Resume Tips:
  • Keep resume to 1 page
  • Remove the “references available upon request” from the bottom of your resume. Have your references on a separate page to be included with your resume.
  • Start with your most recent work experience and work backwards from there
  • Include your email address
  • Include dates of employment
  • Make sure the format is "scannable" - leave off fancy lines and borders
  • Include numbers when you can. For example, increased overall sales by 27%, closed $2,400,000 in new business over 2 years, responsible for 62% of entire company billing, etc.
  • Don’t lie

Before the Interview:

It is imperative you know who you are interviewing with prior to the meeting. You should know what the company does, who owns the company, who their main competitors are, as well as their billing. It is also helpful if you know about the key players at the company. You will look prepared and show the interviewer that you have done your research.

There are excellent sources available to you in doing research. Here are a few:
  • Listen to, watch or read the product
  • Check the company's website as well as their parent company
  • Check the Internet for any articles about the company
  • Try to locate a copy of their annual report
  • Use industry publications such as SRDS (Standard Rate & Data Services) or RedBook for more details - check your local library for publications
  • Ask for a sales kit
  • Talk to people in the industry

Questions:

You need to be interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. Have some solid questions ready to ask before you go into the interview. Whatever you do, DO NOT has your first questions be about compensation or vacation.

Here are some samples of good questions:
  • What do you see as your biggest challenges?
  • How do you differentiate yourselves from the competition?
  • Can you tell me about your career and what made you successful?
  • Why did you join this company?
  • I noticed on your web site that your company also owns ____, do you ever do any cross promotions?
  • Do you have a written job description for this opportunity?
  • Can you describe what type of person you are looking to hire to fill this position?
  • What are the growth opportunities with your company?
  • Can you describe what turnover you have experienced? Why and where did they go?
  • Please describe your management style.
  • What is our next step?

Follow up:

You have had the interview and regardless of whether you decide to go forward or not, it is proper to follow up and thank the person for their time. You never know where you or that person will end up as it is a very small world. If you are interested in the position, let them know. If you are not, let them know and save both of your precious time.

SOURCE:Tips supplied courtesy of All About Careers.

The information contained above is intended to provide useful information on the topic covered, but should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion.