MRS BILL: RESUME AND INTERVIEW IDEAS

You can read the entire page or go directly to Resume Ideas, Interview Ideas. Standard Questions from Employers, Important Questions to Ask Employers, Inappropriate Questions from Employers, Inappropriate Questions to Employers.

Resume Ideas Based on recommendations from several employers in Edmonton.
• Maximum 2 pages, plus covering letter • Confirm spelling and grammar are correct
• Clearly identify previous employers along with contact information • Clearly identify how (and, if required, when) you can be contacted
• Highlight your successes - academic and/or work-related • Be honest about your abilities and experience, and apply for jobs only where you meet the qualifications; in other words, don't lie

Interview Ideas Based on recommendations from several employers in Edmonton.
• Do as much research on the company as you can before the interview • Practice interviews at home or with friends if you need to calm your nerves
• Be prepared to answer standard questions • Be prepared to ask important questions
• Dress in your best business attire for the interview; a suit is not overdressed • Arrive early and bring an extra copy of your resume to read while waiting
• Pay attention during the interview and don't fidget • Thank each person who interviewed you before leaving the room

Standard Employer Questions During Interviews and some suggestions on framing your answers.
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
• Talk about your goals and plans to achieve them; give an example of how you are achieving a goal. 		"Why did you apply for this position?"
• Show that you have researched the company and how your skills can benefit the company.
"Why do you think you're qualified for this position?"
• Show that you understand how this position benefits the company, and how your previous education/experience will add to these benefits. 		"What would you do the first day on this job?"
• If you have enough information at this point to be specific, provide details based on the information from the interviewer; if you aren't comfortable stating specifics, show that you are a team player by wanting to get right into the tasks at hand.
"What is your greatest strength?"
• Generally an easy question to answer; pick one strength that relates directly to the job. Sometimes you can use an "umbrella" phrase, such as "attention to details", and then add this includes producing and editing reports. 		"How do you handle stress?"
• Key phrases to avoid are "heavy drinking" and "little pills". Employers aren't looking for humour here. They want to hear phrases like "deep breathing" and "reviewing my goals".
"What is your greatest accomplishment to date?"
• If you don't have enough work experience to speak about job-related accomplishments, talk about something you've done for the community or for the school you attended. Make sure you have something of worth to discuss for this question by doing something noteworthy! 		"What is your greatest weakness?"
• This is an opportunity to say that you tend to come into work too early (if this is true), or that you frequently don't take lunch in order to finish a project that really interests you (if this is true). Look for something that you do, and make it seem like a weakness, although it is in fact to the employer's benefit.
"What have you learned from your mistakes?"
• See the suggestions for answering your greatest weakness, and turn this question into an opportunity to briefly discuss a project that turned out very well. Don't mention mistakes from which you have not learned! Perhaps some mentor showed you the benefits of using a daily journal, and you now track all of your commitments to avoid being double-booked? 		"What are the biggest problems with your current employer?"
• This question almost appeared under the heading of Inappropriate Questions from Employers, because it borders on discomforting. You are looking for new challenges (a standard reply) - and be specific, since employers always hear "looking for new challenges". If your current employer is in serious difficulties, and this information is publicly available, you can safely mention that, while you'd like to stay at your present job and turn the company around, you are aware that you may be better off bringing your services to a more stable environment. Be diplomatic.

Important Questions to Ask Employers During Interviews
"Why is this position available?"
• Do not ask this if the employer has already answered this question. 		"What are the main functions for this position?"
• You are asking for specifics, such as unfinished projects - especially any with a tight deadline.
"What is your corporate culture?"
• Look for answers that indicate the workers are clock-watchers (everyone leaves promptly at 5), workaholics (we stay until the job is done), or somewhere in between. Watch for information on other areas that might interest you, such as many people going to the company library once a week, or lots of employees taking advantage of company-sponsored courses. 		"How often are performance reviews conducted, and in what format?"
• Some companies are quite formal, conducting extensive reviews with at least 2 managers every 6 months, and promotions are based entirely on these reviews; others are less formal, conducting them on an annual basis; some companies do not conduct performance reviews at all.

Inappropriate Questions from Employers
Sometimes the interviewing employer asks questions that are inappropriate. These questions may be illegal or may be phrased in such a way as to cause you discomfort during the interview. Inappropriate questions include:
"What form of birth control are you using?" "How many children do you have, and are you planning any more?"
"How old are you?" "Where were you born?"
"How much alcohol do you consume in a month?" "What is your monthly consumption of controlled substances, and what are they?"
There is no one right answer for handling such questions.
• Some people ask "Why?" to allow the interviewer a chance to explain the relevance of the question (for example, a question about controlled substances may be related to the need to pass a drug test before and during employment).
• Some people laugh, in an attempt to let the employer "save face" by turning it from a serious question into a joke.
• Some people sit and look at the employer, to drive home the point that a) this question does not deserve an answer, and b) it is time to move on to another question.
• Some people walk out of interviews when it becomes clear that the employer insists on an answer.
• If you are uncomfortable with a question, or a series of questions, posed during an interview, make detailed notes about the interview as soon as you are out of the building, and consult with a lawyer, bringing those notes with you.

Inappropriate Questions to Employers During the First Interview
These questions may end the interview quickly and may be used as justification for not hiring you:
• "When is my first raise?" • "When is my vacation?" • "Free Net access, right?"
• The topics of these questions may be appropriate during later interviews. Ask in a professional manner.

[mrsbill.www2.50megs.com/tips1.htm] updated December 18th, 2000. Entertain me. Where it all begins.