Recently I was asked to give a one hour presentation to senior level college students as to what employers look for in a resume or in an interview. Below is an outline of my discussion points you could share with your students.
1. Find out what you don’t want to do/Learn skills along the way
There is a lot of pressure on college students to pick a major and then find a job in that discipline after graduation. However, many do not know what they want to do both in and after college. I tell my students that I did not discover my career choice until I was 28 years old. In the meantime, I worked several different types of jobs (accounting, marketing research, management), learning what I liked to do and what I didn't enjoy. I reassure them that they have 6-7 years after graduation thus to beat my record. Working these other jobs helped me to narrow down my choices until I found something that was a good fit for me.
2. What employers look for on a resume: Presentation
• Keep length to one page (unless have lots of relevant work experience)
• Make good use of white space
• Make user friendly (easy to find info)
• Professionalism (no typos)
• Don't use bold or italic fonts as resume will be scanned
• Use bullet points
• Use active verbs (google "resume action verbs" for these)
• Put contact info on all pages (if have more than one)
• Think about your email address (partygirl@yahoo.com is not good)
• Also, make sure your voice mail message is professional sounding
• Quality and color of paper (white, off white best/good quality paper)
• Personalized cover letter increases your chances
• Remember that you have about 30 seconds to impress the reader
3. What employers look for on a resume: Content
• Objective—be specific to the job or put none at all
• Skills, experience, education (what makes you qualified/what have you accomplished)
• Start with most relevant info
• Related coursework, organizations, computer skills
• Tailor your resume to the position applying for
• Use headings used in the ad or job description
• Use keywords for your occupation
• Gaps in employment (address these in cover letter)
• Include websites of former employers
• Give examples (not just a manager but how many ees, what did you do)
• “Canned” resume? (no, write your own)
• Time to “beef up” the resume (internships, organizations—leadership roles, volunteering)
• Include generic skills if applicable (communication, teamwork, self-starter, organizational)
Consider your resume as an ad that highlights your value as a potential employee: make it short, proactive and a good marketing tool.
4. Prepare for the Interview
• Know why you’re interested in the job (interviewer may ask)
• Learn about employer and job (ask for copy of job description before interview)
• Determine your strengths and weaknesses (ask your friends for help)
• Major accomplishments
• Previous job responsibilities
• Prepare questions to ask at the interview
• Look around at culture (do you want to work there? ask employees what they like about the company)
• “Train” your references (give them copy of your resume, list of your strengths)
• Make a good first impression
• Arrive a little early
• Try to relax—take deep breaths
• Be polite to staff members
5. Purpose of the Interview (interviewers are looking for the answers to two questions)
• Can you do the job?
• Are you our kind of person?
The company is interviewing you to see what you are like as a person. Your desire to work. How you get along with others. Positive attitude. Communication skills. Will you fit in? Technical expertise can be determined through tests and by looking at resume.
6. During the interview
• Use the name of the person interviewing you (but not first name unless asked to do so) several times during interview
• Avoid “yes” or “no” answers
• Do not bring up salary or benefits unless interviewer does
• Avoid use of negative terms as answer questions (if ask about past conflict, make sure your example has a positive ending)
• Be specific – use examples of accomplishments in the past
• Ask for the job
7. Appearance & enthusiasm important
• Wear professional clothing
• Good grooming
• Firm handshake
• Don’t wear anything that connects you to religious group, political cause, association, etc.—don’t want to bias interviewer
• Breath mints
• Don’t wear perfume or after-shave lotion
• Don’t smoke
• Wash/clean out car (shows attention to detail)
• Turn off cell phone!
8. Be prepared for questions
• Don’t lie! (this includes your resume also)
• Use three steps and a bridge strategy
Example: “What are your strengths?”
You:
a) skills (you are good with numbers)
b) knowledge and experience (that are pertinent to the job)
c) personality
d) bridging statement: your motivation to seek this job or choose your major
• If asked, “What are your weaknesses?”
Have to say something--everyone has weaknesses. Be honest. Mention something minor that you are working on such as lack of public speaking skills (but you are taking a speech class) or that you tend to take on too many activities (but you are learning to prioritize what is most important)
9. After the interview
• Send a thank you letter
• Express your interest in job and company
• State will be in contact and mention date (next week?)
10. Debrief
• Go over what went well and what didn’t so can learn from process
• If do not get job, call to thank them for their time and ask for tips for future interviews. Don’t ask why didn’t get job.
Keep in mind that the process of getting a job is one of the toughest things you will ever do. It is much harder than working at the job you’ll get!
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