Resume with Interview

Your resume, along with your cover letter, will probably be the only lead a potential employer will have to whether you are suitable for the job or at least worth the call up for an interview.

The 1-2 page document sums up your work experience, educational history and your interests. And the format and style of your resume should vary to suit the industry you are in. For example, resumes for technical jobs such as engineering should highlight skills and for jobs in the media industry, a solid portfolio will be more important than your academic background.

However, many fresh grads make the mistake of forgetting about their resumes - thinking its job as the key to an interview is done once it reaches the hands of the prospective company.

But beyond submitting your resume, you should be familiar with it. Here are some points to note when writing your resume and to maximise the use of your resume during your interview.

Know yourself
 
If you are unsure of your resume, it looks like you exaggerated or even lied about points in your resume. That's hardly a good way to make an impression so do be familiar with your resume. After all, it's your life's worth of experience and achievements.

Review and Update

Before your interview, review and update your resume, especially if you have just done something noteworthy and relevant. This will make you feel better prepared for the interview and let your interviewers know that you are constantly upgrading yourself.

Fill in the Blanks

For freshgrads, interviewers may find gaps between graduation and jobs in your resume. These gaps may be time spent traveling or whilst job searching. When asked about these gaps, turn the time to your experience. For example, you volunteered in xxx country when you are applying for a job in the charity sector. Turn these experiences into advantages - what did they teach you and what skills did you learn?

Be relevant

Unless you can explain how relevant your experience is to the position you are applying for, leave it out. Besides, if the company advertised for a fresh grad, they are ready for people with little or no experience. So instead, present yourself professionally and talk about your achievements as a student leader or a traveler.

Soft spots

Step back and look at your resume objectively. What is it that the interviewers might want that you may not have? What questions would you ask if you were in the shoes of the interviewer? Go prepared.

Related articles: Interviews: Practice Makes Perfect, 7 Things you should NOT say in a job interview, Prepare for your Job Interview, Resume for Results, General Interview Questions

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