Full-Time Professional - V - Part-Time Hobbyist

I recently had the pleasure of working on a resume project with a talented manager, who had sent in his document for review after he had booked his consultation.  His resume looked like every other document I see, perhaps marginally worse than your typical D.I.Y. resume with spelling errors, poor use of language, no real selling features etc.

Imagine my shock when he told me that he had actually paid someone to do it for him!  Luckily, he didn't spend too much money on the first incarnation of his "professional resume".  My client had found a "resume writer" on a well known online free classified advertisement service.  The "resume writer" had a poor command of English, and produced a document that had several spelling errors and was to all intents and purposes virtually useless.

There are other operators that only offer late night or weekend appointments.  This is the calling card of someone who writes resumes "on the side" for some extra pocket money - and it usually shows.

I write resumes and perform interview coaching sessions on a full-time basis.  It's what I do, and it's what I do best!  Every project I work on, I treat as if I were compiling my own document to send off to an employer. Resume writing for me is a serious business - not something to be trivialized by amateurs and part-time pocket money pretenders!

Interview Preparation 101

Ok, so the skillful presentation of your skills and expertise on your resume has won you the interview.  What next?

1) Research the company!  Visit the website, read about their history, founders, products/services and corporate values.  Many companies will perform an additional screen of shortlisted candidates to identify those individuals with similar values to themselves.  For example, if a company is active in the community, they'll want to see that you're someone who values community service / giving time up for charitable pursuits.

2) Become an expert on yourself!  Sounds 100% obvious but believe me, one of the most fundamental questions that many people cannot answer satisfactorily is "Tell about you, your strengths and weaknesses".  In actuality, this question is a gift.  It's a license to talk about yourself.  If you're not comfortable doing that then get comfortable!  If you can't tell a company why they should hire you, they probably won't.

3) Arrive on time and go prepared!  Get there early, relax, read the literature they have at reception or study the certificates they have on the wall - it could make for conversation at some point in the interview.  Bring at least 3 copies of your resume with you along with your reference sheet.  It would surprise you the number of times I've heard of a poorly prepared hiring manager attempt to interview a candidate without having the resume in front of them.

4) Greeting & Parting!  When meeting your interviewer for the first time, smile broadly and shake their hand firmly.  When you leave, thank them for their time and state your interest in the role (if you're interested).  Employers notice these things, and sometimes actually award points for them if you're being scored.

My 2HR  interview coaching package begins with a 30 minute mock interview.  After reviewing your resume, I'll construct an angle based around the perceived weaknesses / shortcomings of your documents/career history.  I then construct your coaching session around the weaknesses in your mock interview, and finish the session with additional questions/concerns that you have about the interview process.

Like everything else - preparation is key.  If you prepare well, take the interview seriously, you'll be more likely to do yourself justice in the actual interview, and those pre-interview nerves are never as bad if you're confident in your ability to deliver strong, well rounded, strategic answers.