Do's and Don’ts when emailing your resume
by Natalie Kobica
Emailing your resume to an employer or recruitment consultant is fast, inexpensive and shows your ability to handle this form of technology, so use it as often as you can.
But there are do's and don’ts that apply specifically when sending your resume electronically:
Do keep it simple
Your resume should always only be a summary of your relevant skills, abilities and qualifications, and this is particularly true when emailing your resume. The person reading your resume may have less time, patience and computer power to read reams of information on their screen.
Don’t use fancy font styles
The recipients’ computer may not have the decorative fonts installed or the large and colourful screen that you're used to. As a result, your resume may look quite different when it is received. The fancy fonts you have spent time creating may be removed or even worse become distorted, giving your resume a very unprofessional look.
Do use simple margins and proper page breaks
With systems and printers varying from one workplace to another, your resume may not appear as it is supposed to when printed. To reduce the chances of this, keep tabs and margin changes to a minimum and insert proper page breaks.
Don’t cut and paste your resume into the email message
Unless requested, only include your resume as an attachment. A cut and pasted resume often looks distorted, is unformatted and can be difficult to read.
Do include all relevant information in one attachment
Many email addresses displayed in job advertisements belong to support staff who print your resume and pass it on to the person who has the power to put you on the shortlist. Your actual email and other attachments such as covering letters may not be passed on and simply deleted.
So make it easy for them and increase your chances of success by including your covering letter, your resume and any other relevant information in the one attachment.
Do check your attachments for computer viruses
If your resume is found to contain a computer virus, the recipients’ virus checking system may delete your entire resume, or worse, you may be remembered as the candidate who corrupted the organisations’ computer system.
Tradition
Many employers and recruitment consultants will print your resume and still use it in the traditional sense. It is important that your emailed version contains the same factual rather than subjective information and includes positive language in a succinct and concise manner, just as your traditional resume. Be careful with spelling and present it professionally within the guidelines set above.
Exploring an opportunity
Rajesh Kumar,
5A, New Era Apts,
Khargar, Navi Mumbai-401210
Phone: 91-22-2834567
email: rajeshk@yahoo.com
25th November, xxxx
The Vice President (HR),
M/S Excellent Industries Ltd.,
124 New Link Road, Bandra (W),
Mumbai-400052
Dear Sir/Madam,
A report appearing in The Times of India, Mumbai dated Nov. 21, xxxx stated that your organisation is setting up a new project for manufacturing building materials at Nasik with an investment of Rs.40 crores. I am exploring the possibility of an opportunity to be the Project Manager for this project.
I am a Mechanical Engineer (first class with 72% marks in the final year) from The College of Engineering, Pune University. My eight year work experience includes Project Management (from conception of idea to plant commissioning) with large, professionally managed organisations in process industries. Currently, I am working as Assistant Project Manager with a multi-national company and have just completed the execution of a large (Rs.15 crore investment) project at Lucknow. The project was successfully commissioned within the cost and time schedules established by me and my team of four engineers.
Briefly my other accomplishments are as follows:
I have been the lead assessor for ISO-9000 for the company since 1998.
The Maharashtra State Electricity Board sanctioned new projects to us as we met the time and cost schedules. Their earlier project, setting up a 100 MW generating station at Ahmednagar was commissioned by my team.
In 1999, I was the only Project Engineer deputed for three months training to the company’s head-office in Frankfurt, Germany. This was the first international training program organised by our company. I interacted with 15 Project Managers from the company’s other global operations. This training program gave me insights into advanced project management skills adopted world-wide.
Although I am enjoying a successful career with my present company, I am looking for fresh challenges in Project Management and am also ready to relocate within a short time. The enclosed resume outlines my credentials and accomplishments in greater detail.
I would like to meet you personally to discuss the matter further and will try to reach you in the next few days to arrange a mutually convenient meeting.
Thanking you,
Rajesh Kumar
How to write a career summary
Generate Interest with a High-Impact Summary Statement
by Kim Isaacs
Hiring managers are busy people. A single job posting might attract thousands of resumes. To get noticed, create a career summary statement. The goal of this section is to develop a hard-hitting introductory declaration packed with your most sought-after skills, abilities, accomplishments and attributes. On your Monster resume, use the "Objective" section to present your summary.
