By: McKenzie Warne and Nigel Sorenson, Job Center Representatives
Are you looking to perfect your resume? Resumes are a great way to get your potential employer’s attention. They are a way to communicate your qualifications, experiences, and what makes you different. Your resume should stand out among all the other applicants. Hiring managers and recruiters look at resumes for an average of six to seven seconds, so you want to make a strong resume. Here are some ways you can stand out against the other candidates.
Keep your resume short and direct.
Make sure your resume has an original, but readable, template.
Highlight your skills and experiences.
Make a career snapshot.
Use emphasizing words.
Think deeper than just your basic job duties/title.
Use correct grammar and punctuation.
List your professional social media profiles.
Double check for errors.
Once you have your resume written and edited, tailor it to the employer you are sending it to. Modify your objective to fit with the position you are applying for. Own your resume. Your resume is your selling point. It is a place to show the hiring manager your worth and what you are capable of, so be confident with yourself. Your resume is the employer’s initial impression of you. Make a statement and make it stick.
First, set a specific goal for what you want your raise to be. Even if you don’t think you will get that amount, your plan will help you do better. Use the internet to find the average pay that people with your experience make in your line of work, as you can use that to find out how much you should ask for. You should plan to open negotiations for a 10% to 20% increase in wages with a settling point of a far more common 3% to excellent 5% increase in your wages. You should look for things that influence when the best time to ask for a raise, asking for a raise a month or two before your employer usually hands out raises in one good place to start. With the intent of negotiating your raise at that time you should look for a specific time to ask for the pay raise: when you’ve been noted doing something great is good, when you employer is going through a tough time with something is not.
While you wait you need to prepare to sell yourself as being worth the raise. Make a list of reasons you deserve a raise. If you find most people with your experience are making more than you in your current job add that to your list. Add the times when you left others with good impressions as well as the improvements and awards you’ve gained at work. Very importantly, add how your job responsibilities have changed and grown since you were hired. Its common for job responsibilities to both grow and change over time and this is a good reason why pay should grow with it.
Once you have a sufficient argument for your raise prepare it into a statement and rehearse it. You don’t need to remember it word for word though you should be COMFORTABLE relating the idea and facts of your pitch for your raise. Check your pitch for distracting language and remove language that unnecessarily expresses uncertainty of your point like “I think..” instead be both direct and certain “I am..”. You need to sound certain of your idea without being rude. Rehearse your pitch to a friend, family member or co-worker to get an outside viewpoint of your pitch.
As with many things in career advancement it helps to rehearse the questions or counter points you may receive and think up good answers to those questions. By being prepared for such likely questions you will enhance your chances of success.
Place your pitch on paper and give it to your employer at the end of the meeting. This will remind him why he should be receptive to your argument and enable him to better carry your point to others who might be needed to consider you receiving your raise.
If you don’t get the raise, you want then you’re no worse off than if you never tried! Find out why: Perhaps there are changes you can negotiate or alternatives to getting a wage like improved health benefits or an addition to your office that your employer can provide in place of a raise. Whatever your result finding out the reasons can give you things to capitalize or work on to further improve your chances in the future.
By: Silvia Rabanales and Molly Scherle, Job Center Representatives
Preparing for any interview can be a little stressful and confusing. Most companies have started doing phone and virtually interviews, but don’t worry we have a couple of tips on do’s and don’ts for phone/virtual calls.
Do’s
Be prepared with your resume at hand, this way you can look over details regarding your skills and job history.
For virtual calls make sure you have a clean, clutter free surrounding with natural lighting.
With virtual calls make sure you are wearing appropriate attire.
If you must call-in for the interview, make sure you are prepared with the name of the interviewer to get directed to the correct person.
Look over common interview questions, you can do so on by searching this on the internet. This will help you better prepare.
Look up information about employer to be well prepared.
Do make sure you have a good cell phone connection and make sure device needed is charged.
Don’t
Don’t be in a cluttered room with background noise.
Don’t be late on calls or virtual calls.
Don’t chew gum or candy.
Don’t sit in a public place that has a busy background.
By: Anna Garcia and Daniela Lopez, Job Center Representatives
Have a job interview but don’t know what to wear? Always go conservative. Every company has a different dress code. Industries have different expectations on how employees should dress. The appropriate dress code can vary depending on position, company and location. You should wear in a professionally way the position they are applying for. Avoid bright and flashy colors. First impression is key with a potential employer.
Tips
Make sure your attire is clean
Wear clothes that fit
Set up your attire the night before
Neat hairstyles and minimum accessories
Once you found your interview attire, give yourself time to prepare for the conversations you will have with the employer. Research the company, gather and prepare your experience to share with the employer about your previous employment. Remember first impressions are lasting impressions.
Research the company you are interviewing for and learn more about who they are and what they do. Most companies have a website full of useful information about their mission, vision, and business goals that the interviewer could ask in the interview.
Be Prepared
Learn the name of the person who will be interviewing you and know the location of the interview. If you have never been to this place before, map out your route a day or two beforehand and how long it will take you to arrive.
Be on Time.
Be at least 5-10 minutes early for every interview. This will show the interviewer you are reliable and responsible. If you arrive earlier, wait in your vehicle, and review your notes.
Dress Accordingly
Be well-groomed.
Men: Dress shirt with dress slacks. No t-shirts with printed logos, torn jeans, or tennis shoes.
Women: Nice blouse with slacks, skirt, or a modest dress with dress shoes
Avoid wearing leggings, torn jeans, and large, chunky jewelry.
Stay Focused
Be short and to the point. Stay focused on the questions being asked and do not ramble. Stay on-topic but do not go overboard on why you are the “be all, end all” for the position. Make eye contact with the interviewer and sit up straight in your seat. Try to avoid fidgeting and speak clearly. Leave your cell phone in the car or at home to eliminate distractions.
Do not Bad Mouth.
Do not talk badly about a previous employer. If you cannot say anything nice about someone, do not say anything at all.
Respect is Crucial
Treat everyone you meet with respect from the Janitor to the CEO. Offer a firm handshake and always thank the interviewer for his/her time. Write a thank-you note and send it to the interviewer as soon as possible.
If you are seeking assistance on job searching, writing a resume, or additional interviewing tips, stop by your local Job Center and one of our Job Center Representatives would be happy to assist you.
