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Cover Letter and Resume
Do's and Don'ts
The
Key to a good Interview: Preparation!!!
Interview Do's and Don'ts
About a Week Before the Interview
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Think
about why you want the job: Write down three reasons
why you want the job and be prepared to explain them to
the employer. |
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Practice
interviewing: Ask a friend or family member to practice
interviewing with you, including your handshake, which
should be firm but not too hard. Prepare a list of typical
interview questions, which you can use to practice. Prepare
and rehearse scenarios about your primary accomplishments
and skills to be able to articulate how they add value
to an organization. |
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Learn
about the company: Research the company before you
go to the interview; call the main office and ask them
to send you information or read through the company's
website. Search online for recent news items. Prepare
some questions to ask about the company. |
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Get
directions and plan your route: Find out exactly where
you're going for the interview, how to get there and about
how much time it will take you. Always leave extra time
to get there. |
On the Day of the Interview
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Dress
to impress: In style but conservative. Check your
breath. Don't smoke or be around people who smoke where
you might pick up the smell. Avoid strong perfume or cologne.
Prepare yourself for the "first impression." A coat and
tie for men and a dress or suit for women are appropriate.
Dress for success. |
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Bring
supplies: Take an extra copy of your resume to the
interview along with a pen and a small notebook in case
you want to take notes. |
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Be
on time: Get to the interview about 10 minutes in
advance -- not too early, not too late. |
During the Interview
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Shake
hands: Your handshake should be firm, but not too
tight (don't squeeze really hard). |
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Make
eye contact: If you're uncomfortable looking directly
into someone's eyes then look at their forehead. |
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Speak
clearly: Remind yourself to slow down when you talk
and say each word very clearly. Be polite, respectful,
confident, positive, upbeat, and business like. |
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Know
something about the company: You should be able to
weave in comments that make it clear you've researched
the company and know how you can be an important part
of its work. |
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Look
interested:
Stay focused on what the employer is saying. If you look
bored or are caught off guard they may not think you'd
make a very good employee. |
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Ask
questions:
Listen to what they say and think about what questions
you can ask (about the company, the job, etc.) This way,
when the employer asks if you have any questions it will
be obvious that you've been paying attention and you're
very interested. Give concise but thorough answers. |
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Listen:
Don't interrupt. |
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Umms
and Ahhs:
Beware of umms and ahhs. Replace them with short pauses,
calling for heightened tolerance for snippets of silence.
Try to slow down your rate of speaking. |
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Be
in control: You should expect to do about 60% to 80%
of the talking. Never put down a prior employer and don't
let the interviewer lure you into a discussion where you
might let your guard down. Be in control! |
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Thank
them for their time: On the way out, make eye contact
and shake their hand again. Thank them and tell them that
you're looking forward to hearing from them. |
After the Interview
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Send
a thank-you letter: Within 24 hours after your interview,
you should send a hand-written thank-you letter. It's
an ideal way to reinforce your experience and skills and
demonstrate your ability to add value to an organization. |
COVER
LETTER AND RESUME DO'S & DON'TS
Cover Letters
Any time you mail a resume you should include a cover letter.
The letter should be professional, brief, and possibly include
an indication as to why you would be of interest to the company
you're contacting.
Resumes
Typical contemporary resumes start with an Objective
that clearly and concisely states what job you are seeking.
This can be from a couple of words to a paragraph in length.
The body of the text describes your Experience, Skills,
and Accomplishments. These can be expressed separately,
combined or in any combination so long as a potential employer
can grasp what you have to offer with a minimum of effort. Listing
specific skills and abilities, accomplishments, related training
followed by a brief list of employers can be effective. Bullets
can highlight this and make it easier to read. If you have been
at the same job for a long time perhaps a brief descriptive
paragraph outlining your skills, abilities and accomplishments
would be effective.
End your resume with Education. Include any professional
seminars and training. Only include dates on recent items. List
High School, Universities, Technical Schools and include graduate
year and Degree/Course Major.
References
Maintain a current list of 4 to 8 references that any prospective
employer can call. These references should know that they are
on your list. Keep current phone numbers and/or addresses on
them. These should be work-related references. Former supervisors
and coworkers are best.
| ****
Proofread your cover letter and resume and have someone
else do it, too**** |
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