Take these six steps to create a winning career summary:
1.Conduct research on your ideal job
The more closely you can target your profile to the employer's needs, the better your results will be. Start by searching jobs for your ideal position. Compare the ads and write a list of common job requirements and preferred qualifications.
2. Assess your credentials
Based on your research, how do you measure up? How would you help potential employers meet their goals? Besides the qualifications described, do you offer any added bonus? If you are lacking in one area, do you make up for it with other credentials?
If you are having a hard time assessing your skills, get help. Ask your colleagues what they see as your key qualifications. Review your performance evaluations. What do others say about the quality of your work? Then write a list of your top 10 marketable credentials.
3. Relay the value you bring to the table
The next step is to weave your top credentials into your summary. Keep in mind that the summary helps the hiring manager determine if you should be called for an interview. Include a synopsis of your career achievements to show that your dedication to results is transferable to your next employer. Explain how you would help solve their problems. Ask yourself, "How will the employer benefit from hiring me?"
4. Add a Resume title
A title to the resume hooks your readers and compels them to continue reading. The title should include your job target as well as the main benefit of hiring you.
5. Focus on your goal
The most effective summaries are targeted on one career goal. If you have more than one possible objective, consider drafting different versions. Fill your summary with key words related to your career field. Your profile can also be supplemented with a bulleted "Key Skills" section, which provides an easy-to-read listing of your core capabilities.
6. Proofread, refine and perfect
First impressions are lasting impressions. Is your summary persuasive and free of errors? Is your tone appropriate for you career field? Avoid empty, generalised statements such as "excellent communication skills."
The finished product
Here is an example of an effective career summary:
Business Development Manager
Increasing bottom-Line profitability through aggressive acquisition of business
Professional Profile
Accomplished executivewith a proven ability to drive new business that support the financial objectives. Generated business worth INR 3 million in the territory that was generating less than 20% of the above. Have led key initiatives that helped identify new business territories that added to the bottom-line and turned around company's overall performance.
Areas of Expertise
High-Volume, high-value negotiations
Strategic/Tactical Planning
Analytical and Financial Skills
Management Reporting
Relationship Management
Partnership Deals
Acquisitions
Resume tips for technology professionals
by Kim Isaacs, MA, CPRW, NCRW
With increasing numbers of job seekers competing for the most desirable technical jobs, your resume needs to be better than the rest to get noticed.
Technical summary
Effective technical resumes clearly show the candidate's technical skills -- a hiring manager shouldn't have to go fishing for this information. An excellent way to include technical knowledge is to add a Technical Summary or Technical Expertise section to your resume. Break the section into subcategories so the reader can quickly scan through your knowledge of programs and applications. Possible categories include technical certifications, hardware, operating systems, networking/protocols, office productivity, programming/languages, Web applications and database applications. Only list programs/applications that you could confidently discuss in an interview.
Career summary
Many hiring managers say they are searching for candidates who offer more than technical credentials. Soft skills such as interpersonal communications, ability to work collaboratively and commitment to achieving corporate goals are just as desirable. In other words, your resume needs a personality. The reader shouldn't only be impressed by your technical qualifications, but should find you to be likeable and well suited for the team. You can highlight some of these skills in a Career Summary section.
Focus on technological results
Technical candidates usually make one of two critical errors on their resumes -- either the document is excessively long with excruciating detail on every assignment ever completed, or too short with hardly any descriptions at all. There needs to be some middle ground -- the resume should be succinct yet effectively showcase your achievements.
What to include
For each position held, give a brief synopsis of the scope of your responsibility. Then show how your performance benefited the company. Give examples of how past initiatives led to positive outcomes such as enhanced efficiency, faster time-to-market, monetary savings, etc. Accomplishments are most powerful when they are measurable, so include actual performance figures whenever possible. Focus on your most impressive technical projects/accomplishments. What types of challenges did you face? What did you do to overcome the challenges? How did your performance improve the organization's bottom line?
For contract work, provide a bulleted list of your top projects, indicating the company (or type of company if confidential), reason for hiring you, scope of your project, your specific approach to the project, challenges/obstacles faced, work performed and benefits to the company.
If you are new to the fieldand concerned about a lack of experience, consider offering free or low-cost technical services to charitable organisations, friends, family or local businesses. This allows you to hone your craft and show related work or volunteer experience on your resume. Also, pursue as much training as possible to get up to speed. Entry-level candidates should focus on their potential in the field, ability to quickly learn challenging concepts and motivation to succeed in the industry.
