So, you have a job interview?
Good for you and best of luck to you, I mean it. But, if you want to leave with a job offer–from Costco to Merrill-Lynch–you’re going to need more than luck to make a good impression.
Sure, some of us are born lucky. We’re charismatic. Throw great parties. Make great first impressions. Write decent research papers hours before they’re due. Or you could be the work-horse. Graduated Magna Cum Laude. Perfect attendance. Completed multiple internships all while working three jobs and presiding over your sorority/fraternity and countless other student organizations. But…
How’s Your Résumé?
In order to impress potential employers you’re going to have to embody both the lucky one and the work-horse. Employers want to believe that you’re going to do good work for them, but they also want to make sure you aren’t a stuff-shirt.
Résumés that list your every accomplishment since Middle School are not only an incredible waste of paper, but are also quite obnoxious. Unless you’re interviewing to get into Juilliard or the symphony, no one cares that you were in high school band.
While you’re at it, nix that Objective statement and save that iteration for your Cover Letter.
Good résumés say hire me, I have experience in (add skill here) that is relevant to your company and this position. Gone are the days of printing mass quantities of your accomplishments and calling it a résumé. Employers want to see that you know a little about them so they know you’re invested.
And for goodness sake stand out. I don’t mean that your résumé should be totally avant-garde, but play with the font and colors a little and print it on nice paper. The key is effort and preparedness. Don’t forget to bring extra copies. Remember the Six Ps?
Prior
Planning
Prevents
P—
Poor
Performance
When in doubt, remember the Six Ps.
Craft a Creative Cover Letter
Your cover letter should give your employer an idea of who you are as a person and why he or she should even interview you. Like the previews before the movie.
Make it short, sweet, and professional.
That cover letter is kind of lame. Don’t be afraid to add your own creative flair so that your personality comes shining through.
Be sure to address the person who will be interviewing you in the cover letter and thank them for their consideration. Let them know that you look forward to meeting them and their staff. After all, it’s probably not a two-man operation.
The Key
The absolute keys to a good interview are: Preparedness and Effort. If you do your research–take notes, prepare questions–and put a genuine effort into preparing for your interview, you’ll feel less nervous and your interviewer will definitely take notice.
Hopefully you learned a little about résumés and cover letters, so, until next time. Thanks for reading!
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