Preparation For Resume Writing

Preparation For Resume WritingIt's always a good idea to prepare for resume writing as you will be dealing with the same person at least one time. The person might be an employer who is still searching for your resume and needs to be reminded that you applied for the job. This is a situation which could only be avoided by applying yourself fully so that you can easily fit the job description given by the company.It is very important that you know what they are looking for before you begin the interview. The employer might require more than just a resume. A good resume will show them exactly what you can offer the company.The other good thing about preparing for resume writing is that it shows that you have taken time out to do some research. You can get some insights from this kind of research and you might even be able to find some keywords that will help you in the future. In this way, you can make your resume stand out in your chosen field. When you get to the interview, you will make it a point to showcase the information which you can bring to the table.Another thing you will have to do is to prepare the resume in such a way that it can be transferred directly to the person who will be giving the interview. If you have been in the field for quite some time, you can ask for a refresher course so that you can transfer the knowledge you have gained. This will allow you to create a resume that is easy to read and can help you pass the test, which is part of the interview.You should also learn how to prepare a resume that looks professional. This will help you impress the interviewer and he/she might even like you better because you managed to meet the requirements. Since many people fail to keep themselves up to date with the latest techniques, it might help to review the basics of the industry and make sure that you stay abreast of the current trends. Also, when preparing a resume for the interview, you should not forget to include any experience that you hav e had. Sometimes, we do not remember all of the experiences which we have had even though we may have had them. However, if you do remember the ones you have had, it would not hurt to bring them up during the interview. However, you need to be careful that you do not go into too much detail since the interviewer might not have enough time to absorb everything.One last thing to remember about resume writing is that you should always try to make it as unique as possible. For example, the company may be trying to attract the best candidates, which means that they are not going to put much effort into making the job ad suitable for everyone. Thus, you have to come up with something that stands out as something different. You should not just use your normal resume format.

Informational Interview Questions Not to Ask

Informational Interview Questions Not to Ask You’ve had your eye on a company for a while. And after doing some LinkedIn reconnaissance, you realize that a connection of a connection works in HR. So you reach out about setting up an informational interview. If you handle it right, this could be the turning point that leads to your dream jobâ€"if you ask the right questions. “If you spend as much time as I do hosting meetings at Starbucks, you’re privy to a lot of informational interviews gone bad,” says Tara Goodfellow, a former career development instructor and director of Athena Educational Consultants in Charlotte, N.C. “There have been times I’ve had to stop myself from giving unsolicited advice.” So what sage advice would she impart? Read on to see what Goodfellow and other career experts say are the bestâ€"and worstâ€"questions to ask in your next informational. 4 Questions You Don’t Want to Ask 1. Can you tell me about your career path? “This is the worst question,” says Adrian Granzella Larssen of career site The Muse. “If you ask something that you can easily find online, you’re wasting your time and that of the other person.” Instead… Make it clear you’ve done your research by asking nuanced questions that convey your interest and professionalism. You might say, “I see you moved from a small boutique agency to a very large one. Was it difficult to make that transition?” Another example that Granzella Larssen suggests: “You spent six years at the same company but had multiple, varied roles. What would be your advice for someone who wants to do the same?” “People like to be helpful, and they’ll feel much more helpful if you do some digging beforehand to take the conversation beyond the surface level,” she adds. 2. What’s the scoop on that company controversy? You’re trying to build a rapport during an informational interview, and this type of probing question can be a conversation stopper. “In a first interaction, [it] sets you up for an awkward dynamic,” says Todd Horton, a 15-year HR veteran and founder of KangoGift, a company focused on employee recognition. “I was once in a group interview with a major oil and gas company when my friend asked about environmental damage and subsequent fees the company faced. The interviewer curtly responded, ‘I’m not authorized to comment,’” Horton recalls. “It changed the tone for the rest of the group chatâ€"and my friend did not advance to the next interview round.” Instead… Take an open-ended approach by simply asking what kind of challenges may lie ahead for the company. This way, you give the other person the chance to interpret the question. “The interviewee may answer with a remark about competition, the marketplace, or a big internal initiative,” Horton explains. Based on the response, he says, you then have the opportunity to share which of your skills could help the company overcome that challengeâ€"keeping the interaction focused on what you bring to the table. 3. About how much do you make? It’s natural to be curious, but this type of point-blank inquiry comes across as inappropriate and off-putting. “When you ask what another person has in their bank account, it can feel like a violation of privacy,” says New Yorkâ€"based career counselor and executive coach Roy Cohen. “I can guarantee that the mood of the meeting will shift.” Instead… Pose a more general question about gauging the industry’s going rates. “Say something like, ‘I’m wondering if you can give me a sense of what the salary range for this sort of position might be? It would be enormously helpful as a benchmark as I begin to officially interview for jobs,” suggests Cohen. After all, Cohen says, the goal of an informational interview is to gather data. 4. Will you be my Facebook friend? If you’re becoming fast friends, it’s a sign that the informational interview is going wellâ€"but it doesn’t mean you should send a Facebook request. The employee may be reluctant to connect personally with someone who primarily wants to talk to him about his company, cautions Philip Blackett, founder of Magnetic Interviewing. Besides, he points out, if everyone who requested an informational interview Facebook friended him, it could become overwhelming. Instead… Focus on forging a connection, and express interest in staying in touch. “Take a genuine interest in your interviewee,” recommends Blackett. “Try asking, ‘What initially attracted you to this company when you were job searching like me?’” This line of questioning lets the person share his story in a more natural way. And once you’ve hit it off, continue the dialogue by sending a thank-you note and, perhaps, a LinkedIn request. 4 Questions You Do Want to Ask 1. What type of personality gels best with your office culture? Personality fit is a big determinant of job success, so you’ll want to take this question seriously. “I think people often say this just to ask a question, rather than to actually listen to the response,” says Denver-based career coach Jenn DeWall. “Be an active listenerâ€"and hear what’s not being said.” Bringing up office culture also creates a positive impression twice over. “You are showing your interest in finding success in their culture, and you are demonstrating big-picture thinking about the variables that can impact your success within the company,” DeWall says. 2. What does a typical day look like for you? “Often in an informational interview, the employee is able to speak more freely,” says Angela Copeland, a career coach and founder of Copeland Coaching. “They’re able to share what’s going well, and be honest about what’s not going well.” In other words, the answer to this question could help you envision yourself in a potential role, with its day-to-day ups and downs. Copeland gives the example of a recent client who wanted to move away from retail management. She went on four informational interviews: with a corporation, a nonprofit, an advertising agency, and a startup. The informational with the corporation came first. “When we met afterward,” Copeland says, “My client said, ‘They sit in cubicles all day long.’ So we took corporate jobs off her list, and she ended up finding a great job at an advertising agencyâ€"one that suits her personality and plays on her strengths.” “If you say it sincerely, this question takes some of the emphasis away from ‘What’s in it for me?’” 3. Who else would you recommend that I reach out to? Any informational interview should be just one in a series of conversations on the road to your next job. So you’re not overstepping with this questionâ€"you’re keeping the momentum going. “It allows you to expand your network,” says L.A.â€"based career and business coach Crystal Marsh, citing the example of a client of hers who was looking to work at a small marketing company. “She had a stellar informational interview with an executive who simply did not have an open position,” Marsh explains. “So I advised her to ask this question and he thought of someone right on the spotâ€"a college friend who did the same work but at a larger company.” An email introduction led to an interview and then a job offer. “You just don’t know what the possibilities are until you ask,” Marsh says. 4. Is there anything I can do for you? Ending your conversation with this question shows your willingness to give back. “If you say it sincerely, this question takes some of the emphasis away from ‘What’s in it for me?’” Goodfellow says. It also demonstrates that you’re willing to work on your side of the future relationship, treating networking as it should be treatedâ€"a mutually beneficial relationship developed over time. “Then, if after an informational interview you determine you’re not a good fit, you can offer to send along a contact,” suggests Goodfellow. “When this question isn’t asked, it’s really a missed opportunity for both parties.” More From LearnVest: 10 Tough-But-Valuable Career Lessons to Learn by 30 HR Experts Confess: 8 Biggest Interview Mistakes We See 7 Tricks to Ace a Remote Job Interview

