Resource Technical Management - Career Planning Strategies
Interviewing Tips
by Roland Matte on 11/08/10
INTERVIEW TIPS
Tip #1: Prepare
Do Your Homework
Research the company online and talk to your RTN Recruiter so you'll know what to ask, and what will most likely be asked of you. Think about it like this: Would you hire an applicant who doesn't know anything about your company, and didn't even bother to find out? Why would they want the job in the first place?
Rehearse Your Responses
Companies and interviewers vary greatly in their expectations and operating procedures, However; many if not most of your interview questions can be prepared for: Role-play by Practicing answering the basic questions, anticipating some "trick" questions, and generally get yourself ready to best sell your experiences, knowledge, and unique personality. If possible, get a partner to help you rehearse.
Scope The Playing Field
Do you know where the company is? Do they have ample parking? If your interview is set for 9:15am, then you absolutely must get there promptly at 9:00am - so make sure nothing "unexpected" happens, even if that requires doing a dress rehearsal and a dry run to ensure you'll be at the right place at the right time (this can do wonders for your self-confidence on the fateful day, too).
Get A Good Night's Sleep
Preparing yourself mentally is one thing, but preparing yourself physically and emotionally is also equally critical. Mark your interview date on the calendar, and make sure you've got little scheduled the evening before. Wake up a bit earlier than usual to make sure you'll have ample time to make all the final preparations necessary to ace the interview and land the job.
Tip #2: Dress Appropriately for the Opportunity
Dressing the part might sound obvious, but the basics are often the most significant, and are worthy of detailed consideration. For starters, if in doubt, dress as conservatively as possible. If you are torn between the bright red tie and a softer blue one, choose the less flashy shade; if you're trying to pick either the medium-length pant suit or the longer one, choose the longer one.
No "Bling-Bling,"
Same rules apply for any and all accoutrements: Colognes and perfumes should be inconspicuous to non-existent; rings shouldn't be showy and few in number, while earrings, necklaces, and similar "extras" should be under-stated at worst, and absent at best. A good rule of thumb is to look at yourself in the mirror and ask if there's anything memorable about your attire: If you say "yes," isolate what's standing out as special, and get rid of it. Repeat the process until your ensemble makes such a good impression that it makes no impression at all.
Less Is More (More Or Less)
Hair care and style are also important: A man's hair should be cut short and neat, with little or no facial hair or, if necessary, a very well groomed mustache or beard. Women's hair styles can of course vary, but for an interview should be as low-key and ordinary as possible. Remember: Its an interview, not on a date!
Tip #3: Put Their Needs First
It's All About THEM, Not You!
That's why it's crucial to do your homework before the interview, and carefully listen to the questions throughout the process. You might be perfect at what you do, but if what you say you do isn't what needs to get done, then they won't hire you. Think about it: They're trying to fill a position with a qualified candidate, and could care less if your qualifications - no matter how amazing - fall outside the job description. So know what's expected, and structure your responses based on THEIR needs, not your own.
Think Before You Speak
Let's say the position they're looking to fill is a customer service representative, and an interviewer asks you something like: "How are your data processing skills?" Don't waste quality time talking about your typing speed and software knowledge, especially if you know the job you're interviewing for has little need for typing. Instead, a positive answer might be: "My typing skills are fantastic, and I'm sure they can supplement my even better people-skills and teamwork."
Guide The Interview
If the interview seems to be shifting into awkward or irrelevant areas use your answers to shift things back into focus. To continue the above example, let's say your interviewer keeps pressing you about his concerns that you're not really a team player. A good way out of that topic and into a more favorable conversation might be something like: "My word processing skills actually taught me about the importance of attention to detail, and how errors can waste time and money." Then shift: "In fact, I'm now ready to apply that same proven philosophy to customer service, where I can use similar skills to keep your level of customer satisfaction at an all time high."
Tip #4: Don't Be Too Arrogant - Or Too Humble
Stay Balanced
If you're too passive, your interviewer may feel less vulnerable, but you run the risk of appearing unmotivated or drab. Similarly, if you're too active you may seem lively and engaging, but also a threat to the status quo and you may be thought of being too dramatic. The trick here is to stay as balanced as possible, paying close attention to both obvious and more subtle clues provided by your interviewer.
Watch For Signs
If your interviewer looks bored or uninterested in you (yawning, looking at a watch, restless body language, lack of eye contact), then add more energy to your approach. But if your interviewer shows signs that you're coming on a bit too strong (raised eyebrows conveying a surprised look, defensive body language such as hand gestures or any look of annoyance or threat), then slow things down a couple of notches. A mistake often made by job applicants is exclusively monitoring your own behavior and actions, instead of focusing on the person who really counts: The interviewer who will be the one making that critical hiring decision.
Tip #5: Ask Questions
Tell - Then Ask
Asking questions is your interviewer's primary tool, and should be yours, too. By strategically (and tactfully) asking questions, you'll be able to clarify points, dig deeper into subjects that highlight your strengths, and even direct the flow of the interview in directions that bring out the best in you. Perhaps most importantly, asking insightful questions demonstrates your capacity to think on your feet, and take an active part in your environment.
Food For Thought
Questions display and embellish knowledge, and help create a lasting memory of you and your capabilities - That's important during the selection process, when you come up against the personality and experiences of all the other candidates interviewing for this same position.
In summary: Ask questions, pay attention, and sell yourself!
