Job Hunting – Three Very Important Provisos
- You never get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression!
- There are no do-overs with the same employer!
- Learn from your mistakes, and don’t repeat them the next time!
RÉSUMÉ
When job hunting, leading human resource recruiters agree they are looking for someone bright, tenacious, people-friendly, has stamina, can multi-task, and has a willing attitude.
Your résumé must be action/accomplishment-oriented and answer:
- Where – Company name, division, department
- When – Dates of duration
- What – Job title (functional)
- Why – you took action or responsibility
- Worth – what it was worth to the employer
- How – you can repeat the accomplishment for the next employer
The résumé should not be a job description so much as a synopsis of what you can bring to the new employer in the position. The résumé is a sales flyer during job hunting, and you are the product, so list accomplishments that translate to saving the company money or making the company money. No matter how creative the field, it is still a business that has a bottom line. You have to tell the recruiter why you are more valuable than the last applicant they saw before you or the one they will see after you. You want the job search to stop with you. When they read your résumé, you want them to call you in for an interview, and when they shake your hand at the end of the interview, you want them to convey a sense of “Eureka! I found the right person for the job. This person will be an asset to my company.”
Résumé must be neat, balanced, easy on the eyes, and have a logical progression that is easy to follow.
Pick one typeface and font – keep bold and italics to a reasonable minimum; no visual gimmicks to distract their attention from the content. Don’t be vague and wishy-washy. Be articulate, direct, confident, and exact in your language. Because we live in a digital age, résumés are customarily emailed to recruiters. So a simple layout will avoid misalignment regardless of the computer to which it is downloaded.
Of course, for job hunting, you should always bring a hard copy to an interview for two purposes. First, you have your résumé in front of you and refer to it as the recruiter discusses it with you. If the recruiter cannot lay their hands on your résumé, you can offer them your hardcopy to copy. For the printout, stick to white or ivory bond – don’t use parchment, confetti, or crazy colors.
- Simple format – no fancy fonts or borders. Even if you are trying out for a graphic arts job, your style pizzaz should show in your portfolio, not on your résumé. This is a case of less is more.No cutesy nicknames like “Billy Bob” or email addresses like “Baby Doll” or “Stud.”
- There are no outlandish statements like “I am the best in my field,” even if it’s true.
- No typos or grammatical errors.
- A level of sophistication revealing or alluding to education and polish. An excellent vocabulary is not something to be ashamed of. Don’t dumb it down.
- Straightforward and explanatory–no confusing, convoluted, or vague language which will baffle the recruiter.
- No trendy jargon, idioms, vernacular, acronyms, or industry abbreviations.
- Appropriate qualifications to do the job for which you are applying. Don’t be vague and generic – be specific. Don’t write a procedure manual for your job title. Highlight a few achievements you accomplished while in that position.
- If the background light, don’t discount any experience, there are redeeming qualities in almost all experience.
COVER LETTER
Your cover letter, when job hunting, It should reflect an ability to communicate effectively and convey individual qualities, making you a valuable addition to the staff. It should not be merely superficial. It should be compelling, inducing the recruiter to read the résumé and then call you in for an interview.
INTERVIEW
After skills, the essential quality is attitude. Whether you’re interviewing for a position as a manager or just a McJob, be positive and convey the feeling that you will give a good day’s work for a day’s pay. First jobs are an important stepping stone and should be treated with respect.
A recruiter’s nightmare is the individual who thinks they are too good to do anything they deem beneath their dignity, has a poor work attitude, is rigid in their expectations, and believes the employer owes them something … no matter how well qualified, otherwise. It is the recruiter’s job to weed those people out.
Be forthright, sincere, and enthusiastic without whining, groveling, or ingratiating yourself. Don’t be superficial, gratuitous, and transparent in flattery. Be prepared–know something about the company, its history, accomplishments, objectives, and how you can contribute to its goals. Ask constructive questions that show an interest in the company’s mission and philosophy.
Don’t dominate the conversation. Don’t ramble. Don’t engage in nervous chit-chat to delay the recruiter’s probing questions. Listen, then answer succinctly. Don’t lie or embellish the truth. There’s no shame in admitting you don’t know the answer to a question, but turn that around to your advantage by asking the recruiter to elaborate, and that may turn the interview in a more favorable direction.
Non-entertainment corporate jobs: When job hunting, dress modestly/conservatively. Leave the Goth or Club wardrobe at home. For gals, no leather or sequins, see-through or tube tops, mini-skirts, bare midriff, low-rider, hip-hugging or camel-toe outfits nor exotic hairstyles, makeup, or mandarin-length nail wraps. For fellas, conservative business attire or casual business wardrobe consisting of shirt, tie, classic fit Slax with a belt, jacket, socks with shoes (no sneakers), no sports jerseys, sweat pants, or workout clothes. For both, no visible body art such as piercings and tattoos, no headgear, and no excessive jewelry. First impressions count, and if you make the wrong one, you won’t get the job. There’s a lot of tasteful style latitude between male stripper and monk or pole-dancer and nun. And don’t play dumb; you do know the difference. It pays to err on the side of caution, and once you join the firm, you will get a sense of what’s acceptable and what’s not.
Entertainment-related jobs: You can be a little more style trendy but not over the top because all entertainment jobs have a corporate connection. You want to fit in with their culture but not be too out there or look like you’re trying too hard to fit in.
Rules to Follow:
- Dress down rather than up (simple, classic in Black, Navy, or Grey) whether a suit, dress, or shoes.
- Jewelry “bling” at a minimum; 1 or 2 rings; watch, tie clasp; simple bracelet, earrings, and necklace
- Err on the side of conservative and properly fitting; not fussy but not stuffy; not tight or slouchy.
- Keep hairstyle and makeup daytime simple; nail length short; polish tasteful and straightforward.
- BE PUNCTUAL – Nothing is more disrespectful than showing up late and nonchalant.
- Don’t bring a coffee cup in; don’t chew gum.
- Turn off the cell phone, beeper, pager, etc.
- Maintain an air of decorum. Keep behavior and speech professionally courteous. Don’t be stiff but not too folksy. No high fives, no “Hey, dude, wassup?” “Hey, girlfriend, those threads are phat.” Never address the recruiter by their first name unless invited to.
- Look the recruiter in the eye, be alert but relaxed, don’t initiate a handshake unless they extend their hand first, don’t sit down until invited to do so. Don’t act like you’re doing them a favor. Communicate by your body language that you are qualified and would like the job. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be there.
Don’t ask self-serving questions, such as:
- What’s my salary? Benefits?
- What are my hours?
- How soon do I qualify for time off?
- How much vacation do I get?
- When can I expect a promotion?
- How soon do I qualify for unemployment?
- Can I work from home?
- Do I get an assistant?
- Will you pay for my Master’s?
- How many single men/women work here?
Do your homework before the interview. Educate yourself about their company and prepare an intelligent list of questions you can ask them that reflect your interest and preparedness. You want to give the impression that you are not just looking for a job, but with a career investment, you are enthusiastic about being associated with a firm that mirrors your goals and values. You also want them to believe that you are not just accepting every interview offer that comes along but is selecting a prospective employer as much as they are choosing you. Part of the selection process is that it is a mutually beneficial “good fit.” So apart from telling you about the job, they must sell you on wanting to work there. You both want to feel that you are proud to be associated with each other.
Finally, Always send a thank you note within a day after an interview to reinforce their impression of you.