect for people can go a long way. It’s perfectly OK to decide that an opportunity is not right for you, just make sure you let the interviewer know one way or another. Even if you make the decision the morning of the interview, you will be on better terms with the company than you would if you just didn’t show up.

There is not a national database of people who do not show up to interviews, and most likely you will feel guilty for a little bit and then move on. But what if you missed that one great chance, or that one person you were supposed to meet? And what if they know someone who knows someone that can affect your future opportunities? These are just some things to keep in mind, after all, showing up to an interview never hurts.

Buidling Your Brand: The Brag Book

Posted by admin at 5:23 pm

Whether you are a PR professional, sales representative, a writer or an artist, having a brag book along with a great cover letter and resume is essential to landing a good job. A brag book gives you a chance to show off your experience and talents, giving the interviewer a better idea of what kind of employee you would be.

So what exactly goes in a brag book? Well that depends on what industry you are in. Here are some examples:

• Any letters of recommendation
• Awards and certificates
• Emails or letters from employers, clients or co-workers that give you praise
• Copies of your work if you are a writer or artist
• A list of references
• Copy of your resume
• College transcripts

Again, whatever profession you are in depends on what you will include in your brag book.  You should put everything in a binder (a white or black one works just fine) with sleeves to separate each page. Once you have your book all ready to go, remember to practice the presentation.

For more job searching tips, click here.

Writing a Cover Letter

Posted by admin at 8:38 pm

When writing a cover letter, your mission is to grab the attention of the hiring manager. You should focus on why you are the best fit, why you want the position and what you can do for their company. Below is an example of how to set up your cover letter:

Your Information

You should put your name at the top, center of the page. Then on the left-hand side, you should list your address and the date. Also, if you have the company’s information you should list their name and address below your information.

You should start the letter with “Dear Mr./Mrs. ABC” or “Dear Hiring Manager”.

First Paragraph

This should include why your are writing them, what you are applying to and how you found out about the position. You should make the introduction short; no more than 2-3 sentences.

Second Paragraph

This should be the “why I am qualified” part of your cover letter. Refer to any experience you have that relates to the position and how you could apply that to their company. Also, you can add what type of worker you are, i.e., a great team performer, great at working individually – or both.

Third Paragraph

This paragraph should be a closing statement. Remind them that you are a interested in working for their company and that you are a great fit for the position. Let them know that your resume is enclosed and thank them for their time.

End the letter with sincerely or regards, and your signature.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net.

For more tips on job searching, click here.

Interview Tip: The Follow-up

Posted by admin at 5:35 pm

Now that the interview is over you can just sit back and wait for the offer, right? Wrong. You still need to work on landing the job by following up and keeping in contact with the people you have interviewed with. Below are some guidelines to help you with the final stages of the interview process.

Write a Thank You

Make sure to get all of the contact information for each person that has interviewed you. The best way to go about this is to ask for a business card; if they do not have one, ask for their email address, phone number and the correct spelling of their first and last name. Send a thank you letter to each individual person. You also want to send this out no longer than 48 hours after the interview, but the sooner the better.

Sell Yourself

Always express your interest for the position and your strengths as they relate to the job when following up. Keep in mind that you are always selling yourself and they want to know what you will bring to the table. Make them aware of how your skills can benefit their company.

Keeping in Contact

If you have not heard from anyone, you may contact them with a phone call (or email if that is what they prefer) regarding the position about 7 to 10 days after the interview. Again, express your interests and your strengths and ask them for an update. This will let them know you are a serious candidate.

Following up will put you ahead of the rest of the candidates that may just be waiting around for a phone call. Remember to always ask what the next step is at the end of the interview and do not rely on one or two interviews to land you a job: interviewing takes work so continue to apply until you receive an offer.

For more interview tips, click here.

Time Saver Tip: Have Your References Ready

Posted by admin at 11:12 pm

When applying for jobs you may start to feel over-whelmed just thinking about each step of the process. One thing you can do is prepare your references so they are ready for any employer that may ask for them.

You should have about 3-5 references ready with all of their information, including: address, number, email and current position/company. Also, try to keep most of them, if not all, professional references. If you do not already have permission from your references, make sure you get that first as you do not want anyone to be caught off-guard.

Having your references ready is a short process but could save you a great deal of time and frustration in the end.

