Basic tips on how to land a job!

1. Career Documents and Interviewing

2. Cover Letter
Résumé
References
Thank You Letter/Note

3.  Purpose: To sell YOURSELF to the prospective
employer and to connect your experience and
skills to the prospective job.
 Let your personality shine!
 Print on résumé-quality paper.
(same paper as résumé)

4.  RESEARCH: Take the time to find out to whom
you should address the cover letter to.
Make sure spelling, titles, etc. are correct.
 Make sure to SIGN IT!
 Look for quality examples online.

5.  DO NOT staple or paper clip it to your
résumé. Place it in front of your résumé and
put both items in a large envelope (don’t fold
documents).
 DO NOT make any errors!
(spelling, grammar, spacing, etc.)
 Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!!!

6.  Purpose: To secure an interview by interesting a
prospective employer in your abilities.
 Summary of your experiences – both in college
and on the job.
 Mold your résumé for different jobs.
 Keep it short, efficient, and effective!

7.  ONE to two pages in length.
 Do not staple pages together.
 Presentation is vital.
 Organized – not cluttered
 White space – do not scrunch information
 Emphasize by capitalizing, underlining, bolding,
italicizing, etc.

8.  Honesty and Truthfulness
 Work Experience (dates, titles, responsibilities)
 Education (GPA)
 Organizations (level of involvement)
“Tell the truth, but make the truth fascinating”
~ David Ogilvy ~
 Living document: Keep it up-to-date
 Contact info., experience, organizations, etc.

9.  Contact Information – Keep up-to-date
 Name
 Address
 Email
▪ PROFESSIONAL!!!
 Phone Number
▪ Make sure your voicemail is also professional
 Summary of Qualifications
 Keywords, short descriptions, action verbs, software
proficiency
▪ Needs to be relevant to the position your are seeking

10.  Education
 Most recent degrees first
▪ DO NOT include high school
 State when you intend to graduate
 GPA is optional – If it is good, list it 
 Work Experience
 Most recent first
 Consistent lists
 Action Verbs
▪ Past job = past tense
▪ Current job = present tense

11.  Other Sections:
 Activities
 Honors and Awards
 Interests
 Internships
 Certifications
 Organizations
 Memberships
 Career Objectives
 Selected Coursework

12.  Type at the bottom of your résumé:
 “References available upon request.”
 3-5 References
 References come from three areas:
 Professional
 Educational
 Personal

13.  Never use a relative or an individual under 21
years of age as a reference.
 Use careful judgment on who you ask to be a
reference – you don’t want a bad reference.
 Ask permission from your references.
 Keep them updated and informed
 Make sure contact information is CORRECT.
 Use business hour contact information

14. Example:
Ms. Angela Wright
Instructor of Business Administration
Southwest Baptist University
1600 University Avenue
Bolivar, Missouri 65613
awright@sbuniv.edu
(417) 274-0063

15.  Send the day of the interview or the next day.
 Two Options:
 Handwritten note on appropriate stationary
▪ Must have good penmanship
 Typed letter on same paper/format as cover letter
 Comment on topics discussed in the interview
and thank them for their time and the
opportunity. Make sure it is ERROR free!

16.  Carefully follow the application’s directions.
 Fill in the application completely.
 Use N/A if it is not applicable
 Salary? – write negotiable or provide a range
 Write neatly and clearly – Professional.
 Try not to use whiteout
 Make sure to include what is required:
 Résumé (and cover letter) and References

17.  Send as a PDF file.
 Unless stated otherwise
 This ensures that the information and/or formatting
does not change
 ONE page is the best option.
 Remember to include a cover letter.
 Email document can serve as CL in proper form

19.  Remember: You get to choose the company;
they don’t just choose you!
 Your résumé gets you the interview –
your interview gets you the job.
 It’s NOT all about you – they want to know how
you are going to help the organization.
 Practice makes perfect.
Try to avoid using ums, likes, etc.

20.  Research the organization, industry,
competition, position, and who you are
interviewing with.
 If you know the requirements of the job, write
down how you meet them.
 Prepare a one-minute statement that
answers, “Tell me about yourself.”

21.  Develop at least 3 questions to ask the
interviewer at the end of the interview.
 Research salary information and know how
much you need to cover your expenses.
 Identify at least 3 of your strengths and 3 of
your weaknesses (interviewers are usually
looking for examples).

22.  Decide what you are going to wear.
 Professional, appropriate, and comfortable
 Create an Interview “Cheat Sheet”
 Personal/Contact Information
▪ DOB, SSN, DLN, Phone #s, E-mail, etc.
 Work History
 Behavioral Questions
 Strengths/Weaknesses
 Company Information
 Salary Requirements

23.  Make several copies of your career documents on
professional paper and put in portfolio.
 Bring two black pens.
 Get directions to the place of the interview, and
make sure you know exactly where it is.
 Go over your interview “cheat sheet” the day
before the interview.

24.  Bring a professional portfolio that can hold
your career documents, cheat sheet, etc.
 Leave everything in the car except your portfolio
and car key (put in pocket)
 Remember: Your interview begins the
moment you get into your car.
 Arrive 10 minutes early and check in with the
administrative assistant.

25.  Handshake – firm, dry, and warm.
 Posture – stand and sit correctly, no slouching.
 Eye Contact – appear confident, honest, and
attentive.
 Do Not Fidget – be aware of hand gestures,
playing with hair, tapping foot, etc.

26.  Examples:
 “Tell me about a time when you...”
 “Give me an example of...”
 Use the STAR method:
 Situation or Task
 Action
 Result
 Include behavioral questions on your “cheat
sheet.”

27.  Examples:
 “If you were a tree what tree would you be?”
 “If you could be an animal what would you choose?”
▪ And why???
 Don’t panic!
 Think of qualities you have that they want and
simply place them into a type of tree, animal, or
whatever!

28.  Thank the interviewer for their time and the
opportunity.
 Evaluate how you did, good and bad, and
write it down for future reference.
 Send a THANK YOU!

29.  Keep it clean.
 If you wouldn’t let your grandma or teacher
see it, then it probably shouldn't be posted on
the internet.
 Employers are looking - and not hiring.

31. Career Documents and Interviewing