Cv For Interviews

Posts Tagged ‘Fit’

For some reason, writing a description of ourselves and our life achievements is a difficult task. It is easy enough to recount our life to others, yet when it involves describing it with the aim of securing a job; suddenly the words to describe our talents escape us. Thus, the process of resume writing begins. To make a resume which describes personal achievements in a manner that will get noticed, the power of words must be used, as the use of keywords can make or break a resume. Keywords consist of the lexicon that relates to the field you are applying to work in. Including such vocabulary indicates some savvy of the field, and will immediately attract employers’ eyes to a resume. Keywords are also the words which make a strong resume: words of action, and words that show accomplishment and achievement - as opposed to words that merely describe previous employment. Lastly, use the vocabulary to market the resume. Marketing has proven to be a powerful tool, and should be used in the instrument of the resume. Using the right keywords can strongly change the tone of a resume, turning average curriculum vitae into a stellar description of achievements and talent.

Very often, if you are applying to one job, you are applying to many. Great - as chances of finding a fitting job are increased; not so great - as the resume is made to conform to as many job applications as possible. Fortunately, most of the various jobs being applied to fall under the same genre, so the resume will fit the majority of the jobs. However, it is important to make the resume as specific as possible to each job. This not only increases your chances of being noticed, as tailoring your resume to highlight your most applicable skills and experience to each particular job will result in a more interesting resume than a generalized one, but also shows the potential employer that you truly are interested in the specific position, and have put effort into making a resume that is not generic. Steering away from the general resume and keeping a resume focused is only a good thing in job applications.

This is where keywords come in. It is vital to show potential employers that you are a hard worker who will be a benefit to the company - as well as the type of employee who already knows about the field. If you are not yet acquainted, become knowledgeable in the lexicon pertaining to the job. Show that your previous jobs have used skills that will need to be used in this job. Indicate that you are not only capable, but you are interested enough to invest your time in learning about it before being promised a salary in the job. This shows potential and dedication, traits simple to convey by using the correct keywords which correspond to that which the career requires.

The mistake that far too many resume writers make is thinking that the best manner of phrasing must be the route that others have taken. In a resume, keeping to an accepted form is in order, but using others’ words is not! This will make your resume like any other - tidy, complete, and boring. When browsing through others’ resumes, learn and follow good resume form, and learn and avoid the common words. The vocabulary used must be relevant to you, and help describe as specifically as possible what you have done throughout your education and previous employments. Vocabulary that is relevant to you is not only that which applies to the job you want, but that which applies to you: don’t use words which you don’t know the meaning of - it’s important that your resume reflects you. At the same time, be sure to use proper grammar, and vocabulary that it is not obsolete. In other words, stay within the boundary: use vocabulary to indicate that you are a well-educated, contemporary person, who leaves out pretentious words and common slang, as neither end of the spectrum will strengthen a resume.

The words that you will use should be words that make you the most desirable candidate. In other words, your resume is your strongest initial marketing tool, and word choice plays a large role in this marketing scheme. Words should show you as an active, contributing player to every job and team you have worked with. Your resume should highlight your achievements at previous jobs - not your responsibilities. Using words of action make you jump from the paper into the resume reader’s mind. Exclude jobs that do not apply in any way to the job you hope for, and turn your activities into points that strengthen your potential as a candidate. For instance, focus on how you brought the soccer team together and the great group dynamics you helped to establish as captain of the team. This is more valuable knowledge than a winning record (unless you are an NCAA champion). This extra step of care put into your resume will result in a much stronger resume.

Making a unique resume takes thought and effort, but is possible and very worth it. An average list of accomplishments and employments can become a strong resume if phrased correctly. Remembering to use keywords pertaining to the career, as well as keywords which set your resume apart can make the difference between an average and an exceptional resume. Marketing yourself as not merely a good worker and team member, but as a creative addition, will also strengthen the value of a resume. Make sure that in fitting the form of a standard resume, yours is completely unique when it comes to content. Words, those strings of morphemes which the world is never short of, are the secret to making a strong, unique resume when used with careful thought and attention.

Several Days - One Week Before the Interview

1. Spend some time to research the organization and the position at hand.  To find company-specific information, visit your local library, run a search on the internet, or talk to current or former employees about their experiences and impressions of the company.  Study up on the company’s products and services, industry, target market, annual sales, geographic location(s), structure, history, officers, and any other key information.  Are there any new trends in the industry?

2. Identify the organization’s major competitors and do some basic research on how they differ (either positively or negatively) from the company at which you are interviewing.

3. Prepare specific examples of how your skills and experience make you a strong fit for the organization’s needs.  Practice answering directed questions about your experience, education, and skills and how they relate to the position at hand.  Being prepared to draw colorations between your experience and the needs of the organization is one of the most important interviewing skills you will need. 

4. Identify your strengths and weaknesses.  Be prepared to talk about your weaknesses, but find a way to frame them positively. For example, “My biggest weakness is that I am a perfectionist.  It may take me a little extra time to get a project done to my satisfaction, but you can be guaranteed that the work will pass even the most stringent review, be 100% accurate, and that no detail will be overlooked.”

5. Prepare several intelligent questions about the company and position that will demonstrate your knowledge of the company and your sincere interest in the position.

6. Try on your suit and make sure that it is still well-fitting and in good repair.  If necessary, make arrangements to have it altered or find alternate dress.

