Interview Preparation and Resume Building Light Industrial Clerical Administrative Medical Professional
Getting you ready to move in the right direction. Putting your best foot forward with confidence is just the first step in landing that new job. In this informational brochure we hope to give you both resume best practices and interview tips that will help you get that much sought after interview. There are many books available on this subject and additional information available on the web. What we are offering is our opinion based on the thousands of resumes we see and read each week. Let Sedona Staffing connect you with the areas leading employers and job opportunities. Whether you are looking for a permanent or temporary position, full-time or part-time hours, whether you are highly skilled or this is your first job, you can trust our qualified recruiters to point you in the right direction. Your success is our success and our service is free to applicants. In preparation, we will interview you to determine your skills and career goals. We may ask you to complete some computer testing to verify your skill levels. Computer training is available at no cost to you and may be recommended to Sedona Associates to help broaden your opportu nities. Because we know the local companies and employers, our recruiters can help direct you toward the opportunities where you are most likely to achieve success. We can also provide feedback and information on local employers and interview techniques. Being qualified for a job is just the start. When you are interviewed, employers are looking not only at your qualifications but at additional qualities you will bring to their business. Reflect on your life, pastimes and experience for examples of when you have demonstrated any of the qualities listed below. Use them in your interview and you ll stand out from the crowd. Honesty Self confidence Reliability Commitment Communication Skills Teamwork Skills Motivation/Initiative Willingness to learn Flexibility Enthusiasm/Energy
RESUME The resume is often your first opportunity to create a positive impression with a prospective employer. How it is written and presented gives them an insight to the type of employee you may be. Make sure your resume is clear, concise, accurate and easy to read. PREPARATION Categories that must be included in a resume: Name Address Phone Number Education and Experience Categories that may be included in a resume: Objective Qualifications Licenses / Certifications Accomplishments / Achievements Transferable Skills Strengths Affiliations / Memberships Languages Activities / Hobbies TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR RESUME Keep it short and simple - one to two pages maximum. Print on one side only. Choose font size 10 or 12 and a style that is plain and easy to read. Be specific, give examples and highlight your accomplishments. Use action verbs like: deliver, achieved, demonstrated, planned, managed, organized, assisted, etc. Start with your most recent work experience. Bullet the beginning of each entry to separate items and guide the reader s eye through the sequence. Keep sentences short and eliminate excessive punctuation. Make your layout pleasing. Use double line spacing between sections and single line spacing within sections. Try to keep lines short. Maintain the same style and tense throughout. Make headings stand out with bold or CAPITALIZED letters. Use letter sized white, off-white or light colored bond paper. PROOF READ carefully and always have someone with strong written skills review the document for you. Update your resume on a regular basis. Include the past 3 jobs or last 5 years work experience including dates. RESUME / COVER LETTER Your cover letter is the introduction to you and your resume. Your opening statement should establish a connection between you and your reader, as well as the position you are interested in. The body of your cover letter should be one to two brief paragraphs summarizing your qualifications and how they relate to the job and the company. Close your cover letter with what you plan to do as a follow-up and indicate that you are looking forward to an interview. RESUME EXAMPLE Name in Bold Print Address, phone number, and email OBJECTIVE Obtain a full time position using my organizational, customer service and computer skills. SKILLS Customer Support, Inventory Control and Management, Payroll, Microsoft Office Suite. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Flat Rock Metal Processing - Eldridge. Iowa Customer Service Representative (12/02-05/05) Strong customer support Inventory management Schedule inbound and outbound freight Maintain sales volume of existing accounts Manage all aspects of customer contracts Assist in management of billing and invoicing Medical Arts Associates - Moline, Illinois Receptionist / Asst. Stall Supervisor (01/2000-12/02) Receive and follow-up all patient phone calls Scheduling patient appointments Patient file management (3,000+) Assist in hiring and processing of new receptionist staff Assist in scheduling for receptionist staff Perform general office and clerical responsibilities Volunteer work/community service Categories that should not be included in a resume: Picture of self or height, weight, age, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, sex, race, health, religion, church, political affiliations or social security number Reason for leaving previous job(s): This may be discussed during interview. Salary Information Date graduated from high school SUGGESTIONS ON THINGS TO AVOID Avoid listing your business phone number as a contact number. It is inappropriate to be job hunting on your current employer s time. Avoid gaps in employment dates where possible. If there is a gap in your work history, be prepared to account for it. Avoid abbreviations, slang and professional jargon. Apart from in your Objective, try to avoid using the first person I COMPUTER SKILLS IBM PC and Compatibles; Microsoft Windows 98; Microsoft Word 7.0; WordPerfect; Microsoft Excel; Lotus 123; Microsoft Outlook; Microsoft Internet Explorer; Lotus Notes EDUCATION Blackhawk College - Moline, Illinois Child Development Associate Alleman High School - Rock Island, Illinois Received High School Diploma
A GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE INTERVIEWING INTERVIEW CHECKLIST When you are called for an interview, make a note of the following information: Company name: Position you are interviewing for: Name and title of your interviewer: Name Position Where and when you should report: Where: When: Anything they specifically would like you to bring? Who is calling you, their name and contact number: Name: Contact: INTERVIEW PREPARATION To make the right impression you need to spend time preparing yourself. All the candidates they are interviewing are qualified for the job. Now they are looking for the right fit ; for the applicant who stands out as having the most to contribute. Research the company. Try to find out as much as you can about their mission, culture, products and structure. They may ask what you know about their business. It looks good if you have something to say. Know why you want to work for them. What is it about their business that you find exciting? Prepare your answer. Know what you have to offer the job and the business as a whole. Relate past work experience to the new job. You may be asked about personal strengths and weaknesses. Make sure your weaknesses can also be seen as strength. i.e. I sometimes get told I am a little impatient because I like to get things done. Prepare relevant documentation including: resume, school records, social security card, work records, licenses, names of professional and personal references (Get their approval before you submit details). If you have a portfolio of work, take that with you. Make sure you know where you are going. Write down directions and contact names and be sure to take them with you. Plan what you will wear (see section on Presenting Yourself). INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Here are some standard questions that you should prepare answers before any interview: 1. What do you know about our company? 2. Tell me about yourself. 3. Why do you want to work for our company? 4. What was your favorite/least favorite part of your last job? 5. Where do you see yourself in 3 years time? 6. What is your greatest strength/weakness? QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR INTERVIEWER The questions you ask show the interviewer how interested you are in the position and how well you might have listened to them. This is a chance to show any research you have done and stand out from the other applicants. Some ideas might be: 1. What do you consider the 3 most important day to day responsibilities for this job? 2. What does the department hope to achieve in the next 3 years? 3. What is the timetable for filling this position? INTERVIEW TIPS Allow plenty of time to get there. Arrive 15 minutes early so you can use the bathroom and catch your breath. Don t take anyone with you to the interview. Be yourself. When you walk in the room or are greeted, shake hands, smile and look your interviewer in the eye. Answer questions clearly. When asked about former employment ALWAYS be positive. Never criticize former colleagues or places of employment. It reflects badly on you. Talk about what you enjoyed and learned. If the employer doesn t offer you the job there and then, ask what the next steps are and when you might hear. If they ask you to contact them, be sure to take down the details of who to call, when and at what number. If the salary is not advertised, you can ask this question at the end of the interview. Don t try to negotiate until you have been successful at interview. Ask for the job. If you want it say so! Looking indifferent never won anyone a job. PRESENTING YOURSELF AT INTERVIEW How you present yourself at the interview is critical to your success. If you look the part you will feel more confident and make a winning impression. The more care you take over your appearance, the more your interviewer will feel you value the interview opportunity.dress and Grooming Tips for Men Depending on the position you are applying for, remember the following: A dark suit is more business-like. Team with light shirts and a conservative pattern tie for maximum impact. Make sure your shirt is well pressed and that the top of the tie comes to the top or center of the belt buckle. If you are wearing a sports jacket, make sure the pants coordinate and are dark. Black, navy or charcoal work best. Wear black or brown polished shoes with dark toning socks and matching belt. No loafers or tennis shoes. Keep rings and jewelry to a minimum. If you wear glasses make sure your frames are relatively up to date and the lenses are clear. Hair, beards and mustaches should be neatly trimmed. Fingernails should be neatly trimmed and clean. Avoid strong smelling fragrance and don t smoke. DRESS AND GROOMING TIPS FOR WOMEN Depending on the position you are applying for, remember the following: Dark colors are more professional and business-like. A suit is the most professional option. A jacket projects authority and is essential for management positions. A tailored dress in a plain color or conservative print is less formal but still professional. A tailored blouse and skirt is acceptable for non-managerial positions. Always wear sheer hose - nude or toning with outfit and shoes. A pump with a small heel will work best. Avoid slides and open toes. Jewelry should be subtle, not distracting. Make-up should be natural and not distracting. Nails should be manicured and clear or light polish applied. Hair should be neat. Strong fragrance is best avoided. Glasses should be a current style with clear lenses.
Let us help you find the right job. Call us today at any one of our convenient locations. 612 Valley View Drive Moline IL 61265 Phone: (309) 797-9785 108 S. Main Street Maquoketa IA 52060 Phone: (563) 652-5699 1609 2nd Avenue Muscatine IA 52761 Phone: (563) 263-5600 470 1st Avenue Coralville IA 52241 Phone: (319) 338-2086 www.sedonacompass.com www.sedonastaffingcorporate.com 2418 Virginia Avenue Suite E, Clinton IA 52732 Phone: (563) 243-6788