Resume Writing and Interviewing

by Victor Alatorre

Resume:

• Keep your resume clean and readable: avoid crazy fonts or layouts; no color, no pretty logos unless you are a graphic designer.
• Don’t get cute or exaggerate your accomplishments or skills.
• No more than a page for entry level experience. HR gets picky about reading wordy resumes.
• Do tailor your resume to the objectives/requirements of the position you are applying for. For every job application, you should have a resume tailored to their needs.
• State your education level and GPA (only if it is above a 3.0). It should be your first item. As your career evolves, your education will move beneath your experience. Your GPA should be high enough to allow you to graduate, seek internships, etc. People with low GPA's are usually skipped for opportunities.
• Avoid Microsoft templates when creating your resume.
• Avoid cliches and half truths like: "I excel at everything I do. I’m superhuman, I’m smarter than everyone else, I walk on water, I never fail."
• Stating proficiency as a percentage of your ability.
• Do use active verbs to describe your accomplishments or responsibilities within each job. Example: Responsible for, created, organized, maintained, developed, collaborated, prepared, provided, designed, etc.
• Use numbers and figures on size and scope…
• Member of a team of (state size), responsible for annual sales (state sales), saved the company (state the amount and how).
• Did you manage, supervise, train, tutor, and/or lead others?
• Have you been a team leader?
• Have you trained/mentor someone on his or her new job responsibilities?
• Have you provided value? How? What were the efforts?
• Be consistent on your use of bullets and writing style
• Spelling and grammar issues are important
• Be specific on your dates of employment. (Avoid using vague season terms: like spring, fall, winter, etc)

Other indirect recommendations

• Get an internship or two before graduation. Getting experience before graduation is an important element of your success.
• Use linked-in to develop a network of professional references, network before you need a job, maintain a list of accomplishments online.
• Volunteer: Make the effort to help others consistently, not just for resume purposes. A one-time event effort does not count as a resume builder. Pick an organization to support and do so.
• Join a professional organization, and be proactive within the group. Attend meetings, run for office, learn and provide value. When people ask you about your club participation? You should be able to say that you were not only a member, but also an active participant.
• Social Media can benefit your job search, but it can also cut you. Employers do gather data from social media. Too many party pictures, drinking, having a good time, may provide “additional” information about you. Even if you only share your information with friends; employers have other mechanisms for their disposal.
• Know what you want when people ask you what do you want to do when you graduate. Match your answer to your credentials.
• Google yourself. Manage your online presence… Avoid assumptions. Your comments on online forums or opinions do have an impact on your web presence.

Can you demonstrate the following?
Questions employers ask themselves about you:

• Do you match the qualification requirements?
• Managers hire for growth not just for the position you are applying. They want to make sure you have what it takes for promotion beyond.
• Are you trainable, Are you manageable, Are you self-motivated, self-organized, self-aware, self-managed, Are you committed, Are you ethical, Are you worth the effort?
• Are you consistent on your employment record?
• Have you had many jobs, terminations, lay offs? (Why?)
• Is there a gap on your employment? (Why?)

References
Do not assume the people on your references are willing to help you long after you have departed. People move on, People forget your skill set; make sure those that you include on your references can speak about your skill set and talent. Give your references forewarning of what’s to come. Send them your updated resume. Students often assume their professors remember them... They do not (they will not).




Interview

• Dress appropriately. Dressing up for a fraternity formal is not the same as dressing up for an interview. Avoid black suits, off color suits like yellow, green, brown. Stick to grey or dark blue. Learn to do a double Windsor knot. (No clip-on’s). No visible tattoos or jewelry.
• Be polite, calm; identify your answers before the interview.
• Smile, be polite, be gracious, have a good attitude. 
• No chewing gum, smelling weird, or dirty teeth. (no cologne)
• Avoid playing with your hands or hair. Do not play with your pan or notebook.
• Nerves are going to get you to forget questions before you answer. Politely ask to restate the question.
• Answer questions directly asked… follow the protocol of Q&A. Wait until questions are asked of you. Make sure you answer matches the original question. Sometimes people go off on tangents.
• Long questions require careful attention… write down the question structure, so make sure you can answer the various elements correctly.
• When people ask you questions; do have questions about the team, the organization, the position, challenges, etc. Use their response to emphasize your own skill set. If they are struggling with a certain technology or field, restate your expertise
• Be comfortable with your own skin... Do not try to impress people with a fake persona.
• Rehearse some answers to usual questions... 
• Do not play with your hands, your hair, your mouth, etc.