Learn how to successfully compose a resume and prepare for an interview with Horn Solutions.

1. Resume and Interview Tips

2. Overview
 Resume
 Job Sourcing and Applications
 Interviewing
 Offer Stage

3. Resume Writing

4. Resume - Objective
• If your resume does what its supposed to do you will
be called for an interview.
• If your not getting any interviews then the problems
lies with your resume
Introduce Promote Entice

5. Resume Content
• Contact Information
• Highlights/Qualifications
• Work Experience
• Education
• Training & Certifications
• Software
• Languages

6. Resume Writing
 Keep the overall length of your resume short. Depending upon your experience, one or two pages is
ideal. A three-page resume should be considered only if it is absolutely necessary to do justice to
your career experience.
 Keep it consistent. Use the same font and size throughout.
 Make sure your resume is easy to read. Use concise, unambiguous sentences and avoid over-writing.
 Focus on information that's relevant to your own career goals. If you're making a career change,
stress what skills are transferable to support your new career objectives.
 Neatness counts. A poorly structured, badly typed resume tells the reader much about the
applicant.
 Use a chronological format: for employment, list your most recent or present job first; for
education, list the most recent school you attended or the school you are currently attending, and
continue in reverse chronological order.
 Place your name, address, telephone number and email address somewhere at the top of the first
page of your résumé where the reader will notice it.
 Make sure that if your resume is two pages, your name and the page number "2" is somewhere at the
top of the second page.

7.  Do use strong, action verbs instead of weak, passive verbs.
 Do use implied pronouns (understood by the reader although they are not stated) all the time.
 Stress your past accomplishments and the skills you used to get the desired results.
 Do include a cover letter with your resume which is custom-made for each individual application
(see handout on cover letters for more information).
 Do be sure to have someone else proof-read your resume and cover letter for spelling, grammar and
syntax errors, and to tell you if the résumé has visual appeal.
 Do follow up on your application by calling soon after to ask whether a decision has been made
and/or if you can come in for an interview.
Resume Writing

8. Common Resume Mistakes
• Grammar and Spelling
• Redundancy
• Inconsistency in Formatting
• Not Using Action Verbs
• Limited Detail

9. Job Interviewing

10. Job Interviewing
Preparation
 Know the exact time and location of your
interview; know how long it takes to get
there and park.
 Take a practice run to the location where you
are having the interview, if able.
 Do your research and know the type
of interview you will encounter.
 Prepare intelligent, well thought out
examples of your experience and
accomplishments.
 Ask past employers or people who you wish
to use as references first before giving out
any information about them, and then only
provide this information if it is specifically
requested.

11. Interviewing – Hiring Manager Questions
• Tell me about yourself?
• What are your strengths?
• What is an example of a weakness?
• What do you like most about your job, your boss, your company, and your industry?
• What do you dislike most about them?
• What are your career goals?
• What new skills or ideas do you bring to the job that other candidates aren’t likely to
offer?
• Give an example of how you saw a project through, despite obstacles.
• Tell me about your relationship with your previous bosses? Co-workers?
• Are you most productive working alone or in a group?
• Tell me about a major accomplishment or contribution.
• Give an example of a time you delivered more than was expected.
• How do you handle conflict?
Preparation
Practice answering common interview questions

12. Interviewing – Candidate Questions
 Why is this position open?
 How often has it been filled in the past five years? What were the main reasons?
 What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this position?
 What would my first 30 – 90 days look like as far as training and responsibility?
 What are some of the main challenges I would face in this position?
 What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this position?
 How is one evaluated in this position?
 What kind of person is successful within the company?
 What is your plan for employee retention?
SAMPLE CLOSING QUESTIONS
 How do I compare with the other candidates you've interviewed so far?
 What’s the next step?
Preparation
Prepare questions for the interviewer

13. Job Interviewing
Interview
 Dress the part for the job, the company, the industry.
And do err on the side of conservatism.
 Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early.
 Greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and
respect. This situation is where you make
your first impression with the employer.
 Bring extra resumes to the interview.
 Turn off (or set to silent ring) your cell phone.
 Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and
respect.
 Greet the interviewer(s) by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last
name if you are sure of the pronunciation. (If you're not
sure, do ask the receptionist about the pronunciation
before going into the interview.
 Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a
friendly expression when you are greeted by your
interviewer.

14. Job Interviewing
Interview
 Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. And do remember body language and posture: sit upright
and look alert and interested at all times.
 Make good eye contact with your interviewer(s) and maintain good posture.
 Show enthusiasm in the position and the company.
 Make sure that your good points come across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner.
 Ask intelligent, well thought out questions about the job, company, and industry.
 Avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words.
 Have a high confidence and energy level.
 Stress your achievements.
 Show off the research you have done on the company and industry when responding to questions.
 Explain what you can do for the company rather than what the company can do for you.
 Repeat the question aloud or ask for the question to be repeated to give you a little more time to think
about an answer. Also, a short pause before responding is okay. Ask for clarification if you don't understand
a question.

15. Job Interviewing
Interview
 Remember that the interview is also an important time for you to evaluate the interviewer
and the company he or she represents.
 Treat the interview seriously and as though you are truly interested in the employer and the
opportunity presented.
 Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never
close the door on an opportunity until you are sure about it.
 Try to get business cards from each person you interviewed with or at least the correct
spelling of their first and last names.
 Make sure you understand the employer's next step in the hiring process; know when and from
whom you should expect to hear next. Know what action you are expected to take next, if
any.
 Close the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that you want the job and asking about the
next step in the process. (Some experts even say you should close the interview by asking for
the job.)
 When the interviewer concludes the interview, offer a firm handshake and make eye contact.

16. Job Interviewing
Post Interview
 Immediately take down notes
after the interview concludes
so you don't forget crucial
details.
 Write thank you letters within
24 hours to each interviewer.

17. Interviewing – Common Mistakes
Asking about PTO, Benefits, Overtime etc. unless it is brought
up by the interviewer
Arriving Late Not Prepared Attire Communication
M i s t a k e s

18. Next Steps
 Horn Solutions specializes in accounting, finance, and information technology
solutions through two complementary lines of business: Project Solutions and Search
Solutions.
 We offer 30 years of expertise, personalized service, and commitment to deliver
quality results.
 To begin your job search with Horn Solutions, contact us today at 281-207-7702!
Let Horn Solutions help you with your next job search