For more information on job tips, click here.

Can Your Facebook Profile Affect a Job Opportunity?

Posted by admin at 5:23 pm

When applying for a job, do you consider what is on your Facebook profile? In some instances, during an interview you could be asked about the content of any of your social media profiles. Keeping everything private is only one way to go about avoiding an uncomfortable situation with a potential employer.

You also need to make sure that anything that could be visible is appropriate. This includes your profile picture, any status updates, your information and even your wall posts and photos. You should follow these rules for any social media, including a blog.

With employers looking at Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. more so than ever, you want to make sure they don’t get the wrong idea. Also remember that including your website, blog or other links to your resume can give the employer a better feel for who you are and what you can bring to the table; just make sure that they too are appropriate.

How to Ace the Phone Interview

Posted by admin at 2:57 pm

Phone interviews are usually conducted to screen candidates and to narrow down the search. Phone interviews also allow you the chance to land an in-person interview, therefore it’s important to be prepared.

You should treat this as you would a regular interview. Below are some tips to help you get started:

• Make sure you are in a quiet place where you will not be interrupted
• Have a copy of your resume in front of you, as well as a list of answers to possible interview questions
• Do not smoke, chew gum or eat during the interview process
• Speak slowly and remember to enunciate
• Never interrupt the interviewer
• Smile while you are on the phone; it will reflect a positive and excited attitude
• Have something ready to write with in case you need to take notes

Remember to always thank your interviewer and ask about the next step. If you are interested in moving along in the process, ask to set up a face-to-face interview. You should follow-up with a thank you email as you would with any other interview.

For more information on interviewing tips, click here.

Social Media Networking for Job Seekers

Posted by admin at 2:21 pm

With the boom of the internet and social media, traditional job searching is no longer the answer. If you are a job seeker, taking advantage of networking with people via social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn could greatly increase your chances of landing that dream job.

So how do you get started? Think of the type of job you would like, or the type of company you would like to work for. From there you can search the company, the people who work there, or people who are connected to the people who work there. (Twitter and LinkedIn are best for these types of connections). You then need to start building a relationship with your connections so that when the time comes to get a new position, you have a better chance of being on their list of top candidates.

You can also join groups that relate to the specific industry you are looking into, or even subscribe to blogs about that industry. Following or connecting with recruiters is another great option.

Get involved, build relationships: finding the perfect job takes work . For the right approach, you need to integrate the old rules of job searching with social media networking.

For more tips on job searching, click here.

How to Write a Good Objective

Posted by admin at 2:30 pm

A good resume objective is strong and to the point. It also is the first thing a potential employer will read, so make sure to catch their eye with the following steps.

The objective should be fairly simple. Targeting the specific job and/or company is highly encouraged, for example: To obtain an outside sales position with ABC company. This lets the employer know that you are interested in this specific opening with their company. If you do not know the company’s name, just make sure to list the job title you are applying for.

You may also want to add your job skills to the second part of the objective. You should avoid writing anything that pertains to what you want out of the position; the company wants to know what you can do for them, not what your personal career objective is. You can add something about applying your knowledge and (specific) skills, for example: An outside sales position to help the company grow its’ client base by applying my knowledge of the sales industry and my prospecting skills. Or, something like: To obtain an outside sales position with ABC company, using my 3 years B2B sales experience to prospect for new clients.

Remember that an objective sets the tone for the rest of the resume and should always be included at the top of your resume. You also need to slightly alter the objective with each new position you are applying to.

For more resume writing tips, click here.

What to Look for in a Company

Posted by admin at 2:16 pm

When you are searching for a new position, what are the key things to look for in a company?

While that changes from individual to individual, the following items usually top the make-or-break list for candidates:

Compensation

Make sure you do not sell yourself short here. Determine your budget and figure out how much you will need to live comfortably. You can then give a company a certain range (if asked) or negotiate when offered the position. If the job description lists a non-negotiable salary too low for your budget, you may want to reconsider apply. (But make sure that you also consider benefits and commission if applicable!)

Culture

Do you prefer a team environment? Work hard, play hard? Are you looking for a small office setting, or a corporate culture? If you are not sure what you would be most comfortable with, ask the company what the day-to-day office environment is like, how people interact with each other and how much is team work vs. individual work. Once they go into more detail about the work environment, you should get a good feel for how you would fit into the picture.

