If you are looking for employment or general advice regarding writing resumes, interviews, resigning or counter offers, Infinity Recruitment will assist with your request.

• Writing Resumes
• Your Resume
• Application Letters
• Preparation for the interview
• The Counter Offer – Why not?

Writing resumes

After many years in the recruitment industry I can confidently say - there is no perfect resume. You can't please everyone, but you can present yourself in a way that reduces the number of people likely to be "turned off". A sloppy resume or application letter is a reflection of not only the way you present yourself but also of the way you are likely to represent your employer. Examples used in this document are all ones I have came across in real resumes, usually on multiple resumes. They can be funny on someone else's resume, but tragic on your own. This document does not claim to be the definitive guide to resumes, but it is at least a common sense one.

Your Resume

When creating your resume you must consider who your target audience is and how they will use it.

In the IT industry lodgement of resumes by e-mail is almost universal. Recruitment companies will often index electronic resumes for key word searches so a hard copy resume is not very effective. Some employers however may still ask for a hard copy or faxed resume. Your resume should be designed to cope with all of these possibilities. Bound hardcopy resumes on fancy paper are expensive and should only be used in a face to face interview.

Tips & Traps

• Avoid large graphics, photographs, scanned images / documents etc.
• If you have sample Web sites or graphics that are relevant to your application, try to provide a URL where they can be viewed rather than e-mailing them.
• Viruses. Affecting a potential employer's computer is not a good way to introduce yourself. Word format has become the industry standard for resumes but Word documents are very prone to macro viruses. New macro viruses are hitting the Internet daily and as an IT professional you should have up to date anti-virus software installed on your computer.
• Spelling. As an IT professional you should be able to demonstrate that you know how to use a spell checker. Most spell checkers have a manufacturers default that ignores capitalised words. That means those headings that you carefully devised to catch the readers eye may not be being spell checked! I regularly receive resumes with the words Curriculum Vitae misspelt in large bold font across the front page. Make sure you spell check the whole document and have it proof read by someone else who can spell.
• You should also be careful of blindly accepting corrections recommended by a spell checker. I have seen the description of a candidate's experience changed from "unattended reinstallation of Operating Systems" to "unintended reinstallation of Operating Systems " which doesn't sound quite as good!
• Borders and Backgrounds. Sometimes resumes are faxed by agencies or internally by a potential employer. For this reason you should avoid borders and textured backgrounds. No matter how good they look on screen, after being faxed they can look very second hand.
• Graphics. Your resume should be a reflection of who you are. Loud, gaudy graphics and animations are fun to create but consider whether this is really the professional image you want to project. You should also stick to common fonts. Your creation may look great on your computer, but if your recipient doesn't have the same fonts installed it will probably look like a dogs breakfast.
• Size. Sorry guys, size is important. But big is not necessarily best. There is no ideal "number of pages" for a resume. The size of your resume should be adequate to explain your work history and skills. You please no-one by adding extra padding or by skimping on details that may be important to a potential employer. Most of the detail on work experience should be focused on jobs you have had in the last 5 years. List the rest but the detail is less relevant. You should also include volunteer and unpaid work experience and, if you have recently graduated, project work or industry based learning.
• Readability. The easier your resume is to read, the more likely it is to be read. A skills matrix is easy to read and, if you include a self rating or years of experience column, very informative at a glance. Recruitment companies like to be able to identify "key words" quickly and easily. Use a common, easy to read font. The size and style of the font should be consistent throughout the resume. Don't be tempted to reduce the size of the font in order to reduce the number of pages. At the end of the day it has to be readable.

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Application Letters

Your application letter is not meant to replace your resume. It should be a selling document that encourages the reader to immediately read your resume.

The worst way to get the reader's attention is to spell his/her name incorrectly. A salutation that inaccurately reflects the readers gender is also not good. If you are responding to an ad that contains a contact name, use the name correctly. If in doubt phone the company. Receptionists are a great source of information. Be cautious when using "form letters". Correctly addressing a letter to "Mr John Smith" is undermined if your letter also starts "Dear Sir/Madam" or refers to a job advertised by another company. Don't try to oversell yourself in the arrogant style sometimes suggested by "self help" books. Just because it helped them sell their book, it does not automatically have the same effect on your resume. Most Australian employers value quiet confidence and honesty. State why you think you are suited to the position you are applying for. Highlight specific relevant experience but don't over do it. The detail should be in your resume. Make sure you include your current contact details. This sounds obvious but it doesn't always happen!

Finally, don't get discouraged. You can't please everyone and at the end of the day your resume will be assessed by a human being who has individual likes and dislikes that you can't possibly predict.

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Preparation for the Interview:

Prepare well, you may only have an hour to convince the interviewer that you are both extremely interested in the opportunity and you are the best candidate for the position. Remember –this is a competition and depending on the clients requirements, the most technically proficient is not always the winner.

