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To help you construct a better, more powerful resume, here are ten overall considerations in regard to your resume’s content and presentation:
1. Position title and job description. Provide your title, plus a detailed explanation of your duties and accomplishments. Since job titles are often misleading or their function may vary from one company to another, your resume should tell the reader exactly what you’ve done.
2. Clarity of dates and place. Document your work history and educational credentials accurately. Don’t leave the reader guessing where and when you were employed, or when you earned your degree.
3. Explicitness. Let the reader know the nature, size and location of your past employers, and what their business is.
4. Detail. Specify some of the more technical, or involved aspects of your past work or training—especially if you’ve performed tasks of any complexity, or significance.
5. Proportion. Give appropriate attention to jobs or educational credentials according to their length, or importance to the reader. For example, if you wish to be considered for an engineering position, don’t write one paragraph describing your current engineering job, followed by three paragraphs about your summer job as a lifeguard.
6. Relevancy. Confine your information to that which is job-related or clearly demonstrates a pattern of success. For example, nobody really cares that your hobby is spear fishing. Concentrate on subject matter that addresses the needs of the employer.
7. Length. Fill up only a page or two. If you write more than two pages, it sends a signal to the reader that you can’t organize your thoughts, or you’re trying too hard to make a good impression. If your content is strong, you won’t need more than two pages.
8. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Create an error-free document that’s representative of an educated person. If you’re unsure about the correctness of your writing (or if English is your second language), consult a professional writer or editor.
9. Readability. Organize your thoughts in a clear, concise manner. No resume ever won a Nobel Prize for literature; however, a fragmented or long-winded resume will virtually assure you of a place at the back of the line.
10. Readability. Be sure to select a conventional type style, such as Times Roman or Arial, and choose a neutral background or stationery. If your resume takes too much effort to read, it may end up in the trash, even if you have terrific skills.
Finally, I suggest you write several drafts, and allow yourself time to review your work and proofread for errors. If you have a professional associate whose opinion you trust, by all means, listen to what he or she has to say. A simple critique can make the difference between an interview and a rejection.
How to write a cover letter
Using a cover letter allows employers to get a general idea about yourself and tells the reader what kind of employee you are likely to be. It is very important that you use correct grammar and spelling when writing a cover letter because it expresses your attention to detail and professionalism. Below is the basic format of a cover letter.
ADDRESS
TODAY'S DATE
EMPLOYER'S NAME (Be sure to address the employer properly i.e Mr./Ms.)
TITLE
COMPANY'S NAME
COMPANY ADDRESS
DEAR Mr./Ms. EMPLOYER's NAME:
FIRST PARAGRAPH:
In this section you are telling the employer why you are writing to them. This basically tells the employer what position you are interested in and why you are applying for it. You should keep this about 2-3 sentences long. In this section make sure to tell the employer how you found out about the position. Do some research on the company and talk specifically about how you got interested in their company or organization. Remember make it short and sharp but to the point.
SECOND PARAGRAPH:
In this paragraph you are telling the employer why you think you're a qualified candidate for the position. Try to point out some of your best attributes and skills as they relate to the job being applied for. Highlight your experiences and/or accomplishments and provide examples to support your points. Make sure you really knock down the first sentence in this paragraph for it's what tells the employer of the bat that you mean business. You basically want to sell yourself and showoff your skills/qualifications in a nutshell. In the body of the paragraph all you you need to do is back up what you've just claimed. Cite specific experiences, internships and/or projects related the to the job. Try using really detailed examples. This paragraph is usually the most lengthy of all.
FINAL PARAGRAPH:
Now in about 2-4 sentences paragraph refer to your attached resume, and request an interview. Give the employer a specific time frame when they should expect to hear from you. It is very important that you thank the employer for his/her time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name
Resume Enclosed
Other Tips
* Keep your letter short and simple. You're not writting a novel. Employers usually throw away or overlook cover letter's that are too lengthy.
* Have a career center evaluate your cover letter and give you advice on how to improve it. More help wouldn't hurt. Colleges usually provide free pointers at the career center so make sure you visit it. As a student, you're paying for it.
* Do research on the company and find details on the position. This will allow you to write a more personal cover letter to the employer.
* Make sure your spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation are on point. Cover letters are a reflection of your writing skills and it tells the employers whether you're careful/careless, professional/non-professional etc.
Importance of a "thank you" letter
In the competitive world that we live in, many people apply for the same job openings and hope that they have made a positive lasting impression with their interviewer. It was fortunate enough that the person was able to land an interview and get a chance to obtain the position. What some people tend to overlook after an interview is the follow up.
