Our last post taught you what should be in your resume; this time we focus on the layout of that resume.

In these changing times, your resume has to stand out and fit all manner of medium (meaning it has to look good printed, as well within email and on various websites). So, how do you ensure that yours stands out amongst all others? Take a look at any newspaper for direction. Not only do they have to fit all mediums, they now have to compete with blogs, opinions and keep both readers and advertisers happy on a daily basis.

First thing you should notice on the newspaper is the layout. I can take one quick look and know where to find what I need. Make sure your resume is clean and easy to navigate. It may be fun to create a funky resume, but don’t go too far – if you’re not a graphic designer, you could be asking your reader to work too hard to find your information.

The most important spot on any resume is the top left corner. We read pages, regardless of website or printed piece, from top to bottom and left to right. The top left spot on a newspaper usually includes the company logo and should showcase the most important piece of your resume: your contact information. When I am scanning resumes, I always look at contact info first to see if the person is located in the correct area (more often than not, I want somebody to start immediately, so I can’t consider someone looking to relocate). Don’t use fancy fonts for your name or address (Georgia is always a good choice, easy to read and available on all computers). Again, unless you are showcasing design skills, make reading the resume as simple as possible.
The second most important spot is the rest of the top bar. This should house your objective. Hopefully you know which specific job you are applying for, so you should tailor this one sentence to that job and answer the question, “Why are you the best fit for this job?” If you are posting to a site and not for one particular job, answer that question about your ideal job.

Next, the actual content. When journalists write they use the inverted pyramid, meaning the most important information is at the top with more minor, more detailed information at the bottom. This way, editors and readers can understand the entire story from the first few sentences. Below your objective and contact information, your qualifications are next on the list of importance. Start with your most recent job and work your way backwards. If you are fresh out of college, use any positions you may have had on student government, campus newspaper or within your fraternity. Try to show how this has enhanced your education. Did you win any awards, learn organizational skills, did you have to stick to strict deadlines or come up with fresh ideas? Put this info here.

The next thing I like to put actually steps away from the newspaper layout. Put your additional info next: any volunteer work, community groups, any articles printed. The reason I put it here is habit. It’s habit to expect a newspaper’s contact information in the footnotes and it’s habit to expect education to be at the bottom of a resume. There’s a good chance that a reader will read the top of your resume and then skim to the bottom to see your education.

So, last on the list is your education and any awards or accolades (restate them if you have them in the detail of your previous jobs). Start with the highest level.

Thinking of your resume like a journalist might think of an article or an editor might think of the newspaper puts you in that competitive mindset, which in these tough times you need. To get the job you want, your resume is your lead story – make it easy to read, interesting and intriguing.

Stay tuned, next we will discuss how to Search Engine Optimize your resume.

I’ve often heard that interviews are won or lost in the first five minutes. In the last week I have conducted a slew of interviews for an entry-level communications specialist. The position requires excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, organizational skills, a strong “get it done” attitude, and a journalism or public relations background. I can honestly confirm that, while the job may not be given, the job is often lost in the first five minutes.

You already know that you need to arrive on time, dress professionally and give a firm handshake, but did you know that the way you present your resume matters? I recently watched as one candidate spent several minutes looking through a stack of papers for what was a dog-eared copy of her resume and list of references. Note that organizational skills were integral for this job.

Another thing that will lose an interview is showing a lack of confidence, so act confident, even if you’re not.*
How?
Watch your body language. Sit up straight, don’t fidget and maintain eye contact.
Don’t be afraid of silence. This is difficult, but it’s the easiest way to trip someone up; just ask lawyers or journalists!

One that some people may not think about is showing that you take direction well. You may think that you need to prove you can take control, but there is a level of respect that should be adhered to within an interview.  Let the interviewer lead the interview. I once interviewed a graphic designer that brought his laptop to show some of his sites. What transpired next was twenty minutes of him leading me around the Internet. I didn’t want to be rude as he was clearly excited about his work, but it was unnecessary and I felt he lacked focus as a result.

