ConsultUSA has been connecting job seekers to the best opportunities available for more than 25 years. Along the way, we have submitted countless numbers of candidate resumes and helped to facilitate thousands of interviews and successful placements. Through that experience, we’ve acquired a few best practices, which we hope to help you as you pursue your job search.
Resume Writing Guidelines
- Whether it’s 30 or 60 seconds, opinions about you are being formed in a very short amount of time by those reviewing your resume. Take the time to write your resume in a way that highlights your core skills and major accomplishments, preferably on the first page
- Be as specific as you can when it comes to citing technologies used, project details, and business impacts. Always assume your resume will be reviewed first by a non-technical professional, and tailor it accordingly
- Describe your duties and responsibilities for each position you’ve held in detail, using bulleted lists. Don’t assume that just listing your job title is enough.
- Proofread, Proofread, Proofread – and don’t rely solely on yourself. Have a friend or family member review your resume for grammatical, spelling, and formatting errors prior to sending to potential employers
Interview Preparation Tips
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Research the company and position prior to the interview. The company’s corporate website and LinkedIn can be valuable resources to get started. Be ready to answer basic questions such as “What do you know about our company” and “What do you know about the position”
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Arrive 15 minutes early for interviews to allow adequate time for security check in and last minute preparation. This also shows you are organized and able to manage your calendar. Have a photo ID with you since it is often needed to check in with building security
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Dress in conservative business professional attire, even if the company maintains a business casual environment
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Bring a folder with notepad, pen, a list of potential questions to ask the interviewers, and several copies of your resume
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Turn your cell phone off, unless you are expecting an emergency call. If that is the case, notify each person at the start of the interview. Even when set to vibrate mode, the noise created by a phone can be a distraction during an interview
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When closing the interview remember to ask each interviewer for their business card (so you have a record of their name, title, and contact information for thank you emails), reaffirm your interest level, and ask for next steps