Posts Tagged ‘first impression’

Resume Writing 101

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

One of the most asked questions I receive before, after and sometimes even during an interview is, what do you think of my resume and what suggestions do you have for making it more effective?

There are many different thoughts on this, different styles suggested, and overall different advice on how to write and format the perfect resume.  There are lots of websites or career counseling centres out there that can offer you step by step advice.

Here are a few points I’ve noticed over the years that can help make your resume stand out from the rest of the pack. Most I’m sure are common sense, but a friendly reminder is never a bad thing;

  1. Keep your resume ideally within 2 – 3 pages.  Anything beyond that 3 mark and you’re in dangerous territory of over-selling yourself.
  2. Now that your resume is 2 to 3 pages, this shouldn’t mean that the font is smaller!  Font should be at about size 10 to 12pts, and should be in a clean type – Arial, Times New Roman are usually your best choices.
  3. There is a lot of debate about types of resumes – Functional vs Chronological.  I would have to say that we would prefer most resumes in chronological order, with duties and details beneath each position.
  4. When writing the details of your previous positions, write them from most important skills or tasks (eg. Prepared reports for year end audits) to least important (other clerical duties such as filing, data entry)
  5. If you are writing an executive style resume, detail your job duties, and at the bottom of your duties, give 1 – 2 achievements within that role.
  6. Cover letter?  It’s more impressive to find out the person’s name if you can, rather than writing “Dear Sir or Madam”.
  7. Can’t find out the person’s full name, but have their last name? Don’t assume what gender that person is!  Mr. so-and-so to a woman, and Mrs. So-and-so to a man doesn’t always go over so well! Stick to ‘Dear Hiring Manager’, or their title if that’s all you’ve got.
  8. Don’t forget a section to highlight your key skills, eg. MS Word & Excel, handling multi-line reception board, 10 years overall experience in sales
  9. When listing your education, make sure to include the schools you attended.  You worked hard at that school so show it off.
  10. Check, check and check!  Check spelling and grammar, check format – are all headers highlighted or underlined, does everything look consistent, margins and tabs all aligned? Last check – did I miss anything?

All of these steps will help you create a workable, useable resume, and make a great first impression!

Good luck!

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Posted in Career advice from Andrea | No Comments »

Overcoming the First Day Jitters

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

You made it through the lengthy interviews, detailed assessments, countless references and tough negotiations. Congratulations. Here you are …the first day at your new job.

Although you may have already landed the job, it doesn’t mean it is time to sit back and kick your feet up. First impressions count especially when it comes to the people you are working with. Here are a few key points to remember for your first day to ensure you are off to a good start.

Be Punctual

Arrive a few minutes before your scheduled shift to ensure you are not late on your first day. Keep in mind that you may have traffic to contend with or parking to find; all which may have been easy during the interview process when you were visiting outside of peak business hours.

Smile

A new environment can be scary. New faces, new surroundings, and new job duties. Introduce yourself. Make an effort to smile and say hello to your colleagues. After all you will be spending a better part of your time at work so takes steps to ensure that it is a positive working environment. 

Take Lots of Notes

No one wants to see a new hire who thinks he or she can memorize all the training material without writing a word. Taking notes demonstrates your interest in your role and desire to do the job right.

Ask Questions

If something does not make sense or you are unsure, ask. Without stepping up and make the query you will never know the right answer. Plus, this demonstrates that you take you role seriously and you want to do a good job. Most will be more than happy to help.

Keep an Open Mind

Although the function of the role may be the same, the processes are likely to be completely different. Don’t let this intimidate you. Most organizations have their own procedures to follow. Keep an open mind and go with the flow. With a positive attitude and willingness to change, you will adapt in no time.

Your first day has come to an end and you are finally at ease. You may not be 100% comfortable with your duties but you have overcome the stress and nervousness associated with starting a new job. Continue to build upon this each day by demonstrating your enthusiasm for your job and you will be climbing the corporate ladder in no time. 

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Posted in Career advice from Sandra | No Comments »

Preparing to Make a Great First Impression

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

A job interview can make your palms sweat and heart race but it doesn’t have to. Making a great first impression is critical; unfortunately most of us make a judgment about someone within the first few minutes. Being prepared is the key to a successful interview and will ensure you make that critical first impression a positive one.

With an uplifting economic outlook and if you are in the market for a new job, chances are you will find yourself preparing for an interview at some point in the near future. Here are a few tips to consider to ensure you don’t bomb that important first impression.

Who’s doing the Hiring?

Research the organization by visiting their website.  There you can find information about their history, product lines, size of the business, and position in the marketplace. This demonstrates your interest in the company and allows you to prepare for potential questions in the interview process.

Know your Role

Gear your answers to the areas covered in the description of the role for which you are applying. For example, if the role calls for a candidate who can handle escalated calls from unsatisfied customers, you might highlight the time you went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure your customer was satisfied with the service you provided. Not only will this demonstrate your ability to do the job, it will provide a real life example of your capabilities in this specific role and what the company can expect if they hire you.

Dress the Part

There is nothing worse than someone going to a job interview wearing ripped jeans, and oversized snow boots!  If you are unsure about the dress code of the company, ask the HR Representative who coordinated the interview. When in doubt, dress to the nines as chances are no one will be offended if you are over dress. At the very least dress pants and a sharp shirt will demonstrate that you are confident and are ready to do business.

Be Natural

At the end of the day, if you try to be someone you are not you will fall flat. Hiring Managers are looking for the total package – presentation, technical experience and interpersonal skills. Be yourself. By being prepared you will shed a lot of the stress and nervousness that typically surrounds a job interview. Knowledge is power … the more you know the better of an impression you will deliver. Remember you only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it a good one!

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Posted in Career advice from Sandra | No Comments »