Do your research. I’ll never forget asking a candidate, “What do you know about StormStaff?” and the response was, “Well, I was hoping you could tell me more about StormStaff. What is it that you guys do?”  Clearly the journalism skills haven’t led her to research us! Plus, how passionate could she possibly be if she doesn’t know what we do?

If you need further interview help, download our Interviewing Tips Whitepaper

* When acting confident, don’t act cocky. It’s ok to admit if you haven’t done something that may be expected of you, but are a fast learner and excited to take on new challenges.

Cover letters can be a great way to get your foot in the door at a company that you want to work for.  A cover letter is usually sent in the body of your email with an attached resume when applying for a job.  They tend to be of great importance in this stage of your job search because it highlights your qualifications, skills, and why you would be an asset for the company.  Career Columnist Eve Tahmincioglu, says that cover letters are even more important for social media and tech job seekers. “Today companies want tech employees who are critical thinkers, well-rounded and do more than just tech speak, these things are hard to convey in a résumé.” 

Hiring managers prefer a customized cover letter for a position, because it shows that you are actually applying for thatposition.  Often, job seekers blindly send their resumes out , so taking the time to write a cover letter specific to the job you are applying for shows that you are truly interested in that position!  Also, a lot of times, the first person to see your application is a human resources manager, who may not know much about the computer programs and technical projects on your résumé.  The cover letter can be an opportunity to draw them in with a personal touch.

Cover letters are more important now than ever before because of all the social media platforms out there.  A study shows that 45% of employers are screening social media profiles, and another 11% plan to do the same in the near future.  According to this study, roughly 35% of candidates have not been hired due to content found on their social networking sites.  Due to these statistics, many career experts think sending a cover letter is a crucial step in landing a job these days. 

Mark O’Connor, staffing manager at oil company Tesoro, says he doesn’t read much into cover letters, particularly for tech jobs — but adds that it doesn’t mean applicants shouldn’t bother to send them. “They should be short functional summaries of their relevant experience,” he says.  O’Connor’s team of recruiters focuses on developing relationships with candidates via social networks.  From there, they’re more concerned about the details that lie within the résumé and try to learn more about their past experience.

Here are a few cover letter tips:

• Make sure it’s brief and to the point
• Tell all about your accomplishments
• Be creative and don’t just summarize your resume
• Your letter should serve as an introduction to your resume

In my opinion for all you job seekers, whether you are looking to get a job doing Social Media, IT, or in any other industry, it is important to set yourself apart from everyone else.  Although it’s not necessary to send a cover letter, I do think that is important that you sell yourself by sending a cover letter and tailor it to the specific job you are applying for.  A cover letter is still valuable and can help you by setting you apart from everyone else trying to get an interview for the same position.  Make sure you take the time to research writing a cover letter and do it the right way! 

 If you are interested in career opportunities, make sure to check out our website.

Sources:  http://mashable.com/2011/02/05/cover-letter-tech-jobs/#

                  http://mashable.com/2009/01/05/job-search-secrets/#

At the most basic level, an interview is a conversation to decide if a candidate can be a potential fit within a company, both technically and culturally. Most studies show that 60% of hiring decisions are based on “soft skills” and the perceived notion of “how the fit” would be in the group. This creates a lot of thought provoking considerations, to say the least. Let’s consider this “fit” factor:

- How you dress
- Body language
- How much you’ve prepared
- Smile
- Communication (how questions will be addressed)
- The follow up

Thinking about all the components that go into each of the following can frankly get overwhelming… right? Okay, slow down, don’t start fretting here… let’s think about the biggest, and in my opinion, the most important component: communication!

If we go back to the first part of this post for a minute, we’ll remind ourselves that an interview is basically a conversation. Therefore, how we answer questions and communicate greatly affects the outcome of the interview. So, let’s dig down in the weeds and I’ll give you some helpful tips!

THE TENNIS MATCH

Think of the interview as a tennis match.  The manager “serves” the question and you “volley” it right back over the net… don’t hit it out! A good “volley” involves being accurate and answering questions in a positive light to stay in the “match.”  Let’s go over some examples:

INTERVIEWER: “Have you ever been to the moon?”

Hmm… most people would say, “No, no, I have not!”   Here is the reality: You just hit the tennis ball out of bounds! We never want to answer a question with a simple “NO I have not.” Why, may you ask? It creates a negative response and is not building on your communication.  We want to make sure we are having a CONVERSATION, not an inquisition.  So, in a conversation you probably would want to “get the ball back over the net” and keep the flow.

You could say, “No, I have not been to the moon, have you?” or “No, I have not been to the moon, why do you ask?” or “No, I have not been to the moon, is that a requirement of the job?”  All of these examples get the person on the other side of the desk back into a conversation while avoiding the basic yes/no.

INTERVIEWER: “Have you ever managed a team greater than 12 people?”

Well, let’s say you have not and only managed a group of six people in your last job.  We must use this opportunity to sell ourselves and prove how something that could be perceived as “unqualified” can actually fall into “qualified.”

Instead of no, you could say, “Actually, I had the pleasure of managing six very talented individuals over the last three years. Of which, at least two of my employees each year were promoted into new roles within the organization.  Although I have not managed a team of 12 or greater, I know that leadership is about building teams and from my track record, I build great teams that outperform the rest.”

Do you see the difference by simply changing the way you phrase your answers to questions? These are only a few examples of how you can handle questions and turn negatives into positives at your next interview!

About the Author:

Brian Brown is the Chief Delivery Officer of SkillStorm. With more than 13 years of experience in the Information Technology, Technical Services, Government Contracting, Accounting, Financial and Administrative sectors, Brown is responsible for candidate relations companywide and oversees the SkillStorm Program for Extreme Educational Development, known as SPEED, a highly competitive six-week sales training program targeted towards recent college graduates entering the job market. Trainees that successfully complete the intense training course are offered full-time recruiting positions with SkillStorm. Brown is based out of the San Diego office.

“If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be ‘meetings’” – Pulitzer-Prize winning Humorist Dave Barry

Whether it’s a lunch meeting, a virtual or a face to face, it’s up to you to make the most of your encounter! Meetings are a part of our everyday lives, whether we want them or not. Sometimes it’s for a job interview, a team project, re-visiting an old contact or selling to a new client. There are several tips you can follow, regardless of the kind of meeting, to make sure you get the most out of each and every one!

Here are some quick and easy ways to make the most of your meetings:

-         Prepare before the meeting. Review the information you will or could discuss and if you can, ask the individual or individuals you are meeting with to let you know what’s to be expected.

-         Bring materials. Bring a pen and notepad, no matter what kind of meeting it is. Then, depending on what you’re doing, you may want to bring other materials with you. If it’s a job interview, bring your resume, cover letter, list of references and portfolio, if applicable. If you’re meeting with a potential business partner, bring questions you may have and anything you need to discuss futher. If it’s a potential client, bring marketing materials and other items to help with your pitch.

-         Be physically prepared. This may sound silly, but we mean it in all seriousness! Meetings can last hours and depending on the kind of meeting, they can be truly exhausting. Prepare yourself physically by getting a good night’s rest and eating a good meal beforehand (if it isn’t a breakfast, lunch or dinner meeting, that is).

-         Understand the purpose. What is the true purpose of the meeting? Are you trying to get a job, or are you trying to pitch a new client? Even if it seems that there is a clear purpose for meeting, sometimes it can get lost in all of the other information you’ve got on your plate. Have a clear purpose for your meeting and stick with it.

-         Be on time. Always! People’s time should be respected – it is extremely valuable! So, make it a point to be on time to your meeting and you, in turn, will be respected for the courteous action.

-         Avoid distractions. We face distractions all around us 99% of the day and meeting times are no exception. We may not always have the opportunity to avoid these distractions, but there ARE things we can do to significantly reduce them. During your meeting, please, put away your phone! This is probably the most distracting item you own. There’s nothing worse than speaking with someone who keeps glancing down at their phone for three-quarters of the conversation and replies to text messages, emails and more. You want to give the person or people you’re meeting with your full attention – so cut the distractions off!

-         Follow up. Reflect and ask yourself, what was the result of this meeting? What can you do to maximize these results? Are you better now than you were before? This is a good way to evaluate the effectiveness of your meeting and ensure you’re following the original purpose you had set for yourself.

