Resume Writing
Do:
- Display your proper name, and contact information clearly at the top of the front page
- Ensure that security clearance information and language skills are clearly displayed
- Include a simple summary of your key skills in a bulleted list
- Organize employment history and education in reverse chronological order (most recent experience first)
- Include dates of employment (months and years), position title, Company name, duties and accomplishments for every relevant position.
- Include a list of software that you are experienced with.
- Ensure that content is up to date, accurate and honest.
- Use spacing, font formatting and bullets to make the information easy to read and understand
- Ensure the same formatting style continues throughout the document
- Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!
Don't:
- Include personal information such as date of birth, marital status, health, age, children or religion
- Provide irrelevant information such as travel history, previous salaries, reasons for leaving jobs, irrelevant awards, associations and memberships
- Make your resume a biography of everything you have ever done
- Use introductory phrases like "My duties included" or "I was responsible for"
- Use unusual font types, underlines, italics, shading, graphics, tables and adjusted spacing as it prevents it from being easily accessed by different computer programs.
- Lie or exaggerate experiences or education
- Exclude important information to keep your resume within two pages.
- Include photos
Interview Dos and Don'ts
Do:
- Plan ahead and arrive early - Tardiness is never acceptable and sends a message to the interviewer that you are disinterested or unable to organize yourself
- Dress professionally - Whatever you wear should be clean, ironed, modest and well fitting. Shoes should be clean and polished.
- Listen carefully to the questions and provide answers that are brief but complete.
- Emphasize your strengths - If you don't have experience in an area, talk about your skills in related areas that could be translated to their tasks.
- Know the position you are interviewing for - Apply your background and skills to the position
- Establish rapport with the interviewer - People hire those that they feel most comfortable with.
- Prepare and bring an interview folder - Include a copy of your CV, relevant certificates, a list of references, and a copy of your security clearance if available.
Don't:
- Arrive more than 15 minutes early for the interview - The interviewer may not have an appropriate place for you to wait, and will feel pressured to alter their schedule to see you right away.
- Give Yes or No answers - They don't reveal anything and you lose the opportunity to sell yourself.
- Talk too fast or too much - Speak clearly and avoid the temptation to fill pauses with nervous chatter.
Tough Interview Questions
- Tell us about yourself - This is a chance to break the ice and show them you're normal. Leave out the life history.
- Why are you leaving your present position? or Why did you leave your last position? - Always explain your reasons in a positive way, and never speak badly of your previous/present employer.
- What are your strengths/weaknesses? - Confidently state 2-3 strengths that apply to the position and one "positive" weakness such as being a perfectionist, or expecting too much from yourself.
- How would your colleagues describe you? - Don't be arrogant, but don't put yourself down. Try to use real, positive examples.
- What would your references say? - It is a good idea to ask past employers to give you a letter of recommendation. With a letter, you know what is being said, and you reduce the likelihood that the company will have to check your references.
- How do you cope in a crisis / deal with stress? - Have a few examples of past triumphs handy.
