Resume Writing and Behavioral Interviewing

A Guide to Getting Yourself Noticed by an Overworked, Over-scheduled, Over-committed, Has No Assistant, Answers Her Own Phones and

Gets 100 Emails a Day Company Recruiter

What Goes Into a Resume?

• Who am I – Contact Information• What I Want – Objective/Summary• What I’ve Done – Past Work

Experience• What I Know – Skills/Education and

Professional Designations

What Goes Into a Resume?

• A thorough explanation of your skills and experience that are relevant to the position you’re applying for

• Any potential “preferred” skills and experience you have

• Job history and education• Special assignments and projects• Key accomplishments

Resume Format

• Describe your experience in concrete words rather than vague descriptions

• Write in the present tense for current position and past tense for previous jobs

• Provide specific dates of employment (month and year)

• The chronological format is recommended• Use bullets

Resume Format

• Be concise and truthful when describing your experience

• Limit the use of acronyms or jargon • Use 10 to 12-point STANDARD FONTS• Include all of your contact information,

including home and cell phone• Use your legal name, rather than your

nickname

Please Don’t:

• Use vertical lines, shadows, or graphics• Use a two or three column format• Limit yourself to one page• Use personal pronouns (I process

claims, I respond to customer inquiries…)

• Write your cover letter in your resume

Please Do:

• Check dates for accuracy• Chek for speling or gramaticle

misteakes

• Review, Review, Review!!• Have someone else look it over• Review it again!!

The Behavioral Interview

• It’s the “new trend” in interviewing• Past performance is the most accurate

predictor of future performance• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and

abilities• Demonstrates competencies• 40% of all organizations use behavioral

interviews**SHRM website

Competencies A Company Might Want to Determine

• Problem solving and decision making• Collaboration and relationships• Customer focus• Business influence and execution• Communicating for results• Ethics and compliance

The Behavioral Interview Format

• “Tell me about a time when…”• Be detailed and specific in your response• You should develop your answers before you

go in for the interview – Internet research• Your response should demonstrate your past

performance• The response format: Describe the situation,

tell about the action you took to resolve it and what was the end result

Questions to Ask at the End of the Interview

• Come prepared with questions• Ask about training• Job expectations – What is a typical

day on the job like?• When will a decision be made?

REMEMBER:

• Arrive at least 10-15 minutes early• Dress for success • Be prepared• Sell yourself• Don’t talk too much• Smile and be mindful of your body

language• Ask questions

Questions?