How to have a successful job interview

Even if you are qualified for a job, you still have to get through the ever-dreaded job interview in order to get your foot in the door. It can be daunting to some, but if you know the keys to having a successful job interview, then you are much more likely to impress your potential employer and get the job.

BODY LANGUAGE

Actions speak louder than words. Your body language has to convey confidence and capability, or your words will seem artificial. When you walk into the building where your interview is taking place, the positive body language starts – your good interview behavior is not reserved only for the person who is interviewing you. When you check in with the receptionist, stand up straight, keep your shoulders back, and make direct eye contact. You don’t want to look scared and nervous. People who work together talk to each other about prospective employees, so your impression on the “gatekeeper” is important. When you go into the office for your interview, greet your potential employer with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a warm smile. Do not sit down until your interviewer has stepped behind his or her desk. Men, do not cross your legs when you are seated. It will make you look standoffish. Sit with your feet firmly on the floor. Women, if you are wearing a dress or skirt, you should cross your ankles, but not your legs. Sitting with your legs open in a dress or skirt really makes you look silly and sometimes even inappropriate. Do not grasp the arms of the chair because that makes you look very uneasy and uncomfortable. Keep your hands folded in your lap, or place them on your thighs. Never cross your arms during an interview, or you will look like you have something to hide, which is the last thing you would want to project during a job interview. When you are answering questions and conversing, always maintain eye contact – never let your gaze wander around the room, or you will look uninterested and aloof. When your interviewer is explaining things to you, make sure you nod your head to convey understanding. At the close of the interview, extend your hand for a second firm handshake.

BE CONFIDENT, NOT COCKY

During many job interviews, you will be asked to talk about your strengths and weaknesses. It can feel really awkward and uncomfortable trying to talk about yourself in either way, because you have to walk such a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Try to stay away from phrases like: “I’m the best ____.” You shouldn’t be general; you should use factual evidence that proves your competence so that your interviewer has more objective factors to base his opinion on, rather than your subjective view of yourself. For example, if you are interviewing for a management position, you might be able to say, “I managed a team of twenty employees, and under my leadership, sales increased twenty percent from the previous year.” Concrete examples of your experience will speak volumes more than flashy adjectives. As far as the question about your weaknesses, you should never be too forthright. Don’t say, “I have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning to make it into work on time” or “I usually hate all of my co-workers.” You also don’t want to say nothing, or that you can’t think of anything negative to say about yourself. Try to put a positive spin on your weakness. For example, “I can sometimes get stuck working on one thing for hours just to get it just right – I am a bit of a perfectionist.”

BE INFORMED

You should try to learn as much about the company and the position that you are interviewing for as possible. It will be very impressive to your interviewer if you are knowledgeable about the company because it shows that you were willing to go the extra mile to get the job. The more you know about the position, the more prepared you will be for the interview. Your interviewer might even ask you what you know about the company, and it is great if you can actually talk about their formation, their reputation, their standards, etc.

ASK QUESTIONS

When your interviewer asks you if you have any questions, have some. If you don’t ask anything, it will seem like you really don’t care and you aren’t very interested in getting the position. However, ask questions about the company and the position you are interviewing for. Do not ask questions about salary, benefits, or insurance during an initial interview. Those details can wait until at least the second interview, and if you ask them during the first one it makes it seem like your motivation to work there is purely financial, not because you think that this will be a great job to have.

FOLLOW-UP

After the job interview is over, you still have some work to do. Send a note or e-mail to thank the interviewer for his or her time and consideration, and let them know that if they need any further information, that you are happy to provide it. It will show them that you are really excited about the position. If they have interviewed many applicants, then following up like this will set you apart from the pack.

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Online job hunting guide

There are four main ways to approach your online job hunt. The most common method is to use an online job search service. Of these you will typically find two kinds - those offering jobs you can apply for, and those which offer jobs in an auction format. The old stand-by of newspaper classified ads is also available in many forms online. There are local papers offering classifieds and metro papers that access nation-wide classifieds. These are the fastest ways with the highest volume of opportunities.

There are also online trade magazines which have classified sections with job listings. The fourth way is to directly look up websites for businesses your think you would like to work for and see if they have a link for job opportunities. Sometimes this link is on the home page, but often you will find this information in “about us”. This method of searching can be slow, but it can be incorporated in your other surfing and requires very little effort. It also reveals more desirable opportunities that may not be advertised elsewhere.

The first three all share many methods. Use any search engine to find your site, whether you are looking for a job hunt site, newspaper or magazine geared to your industry. Many search engines have a link to job searches on their home page. Once you access the site you want to use, you will normally be given the opportunity to enter your job search criteria. This is where you win or lose on your hunt.

