• If you send a resume before seeing someone, it’s purpose is to act as a personal selling document – one that will get you invited to an interview or for a meeting.
• A resume is not always the first step in the process to hiring someone – it may be your door opener but you may also use it as a follow-up tool after seeing someone.
• People who receive resumes often use them for screening you ‘out’ rather than ‘in.’ Be aware that the first person to look at your resume for a specific job is not likely to be the person who will do the interviewing; the person screening out inappropriate resumes may only have a list of criteria to match. Your resume will have to get beyond this point to ensure you are considered for an interview.
• When you get to the interview, your resume can act as the agenda for your discussion, giving the interviewer a springboard from which to launch the inquiry. Yes, it is acceptable to keep it in front of you but only refer to it as, and when, you need to.

Layout & Content

Do

• DO keep the layout and design legible, consistent and easy to follow, with good clear headings, large easy-to-read typeface such as Times New Roman, Courier or Arial
• DO use good quality, plain paper. (Coloured paper or a fancy border doesn’t add anything unless the position in question requires a demonstration of that sort of creativity – for example, the creative area of an advertising department.)
• DO orientate your resume towards specific (and quantifiable) achievements rather than duties and responsibilities. It should tell prospective employers everything that might interest them and nothing that will waste their time.
• DO write in clear, concise terms, using active words (eg. accomplished, created, enhanced, launched, negotiated, etc). If you don’t feel comfortable with this, write a factual statement such as: ‘Achieved sales objectives of 250 units per month’.
• DO keep it succinct. Highlight particular personal achievements. For example: ‘During my period as Manager, turnover decreased 120 per cent.’
• DO put your work history and educational details in reverse chronological order, that is, starting with the most recent. It’s easier to follow.
• DO be specific in your resume. Use numbers or percentages to illustrate your successes or the impact you can have.

Don’t

• DON’T send poor quality reproductions. It doesn’t cost much for good quality reproductions -and this is your career we’re talking about!
• DON’T exaggerate your experience to make it sound more impressive. If it can’t stand up to scrutiny in the interview, you will blow your chances of getting the job.
• DON’T claim complete responsibility for achievements; implying no one else deserves any credit, which is usually not the case.
• DON’T write a novel. It should concisely paint a picture of you and your job history. Key points should be highlighted to develop interest and excitement about you as a potential candidate.
• DON’T use a narrative style. Highlight your accomplishments in a bullet point format, then you don’t need as many complete sentences. But be warned: brief points must be carefully thought out.
• DON’T use initials and jargon. Write so you’re understood. Know your subject, write and speak clearly and don’t try to complicate issues.

2. Preparing A Cover Letter

Cover letters are important as they provide a potential employer with an insight into you as a potential employee and your motivation for a specific role.

A cover letter should:

• Be approximately one page in length.
• Be addressed to the appropriate person.
• Be written with a positive, “can do” attitude.
• Clearly state how you fit the job.
• Conclude with a positive, enthusiastic close.
• Be carefully checked for errors in grammar, spelling and typing.
• Be typed and well presented on plain white A4 paper.

A cover letter can often provide greater insight into your reasons for applying for the position than the resume alone.

1) Interview Preparation
First, do some research on the organisation to ensure that you have sufficient details regarding the organisation, and the position offered. Useful publications or web sites for reference material:

• D&B Australia – Business Who’s Who
• Google Search
• Kompass Australia
• Annual Company Reports

Prepare possible answers to questions that you may be asked that demonstrate your competence, experience, knowledge and abilities. Make a list of all of your past significant achievements – expand on the ones you have highlighted in your resume.
During the interview, present your achievements using the Problem, Action, Result (PAR) format. Identify the PAR “story” for each of the skills required for the position. Remember to use this format to give a complete and concise illustration.

• Describe the problem in one to two sentences.
• Explain your actions in response to the problem in one to three sentences.
• Provide a short, punchy sentence that clearly expresses the result or the benefit to the company.

