Month: May 2006

Monster is a never-ending source of material to prepare you for your interview. Here are some more questions you may want to anticipate:

• Tell me about a time when you faced a major obstacle at work.
• How do you deal with conflict?
• Tell me about yourself.
• How would you describe your work style?
• Why are you interested in this job/our organization?

For their tips on how to prepare, read the article.

A few more tips for your resume, from Blog Forward:

1. Put your cell phone number (or work number) on your resume.
2. Put your email address on the resume, preferably in a “link” format if emailing the resume.
3. A resume is a marketing piece.
4. Unless you have a very specific “Objective,” leave it off your resume.
5. The preferred resume format is chronological order, the positions and responsibilities you’ve had over the years.
6. Each position listed on the resume should include the years of employment.
7. Proofread your resume and then have someone else proofread it for you.
8. Depending on the number of years in the workforce, a one or two page resume is sufficient.
9. Your resume should be simple and straightforward.
10. If your resume runs more than one page, do not put page number within the body of the resume since the actual page break will vary depending on the software and display mode of the interviewer’s computer.
11. Resumes today are typically emailed to an employer and emailed from one person to another within a company. Don’t bother faxing or mailing unless specifically asked.
12. Cover letters should be kept short and to the point, as they are often not read, especially if lengthy.

Interview Prep for New Grads, from Monster:

• Research the Company/Organization in Depth
• Identify What You Have to Sell
• Prepare Examples
• Develop Some Intelligent Questions
• Develop Your Close
• Practice
• Be Ready for Surprises
• Get Primped
• Know Where You’re Going — Literally
• Rest Up
• Plan to Bring Your Resume to the Interview
• Make Peace with Mistakes

Interviews are a way to get to know you, or at least that’s what’s supposed to happen.

The interview process is the time for you both to read the fine print. Check the labels. Make sure you’re getting what you pay for.

So, when it comes to asking questions of the company, don’t falter and try and ask the textbook questions. Really ask what is important. You are interviewing them. Go over the basics, of course. But also ask what kind of social activities the company takes part in. Do they support volunteering. How do teams work together. Is it common to express your opinion. How organized is the business plan. What is the company doing to make sure they grow in the market. These are important questions. Heck, even ask the secretary how her day is going and why she likes the company. Do a Google search to see what employees are saying. It can be valuable stuff.

Advice I’ll keep in mind as I continue my search for the perfect job… or at least the one that’s not ruled by a demon. 😉

From Bloggeropoly:

1. You remember the projects you’re working on and why they are important to your career
2. You update your work history based upon your new goals
3. You keep it fresh looking with revised sentences, and maybe even a new design
4. You know the hot phrases to put in
5. If online, and yes!! do this, it will attract the bots and maybe even a few on-the-side job offers
6. Your skill sets change
7. It helps you reflect on where you are, how you got there, and where you want to go