Sometimes you will be asked to specify a location, industry, or position. The key is to start broad. If you have definite requirements, such as location, stick to that. When it comes to keywords, try everything. Start out using your keywords one at a time. Get a feel for what kind of results each word brings you. Some engines do not work well with multiple keywords. Also, try your keywords in areas that do not seem like the primary area for the job you seek.

As you use this method to test the water, you will quickly discover that slightly different methods work better with each site. Some sites will email job opportunities to you based on your criteria. Some allow you to post your resume for employers to find you. To maximize your results further, bookmark the jobs that appeal to you, print them out if possible, and keep a log of which ones you have responded to and the date.

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Resume format tips

If you are job hunting, you know that one of the most important tools at your disposal is your resume. If you’ve been working at the same job for a long time, you may not have needed to put together a resume for many years. However, the job market is volatile these days and your situation could change quickly. Or you may simply wish to look for a better job. Whatever your situation, you’ll benefit from thinking about how to best present yourself in a resume. One of the first questions you’re likely to ask yourself is what format should I use?

There are two main types of resume format. The first is a chronological format, and the second is a skills format.

The chronological format presents your work history in chronological order, usually from the most recent job backward. This is a good format to use if you have a solid employment history with a steady career development curve. In this format you can demonstrate your dependability and professional growth.

If you are just out of school or returning to the workforce, or if you have holes in your work history, you may choose to use a skills format for your resume.

In the skills format, you target the skills you offer, using your work history to support these skills rather than as the core of the resume. This format will enable you to list time spent performing the various skills described without listing the exact dates you worked the jobs. Remember too that you can include volunteer or other unpaid experience in skills you list in your resume.

Many resumes are actually a hybrid of chronological and skills based resume forms. Remember that there is no fixed rule for how to put together your resume. Your highest criteria are to create a resume that works and will capture the employer’s attention and present you as a serious contender for the position you seek.

You will hear talk about the targeted resume. The targeted resume is not actually a separate format. It is instead a combination of style and information that focuses on your qualifications for a specific job. You will want to do this with every job for which you apply, or every business to which you send your resume.

What you NEED to include:

Name, address, phone, email, fax and other contact information

Job Objective

Education

Experience

Activities

Optional to include:

Skills and Qualifications

General Abilities

Awards Received

Licenses and Certifications

Other Qualifications

Think about what the employer wants to hear, and focus on that. Employers and Human Resource people are busy and see many resumes. Make sure yours will stand out. Avoid overusing I and my in your sentences and go straight to the action words and the activities performed. You are the subject of your resume and the reader knows who is being discussed.

There are many type fonts and sizes as well as formatting styles available to create an effective, impressive resume. However, it is important that your resume format should be easy to read. You can use a combination of fonts and sizes of type, bold and italic letters, and regular and upper case letters to organize and accentuate information, but make sure that the information doesn’t get lost in the formatting.

You may choose to use a resume wizard or template. If you do, be aware that you will not be able to change much of the pre-set format. You will have to work with the format as it stands, and it may be preset for a type of resume different from the one you wish to use.

You will run into a similar situation if completing a resume online. Many online resume formats are limited and will only accept preset answers from pull-down menus or other format choices. They also may have word limits for areas in which you can type your own text. If you expect to fill out resumes online, you will do well to have an all purpose resume from which you can copy information so that you don’t have to improvise and remember while learning to work with a new format.

Another type of resume you may need to work with is the scannable or text resume. This type is called a text resume because it consists only of words, without any special formatting. It is scanned into a database and then searched for certain words and phrases. If you are asked to submit a scannable resume it is important to know the relevant industry keywords and phrases the employer will be searching for as resumes which do not include them will be discarded. If you need to submit such a resume, make sure you familiarize yourself with acronyms and other specialized jargon of the profession to which you are applying.

When you put together a scannable resume use a simple font and a normal text size. Don’t use any bullets, columns or special text, and justify all text to the left. Include all the usual relevant information and be sure to put in the keywords and other relevant text. Use white paper, and a good quality printer. Send an original, unfolded copy in a flat envelope so that the scanner can read it easily. Your goal in using this format is to be selected rather than discarded. Once your resume is selected you will have a chance to demonstrate the skills you have that go beyond those which are scannable.

Another less common resume form is the curriculum vitae. This specialized form is the exception to the rule that a resume should be only one page long. The curriculum vitae form is required for some healthcare, scientific or academic positions or internships, as well as for jobs in some foreign countries. It is a complete and detailed history of your experience, education and qualifications in a well organized format, and may be as many as ten pages long. Because it is a complex and specialized form, you may find it worthwhile to get help from a resume specialist to create your curriculum vitae, to make sure that you don’t leave out important details.