These are just a few quick and easy tips to help you make your meetings more effective and efficient and there are many other small steps you can take to ensure you’ve made the most of your meetings! What do you do to prepare for meetings? What do you do during your meetings? How do you follow up?

On Monday morning, I woke up to a text message from a close friend who made me feel as if I were the Rachel Zoe of the business fashion world. She asked, “If you wear a black skirt to an interview, do you have to wear a black blazer with it?” I thought my eyes were fooling me (I’m not necessarily known as the most fashionable of the bunch), so I rubbed them a bit and yes, the words were still there… at 7:30 in the morning on a vacation day. Turns out, my friend was doing some Labor Day shopping (both online and in stores) for a job interview coming up during the week. I guess I have to say I was flattered that she (also my elder) was coming to me for career wardrobe advice. I know this question may seem silly to some of you, but I’m curious to know… is it something you can say you’ve actually considered? I like to tell myself I know every single “do” and “don’t’” for interview and career attire, but the truth is, there are still some things I’ve never even really thought about (this scenario being one of those things).

It’s been said time and time again that carefully constructing the perfect interview outfit is worth the effort because it can be a deciding factor in whether or not you land the job. In fact, appearance isn’t just critical to first impressions during interviewing, it’s also important throughout your entire career! For example, have you ever noticed people dress up a little more at networking events or social events after work hours? That’s because they recognize that what you wear can be what defines you when you first meet new people (similar to that of an interview), so you need to make the best first impression possible. It’s just the plain truth. Once you recognize this (if you haven’t already), you may find that your career could be suffering a closet crisis and now is the time to get help!

Going back to the original story at hand… I thought to myself, well, can you wear a different a blazer and bottom that don’t match? Honestly, many of us out there probably can’t rattle off a list of exact dress-code rules for job interviews and your career other than just knowing the everlasting rule that you need to dress “professional.”

It seems that we all might have our own slightly different perceptions of what’s considered the “right” thing to wear to a job interview. So how can you play it safe? I did some research and I’ve compiled a list of rules that are generally accepted as what to wear and what not to wear to a job interview and throughout your career (including the answer to the suit question!). Take a look below, you may actually find some you didn’t know about.

For women:

1. Bring a basic handbag in neutral or dark color.
2. Wear neutral hose with a skirt! Do not go bare legged in a skirt.
3. Use appropriate accessories such as small classic styled earrings, a thin necklace or strand of pearls, no more than one ring per hand. No tongue, nose or eyebrow pierced jewelry. Avoid noisy or chunky jewelry as it could be considered distracting.
4. Don’t put on too much makeup.
5. Avoid sleeveless tops and dresses as well as skirts that are too short (above the knee).
6. Leave the heavy perfume at home and stick to body splash or small dabs of regular perfume.
7. Make sure to wear close toed heels. Do not show up in open toe shoes, flip flops or sandals!
8. Make sure that the hairstyle you choose holds back any stray hairs from falling on your face. You do not want to play with your hair or have to touch it very much while speaking about yourself.
9. Avoid anything ruffled, frilly or lacy, along with accessories on shirts in the form of extra buttons or bows. You want to be classy, not cute.

For men:

1. Polish or clean your shoes – no scuff marks.

1. Be careful with cologne and aftershave! Most likely, your interview will take place in a small interviewing room with just yourself and the interviewer. You may want to consider using none at all.
2. Remember to trim your facial hair! If worn, it should be well-groomed. Observe men in your industry if you are unsure what’s appropriate.
3. Hair should be clean and well kept. Shorter hair is generally considered to be favorable.
   1. Do not wear too much jewelry. No more than one ring per hand. Wear a watch with a leather or metal band. If you wear cuff links, choose a classic style.

