WRITING THE POWERFUL RESUME:
Resume-writing and passing the exam:
Your resume projects who you are. It should stand out. Above all, it should reflect your professionalism and competence.
RULE NO. 1
Keep you resume neat, correct, concise, and current. A recruiter only has an average of about five seconds to look at each one.
RULE NO. 2
Protect you Page One. On the very first page of your resume, put all the important information that will convince the recruiter to call you for a job interview. Your Page One should contain your educational background, list of seminars attended, and extra-curricular activities. Do NOT put unnecessary from your resume like personal details such as hobbies, birthday, names of parents, occupations of parents, etc.
RULE NO. 3
Skills and grades do count, in lieu of experience. Recruiting managers look for these in a new grad’s resume:
•Grades – Transcripts of records are still important. Grades are not the final determinant for your career in the working place, but high ones can open doors.
•Extra-curricular activities – List down every club and organization that you joined; also your positions, tasks and accomplishment in them.
•On-the-job training and seminars attended – These give you an edge over other applicants.
•Reference: do work for new graduates. Put names and contact info of ex-professors, mentors, and OJT bosses who can put in a good word for you.
RULE NO. 4
Write a career objective or career summary on the very first page. Career objective states in one sentence what you hope to accomplish in the workplace for the next few years.
Ex: Career Objective
Production Worker:
Desire a position utilizing organization, interpersonal and communication skills. Particular interest in production or operations management.
Call Center:
Desire position that will utilize communication and organization skills in a competitive, persuasive environment. Particular interest in sales and marketing.
Data Encoder:
Desire position that will utilize strong quantitative, math and communication skills. Particular areas of interest are data encoding, processing or research.
Technical Support Representative:
Desire position that will utilize strong quantitative, math and communication skills. Particular areas of interest in technical support and operation management.
RULE NO. 5
Provide complete contact information: that includes landline and cell phone numbers, email addresses, snail mail addresses. Make sure you can be reached at the contact numbers you provide. The person who will answer the phone (e.g. the maid or a family member) MUST be able to understand and rely the message to you if you’re not around to receive the call of the potential employer. Opportunities can be lost.
RULE NO. 6
Bring sample material pertaining to past activities that show what you can do: articles published in your campus newspaper, advertising flyers and newsletters, photos of events that you helped produce, etc.
PASSING THE TEST
Here’s how you can leave a lasting impression a good one of course
•Don’t be late. If you can’t be on time for an interview, they’ll think you can easily slack off at work, too.
•Come 15 minutes before the interview. That should give you time to collect yourself and do some research on the company.
•Be in business attire. Dress to impress. Look fresh, act smart, appear professional – in any interview for any company. Project effectiveness, excellence, and confidence the very first day.
•Establish rapport with the interviewer. Wear a smile and established eyes contact Remain cordial and friendly without losing your dignity and professional style. Give intelligent answers, not an overlong speech. Most applicants fail not because of lack of skills or quality but because of smile and eye contact.
•Do your research. Express an interest in the job and the company, and be able to say why you want to work with them. You can only do this if you’ve done your homework. Find out what the company stands for, the nature of its business, its industry standing, and the responsibilities of the position you are applying for.
•Do not focus on the earning potential alone. Again, remember that you must prove your value first before acquiring the leverage needed for jockeying for perks and salary increases. Some new grads don’t get hired because the interviewer thinks that all they want is money.
Case in point; after receiving news that their application if favorable, some new grads start demanding for cell phones and allowances higher than their manager’s. No can do. You can negotiate for this only after you’ve proven your worth. The interviewer is looking for someone who will stay with the company for the long haul, put in the work required, and is flexible enough to make the occasional sacrifice.