In most situations, a simple resume is the best. If you accompany your resume with a cover letter which supports and enhances it in targeting how you can meet the employer’s needs in the position for which you are applying, you’ve done your best to get an interview and secure yourself the position you want.

Remember that your resume opens the door to the interviewing room. Take your time and make sure that you choose the information and the format that are suitable to the job for which you are applying. Such a resume will present you in the best possible light while making sure that the employer takes you seriously.

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Getting your resume noticed

Regardless of the amount of education, experience or creative vision you think you can bring to that new job you’re going to apply for, none of it will get you in the door if your resume has all the earmarks of an amateur.

Adherence to the following six tips will ensure that you are putting your best foot forward and projecting a winning image that will get your bio and credits favorably noticed by those who are in a position to say “yes” to your career advancement.

BREVITY

A well done resume should not exceed one page in length. If it runs more than a page, you are either rambling or engaging in overkill to sell your talents. A rambling resume suggests to the reader that you don’t know how to pull your thoughts together and that you require a lot of words and time to get your point across. One that reiterates material which has already been set forth and/or includes copious attachments which were not requested has the effect of making a reader think that you are blowing smoke to pad out a spotty employment record, mask your deficiencies, or that you are just really desperate.

A hiring authority should be able to see at a quick glance what positions you have held and what types of skills you can bring to the table. It should also be remembered that today’s competitive job market means that an HR department will be inundated with dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of resumes that need to be read, sorted, and whittled down to a manageable number of semi-finalists who can advance to the next level. If your submission reads more like a chatty Christmas newsletter than a succinct summary of your accomplishments, it is guaranteed not to make the first cut.

RESULTS

Anyone can say that he or she has held a job as a salesperson, a machinist, or an executive assistant. What a prospective employer looks for, however, is whether the candidate did more than just take up space and draw a weekly paycheck for it. Did your salesmanship skills consistently top the quarterly expectations for your division? Did you invent a device that made an existing piece of equipment operate more efficiently? Did your powers of persuasion convince Sting to make a personal appearance at your company’s ribbon cutting ceremony? A results oriented resume will put you ahead of the competition because it conveys more than just a litany of tasks; it demonstrates a sense of initiative to improve upon the status quo and a commitment to giving 110% as a team player with the company’s best interests at heart.

Don’t forget that volunteer and community service activities are pertinent to list on your resume as well, especially if your efforts were instrumental in raising funds, passing an initiative, saving an historic landmark, teaching at-risk kids to read, etc.

RELEVANCE

Yes, it’s fascinating that you took a year off after college to meditate with monks in Tibet but what, exactly, does it have to do with being a hostess at a steakhouse? While one’s life experiences are certainly contributing factors to a job seeker’s work ethic and sense of self, your future employer’s bottom line will always get back to, “That’s nice but what does all of this mean to me?”

To that end, savvy job applicants don’t limit themselves to just one all-purpose resume but, rather, several which respectively emphasize those details that have the most direct bearing on the positions they are seeking. For instance, let’s say that you have experience as a freelance writer, an accountant and a graphic designer. The job you are applying for is in the accounting office. Thus, the accounting background will be the one rotated into the most prominent slot. Seasoned interviewees also know to incorporate buzz words in their resume that subtly mirror the specifications of a particular job and, accordingly, create a sense of familiarity to which an employer will easily gravitate.

REFERENCES

It’s a given that your references will include your current and most recent employers. Did you know, however, that you can also include individuals who have known you outside the context of employment; i.e., clergy, officers of clubs and organizations, teachers, etc. Although few employers will ever admit to it, the inclusion of people who hold the same or higher rank than the person doing the actual hiring invariably makes for a positive impression. What it suggests is that your strength of character has attracted the favorable notice of those who are successful, well established, and conceivably could be in the position of offering you a job themselves or referring you to one of their associates.

PERFECTION

Don’t go for cheesy gimmicks when you’re doing your resume. Flashy neon paper, unusual fonts or an envelope full of sparkle confetti will not score any points. In fact, they will have the opposite effect of what you thought you were going to accomplish by being “different”. Nor should you enclose a photograph unless you’re applying for a job as an actor or model and a photograph has specifically been requested as part of the submission package. Invest in some good quality paper with matching envelopes. Stick to white, ivory, cream, light gray or light blue. The most readable fonts are Courier, Times New Roman, Bookman and Palatino. Your font size should be no less than 12 pt, keeping in mind that you want the text to be as easy on the eyes as possible.