Resume Writing Tips
by Roland Matte on 11/08/10
Resume Writing Tips
Tip #1: Create An Outline
Great resumes start with great planning. Before you begin, on a separate sheet of paper summarize your professional experience, skills, education and awards. Think about the type of job you're looking for, and then select the information that seems most relevant.
Tip #2: Customize Your Resume
Employers and job descriptions can vary tremendously, requiring an emphasis on different skills and experience. So don't hesitate to customize your resume whenever appropriate. You might want to create several different resumes as needed that are tailored towards the type of job you are applying to, and you should save each version for later use.
Tip #3: Keep Your Layout Organized
Employers rarely read resumes from start-to-finish. Instead, they scan them quickly for certain information or keywords and are used to seeing facts and details organized a particular way. Resumes do vary greatly in terms of look and feel, but they should be more-or-less organized into these distinct sections:
- Contact Information
- Synopsis
- Summary of Qualifications
- Skills
- Education and/or Certifications
- Professional Experience
- Affiliations
- References
Tip #4: Tell The Truth, The Whole Truth, Nothing But ...
Honesty is the best policy! Stick to the facts, and don't exaggerate or make anything up. Accurately write down dates of employment, duties, your accomplishments and experience. At the same time, don't add personal information that's not relevant to the job, such as hobbies or interests. Use proper word tense by never using "I", "me," or "my", while making your experience read like job descriptions (instead of simply listing your duties). Finally, avoid using any fancy fonts, colored paper, or other attention-getting gimmicks.
Tip #5: Emphasize What You Bring, Not What You Take
As you fill in these categories from your outline, focus on what you bring to the company, instead of what you expect from the job. For example, narrow down your qualifications to those you think your employer would need the most, and include job results that show how they'd actually benefit from hiring you.
Tip #6: "Less Is More!"
Since you're usually up against many other candidates for the same position, you'll want to do some serious editing to keep your resume as straightforward and effective as possible. Imagine having to read dozens of resumes; wouldn't you choose the one that's easiest to read? So as a general rule, you should:
- Limit your resume to 2-3 pages maximum
- (1 page is even better)
- Keep your descriptions short and to-the-point; briefly mention what you've done, but emphasize the positive results your employment would bring
- Eliminate any extra or unneeded details; put yourself in a hiring manager's shoes and ask: "Would I want to hire this person?"
Tip #7: Check, Check, and Recheck For Errors
Typos, bad grammar, or factual mistakes can dramatically kill your chances for getting that all-important interview. So make sure you pay close attention to the details, and double- and even triple-check your resume when its completed. Another good idea is to have a friend or family member proofread your resume, since they might pick up errors, omissions, and redundancies that you'd otherwise miss.
Tip #8: Get Feedback & Help
The only people who can really determine the strength of your resume are those meant to read it - so try to get as much feedback as you can from employers and your Resource Technical Management Recruiter.
Cover Letter Writing Tips
by Roland Matte on 11/08/10
COVER LETTER WRITING TIPS
Tip #1: Always Try To Submit One
Since you're usually up against many other qualified job applicants, a cover letter is an excellent way to stand out from the crowd. A cover letter might not be a requirement, however; smart applicants make it a habit to include a well-written, customized letter with every resume you submit.
Tip #2: Make It Personal
How likely are you to read a letter that's addressed "To Whom It May Concern?" If you can, try to learn the name and title of the hiring manager - that way, you'll be able to personally address your cover letter, and have a much better chance that your resume will get the attention it needs to compete.
Tip #3: Learn About The Job & The Company
Your chance of landing that first interview is greatly increased if you demonstrate some knowledge about the job you're applying for and the company. Read the job description very carefully, and research the company on the Internet. Go to a search engine such as www.google.com or www.yahoo.com, and type in the company name, then do some research on the company's web site.
Tip #4: Answer The Question: "How Can I Help This Employer Succede?"
After you've read through the job description and learned about the company from Web research, you should have a good idea what the firm is looking for. Instead of using your cover letter to let them know what you're looking for, let the company know how you can solve business problems by improving efficiencies, saving money, etc. In the process you'll not only demonstrate an active interest in the firm's organization, but stress why they should hire YOU for this job.
Tip #5: Use Your Own Voice
Resumes, by their nature, tend to be factual and pretty drab. A well-written cover letter, on the other hand, gives you an opportunity to communicate more straightforwardly with the employer, and let your individual style shine through. Write as you'd speak, but express yourself professionally and emphasize what you can do for the company by talking about the positive results you have achieved. Try a dry run while standing up as we are more animated when standing.
Tip #6: Get To The Point
You're probably very busy trying to find a job, but keep in mind that the employer is even busier filling them. Although you want to customize each cover letter with job and company information, and show the wisdom of hiring you, it's best to keep your letter to at most two or three short paragraphs. So stick to what's important, and put yourself in the reader's shoes: Is your letter interesting and to the point? Is it a quick read that leaves unanswered questions? Would you want to hire the person who wrote it?
Tip #7: Absolutely Proofread!
A great cover letter is the perfect chance for you to show your stuff - it's also the perfect chance for you to ruin your chances with typos, misspellings, bad grammar, or factually incorrect information. Double- and triple-check your letter after you're done, and it might even help if you read it out loud. Share your letter with friends or family, and have them read and proof it, too.
Getting Started
by Roland Matte on 11/08/10In this blog we will cover Career Planning, Career Management, & Career Advancement Strategies by starting out with Cover Letter Writing, Resume Writing, and Interviewing Tips to get started.
