Seeking Employment
Preparing a Resume
Following up on your Resume Submission
Dressing for your Interview
Before your Interview
Interview Etiquette and Performance
Interview Follow up / Resolve and Positive Thinking
1. Seeking Employment
When seeking employment, whether you are unemployed or looking to greener pastures, it is important that you not dismiss potential opportunities based on vague assumptions. Do your homework and find out as much as you can about every possible opportunity. Never dismiss anything out of hand.
Today, the resources for job seeking are vast and easily accessible. With an Internet-enabled computer there is a virtually infinite storehouse of job opportunities, resources, company information, news, data and direct application possibilities. Online research opportunities abound, which is very helpful not only in seeking job openings, but also for learning about employers for purposes of interview preparation and vetting companies to insure they meet your specific criteria as an employer. Avail yourself of networking opportunities to the extent possible. Keep your eyes and ears open, consider small, growing enterprises as well as large operations and don't be shy about seeking help from friends, relatives, ex-colleagues and any other sources of assistance in your quest.
Never panic. Developing a negative outlook will affect you adversely in every aspect of your job quest. Often your success will come when you least expect it, or in unexpected circumstances. When the job market is poor, as it is today, the challenge may be greater and the search period longer, but your continued perseverance will keep you ahead of the competition and eventually pay off. When you quit, you've quit on yourself. Don't stop being a believer in you. Be confident!
2. Preparing your Resume
Over the years, I have reviewed thousands of resumes. Naturally, I have seen submissions from the great to the absurd, and everything in between. The advent of e-mailing resumes has made things remarkably more convenient and efficient for all involved, but that has not changed the essential composition of the resume document. The same rules still apply:
-Create an outline for your resume. List the things you wish to highlight as to your skills, history and other relevant information. There are preset formats you can utilize for simpler resume preparation, and by all means look at these if only to get ideas for your own custom resume. Or use a template and fill in your information.
-Avoid splashy, fussy or distracting design features, unless you are applying for design-related or advertising positions, and you wish to draw attention to your personal design skills. Even so, limit the design to something more simple, tasteful and serious. Let your portfolio do the talking as to those particular skills.
-If you are submitting a paper resume, use good-quality paper and avoid colors other than white, off-white or crème. Type fonts should also be more traditional in nature. You want to draw attention to content, not font choices.
-Organize your resume so that it is easy to follow and provides a clear, linear narrative. Do not make it difficult to decipher dates of employment, chronologies, or other data or information.
-Consider what the employer finds important in a resume. This includes: EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, EDUCATION, LENGTH OF PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT, STABILITY, EVIDENCE OF CHARACTER, COMMITMENT, RELIABILITY, REFERENCES. Are you a TEAM PLAYER?
-Do not leave holes in your resume. A serious interviewer is going to want to know why there is a three-year gap in your work history. Gaps of a minor duration may be easily explained, but be prepared to explain the long ones, and I urge that this be included on your resume. Remember, your resume is being screened and obviously you have competition. Your resume may be tossed aside if you leave large, unexplained gaps. This is particularly true if your work history is thin, and/or laden with past jobs of short duration. Weakness in these areas require that more compelling arguments be made for your hiring in other places in your resume and cover letter. Remember that with the submission of your resume, you are making a case for the employer to call you in for an interview. That is job one. If you shine in the interview, flaws in your resume may be overcome.
-If you choose to list hobbies and entertainment preferences, be judicious in your choices. Don't appear to be either a couch potato or reckless adventurer. Also, do not list hobbies that imply a need or history of being away for long stretches. Employers may prefer a well-rounded candidate (who will be perceived as well-adjusted) but listing all those exotic jungle treks on the other side of the world may infer a greater dedication to outside activities than your professional career. An interest in fitness, biking, walking, hiking, fishing, or photography, for example, may be perceived with a less wary eye. Charitable work, unless indicated to excess, is certainly fine.