Don’t rely on the spell-check function of your computer to catch everything. Solicit instead a couple of live readers to give your resume (and accompanying cover letter) a once-over before you submit it. Be aware as well that the most frequent typing mistakes ironically occur in the two portions of these materials that are rarely reviewed; specifically, the recipient’s address block and the sender’s own name.

DELIVERY

If you were applying for a job at NBC Studios, would you address your letter “To Whom It May Concern”? Of course not. While your correspondence could eventually find its way to the right desk, it will not only have been handled and mangled by everyone along the food chain but also take a lot longer to reach its destination than if you had addressed it properly to begin with. If you are responding to a classified ad in the newspaper or job posting on the Internet, instructions will be given on how to address your submission and where to send it. If, however, you are making the equivalent of a cold call, it will behoove you to find out the name and correct title of the person who manages your targeted department or who makes the hiring decisions for the agency. Look at it this way: if you receive two envelopes at your home address and one is addressed “Occupant” and the other is addressed to your actual name, which one will you open first? Even if you’re doing a mass mailing in your employment search, it should never look as if you are. It’s the personal touch that people remember and that will get you in the door to shine in person!

Final tip: If it’s feasible to hand-deliver your resume, do it! In the first place, it gives you a psychological advantage of already being familiar with the office environment prior to the interview. Secondly, you don’t have to worry about the postal service losing it. The third reason is that the odds are high of encountering the actual people with whom you will later be interviewing. This could be in an elevator, in a corridor, or in the reception area. If you’re someone who strikes their interest or curiosity, they may casually ask who you are or ask the receptionist about you. Even if they don’t, your second appearance in the office as a candidate will tweak a faint chord of remembrance. And being remembered out of a big herd of hopefuls could make all the difference in getting the job.

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Resume tips from an expert

When it comes to resumes one size does not necessarily fit all. Resumes and resume templates should be as diversified as the individual’s work history and experience. However, there are a few tips and basic templates that can be used and modified as necessary.

To begin with, each resume should have an objective. This is where you state exactly what type of job you are looking for. Your objective statement could read like this, “A challenging and rewarding position in the field of electronics where acquired skills, education, and experience will be of benefit.” Or, if you don’t know what type of job you want it can be more generalized, like this: “A position where acquired skills will be utilized for continued professional growth and development.” The advantage of a generalized objective statement is that you can use the same resume to apply for many different types of positions.

Following the objective on your resume is the skills or summary of qualifications section. This is perhaps the most important part of your resume because it summarizes the skills you have that make you qualified for the position for which you are applying. For example, let’s say you are applying for a front desk receptionist position. In your skills/summary of qualifications of your resume you should put those skills that make you qualified for the position. It could read something like this: Excellent keyboarding skills at 100 strokes per minute; Effective telephone communications skills; Professional front desk and customer service skills; Ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently; Polished professional attitude and appearance.

The skills, or summary of qualifications section of your resume, will probably be the hardest section of the resume to complete. It will require that you think about what skills you possess and require that you present them simply and succinctly. Again, the skills/summary of qualification section of your resume should highlight those skills and abilities that you possess that make you qualified for the position for which you are applying. However, if you do not know what type of job you will be applying for then the skills section should be an overview of all the types of skills you possess.

The next section of your resume should be your education and training. Here is where you highlight any advanced education or special training that you have received that makes you qualified for the job. However, if you don’t have any advanced education or specialized training this section of your resume can be moved to the bottom of your resume, or skipped altogether. For example, let’s say you are a steel worker, hired as a trainee, and over time promoted to journeyman. You’ve been out of high school for over twenty years, and all of your education and training was hands-on, on the job. If this is the case, then you could probably skip the education/training section of your resume all together because your hands-on experience will speak for itself.

The final section of your resume is the experience section. Here is where you list the jobs you have held throughout your work history. However, a couple of guidelines are necessary to create this section of your resume.

First, it is not necessary to list every job you’ve ever held, all the way back to high school. Only list those going back approximately fifteen years. Next, it is not necessary to put the complete name and street address of each employer on a resume. Usually the employer will ask you to fill out an application and that information can be entered on that form. Also it is not necessary to put the complete month, day, year of employment on your resume. Again that information can be provided on an application form, and it is acceptable to round off the employment dates to the year in which you were employed.

After the company’s name and the years you were employed there you should state the title of the position you last held with the company. For example, let’s say that you went to work for XYZ Corporation in 1995. You were hired as a trainee but were quickly promoted to Shift Manager. That being the case you would put down your title as Shift Manager, and state underneath that because of the quality of work you produced you were continually promoted.