Business Etiquette How To Make A Correct Greeting - Work It Daily

Business Etiquette How To Make A Correct Greeting - Work It Daily NOTE: This is a book excerpt from A Beginner’s Guide to Business Etiquette: Mastering Good Manners is now Blissfully Simple by Crista Tharp. Related: Top 3 Tips For Telephone Etiquette We all want to be treated with respect, and it starts with the very first greeting. The following are the guidelines to greeting someone the appropriate way. Meeting Someone For The First Time: Stand when someone new comes into the room (whether you are a man or woman). Do make eye contact and smile! Offer your right hand out-stretched with palm facing left to shake hands. Your grip should be firm, but not a bone crusher. A handshake should last as long as it takes you and the other person to say your names. Introduce yourself by making direct eye contact and saying your first and last name. If you didn’t catch their name the first time, ask them politely to repeat it. At the end of the meeting, shake hands again and say how nice it was to meet them. Use their first name. Follow up if you promised to send them something, call them, or anything else. Follow up is a key to success! Introducing Someone Else: Generally, you introduce the younger to the older; the junior executive to the senior executive; and a colleague to a client. If you have forgotten someone’s name, politely tell them you have forgotten their name and they will repeat it for you. Always try to include a fact about each person in your introduction. For example: “Julie Baley, I would like to introduce you to Dan Green, our new Vice President. Dan (or Mr. Green), this is Ms. Baley, our new client who owns ABC Event Company. Julie (or Ms. Baley) just received the top Event Planner Award and Dan (or Mr. Green) received that award five years ago.” Always use a formal title such as Doctor or Judge if possible. Try to refrain from using nicknames unless you feel the person would prefer it. Always make sure to speak slowly and clearly so you can be heard and understood correctly. One Last Thing: Remember, people love it when you know and use their names. It is important to do your best to always remember and pronounce names correctly. There are several tips and techniques available to you if you have problems remembering names. Consider it an investment in your etiquette tool box. Related Posts Mind Your Manners! Office Etiquette Tips For New Grads 3 Rules To Smart Business Card Etiquette Office Etiquette: Do You Know The Basics?   Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!