When you are
developing a winning resume or priming yourself to interview
well, remember that you can't just focus on what you've done in
past jobs. It's "nice" that you maintained files, created
reports, scheduled events, and handled correspondence. But this
employer doesn't really care what you've done for someone else.
He/She is looking to see what you can do for that company. If
they wanted someone with ho-hum, ordinary skills, they could
promote from within and train. But, the fact that they have
posted the position says that they are looking for someone to
join their team and hit the ground running with new skill sets.
They are looking for someone to bring NEW ideas and talents to
the table.
That's why you need to do your homework and see where the
company is at present and where they want to go. Check their web
site, read the annual report, talk to someone who works for the
company, do a background search on the industry. The more you
know about their products/services, their presence in the
marketplace, and what they tell their shareholders, the better
you'll be able to position yourself to stand out heads above the
competition.
Refer to the company's annual report and strategic plan in your
interview. Talk about where they are going and how you can help
them get there. If they are touting better customer service,
relate examples of where you demonstrated excellence customer
service. If they are into product research, talk about the times
you participated in market research (by phone, at the mail,
through online surveys). Study up on their competition and tell
them why you prefer their product/services over others. Come
across as an informed consumer and knowledgeable candidate.
Get their vocabulary down pat. Every company and industry has
its own jargon. Make sure that you are familiar with phrases and
terms in the industry. If you have read some articles on the
company or the industry, refer to them. Show the employers that
you are current and keep abreast of business trends. USA Today
is a great place to start, so is a daily glance at one of the
news Web sites.
Demonstrate your willingness to learn new things. Provide
examples of past situations where you took the initiative to
improve your skills. Don't give the impression that you are so
proud of past achievements that that's what you are "selling"
today. Indicate how you are going to build on these skills and
get even better.
If the company has a Web site, get
familiar with it. Brush up on Microsoft FrontPage or other Web
design skills. Be able to say that you can take Microsoft Word
docs and publish them them on the Web. Discover some Web sites
that have unique features that you can talk about. Let them know
that you are a Web-savvy candidate.
Let the employer know that you are a team player -- that you
have worked with groups both inside and outside the workplace to
bring a project to fruition. If you have volunteer examples
where you've taken the lead, now's the time to talk about them.
Look for times when you've worked a project by phone or e-mail
or postal mail. Showcase your communication skills across media.
Employers today expect that you can coordinate and collaborate
across many venues.
This is the way to make your resume shine...to show what you can
do in your new position, not just what you've done in your old
one.
--Susan Fenner PhD is Manager of Education and Professional
Development for the International Association of Administrative
Professionals (IAAP)
