Interview and Resume Tips

Unless you have your own business that serves your needs, you need to have a job to maintain your desired living and life style.
Day by day, the population is increasing, creating more competitors for you.
Jobs are no longer as secure as they used to earlier; an alarming number of companies are increasingly laying off their employees.
Employers now have a greater choice today and they are at better bargains! So how do you land your prize job at your desired expectations? Here are some tips to help you:

• Prospecting. First of all, you have to decide if you really want to work for a particular company. Just because they have a vacancy for your chosen job and just because they propose to pay a salary in your range doesn't mean that you should apply. It is important that you do your homework. Check out their website(s), analyze their growth and performance, google their name and see if you come across something undesirable. You may get a higher pay now but if they're in trouble, you'll soon find yourself on the road, hunting for your next job.
• Send your resume. Once you have concluded that they are a good prospect you would like to work with, send your resume with a covering letter. Ensure that you adhere to their preferred mode of submitting resumes. If they want it faxed, don't email them. If they're expecting a telephone interview, don't walk in. If you have any doubts, ask first.
• Interview preparation. This is like an exam - You can never over prepare. The more prepared you are, the less chance you have of making a mistake. Absorb as much information as you can about the company, the staff, their products and services, etc. If you have done your homework, your potential employers will like your attitude and will be more interested. Keep a well organized file with you that contain certificates, achievement proofs, letters of recommendations, etc. Maintain proper grooming habits. Get a good night's sleep on the previous night, you don't want to yawn and give the wrong signals. If required, create some sample questions and ask your family member, friend, or a professional to interview you. Take their unbiased opinions on your sample interview and improve on any weaknessess.
• Attending the interview. Be appropriately dressed for your interview. Maintain a neat and clean look. Be very punctual - preferably 10 minutes before your appointment. Smile at people as much as possible. Keep your cell phone switched off just before you enter the employer's premises and throw away your chewing gum if you have one in your mouth. Don't sulk or act impatient when waiting to be called - some employers will purposely keep you waiting to gauge your reactions. Once you're called, enter the door and take permission to come in, greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, a smile and preferably with his first name, if you know it. Remain standing until you're asked to be seated.
• During the interview. Avoid fidgeting while speaking - it shows lack of confidence. Keep a subtle warm smile on your face. Don't answer simple questions with nods, head shakes, or shrugging your shoulders, use words. Don't ever cross your arms - it gives a defensive attitude. Don't distract your interviewer by using too much gestures or interrupting when she is speaking. Accept any refreshment offered; but don't ask for one, with the exception of water. If you carry your own bottle, get permission before drinking. Maintain eye contact at all times. Speak as clearly and firmly as possible, with confidence and authority. Be alert and act genuinely interested throughout the interview, but don't try to be over enthusiastic. Refer to the interviewer's name as often as you can, without making it obvious. Finally, remember that you're there to sell yourself.
• A knowledgeable, friendly and positive attitude has a greater chance of closing the sale, so market yourself in the best way possible. Don't show your need or desperation even if you are, tell him why you deserve the job and why they should select you over others.
• However, don't play hard to get, this is not a dating environment! And don't let your jaw drop, for whatever reasons, under any circumstances! Finally, don't ever excuse yourself in the middle of an interview, even if you have to use the bathroom.
• Ending the interview. Once the hard part is over, you still need to give a good end. Once you have been indicated that the interview is over, smile again, thank him for taking the time to see you, and offer another firm handshake. Then politely ask when you might expect to hear from them about their decision.

Resume preparation tips:

• Highlight the qualifications, work experience and other education that best represents the type of work you're applying for.
• Include your accomplishments that accentuate your proposed job.
• Keep your summary easy and brief.
• Never write your resume in a narrative format.
• Do not hide or exclude vital information necessary for your resume.
• If you have huge gaps in your employment history, be prepared to give an explanation if asked.
• Don't use pictures or graphics in your resume, use a decent font and normal border.
• Your resume should be short and sweet, to the point, without ignoring important points and without stretching points unnecessarily. Don't stretch it over 2 pages, it will land in the dustbin.
• Your work history should be in a descending order - current job on top, then the one before that, so on and so forth.
• Carefully check all grammatical and spelling errors and correct them, if you're serious about your work.