In the experience section of your resume you should make sure to include any special achievements or awards that you received while working. For example, while you work at XYZ Corporation you initiated a procedure that reduced production time by 15%. You also had no sick days for one whole year. Both of these facts should be included underneath that section of your resume.

In addition, internships and volunteer work are legitimate ways of gaining experience, experience that should be included in your resume. Simply because you were not paid for the work you did does not detract from the fact that you did gain experience in whatever field you had your internship or volunteer position.

Finally, the last section of your resume should be references. Unless an employer specifically asks for references this section can be handled with a simple statement such as, “Excellent references available upon request.” Just remember that if you make that statement you should then be able to produce those references if they are asked for.

You resume is a marketing tool. You are, so to speak, marketing yourself. Therefore your resume should represent the best of your abilities, skills, and experience. It should not be too lengthy, cluttered, or wordy. It should simply state the facts as briefly and concisely as possible. In addition, your resume is often the first impression your future employer will have of you. Therefore, make sure you make a good first impression my ensuring that your resume is typed or computer printed, spell-checked, and printed on good quality paper.

Remember resumes and resume templates don’t come in a “one size fits all.” They can, and should be, modified to fit your individual employment needs in order to help you put your best foot forward and make a good and lasting first impression on your future boss.

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A freelancer's guide to job hunting

The job of a freelancer is unlike any other. The calculated and scheduled life you may have once had takes a back seat and instead your work hours will be dependent on the jobs you get. Freelancing has its shares of woes - including the relentless hours you put in just to make enough money to get by. But there are many stories of successful freelancers who make a decent income and even earn six figure salaries. With hard work and persistence you too can have a fulfilling career as a freelancer.

Be the Expert You Are (or Want to Be)

Freelancing is all about making a career out of something that you not only love doing but are also good at. Honing your skills and talent is a definite must in the freelance business. It is important to be educated and know as much as you can about your field whatever it may be. Read books, go to conventions, and join organizations tailored to your field. Becoming an expert in your desired field is the first step that will give you that slight advantage over others who may be new to the industry.

You should have a deep understanding of the market or businesses you plan on freelancing or consulting for. Find out what it is they are looking for. What strengths do you have that they can benefit from? And remember, a business will only hire outside workers to do jobs or fix problems they can not do themselves.

You are Your Business

Designating a place in your house or apartment to be your office is essential. In the freelancing business, the job searching never ends. Have sources available to you that can aid you in your job search such as access to the internet, trade books, magazines, and newspapers.

Constantly keep your eyes and ears open to possible projects. Do not be surprised if you end up spending a lot of time on the internet. Search engines and websites are great sources that have the latest job postings. Spend a few bucks on newspapers and industry magazines which usually have specific sections for freelancing and work opportunities. You have to be willing to take the time and do the research needed in finding jobs that are tailored to your line of work. The jobs are there for the taking - you just need to find them.

Network and Sell Yourself

You have to sell yourself, your work and your knowledge. No one else is going to market you. You have to be willing to be very vulnerable in seeking out jobs, writing outlines, proposals or queries, and sending out your resume to as many prospects as possible. The more territory you cover, the more chances you will have in landing a job.

More likely than not people will hire individuals they know over others whose work they are unfamiliar with. Go to conferences and build a network team of colleagues and mentors. Those who have been successful in your freelancing career field will always have advice. Plus, they can be a great asset in referring you to potential employers.

Remember to always have plenty of resumes and business cards handy with you at all times. You never know who you might bump into that might actually need your expertise.

Have Realistic Expectations

It can be really easy to quit freelancing if your financial means are not met. Find out how much freelancers make in your field and from there create a realistic budget on how much you expect to earn. This insight can lessen your anxiety on trying to make money so you can focus on acquiring more gigs.

When starting out, make sure you either have additional financial assistance or some extra cash in the bank because in the freelancing world, you never know how long it will take for you to get that check. Do not expect to automatically make a lot of money in the beginning of your career. Some companies may offer to pay cash or a check up front while others have an undetermined turnaround time.

If you have extensive experience or a degree in your field, you can consider setting your own rate based on how much you think your work is worth. This is another reason why being an expert in your field is very important. Contractors will hire and pay more to those whom they feel know what they are doing.

Perseverance is a Must

Successful people are not born, they are made. In any aspect of your life, especially your career, the need to continue through setbacks and not give up on your goals is essential. Some think that starting out is the hardest aspect of freelancing, but the truth is that the key to being successful is perseverance.

Rejection and failure are necessary evils in the freelancing business. In this tough solitary business the only person held responsible for your own success is you. Sometimes your success is determined in how you handle your failures.

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