Resumes That Get Results

Resume and Interviewing Tips

Resumes That Get Results

The resume is the document that “gets you in the door.” Considering there may be dozens of applicants for the job you are interested in, it’s important that your resume grabs the attention of the person who may be interviewing you. Consider your resume great practice for the actual interview – it gives you an opportunity to think about what you can offer the potential employer.

Employers in many areas prefer the chronological (traditional) resume, which lists places of employment in reverse chronological order with brief job responsibilities and descriptions of your accomplishments. You will also include any important education, training, and certifications on a chronological resume.

What Makes a Good Resume?

Easy to read.
Clearly states your skills, knowledge, and experience.
Shows your accomplishments in numbers and facts.
Grabs the reader’s attention, so you will be invited to interview.
Encourages questions during an interview.
Provides visibility after your interview.

Formatting Checklist

½” margins all around, if necessary.
Font no smaller than 11 pt.
Use numerals instead of spelling out the number – example; 25 instead of twenty-five.
Use bullet points instead of paragraphs to describe your accomplishments. Keep each bullet point to one line, when possible.
Use the dollar sign instead of spelling out “dollars” – example: $8 million instead of 8 million dollars.
Use capitals in state abbreviations – example; FL instead of Fl.
Dates on right side, including months.
Whether or not you use periods at the end of statements, be consistent.
No “s” on verbs – example; supervise (if current position), not supervises…personnel.
For past positions, use –ed on descriptions: supervised, not supervise or supervises.
Use a summary statement at the top instead of an objective.
Don’t use industry jargon or acronyms – spell it out.

Sample Resume

Marty Jones
2000 SW 2nd Street

Anywhere, FL 31234

(352) 222-5555C or (352)222-5555 H

Email @aol.com

Summary

11 Years supervision experience in Manufacturing Productionwithskills in:

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training, ISO Certification, Continuous Improvement.
Employee Coaching and Development including hiring and promotions.
Budget requirements for company and customers.

Experience

XYZ, Inc., Subsidiary of Federal Company, Anywhere, FL May, 1998–February, 2008

Production Manager

Directly supervised 2 supervisors and 50 production employees.

Accountable for safety training, quality defects, and labor cost budget of $3.2 million.
Reduced “recordable injuries” by 100% through constant training, plant safety audits, and start-up meetings, resulting in 1 million hours without recordable accident.
Cost reduction through “Lean Six Sigma Green Belt,” saving over $200,000.
Supported Customer Service, Warranty, Sales, Engineering Design, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Safety and Environmental, RD, and HR departments.
Primarily responsible for successful ISO inspection and maintainingcontinuous improvement.
Developedcross training matrix and 5S production floor action plan.

ABC Company, South City, FL March, 1990 – April, 1998

General Assembly

Worked with a variety of machines, including CNC machining centers,lathes and grinders.
Trained12 new hires.
Contributed to just-in-time project, resulting in 6% decrease in partsinventory.

Education & Training

Central Florida University, Somewhere, Florida – Certifications in:

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Contract Management Advanced Leadership

Technical Knowledge

Forklift OperatorAir Tools Plumbing & Foam Installation

Other resume tips:

Spell check, double check, and have someone else read your resume. Careless errors can eliminate your chance for an interview, even if you are well-qualified.
Read statements aloud to make sure they make sense.

Helpful Websites

Many websites can be helpful in finding the correct wording for your resume, researching salary guidelines, information about particular industries/companies, and other helpful information. Depending on only the internet to find a job, though, will not only limit your options, but may also prevent you from finding the local job that is right for you. It can also cause confusion, simply because of the vast amount of information available online.

Remember – use these resources as tools, but make sure you are also networking. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job – they may know someone who knows someone… Experts estimate that up to 80% of jobs being found are located by networking with others, not by applying for every job posted online.

To begin developing a “networking mindset,” list 6 people with whom you can begin networking immediately:

Developing Accomplishment Statements

Accomplishment statements are listed under each job title and include concrete examples of your qualifications and abilities. They show what you can contribute to your employer’s goals.List the most important accomplishment statement at the top under each job title.

Accomplishment statements have two parts:

The results or benefits due to your work.
The action steps you took to achieve those results.

Use strong action words when developing your accomplishment statements (see page 5).

Instead of “Responsible for assigning work,” try:

“Directed team of 3 to complete work assignments on time.”

Instead of “Learned computer skills,” try:

“Developed and strengthened computer skills using Microsoft Officeprograms.”

Instead of “Resource for several other employees for learning newequipment and propersafety procedures on assembly line,” try:

“Provided ongoing training to 3 employees in efficient and safe use of CNC machine.”