Keywords
The best keywords for your resume depend on your job target and experience. Specific programs and applications are often used as keywords, which is another reason why a Technical Summary is a good idea. To determine the best keywords for your industry, use Monster's Search Jobs feature to find jobs that interest you. Examine the job descriptions and see which credentials and skills are used frequently -- these are potential keywords that should be incorporated into your resume.
Interviews: What do they look for?
Interview, according to Collins Concise English Dictionary, is a formal discussion, especially one in which an employer assesses a job applicant. 'A formal consultation usually to evaluate qualifications (as of a prospective student or employee)', defines Webster's Dictionary. It can be meeting with a candidate to ascertain, by questioning and discussion, letters suitability for a post.
The art of interviewing forms the very basis of the utmost input requirement, in the form of humans, of organisations. The process constitutes an important part of the recruitment procedure.
The interview Board, in the allotted time, has to bring out the best and the worst in the candidates and then arrive at conclusions, most subjectively, on a common-sense basis, since assessing a candidate on each and every attribute infallibly is neither possible nor feasible for the interviewers; rather there are chances of faltering.
To find the ideal candidate for any post is not possible, nor it is easy to define the concept completely in the context of the metamorphosing managerial and administrative values. The best course left to the Board is, therefore, to pick the best of the available candidates; to obviate repetition of the entire gamut of the selection procedure. This holds good, more often than not, in the case of selections for senior positions.
Often for the purpose, the Board evolves a check-list, an exhaustive but practical one, whereunder ratings are accorded for different personality traits. Experience has shown that this strategy works quite satisfactorily in all types of interviews.
The undermentioned can be the tentative parameters for the Board to look for its picks; not necessarily in the same order or weightage, for they may vary from post to post and from organisation to organisation, depending upon their needs.
The candidate, prima facie, ought to have the needed potential and keenness for the purpose of being developed into a better one, in the near future, and on, to impart benefits to the organisation, for it spends its resources on the new incumbent with an eye for good returns.
Self-acceptance of the past failures, if any, by the candidate will prove an asset, a qualification. It will speak of his frankness and will inculcate value ethics in managementa compelling need of the hour the world over.
The candidate should be able to 'look within' as Christ has said, in the face of taking decisions, especially when confronting with hard situations. He must have a clear vision of himself and of the assignments required to be accomplished. As a matter-of-fact, his performance itself is a perennial source of inspiration to him; a source of fulfilment and pleasure; and a robust antidote to (counter) the stress, both in his personal and official life.
To be receptive and considerate to the aspirations and expectation of colleagues is the need of the time. The Selection Board therefore, looks for such a possibility and potential in the prospective candidate. Not only that, the ability to inspire confidence among the staff, while inter-acting with them, is also a pre-requisite to be searched and found out by the interviewers.
Another sought-after trait is candidate's ability to communicatenot only his ability to express, as is generally mixed up. For this purpose, the interviewers have to try for all the essential parameters of a good communicator viz; logical flow of thoughts, directiveness in the needed side for the needed purpose, maturity in expression and communication, ability to listen and the art of a rational persuasiveness in arriving at the right decisions and passing on the instructions germane thereto to achieve the results. The art of communication is the hub of successful and result-oriented human relations.
The candidate should evince an abiding interest in updating his knowledge to qualify for being selected by the Board. Especially, such a policy plank is more needed when the interview is for the selection of a specialist. Both depth and breadth of the candidate's knowledge are indicators to his intellectual seasoning.
The candidate is expected, rather is required, to exercise self-check in all situations that he will face in his would- be organisation. He is to be assessed on his ability to shoulder both, praise and criticism, success and failure, authority and responsibility, with equanimity. Self-control, self-management, shedding of false egos are the time-tested recipes for successful managers, together with courage and conviction, backed-up, nevertheless, by firmness of action. A stiff and artificial stance will never be appreciated by the Board.
And overzealousness in conduct may also jeopardise the chances of being selected. If not checked, temperament can always sway away one's decisions to an un-wanted level of human relations, which may turn out to be a point of no-return. On part of the candidate, the deepest mental posture, even if provoked during the course of interview by the Board members, is sure to carry the day. This will help him give balanced answers to the satisfaction of the interviewers.
