4 Resume & Interview Tips

One of the first important steps to get right when looking for a job, is to have a well made resume on hand. Some positions may not require it, some positions you may get by referral, but it is always a best-practice to keep an up to date, well formed resume ready when needed.

Competition can be fierce, so the need to have a clear and concise resume is always an important step to stand out in the crowd. Here are some brief tips gleaned from various experts, for putting together your resume and preparing for the interview.

1. Career Specific Language: It is important to use career specific language on your resume, to assist in portraying a deep knowledge and understanding of the language and terminology of the field. Never use words on your resume that you do not know or only "think" you know the meaning of. A misuse of a word is not only embarrassing, but can be that "nail in the coffin" that dismisses you as a candidate.

2. Brief Outline: Keep your resume condensed; an outline of who you are. Your resume should include key terms like objective, work experience, educational details, professional training and achievements. Focus it on your talents, skills and knowledge aimed at the position you are applying for. Use it to quickly present and sell yourself at a glance, without requiring the viewer to dig too deep or read too much in order to understand your qualifications. Be sure to list all related schooling and certifications you possess, and be sure to keep it accurate and honest. Never seek to "stretch the truth," listing qualifications and training you truly do not fully possess. Down the line, if exposed, those things can really cause great harm to your career.

3. Know Yourself: It is extremely important that you know your resume, backwards and forwards. Be sure you are able to recall any aspect your resume content without having to read it. During the interview, you should be able to speak professionally about yourself and the resume contents without fumbling through notes or having to say "uh" while you stop to think of the right answer. Know yourself, know your skills, and know your resume.

4. Follow Up: It is common practice to follow up with the interviewer/company when a reasonable amount of time has past since the interview. The average time to wait before following up that most suggest is about 48 hours after the initial meeting, but it is a good idea, before leaving the interview, to ask the hiring agent if they know an approximate time frame for when further decisions may be made, and base your follow up time on that. Your follow up can be as simple as sending an email thanking them for their time, and recalling some brief points about the interview, and with enthusiasm for a follow up meeting, or a written and mailed letter containing the same. It will help them to recall your meeting and name, and can help put your name back in their mind and memory for when they go back through the stack of resumes. You may wish to ask them before leaving the interview, exactly which way would be best to follow up with them, to determine the preferred method. Some positions may tell you up-front that the interview process will be longer, and that you may not hear back for some time. Use your best judgment as to whether a follow up note is necessary in such situations. Being a follow up "pest" can put your name in their memory for negative reasons.

Do you have additional tips from your experiences to share? Drop me a comment below.