For both:

1. Stick to basic, conservative colors and fabric: Navy, dark gray and black work for suit colors. Button down shirts and blouses should be reserved to basic colors, avoid patterns. Wool and wool blends are generally the best fabrics in all seasons. Avoid acetate / rayon blends. Remember that simple, classic styles will save you money in the long run because they never go out of style.
2. If you are on a budget and cannot afford to buy a new suit, take your existing suits or expensive items to a tailor and have them update the buttons, sleeves or hemlines for you.
3. Manicured nails are a must. If you are a woman, make sure nail color is neutral in tone and not chipped. French manicures are also okay. If you are a man, make sure your fingernails are clean.
4. Avoid looking too trendy or wearing in-your-face designer labels. Just because it looks good on the runway doesn’t mean it’ll get you the job.
5. Make sure your attire fits you well. If it’s too big, you may look frumpy. If it’s too tight, you will feel uncomfortable and it may very well show during your interview.
6. If you want to show your personality, make sure you do it in a subtle way. Some examples include adding a scarf or colored tie with your outfit.
7. 7. Pieces of a suit should match – this is always the best and safest choice.
8. When it comes to wearing a belt, make sure to match it with your shoes.
9. Brush your teeth and gargle just before the interview and be sure to bring mints over gum. If you are a smoker, try not to smoke at least 2 hours before the interview.
10. Portfolios and briefcases: A small leather briefcase or portfolio is recommended to carry your résumé, references, a small notebook or other pertinent documents.
11. Avoid wrinkles by getting your attire pressed a few days in advance. Another way to avoid wrinkles would be hanging your jacket on a hanger in your car instead of wearing it while driving.

As a final piece of advice, if you ever find yourself in doubt about what to wear, I suggest you follow a tried and true rule which never fails: it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Currently, the U.S. unemployment rate is at 9.5% and thousands of job seekers are in search for jobs.  Even if you currently have a job, you may be thinking that now might be the time to start looking again.  I have been interviewing candidates for the past two years for my company and have seen job applicants do the right things and the wrong things.  Here is my best advice on how to ace your next interview:

1. Prepare: Be early, know exactly how to get to the interview and make sure you allow enough time for traffic.  Arrive calm, relaxed and don’t forget to eat beforehand!  My first interview lasted 4 hours because I had to interview with 5 different groups of people.  I had no idea it would take that long and I was famished at the end!
2. Be Confident: Walk into the interview like you will get the job.  Imagine a scale of a 1-10 and walk in feeling like an 8-10. Show enthusiasm and interest about the job and let them know that you want it.  It is a red flag to the interviewer if you don’t seem interested.
3. Ask: Always come prepared with a few questions to ask at the end of an interview.
4. Practice: Do a google search for sample interview questions and prepare answers for all of the questions.  In one of my classes in college, we had to stand up in front of the class and the Professor randomly picked from the list of sample interview questions.  We had to respond to each of the questions in front of the class.  It is amazing how I can now quickly come up with an example for most questions just because I prepared the answers.  You may not get these exact questions but I guarantee that you will be prepared for any question.  Also, before going to the interview, review the job description and know how your experiences match each qualification. Be prepared to give examples!
5. Have a conversation: Know that not everyone who interviews you will be testing your knowledge and skills.  Some people interview employees for the sole purpose of seeing if the person is a team player and if they can see themselves working with the person in the future.  This is why it is important to think of it as having a conversation.  Also, don’t assume that the person with the highest role will be making the decision. Input from everyone may be taken into consideration as to who will get the job.
6. Relax: Ever had to do a panel interview?  Don’t let them intimidate you!  In my industry, we have a lot of stress and pressure placed on us by the client so a panel interview helps us see how the person will be able to communicate to the client under pressure.  If you think panel interviews are terrible, just think about how much faster you will get out of the interview by doing it as a group rather than an interview with each person answering the same questions over and over!
7. Thank: Ask for business cards at the end so that you can send a thank you email.  I am shocked by how few people actually follow through with this because it is so important.

Good luck to you on your next interview!   You will nail it!  What is your best interview advice?

About the author: Classy Career Girl is a consultant at by day and a MBA student by night.  She blogs about her journey through business school while working full time and loves researching and writing about career advice, work-life balance and stress management.  You can read more about journey on her website www.classycareergirl.com

With the onset of the 2010 World Cup quickly approaching, many of us will find ourselves glued to the TV as we watch and cheer on our favorite soccer teams from around the globe. Players will bring fierce competition to the pitch as they strive to beat out international opponents for the coveted gold cup.

