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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is a résumé?
- A résumé is an advertisement for
you.
- It is a marketing tool that
is your first step to an interview.
- It should be a true picture of
your skills, abilities, and achievements.
- Your résumé should be presented to entice
the reader/employer to want to meet you.
- Considering that you have only 20-30
seconds to make an impression,
it is important that your résumé is:
| - Focused |
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| - Targeted |
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| - Clearly Stated |
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| - Eye-appealing |
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- Be prepared to develop more than
one résumé if you have more than
one target.
- Your résumé needs to show your
uniqueness - what makes you
special.
- Correct grammar, punctuation, and
spelling are essential.
- Proofread your résumé
carefully, set it aside,
and proofread it again.
- Have a friend proofread it
for you.
- Use quality layout, paper, and
print.
- It often takes 10 hours
to prepare one résumé.
- Résumé writing requires writing,
rewriting, and rewriting - to be clear,
concise, and effective.
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2. How are résumés used?
- Résumés are used in several ways to:
| - Help you focus and identify
your target market |
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| - Assist employers in selecting
candidates for interviews |
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| - Guide the interview
process |
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| - Remind the employer
of you after the interview |
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| - Compare you
with other candidates |
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| - Justify your
selection to other
members of the organization |
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3. Is it better to use a chronological
or a functional résumé?
- A chronological résumé focuses on titles,
responsibilities, and dates.
This style is no longer the style of
choice in most cases.
- A functional résumé
focuses on skills and achievements.
- Skills and achievement
oriented are more targeted and
effective.
- It is important to show the
employer what you can do for him or her -
a skills and achievement résumé can do
this.
- Functional résumés are
especially effective for new
graduates, career changers, and
anyone with gaps in their work
history.
- Chronological résumés
are effective for people who have a
good work history and have progressed
to positions of greater responsibility.
These résumés can be made into skills and
achievement résumés.
- Functional and chronological résumés can
be made into skills and achievement
oriented that are targeted - combination résumés that are effective.
- Send a résumé that shows
the employer what you can contribute
to increase productivity, decrease costs,
eliminate waste, and increase profits for
his/her organization.
4. How should I write my résumé if I want to
explore several careers?
- Unless they are very similar, consider preparing
several different versions.
- The most effective résumés are
targeted according to
the objective.
- You can combine a résumé
for sales, marketing, and customer
service but you may want to adapt
it according to the specific job targeted.
5. What should my résumé include?
| Remember, your résumé is not
a biography. It is meant
to entice an employer to want to
meet you. |
| Your résumé may include some
or all of the following depending
on your background and career goals: |
| |
Heading |
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Contact Information |
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Profile /Summary/Highlights |
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Skills/Expertise |
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Experience |
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Computer Skills |
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Language Skills |
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Employment History |
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Education |
| |
Workshops and
Seminars |
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Professional
Affiliations |
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Community Involvement |
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- An attractive eye-catching
heading with your:
| - Name |
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| - Address |
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| - City, State, Zip |
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| - Telephone Number |
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| - Cell Phone |
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| - E-Mail Address |
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- An Profile that is brief,
clear, and unambiguous.
It should be:
| - Phrased in language
appropriate for the industry |
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| - Focused on the end
goal |
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| - Presented from the
employers view |
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| - A realistic next
step |
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| - Never say a
challenging position .....(employers
hate this) |
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| - Skills and achievement oriented |
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- Organization, coherence, and
consistency:
| - Use a consistent
format |
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| - At the top use a highlights
or summary |
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| - Include a skills
or expertise
section using keywords |
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| - The one-liners should
provide specific examples
of your highlights |
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| - Job titles, work
places, and dates
should be easy to find and
correct |
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| - Action verbs should
be at, or near, the beginning of
each line |
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| - Use bullets
to make your statements stand out |
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- The information on your résumé should be relevant to the
stated job objective:
| - Select skills that
reflect an understanding of the
desired job |
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| - Limit content to clearly
relevant information |
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- Graphic appeal and
readable fonts are important:
| - Use enough white
space to make it
visually attractive |
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| - Keep statements brief
and easy to read |
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| - Select a serif font
that is 12
points and easy to read |
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| - Use 2 pages rather
than using small print |
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- Fonts that are easiest to
read include:
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* Book Antiqua |
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* Times New Roman |
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* Century Schoolbook |
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* Classic Garamond |
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* Bookman |
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- Personal appeal to the employer:
| - Offer clues about your work
values |
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| - Use language that makes your work
sound interesting and alive |
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| - Quantify your successes
by using numbers and percentages |
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| - Make the employer want to
meet you |
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- Appeal to you:
| - Present the skills that you
enjoy using |
|
| - Refrain from presenting skills that
you dislike using and do not want to use |
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| - Describe accomplishments that make
you feel proud |
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| - Develop a tool that will increase
your confidence |
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| - Provide a true picture of
who you are and what you
can contribute |
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6. What should I never include in my résumé?
