Job Hunting: From Resume to Meeting

Job hunting can be overwhelming – it’s a stressful time, and you want to put your best self forward in order to find that perfect match. Here, Team Cronos shares some tips to help your job search go smoothly, from first impression to the meeting table and beyond.

1. Perfect Your Resume

Your resume is the first indication of you that a prospective employer sees, and you want it to shine. Make sure that it is free from spelling and grammatical errors – have a friend read it over and look for mistakes that you may have missed. Ensure that it is laid out clearly and logically, and details all relevant information. It is a good idea to tailor every resume you send out to the position you are applying for – highlight the skills and experience you have that best meets the requirements of a given job, and remember to include specific examples, such as projects led and workshops taken.

2. Conduct Yourself with Professionalism

It is critically important that you behave with the utmost professionalism while interacting with a prospective employer, whether on the phone, by email or in person. The following is a list of guidelines that should be followed for proper interview etiquette:

•  Always speak with courtesy and respect. Do not interrupt or speak over your interviewer.
• Arrive on time – 10 minutes early is ideal.
• Make your strengths known, but avoid making arrogant comments. No one wants to hire someone with a superiority complex or someone who thinks they are above the job.
• Dress appropriately – the level of formality varies from job to job, but it is better to err on the side of overdressed than appear too casual. Again, this is about showing respect.
• Be aware of your body language – sit up straight, and do not slouch or cross your arms. Use a firm handshake, make eye contact and remember to smile. You want to present yourself as confident but not cocky, as well as pleasant and PROFESSIONAL.

3. Give Strong Answers to Interview Questions

It is important that you be well informed about both the company and the position you have applied for – this knowledge will help you throughout the interview process, and shows interest. It can be helpful to read over the job description before the interview and think about how your specific skills and experience could contribute to the role – use this information when answering questions. If you are asked a question that you do not know the answer to, it is ok to say that you don’t know – this is always better than pretending or making a guess.

Good luck – and remember to forward your resume to Team Cronos!