Tips and Tricks

Golden Rules for the Perfect Resume

• It is a myth that your resume should only be a page. If you are just starting out in your career then your resume should reflect your level of experience and should not be over a page but if you have been in the industry for 5 or more years do not be afraid to expand on your experience and relevant projects/ accomplishments that really highlight your skills
  • No need to write a book though. “Three” is the new “one”. Do your best not to go over three pages.
• Make sure to include your contact information!
  • The entire point of a resume is to get you the interview. Believe it or not, this is an actual thing. If an employer doesn’t know how to contact you then they can’t schedule that interview
  • Also make sure all the contact information is up to date- A disconnected line also does you no favors
• A tailored Objective always wins you bonus points
• Education should follow your Objective
  • No need to include a GPA. For the most part it is unnecessary and could count against you.
• Professional Experience
  • Include the month and year of dates employed. There is a huge difference between 2014-2015 if the dates actually are Jan 2014 to December 2015 vs December 2014 to February 2015.
  • Include the location you worked in- If the company is based in New York but you were in the Los Angeles office then say so. If you list New York it looks like you relocated or that you don’t have any local experience.
  • Be clear and honest about your experience- Do not exaggerate or be obtuse

Bonus Point: Make sure you have consistent formatting throughout your resume!!!

Interview Rules to Follow

• Do some research on the company. Checking not only their site but also if there is any recent news that may be helpful for you getting a better insight into their company culture
  • REMEMBER: You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you
• When picking an outfit make sure you steer clear of very bright colors or incredibly trendy ensembles
  • You want your knowledge and skills to do the talking not your shirt
  • You want to come dressed one level above the position you are interviewing for
    • Example: If it is business casual come dressed professionally
• Make sure to arrive 10-15 minutes early
  • Anything more than 15 makes you look too eager
  • Anything less than 10 makes you look tardy
• Make sure you come prepared with questions. Here are a few of our favorites that always get positive feedback:
  • How do you measure success in this position?
    – What is your time line (or timeframe) to bring someone on board? How quickly are you looking to fill this position?
  • How many other people are you interviewing for this position? Or How do I measure up against the other people you are considering for this position? → This question is a little aggressive and can rub some people the wrong way so make sure you read the room.
  • How did this position become available? → This question is important. You want to hear that someone was promoted internally. It helps you gage if they promote from within or if they have a high turnover rate.
• Send a personalized handwritten Thank You note.
  • No one does this anymore and it will win you all kinds of bonus points
  • Make sure you personalize the note to really stand out

Things That Turn Off a Hiring Manager

• Over Zealous Follow Up
  • Diligent follow up is good but calling every day is excessive and unnecessary
• Not following instructions or going on unrelated tangents
  • If a hiring manager asked you to send them professional references to check, do not send letters of recommendation or personal references.
  • Make sure to answer the question to the best of your ability. It is ok to admit you are unfamiliar with something
• Arrogance/Elitist
  • While it important to put yourself in the position in the managers mind don’t assume that just because they are talking to you that your hired
  • How you treat administrative staff can also be very telling of your true character and how you function in the work place
• Being Negative
  • Speaking despairingly about former organizations or leaders will paint you as a negative person. Negativity like positivity is contagious and it is important to breed a positive work environment
• Lack of Follow Through
  • Just as too much follow up is a strike against you so is too little. Don’t be afraid to “check in”, especially if the company representative says it is ok.