Obtaining an interview from an employer is big. It means that an employer has screened through a pile of applications and resumes and have selected possible candidates that he/she feels is qualified enough to handle the tasks involved in the job. But it does not end after the interview. A good common practice is to follow up with the company. One way to follow up is to send a Thank You letter to your interviewer. Thank the interviewer for giving you a chance to interview with him/her and for taking time out of his/her day to meet with you. Let him/her know what you felt about the interview and that you will be following up with him/her within a few days to check on the status of the position whether or not it has been filled.
It is good practice to keep the Thank You letter brief and straight to the point. Mention within the letter the highlights of the interview and any possible skills, qualifications, or availability that you forgot to mention during the interview. By doing this, the hiring manager will be able to recall who you are and what you had to say. Remember, a good resume leads to an interview, but a simple Thank You letter and follow up may just be the professionalism the hiring manager is looking for that can land you the job.
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If offered to you, how long do you plan to stay in the role you are applying for?
What kind of salary are you seeking?
What do you think it takes to be successful in an organization like this?
What do you know about this organization?
What do you know about the position you are applying for?
Why would you like to work for the company?
What challenges do you think you will face in the job you are applying for?
What salary do you think you deserve?
What is your salary history? Do you expect that pattern to continue?
What concerns you about the position you are applying for?
What concerns you about the company?
When would you expect a promotion?
If seeking a new career, why are you seeking a new career?
Where do you see this company going?
Why do you want this position?
Do you feel overqualified/under qualified for this position? Why?
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
If attended college, what did you like most about your college experience? What did you like the least of your college experience?
What skills do you need to develop most?
Do you have any IT(Information Technology) qualifications?
Would you object to attending training seminars in your own time?
Why did you select your college or university?
What are your strengths? How do they help you?
What are your weaknesses? How do you plan to overcome them?
What makes you think you are qualified for this job?
Would you rather work with a team or alone? Why?
What motivates you?
How do you handle stress?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
How are you at meeting deadlines?
Why should we hire you?
What would you do with your life if money was not an issue?
Do you fear criticism? Why?
Name 3 adjectives that would best describe you?
Name 3 adjectives that would best describe your ideal work colleague?
What type of work environment are you seeking?
What are your hobbies?
How would you expect your supervisor to motivate you?
Do you interact well with people
What type of people find you difficult to get along with?
Do you enjoy working?
Do you generally get along with your co-workers?
What type of people do you find difficult to work with?
Have you ever been terminated? Why?
How are you at taking instructions?
What difficult decisions have you made?
How do you feel about your current employer?
How would your subordinates describe you?
Describe a situation where you had to make a decision to solve a problem? How did you handle it?
What did you dislike most about your last job?
What did you like most about your last job?
What is the most difficult challenge that your have been faced with? How did you overcome it?
Would you be willing to take a pay cut?
Would be willing to stay after hours if needed to?
What would your references say about you?
Will your employer be suprised that you're leaving?
Have you ever been turned down a salary increase?
Have you ever been disciplined by your supervisor?
What would your previous employer say about you?
How do you measure success?
How have your career goals changed over time?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
What are your shorterm goals?
What are your longterm goals?
What is more important to you, salary or advancement?
Are you willing to travel?
Would you be willing to relocate if required?
Do you have any kids? If not, do you plan to have any?
How would your establish your skills within a team setting?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
What do you know about this idustry?
Have you ever headed up a project? What was the outcome?
How would you feel about working with someone who was not as knowledgeable as you?
How do you rate me as an interviewer?
Do you think a leader should be feared or liked? Why?
How could you help out the company?
What do you think would make you a valuable asset to this company?
What was your greatest failure? How did you learn from it?
What is your personal mission statement?
What would avoid in a job?
How has your educational background prepared your for this particular job?
What is your willingness to travel like?
Do you mind when others ask you to do them favors while you are working?
How do you plan to develop your skills in this job?
Describe your ideal working conditions?
What's more important, the job or the money?
Are you able to multitask?
What kind of hours are you used to working?
What kind of hours would you like to work?
What other positions are you considering?
How much do you expect if offered the position?
Have you ever supervised anyone? What is the most you have supervised?
What can you do for us that no one else cannot?
Have you ever had to work with someone that you didn't get along with? How did you handle it?
What do you know about the type of work required of you?
In what ways do you think our company can make use of your abilities?
What do you think determines an employee's progress in this company?
What qualities do you think this job requires?
What qualities would you expect from people working with you in a team?
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