• Personal appeal to the employer:

  - Offer clues about your work values
  - Use language that makes your work sound interesting and alive
  - Quantify your successes by using numbers and percentages
  - Make the employer want to meet you

• Appeal to you:

  - Present the skills that you enjoy using
  - Refrain from presenting skills that you dislike using and do not want to use
  - Describe accomplishments that make you feel proud
  - Develop a tool that will increase your confidence
  - Provide a true picture of who you are and what you can contribute

6. What should I never include in my resume?

• Age
• Marital status
• Health
• Number of children and their ages
• Religion
• Hobbies, sports, and interests - unless related to the job
• A picture - unless you are a model or actor
• Detailed descriptions of non-relevant, earlier jobs
• The word "responsibilities"
• An objective that says, "A challenging position . . ."

7. How many years should my resume cover?

• Remember, a resume is not a biography!
• Do not go beyond 10-15 years unless you did something absolutely wonderful prior to that time.
• If you include something more than 15 years in the past, do not use a date.
• Employers rarely are interested in more than 15 years of your work history.
• You do not want to age yourself on paper by saying "Over 30 years . . . .
• If you age yourself, you may not get the interview.

8. Should I show months and years in my employment history.

• It is best to just show years - 1995 to Present.
• It really isn't necessary to show months and it can get very cluttered looking.

9. How many pages can I use for my resume?

• The length of your resume should not be limited to 1 page.
• It should illustrate your strengths, skills, and achievements.
• For most careers, it should be no more than 2 pages so you must be concise and well-organized.
• Executives may have resumes that are longer than 2 pages.
• Addenda may be added to a resume.
• I have never known an employer to object to a 2 page resume even for new graduates although career centers at colleges often stress the importance of only 1 page.

10. If my resume is more than 1 page, should I staple the pages together.

• Never staple the pages together.
• Often employers will put the pages on a desk side by side and read both pages.
• Many employers are annoyed by having to remove the staples.
• Make sure that your name is on every page of your resume and addenda.

11. What kind of envelope should I use?

• Use a 9x12 white envelope.
• Never bend or fold a resume for several reasons:

  - After spending 10 hours on a resume I see it as art

  - Laser print may flake off at the folds

  - It looks more impressive when it is received

  - If placed in a drawer, the folded resumes will fold into themselves and your resume will stand up straight and will be one of the first selected.

  - It will be easier for the employer to read

12. If I e-mail my resume as an attachment or fax my resume, do I need to mail it?

• It is ideal to e-mail or fax your resume as soon as possible, and then mail a hard copy because the hard copy looks so much better.

13. Why is white space so important in a good resume?

• Readability is extremely important when you consider that your resume is being given 8-30 seconds by a person who may be reading one resume after another all day. White space enhances readability.

14. Is it really important to have great layout, design, fonts, and paper?

• You are competing with many others and the look of your resume is a very important first impression.
• The combination of great content and great design can secure the interview that you desire.

15. What kind of paper should I use?

• At least 24 lb. quality paper.
• Linen or Laid.
• Conservative colors - with scanning, white is the best.
• Other colors to consider are light gray and light blue.
• The most popular color is Ivory - I prefer not to use it.

16. What do you think entices employers to interview your clients?

• Producing a well-written resume and cover letter on quality paper.
• Quantifying accomplishments using numbers and percentages.
• Never making it read like a job description.
• Illustrating an individuals uniqueness - avoiding generic job descriptions.
• Using readable, business-like fonts and headings.
• Following-up.

17. I am thinking of "letting executive recruiters" find me a job.

• Recruiters find employees for employers.
• If you meet the requirements and are one of the best possible candidates for a position, you may be selected to go through the interview process.
• If you are not one of the best possible candidates, you will not be contacted.

18. How should I conduct my job search?

• Network with professionals in your field, friends, and acquaintances.
• Check with professional organizations and trade magazines.
• Look through the yellow pages and contact companies with whom you would like to work.
• Use the Internet (see links):

  - Company web sites
  - Career web sites

• Respond to local classified advertisements.
• Contact executive recruiters.
• Consult with College Placement Services.
• Remember the hidden job market - a large percentage of jobs are unadvertised - use the phone.

19. What is the best way to prepare for interviewing?

• Know your resume well and be able to expound on every line.
• If you cannot remember enough to discuss it, don't put it on the resume.
• Do your pre-interviewing research about the company.
• Be prepared to ask questions.
• There are some good interviewing books like Sweaty Palms and Knock 'Em Dead Interviews (see job interview books) that give you good tips and questions that might be asked.
• Take a deep breath before you go into the office to be interviewed.
• Give a firm handshake before and after the interview (this is very important).
• Use good eye contact.
• Smile appropriately.
• Dress professionally.
• Don't wear cologne or after shave lotion.

20.  In what format should I send my resume through the Internet to employers and recruiters?

I recently conducted an informal survey and found that employers and recruiters have different opinions so I recommend sending each résumé three ways, as: 

• An ASCII file in the body of an e-mail.
• A Microsoft Word.doc file as an attachment.
• A PDF file as an attachment. 

