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The Quick Guide to Getting Hired

Finding a job is not a very hard thing to do, but finding the right
job is a totally different thing. The right job should be the perfect
balance between pay, invested time, invested effort and learning
possibilities. However, there is a common pattern in the job searching
process and this is our main topic for the moment.
Getting hired starts of course with
finding job offers. These offers can be
found in newspapers, on the Internet, at
unemployment offices, at job fairs and in
many other places if you are willing to hear
about them. It would be wise to combine
these sources and take advantage of any
opportunity because the more you apply,
the higher your chances of getting hired;
further more, always remember to give
yourself the chance to choose – don’t jump in to the first thing that
comes your way – take your time to analyze and make a decision based
on your needs.
So, after finding and choosing the best job offers for you, start
applying with suitable resumes. Keep in mind that there are general
rules in creating a resume, as well as particularities dependent on the
type of position you are aiming for. The resume is basically your
marketing tool – you have complete control on its content and it should
highlight your strengths in order to convince the employer to invite you
to a face to face interview. Before starting to write the actual resume
take some time to do a self-assessment. Focus on your skills, abilities,
experience and extracurricular activities. This outline will help you
reveal all there is to say and so you will not forget anything when
composing the resume.

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The resume content – general rules:

1. Contact information – this section should have very

accurate information because it is in your best interest to be found. It is
important to include: your name; permanent and college campus
addresses, if they are different; phone number; e-mail address. Place
your full legal name at the top of your resume and your contact
information underneath it. Make sure that your outgoing message on
your answering machine sounds professional and that your e-mail
address sounds serious (even if you are a radical nonconformist, try to
create a separate e-mail account that sounds professional). You may
also include the address of your personal website, but only if its content
would be relevant to the potential employer (for example, personal
projects in which you have been involved or are currently involved that
outline some of your relevant skills or abilities).

2. Objective statement - placed immediately below your

contact information, it tells the reviewer what kind of position you want
and may include more detail such as your best skills. This section is
optional and is most often used by recent graduates and career
changers. Make sure that your objective is adapted to the job you are
applying for and avoid statements that are either vague or too specific.

3. Qualifications summary – it is an overview designed to

quickly answer the employer’s question “Why should I hire you?” It
lists a few of your best qualifications and belongs below your contact
information or objective statement. It is also optional, but it might be
very useful, especially if you have an extensive or varied experience
because it prevents the important facts from being lost among the
details.

4. Education – should contain all your relevant training,

certifications and education. For each school you have attended, list the
school’s name and location, diploma, certificate or degree earned, along
with year of completion, field of study and honors received. If you have
not yet completed one of your degrees, use the word expected before
your graduation date. If you do not know when you will graduate, add

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in progress after the name of the unfinished degree. This section

is especially important for recent graduates. Graduates should also
consider listing relevant courses under a separate heading. Listing four
to eight courses related to a particular occupation shows a connection
between education and work. College graduates need not list their high
school credentials.

5. Experience – it is usually the most relevant part of the

resume and it should include your job history: name and location of the
organizations you have worked for, years you worked there, title of your
job, a few of the duties you performed and results you achieved.
Describing volunteer activities, internships and school projects is a
must if you have little paid experience; try to stick to the relevant ones
(relevance should be understood in terms of similarity of tasks or if the
experiences described determined skill perfecting). When describing
your job duties, emphasize results instead of responsibilities and
performance rather than qualities because your successful experience is
self-sufficient. Note any relevant data such as: promotions, progress in
numbers or responsibilities or anything else that could outline your
value.

6. Activities - show initiative and can be an excellent source of

additional experience; they might include participation in
organizations, associations, student government, clubs, or community
activities, especially those related to the position you are applying for or
that demonstrate hard work and leadership skills.

7. Special skills – refer to specific computer, foreign language,

typing, or other technical skills, and it is in your advantage to highlight
them by giving them their own category.

8. Awards and honors - include formal recognition you have

received. Do not omit professional or academic awards. These are often
listed with an applicant’s experience or education, but some list them at
the end of their resume.

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9. References – should be on a separate reference sheet, which

contains the name, title, office address, and phone number of three to
five people who know your abilities; the format of that sheet should be
the same as the one used in your resume, including name and contact
information at the top of the page. If you insist on having references on
your resume it would be best if they were notorious people in the field.
In any case, make sure that these people have agreed to recommend.

