Top Five with Travis

If you are applying for one of the positions I recruit for, the top tip I could give is to read over the job description and have some knowledge of the market and position you are applying for. We have so many resources available, i.e. social media, Glassdoor, Google, to research the position and possibly answer a few of the questions you may already have. Also, with the digital world we live in, most applicant tracking systems require establishing a profile of some sort on company websites. I can not stress enough for candidates to keep up with their login information for easy access to their profile to complete any task or accept offer letters.

When you are tailoring your resume, don’t forget about key words! As recruiters, we look at resumes often. At this point resumes are our second language. As an applicant, have an understanding of the job requirements, duties, and preferred qualifications. Use key words in your resume to highlight those qualities! Here is a little cheat code: you can tailor your resume to be reused for similar positions in the same field with similar job requirements.

Formatting and cohesiveness are key to ensuring your resume grabs a recruiter’s attention. Allow your resume to tell your professional story, from where you started to where you are now. A nice, clean, cohesive resume will always grab my attention! A little razzle dazzle is nice as well, but sometimes less is better.

Prepping for an interview can be nerve-racking but also engaging. Read the job description and have an idea of what your potential employer is looking for. Understand how your previous experiences in the workforce, education, and life in general can be an asset to the company. Conduct some mock interviews with yourself or with friends that are geared to your desired position so you are able to calmly and distinctively answer the interviewer’s questions.

After your interview, this is your spotlight to sell who you are. This is your time to let the interviewers know why you are the best candidate for the position and what you can bring to the role. Always thank the interviewer after your interview for taking the time. Ask follow up questions for anything you may be unsure about and ask what the next steps are in the process. Also, a nice email to your recruiter doesn’t hurt either.