For Jobseekers!

Employment Interview Quiz

1. You should arrive at a job interview

a. On time b. 5-10 minutes early c. 20 minutes early

2. At the interview:

a. You should know the company's history

b. Ask about the company's history

c. Ask about the products the company makes

3. It is illegal for a potenial employer to ask your marital status

a. False b. True

4. The person interviewing you is probably:

a. A trained interviewer

b. Trying to psych you out

c. Just as nervous as you

d. Trying to trap you

5. The secretary who greets you before an interview:

a. Should only ask your name

b. Will be asked by the interviewer to give an opinion of you later

c. Will get you coffee if you ask

6. Thank you notes:

a. Are an old-fashioned device no longer necessary

b. Should be sent to the interviewer within 2 days

c. Should be sent to the interviewer only after the job is obtained

7. You should ask questions when the interviewer asks if you have any

a. True b. False

8. It is okay to speak negatively of a previous employer

a. True b. False

9. You are a first time interviewee at a firm. The interviewer keeps you waiting 15 minutes past your appointment time, sits you in a seat where the sun hits your eyes, and is critical of whatever you say. What type of interview are you experiencing?

a. Directed Interview

b. Board Interview

c. Selection Interview

d. Stress Interview

10. It's okay to ask about salary

a. True b. False

Angayang Hinumduman inig Sulat ug 'Resume'

Seven Tips for Effective Resume Writing

Pay attention to detail—Don't cut corners by, for instance, not proofreading the cover letter, failing to include information the hiring manager asked for, or beginning the cover letter "Dear Sir or Madam" when the hiring manager's name is on the company web site. Take the time to make sure the correspondence and information sent is correct and error-free.

Do the basics—Proofread for spelling, grammar, and tone, and make sure you have followed the instructions of the employer. Firing off an e-mail is a convenient method of communication. However, don't let the sloppy nature and informality of e-mail correspondence seep into your communications—whether it's e-mailed or written—with potential employers.

Construct an effective resume—Organize your information in a logical fashion and keep descriptions clear and to the point. Include as much work experience as possible, even if it obviously doesn't relate to the job you are seeking. Also, use a simple, easy-to-read font.

Customize their response—Address the hiring manager directly, and include the name of the company and the position for which it is hiring in your cover letter/e-mail response.

Make it easy for the hiring manager—Use your name and the word "resume" in your e-mail header so it's easy to identify. If the employer asks for information—such as references or writing samples—provide it.

Focus on what you bring to the employer, not what you want from the job—This is an opportunity for you to market yourself and stand out from the other candidates. What can you do to make the hiring manager's life easier? What can you do to help the company?

Be professional—You won't be taken seriously if you don't have e-mail or voice mail/answering machine. If you don't have e-mail, set up a free account through Yahoo! and Hotmail. Provide the recruiter with a cell phone number if your voice mail/answering machine doesn't pick up when you are online. Also, it's a good idea to ditch the cute e-mail address or voice mail/answering machine messages in favor of something that sounds professional.

Typos, Grammatical Errors Most Common Resume Mistakes

Like lifeguards protecting their organization's waters, recruiters look for reasons to blow the whistle and tell job seekers to get out of the candidate pool. According to the results of a survey by Accountemps, careless students often oblige. In fact, slightly more than one-third of executives surveyed recently cited typos or grammatical errors as the most common mistake on resumes.

The national poll includes responses from 150 senior executives—including those from human resources, finance, and marketing departments—with the nation's 1,000 largest companies. Executives were asked, "In your opinion, which of the following is the single most common mistake job seekers make on their resumes?" Their responses:

Typos or grammatical errors—34 percent

Including too much information—22 percent

Not listing achievements in former roles—17 percent

Poor layout and/or design—17 percent

Including too little information—7 percent

Other/don't know—3 percent

Men are From Mars... Women from Venus?!