10. Other personal information – of course, other

information that is important to your occupation, such as a completed
portfolio or a willingness to travel.

Your resume is your own and you should customize it to fit your
needs. However, some information does not belong on a resume. Do
not disclose your health, disability, marital status, age, or ethnicity.
This information is illegal for most employers to request.

There are different kinds of formats requested by different

positions and here are the most frequent six formats:

1. The Reverse Chronological Type – it fits most of the

traditional industries and is currently the most used type. It highlights
your employments or education forms starting with the most recent
and going backward. Because it also shows dates, it can accent a steady
work history with a clear pattern of upward or lateral mobility.
However, it could easily show the periods of unemployment or
inconsequential jobs. It can be used by anyone capable of managing his
“sensible” aspects in his own job history or if you truly had a perfect
career path so far. If this is not the case for you, it would be advised to
try another approach.

2. The Functional Format – it ignores the chronological

aspects, highlighting abilities, skills or functional areas. It is the best
way of self-promoting if you lack paid experience because your resume
would be focused on what you can do rather than when or how you
achieved the ability. However, some employers might find this format
inappropriate mostly because they are used to the reverse
chronological type, but also because it could be a sign of intentionally
hiding certain information.

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3. The Hybrid Format – is a mixture of the other too and it

combines both of the strong points of the other two. However, this too
might not be the best format for a conservative employer.

4. The Professional Format – is focused on professional

qualifications and activities and is actually a must for some positions.
Its name is very suggestive and therefore you should only use it when it
is absolutely necessary, considering that any gap can be easily found.

5. The Academic Curriculum Vitae – is the longest format

(about three to ten pages) and it is a biographical statement, focused on
professional qualification and activities. It is appropriate for high
hierarchy positions that also involve a serious background (continuous
education and an exemplary career path).

6. The International Curriculum Vitae Format – is

basically a global ticket for employment. It is usually in reverse
chronological order and it should emphasize both abilities and
experience. The very particular aspect is that its purpose is hiring in a
non-US country; regarding this, it is good to know that if you are
considering a non-English-speaking country you should attach to your
resume an appropriate translation.

Regarding the content of your resume, there are certain

adjectives and high-impact words you should use; they refer to your
personality traits or social skills with an impact on your professional
life.

The next step is the cover letter. Cover letters are used to
introduce yourself and your resume, while clearly stating your desire to
apply for a job position in a new company or make yourself available
for a job position within a company. The cover letter is the formal
introduction that provides a brief explanation of your job field,
experience, areas of expertise and relevant knowledge in relationship to
the job being applied for. The cover letter should highlight key points in
the resume and specifically should address all items within the
summary of your resume. A cover letter is important simply for the fact
that your competition is doing it and there is no way you should waste a
valuable opportunity for a formality.

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Writing a cover letter has its own “secrets” and here

are some of them:

1. Use the same paper that you use for your resume. They should
match. If the papers do not match (or if they are of poor quality), then
you might as well not send anything at all.
2. Keep the letter to one page. You are not writing your life story.
3. Make sure that the name of the person addressed in the letter is
spelled correctly and that you have his/her correct title.
4. Prove that you have researched the company by including some
information in one or more of your sentences.
5. Sign the cover letter with a blue or black ink pen. This is an old
standard, but it is still true today.
6. Use clear and concise sentences. Be professional, but also
conversational.
7. Sell yourself.
8. Make sure that your letter is an original and not a copy and that it
is printed on a good-quality printer. Copies are a waste of time.
9. Use the traditional business letter format.
10. Don’t use more than one font and keep your statements easy-to-
read.
11. Explain anything in your resume that might concern the employer,
such as gaps in employment history.
12. Identify the specific job that you are seeking to be hired for. If you
let the employer guess what you want to do for them, they'll probably
guess something that you weren't expecting, so make it clear for them.
13. Request an interview and let the employer know that you will
follow up at a certain time on a particular date.
14. Focus on the employer. What can you do for the company? How
quickly can you add to the bottom line?
15. Quantify your experiences rather than rehash them. Be specific
and use numbers whenever possible. It means more. It is relevant. It is
definable.
16. If you fold your letter and resume, put the cover letter on top and
fold them in thirds. Better yet, mail them flat in a larger envelope. Your
resume will look better than the others from the start because it won't
be creased. Everything matters.

