The whole point of a college
education is to land a great job, right?
But, first you need to get past the interview.
Remember, resumes don't get you jobs! Your resume
gets you in the door; it's up to you to sell yourself.
If you want to hear the words, "You're hired!"
then follow these tips:
Tell
Your Story in 60 Seconds or Less. One
of the biggest stumbling blocks for job candidates
is what to say when an interviewer asks, "Tell me
something about yourself." This is not the
time to share where you were born, your love cats,
or how much you hate your roommate! It's
your golden opportunity to make your resume come
alive. Your story needs to highlight your
top three selling points that are most pertinent
to the job for which you are applying. Support
your points with short examples (see below).
You may have more selling points, and if the interviewer
is interested he or she will ask. Practice
telling your story out loud until it's smooth and
concise.
Give
Specific Examples. For
every selling point you've listed on your resume,
you need at least one strong, specific example to
support it. If you're great at customer service
then wow them with the story of your best customer
turnaround. If you're a marketing whiz then
dazzle them with your best campaign. If you're
a brilliant computer programmer, give an example
of how you saved someone time, money, or solved
a problem. If you don't have previous job
or internship experiences to share, use examples
from college projects or personal situations that
showcase your skills.
Do
Your Research. Know
something about the company to which you are applying
by checking their Web site, reading magazine and
newspaper stories, and talking to friends or current
employees. Ask the receptionist for old company
newsletters, read local business and trade journals.
The more you know, the more confidently you
can match your skills to the company's needs.
Think
Benefits.
No, I'm not talking health and dental here!
I mean, why should the company hire you?
What's in it for them? Most people sit down
and start outlining all their needs:
salary, hours, driving distance, blah, blah, blah.
Fatal mistake. Companies are not in
the business of handing out something for nothing.
So what can you offer that nobody else can?
Don't
Be Afraid to Ask Questions. A
person who is afraid to ask questions in an interview
is one who won't ask questions on the job.
That leads to costly mistakes. You need to
ask just as many questions as they do. Start
the moment your interview is scheduled. Who
will be interviewing you? Find out names
and titles. Is there anything special you should
prepare? How much time should you expect?
During the interview, ask questions that
will help you determine if this is a good match.
What would a typical day be like?
What personality qualities does the company most
value? DO NOT ask about money! Once
you're offered the job, then it's time to negotiate.
Be
Consistent. First
impressions begin long before meeting face-to-face.
Starting
with your resume, proofread! A resume with typos
broadcasts carelessness. Once you've sent your resume,
be prepared for a call. Answer your phone
professionally and be aware of your voicemail or
answering machine message. What does it say
about you? Be nice to the receptionist.
That person's opinion can make or break you.
Send
a Handwritten Thank You Note. This
is a classy move that few people make. Sending
an e-mail is not enough, nor will it make you stand
out from the rest of the job candidates. Ask
for a business card to get the correct spelling
and follow up immediately.
