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.

Regular old resumes appear to be for the birds these days. According to Colorado Tech University, the resume you choose needs to include your social networking savvy as well as your standard experience. Their own infographic walks a resume writer through the necessary steps:

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.

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

Telephone interviews are becoming more prominent as companies receive a sea of applications for their job openings. A phone interview can come at any time so you should be prepared. Before you can even meet with an interviewer, your time on the phone is the first chance to leave an impression, so you need to make it count.

Prepare yourself ahead of time

First, show your interest in the opportunity by researching the company. Gather these important documents and keep them nearby: a copy of your resume, requirements and duties of the position, some key words for answering possible questions, background research on the company and a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Having these during your interview will help immensely. Since the interviewer cannot see and your documents, go ahead and highlight sections as well as write side notes on specific key items you want to focus. If you receive a call from an interview but are not in an area where answering the phone is possible, ask if you can call them back and set a time within the next hour.

Keep track of your words

Speaking slowly and clearly is vital to your interview. Give yourself time to think before you answer questions. Keep a level of enthusiasm in your voice by smiling.

Take notes during the interview

Keep a pen and paper with you so you can take notes during the interview. Make notes on any relevant information you have at hand. These notes will help later when you need to ask questions.

Follow-up

Thank the interviewer for their time and verify their contact information. Ask when to expect a follow-up or when you should follow up.

Following these simple steps will help ease your next phone interview and give your interviewer the best impression possible. Do you have any other helpful phone interview tips? Comment back on this post and let us know!

Some of our most recent blog posts have given you tips for your next interview. But what happens after you leave the interview? Should you follow up? And if so, what’s the best way to do it? The answer to the first question is yes, always follow up. You may have finished the interview already, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t still selling yourself. The best way to follow up would be sending a thank you letter to your interviewer. If you’re not sure what to write in the letter, here are some tips to help:

- Plan to send out your thank you letters as soon as possible (preferably within twenty-four hours) after your interview.  Keep the tone courteous and thankful.

- The letter can be typed up into an e-mail or handwritten, as long as you send one!

- Use your letter as a way to stand out from the crowd and make a good impression. Ask yourself – did anything stand out? What would the interviewer remember about me?

- If there is something you didn’t get a chance to mention during the interview, say it by including it in your thank you letter.

- Keep your thank you letters short and simple. Edit the letter so it reflects your personality and your interest in the new job. Remember to show your enthusiasm for the company and to sell yourself as the ideal candidate.

- Finally, spell check and proof your thank you letter. Then ask someone else to proof it for you.

If you are interested in learning more about the job seeking process, sign up to order a free StormStaff Job Seeker’s Guide. The kit includes all of the information you need from building your resume to scoring the perfect interview! Sign up by clicking here.

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.

So, you’ve got an interview coming up. You’re strapped for cash, and you’ve searched through every hanger and drawer in your closet but don’t know what to wear. Not to worry! You can still build an ideal interview outfit right from your very own wardrobe. Here are a few tips for picking the perfect interview attire on a budget.

The bare necessities checklist – no job seeker should be without these!

Suit: One of the pricier pieces of your interview wardrobe can be a well-fitted suit.

Affordable Women's Suit from JCPenney

Designer suits can be pretty expensive, but I found a versatile, four-piece women’s set at JCPenney which comes out to less than $100 and several men’s seperates at JCPenney as well.

If a suit still isn’t in your budget, consider a classic white button down shirt with dark slacks. A white top or dress shirt with long sleeves can be a conservative and fail-proof approach at a professional look. Fitted white shirts can be modestly-priced at most stores, like this Merona men’s fitted shirt or women’s button down top from Target. Some department stores even offer shirt-and-tie sets at a cheaper price than separates.

Accessories: Accessories can put a final touch on any outfit but they don’t have to be expensive! You can save money on some of the expendable accessories in your wardrobe, such as pantyhose and dress socks, which can be purchased at wholesale prices.

Hair and hygiene: Sleek and sophisticated looks always make a statement for both men and women. Gentlemen, remember to shave! It is also recommended to skip on the perfumes and colognes altogether to avoid stirring up any allergies.

Dry cleaning: If you have some extra cash to play around with, you’ll definitely want to consider dry cleaning your outfit a few days before your interview. While this is an extra cost, it will create a crisp, clean finish to your look.

Integrating these tips into your wardrobe selection will save you time and money when deciding what to wear for that next big interview. While interviewing for a job can be nerve-racking, choosing an outfit doesn’t have to be!

Do you have any tips for interview attire? What has worked for you in the past and what hasn’t?