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17. Keep a copy of the cover letter for your records. It is also wise to
track the letters and resumes you send out.

The interview is for sure the deal maker or breaker. It is the key
moment when you are face-to-face with your potential employer and
you have to give all you’ve got to convince him that you are the right
man for the job! And even though people sometimes make emotional
choices rather than rational ones (and by this we mean that an
employer could choose not to hire you simply because something in
your voice reminds him/her of someone he/she dislikes) we will make
sure that you will be prepared for any trick!

You might wonder if it even matters, given the fact that an

employer could make a decision on factors over which you have no
control. Fair question, but we hope that you will meet professionals
who will make decisions based on reason; further more, you should
know that first impressions can be transformed and if you prove to be a
truly valuable asset to the company, no employer will let you go!

No two interviews are alike. They vary in style and format

depending upon the interviewer and the applicant. The content,
however, typically centers on two issues: what you can offer the
employer and what the employer can offer you. Careful preparation will
enable you to be more confident and to present yourself as an attractive
potential employee. You should remember that successful interviewing
takes practice, patience, feedback, and good humor.

General tips on interviews:

1. Research the employer - Only request interviews with

employers in which you have a genuine interest. Review all available
information on the employer and formulate intelligent questions to ask
during the interview. Demonstrate that you’ve done your homework
and you’ll make a strong impression. The Internet is a great research
tool as many employers have their own Web sites.
2. Review your resume - Be prepared to discuss anything
included on your resume, such as schools attended, courses taken,
experiences, activities, and interests. Bring extra copies of your resume,

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transcript references and writing sample in case the interviewer

asks for these.
3. Dress professionally - Arrive 5-10 minutes in advance of your
interview. Take a few minutes to freshen up, compose yourself, and
gather your thoughts.
4. Be conscious of body language - Begin the interview with a
solid handshake. Sit tall with your shoulders back, not stiff, and head
erect.
5. Speak clearly - Enunciating and putting forth the best possible
image is important. Avoid fillers such as “um” and “you know.” Use
your voice effectively and positively. Answer questions with confidence
and clarity. Make a conscious effort to slow down your speaking tempo.
Speak in declarative sentences and be as direct as possible.
6. Listen to the questions - Answer questions directly and take
time to think before answering, but do not digress or talk too long. If an
interviewer asks a vague question, do not struggle and make a lame
attempt to provide an answer. Rather, ask the interviewer to repeat or
clarify the question. If it still isn’t clear, don’t be afraid to say you don’t
understand what is being asked.
7. Ask intelligent, pertinent questions - Always have questions
prepared. These should relate to the employer, the interviewer, and the
position for which you are applying. You can avoid painful silences by
being prepared with questions and having done your research on the
employer.
8. Do not talk about your salary on the first interview
9. Be prepared to talk about grades - Discuss them honestly and
realistically. Highlight qualities that may not be reflected in your GPA.
Mention specific accomplishments that demonstrate your skills. If
appropriate, talk about circumstances that might have contributed to a
lower grade point in a given semester.
10. Be yourself - Personality is important. Relax and try to
convey confidence, sincerity, and maturity. Inject any relevant
information about yourself that has not been covered, but which you
feel is important to mention. If a potential employer has agreed to
interview you, you have already impressed that employer with your
credentials. You must then establish a personal contact with the
interviewer. Show some life and enthusiasm.

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How you dress is also an important factor because in this case the
first impression could be quite important. The best way to dress for the
first meeting is clean-cut and professional. Try to use conservative
colors such as gray, navy, taupe, and black. Regarding fabrics, try
natural fiber, blends of wool, silk, or cotton over polyester or linen,
which wrinkle easily, because your clothes should be fresh, neat, and
pressed. Your hair should also be neat and combed, and your
fingernails should be clean and trimmed. Other important details: keep
jewelry to a minimum; avoid too much cologne or perfume; shine your
shoes; don’t smoke, drink liquor, or eat foods that will leave an odor on
your breath before an interview.