The Day before the Interview

1. Contact the company to confirm the date and time of your interview.  Also confirm the name and title of the individual(s) you will be meeting.

2. Get directions to the interview site.  Be sure to double check the directions using a map. This will ensure that you know the way and also give you an approximate travel time – don’t forget to allow for extra time for rush hour!

3. Lay out your entire interview outfit.  Check it for any spot, wrinkles, or snags.

4. Print off a few extra copies of your resume and cover letter on nice paper.  Even if the interviewer has a copy of their own, it’s always a good idea to have a backup copy.  This is also helpful if you end up interviewing with multiple individuals, since the head interviewer may be the only person with a copy of your resume.

Get a good night’s sleep!

1. Your brain needs fuel to run at peak performance and if there is ever a day you needed 110% from your brain, it’s today.  So don’t skimp on meals.  Be cautious about eating large amounts of carbohydrates right before your interview though, since carbs are know to cause sluggishness and may lead to a “post-lunch” naptime.

2. Get dressed early so you do not feel pressured to dash out the door.  Pay attention to the details (brush off any lint, comb your hair, brush your teeth, use deodorant, etc.) and remember that a first impression can reveal a lot about you and your character. 

3. Don’t forget to take copies of your resume, your cover letter, and your portfolio if you have one.

4. Leave yourself plenty of time to get to your interview.  If you arrive more than 15 minutes early, it’s best to wait in the car or outside the building.  Arriving too early gives off the impression that you have a lot riding on the interview (and have nothing better to do with your time), and also pressures the interviewer(s) into feeling that they have to adjust their schedule to accommodate you.

5.Smile and shake everyone’s hand when you are meeting for the first time - you should also smile and shake hands when the interview concludes.

6. Relax!  If you have done your homework you are well-prepared for the interview.  Take a deep breath and spend a moment collecting your thoughts if you need to when being asked a question.  Ask confused about a particular question you are asked, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.

After the Interview

Write a quick “Thank You” message to the individual(s) who interviewed you.

Many people have wanted to get into the accounting field of work, so finding an accounting resume and sample cover letter can be a very valuable tool in getting you into the right company so you can do what you love.  The Internet is a great resource to find an accounting resume and sample cover letter.  If you take the time to search for it, you will be presented with many, many places who are more than willing to share with you what they have created.

What you need to do after you have found an accounting resume and sample cover letter is take and make it your own.  That means inputting your own information into the pre-made form.  There is nothing wrong with this because the web sites that offer up an accounting resume and sample cover letter expect you to copy what they have made available to you.  So take what they are offering and make it your own.

The Accounting field is one with a lot of competition.  You will need to stand out with your resume and cover letter.  So when you go looking for an accounting resume and sample cover letter, remember that there are probably other people out there doing the same thing.  That is why you will want to tailor what you have been given and make it your own.

It is not difficult to make a resume and/or a cover letter.  But it can really help when you have a sample to refer to as you are creating what will be a representation of you.  After all, the resume and the cover letter is what your potential employer will see first.  You want it to look as professional as possible and project the image that will get you the interview and ultimately the job.

You can find a lot of web sites who will offer up an accounting resume and sample cover letter.  What you need to do once you get the sample is tailor it to fit your education and qualifications.  Then add a little bit of pizzazz to get the attention of your potential employer.  You need to get his or her attention.  So take that accounting resume and sample cover letter and make it your own.  Then you can sit back and wait for that interview call!

Possibly even more stressful than the questions you are going to have to answer, you are
going to have to find the perfect outfit to wear to a job interview.  You want to look
professional and like you are going to fit in with the company.  A good rule of thumb for
men is that you can’t overdress for the interview – shirt and tie or a suit is always a safe
choice.  For women, picking the clothes is more challenging.

For both men and women, pick an outfit that you feel comfortable in and that fits you
properly.  You don’t want pants that are too tight or a shirt that is too snug across the
chest.  It will be a distraction for both you and your interviewer.  Along the same vein,
pick colors that suit you but aren’t too bright or patterns that are overly bold.  You want
the focus to be on your answers, not what you are wearing.

Remember too that your overall appearance is going to be judged, and this includes more
than the clothes you are wearing.  Hygiene and grooming: be clean, neat and tidy.  It is
probably best not to wear a strong scent – chances are you will be in a small room and it
could make others uncomfortable.  Your finger nails should be short and clean, your hair
clean and tidy, and have mints with you or brush your teeth immediately before leaving
for the interview.
 
You may wonder what all of these details has to do with your qualifications and getting
the job.  It has to do a lot with it, especially if you are going to be dealing with the
company’s customers face-to-face.  The company will want to hire employees who are
going to represent the company in the best possible light.

…It’s About YOU!

What you are marketing here is YOU – and your value is entirely dependent on your qualifications for the job. 

The key here is to present yourself in a way that will give these prospective employers the perception that you are fit for the job and the position applied for.  Highlighting your strong points that are relevant to job of concern will increase your chances of getting noticed. 
It’s Also About The Prospective Employer!

While indeed you are selling yourself, it is also about considering and keeping in mind the needs and requirements of these employers. 

If you are able to analyze and understand the employer’s needs, and make your CV with these in mind, you will be able to show that you are deserving of the position applied for. 

They should be able to see you as someone who can be relied upon to do the job well and fit in their organization harmoniously.  They should get the impression that you are their best choice among others.