Do’s and don’t’s when job-hunting

I’ve seen a lot of placement lines the past few weeks that I thought of researching on how to land a job. Here are some tips for first-timers as well as for those thinking of moving on:

Writing a resumé. There are many books on how to present yourself in only two pages. All advise that you describe briefly but thoroughly your responsibilities in past jobs. If a fresh graduate, emphasize your scholastic record. Most important is to state why you want the open position. Don’t try to fool the employer with glowing words about his company. Include what he can expect from you.

What employers look for in resumés. If you spotted the vacancy in a poster or newspaper ad, chances are that the employer will receive tons of resumés. He will screen for qualifications and work experience. Two things he’ll look out for: unexplained gaps in employment and a tendency to job-hop. He will also be wary of superstar quality, which indicates that the applicant may be overqualified for the vacancy and might not stay long or be productive.

Preparing for the job interview. So, your resumé passed the screening and the employer just called for an interview. Learn as much as you can about the company. While facts and figures, say, from the Internet, will give you an overview, what you really need to know is what kind of firm it is to work for. If it’s big, you will have friends, relatives or jobmates who might have worked there. Ask them for info. Who knows, you might even know a manager or two in the company who can put in a good word for you. The info will come in handy in giving a good first impression. It shows an interest in wanting to join the firm.

What to bring to the interview. Written evidence of accomplishments will help. But seasoned interviewers know that it’s just self-promoting. So fish it out at the right time to bolster what you are saying about yourself. Don’t bring three-inch-thick portfolios. If you’re so good, the employer will find out from your resumé and the interview.

Frequently asked questions. There are three; here’s how to answer them:

Q: "Why are you leaving your present job?"

A: "I want to expand my experience in (state the field, like sales or R&D)." Emphasize that you want to broaden your horizons without sounding like a job-hopper.

Q: "Can you give an example of accomplishment in your present job?"

A: "I was able to save the company x-amount because of my innovation in ..... In fact, I have here a letter of commendation from the VP." The idea is to relate your experience with the requirements of the vacancy.

Q: "Why do you want to work for our company?"

A: "Because your company is the leader in this industry and my skills fit your cutting-edge organization." Here, your research on the firm will pay off, as you again emphasize your abilities.

Questions you should ask. You may not want the position after all.

Find out by asking more about the vacancy and why the employer is not filling it from within, is the company growing, are extensive overtime and travel required, what are the fringe benefits. Your questions will elicit more questions from the employer, more chances to put your best foot forward.

What image to present. Self-confidence is what the interviewer will look for. But the interviewee will either be nervous or pushy. To avoid this, relax yourself by keeping the tone conversational. The vacancy may be the chance of a lifetime. Correct bad personality traits by asking somebody you can trust to tell you honesty what your character flaws are, and keep them in check during the interview.

Talking about salary. Applicants are usually gun-shy in negotiating for the right pay, lest they lose the chance. Find out the pay range for the position, then assign yourself a reasonable value. It is always prudent to let the employer make the first offer. If asked what you want, defer to him by saying, "What do you have in mind, given the position and my qualifications?" He’ll start with the bottom of the range. Name your price by saying, "I’m looking at something like ...." This should lead to a deal to shake on.

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Now for the lighter side. These passages are taken from real resumés and cover letters, and were printed in Fortune magazine. They obviously didn’t land jobs:

1. "I have lurnt Word Perfect 6.0 computor and spreadsheet pogroms."

2. "Am a perfectionist and rarely if if ever forget details."

3. "Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year."

4. "Wholly responsible for two (2) failed financial institutions."

5. "Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave."

6. "Failed bar exam with relatively high grades."

7. "It’s best for employers that I not work with people."

8. "Let’s meet, so you can ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over my experience."

9. "I was working for my mom until she decided to move."

10. "Marital status: single. Unmarried. Unengaged. Uninvolved. No commitments."

11. "I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse."

12. "I am loyal to my employer at all costs ... Please feel free to respond to my resume on my office voice mail."

13. "My goal is to be a meteorologist. But since I possess notraining in Meteorology, I suppose I should try stock brokerage."

14. "I procrastinate, especially when the task is unpleasant."

15. "Personal interests: donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far."

16. "Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chainstore."

17. "Note: Please don’t misconstrue my 14 jobs as ‘job-hopping’. I have never quit a job."

18. "Marital status: often. Children: various."

19. "The company made me a scapegoat, just like my three previous employers."

20. "Finished eighth in class of ten."

21. "References: none. I’ve left a path of destruction behind me."

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