An equally important part of your professional appearance is the

way you carry yourself, the gestures you use and your body language.
Greet your interviewer(s) by introducing yourself with a firm
handshake. Sit tall with your shoulders back, not stiff, and head erect.
Sitting up properly makes you appear visually strong and interested in
what’s going on. Avoid intimidating gestures such as stabbing with a
finger or winking. Maintain eye contact and don’t take notes during the
interview. Be sure to smile.

Going back to the actual interview, let’s keep in mind

what it should be like:

1. a situation with a clear goal – the precise goal is to allow each

of the two to know each other and make a choice: the employer must
choose if he hires you or not and the employee is free to choose if he
wants to take the job or not;
2. a relational situation – the two persons meet and go through o
series of moments connected to what is said and what is happening
during the meeting;
3. an interactive situation – based on a series of lines in which
each of the two gives information or listens; their roles can change at
any time in any of these two directions: talker/listener; the evolution of
the interview is given by the balance of power, interpretations,
negotiation;

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4. a double structure situation – there is a strict,

unwritten manner in which the interview should evolve and also a
subjective one, based on the emotional factors of the specific situation;

5. a dynamic structure – the two should evolve through repeated

approximations in order to continuously perfect their statements.

6. About the actual questions, we will not emphasize on the ones

you have to answer, although being prepared for them is crucial but
they come in a great variety and there are plenty of sources for this kind
of information. However, we would like to point an aspect frequently
overlooked – the questions you can ask – especially the one meant to
initiate the negotiation, bargain up, compromise.

The tests phase is sometimes skipped, but it should be a part of a

valid selection process. When we say tests we actually refer to two
categories: psychological and practical tests. Psychological tests can be:
intelligence tests; emotional intelligence tests; personality tests; for
attention; for creativity; ability tests; etc.

Ideally you should have taken tests like these in high school
because that would have been the perfect time to acknowledge your
native abilities and it would have given you the chance to develop them
into a rewarding career. Even so, you should not be intimidated by the
prospect of being tested in this manner. There are no good or bad
answers, especially when talking about personality tests; the results
simply show your uniqueness, by outlining your abilities and the degree
in which they manifest themselves.

You are probably aware that for each job there is a profile for a
perfect candidate. In theory, the perfect candidate is the one who has a
certain personality structure, but in fact there are no exact values that
you have to match, but certain intervals. In order to ensure that the
candidate can fit into that profile there are collection of tests suited for
any job. After taking the tests, the results are usually grouped in 5
classes or so and if you are above average on the requested criteria you
could do the job. Of course things are not black and white and the
person making the evaluation has to consider certain correlations
between results and other factors.

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The psychological tests are either standardized tests used all

around the world or they can be created by members of the Human
Resources department. This is not of maximum interest for you, but we
mention this because you might encounter similar tests on different
occasions (for example the Raven Test for determining IQ is quite
common).
Practical tests are usually simulations of assignments you will
encounter on a daily basis if you get the job. They might be
accompanied by different evaluations on your knowledge over different
areas of expertise. The results for these tests are usually interpreted in
a more restrictive manner than the psychological ones because they
could prove that you simply could not fulfill your tasks.
However, it is up to the Human Resources specialized personnel
if you are allowed to go further or not. You should know that the
interpretations and, therefore, the decisions are based on the numbers
you score, but the interpretation considers, for example, abilities that
could evolve over time.
The outcome of the hiring process is a sum of many factors,
beginning with the words you choose for your resume and the moment
you initiate the negotiation during the interview and ending with
subjective factors.
Try to assimilate the information we provided and investigate on
your own on aspects that you are most interested in. Choose what is
appropriate for you and try to give it the best shape you can!
Remember to always be on time and be polite, dress and act properly.
If somehow you don’t get the job don’t waste time feeling sorry
for yourself! There are plenty of jobs out there and you are good at
something. The important thing is to learn from your past experiences,
find out what you are really good at and perfect that and stay focused!
You deserve more than the monthly unemployment check!
If you get the job try to make the best of it; by that we mean that
you should keep in mind that today’s world is rapidly changing and you
can’t really afford anymore to lay back and slack off because there are
no guarantees that you will be on that position until retirement. You
have to be flexible and try to develop multi-lateral abilities. So don’t
stop thinking about your career plan and keep a job only as long as you
can add more to your development.

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For more information on how to get the job you want, for our free
support for hiring issues visit us at:

www.911jobinterview.com

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