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 Wolfson's
Top Ten Tips
- How to Get A Job
- Your Resume
Assume that the Hiring Authority will only SCAN your resume. They
will want to see your work history presented clearly and concisely
in reverse chronological order. Provide technical details and
brag where appropriate. Remember: NO GAPS, NO LIES, NO BS.
- Your Cover Letter
Take the time to find out the name of the person who will receive
your resume. Nothing puts you on the bottom of the pile quicker
than addressing your letter to: “To Whom This May Concern”.
Write a crisp, one page letter that states why you are in the
industry, why you deserve consideration for the specific position
and when you will follow-up.
- Do Not Send Your Resume Out and then Wait For The Call: FOLLOW-UP
Mail Order specialists will tell you that, at best, they expect
a 2% response rate. This means that if you send out 100 resumes
you may get 2 requests for an interview. The squeaky wheel really
does get the grease. Improve your odds by following up.
- Do RESEARCH Prior To Your Interview
and Come prepared with Intelligent Questions.
How do interviewers separate pretenders from contenders? They
look for candidates who have done RESEARCH and come to the interview
prepared with intelligent questions. At the end of your interview
the interviewer will usually ask if you have any questions. Keep
your queries focused on the job opportunity and avoid the temptation
to ask questions solely designed to demonstrate how brilliant
you are.
- The Obvious:
Arrive Early For Your Interview. Dress Appropriately (know the
corporate culture of the organization - this will help you choose
whether formal business attire or smart, casual attire is your
best choice. Remember: you’re trying to put your best foot
forward and most books are judged by their covers). Don’t
Smoke Prior To Your Interview (it doesn’t matter how many
mints you munch prior to your meeting, you won’t be able
to hide the smell). Don’t Chew Gum (sounds obvious but you
would not believe how often we encounter this). Sit Up Straight,
Don’t Fidget and Pay Attention. Do not run down your past
employers. Don’t ramble when answering questions – keep
on track. Do Not Act Cocky.
- Anticipate questions and practice
your answers prior to the interview. Resist the temptation to
bluff. If you don’t know the answer, admit it and move on
to the next question.
- Remember: the interviewer is not your priest,
rabbi, minister or psychiatrist. Don’t bare your soul –
respond to questions fully but choose your words carefully.
- When your interview concludes, if you want the job Ask For
It.
- Follow-up Letter. Similar to the cover
letter: express your appreciation and interest in the opportunity.
Keep it short and succinct.
- The Decision:
If you make it to the finish line, think strategically: Do I really
want this job? Do I want to work with this company or this manager?
How are they doing financially (i.e. will they be in business
next year)? Will having this job (or working for this company)
make me a more marketable candidate in the future? Is this the
industry segment for me?
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