- Age
- Marital status
- Health
- Number of children and their ages
- Religion
- Hobbies, sports, and interests - unless related
to the job
- A picture - unless you are a model or actor
- Detailed descriptions of non-relevant, earlier
jobs
- The word "responsibilities"
- An objective that says, "A challenging
position . . ."
7. How many years should my résumé cover?
- Remember, a résumé is not a biography!
- Do not go beyond 10-15 years unless
you did something absolutely wonderful prior to
that time.
- If you include something more than 15 years in
the past, do not use a date.
- Employers rarely are interested in more
than 15 years of your work history.
- You do not want to age
yourself on paper by saying "Over
30 years . . . .
- If you age yourself, you may not get the
interview.
8. Should I show months and years in my employment
history.
- It is best to just show years -
1995 to Present.
- It really isn't necessary to show months and it
can get very cluttered looking.
9. How many pages can I use for my résumé?
- The length of your résumé should not be
limited to 1 page.
- It should illustrate your strengths,
skills, and achievements.
- For most careers, it should be no more
than 2 pages so you must be concise
and well-organized.
- Executives may have résumés that
are longer than 2 pages.
- Addenda may be added to a résumé.
- I have never known an employer to object to a 2
page résumé even for new graduates although
career centers at colleges often stress the
importance of only 1 page.
10. If my résumé is more than 1 page, should I
staple the pages together.
- Never staple the pages together.
- Often employers will put the pages on a
desk side by side and read both pages.
- Many employers are annoyed by having to remove
the staples.
- Make sure that your name is on every page
of your résumé and addenda.
11. What kind of envelope should I
use?
- Use a 9x12 white envelope.
- Never bend or fold a résumé for
several reasons:
| - After spending 10 hours on a résumé I see it as art |
| - Laser print may flake off
at the folds |
| - It looks more impressive when
it is received |
| - If placed in a drawer, the folded résumés will fold into themselves and
your résumé will stand up straight and
will be one of the first selected |
| - It will be easier for the
employer to read |
12. If I e-mail my résumé as an attachment or fax my résumé, do I need to mail it?
- It is ideal to e-mail or fax your résumé as soon as
possible, and then mail a hard copy because
the hard copy looks so much better.
13. Why is white space so important
in a good résumé?
- Readability is extremely important when you
consider that your résumé is being given 20-30
seconds by a person who may be reading
one résumé after another all day. White
space enhances readability.
14. Is it really important to have great layout,
design, fonts, and paper?
- You are competing with many others and
the look of your résumé is a very important
first impression.
- The combination of great content and
great design can secure the
interview that you desire.
15. What kind of paper should I use?
- At least 24 lb. quality paper.
- Linen or Laid.
- Conservative colors - with scanning, white
is the best.
- Other colors to consider are light gray
and light blue.
- The most popular color is
Ivory - I prefer not to use it.
16. What do you think entices
employers to interview your clients?
- Producing a well-written résumé
and cover letter on quality
paper.
- Quantifying accomplishments using
numbers and percentages.
- Never making it read like a job description.
- Illustrating an individuals uniqueness
- avoiding generic job descriptions.
- Using readable, business-like
fonts and headings.
- Following-up.
17. I am thinking of "letting executive
recruiters" find me a job.
- Recruiters find employees for employers.
- If you meet the requirements and
are one of the best possible candidates for
a position, you may be selected to go through the
interview process.