The interviewers end up, with the best available of the lot: the near-ideal; but not the ideal.
Some Frequently asked Questions in Selection Interviews
- Tell us about yourself.
- Why do you want to do this course/job?
- Where do you see yourself five years from now?
- Who is your role model and why?]
- What do you think about the current economic/political situation?
- What are your hobbies?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- If you are not taken, what will you do?
- Questions about your background and academic record.
- Questions about your habits, likes and dislikes.
First Impressions
- Prepare for the interview: Do not leave preparation for the interview for the last stage, or hope to say anything that comes to your mind at the moment. Developing confidence is a long-term process. Make it a point to discuss issues with family and friends. Carry your certificates in a file. Make it a habit to read extensively. This will prepare you for the interview.
- Dress formally: Be neat. Boys should make sure they are shaved while girls can apply a light make-up. Well groomed hair, cleanliness, polished shoes are some essentials. Avoid jewellery, trendy clothes and casuals such as jeans. Formal dress should be worn: keep a suit away for special occasions and do not wear your everyday clothes for the interview.
- Be on time: Err on the side or caution. Take a bus to the destination a few days before the final day. If that is not possible, allow yourself adequate time to find the place or unforeseen circumstances such as traffic jams. If you are early, do not go directly to the office but to a nearby restaurant and have something to eat.
- When you enter: Greet the interviewer by saying, "Good morning, sir". Do not be over-friendly. Do not sit down until asked. Sit straight and do not fold your arms. Look in the interviewer's eye while answering questions.
- Avoid controversy: Always stick to the subject, without giving opinions. Do not be critical of your insitute or past employer. If you do not know a particular question, say, "I don't know, sir."
- Listen carefully: Pause before answering a question to gather your thoughts. Listening will help you realise what the interviewer wants. Do not ramble or use long-winded examples.
- Be pleasant: Keep a cheerful disposition, do not contradict the interviewer even if he is wrong, keep a pleasant outlook. Do not be funny, though one can be witty.
- Tricky situations: If you are nervous, admit it. Stay calm, even if provoked. Of course, one cannot anticipate all questions so be ready for some surprises, too.
MOCK Interview
Candidate : Good afternoon, sirs.
Member1 : Good afternoon. Please sit down.
C: Thank you sir.
M1: You seem nervous. Would you like to have a drink?
C: No thank you sir. I'll be comfortable.
M1: Tell us something about yourself.
C: Yes, sir. My name is Varun. I have done my B.Com and I am waiting for the results of the final year. My schooling was in Shimla. My father is in the IAS and I have an elder sister who is a doctor.
M1: Your second year marks are less than first year. Will they go down further in the final year?
M2: Didn't you want to try for IAS? Since your father is a bureaucrat, you could have followed in his footsteps.
C: Let me answer one question at a time. I will take up the second question first. I am not interested in IAS, sir. I was always interested in a career in management. That is why I did my B.Com and fortunately I could get good marks. My father has never pressed us to do IAS but has given us the freedom to choose our career. My sister became a doctor because she wanted to be one. Regarding my marks, during the second year I had to miss classes because I was unwell for a while. However, this year I have put in a lot of effort and I am confident of covering up.
M3: Why are you not interested in IAS?
C: I did not want to be a bureaucrat where you have the authority no doubt, but you are still stuck in a groove. I feel that a career in management will offer higher growth which depends on individual performance. I do not want a comfortable job but one in which I can prove myself.
M1: Why only MBA? After B.Com you can become a Chartered Accountant and prove yourself.
C: I feel that Chartered Accountant is limited to finance and accounts. I would like to do something more than that. My background of B.Com has given me an understanding of accounts but I would not like to make it into a career. Management, I feel, is more exciting and one can do much more compared to CA which is limited to one area.
M3: What do you understand by management?
C: There are many definitions, sir. But the simplest one is that it is the art of getting work done from other people.
M3: What do you think are the qualities that a manager should possess?
C: I think that a manager should have planning and organising skills. He should be hard working and honest. Above all, he should have leadership qualities too since he has to manage people and lead by example.
M2: Where did you learn all this?
C: I have not learnt this, sir. Some of it I have studied in B.Com and then I have just gathered my thoughts. I have also read about the examples of successful managers who are featured in business magazines and formed my opinion.
