One of the certainties in life is that at some time, we
are all likely to have to prepare a resume.
Whether we are leaving school or university, changing
our career, experiencing redundancy or returning from a career break,
our first priority is to get a resume written.
Some of us have faced the frustration of knowing we can
do the job, but how do we get a “foot in the door”? Your resume is the
key to opening those doors. You need to know how to sell yourself and
how to tailor your approach to each application you make.
The purpose of the resumeis to sell the interview,
not to get the job.
An advertiser puts just enough punch into a 30-60 second
commercial to get you to come and see the product.
Once they get you there, you are more likely to buy it.
Strange as it may seem, people can be viewed as
products. When they apply for a job or sell their services, they sell
their skills, experience, qualities and potential. No matter how good a
“product” the person is, their future success will depend to a great
extent on how well they market themselves.
Your resume is your sales document that highlights your
skills, achievements and experience in such a way that the reader is
motivated to meet you.
Some Tips
⇒ Keep it clean – businesslike and simple.
⇒ Size matters - 3-6 pages maximum for most positions.
Don’t send attachments unless requested. Remember,
you want to meet the reader.
⇒ Be prepared for a panel interview.
⇒ Thank verbally at the end of the interview and send a
note to thank the interviewer for their time.
⇒ Persistence wins the day.
⇒ This is the first step in gaining the job.unication
Your resume has done its job and you have an interview.
The selling continues, you are now going into a face to face sales
⇒ Be careful
with your appearance.
⇒ Know your
answers.
⇒ Plan for what
you need to take with you.
⇒ Do your
homework.
⇒ Research the
company at the library, in newspapers and journals and
on the internet.
⇒ Keep your
items you take with you relevant.
⇒
Practise, practise, practise.
|
pitch. The product “YOU” needs to be presented in
the best possible light. The planning commences – do your homework,
research the company, find out as much as you possibly can so that when
you are at the interview you will be able to make intelligent comment
and ask suitable questions. What is their current performance, the
structure, staff turnover, Places to find information include the
Library, newspapers and journals, the internet.
Look at the product that will be the first and lasting
impression.
Take time with your appearance, practice what you are
going to say and when to say it. Ask yourself “what do I have to offer”
– what do I know, what have I done and what can I do”.
Know the answers, the interview is not the time to be
thinking about it. The prospective employer is interested in the
answers. You know you will be asked about your strengths and
weaknesses – think about them beforehand.
Plan for what you need to take to the interview with
you. Spare copies of your resume and cover letter, portfolio,
references, certificates. Keep it relevant.
Be prepared for a panel interview.
The moment is here – remember first impressions are
usually the last impression. The interview is a subtle, more subjective
aspect of the job hunting process. You have practiced your greeting and
handshake, you have taken a few moments before the interview to compose
yourself to ensure you have an air of confidence. The interviewer will
already have read your resume and probably formed some opinion about
you.
⇒ Demonstrate
knowledge about the organisation.
⇒ Show them how you
can fit into their team.
⇒ Think about your
answers before the interview
⇒ Compose yourself
before the interview.
⇒ Listen and
think before you answer.
⇒ The interviewer
is not the enemy.
⇒ Show that you are
the best person for the interview.
⇒ Remember that it
is normal to feel nervous.
⇒ Turn nervous
energy into a positive.
⇒ Leave a lasting
impression.
⇒ Remember that the
interview is not a contest.
|
Now is the time to listen, think and answer. The
interviewer is not the enemy, he/she is looking for the best person for
the job and it is up to you to show that you are that person. You need
to be able to show politely and enthusiastically that you are
knowledgeable about the organisation and have something to offer it.
Your resume will have shown examples of your skills as a
team player, but now you have to convince them that you will fit into
their team.
If you think about the kinds of questions you will be
asked ahead of time, it is easier to be prepared with the answers you
want to give. After all there are only three basic kinds of questions
employers will ask. Do not be afraid to ask for clarification before
answering a question and take some time to formulate your answers before
you speak. It is important that you know why you want the job, why you
want to work for this organisation as the interviewer will more than
likely ask these two questions. The way in which you answer could well
be what puts you ahead of the others.
It is perfectly normal to be nervous before the
interview. It is important that you turn nervous energy into positive
energy. You need to find a way to control that nervous energy.
The interviewer needs to be able to build a picture of
you that will last through the interview and to decision time. The way
you handle yourself at the interview is one of the building blocks for
the picture.
Finally it is important to remember that an interview is
not a contest between you and the employer. A winning interview means
that both end up on the same team.