- If you are not one of the best possible
candidates, you will not be contacted.
18. How should I conduct my job search?
- Network with professionals in
your field, friends, and acquaintances.
- Check with professional organizations and
trade magazines.
- Look through the yellow pages and
contact companies with whom you would like to
work.
- Use the Internet (see links):
| - Company web sites |
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| - Career web sites |
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- Respond to local classified
advertisements.
- Contact executive recruiters.
- Consult with College Placement Services.
- Remember the hidden job market -
a large percentage of jobs are unadvertised - use the phone.
19. What is the best way to prepare for
interviewing?
- Know your résumé well and be
able to expound on every line.
- If you cannot remember enough to discuss it, don't
put it on the résumé.
- Do your pre-interviewing research about
the company.
- Be prepared to ask questions.
- There are some good interviewing books like Sweaty
Palms and Knock
'Em Dead Interviews (see job-finding
books) that give you good tips and questions that
might be asked.
- Take a deep breath before you go
into the office to be interviewed.
- Give a firm handshake before and
after the interview (this is very important).
- Use good eye contact.
- Smile appropriately.
- Dress professionally.
- Don't wear cologne or after shave lotion.
20. In what format should I send my résumé through the Internet
to employers and recruiters?
I recently conducted an informal survey and found that employers and
recruiters have different opinions so I recommend sending each résumé three
ways, as:
- An ASCII file in the body of an e-mail.
- A Microsoft Word.doc file as an attachment.
- A PDF file as an attachment.
21. What is a scannable résumé?
- Many large and mid-sized companies,
executive recruiting firms,
and service bureaus scan résumés into computer databases.
- Once the résumé is scanned it is searched by a computerized
applicant tracking system. The computer
searches for certain key words on
résumés to find qualified candidates.
- Companies that have invested in expensive
scanning equipment will continue to use them as
long as they continue to receive hard copies of résumés. For this reason, it is
important to make your résumé scannable.
- Scannable résumés must have clearly
stated objectives.
- You have a 50-50 chance of having your cover
letter scanned with your résumé.
- Make sure your sentences contain keywords
- nouns or short phrases
that describe your knowledge, skills,
and accomplishments that are important in the
position for which you are applying.
- Keywords are the experience
and skills that come from the
specific terminology used in your job. Some
keywords are referred to as buzzwords.
- It is better to spell out abbreviations if
there could be any confusion.
- You can determine keywords by looking at:
| - Job descriptions from
previous positions that you have held |
|
| - The Dictionary of Occupational
Titles |
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| - The Occupational Outlook
Handbook |
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| - Job postings or classified
advertisements |
|
| - Local government job service
agencies |
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| - Professional and technical
organizations |
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| - Recruiters job descriptions |
|
| - Associates who work in the same
field |
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- Make a list of keywords and then
write synonyms for them - this
will broaden your chance of being selected.
- Incorporate these words into the
sentences of your résumé.
- Do not limit yourself to one page.
The computer does not count pages but it
recognizes when keywords are missing.
- You only need to use a word one time for
it to be considered a "hit".
- Site specific examples in the
body of your résumé to demonstrate your
successful use of the knowledge, skills, and
accomplishments used as keywords.
- Always be honest - do not
overstate or embellish the truth. Do not
use keywords if they are buzzwords
that do not apply to you.
22. Can you give me some examples of keywords for a public
accountant?
- Certified Public Accountant
- Business Consulting
- Financial Analysis/Reporting
- Financial Management/Budgeting
- Tax Consulting/Auditing
- Fraud Auditing
- Problem-Solving/Cost Reduction
- Staff Development/Training
- IS Development
- Communication
23. What kind of heading could I use
for my keywords?
- Core Competencies
- Expertise
- Skills
- Qualifications
24. Where should I place the keywords on my résumé?
- Right below the Profile / Highlights / Summary.
25. What is an e-mailable résumé?
- An e-mailable résumé can be sent via the
Internet using an e-mail program.
- E-mailable résumés can be pasted directly
into the e-mail message from an ASCII file that
you produce on Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, and
almost any word processor or desktop
publishing program.
- E-mailable résumés can be sent as
attachments in Microsoft Word.