-List skills as most employers would define them. Do not list "making copies" or "answering the phone" as skills, even if you are applying for clerical work. You'll look silly and perhaps a little light in the intellect department. Now, if those functions were part of your job description in a former position, list them as such. Just don't list them separately as "skills."
-Your most important references are professional. Personal references are fine, and those of long duration imply good traits and cannot hurt. Thus, the pastor or head of a reputable charity appear more substantial than your freshman year roommate at The University of Party City. Keep this brief. As to your professional references, make sure the information is accurate. Don't list contact information for past employment that you know to be out of date or incorrect.
-Avoid listing any frivolous employment or endeavors of short-duration that lack seriousness. That reality show you were developing with your cousin went south, but you were in between real jobs. Leave it out. Ditto on the name-dropping. An obvious attempt to impress with big names or celebrity references may draw a cold eye from an interviewer and your resume may be destined for the "to be filed" bin. If it feels like you are overdoing it, you are. I was always turned off by the transparency of these contrived efforts.
-Read your resume over carefully multiple times before you deem it finished. Is it grammatical, cleanly written, coherent and easy to follow? Do not forget to do a spell check. Bad spelling suggests a sloppy approach to work, and perhaps a lack of intelligence. Take advantage of your word processor's easy-to-use features and get it right.
-If you're sending a copy of your resume by mail, pay attention to some small details. Don't put your great looking resume document in the wrong size envelope or hand print anything on the envelope. It's like putting on a pair of work boots with a new suit.
These minor, sloppy errors make you look careless when you need to appear meticulous.
-If at all possible, write and include a targeted cover letter. Try to avoid the mass-produced "Dear Employer" approach, and direct your cover letter to the company or person to whom you are submitting your resume, unless unknown. This is quite easy once you have your cover letter written. Just make changes with regard to names, companies, job titles, etc. You have the time-don't take the lazy approach and you'll look more serious and professional than the other guy.
3. Following up on your Resume Submission
Once you have submitted your resume, wait a few days then, if you have not heard from the recipient, drop a note in the mail, send and e-mail and/or make a phone call. Keep it brief and to the point, expressing your continued interest in the opening and thanking the recipient for the opportunity to submit your resume. Point out that you are available at the recipient's convenience should you be selected for an interview. This may just be the element that gets you the interview, instead of being brushed aside with the rest of the pack. But don't be a pest. Once you cross that line there probably isn't a way back over.
4. Dressing for an Interview
Like so much else in the quest for employment, common sense offers a great deal. In dressing for an interview, think "serious." That doesn't mean you need to prepare for a funeral. But unless you are applying at the local tanning parlor or coffee shop, select conservative business attire--clothing that speaks to a professional attitude. For men, that means a clean suit, a solid colored shirt and a business-like tie.
You can't go wrong with a nice, crisp white dress shirt and blue tie, perhaps with a light pattern. Wear socks that match your pants, or are darker in the same shade. Shoes should be business-like, clean and polished. Do not wear excessive jewelry, earrings, bracelets, necklaces or other adornments. A watch and wedding ring, if married, is all one should wear. Hair should be freshly cut, natural, professional in length and without a load of styling goo to emulate the latest street look. Be careful with the cologne.
For women, the approach is much the same. Wear a nice suit in a solid color, and not too tight. Keep the clubwear in the closet and wear a skirt of business length and match it with opaque hose or tights and a low-heeled matching shoe. Go easy on the jewelry. No radical nail polish, arm-load of bracelets, toe rings, multiple ear studs, funky or multiple necklaces, ankle chains or anything that suggests a nightclub at 2:00AM. Makeup, lipstick, eye shadow, liner and perfume should all conform to professional standards and not intrude on your presentation. Remember, you want to be taken seriously, but not as a street-fashion trendsetter.
The more professional you look, the more you will feel that way and this will aid you in being mentally prepared to put your best self forward in your interview.