21. What is a scannable resume?

• Many large and mid-sized companies, executive recruiting firms, and service bureaus scan resumes into computer databases.
• Once the resume is scanned it is searched by a computerized applicant tracking system. The computer searches for certain key words on resumes to find qualified candidates.
• Companies that have invested in expensive scanning equipment will continue to use them as long as they continue to receive hard copies of resumes. For this reason, it is important to make your resume scannable.
• Scannable resumes must have clearly stated objectives.
• You have a considerable chance of having your cover letter scanned with your resume.
• Make sure your sentences contain keywords - nouns or short phrases that describe your knowledge, skills, and accomplishments that are important in the position for which you are applying.
• Keywords are the experience and skills that come from the specific terminology used in your job. Some keywords are referred to as buzzwords.
• It is better to spell out abbreviations if there could be any confusion.
• You can determine keywords by looking at:

  - Job descriptions from positions that you have held
  - The Dictionary of Occupational Titles
  - The Occupational Outlook Handbook
  - Job postings or classified advertisements
  - Local government job service agencies
  - Professional and technical organizations
  - Recruiters job descriptions
  - Associates who work in the same field

• Make a list of keywords and then write synonyms for them - this will broaden your chance of being selected.
• Incorporate these words into the sentences of your resume.
• Do not limit yourself to one page. The computer does not count pages but it recognizes when keywords are missing.
• You only need to use a word one time for it to be considered a "hit".
• Site specific examples in the body of your resume to demonstrate your successful use of the knowledge, skills, and accomplishments used as keywords.
• Always be honest - do not overstate or embellish the truth. Do not use keywords if they are buzzwords that do not apply to you.

22. Can you give me some examples of keywords for a public accountant?

• Certified Public Accountant
• Business Consulting
• Financial Analysis/Reporting
• Financial Management/Budgeting
• Tax Consulting/Auditing
• Fraud Auditing
• Problem-Solving/Cost Reduction
• Staff Development/Training
• IS Development
• Communication

23. What kind of heading could I use for my keywords?

• Core Competencies
• Expertise
• Skills
• Qualifications

24. Where should I place the keywords on my resume?

• Right below the Profile / Highlights / Summary and throughout the body of the resume. 

25. What is an e-mailable resume?

• An e-mailable resume can be sent via the Internet using an e-mail program.
• E-mailable resumes can be pasted directly into the e-mail message from an ASCII file that you produce on Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, and almost any word processor or desktop publishing program.
• E-mailable resumes can be sent as attachments in Microsoft Word.
• Many employers prefer the pasted ASCII files - they do not want to have to open attachments because it is more time consuming and they run the risk of introducing computer viruses into their system.
• An e-mailable resume can be more than one page but the most important information should be in the first 15 lines which is one screenful of space.
• Instead of bullets you can use *,-, or >.
• E-mailable resumes should contain keywords.
• Many e-mail readers are set to 60 character line lengths - the ASCII file should be the same.
• If you send your resume as an attachment, you should also copy the ASCII file into the body of the e-mail to increase the chances of it being read.

26. What are the advantages and disadvantages of e-mailable resumes?

• Advantages - Your resume and cover letter:

  - Can be sent in seconds instead of days
  - Costs nothing to send via the Internet
  - Can be posted to companies, job banks, newsgroups, online services
  - Emphasizes your understanding of Internet technology
  - Will always be accessible to the hiring manager

• Disadvantages - Your resume and cover letter:

  - Can be produced in only plain text
  - Cannot have bullets, bold lines, eye-appealing layouts
  - Will have no special tabs, margins, bold, italic, and other formatting codes
  - Will be visually boring

27. Can I send a resume without a cover letter?

• Never send a resume without a cover letter!
• In most instances, it will be discarded without being read.

28. Is it all right to send out generic cover letters?

• Never!
• In order for cover letters to work, they must be specific for each job opportunity.

29. What should I indicate for my salary history or salary requirement?

• Only respond when asked in a cover letter or interview.
• Give a $10,000 range (My salary requirement is in the range of $65,000 to $75,000.)
• Give a minimum (My minimum salary requirement is $65,000.)
• Don't give a number (My salary requirement is open, based on the responsibilities of the position and the total compensation package offered.)
• Ignore the request in a classified advertisement. In some cases, employers will not interview you if you ignore a question related to your salary requirement.

30. When should I discuss salary and benefits at an interview?

• Only after you have been offered the job.
• It is recommended that you allow the employer to mention the first amount - then negotiate.

31. How should I prepare and use my references?

• You should take extra copies of your resume (6) and references to your interviews.
• In some instances, you may want to send the references with your resume.
• At the end of the interview, if you are really interested in the job, you may offer your references to the interviewer.
• You should list 4-6 people who know your work and include their:

  - Name
  - Title
  - Organization
  - Address
  - City, State, Zip
  - Office Phone
  - Home Phone
  - E-mail Address

• The home phone is included, when possible, because many employers check references in the evening.
• Employers do check references.
• You may also provide potential employers with letters of reference.
• It is a good idea to provide the people that you use as references with a copy of your resume.

32. Do I need to have an answering machine?

• An answering machine with a professional sounding message is essential.
• Employers will not call back to arrange interviews but they will leave a message.

33. Are thank you notes really important?

• Thank you notes are more important in the job-finding process than most people realize.
• Many of my clients have called me after starting a new job to tell me that their employer was very impressed with their thank you note, and that it was a major factor in securing the position.
• Thank you notes or letters should be sent within 24 hours after an interview and should emphasize what you can contribute to the organization.
• Send a thank you note to your new employer after being offered the job.

34. Is it really important to get a job offer in writing?

• It is absolutely essential to have a written contract.
• Written contracts protect both you and the employer.
• Make sure that you get it in writing!!!

35. How should I inform my current employer that I am leaving?

• In person (if possible) and in writing.
• Write a letter of resignation thanking the employer for the opportunities that you were given to:

  - Contribute to the growth and success of the company (be specific)
  - Learn and grow
  - Be a part of an effective, cohesive team

• Be honest but do not be critical.
• Don't burn any bridges.
• Give 2 weeks notice or whatever you agreed upon.
• Some employers will not want you to remain for the 2 week period.
• Don't take it personally. Just move on.