It’s no secret that the U.S. economy has had its ups and downs over the past 2 years. With
a 7.9 % unemployment rate in Texas, odds are the current job seeker is going to be competing for an open position. Understanding what organizations are looking for in a candidate can put YOU at a huge advantage in the job market. We’ve put together some resume tips and other useful points to help you stand out in a crowd of candidates.
- Your resume: Your resume should be clean, easy to read, and tailored to the position that you are applying for. Action words are good to use (ex: managed, developed, exceeded, directed, etc.) in describing your accomplishments with each position you’ve held.
- Research the organization that you are applying to work for: There are multiple ways to learn about and get involved with an organization, even if you are not a current employee! Social networks are a great way to gain insight to company culture, as well as the type of people that the organization attracts. Most companies are involved in some sort of charity work. Volunteering for their next event could be a great way to meet employees or hiring managers.
- First Impression: You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it count! Arrive 10-15 minutes early for your interview. Dress to impress. You should take all of the details into account: how you walk, your posture, your smile, making eye contact, and your attitude. Your handshake is also extremely important. It’s important to have a strong handshake without trying to flex your handshaking muscles! Remember, you are “interviewing” with everyone at the organization—not just the person conducting the formal interview. Take this into consideration when speaking with the person at the front desk and anyone else you might run into during the interview process.
- Come prepared: It’s imperative that you do your research on the position you’re applying for, industry trends, public company information, and company LinkedIn profile information. Have a portfolio with you, that includes extra copies of your resume as well as questions for the hiring manager. It’s o.k. to refer to these during the interview.
- If you’re interested, let them know: The end of an interview can sometimes be an awkward thing. Thank the hiring manager for their time and let them know how excited you are about the opportunity. You don’t want to leave them guessing about whether or not you’re interested.
- Follow up: Unless a manager is hiring a candidate that day, you should always write a hand-written thank you note following the interview. It is very common for a hiring manager to receive an email, it is not common for them to receive a hand-written note. Set yourself apart.
We would love to know other tips that have worked for you! Feel free to leave your comments below or share them with us on Facebook.