M3: Which of these qualities do you have?
C: I have good organising capabilities. I used to organise many events in school and college. I am also good at planning and since my friends used to like working with me, I can say that I have leadership qualities too.
M2: So you have all the qualities of being a good manager. Tell us, what will you do if we do not take you?
C: I am quite confident that you will take me, sir. But to cover my risks I have applied to a few other institutes too and fortunately have got interview calls from them. As I am keen to do MBA. I am sure to get admission in one at least.
M3: Why, were you not confident that you will get through here?
C: I am confident, sir. But I applied to other institutes just to cover my risks. I did not want to waste an year just in case I missed one institute.
M1: What are the problems that India faces?
C: India is a large country and has many problems. At present the main problem faced by the country is that of instability. The elections gave no majority to any single party so each party is looking for coalitions. We have seen coalition governments in the past and they never seem to work. Secondly, there is the problem about the economy. The previous government kept inflation down by artificial methods which is bound to increase now. Debt has also reached huge proportions which has to be brought down.
M3: Don't you think the country has social problems?
C: Yes, sir. In fact, there are many social problems we face. There is the problem of dowry, which leads to torture and harassment and even to bride-burning. There is also the problem of female infanticide as people want to have male children only. This is going to skew the sex ratio in the country. Illiteracy, poverty and population growth are some of the other problems.
M2: Can these problems be removed through stability and economic methods?
C: They may not be removed totally, but a stable government will certainly have the time to address these issues. An unstable government will be more concerned about its own survival. There is also a very real danger that an unstable government may take the country backwards, as V.P. Singh had done during his time. He had played the caste card merely to survive, with disastrous consequences. Secondly economic growth can certainly solve our problems of poverty and unemployment. People will have more opportunities and can increase their incomes. In fact, poverty has already come down since the country took up the economic reforms programme, as was claimed by the previous government. If that is true, certainly our problems can be solved to a great extent by economic growth.
M3: But don't you think that economic growth brings in its own problems? There are many problems in the West which has seen some of the highest growth rates.
C: There are indeed problems which affluence brings. There are social problems there too, besides those of environment degradation.
M3: So what you are saying is that we should get rid of our problems through economic growth and import a new set of problems.
C: No, sir. Fortunately we have the example of the West before us. It is not necessary that we should commit the same mistakes. We can have economic growth combined with traditional knowledge so that we do not get the problems of the West.
M2: What are your hobbies?
C: I like to play games and read books. Another hobby I have is DX-ing, which is tracking radio stations of distant countries.
M2: That's an unusual hobby. Tell us more about it.
C: Almost all countries broadcast on shortwave. They want to know whether people are actually receiving the broadcast or not. Whenever I have spare time I try to catch unknown stations and send them reception reports. They send an acknowledgement card, called a QSL card. It is a good way of knowing the world and increase one's knowledge, besides participating in discussions and even learning a foreign language. They often send gifts to regular listeners.
M2: Have you ever got gifts from them?
C: Several times, sir. They send T-shirts, cassettes and books. But the best is if your views are aired by an international radio station.
M3: Which games do you play?
C: I play cricket, sir. These days I get less time but I play whenever I have time.
M3: Who is the manager of our cricket team?
C: Sandeep Patil, sir.
M2: What was your favourite subject in school?
C: I liked practically all the subjects that we had, but my favourite was English. I loved to read the books prescribed and also borrow from the library.
M3: Who wrote Gone With the Wind?
C: Margaret Mitchell.
M3: Why did the book become very famous?
C: It was made into a highly successful film which is still regarded as a classic. The book was a bestseller and thus became very famous.
M2: You must have had Shakespeare in school.
C: We studied Julius Caesar and Twelfth Night. I liked Julius Caesar very much, especially since it had those moving speeches. It is also a study in human character. I think these books help you to understand human nature.
M2: Did you not think of doing something which would help you retain touch with reading, since you like it so much?
C: In whatever profession one is in, one can keep up the habit of reading. Even successful managers read a lot. I will keep up this habit even when I graduate.
M1: Has any of your friends also applied here?
C: Yes, sir. One of my best friends has also got a call.
M1: Supposing we had only one seat. Should we take you or your best friend?
