FAQs

How do I dress for an interview when the company I am interviewing with has a “Business Casual” dress policy?

Regardless of who you are meeting with, when invited in to interview in a business or corporate setting, you should always dress in traditional interviewing attire. For men, that would be a classic suit and tie. For women, styles have changed but a pant or skirted suit in a conservative color is your safest bet. The first meeting is about you. You don’t want what you are wearing to distract the interviewer.

What should my resume look like?

There are two primary types of resumes, chronological and functional. A chronological resume lists the jobs you have had in descending order with most recent first. A functional resume highlights a person’s successes and accomplishments throughout their career. Although both are impressive, most of the clients we work with overwhelmingly prefer a well written chronological resume. It is easier for them to follow and understand how a person has progressed throughout their career.

 

Most resumes include your career objective, experience and education. Based on the type of experience you have, many other categories can be included that are necessary to highlight certain skills. Some additional headings we have seen are Summary, Accomplishments, Professional Associations and Certifications, Awards, Technical Skills, Interests and References.

 

**A few things you don’t want to leave out….include your email address and cell phone number. The cell is fast being considered a person’s primary contact number and email addresses second to that. Although you may have submitted your resume via email, a resume may be saved without capturing the email you sent it from.

Do you have any tips for interviews?

I have lots of tips and they are all mostly common sense. I have found it is safest to say list them anyway.

1. Prepare for the interview. Look up the company’s website. Understand what the company is all about and what you are interviewing for, It is absolutely unacceptable to be late.
2. Dress appropriately. Business attire, no cologne, no heavy make-up, and a nice smile.
3. Be prepared to explain your experience as it relates to the job and ask excellent questions. Think about what you are going to ask before you get there.
4. Always bring an extra resume and a copy of your references.
5. Be ready to explain why you are looking to make a job change.
6. Stay positive, don’t badmouth a previous or current employer.
7. Be truthful. Always be as accurate as you can about your strengths and limitations. A company will be more likely to hire you if they are aware you don’t have all the qualifications but will never hire you if they get the impression that you are embellishing your experience.
8. Always express an interest in the job if you truly have one. It is good for the person who is meeting with you to know where you stand.

How do I follow up after an interview?

You can follow up from an interview with a formal letter, hand written note or email. It depends on your own preference but do follow up. The note should be brief, well written with out spelling errors. In the case of one sent via email, don’t ask questions in the note indicating you would like a response back.

 

How do I know what salary to ask for?

The first and most important step is to and understand what you are currently making. Be aware of all the aspects of your current compensation package including bonuses, profit sharing, benefit contributions etc…. this will give you a clearer understanding of your total package. When it comes time to evaluate an offer extended to you, you can make and accurate comparison by item.

 

You need to be accurate in relaying this information to a potential employer. Feel free to elaborate any components you feel are necessary so they understand your current compensation.

 

Lastly, you need to do some research on current salaries for the industry and functional area you are applying for. There are various websites you can go to on the internet to help you find that information. One we like best is www.salary.com.

What kinds of questions should I be prepared for when interviewing?

You can find hundreds of websites, articles and books on interviewing questions and various answers to them.

 

Although helpful and informative, sometimes the answers come across as insincere, unoriginal and rehearsed.

 

Our favorite advice for job seekers we represent is to suggest they do some research. That research would be on themselves. Just as you look up information on a company before you interview, you should review in your mind what you have to offer a company that might hire you. What do you bring to the table? What do your friends and coworkers say about you. What did your boss say on your last review? What about any outside associations, how do you contribute? Write down the adjectives these people use to describe you and think about situations at work, home etc that would illustrate how you operate? Often time the feedback you get from others is enlightening and it is wonderful to give third party testimony regarding your personal characteristics.

 

With this simple exercise, you get to know yourself a little better and how you are perceived. It will also force you to refresh your memory as to the various situations and accomplishments that have occurred at work. It is also a tremendous exercise to get you prepared if find your self having to answer more behavioral interview type questions.