General career tips to follow
There's a job out there for everyone, but there are hundreds of bright, articulate candidates competing for each position. How can you stand out in the crowd?
Grab a firm’s attention with a great cover letter! Resumes, which we'll cover in more detail below, can be a one-size-fits-all summary. But a cover letter should be customized to suit the position for which you are applying. Be short and concise; anything more than one page is too long. If you are responding to an online posting or a newspaper ad, read it carefully to identify the requirements that match your skill set and experience. Personalize the cover letter to highlight what you can do and why you would be a good fit for the job.
A well-written cover letter can lead to a much sought-after interview. Be brief; state your purpose, highlight your accomplishments, and close by reiterating your interest and taking the initiative to follow-up.
A cover letter can create the all-important first impression; your resume will tell the tale. Your resume is a career-marketing tool; it should be concise and accentuate your education and accomplishments, and generate interest on the part of the recruiter to learn more about you.
Consider the following: It's common for employers to receive hundreds of resumes for one position. Human Resource managers begin by scanning the resumes to identify candidates who warrant a second look. So be sure that your strongest selling points are easily visible to make the first cut.
Unless the length of your experience dictates otherwise, consider limiting your resume to one page. If you are a recent graduate or have less than five year's experience, lead off with your education. Include your high school or GED information if you don't have college credits. If you attended college, eliminate the high school references. If your education does not meet the requirements listed, include related training/certifications that you may have acquired. Sometimes your training may compensate for the lack of a formal degree. If you have more than five year's experience, the hiring manager will probably be more interested in your work experience, so put that first.
And finally, proofread, proofread, proofread! Sending out cover letters or resumes with typographical errors, poor grammar, etc., may result in your being passed over for an interview. Spell check and carefully read your communications to be sure they make the right first impression.
If you are invited to the firm for an interview, remember the following tips:
- Dress appropriately. While many companies have a business casual dress code, attend an interview in traditional business attire. While proper attire may vary depending on the position for which you are applying, business suits, dress shirts, ties, etc., are the norm for a first interview. Unless the prospective employer instructs you otherwise, traditional dress is the safest bet.
- Be prepared. Learn as much as possible about the company. Visit its Web site, search periodicals for articles about the company, etc. Be prepared to answer questions about what you know about the company.
- Relax and enjoy the process. Interviewing is a skill. The more you practice, the better you'll get. Answer questions directly and completely. Be confident in your abilities. If you believe in yourself, it will be easier for someone else to do the same.
Good luck and best wishes for success in your employment search!