That Stand-Out Resume

What makes a resume stand out to a potential employer?
That's a great question because it could be different for everyone.

First; easy to read format. 

• List your jobs with dates (or at least months; May 2012 - February 2015)
• Under each job list your responsibilities for that position
• Include any special skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Contractor/Machine skills)
• End with education. (note to older crowd- you don't need the year a simple; Business BA, Computer BS is fine)

Cover letter? Think outside the box. 

When writing your brief cover letter think about why you're a good fit for the job. Is there a personal connection to this type of work? Did your family own a construction company so you know the business from the inside out? Have you been working construction since 1998? What will make your letter stand out among the 100's of others? 

Is a follow up okay?

Usually, giving a call to follow up after you send a resume isn't a bad idea. It shows you're interested. Just don't sound desperate and don't give ultimatums. 

Keep it simple, ask if they received your resume and if they have any further questions you can answer. End with a simple, "I'd love to come in and talk with you about the position."

Go forth and conquer! The perfect job is out there...and you will find it if you don't give up. 

Tricks and Tips to Ace the Interview

Every interview is different because the people that are interviewing you have their own unique personalities and goals. Knowing how to "read" people will help you show the interviewer what they need to hire you.

1. Do your research. Researching the company will go a long way in impressing those who interview you. Know what they do, how long they've been in business, and if there's anything that make them unique in the business. 
2. If there are biographies of the staff are on the company website, take a few minutes and read them. There might be something you have in common with one of them that could help during the interview. It will also help you know who you're talking to at the meeting. The owner of a company I once worked for would often sit quietly in the corner during an interview. Most applying for the job had no idea who he was or why he was there.  
3. Be a mirror. Research shows a way to build report is to mirror the other person's body language. If they have their hands folded on the table and are sitting forward in the chair, you do the same. If they lean back and are relaxed, notice and take that relaxed pose yourself. Read more about mirroring here. 
4. If they're telling you something, don't interrupt. Don't think you know what they're going to ask (even if you do,) and cut them off to give your answer. Nothing is more annoying than someone who interrupts you.  
5. Be a good listener. When the interviewer asks a question don't be afraid to think for a moment and give a concise and complete answer. 

It might see like a lot to remember when going in for an interview, but there are just a few things that will help you to come out ahead of the competition. 

Good luck out there! 

Fix Your Resume

Your resume is usually the first impression a potential employer will get of you.
It's an important the resume is properly formatted and free from spelling errors. Leave the fancy fonts for birthday cards and make it Times New Roman and 12 pt font. Basic, simple and to the point. You want them impressed with your content and not distracted by bold, crazy fonts.

So lets go! Build that resume;

Center on top your name address, phone and email. 

John Smith

00 Somewhere St

City, State Zip code

999-555-0000

email@email.com

Right under that you can put a short statement but this is optional. I usually leave it off. 
Under that should be your experience. 

Experience

Place of Employment                                                        City, State
Position                                                                             May 2013 - June 2015

Write a couple of sentences about what you did here.
"Coordinated day to day work flow of the office with special emphasis on processing sales and maintaining database."
Then bullet your skills. 

• Maintained sales database
• Processed incoming contracts
• Payroll

Do this for your last few jobs. After your experience comes education

Education

BS in Business from Some College 

Do any community service? Volunteer work? Put that next.

Community Service

5K for Cancer

Ran food drive for animal rescue

Boy Scout leader

School volunteer

After that list any special credits you have. Win an award for anything? Do any online writing, publishing, 

                                   ******************

Now the important part. SPELL CHECK! Read it over a few times. Read it out loud to be sure all your sentences make sense. Ask a friend or spouse to read it for you. Double check your email address and phone number. You want them to reach you so make sure that stuff is correct. 

Now that your resume is polished --->Go forth and conquer!   

Drop By for a Job Application

Dropping by a business to ask for a job application can be a good idea, but go dressed for success.

You never know who you'll meet when you walk through the door. Receptionist, manager, or janitor, everyone you meet matters. If the receptionist hands over your resume to the boss you don't want her to say, "He dressed in shorts and a tank top." If you wouldn't wear it to work, don't wear it to drop off your resume or fill out an application.

