BASIC RESUME CONCEPTS

Personal Profile
A couple of sentences that sum up your strong points and will be proven by the rest of the resume.

Key Skills and Attributes
4-6 bullet points highlighting skills
List in order of importance to targeted or current job

Work Experience
Dates, Employer's Name, Job title
Start with most recent job
Up to 6 bullets showing main responsibilities and tasks for current job, less for previous positions
Quantify results
Summarize old jobs & career breaks
Consistent formatting, clear and simple
Try for 1 page, use large enough font -12pt best, and white space

Education
Most recent & most relevant with highest level completed first. If recent grad this info can be first, above work experience

Technical Skills
Optional, can include special background relevant to job

(Do not need references or objective; be sure your name and contact information is on all pages-2 page maximum)

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TELEPHONE INTERVIEW PREPARATION

A telephone interview is normally based upon a request by the employer who wishes to personally screen the candidate by a telephone conversation before proceeding with a formal face-to-face meeting. This is simply a convenient way for the employer to quickly and efficiently target his area of interest in the candidate's background, and is routinely used by our out of town clients.

The candidate should consider that a telephone interview is just as important as a personal interview and prepare for it just as one would a formal one. Your goal is to arouse the interest of the employer to the extent that he, at some point in the phone conversation, states that he is interested in seeing you in person! This may be set up during the phone conversation or through the recruiter when he is de-briefing the employer. It is very important that you call the recruiter with feedback as soon as possible after the phone interview so that he is informed when speaking with the employer.

Since a telephone interview is normally brief it is essential for the candidate to listen to each question posed by the employer and answer it as fully and completely as possible. Realize that if an employer targets a specific area of skill or experience, that specific area is his prime area of concern at that time. Use brief incidents to illustrate your points as this will help your responses stick in the employer's mind after the conversation. Although the focus

is on the questions by the employer, the candidate should attempt to determine some preliminary information about the position involved (e.g., major responsibilities) - just enough so that the candidate shows enough interest in the opportunity to secure a personal interview with the employer.

Remember to use all your interviewing skills such as smiling when you speak, sitting alertly, focusing on the interviewer, etc. Your attitude comes across in your voice, so make sure your phone interview is a professional as your in-person one will be. Try to find an appropriate setting and time so that you are not disturbed during the conversation. Once it appears that the interview is coming to a close (unless the employer has indicated that a personal interview will be arranged), you may properly inquire: "What is the next step?" or "Where do we go from here?". In telephone interviews (as in personal interviews), the follow-up is essential - after you call your recruiter with interview feedback, send a thank-you note to the employer.

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Why are you thinking about making a change?
2. What did you most/least enjoy about your last position?
3. Rate in importance to you four factors in choosing your next position ( i.e. salary, benefits, hours, environment, commute) .
4. What type of reference do you think your previous employer would give?
5. What do you think it takes for a person to be successful in a (retail/corporate/management/sales) etc. position?
6. What specific strengths will you bring to the position?
7. What do you feel you were weakest at in your last position?
8. Where do you see yourself three years from now?
9. What do you do when you are having trouble solving a problem?
10. Describe the best boss you ever had.
11. What is your current boss's title/functions?
12. What might your boss do to be more effective?
13. Describe your management style.
14. Describe a typical day at your current job.
15. What do you know about our company?
16. Why do you think you would be effective here?
17. Describe your most significant contribution since you've been in the business world.
18. Describe a situation when you were able to influence the actions of others in a desired direction.
19. Describe your biggest failure and how you handled it.
20. Describe yourself, what are you like both inside and outside the office?
    

Following are additional questions requiring specific examples to provide credibility to your answer. Structure your answer including the example incident to be no longer than 2-3 minutes. As you finish, ask the interviewer if they would like more detail.

1. Describe your ability to work as part of a team. Example?
2. Describe how you deal with human relations problems. Example?
3. Describe your handling of time management, leadership capability, delegation, negotiation.
4. Tell me about your ability to handle and control stress, personally and in others (employees).
5. Explain how you communicate, sell ideas, sell ideas when met with resistance. Example?
6. How would you judge your level of self confidence. Example?
7. Tell me about your ability to create and innovate. Example?
8. What do you feel are your weaknesses? Example?
9. What do you feel are your strengths? Example?

To develop a clear example, try the following three part outline:

• ldentify and describe the situation you handled.
• Describe the actions you took to resolve the situation.
• Describe the end result of your actions, including why your strategy was successful.

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WHAT IS THE RIGHT ANSWER?

1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF.
   Make sure your first words impress favorably. Have a concise 2 minute reply -perhaps on your education & work experience, then bridge to why you're right for job. Have one memorable statement. Don't fudge facts!
2. WHY ARE YOU ON THE JOB MARKET?
   Be honest, direct and quick with your reply. Do not say negative things about your former employer. Even if you were fired the best answer is the honest one.
3. WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR US?
   Show evidence that you have researched the company and position; shows you are disciplined and prepared. Use the library and industry resources, the company wants to feel you are interested in them, not just a "job".
4. WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS?
   High energy level? enthusiasm? assertiveness? decisiveness? maturity? Back assertions with evidence, don't be too narrow or say "I can do anything you need". The age of specialization is over, you need to show you are flexible and adaptable to a fast changing world.
5. WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?
   An overuse of strength is best; show you profited from your mistake. Example: "Sometimes people mistake my decisiveness for impatience, but I have learned to watch how I express things."
6. WHAT TYPE OF BOSS DO YOU LIKE?
   Don't knock your last boss; this is a check for boss conflicts. Be honest, but positive. This answer shows whether you have an overall view of the company and knowledge of other than your own function.
7. WHAT ARE YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS?
   Be prepared, write down five things you are proudest of and define them with numbers-specific-if possible.
8. WHAT SALARY ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
   Don't bring up pay in initial interview, this should be brought up by the employer in a second or third interview. When pressed give a range; don't low-ball showing lack of confidence in your worth or high-ball scaring off an offer.

