Berkshire Search and Consulting, Inc. Résumé Preparation Tips If you are in the market for a new job, your most important tool is a résumé. Here we offer some valuable tips on preparing an effective résumé. While they may seem obvious, they bear repeating because they are so important. List your current job first. Whether you have two or twenty-two years of experience, prepare your résumé in reverse chronological order. Put the name of your current or most recent employer first in your job history. The reason is that even though your prospective employer may need to know where you worked twenty to thirty years ago, it is more important and more appropriate that the people reading your résumé know about your current skills, projects, assignments, and so forth so they can compare your résumé to the existing job specs that are available to screen out unqualified candidates. Keep the resumé brief. While preparing your résumé, keep in mind that you are not competing for a Nobel prize in literature. Keep the resumé to one or two pages; use three pages only if absolutely neccessary. I prefer to read a one- or two-page résumé with a separate addendum that shows the projects you have been involved with over the span of your career. Occasionally, we have even placed excellent candidates into positions with top companies within their field without using a résumé. But unless your reputation precedes you, you need to prepare a résumé that is a good profile of your experience and will not bore the heck out of the person reading it. List specific education degrees, licenses, etc. first. Put your college education, professional licenses, certifications, and other similar accomplishments at the top of your résumé. Put the information just after your "Objective" (if you use that), but before your career history. Don't risk frustrating a prospective employer by burying such important information near the bottom of your résumé. Be prepared for your interview. When interviewing with a prospective employer, always go prepared to ask questions and take notes. Do a little homework on the company if you can. Ask your recruiter for such information as the reporting structure, company history, goals, and so forth. When an interviewer asks if you have any questions, NEVER ask how much money the position pays or what the benefits are. This is a red flag to the employer that you are only concerned with your needs and you may not be the "team player" that they are looking for. On the other hand, if the interviewer asks, "What kind of money are you looking for?" don't be intimidated. Simply state your current salary (and don't try to inflate the figure because he probably already knows what it is anyway), and say that you are willing to consider their best offer. If your recruiter has set up the interview for you, of course, you should know what the salary range is ahead of time. Fill out the application thoroughly. If the company asks you to fill out an application, be thorough in answering all questions and never write "See résumé" anywhere on the application. There is a good reason for this advice: Either the prospective employers are looking for a sample of your writing skills, or they want additional information not on the résumé, such as the exact dates of employment and references. Berkshire Search and Consulting, Inc. looks forward to connecting you with an excellent career opportunity!
		[Home] [Find Out About Us] [Available Positions] [Helpful Tips & Links] [Job Seekers: Contact Us] [Companies: Contact Us]   emichaels@shupackandmichaels.com jshupack@shupackandmichaels.com   Berkshire Search and Consulting, Inc.  Phone: 631-757-4559 • Fax: 631-757-3880 Copyright ¤ 1998-2007. All rights reserved.