In many ways, the job seeking process can be compared to our favorite World Cup soccer teams. In the job hunt, the job seeker can take on the positions of various players as each represents a different stage of the process.  Let’s take a moment to go through the different team positions and how they represent the levels of your job search, and what you should be doing at each stage you follow through:

Step 1 of the job hunt: You are the Goalkeeper

As a goalkeeper, you’re somewhat safe in home territory. Being in this position can be helpful at the beginning of your job search, because you’re at a point where you can step back and assess the current situation right in front of your eyes. This is the best spot to be in when you’re doing research and working on your hiring materials, such as writing your cover letter, updating your resume or filling out an application. It is also a good time to consider devising a strategy or some tactics to make the most of your job search.

Step 2 of the job hunt: Moving on to the Defensive Level

The next thing you’ll want to do is take on the role of defense. As a defender, your main task is to show that you’re willing to beat out the competition, why you’re the best fit for the employer and that you really, really want the job. Sure, there may be other good candidates out there, but at this stage, you should be able to defend your value and prove that YOU are the best choice. You can do this in a number of ways, including simply taking a proactive approach by contacting and introducing yourself to recruiters or hiring personnel to show your interest. Many job seekers wait it out for a job opening or wait for recruiters to seek them out, but taking this first step will give you an extra edge over those candidates who remain passive.

Step 3 of the job hunt: The most important level at Midfield

Just like in any actual soccer game, the midfield level often involves the most work because they play both offense and defense. The most important role you will play on your job seeking process will be at this level. The midfield (middle ground) is the link between all of your efforts and the best stage to set up the scoring opportunities that will later result in scoring the goal.

This is probably the stage where your interview will happen. The interview can be one of the most crucial parts to the entire process. You may have already given some reading material to the interviewer, but the actual interview itself can help a hiring manager determine and solidify their decision. This includes any personality assessments, determining your fit in a particular work environment, answering any outstanding questions, etc.

Final Step of the job hunt: Bringing it home as a Forward

Imagine this: the game is tied at Nil on the 89^th minute and you’ve got one chance to make the shot. You’ll want to make sure you’ve set yourself up on the pitch and created the best opportunity to score, right? Same thing goes for the job seeking process. When your interview is over, try to find a way to stand out over other prospective employees so that you know you’ve given yourself the absolute best chance at landing the job. Make sure you have the best contact information and send a thank you letter to the interviewer. This small gesture can make a world of a difference. Even if you don’t get the job you interviewed for, this kind of good etiquette could actually end up opening other doors and leading to other potential opportunities down the line!

Wherever you are in the job search, remember that you need to maintain your focus on the end goal. Just as in soccer, there is no such thing as a fixed space or exact timeline, so keep in mind that you may interchange positions and roles according to the flow of the game (or in this case, the job seeking process). That being said, good luck job seeking and enjoy the 2010 World Cup!

A recent article featured on Yahoo!hotjobs titled   “10 Ways to Be Liked in Your Job Interview” lists 10 ways to increase success for your next job interview. The list goes over various interviewing don’ts: from avoiding excessive smiling and off-target questions to keeping small-talk and jokes to a minimum. While the list can be comical, the advice is beneficial to all job seekers.

10 mistakes to avoid for interview success:

1. Don’t be a “smiley face” - excessive smiling can also be seen as nervousness
2. Don’t be a small-talker – be knowledgeable about the company you’re interviewing with and avoid random facts
3. Don’t sweat – it can be seen as a sign of weakness and nervousness and will not impress
4. Don’t be a road block – interviewers are seeking eager candidates
5. Don’t be petty - avoid asking questions about routine elements of a company
6. Don’t be a liar - even a slight exaggeration is lying
7. Don’t be a bad comedian – humor tends to be subjective, so be careful
8. Don’t be high-maintenance - interviewers will not be interested in someone who’s finicky about their workspace
9. Don’t be a time-waster – make questions intelligent and to the point, otherwise you’re wasting time
10. Don’t be a switchblade – avoid bashing former employers

You can read the entire article by clicking here.