Don’t plan to arrive on time, plan to arrive early!

E-Recruitment No matter how sympathetic your interviewer may be to the fact that there was an accident on the freeway, it is virtually impossible to overcome a negative first impression. Do whatever it takes to be on time, including allowing extra time for unexpected emergencies. However, don’t show up too early either. A good time to announce your arrival is 15 – 20 minutes before your interview is scheduled to start.

Know how to respond to tough questions

E-Recruitment The majority of questions in a job interview that you will be asked can be anticipated. However, there are exceptional questions tailored to throw you off guard to see how you perform under pressure. Your best strategy is to be prepared, stay calm, collect your thoughts, and respond as clearly as possible.

Relate stories or examples that heighten your past experience

E-Recruitment Past performance is the best indicator of future performance. If you were successful at one company, odds are you can succeed at another. Be ready to sell your skills and performance using relevant stories from your work experience in the interview.

What are the biggest blunders people make on resumes?

E-Recruitment
  • Lack of Focus: Be sure to start your resume with a clear objective or a summary statement. This gives you a roadmap for writing the resume and the employer a roadmap for reading it. 
  • Poor Organization: Define a logical principle that supports the structure of your resume and carry this theme throughout. Be consistent with use of highlighting such as bolding, italicizing, and underlining.
  • Dull Responsibilities: Would you be interested in somebody’s basic job descriptions if you had 100 resumes in a pile? Probably not. You can avoid this blunder by listing accomplishments and developing measurable Action-Benefit statements that demonstrate your ability to achieve results. 
  • Spelling and Grammatical Errors: Even one error could land your resume in the reject pile. Make sure you proofread. Proofread and have someone else proofread your resume before you submit it to an employer.
  • Unconventional Formats or Styles: In an attempt to be different, variations from conventional format can be construed as too creative or abnormal. Instead, ensure that your accomplishments and unique talents make you stand out. You’re better off using a conventional format and addressing your skill set to the business needs of your prospective employer.

How can I make my resume stand out against the competition?

E-Recruitment The best way to make your resume stand out is by tailoring your resume to the exact requirements of the position you are applying for and by describing your accomplishments and experience using Action-Benefit statements that illustrate how your actions produced a measurable benefit to your previous employer. By doing these two things, you will create a resume that demonstrates you have the skills, abilities, and experience required for success in the position, and that you have the proven ability to apply those skills and abilities to achieve a positive result and add value to the company.

How is your resume read?

E-Recruitment Employers scan your resume for about 30 seconds on average, and ask themselves the following questions. Does this candidate possess the necessary skills to succeed at this position? Does this candidate demonstrate characteristics that fit this role and this company? Does this resume provide proof that the candidate can produce positive results and achieve success? Should I invite this candidate in for an interview to find out more? Employers want to find evidence in your resume that you will be successful on the job.

Why are keywords important to include in a resume?

E-Recruitment Keywords are used by computer search engines to locate candidates in a resume database based on the skills and experience described in their resume. Keywords may include industry-specific jargon, career-related skills, computer programs you have an expertise in, machines you use, and any nouns and terms that describe the tasks you perform and the requirements of your position. When you have generated a comprehensive list of these keywords and terms, add them in a skills section of your resume, or include them throughout your resume in the descriptions of your capabilities, accomplishments, and job experience.