Quantify whenever possible: “Reduced average parts inventory by $11,000” or

“98% customer satisfaction through quality control efforts.”

When developing your accomplishment statements, first state the benefit to the employer and then what you did to make it happen:

“Increased profits by 10% by eliminating unnecessary paperwork.”

“Saved $15,000 annually by reducing time on service calls by15% by dispatching technicians geographically.”

“Broke 2 sales records in 4 months by setting measurable goals foreach sales representative.”

Look at your accomplishment statements on your resume and ask:

Does the statement begin with an action word?
Is there a variety of verbs?
Are unnecessary words eliminated?
Have I quantified everything that can be quantified?
Have the results been stated before the action?
Is the statement clear, concise and true?
Have I listed the most important accomplishment at the top under each job title?

Practice an accomplishment statement using information from your own resume:

Key Words for Accomplishment Statements

Use these action words to help you develop your accomplishment statements.

achievedcreatedinformedreceived

accelerateddealt withinspectedrecommended

acteddecreasedinstitutedreconciled

active indefinedinstructedrecruited

adapteddelegatedintegratedreduced

addresseddemonstratedinterpretedreferred

adjusteddescribedinterviewedreinforced

administereddesignatedinfluencedrelayed

adviseddesignedintroducedreported

advocateddeterminedinvestigatedrepresented

allocateddevelopedinvolvedresearched

analyzeddirectedlaunchedresolved

applieddistributedledrevamped

appointeddocumentedlearnedresponsible for

appraiseddraftedlecturedreviewed

approvededitedlocatedrevised

arrangededucatedmaintainedscheduled

articulatedeffectedmanagedscreened

assembledeliminatedmarketedselected

assessedencouragedmediatedset up

assignedengagedmodifiedsold

assimilatedenlargedmoldedsolved

assistedenlistedmonitoredspoke

assumedestablishedmotivatedstarted

attainedestimatednegotiatedstimulated

balancedevaluatedrenegotiatedstructured

budgetedreevaluatedobservedstreamlined

cataloguedexaminedorderedstudied

chairedexpandedorganizedsubmitted

clarifiedexpeditedoriginatedsucceeded

classifiedfacilitatedparticipatedsuggested

collectedfollowed upperceivedsummarized

communicatedforecastedperformedsupervised

comparedformulatedpersuadedsupplied

compiledfoundedplannedsupported

completedfunctionedpinpointedsurveyed

composedgatheredpreparedtaught

coordinatedgeneratedpresentedtested

conceivedguidedprocessedtrained

conductedhandledproducedtranslated

consolidatedhelpedprogrammedtutored

consultedidentifiedpromotedupdated

contactedillustratedproposedutilized

contributedimplementedprovedwrote

controlledimprovedprovidedversatile

uniquemasteredactivatedsimplified

experiencedcorrectedimprovisedproficient

correspondedincreasedpublishedcounseled

Developing Summary Statements

A Summary Statement is a brief overview of your qualifications. It is usually placed after the name, address and phone number and includes a recap of what the reader will find in the resume, using a few key words, often in the same location you may have placed your “objective” in the past. The Summary Statement might include several bullet points as shown:

Resume and Interviewing Tips

Bilingual in English and French

10 years experience as manager of a construction crew.
First employee to receive recognition for…
Awarded Employee-of-the-Month 2 months.
4 years as sales manager, breaking sales records in 2 of those years.

Resume and Interviewing Tips

Practice 2 statements you might want to include in YOUR summary statement:

Additional Information

Applications – practice filling out an application before you fill out one for a potential employer to make sure you have all the information you will need

Job Fairs

Preparation
Get a list of companies that will be there and research those you might be interested in.
Have work history/resume ready – have someone double check it for errors.
Dress appropriately – this is a “mini-interview” and your first impression.
Prepare answers to possible questions:
Tell me about yourself (your “commercial”)
What kind of work are you looking for?
Prepare questions to ask the employer:
What kinds of positions are open?
What should my next step be?
What to take
Copies of work history or resume in a folder.
Pen and paper to take notes.
What not to take
Your children, spouse, a friend (if they wish to meet employers also, you should split up).
Your cell phone.
Other tips
Arrive early so you have time to talk to everyone you’re interested in – and so they are still fresh.
Introduce yourself with a smile, good eye contact and a firm handshake.
Be ready to give your “commercial.”
Thank them for their time and ask for a business card.
If you spend quite some time at the job fair, go back to the employers you are interested in and thank them again for their time; tell them you are interested.
Send a hand-written thank you note to the person you spoke with within 24 hours confirmingyour interest and mentioning what you have to offer.
Follow up within the time frame they gave you when you asked what your nextstep should be.

