The ultimate purpose of your resume and cover letter are to prompt hiring managers and recruiters to ask you to an interview. But the resume can also help you during the interview.
Many potential employers will look at your resume when framing questions during the interview and will expect you to know the dates and responsibilities of previous positions you have held. So make sure you read your resume once again before you go to the interview and have a comprehensive understanding of your previous work experience.
Interviewing with a potential employer gives you an opportunity to add information that did not fit on the resume and that shows how your career prepared you to work there. Listen closely to what the hiring manager or recruiter asks to find out if you left something off your resume that you should add or if there is information on it that you should clarify.
During an interview, answer the “what is your greatest weakness?” question with a story about how you overcame a weakness. Your resume should focus on achievements; now is the time to explain what you had to overcome on the way, whether it was a misunderstanding with the customer, a poorly designed schedule, or some other roadblock you should have anticipated. What are you doing now to make sure your weakness has been addressed?
When you work with a resume company such as Robin’s Resumes®, they will help you uncover many examples of your accomplishments. Robin’s Resumes® has a comprehensive questionnaire that helps you uncover these accomplishments in a “context-challenge-action-result-why your accomplishment was important?” format that can help you during interviews. When you prepare for the interview, also review your questionnaire. You can use these stories to answer specific questions from the interviewer about your experience.
In addition to knowing your stories, you need a comprehensive understanding of the company you are applying to. In this sense, it is impossible to be over-prepared. Knowing the ins and outs of your potential employer can benefit your responses, as well as fuel potential questions for your interviewer (which you should always ask—this shows interest).
Follow up with your interviewer. When you send a thank-you email post-interview, you show both courtesy and respect. This is also a great opportunity to ask any remaining questions, emphasize your strong interest, and touch back to a specific point of conversation that stood out to you from the interview.
At Robin’s Resumes®, we understand that a job hunt requires many moving parts. Get in touch with us today to start your application off the right way with a great resume.