C: Ideally, I think you should take both of us. But if there is only one seat, you are the best judge to decide.
M1: But if we left the choice to you, what would you decide?
C: That is really a tough choice, sir. But if you left it to me, I would ask you to take my friend.
M1: Even if it means that you do not get admission?
C: Yes, sir. Friendship means rising above selfishness. If I took the seat that would make me selfish. I am sure to get admission this year. It would be ideal if my friend also got it.
M1: Do you have any weaknesses?
C: Yes, sir. I think everyone has certain weaknesses. I think I am a perfectionist, which sometimes creates problems. But I really cannot help it. I believe that whatever is done should be done well.
M1: Well thank you, Varun.
C: Thank you, sir.
Analysis
Varun was able to defend the questions relating to IAS and Chartered Accountancy well. The answers show that he has thought about them and made up his mind. He also can define management in a concise way, which shows that he has studied his textbooks well. In fact, the student should be well versed with his subjects. Varun also declined politely the drink offered to him. There are no hard and fast rules about this, but if you ask for the drink, chances are that you will not get the time to drink it.
Note how Varun handled the situation when two questions were asked simultaneously. Be careful when you say you have good planning or organising capabilities. The board can well ask why you think so. Do you have the answer? Similarly, the questions related to applying to other institutes are tricky but Varun answered them well. Note that he was well-prepared about the problems faced by the country. But he should not have made statements about coalition government. Avoid getting into controversial areas and playing the caste factor certainly is. But if you feel strongly about it and can defend it forcefully, you can take a chance and mention it.
Fortunately the board moved on to hobbies. Note that Varun had a hobby which was entirely different and he could speak on it. He could also speak on his reading habit. The question on whether his friend should be taken is another tricky one. If you say you should be taken, can you defend it without sounding selfish? The answer to weaknesses was also a satisfactory one.
On the whole, the candidate comes across as mature. He seems to have thought about his answers. He is well prepared and was not trapped in the cross-questioning. If you can't do so, simply back out and say you are not sure rather than saying something which you cannot defend.
Interviewing Tips
Remember:
- Dress the part: Don't over dress- (suit and tie for a mechanic position) or under dress (jeans and a tee shirt for a supervisor position) If you wear a uniform be sure it's clean and wrinkle free.
- Bring 2 copies of your resume. (One for the interviewer/one for you) Be sure you've updated and reviewed your resume.
- Arrive on time.
- The Interviewer may have as little experience with interviewing as you, so come prepared to guide the conversation, share your skills and explain why you're a good candidate for the job. Look for opportunities to "sell" yourself! The interviewer may conclude the interview with the question "Is there anything you want to share?" Be prepared to answer with a statement that includes an item or two you want the interviewer to remember.
- Be prepared to ask questions. The employer is evaluating your skills and you should be evaluating the job to determine if it's right for you. During the interview you might not remember the questions you want to ask. Make a few notes.
Here some questions to consider:
- Is this a promotional opportunity? What is the salary grade?
- Will there be merit increase opportunities? How are increases awarded? How often?
- What advancement opportunities exist?
- Is travel required? If so, how often? How many days a year?
- Is overtime required/available? If so, approximately how many hours?
- Is this a 5, 6, or 7 day a week operation?
- Is this first, second or third shift?
- What is the starting and quitting times?
- What special skills are required?
If, during the interview, you determine that you aren't interested in the position,
politely tell the interviewer.
This saves both of you time and energy.
Thank the interviewer for his/her time and tell him/her that you enjoyed the conversation.
Never burn your bridges!
Resume Tips
Attach a cover letter to your resume that states the following:
- Your purpose in sending the letter
- How you heard about the job opening
- Your basic qualifications for the position and any accomplishments or career highlights
- Phone number where you can be reached and when you are available for an interview
- Any other information you feel is pertinent to the specific job for which you are applying, without repeating the same information found in your resume
- A final paragraph that requests action with such sentences as "I am looking forward to hearing from you soon" or "I will call you the week of ---------- to arrange an appointment."
The letter should always be typed, neat and grammatically correct and addressed to a specific person by name and job title. Include your return address, the date, greeting, closing and your signature (in dark blue or black ink).