Interviewing Tips at a Glance

(adapted from Monster.com)

1. Make a good first impression. Demonstrate confidence: stand straight, make eye contact and connect with a good, firm handshake. Practice your handshake with someone who will give you honest feedback.

Don't appear desperate. When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach, you appear desperate and less confident. Maintain the three C's during the interview: cool, calm and confident. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.

2. Dress for Success. Look professional and well groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking.

3. Listen. From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not listening, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what he said. Observe your interviewer and match that style and pace.

4. Don't Talk Too Much. This is most job seekers’ downfall. Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake. Because you are nervous, you may tend to ramble, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position's requirements and relating only that information.

5. Don't Be Too Familiar. The interview is a professional meeting to talk business - not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanor. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not to overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.

6. Use Appropriate Language. Use professional language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual preferences – these topics could send you out the door very quickly.

Interviewing Questions - Using the S-A-R Formula

Tell me about a time when you …

Most interviewers want you to give them examples of how you have used your strengths in a previous job or volunteer position. However, they don’t always ask the questions in a way that would encourage you to do that. Instead, it is your role to give them specifics that help them relate what you have done in the past to how you will perform if they hire you.

You say you are “organized.” What did you do in your previous job history that required you to be organized?
You say you are “dependable.” Give an example of how dependable you were in a former job. What makes me know that I can depend on you?
You say you are “customer service oriented.” Give an example of a difficult customer situation you faced and how you handled it.

Use the S-A-R to provide examples for your answers to interview questions:

Situation (or Task): Where were you? – the place, company, organization

Action: What did you do?

Result: Were you successful and how do you know?

To answer questions appropriately, remember these guidelines:

Listen carefully. If you feel the question is unclear, ask politely for clarification.
Pause before answering to consider all facts that may substantiate your response.
Always offer positive information.
Get directly to the point. Do not ramble. Use the S-A-R formula.
Discuss only the facts needed to respond to the question.
Do not open yourself to areas of questioning that could pose difficulties for you.
Be truthful, but do not offer unsolicited information.
Focus attention on your successes.

Following are common interview questions that you can use to practice your SAR formula:

Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want to work for (company name)?
Why should (company name) be interested in you?
Why are you qualified for this position?
What interests you about this job?
What type of position are you seeking?
Why have you chosen this particular profession?
How would you describe your management style?
Describe the type manager you prefer.
What characteristics are most important in a good manager?
Describe your ideal job.
Describe yourself in one word.
What three major qualities do you possess?
What can you contribute to this company?
What do you know about this company?
If you were President of this company, what would you change?
If I asked the people who knew you well to describe you, what three words would they use?
How would your superiors describe you?
What motivates you?
What de-motivates you?
What work experiences have been most valuable to you and why?
Give me an example of a problem you solved and the process you used.
Tell me about a project you initiated.
Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult person; how did you handle it?
What sort of people do you find most difficult (easiest) to work with?
What was the last thing that annoyed you at work?
How do you handle stress?
Name a person you particularly admire. Why?
What type of work environment appeals to you most?
What are your major responsibilities in your current job?
What have you learned from your current job?
What do you like most (least) about your current job?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?
What sort of contribution do you make to a team?
What are your team player qualities? Give examples.
What training have you had during the past two years?
What is your greatest training need?
What are your salary expectations?
Describe a situation you handled creatively.
Describe a tough decision and how you reached it.
If you could be an animal, which animal would you want to be and why?
What aspirations do you have for yourself professionally over the next five years?
Describe a situation in which you set and reached a goal. What obstacles confronted you along the way? What did you do about them?
What do you know about ______? (Equipment, quality process, six sigma).
Are you a(n)______(innovative, analytical etc.) person?
Tell me about a time when you ______(solved a problem, contributed to a team, etc.).
Describe a work situation when you ______(overcame an obstacle, solved a problem).
What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?
Why should I hire you?

Resume and Interviewing Tips

“Tell Me About Yourself”

The most popular interview question

Prepare a thumbnail sketch for your interview. Your answer should be no more than 2 minutes long and include a description of where you have been recently as well as what you would like to do next.

Remember, use business related answers!

15 seconds / 30 seconds / 1 minute / 15 seconds
Where from and
education / Previous work history / Last experience / Why am I here?
Examples:
Originally from ___.
Here in Florida how long(if very short time, do not volunteer this information)?
Education if higher degree or certifications, training. / May want to combine
time on these two

What past careers have you had? What industries have you worked in? / or reverse
columns.
What work experience have you had lately?
Name drop clients.
Numbers, $, accomplishments? / Why are you looking for a job? Why do you want to work here? Why did you leave your last job? Why might you be a good fit for the job? (You don’t have to answer all of these – be strategic about what you say.)