An employer may test you on technical questions or ethics. If an employer asks for your questions be ready with job content, why job open, expectations, etc. In parting, summarize why you would be right for the job! Be prepared and practice; help yourself get winning interviews.

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PRESENTING YOURSELF EFFECTIVELY

1. Establish empathy with and discover the needs of the employer by asking questions.
2. Enthusiasm - leave no doubt as to your level of interest in the opportunity. Put yourself in the position of turning down an offer rather than having no offer made.
3. Technical interest - show that you love what you do and you do it well.
4. Confidence - be sure of your abilities, and relay that confidence to the employer.
5. Intensity - make sure you don't come across as "flat", the person with fire in their eyes excites the employer.
6. Build your case:
   • Present your background in a thorough and accurate manner.
   • Gather data on the company, the position, the industry, and further growth possibilities.
   • Link your abilities with the company needs.
   • Build a strong case for why the company should hire you, using the information you have gathered by asking questions.
7. Talking/answering questions: short version vs. long version - it is usually best to give the short version first then ask if they want more depth. Don't talk too much and talk yourself out of a job.
8. Money - Answer the question of what you are currently earning with a statement such as "I am currently in the "high 20s", and I am expecting my annual review next month which should put me in the "low 30s". To the question of what salary do you want in order to join this company, say the "opportunity" is the most important issue, not salary and that if we decide to work together, I 'm sure you will make me a fair offer. If pressed, give a salary range.
9. Proper dress - dress the part of the job you want. It is better to be overdressed for an interview than underdressed. Wear a suit or business-like dress, make sure your shoes are clean and shined, and personal grooming should be understated.
10. WIIFM - "what's in it for me" is what everyone is focuses on - especially a potential employer. NEVER bring up the issue of money or benefits in a first interview. Take the JFK approach "Ask not what your "company" can do for you, but what you can do for your "company"

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lNTERVIEW PREPARATION IDEAS

A. GENERAL SUGGESTIONS
Be appropriately dressed and groomed for the job, company and industry culture. Be self assured enough to put the interviewer at ease. Sit and walk upright and look the interviewer in the eye. SMILE! Be concise, don't over-explain; ask "is that what you wanted to know?" Listen actively, show interest with your eyes and facial expressions.

B. PREPARE AN INTRODUCTORY VERBAL RESUME OF YOURSELF
Be prepared to answer questions about yourself, your goals, past accomplishments, etc. Demonstrate with concrete examples desire and enthusiasm to grow and learn, maturity and readiness to take on responsibility, positive attitudes toward management, commitment and involvement-doing more than job requires.

C. LISTEN TO THE COMPANY EXPLANATION OF THE POSITION, THEIR OPERATION, MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES, ETC.
Your goal should be to find out as much as possible about the position, it's responsibilities, and the company's overall goals, challenges, history, and senior management.

D. RELATE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND TO THE POSITION DESCRIBED
Give specific examples of achievements at work, focused on results not activity - about 1 minute each.
Show how you can provide the employer with a return on his investment by hiring you-how you can add measurable value to the company.
Show your knowledge of the industry-personal contacts, products, the marketplace, technical language and industry practices.
Phrase your reason for leaving your current position in a positive manner.

E. ASKED PREPARED QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPANY, POSITION, ETC.
Ask about relevant issues - job responsibility, management practices, assignments of co-workers, performance reviews, etc.

F. CLOSE INTERVIEW
Get a commitment to the next step, where do we go from here, etc. Ask if you can provide additional background on yourself.

G. ALWAYS FOLLOW UP WITH A THANK YOU NOTE TO THE INTERVIEWER

DON'T

1. Be too aggressive or arrogant
2. Apologize for all of your shortcomings
3. Argue with your interviewer
4. Avert your eyes; slouch; mumble
5. Fiddle with your hair, glasses, pen, or clothing
6. Criticize former employees, bosses or co-workers

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REASONS FOR NOT ACCEPTING A COUNTER OFFER

1. What type of company do you work for if you have to threaten to resign before they give you what you are worth?
2. Where is the money for the counter offer coming from? Is it your next raise early? All companies have strict wage and salary guidelines which must be followed.
3. Your company will immediately start looking for a new person at a lesser salary.
4. You now have made your employer aware that you are unhappy. From this day on, your loyalty will always be in question.
5. When promotion time comes around, your employer will remember who was loyal, and who was not.
6. When times get rough, your employer will begin the cutback with you.
7. The same circumstances that now cause you to consider a change will repeat themselves in the future, even if you accept a counter offer.
8. Statistics show that if you accept a counter offer, the probability of voluntarily leaving in six months or being let go within one year is extremely high.
9. Accepting a counter offer is an insult to your intelligence and a blow to your personal pride; knowing you were bought.
10. Once the word gets out, the relationship that you now enjoy with your co-workers will never be the same. You will lose the personal satisfaction of peer group acceptance.
11. Decent and well-managed companies don't make counter offers. Their policies are fair and equitable. They will not be subject to "counter offer coercion" or what they perceive as blackmail.

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