Back to Top #1 Self-Evaluation

Before you begin your search for a new position, an objective self-evaluation is important, to help you:

  ·  Determine and refine your next-step career objective; and,

   ·  Structure the best possible presentation for your interview.

 

You not only need the necessary skills, but companies are also looking for those professionals who fit their corporate culture and with the matching personality types.

 

 

Back to Top #2 Your Resume

 

 

PYour resume should provide a brief employment history that outlines your responsibilities and achievements at each position. 

PIncluded should be:   dates at each job, your education, special honors, certifications, professional interests notable accomplishments.

PMake your resume a profile, not an epic.  It should be designed to capture the hiring official’s interest and secure an interview.

 

Start on the Path to Success

    

·        Keep it detailed but brief:  Try to contain it within two pages.  With just enough information to help move toward an interview opportunity.

·        Do it with style and class: The job and industry you’re interested and experienced in should determine your résumé’s appearance.  It is best to make a conservative presentation on plain white, good quality paper with a simple typeface.  Make sure your resume copies are laser printed.

·        The details and format: Presentations should be neat and double checked for typographical errors, check your spelling and grammar.  In set-up, make the margins wide enough so the interviewer can make his own notes both during and following the interview.  Your resume is making that first positive impression and can make all the difference in getting you the interview.

·        Chronological order:  List all you jobs and locations in chronological order beginning with the most current.

·        Let your achievements speak loud:  Your resume is a personal presentation of your professional background and should be in the most positive manner.  Use confident language that reinforces and accurately describes your achievements.  Use strong descriptive words such as directed, established, created, designed, produced, developed, throughout your resume that Spotlights You.   Your resume is a sales tool for your most important product, You! 

·        Be specific yet vague:  Do not include age, height, weight, marital status or other extraneous details that will distract from more important details.  Military service may be included if pertinent or related directly to the position you’re seeking.  Salary requirements should not be listed.

·        Be a Perfectionist:  Take the time to make multiple drafts to turn your resume into your perfect instrument to represent you.  Examine your work carefully, and fine tune it.  Proofreading is critical and enlist help, have someone else proofread it, too.  Now does it answer positively to these important questions:

 

·        Is it effective in describing your background?

·        Is it honest and accurate?

·        Is it complete, yet concise?

·        Does the appearance look clean and attractive?

·        Does it accentuate all your strong points and key accomplishments?

·        Will it successfully sell me and accomplish getting me that interview.

·        Will it help you stand out from the crowd?

·        Does it showcase your value to potential employers?

 

Ä Email your resume to one of our highly skilled consultants for additional tips and ideas to The Harlan Group, Inc. at:   Info@Foodrecruiters.net  

 

 

Back to Top #3 The Interview

Let us help you be prepared for a successful interview.

 

Laying the Foundation

No matter how strong your skills in your chosen field, it is often the interview performance that can make all the difference in whether you get that offer.  Preparation can inspire confidence and boost your ability to perform effectively.  Here is some additional help.

DO YOUR RESEARCH, GET THE FACTS, AND HAVE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS -- Researching the company is a must. Use both the information that may be provided to you by the company in advance and other tools, search the Web and take a look at the company’s web site to learn more about the business, its products and competitive position, location, number of employees, etc.  Develop your own list of questions which will help to show your command of that information and demonstrates your interest in the company.
Preparation helps with the right answers -- During the interview, you'll be asked a wide variety of questions. Be prepared for some surprises and, maybe, a few curve balls. Be ready to answer questions like the following:
Ÿ  What are your career goals? ·  What's your greatest weakness? ·  Why do you want to make a change? ·  Are you open to relocate?	Ÿ What do you know about us and our business? ·  How do you handle stress? ·  Why should we hire you? ·  What do you feel you will contribute?

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Top # 4 "Conducting the Interview" and "Following Up"

Use the guidelines presented to enhance your marketability.

 

Conducting the Interview

Now that you’ve properly prepared your resume, have done your research and have your list of questions ready take the next step in being ready for that first interview.  Take a look at these “tried and true” suggestions.

 

 

 

The Following Up

In a competitive interview situation, it's often the person with the best follow-up who gets the offer:

• Make sure to compose and send letters to everyone you met as soon as you return from the interview.
• Thank each person for his/her time, reference your conversation specifically, express your interest in the position, and state how you plan to take the next step.

 

Questions About Interviews?

Let The Harlan Group’s experienced staffing professional help. With over 30 years in the Food and Beverage and Logistic Industries, we wrote the book on successful interviews.