Majoring in careers would not be a complete job hunting resource without an exploration of the resume. Throughout the next few articles, we will delve into everything a college student needs to know about writing an entry-level resume, from formatting to content. But first, a review of what a good resume is and is not, because without the proper mindset, you can’t expect to write the proper resume.

A resume is a fifteen-second TV commercial.

We have written about how, in the job application process, you are out to sell yourself. Well, the resume is a vital component of the self-marketing process that is unique among all the others for two reasons.

First, almost every time someone important reads it, you won’t be present. During interviews, career fairs and networking sessions, you are there to clarify and elaborate on any details about yourself that might come up, but a resume is a one-way line of communication. As if writing an advertisement, clearly state each of your positive selling points. Draw attention to all the reasons you are a great fit for the position and forget the reasons you’re not, because you’re communicating on your terms, and unlike a TV advertiser, you’re not legally bound to include the fine print. (more…)

In the last article I outlined the importance of selling yourself via resume and interviews. This is obviously just a small part of the whole process and what you need to think about. You can look at yourself as your own mini company with several different departments like: marketing (resume/cover letter), training (college education/projects), PR (interviews/correspondence), etc. While we are going to go further in depth into all of these departments, blogger Steve Pavlina has an interesting article on the idea that You Are Self-Employed. He uses the analogy that your work is your product and your boss is your customer.

Like it or not, you are self-employed. If you produce output and get paid for it, you’ve got a business. You are no more or less an entrepreneur than any established business owner.

How does your business stack up against the competition? Are similar businesses outperforming you? Can you provide a better service at lower cost? Or are you such a perfect fit for what you do that you really don’t need to worry about competition?

I enjoyed this article very much because it emphasizes taking control of your career path. By working on developing your own “company” you can help yourself, while at the same time benefiting your employer.

Throughout life people are often encouraged to be humble and modest. Generally speaking, those attributes are well liked. Those that are qualified do not want to flaunt their abilities because it might upset others. Unfortunately when you want any position you will have to do some flaunting.

Every step up to receiving the offer is selling. You need to sell yourself. Most companies, maybe even the one your applying for, claim to solve the problem you have and offer a better solution than the competition. You have to do the same, in a polite and agreeable manor. Although the article emphasizes arrogance, really you want to let the companies know the things you are capable of doing. Don’t confuse this with trying to offer the company everything they want.

You don’t know everything, so don’t try to sound like you do. But when they ask you a question, if you have had prior experience in that area, or even something related to it, let them know immediately. One example is my response to the often asked question: “When have you been a leader?” While I had no formal experience in the past, during a summer school program I was involved with, I was the group leader for our project. (more…)

For most of us college students out there on the job hunt, the level of nervousness prior to an interview is matched by very few events in our academic lives. It’s on par with final exams and formal presentations, but there is one key difference - you can’t study. All of your life, you have been able to directly affect your performance in important moments like these by preparing more thoroughly than the next guy, but with interviewing, the safeguard of knowing what you’re going to be asked about is gone.

You can try to look online for a list of specific interview questions the company typically asks, but I have tried this multiple times and trust me, it doesn’t work. Instead of trying to find every question you might be asked and come up with answers, I recommend devising one answer for all the questions you could be asked. It’s easier, and if done right, more reliable.

I am referring, of course, to the universal story. The majority of the questions college students are asked during a first interview are situational, i.e. they ask about a time that you’ve encountered this, or dealt with that. Naturally, your answer to a question about a situation will be a story, and the beautiful thing about stories is that you’ve spent the last 20 years of your life mastering the art of crafting and molding them to fit your needs. (more…)