Resume Building

We at Veritas Life Science understand that searching for new employment opportunities can be a very stressful endeavor.  The main cause of this stress stems from the fact that so many job seekers, to no fault of their own, simply do not possess the insight and understanding of how to increase their value in the eyes of a potential employer.  Presented here are a few tips to help job seekers in every aspect from building their resume to interviewing tips and more. It is a good idea to create two versions of your resume: the print version, and the electronic version. The print version will serve as your primary resume, and because of this appearance is critical. Conservative paper color as well as a conservative overall style is recommended. Avoid using too much bold or italic typeface. The electronic version should have no formatting whatsoever. The electronic resume is needed to work readily with electronic resume readers and automated applicant tracking systems, and formatting is a hindrance. ·          Avoid long paragraphs, use bullet points ·          Avoid clutter, white space through out your resume makes it easier to read ·          Use quality paper and a quality printer Avoid creating a resume that is simply a listing of your past job descriptions. Highlight your strengths by succinctly summarizing your accomplishments in your previous positions. These should include quantitative details - achieved 131% of sales quota, reduced company costs 23% - that display to the reader your specific value to the prospective employer. You should also convey the scope of your responsibility in detail -i.e., managed a team of 19 account representatives. The resume must quickly convey who the candidate is, and the type of position they wish to obtain. A well-defined objective, again, written with detail, can be a good first step. Alternatively, you may wish to consider substituting the objective for a concise career profile. The profile should briefly convey the relevant skills you will bring to your next endeavor. Remember that the primary objective of this document is to market yourself - sell yourself - to the potential employer. Use strong, dynamic words when describing your accomplishments. Finally, when you have completed the resume, it is recommended you show it to at least two other people to proofread for spelling and grammar. Sending a resume with a spelling error is a mistake from which there is no recovery.

Interviewing

Poor interview preparation is usually where most bad interviews begin. Many choose to rely solely on their innate communication skills, believing this will be enough to carry the day. Unfortunately, even the most gifted communicator can "choke" an interview. There is no substitute for thorough preparation. Knowledge of the industry in general, and of your target company in particular, is of supreme importance. Use the internet to search for recent company news, and familiarize yourself with the company website. If possible, contact other from within the industry to get a feel for the market. Another valuable, yet oft-overlooked resource is the company's annual report. Read the statements from the CEO and other executives. Many times these will contain information about important challenges facing the company, and offer some clues as to their corporate values. You might also learn some of the company's "buzzwords." Once your research is complete, it is time for rehearsal. Hiring managers will often ask similar questions; use this to your advantage. "Tell me about yourself" and "What are your weaknesses?" are interview standards, and a great place to start your rehearsal. The purpose here is not to memorize and repeat answers by rote, but rather get yourself comfortable with your responses. Practice maintaining eye contact with the interviewer and keeping the answers crisp and on point. You should also use the rehearsal time to prepare a few questions to ask your interviewer. Asking one or two intelligent questions will reaffirm to the hiring manager the depth of your understanding of important company issues, and your interest in the position. You should always arrive a little early for your interview, with a few extra resumes. A notepad and pen is also a good idea. Be polite and courteous to everyone you meet while at their offices, from the receptionist and beyond. Remember, they will all be assessing you as a potential co-worker, and you never know wields influence with your interviewer. Pay attention to your body language. Maintaining eye contact, both when speaking or listening shows you are attentive and confident. Posture counts, too, particularly when seated. Sit tall and on the edge of your seat. This tells the interviewer you are engaged. The post-interview follow-up is also an important part of the process and another chance to differentiate yourself from your fellow candidates. As a matter of etiquette and protocol, a brief letter of thanks to your interviewer is required. Be sure to consult his or her business card for the correct spelling of their name.