Job Seeker Tips

Searching for a job can be very stressful and takes a lot of time and hard work. Your search can be made easier by doing the proper research and preparation. This page contains a summary of job seeker tips on how to be prepared for each step of a typical selection process.

Understand the application process and follow it properly.

• Read the website or advertisement and follow the directions exactly.

Your resume is the first step to getting an interview.

• Write a clear, concise, and easy-to-read resume free of errors, abbreviations, and slang.
• Include ALL of your current contact information, education background, professional certifications, licenses, & organizations.
• Include ALL of your relevant work information, such as business names, city, state, and dates you held that position (i.e., 11/05 - present).
• Clearly describe your work responsibilities and your accomplishments.
• Include important specifics of your work experience (i.e. list whether it was full or part-time, list software used, machinery used, languages spoke, etc).
• Duties need to be listed below each position they pertain to.
• List your most recent experience first and chronologically thereafter.
• Do not list personal, age related or health information (i.e. 35, married with three kids and in excellent health).
• Do not include pictures or graphics.
• Do not use unusual fonts or fonts smaller than 10 point.
• Do not refer to yourself in the third person or first person (i.e. if you are John Doe do not make statements such as “Mr. Doe received an award for perfect attendance.” or “I received an award for perfect attendance.”). Use action verbs such as “Received award for perfect attendance.”
• Be specific about skills:

• Sample Resume

Interviewing, know what to expect and be prepared to answer questions.

• Research the company and the position.
• Create a list of questions to ask about the company and position.
• Review your resume, work history and accomplishments to better prepare you for answering questions.
• Be honest, thorough and specific when answering questions.
• If you do not understand a question, ask the interviewer to repeat or re-word the question. It is okay to take your time in answering difficult questions.
• Do not be late.
• Dress appropriately and be polite to everyone.
• It is okay to follow up with a thank you letter to those who interviewed you. Follow up beyond a thank you note is not recommended.

Be prepared to give references.

• Prepare a list of references with complete contact information before the interview and take it with you to the interview.
• If it is requested that you provide references, make sure your references know that you will be using them as a reference and whom they can expect a call from.
• Use previous/current professional references and not personal contacts. Previous and/or current immediate supervisors are preferred.