Go in dressed in clean, professional clothes. Even for a construction job, clean khaki's and a button down shirt go a long way in showing you want the job.

Make sure your resume is up-to-date, spell checked, and neat. Don't hand over a wrinkled, coffee stained piece of paper.

No resume? Ask to fill out an application.
Make sure you have information with you. Someone who will take the time to sit down and fill out the application will go further than the one who says, "Can I take it home?"  Applications will ask for your previous work history and references so make sure you can write them down. If you need to keep a list in your pocket or on your phone, do it. Be prepared. Fill it out neatly and make sure you know how to spell the names of the companies you've worked for and their information.

Be nice to everyone you meet at that place of business. You never know who has the bosses ear.

The Second Interview - How to ACE it!

You scored that illusive second interview. Great job! The company saw something in you and you are under serious consideration for the job. They liked you!

Now, it's time to wow them. Don't go in thinking you've aced it and are definitely in. I've seen more people blow this final step to the job than get it.  The questions might be tougher and some questions might be the same as last interview.

If they asked you to tell of an incident where your strength of customer service, organization, or handling difficult people showed through, don't use the same story you used in interview one. Make sure you have another event ready to tell.
I know sometimes it's hard to think on your feet when facing two or more professionals staring at you from across the desk. Prepare before you get there.

What are your strengths?
The second interview usually puts you in with bosses at a higher level. If they ask about your strengths it's time to list them. Not a time to brag, but state the facts. Are you good at computers? Organization? Selling? Tell them that and give some details. Why are you good at computers? Know Excel, Outlook, Publisher? What kind of databases have you worked in? Organizational skills? Do you put everything on a spread sheet? Believe in keeping accurate files so anyone can find things easily? How long have you been selling and what are your sales numbers?

That second interview can get you the job. Just make sure you go in prepared. Dress to impress, think over what you're going to say, and sell yourself!
Good luck out there!

What NOT to Bring to Your Interview

Please don't bring your mama, girlfriend, bestie, coworker, or any other human. It makes you look, well...stupid? Needy? Scared? Do you really need someone to hold your hand? Are you that immature?

Put on your best, most professional clothes, comb your hair, brush your teeth, and grab that folder with your resume and references.

Everything could look great, but if you walk in with a friend it shows the employer two things.

• You're not mature enough to do things by yourself
• You're not serious about getting a job. 

Bringing a friend to your job interview or when you walk in to ask for an application with a buddy, makes you look like you're socializing and applying for the job as an after thought. "Let's get pizza. Hey, why don't we fill out an application and get pizza." 

A job hunt is a job hunt. Make it your priority and leave the extra human at home. They contribute nothing and may distract the bosses from anything you have to offer. 

Good luck! 

Get the Job ~ Thinking Outside the Box

No matter how long you've been on the job search, sometimes it can feel like you've tried everything with no luck. Checking all the job sites, (Indeed, Monster, Simply Hired, etc.) scanning newspapers, company websites, sending those resumes, and still no job.

Maybe it's time to think outside that box. Try something different. 

Print out several copies of that resume. You did polish it, right? Place them in a file so they stay nice and neat. Pulling a crumbled piece of paper from your pocket impresses no one.

Go online and make a list of all the companies in  your area where you'd like to work. Get directions if you need them.

Dress professionally. No jeans, sneakers, or t-shirts. Wear a suit, dress pants and shirt, tie. Dress to impress.

Get in the car and walk that resume into every business where you'd like to work.
        "Hi, I don't know if you're hiring right now, but I'd like to drop off my resume in case something opens up." 

If they are hiring, ask if there's someone you can talk to. Some businesses will give you an interview on the spot so be prepared.

Do not go on Mondays. 
Monday at most businesses is the busiest day of the week. The chance that you'll snag an on-the-spot interview is low. Also, forget about Fridays. On a Friday people are looking forward to the weekend and that all important person you'll need to meet, might be ducking out early.

Good luck and Go get 'em!