Be prepared:

Conduct research on the company, e.g., products and services, markets, corporate culture, size and locations. Be prepared to ask questions.

Visit the company website and be prepared to comment on the site or latest press release.

Know your resume well and be ready to expand on the statements in your resume using numbers and accomplishments.

Prepare your interview materials in advance (e.g. certificates, awards, honors, clippings of any accomplishments, community involvement, or activities, letters of thanks, commendation, or recommendations).

Your Appearance:

Wear appropriate business attire. A professional and well-groomed appearance is critical. Consult with your staffing manager or executive recruiter to help determine proper attire.

Pay attention to your grooming.

Don’t smoke or wear perfume.

Arrive early:

Arrive 5-10 minutes early for your appointment, unless otherwise instructed.

Always greet the receptionist warmly and professionally – he/she is the “gatekeeper” and your impression with him/her could either help or harm you.

During the interview:

Stand up to greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile. Follow him/her to the interview room.

Mind your manners - be polite, but don't overdo it.

Express yourself clearly and with confidence.

Remember your body language. The manner in which you carry yourself can leave either a positive or negative impression. Make eye contact with the interviewer whenever you can.

Remember to listen - don't interrupt.

Ask the questions you prepared in advance.

Ask for the job. Too many candidates leave interviewers wondering about their interest. If you are truly interested in the position state that clearly to the interviewer and inquire about the next step.

Create your resume

MAKE YOUR RESUME EASY ON THE EYES – Use letter size ivory, cream or neutral color paper. Use normal margins (1" on the top and bottom, 1.25" on the sides) and don't cram text onto the page. Allow for some breathing room between sections. Avoid exotic font styles; use simple fonts with a professional look, e.g. Times New Roman 11 point. Avoid excessive graphics use, boxes or distracting lines and designs.

CONTACT INFO IS KEY – Be sure your name, address, and phone number and email address are on every page you use for job hunting (resume, cover letter, reference list, etc.).

AVOID THE “I” – Do not present your resume in first person. Don't use declarative sentences like "I developed the..." or "I assisted in..."; leave out the "I".

BE DESCRIPTIVE – Be sure to include all of the following in your description: your title, the company name, the dates of your employment and what you did or accomplished here. Always allow the most space for the jobs that are most relevant to the job you're applying for.

WHAT TO LEAVE OFF – Drop off work experience that is irrelevant. If you want a financial analyst position, don't include your experience at the Pizza Palace running a cash register. Drop off work experience that is more than 10 or 15 years back; it isn't current. Don't put anything personal on your resume (i.e. birth date, marital status, height, hobbies, etc.) These items are inappropriate.

DON’T CROWD – A one page resume is best, but do not crowd your resume - shorten the margins if you need more space or if you find it necessary to do a two page resume, make sure you balance the information on each page. Don't put just one section on the second page. Be careful about where the page break occurs. Make sure your name and phone number are on the second page.

USE MORE THAN WORDS – Use #’s, $’s and %’s. Numbers, dollars, and percentages stand out in the body of a resume. Use them.

UPDATE! – It is very important to keep your resume updated. Don't have "9/92 to Present," if you ended your job two months ago. People perceive that as misrepresentation.

STICK WITH FACTS – There is a difference between making the most of your experience and exaggerating or falsifying it. A falsified resume can be easily spotted by an employer (if not immediately then during the interview process), and if it doesn't prevent you from getting the job, it can cost you the job later on.

CONTACT REFERENCES – If you list references on your resume, contact them first to let them know the job(s) for which you are applying, and ask if it is okay for potential employers to contact them.

BE A MARKETER – Remember a resume is a marketing tool, a self-promotional document that presents you in the best possible light, for the purpose of getting invited to a job interview. It's not an official personnel document.