Resume Support

Your resume should present your business experience, academic credentials, and if applicable, any specific work-related skills, awards, or professional memberships. A strong resume is the first step to a potential employer. 

• Include your contact information at the top of your resume.
• List an objective only if it is not clear from your work history. For example, if you are pursuing a career change, make sure the objective pertains to the job you’re applying for.
• Chronology and consistency are key – begin work history with your current or most recent position. For each job, list the month and year of your start and end dates. 
• Quantify whenever you can. For example, the amount of money or time you saved the firm by taking a specified action; the rate or number of items you produced within a specified time period; the number or types of clients you served.
• List any work-related skills you possess.
• In the education portion—which should follow the work history or skills section unless you are a recent graduate—list your college or university and the degree(s) you earned with the year you received it. 
• Do not list personal interests unless they are relevant to the job you’re applying for, such as knowledge of the stock market if you’re applying to an investment firm.
• Triple-check your spelling and grammar. Your resume is the first piece of writing that shows your potential employers your attention to detail.

Interview Tips

Pre-Interview:
• Become familiar with the organization and individuals with whom you will be interviewing with.
• Have multiple copies of your resume and organize any other materials that you’re taking with you.
• Turn your cell phone OFF
• Do not be late. Give yourself an extra 20 minutes and be conscious of potential traffic. Track your route prior to the day of your interview.

The Interview:
• First Impression – walk, talk and look the part. Be confident, maintain eye contact, and present a strong handshake and a smile!
• Prepare for the statement “Tell me about yourself” by planning your focus and emphasizing relevant skills that you have early on in the interview.
• Always portray yourself in a positive light. Avoid speaking negatively and never talk badly about a former boss or co-worker.
• Focus on skills you can implement immediately. Employers want to hear how you could hit the ground running and contribute to the company immediately.
• Support your claim of being the best candidate for the position by providing examples of where you developed, enhanced, or used specific relevant skills.

Post-Interview:
• Always send a thank you note after your interview.
• No matter how badly you may want to update your social media, do not share the details of your interview online. Your interviewers may be checking on your activity.