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Career & Education
Empowering Us...Begins With Us
MILITARY SPOUSE OWNED & OPERATED
Prepare For Employment
by: Brandy Woodley
Many people complain about not getting the jobs for which they applied. However, how many of them actually took time to prepare . . . become job ready for the position? With anything that you want done right and to be professional, it is imperative to prepare. Start with your resume.
The Resume
There are definitely good and bad resumes. It is very important to describe your responsibilities for each position held. Give detail as to what was included in your responsibilities and what accomplishments were achieved. For example, “Tracked invoices with a spreadsheet template where an overpayment was identified and saved the company money.”
Also, make sure your resume is Internet-friendly and ready. Many companies use software via the Internet for resume submission. Too many italics, irregular fonts, and bad formatting can lead to an improper resume submission. Keep it simple yet professional. Commence with a career profile, objective or summary statement describing your employment goals and some of your key skills and abilities, because that may be the first or only piece the primary recruiter reviews.
Dress for Success
Once you have an interview scheduled, open up that closet to select an appropriate outfit to wear. Remember, you always want to dress for success and for the position in which you are applying. If you will be in a corporate environment, a suit, dress slacks, blouse, and tie are befitting. Colors also make a difference. If you are an artists or going into a marketing and advertising company, wearing bright colors may be just fine. However, you would do best to wear something in the black, blue, or brown color families for a law or accounting firm. If that is too dull for you, you can always accessorize with a splash of color.
The Interview
Your resume has caught the attention of a hiring company, you have your suit picked out, and it’s time for an interview. Know who is interviewing you. In today’s technology age, information is easily accessible. Go online to the Internet, go to your local library, or even stop by the company to get brochures or information packets. How long has the company been around? What are its products, services, and joint ventures with other companies? Depending on the position, know what the company does in your potential area, if possible. Research the company to let the interviewer know that you are serious about becoming an employee there.
Another preparation action item is to know what you are interviewing for. Have a copy of the job posting with you when you go to the interview. This will not only be a reference tool for you, but you can use it to ask questions from if the interviewer inquires. Also, know your resume. Take an extra copy with you, for reference and especially if you get nervous in such settings. Be able to correlate how your current skills will be applicable to the job you are applying for.
Arrive early to complete any paperwork, use the restroom, get a drink of water, and relax any built up nerves. During the interview, your sitting position, placement of hands, and other nonverbal actions speak to the interviewer as well. Sit up, smile, make eye contact, and present yourself in a positive manner. If you are a nervous interviewee, bring along a folder or portfolio and pen to hold on to and take notes.
Finally, it may sound silly or weird but it can be beneficial to practice, with someone or alone. Think about the best way to answer potential questions and write it down. You can slide that “cheat sheet” in that folder to assist you as well. Good luck.
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