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Text Box: Easy Ways to Update Your Résumé Change your font. Most résumés use the Times New Roman or Arial font. An easy way to make your résumé stand out is by trying different fonts that are still professional. Tahoma, Verdana or Century Gothic are good alternative fonts. Fix the flaws. Check and double-check for typos, spelling and grammar errors. Either use periods or don’t—pick one way and go with it throughout the entire résumé. Don’t include a picture. Trust me, just don’t! Some employers won’t even consider a résumé with a picture due to Equal Opportunity and discrimination laws. Specific is terrific. General statements like “Implemented new programs to cut costs” are boring to read. Get specific to highlight your accomplishments by rephrasing the statement to read: “Implemented an employee referral program to cut recruitment costs by over 30%.” Customize. Does the help wanted ad include information on what they’re looking for? Match the job requirements to your qualifications. (For example, state their requirement and then explain how your qualifications meet that requirement). Add action words. Here are a few suggestions: streamlined, implemented, planned, led, organized, managed, created, developed...you get the idea. Instead of saying “Responsible for leading an action team to address employee concerns,” say “Led an action team to attack employee satisfaction concerns, reported feedback to management and suggested solutions to improve employee morale.” See how the first one is very passive and the second one gives a very descriptive picture of the task? Delete unnecessary info. It’s great that you enjoy working out in your free time and that you’re active in your church, but it’s not really relevant to your career. Stick to naming activities and accomplishments that are significant to the job requirements or highlight your qualifications. Ensure you’re providing accurate information. Falsification of information on your application is a good way to get fired before you’re actually hired! It’s good to “brag” about your experience and achievements but don’t lie. Try to keep it to two pages. One page résumés are a bit unrealistic unless you use a tiny font, but most hiring managers won’t read past two. Text Box: Interview Do’s & Don’ts Do research the company with which you are interviewing before the interview. The interviewer may very well ask “So, what do you know about our company?” Be prepared to give a better response than “nothing.” Don’t be late! If you are unsure of the location try to drive by a few days ahead of time so you know right where it is. Plan for traffic and any other unforeseen issues. Arriving about 10 minutes early is ideal. Do dress up! This is one of those times when it is better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. Go for the business suit. Gentlemen, wear a tie and be clean shaven. Ladies, keep the makeup natural and don’t overdo jewelry. Don’t be negative about your current or past employers. Focus on the positives. Do bring a copy of your résumé and cover letter that is unwrinkled and printed on resume paper. You get extra points for addressing the name of the interviewer on the cover letter. Don’t lie—on your résumé or in your interview. This ranks as one of the top turn-offs among HR departments and interviewers. Do get plenty of sleep the night before so you appear fresh and your mind is sharp and prepared to respond to all the inevitable questions! Don’t be shy! This is an appropriate time to “brag” about your skills, accomplishments and what a tremendous asset you will be to the team. Do follow-up with a brief thank you note to the person(s) who interviewed you within 1-3 days after the meeting. It is perfectly acceptable to send this via email. Few people take this important extra step. This keeps you on their radar, shows good follow-up skills and sets you apart from all the other candidates who didn’t send a thank you note. Remember, just as a great résumé won you the interview, great interviewing skills can win you the job. Be prepared, be confident and follow-up! 8-Point Star: These articles and four others are currently featured on the Résumé Articles link on the Stanford Writing Institute’s Independent Review’s of the Best Résumé Writers on the Internet Website. Click here to view them!

©2007 Dawn Warnaar DBA Warnaar Writing Services · Site Last Updated March 23, 3008
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