• Stress – Describe a recent situation where you were in a stressful situation. What actions did you take and what was the outcome?
• Conflict Resolution – Describe a situation where you had a difference of opinion with a work colleague. How did you resolve the problem?
• Oral Communication – Describe a situation where you had problems communicating with someone. How did you resolve the situation?
• Time Management – Tell me about a situation where you had a number of tasks that needed completion. How did you deal with this
  situation?
• Problem Solving – Can you provide me with a recent example where you had a problem that you could not resolve? What actions did you take?
• Leadership – Think about a recent situation where you were the leader of a team. What key attributes do you possess that helped the project become successful and which attributes do you believe need improvement? Can you please provide some examples to demonstrate these attributes?
• Tell me about yourself.
• Why did you leave your last position?
• What are your goals?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What do you know about this company?
• Why do you feel qualified for this job?
• What is your most significant achievement?
• How would your boss describe your job performance?
• Why should we hire you?
• What are your salary expectations?
• Describe your ideal job.
• How long will you stay with us?
• Why haven’t you found a new position before now?
• How would you evaluate your present/last company?
• What do you think of your previous/current boss?
• Describe a few situations in which your work was criticised.
• If you had your choice of jobs and companies, where would you go?
• Describe what you feel to be an ideal working environment and an ideal boss?
• What was the toughest decision you had to make last year and what made it so difficult?
• A detailed description of the position
• Reason the position is available
• Culture of company
• Anticipated induction and training program
• What style of person has done well Professional development opportunities
• Company growth plans
• Best-selling products or services

• Arrive at least 5-10 minutes before the established time. Allow for unexpected traffic and/or parking difficulties.
• Introduce yourself to the secretary or receptionist.
• Show courtesy and respect to everyone you meet. More than one applicant has lost out because of an inappropriate manner at the front desk.
• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor. A natural smile will punctuate your conversation and add to your presentation.
• Try to select a seat that places you directly opposite the interviewer. Wait to sit down until the interviewer offers you a chair or is seated.
• Treat the interviewer as a potential colleague and establish a rapport as you would with a peer. Show respect, but do not place the interviewer on a pedestal.
• Maintain an “open” body position. Lean towards the interviewer a bit to show interest.
• Look at the interviewer. Direct eye contact is important.
• Avoid irritating habits such as pen clicking, pencil tapping, hair twisting, foot swinging and knuckle cracking.
• Do not smoke, chew gum or drink coffee during the meeting.
• Limit the amount of personal information you provide if it is not pertinent to the job.
• Remember that you have a valuable contribution to make to an organisation.
• Relax, keep in mind that you are just two human beings meeting with one another in order to get to know each other better.
• Immediately contact your recruitment consultant after your interview to discuss the meeting and to give and receive feedback. He or she can then answer any additional questions the employer might have and may be able to ease the process.

Your Behaviour During the Interview
The following are some key negative behavioural traits to avoid at the interview.

• Overbearing – aggressive – conceited ‘superiority complex’ – ‘know-it-all’ attitude.
• Lack of planning for career – no purpose or goals.
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm – passive and indifferent.
• Lack of confidence – nervousness. If you are nervous, say so.
• Over-emphasis on money – interested only in remuneration.
• Evasive – makes excuses for unfavourable aspects in past record.
• Lack of tact/maturity/courtesy.
• Condemnation of past employers. Never belittle a past employer.
• Persistent attitude of “What can you do for me?’
• Lack of preparation for interview – failure to get information about the company, resulting in inability to ask intelligent questions.
• Lying. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as to the point as possible.
• ‘Over answering’ questions. Try not to say more than is necessary.

Nonverbal Communications
Words express only about 30 – 35% of what people actually communicate. Nonverbal communications such as facial expressions, body movement and actions convey the rest. During an interview, what you convey nonverbally may be as important as what you say. Keep these “body language” clues in mind:

• Facial Expressions: eyes are a key nonverbal indicator. Looking away indicates shyness, dislike or a lack of interest. Eye contact indicates a desire for communication, feedback and friendliness.
• Posture: the way you sit or stand can convey energy or fatigue, interest or boredom. Walk and sit with a confident air. Lean toward an interviewer to indicate interest and enthusiasm.
• Voice and Gestures: a well-modulated voice with a moderate pitch and inflection conveys interest and appropriate excitement. Be aware of gestures, which might convey anxiety and interfere with your message.

Closing the Interview

• Let the interviewer know how interested you are in the position. If they offer you the position and you want it, accept on the spot. If you’d like some time to think it over and talk with a spouse or family member, be courteous and tactful in asking for that time. Set a definite date when you can provide an answer.
• Don’t be discouraged if no definite offer is made or specific salary discussed. The interviewer will probably want to communicate with their office first or interview more applicants before making a decision.
• Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration of you.

• You must have your referee’s permission prior to providing their contact details to a prospective employer. A referee should never be caught off guard by an unexpected phone call as this can have potentially adverse affects.
• Provide your referee details of the role that you have applied for. This will assist in them being able to hone in on your relevant skills and strengths.
• It is also a good idea to contact your referees after the interview and provide them with feedback on the content of the interview. This will allow your referee to emphasise any key areas/strengths if they are contacted to provide comments.