Your resume should include the following basic information:
- Name, address, home and work telephone numbers (PROF ID for internal jobs)
- Objective or position desired
- Education
- Areas of knowledge or professional highlights
- Job experience, accomplishments and responsibilities in reverse chronological order beginning with the most recent job held
- Items of interest, if appropriate- Military service, Professional organizations, Publications or Patents, Job-related hobbies/activities, Accreditations or licenses, Scholarships, Awards.
- Languages known, including computer languages and programs
- References: Available upon request
- To protect yourself from discrimination do NOT include: race, sex, age, marital status, past, present or desired salary
Additional resume tips:
- Put the most important information first.
- Don't start with education unless it is outstanding
- Make it neat and easy to read (leave plenty of margin to make the resume appealing to the eye and use bullet points in place of complete sentences). The reader should be able to glance quickly down the page to get basic information.
- Keep it brief- one page if possible
Structured Interviews
If the interviewer conducts a structured interview he/she will probably ask you questions about how you've handled situations in the past because research shows that past behavior is a good indicator of future behavior. When you answer these questions be as specific as possible and don't be surprised if the interviewer asks follow up questions.
Sometimes it's hard to think of specific examples during an interview. The questions may seem hard at first, but they give you a chance to talk about yourself and your skills. Take time to practice answering these common interview questions. If it turns our that your interviewer doesn't conduct a structured interview, it won't be wasted time. You'll be better prepared to talk about yourself if you need to guide the conversation.
Here are some questions you can use to practice your answers:
Typical warm up questions:
- What type of related course work, training or experience have you had that will be useful in this position?
- What particular skills and or abilities have you worked toward developing over the past 3 years? What type of progress have you made?
Questions to determine how adaptable you are:
- Tell me about a time when there were frequent changes in your job or the work you were doing. What was your reaction to this work setting?
o How did you cope with the continual change? How did you stay on top of your work?
o What difficulties did you encounter? What did you learn from this experience?
o Would you do anything differently as a result of your experience?
- At work we often need to deal with different types of people. Tell me about a time you faced a challenge adapting to people with different styles and expectations.
o What was the situation? How did you react to the other person's differences?
o How did things turn out? What did you learn from this experience?
- We've all been faced with circumstances, either at work, school or as a member of an organization, where we were required to work or act within established guidelines. Tell me about a time when you needed to "bend the rules," to meet the needs of a particular situation.
o What were the circumstances? What did you do?
o What were some of the reasons behind your actions? What was the result?
Questions to determine how reliable you are:
- Sometimes it is hard to consistently maintain a high level of performance in our work. Tell me about a time when you needed to overcome a difficult obstacle or problem in your work.
o What was the situation?
o What were the obstacles? How did you overcome the obstacles?
o What did you do to maintain a high level of commitment?
o What were the results?
o What did you learn from this situation? (continued on next page)
- Describe a task/project that you worked on that best demonstrates your work standards and level of quality.
o What was the task or project?
o What was your role in the project?
o Were there any obstacles to overcome? Please explain.
o What were the results of the project?
Questions to determine how you work as part of team:
- Tell me about a time you had to work as part of a group and some of the group members had opinions that conflicted with yours. How did you react to these differences?
o What was the project/task?
o What was your role in the team?
o What did you do to deal with the conflict?
o What was your reaction to their feedback or their opinion?
o How did things turn out?
o What did you learn from this experience?
- Tell me about a previous experience when you had to work with others toward achieving a common goal. Please describe the situation.
o What was your goal or objective?
o What was your role in the team?
o How did you communicate your ideas to the rest of the team or to your supervisor?
o What type of obstacles did you have to face, if any?
o What was the outcome?
- When working in a department or team, there are times when you will receive feedback regarding your performance. Tell me about a time when you received negative feedback about something you had done.
o How did you handle the feedback?
o What was the outcome of the feedback?
o How did you feel about receiving negative feedback?
o What corrective actions, if any, did you take? Please explain.
Questions to determine if this job is a good "fit" for your skills:
- What are the things you most liked about your previous or current job? What are the things you least liked?
o What were the tasks or responsibilities you worked on?
o What were the rewards for your performance?
o What would you have changed, if anything?
- Give me 2 or 3 factors about your last job that you found particularly motivating. What, if anything, did you find de-motivating?
o What were the tasks or responsibilities you worked on?
o What were the rewards for your performance?
o What would you have changed, if anything?
Last Modified March 11, 2003
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