5. Before your Interview
First of all, be prepared in terms of where the interview is being held. If you are not sure, get in your car and find the location ahead of time. That way you'll be sure where you are going and you won't have to worry about knowing the drive time. With mapping and directions available easily online, you have no excuse for not being fully prepared to arrive on time. If your interview is being held in a large building, allow extra time to get to the right office suite after you arrive at the main address. Be well rested and eat something healthy beforehand, if possible.
DO NOT BE LATE. Expect to have a very large strike against you if you arrive after the start time of the interview. Arrive very late and you may not even have an interview. Assume traffic will be bad. Save yourself the stress and added pressure by leaving early and having some extra time to spare. You'll be more relaxed and composed.
6. Interview Etiquette and Performance
Once you arrive, announce yourself to the receptionist or appropriate staff member. Make sure you have put yourself in an optimistic frame of mind. Be polite and respectful. Look people in the eye, and remember to smile. Making a good impression on others may mean a lot more than you might think. Often, opinions are solicited beyond the interview room. DO NOT bring a cell phone into the interviewing location. Leave it in your car.
Once presented to the interviewer, say hello and introduce yourself directly. If the interviewer wishes to shake hands, offer a brief, slightly firm handshake and make good eye contact. Sit in your chair upright and resist any urge to slouch. Place your hands in front of you and be attentive throughout the entire interview. Be very mindful of listening carefully to everything that is said. This way, you can answer as effectively as possible. Never interrupt the interviewer and avoid rambling on. But remember that a good interviewer wants to listen to what you have to say. Everyone's style is different, but the only way to complete a thorough interview is to let the candidate speak. That means you can expect to answer a lot of questions. Be prepared in this regard by anticipating in advance what kinds of questions might be asked. For example, if you worked somewhere for a short amount of time, prepare an answer as to why you left after such a short period. Lessen the chance of surprise, and a poor answer.
Don't try to change the course of the conversation. A professional interviewer will set aside time to tell you about the company and the position. You should be able to ask your own questions during this period. More on this shortly.
During this interview process, always be positive. Any job you had was beneficial in some way. Everything is a learning experience. Put it all in a positive light. A job change was a new opportunity, a chance for advancement and the possibility of growing. Do not ever bad mouth or criticize former co-workers, managers or executives. That's an instant red flag for an interviewer. No one wants to hire someone who might have a poor attitude or outlook. Everyone wants to hire winners. Be sure to act like one in every interview.
Keep in mind that nearly all questions have a purpose and the answers will tell the interviewer something about you. Accordingly, do not express enjoyment for late night clubbing, partying or fringe activities. Always be smart with your answers.
When you are told about the position, be sure to express your interest and enthusiasm, but not in an overly exuberant or fake way. But you want to be sure they know you want the job. Do not be afraid to say so. That's why you are there, and hiring managers want to hire someone who they believe truly wants to join their team. When the interview is concluding, be sure to express not only your desire for the position, but your certainty that you will be the right choice for the job. Say it and mean it. Thank the interviewer for the opportunity to be considered for the job. Offer your appreciation and your hope that you will hear further about the opening.
7. Interview Follow up
Hiring managers like good candidates to follow up after an interview, if only to say 'thank you.' That shows professionalism, respect and indicates to the hiring manager that you are seriously interested in the job. To be sure, offer your thanks once again, but also reiterate your sincere interest in the job and your belief that you will be the best choice among the candidates. Briefly highlight your attributes, but don't go long with it. After all, you already interviewed. E-mail this or use regular mail, but do it right away.
Hopefully, you will have sufficiently impressed your interviewer with your performance. However, if for whatever reason you do not get this job, do not be down on yourself. Redouble your commitment and keep at it. It is an extremely competitive world out there. And hiring managers make the wrong choice all the time. Maybe that happened here. But in any case, if you continue to approach your interviews in the fashion described here, you will be rewarded for your efforts and thoughtfulness.
Stay positive and focused on your objective.
