Your resume is the first impression, so make it a good one!
- Create a clear, concise, and easy-to-read resume, free of errors, abbreviations, and slang.
- Include your current contact information, educational background, professional experience, certifications/licenses, and organizations.
- Consider creating a professional e-mail address to use specifically for your job search.
- Clearly describe your work responsibilities and accomplishments, including any leadership roles or special recognition.
- Include important specifics of your work experience, making sure to list pertinent duties for each position.
- List your most recent experience first, then proceed chronologically thereafter.
- Do not list personal, age-related or health information.
- Do not include pictures or graphics.
- Do not use unusual fonts or fonts smaller than 10 point.
- Use action verbs such as "Successfully managed 5-10 personnel in a high-paced office" or "Received prestigious award for academic excellence."
Resume Sample
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| Resume Sample: Click to enlarge |
Cover Letter Sample
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| Cover Letter Sample: Click to enlarge |
Interview Tips
- Dress appropriately. It is better to be over-dressed than to be underdressed.
- Avoid low-cut tops, anything sleeveless, jeans, t-shirts, wrinkles, holes, ill-fitting clothing, distracting accessories, etc.
- Do remove any unconventional/facial piercings, and cover up any visible tattoos. (After you are hired, you may inquire about the acceptance of piercings or tattoos within the office setting.)
- For Men:
- Do consider wearing a suit, blazer, tie, dress shoes, dress socks, etc.
- If you have facial hair, consider shaving it, or trimming it neatly.
- If you have long hair, pull it back in a ponytail/bun.
- If you wear an undershirt under a white dress shirt, consider wearing a gray-colored one, which is less likely to show through than a white-colored one.
- For Women:
- Do consider wearing a suit, dress pants, blouse, tights/pantyhose, dress shoes, etc.
- Avoid wearing shoes that are uncomfortable or hard to walk in. If you will be taking a walking tour, consider bringing a pair of flats you can switch into.
- Avoid wearing open-toed shoes with pantyhose.
- If you have long hair, make sure it does not cover your face or cause a distraction while you're interviewing. Consider pulling it back away from your face.
- Dress for the weather! Bring an umbrella if the weather calls for rain.
- Be on time. Give yourself ample time to find the interview location, park your car, and walk there. Being early is good, but don't be too early! Do not walk into the interview more than 10 minutes early.
- Be polite to everyone, including anybody you speak to on the phone and in administration.
- Research the company/brand/department and the position before the interview .
- Create a list of questions to ask about the department and position.
- Review your resume, work history and accomplishments to better prepare you for answering questions.
- Be honest, thorough, and specific when answering questions.
- If you do not understand a question, ask the interviewer to repeat or re-word the question. It is okay to take your time in answering difficult questions.
- Immediately follow up with a thank you letter to those who interviewed you.
- Prepare a list of references with complete contact information and take it with you to the interview.
- If it is requested that you provide references, make sure your references know that you will be using them as a reference and whom they can expect a call from.
- Use previous/current professional and/or academic references and not personal contacts. Previous and/or current immediate supervisors are preferred.
