Resumes and Interviewing

General Interview Tips

  • Take a deep breath and think before answering.
  • Be personable, but don’t give them your autobiography – the interviewer doesn’t want to know where you were born and what your family situation is like.
  • Research the organization before going into the interview.
  • Be specific and descriptive. Your greatest strength should not be “I’m a hard worker” or “I’m always on time.”
  • They may ask you about weaknesses or times when things didn’t go well. Try to demonstrate improvement or accomplishments, even for supposed “weaknesses.”
  • Prepare several common answers you can draw upon during the interview – you’d be surprised how the same situation can be applied to different interview questions.
  • Take notes and ask questions in the end.
  • Steer clear of questions about pay and benefits, at least in the first interview (unless the interviewer asks you about pay range)

Resumes in 5 easy steps!

  1. Open a blank Word or Google doc and clear all formatting presets
  2. Determine what sections you need and write them on your resume
  3. Write all your content, leaving the professional summary for last
  4. Organize and format your content
  5. Proofread and polish

Resume Best Practices

Do these:
  • Write in the “gapping” style (short phrases that usually begin with action verbs)
  • Be concise- single page resumes work for most applications
  • Be specific with job duties and accomplishments
  • Opt for a Professional Summary instead of an Objective
  • Keep it easy to read- use bullet points for details and bold text for headings

Don’t do these:

  • No pictures!
  • No script or creative fonts – Arial or Times New Roman works great
  • Don’t use templates – they are very difficult to edit
  • Avoid colors – keep things black and white
  • No references – put them on a separate page

Basic-Resume-Template.docx
Resume-Variation-1.docx
Resume-Variation-2.docx
Resume-Variation-3.docx

 

Cover Letter Best Practices

 
  • Unlike resumes, letters have a standard format. Follow standard letter format for cover letters.
  •  Address the letter to a specific person in the organization if possible. Don’t say “Dear Company” or “To whom it may concern.”
  • Be concise – 1 page (three or four paragraphs) is usually enough.
  • Be confident, but not arrogant, when describing your strengths and accomplishments.
  • Include snippets of information about the company so the reader knows you have taken time to do some research. 
 
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