2. Do Your Homework: Always research the organization prior to interviewing. Knowing some of the company’s successes and accolades, such as awards and charitable actions, shows that you have done your homework. Have a Focused Plan: Create a list of companies that you will systematically contact. Prioritize companies that are a close match to your experience and skills. Schedule Networking: Treat networking like a job. Fill your calendar with events and follow-up regularly. Arrive 10 Minutes Before the Interview: Arriving early relieves the stress of possibly being late and demonstrates that you are responsible and dependable. Professional Email: Don’t use your “party email” for follow-up. Get an email address that is simple and professional.
3. Get Business Cards: Make a point of asking for your contact’s business card. This will ensure that you have correct titles and spelling for follow-up. Stay Updated: Set up Google Alerts for each of your top employment prospects. Review the latest news before your interview. Practice Your Writing Skills: All professional positions require excellent writing skills. Take the time to upgrade yours. Customize Your Resume: Take the extra step of customizing your resume to fit the industry. Simple, generic resumes fail to catch the eye of hiring managers. Proofread 3x: Make sure that you do not have any grammatical errors on your resume.
4. 11. Bring Copies of Your Resume: Don’t assume that everyone will have copies of your resume. Make sure you bring a few extra, “clean” copies with you. Streamline Your List of Pertinent Experience: Older (seasoned) professionals should list approximately 15 years of relevant experience. This will streamline your resume and focus attention on your best experience. Use Active Verbs: Strong active verb usage adds “punch and power” to your resume. Be Careful with Acronyms and Jargon: Make sure that any acronyms are spelled out to avoid confusion. Try to eliminate jargon unless you are 100% sure your interviewer will understand the reference. Send Your Resume in the Right File Format: Pay attention to the guidelines for sending in your resume. Failing to comply with file format standards can hurt your chances for an interview.
5. 16. Make Your Resume More Reader-Friendly: Research shows that employers take from 2.5 to 20 seconds to scan a resume. Use bullet-points and bolded titles to make it easy for them to focus on the highlights.. Streamline Your List of Pertinent Experience: Older (seasoned) professionals should list approximately 15 years of relevant experience. This will streamline your resume and focus attention on your best experience. Use Active Verbs: Strong active verb usage adds “punch and power” to your resume. Be Careful with Acronyms and Jargon: Make sure that any acronyms are spelled out to avoid confusion. Try to eliminate jargon unless you are 100% sure your interviewer will understand the reference. Send Your Resume in the Right File Format: Pay attention to the guidelines for sending in your resume. Failing to comply with file format standards can hurt your chances for an interview.