Performance and Schedule Expectation

Are you looking for a M-F, 9-5? Are you looking to work a non-traditional shift? Or you could be willing to work a 45 hrs + workweek given the hard work pays off.

Don’t forget to ask about the hours and what amount of time is expected of someone in that position.

Upward Mobility

Promotion is important to most job seekers. Ask the company what the career path is for a certain position and what needs to be put in to the position to reach that promotion.

All of these are based on the level of importance to each job seeker. To really get a good picture of whether a position is the right fit for you, you also need to make sure you are prepared for the interview and ask the right questions.

Career Fair Etiquette

Posted by admin at 7:33 pm

Career fairs can be over-whelming and confusing. Here are some tips to help you be prepared to attend a career fair:

Dress Professionally

Wearing a suit is highly recommended. Treat the career fair as several pre-interviews. For more information on appropriate attire, click here.

Be Prepared

Check to see what companies are going to be there and make a list of the ones you want to talk to. Do some research on those companies as well so that when you talk to them, they know you are really interested. When you get there, take time to check out where the companies are on the map so that you are not walking around looking lost and wasting time.

Also, practice a 2 minute speech about yourself and what you want out of a career. Bring several copies of your resume, one for each company.

Follow-up

Make sure to get a business card from each individual you talk to and follow-up with them. Thank them for the opportunity to meet with them and let them know how you would be a perfect fit for their company. Let them know how interested you are in a position with them and that you are going to apply for a certain position, or that you already have applied.

These are just a few tips to get you started on career fair etiquette. If you are looking for a career fair in your area, you can check out our job seeker events calendar.

Backpack to Briefcase: Job Searching for Recent Grads

Posted by admin at 3:28 pm

Graduating from college is a big accomplishment. You are excited to be out in the real world and to begin looking for a career, but where do you start?

Job Boards

If you haven’t already checked out your schools’ job board, you should do that first. Then you can move on to the big job search engines such as Career Builder, Monster, Hot Jobs and Indeed. Looking on Craigslist is a good way to find local openings as well.

You can use keyword searches or look under different categories with job boards. You might also want to post your resume so it is available for potential employers to see.

Recruiters

Using a recruiter or a recruiting firm is a great way to see several opportunities that are available as well as to get a little bit of career advice, if offered. There are temp-to-hire agencies, agencies with permanent or contract work from all industries, or firms that specialize in a specific industry. Do a search in the city your are looking for a job to see what services are offered.

Networking

Use the people you know. The best way to get an opportunity is to contact friends who are working in your field of interest, teachers/professors, family members or anyone you have come across that might be able to help you find employment.

Finding a job post-graduation can be tough, but you shouldn’t give up. There are jobs out there and using all available resources is the first step towards starting your new career.

Interview Tip: Preparation

Posted by admin at 2:05 pm

Your resume has gotten you in the door, but the interview gets you the job. In order to prove you are the best candidate for a position, you must be fully prepared. Below you will find a few helpful  tips for preparation.

Research

Look up as much information about the company and the position as you can. This will not only allow you to comment on anything that perked your interest regarding the company or the position during the interview, but it will also prepare you for any questions they might ask you, or any questions you would like to ask them.  Being knowledgeable will give you a leg up on competition that might not have been fully prepared.

Make a List of Possible Questions

Thinking back to the research you did on the company and the tradition, what are some questions you could be asked during the interview? Practice your answers with a friend or in the mirror. Be prepared for the traditional questions as well, such as:

• Tell me about yourself
• What are your strengths and weaknesses
• Why are you the best fit
• What interests you about the position
• Questions regarding any information on your resume

What to Bring

Brag books used to be for Executive-level positions or sales jobs: That is a thing of the past. Anything such as letters of recommendations, projects, writing samples, certifications, awards, your cover letter and resume can be added to a portfolio to present at the time of the interview. Make sure you practice the presentation of your brag book and that anything you put in it relates to the position you are interviewing for in some way. Make this look clean and professional, using a binder of some sort as well as plastic inserts for each page.

If you know how many people will be interviewing you, bring a copy of your resume for each person. If you don’t know, 4 copies should suffice. Make sure to bring one for yourself as well to have in front of you at the interview.

