Job Choices 2012 - Diversity Edition - (Page 30)
A well-crafted resume can stand out from the rest our resume’s job is to help move you along to the interview. To do so, your resume has to capture the employer’s attention, and convince the employer that you appear to have the right qualifications for the job and might be a good fit for the organization. Your resume has to convince the employer that you are worth the time and money invested in interviewing. You may have all the qualifications and be perfect for the job, but you won’t get past the resume screen unless your resume speaks effectively for you. Be sure to craft a resume that summarizes your accomplishments, skills, and experience. Then—in what is a very critical step that can set you apart from other candidates—make the connection between your academic and employment experience to the position in which you’re interested. How can you do this? Research the company by looking at its website and the job posting, and, if possible, attending an on-campus OF THE Y If you’re directed to apply online, give the process the same time and effort you would to put together an effective resume. The same rules that govern your development of an attentiongrabbing resume apply to your online application, but there are a few tips that can help you increase your chances of getting called for an interview: • Follow directions. Be careful to enter the correct data in the correct field. • Ask for advice on completing the application from a company recruiter or an alumnus who may work at the company. • Complete all fields—even those that aren’t required. (Be sure to include a cover letter, even if it’s not required.) • Use keywords; employers search on keywords when looking to fill specific positions. • If the company offers an optional assessment test online, take it. • Use “comments” fields to demonstrate that you have researched the company and/or to provide additional information about specific skills you have. • If you are asked to attach a resume or paste it into the application, make sure its format is compatible. Special characters, bold and italics, and fancy fonts, for example, won’t convert in some electronic applications. • Proofread your application before submitting it. If possible, run a spellcheck and a grammar check. More and more employers run background checks on potential employees, and use the web as part of that process. What will employers see about you? Take the time to review your online profiles, photos, videos, and comments with potential employers in mind. Are you comfortable? If not, take them down. You also need to run a search on yourself to see what others have posted about you. After all, who hasn’t been tagged in an embarrassing photo? Although you probably never intended for your photos and such to be viewed by potential employers, the fact is, it’s fair game if it’s “out there.” Take the time now to clean up your cyber presence. 30/www.jobchoicesonline.com Job Choices: Diversity Edition 2012
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