This document provides tips for resume writing, interview preparation and performance, and next steps after an interview. It recommends keeping a resume to 1-2 pages, using action verbs and relevant experience. For interviews, suggestions include researching the company, practicing answers to common questions, and asking questions of your own. Key points are to arrive early, dress appropriately, be enthusiastic and highlight your achievements. Follow up after an interview by sending thank you letters within 24 hours.

1. Resume and Interview Tips

2. Overview
 Resume
 Job Sourcing and Applications
 Interviewing
 Offer Stage

3. Resume Writing

4. Resume - Objective
• If your resume does what its supposed to do you will
be called for an interview.
• If your not getting any interviews then the problems
lies with your resume
Introduce Promote Entice

5. Resume Content
• Contact Information
• Highlights/Qualifications
• Work Experience
• Education
• Training & Certifications
• Software
• Languages

6. Resume Writing
 Keep the overall length of your resume short. Depending
upon your experience, one or two pages is ideal.
 Keep it consistent. Use the same font and size throughout.
 Make sure your resume is easy to read. Use concise and
unambiguous sentences.
 Focus on information that's relevant to your own career
goals.
 Neatness counts. A poorly structured, badly typed resume
tells the reader much about the applicant.
 Make sure that if your resume is two pages, your name
and the page number "2" is somewhere at the top of the
second page.

7.  Do use strong, action verbs instead of weak, passive verbs.
 Do use implied pronouns (understood by the reader although they are not
stated) all the time.
 Stress your past accomplishments and the skills you used to get the desired
results.
 Do include a cover letter with your resume which is custom-made for each
individual application (see handout on cover letters for more information).
 Do be sure to have someone else proof-read your resume and cover letter for
spelling, grammar and syntax errors, and to tell you if the résumé has visual
appeal.
 Do follow up on your application by calling soon after to ask whether a
decision has been made and/or if you can come in for an interview.
Resume Writing

8. Common Resume Mistakes
• Grammar and Spelling
• Redundancy
• Inconsistency in Formatting
• Not Using Action Verbs
• Limited Detail

9. Job Interviewing

10. Job Interviewing
Preparation
 Know the exact time and location of
your interview; know how long it
takes to get there and park.
 Take a practice run to the location
where you are having the interview,
if able.
 Do your research and know the type
of interview you will encounter.
 Prepare intelligent, well thought out
examples of your experience and
accomplishments.
 Ask past employers or people who
you wish to use as references first
before giving out any information
about them, and then only provide
this information if it is specifically
requested.

11. Interviewing – Hiring Manager Questions
Preparation
Practice answering common interview questions
• Tell me about yourself?
• What are your strengths?
• What is an example of a weakness?
• What do you like most about your job, your boss, your company, and
your industry?
• What do you dislike most about them?
• What are your career goals?
• What new skills or ideas do you bring to the job that other candidates
aren’t likely to offer?
• Give an example of how you saw a project through, despite obstacles.
• Tell me about your relationship with your previous bosses? Co-workers?
• Are you most productive working alone or in a group?
• Tell me about a major accomplishment or contribution.
• Give an example of a time you delivered more than was expected.
• How do you handle conflict?

12. Interviewing – Candidate Questions
 Why is this position open?
 How often has it been filled in the past five years? What were the main reasons?
 What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this position?
 What would my first 30 – 90 days look like as far as training and responsibility?
 What are some of the main challenges I would face in this position?
 What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this
position?
 How is one evaluated in this position?
 What kind of person is successful within the company?
 What is your plan for employee retention?
SAMPLE CLOSING QUESTIONS
 How do I compare with the other candidates you've interviewed so far?
 What’s the next step?
Preparation
Prepare questions for the interviewer

13. Job Interviewing
Interview
 Dress the part for the job, the company, the
industry. And do err on the side of conservatism.
 Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early.
 Greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy
and respect. This situation is where you make
your first impression with the employer.
 Bring extra resumes to the interview.
 Turn off (or set to silent ring) your cell phone.
 Treat other people you encounter with courtesy
and respect.
 Greet the interviewer(s) by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and
last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. (If
you're not sure, do ask the receptionist about the
pronunciation before going into the interview.
 Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and
have a friendly expression when you are greeted
by your interviewer.

14. Job Interviewing
Interview
 Remember body language and posture: sit upright and look alert and interested at all times.
 Make good eye contact with your interviewer(s) and maintain good posture.
 Show enthusiasm in the position and the company.
 Make sure that your good points come across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner.
 Ask intelligent, well thought out questions about the job, company, and industry.
 Avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words.
 Have a high confidence and energy level.
 Stress your achievements.
 Show off the research you have done on the company and industry when responding to
questions.
 Explain what you can do for the company rather than what the company can do for you.
 Repeat the question aloud or ask for the question to be repeated to give you a little more
time to think about an answer. Also, a short pause before responding is okay. Ask for
clarification if you don't understand a question.

15. Job Interviewing
Interview
 Remember that the interview is also an important time for you to evaluate the interviewer
and the company he or she represents.
 Treat the interview seriously and as though you are truly interested in the employer and the
opportunity presented.
 Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never
close the door on an opportunity until you are sure about it.
 Try to get business cards from each person you interviewed with or at least the correct
spelling of their first and last names.
 Make sure you understand the employer's next step in the hiring process; know when and from
whom you should expect to hear next. Know what action you are expected to take next, if
any.
 Close the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that you want the job and asking about the
next step in the process. (Some experts even say you should close the interview by asking for
the job.)
 When the interviewer concludes the interview, offer a firm handshake and make eye contact.

16. Job Interviewing
Post Interview
 Immediately take down
notes after the
interview concludes so
you don't forget crucial
details.
 Write thank you letters
within 24 hours to each
interviewer.

17. Interviewing – Common Mistakes
Asking about PTO, Benefits, Overtime etc. unless it is brought
up by the interviewer
Arriving Late Not Prepared Attire Communication
M i s t a k e s

18. Next Steps
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