First Impressions:

How long does it take to make a first impression?

Just a few seconds. Within the first ten seconds of seeing someone or hearing them speak, an impression is made. How do we know these things in only a few seconds? Through non-verbal communication.

What are some negative first impressions? What causes them?

Possible responses include: Laziness, slovenliness, shyness, over-aggressiveness, obnoxiousness, anger, indifference, anxiety, or rudeness. Caused by an assessment of voice tone, posture, make up, hair style, clothing, eye movement, hygiene, etc..

What are some good first impressions? What causes them?

Possible responses include: self-confidence, friendliness, happiness, well educated, helpfulness assessed through the means used above, as well as a good handshake, facial expression, attentiveness, interest in life, etc… A first impression is a lasting impression. Awareness of how we communicate non-verbally allows us to communicate what we really want to say. Non-verbal communication influences the interviewer’s answers to the following questions:

• Are you stable and trustworthy?
• Do I want to work with you?
• Can you do the job?
• Would you represent the company well?
• Are you motivated? Do your goals match the company’s goals?

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What are some things interviewers look for?

Non verbal communication skills are often extremely crucial in the hiring decision. So we must be aware of what we communicate, as well as how to communicate that we are the right person for the job. This is a list some of the specific types of non-verbal clues an employer might observe or look for in an interview.

• Eye contact
• Posture
• Choice of words
• Clothing
• Facial expression
• Punctuality
• Handshake
• Voice tone
• Timeliness of answers
• Hygiene
• Friendliness

Some common mistakes at an interview:

Poor personal appearance - If you are going to wear casual clothing, discuss this in advance of the interview.

Condemnation of past employers – A common scenario, you must remember that your future behaviour may be judged on your past circumstances, the idea is to be as positive as possible.

No visible interest in company or position – Take the time to prepare for the interview, read up on the company background and ask the recruitment consultant for a position brief.

Failure to look at the interviewer when conversing – Whilst is it may be uncomfortable, try to make as much eye contact as possible.

Lack of interest and enthusiasm - Passive and indifferent attitude displayed.

Over emphasis on money - Cover this prior to the first interview and bring this up only if the interviewer mentions it first. In most cases speak to recruitment consultant as they should do the negotiating on your behalf or at least provide some guidance.

Late to interview - If you are running late try to contact the employer and let them know you are on the way.

Lack of confidence - This relates to the answers given to questions as well as behaviour during an interview.

At some stage of your career, you will resign from a position and whilst it may not be easy, there are some important notes to keep in mind:

• Leave your employer on a positive note.
• Let your current employers know that you intend to assist them in whatever ways you can. By showing your manager and company due respect, you encourage future support you may some day need.
• If you're dealing with volatile or vindictive personalities, it may be best to avoid revealing where you will be going.
• If you feel you may face a hostile atmosphere, resign at the end of your work day so that you are no longer on company time and are in control of your schedule.
• Choose your words with care. If you have had a close relationship with your manager, you may feel obliged to answer candidly.
• Constructive criticism of your current employer is no longer your responsibility, and carries a high cost, which could jeopardize your good references. Instead focus on several positive aspects of your workplace, and mention them liberally when the opportunity arises. You want to be perceived as a positive, constructive individual in forward motion. People will remember your last impression.
• If probed for more information, simply communicate that you are leaving a good opportunity for an even better one which suits your aspirations.
• Written resignations give you the time to effectively prepare what you wish to communicate, and give you greater control over your delivery of the message. You can't be thrown off-track by an unexpected remark as can happen during a confrontational conversation. A written resignation also reinforces the fact that you are really leaving and are not simply threatening in order to re-negotiate your position. There is something permanent about the written word which often circumvents interrogation.
• Under no circumstance should you state any dissatisfaction with the company or individuals. Not only is it good manners to stress the positive when leaving, but items in your personnel file may long outlast the individuals and circumstances responsible for your dissatisfaction. You never know when your path will cross those of your former colleagues.
• Keep resignation simple, positive and professional.

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The Counter Offer – Why not?

• Surveys show that eight out of ten employees who accept counter offers don't complete the following year with their employer.
• The factors that caused you to seek or entertain a better offer are likely to remain in force. Beside which, your current employer will probably lose trust in your loyalty.
• Accepting a counter offer may permanently damage your reputation with your would-be-employer and recruitment consultant/organisation. Your prospective new colleagues may conclude that you were merely using them to gain leverage; you weren't in earnest as a candidate. Never underestimate the value of your perceived integrity in this situation.
• If your current company denied you advancement before you secured an outside offer, it will probably thwart you next time you feel ready to advance. What's more, your company may start looking to replace you the day you accept the counter offer. Your plans for leaving may not be forgotten!

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