- Many employers prefer the pasted ASCII
files - they do not want to have to open
attachments because it is more
time consuming and they run the risk
of introducing computer viruses into
their system.
- An e-mailable résumé can be more than one page
but the most important information should
be in the first 15 lines which is one
screenful of space.
- Instead of bullets you can use *,-, or
>.
- E-mailable résumés should contain
keywords.
- Many e-mail readers are set to 60
character line lengths - the ASCII file
should be the same.
- If you send your résumé as an attachment,
you should also copy the ASCII file into the body of
the e-mail to increase the chances of it being read.
26. What are the advantages and disadvantages
of e-mailable résumés?
- Advantages - Your résumé and
cover letter:
| - Can be sent in seconds instead
of days |
|
| - Costs nothing to
send via the Internet |
|
| - Can be posted to companies,
job banks, newsgroups, online services |
|
| - Emphasizes your
understanding of Internet technology |
|
| - Will always be accessible
to the hiring manager |
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- Disadvantages - Your résumé and
cover letter:
| - Can be produced in only plain
text |
|
| - Cannot have bullets, bold
lines, eye-appealing layouts |
|
| - Will have no special tabs, margins,
bold, italic, and other formatting codes |
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| - Will be visually boring |
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27. Can I send a résumé without a cover letter?
- Never send a résumé without a cover
letter!
- In most instances, it will be discarded
without being read.
28. Is it all right to send out generic cover
letters?
- Never!
- In order for cover letters to work, they must be specific
for each job opportunity.
29. What should I indicate for my salary
history or salary requirement?
- Only respond when asked in a cover letter
or interview.
- Give a $10,000 range (My salary
requirement is in the range of $65,000 to $75,000.)
- Give a minimum (My minimum
salary requirement is $65,000.)
- Don't give a number (My salary
requirement is open, based on the
responsibilities of the position and the total
compensation package offered.)
- Ignore the request in a
classified advertisement. In some cases,
employers will not interview you if you ignore a
question related to your salary requirement.
30. When should I discuss salary and
benefits at an interview?
- Only after you have been offered the job.
- It is recommended that you allow the
employer to mention the first amount -
then negotiate.
31. How should I prepare and use my references?
- You should take extra copies of
your résumé (6) and references
to your interviews.
- In some instances, you may want to send
the references with your résumé.
- At the end of the interview, if
you are really interested in the job, you may offer
your references to the interviewer.
- You should list 4-6 people who know your
work and include their:
| - Name |
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| - Title |
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| - Organization |
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| - Address |
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| - City, State, Zip |
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| - Office Phone |
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| - Home Phone |
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| - E-mail Address |
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- The home phone is included, when possible,
because many employers check references in
the evening.
- Employers do check references.
- You may also provide potential employers with
letters of reference.
- It is a good idea to provide the people
that you use as references with a copy
of your résumé.
32. Do I need to have an answering machine?
- An answering machine with a professional
sounding message is essential.
- Employers will not call back to
arrange interviews but they will leave a
message.
33. Are thank you notes really important?
- Thank you notes are more important
in the job-finding process than most people
realize.
- Many of my clients have called me after starting
a new job to tell me that their employer was very
impressed with their thank you note, and that
it was a major factor in securing the
position.
- Thank you notes or letters should be sent within
24 hours after an interview and should
emphasize what you can contribute to
the organization.
- Send a thank you note to your new
employer after being offered the job.
34. Is it really important to get a job offer
in writing?
- It is absolutely essential to
have a written contract.
- Written contracts protect both you
and the employer.
- Make sure that you get it in writing!!!
35. How should I inform my current employer that
I am leaving?
- In person (if possible) and in
writing.
- Write a letter of resignation thanking
the employer for the opportunities that
you were given to:
| - Contribute to the growth and
success of the company (be specific) |
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| - Learn and grow |
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| - Be a part of an effective, cohesive
team |
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- Be honest but do not be
critical.
- Don't burn any bridges.
- Give 2 weeks notice or whatever
you agreed upon.
- Some employers will not want you to remain for
the 2 week period.
- Don't take it personally. Just move on.
For answers to your job finding questions contact aresume@roadrunner.com
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