Not being fully prepared is the biggest mistake made in the interviewing process. Arrive about 15 minutes early and dress professionally. A suit is highly recommended, no matter what position you are interviewing for.

For more tips on interviewing, resumes and job searching, visit the StratStaff blog.

The Basics of Resume Writing

Posted by admin at 10:57 pm

Whether you are a new grad applying to your first job, or searching for a senior-level position, the resume is your key to landing an interview. With an over-whelming response to job postings, your  resume needs to stand out. Here are some simple guidelines to follow to get you started:

Write a Clear Objective

Make sure your objective defines exactly what you want in a position. Better yet, change your objective each time you apply to a new job to gear it specifically towards that position. If you are applying for a software sales job in Denver for example, use something along the lines of “To obtain a Software Sales position in the Denver Metro area.” This will allow potential employers to know that you are not looking for a PR position but applying to sales because you “just need a job”.

Summary of Qualifications

Here you can list what you have experience with, whether that be 2 years B2B sales, 6 years customer service, proficient in Microsoft Office, or any other significant amount of experience in an industry or software/hardware programs that relate to the position you are applying for. You may keep this the same is applying to the same types of positions, but remember to change it if you are applying to several different industries.

Education

List dates of your education, starting with the most recent. If you have a college degree, you do not need to list your high school education, as it is a given that you graduated. If you have some sort of certificates or licenses, again, make sure they are at least some what relevant to what you are applying for otherwise you are just taking up space.

Experience

List the dates of your employment, starting with the most recent. You do not need to include every place you have ever worked. If you have 2 years work experience out of college for example, listing just one of your jobs in college is OK. If you worked two jobs at once, you only need to list the one you worked at primarily. Contract work can be added to your summary of qualifications.

Gaps in your employment can look bad to a potential employer, so be prepared to answer any questions as to what you were doing during that time. Length of employment is also important; you do not want to look like a job hopper.

Achievements

Here you can list any awards you have received either from school or another employer. You may list activities you are or were involved in such as clubs, sports, fraternities/sororities or any volunteer experience. If you wish, you may also add a new sub-header specifically for your volunteer work.

These are just some of the basics to get your resume on the right track. Remember to try to fit everything into one page if possible, never staple or fold your resume, use print that people can read but doesn’t look like a banner ad, and always put your contact information at the top; your name, phone number, email and physical address. Make sure your resume is in a clean and professional format, and you are on your way to landing the job!

For more information on resume writing, interviews and job searching, please visit the StratStaff blog.

Are you using bad (body) language?

Posted by admin at 6:35 pm

How important is body language during an interview? In a recent CareerBuilder survey of over 2500 hiring managers it could be the make or break factor in your job interview.

Take a look at some of the top body language mistakes candidates make in job interviews.

Pre-interview Research

Posted by admin at 2:19 pm

Are you doing your homework before you go into an interview? How much research should you do?

Even for entry to mid-level positions background research shows the type of initiative, due diligence, and work ethic that hiring managers are looking for. This said, studying the company website and  understanding the language in the job description may not be enough. Also look for information in recent articles (a simple Google search may do the trick), blogs, trade publications and information on competitors. Organize your findings in a document for review before the interview.

Also make sure to only share positive information and input with the hiring manager. Remember, in most cases it’s not the job of the hiring manager to sell you on the company. YOU are the one interviewing. Asking questions is good but bringing up bad press that may or may not be true is a great way to disqualify you from the interview process.

Showing your interviewer that you are willing to invest time and energy in the interview process could help you achieve the separation you need to land the job!

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Posted by admin at 5:47 pm

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Dress to Impress

Posted by admin at 9:31 pm

Ever deliberate over whether or not you should wear a suit to an interview? Don’t. While some industries and some professions may allow casual attire in the workplace , erring on the side of business professional is always the best policy. Whether you’re interviewing for an entry-level position or an executive-level position, showing your interviewer you can look the part is a must.

Men should shoot for a solid color or at least conservative pattern suit – neatly pressed.  Socks should be dark with matching shoes. If you want to exude some personality, the tie is the place. (Leave the fish or piano tie at home.)

For women a solid color conservative suit is also ideal. Limit jewelry and accessories (including perfume and make-up).

In an environment where first impressions carry so much weight, don’t lose points due to your dress. The competition is fierce in the job market so it behooves you to position yourself in the best light.