Nortel: Careers - Student and Graduate Career Center - Job Search and Interview Preparation Tips

Job Search and Interview Preparation Tips

Searching for your ideal student placement or your first job after graduation can seem like a daunting task. However, if you approach it with a little bit of organization, a lot of commitment and a positive attitude it can be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. We have prepared some tips for you in order to help you make the most of your search.

Resume Writing
Job Search Tips
Interview Tips
Related Links

Resume Writing

Resume/CV Preparation Tips

Put time and effort into creating a great resume.
Your resume is your first opportunity to make a good impression on a prospective employer so spend time perfecting it.
Keep it short and concise.
The length of your resume should be relative to the breadth of your experience. Present the information in a succinct manner. Be informative but not overly wordy. Make sure that the key points are very visible and easy to find (i.e. degree, academic institution, significant work experience and skills)
Customize your resume based on the requirements of the job.
Read the job advertisement closely when applying for a specific position. In your resume, highlight your skills and achievements relevant to the requirements of the employer. Your cover letter also provides an excellent forum for you to relate your specific skills, achievements and experiences to the job requirements.
Outline your short term career objectives.
Sometimes when a company receives a resume from a person with limited job experience, it is difficult to tell what kind of job he/she is looking for. Make clear what you are looking for, or what in the advertised job motivates you.
Focus on your most recent and relevant experiences.
You can tailor your resume for the job that you are applying to by highlighting your experience and skills that are most relevant to that job.
Make statements about impact not activity.
Don't merely describe your experience. Make statements that quantify the impact that you had on a specific project or in a specific job (i.e. "Increased sales by a margin of ..."; "Improved efficiency of X system byOe"). To help with this, use "action verbs" to start your bullet points. Action verbs are words such as created, innovated, and organized. Most university career centers will have lists of action verbs in their reference libraries.
Use Keywords
Many employers use software to help sort through the hundreds or thousands of resumes they may receive. To ensure that your resume has the best chance of being retrieved be sure to include the industry keywords that are commonly used to describe your skills.
Do not misrepresent yourself!
Including false information or "stretching the truth" on your resume can cost you the job, and your reputation.
Your resume is never "finished".
As you continue through university and your career, you will gain new skills and experiences. Be sure to add these to your resume/CV on a regular basis so that you always have one that is up to date and ready for use.

Resume Styles

The most common resume style is the chronological resume. In this style of resume education and experience are arranged in chronological order from most to least recent. This style is best suited for candidates whose education and experience is directly related to the position being sought.

A functional resume emphasizes skills. Skills related to the position being sought are used as the headings in the resume. Experiences are referenced to illustrate the skills. This style is best suited for candidates who do not have work experience directly related to the position being sought, or for those who are making a career change.

A hybrid resume containing elements of the chronological resume and the functional resume may be the best option for Students and Graduates who have skills gained from a number of activities (work, academics, extra-curricular activities, etc.). This type of resume includes a skills section followed by a list relevant experiences and activities.

See the Related Links below for sample resumes and resume templates.

Elements of a Student/Graduate Resume

Full Contact Information: Be sure to include your e-mail address, phone number and full postal address on your resume. Also, provide your contact information at school and at home in case an employer is trying to reach you during the summer or other holidays.
Objective Statement or Tagline: An objective statement lets a potential employer know who you are and what you are looking for. An objective statement that is too general will not capture the employer's attention. Keep it short but make it interesting, it's your first opportunity to stand out. Make sure your objective statement relates to the job or career that you are pursuing and to your experience.
Skills Summary: The summary should highlight your skills that are directly related to the position being sought. The skills summary can include hard skills (i.e. computer languages, project management) and soft skills (i.e.: communication, teamwork).
Relevant Courses (optional): If you have taken coursed that are directly related to the position being sought you may list them on your resume for the employer. Another option is to mention them in your cover letter.
Availability: Indicate when you are available (and for how long, if you are looking for a co-op/intern job)
Education: Academic institution, program and anticipated graduation date.
Experience: This section can include work experience and major academic projects/research that are related to your career objective. If you do not have any relevant work experience you should consider creating a functional resume. When listing your experience remember to make impact statements.
Extra-Curricular Activities: These activities can include participation in student/community organizations, sports, volunteer work, etc. It is important to include these on a resume because they are an indication of a well-rounded individual.
Awards and Honors: These can include scholarships received, academic awards, special achievements, etc.

Cover Letter Considerations

In addition to your resume, your cover letter is also an important part of your job application. The value of the cover letter is that it allows you to expand on information provided in your resume and make a direct connection between your skills/experiences and the position being sought. Be sure to remember that your cover letter should not simply repeat the information that is in your resume. Your cover letter should highlight your qualifications relevant to the position being sought and reflect your knowledge of the company or industry you wish to work in.

Start your cover letter by letting the employer know why you are applying (why you are interested in the job/company). Next, describe what you have to offer. Again, remember that this is not simply a repeat of the information on your resume. When writing about what you have to offer, refer back to the job description or your knowledge of the company, and let the employer know how you "fit the bill". You should end your cover letter by providing the employer with a means for follow up (i.e. request an interview, provide your phone number, etc.).

Job Search Tips

Target your search, don't mass mail resumes.
The factors you need to take into consideration when targeting your search are personal preference, skills, market conditions, and geography (i.e. are you willing to relocate). It will be easier to search once you have a general idea of what you are looking for.
Don't underestimate the importance of networking!
Applying to advertised opportunities is just one way to find a job. It is also important to use your network. Let your family, friends, peers, and professors know what you are looking for and find out if they can offer any assistance. Networking is not asking for a job. Networking is asking for leads and advice about your chosen field. Ultimately it can get you hired, it can also help you to validate your career choice and explore opportunities that you may not even have been aware of.
Make sure employers can find you too.
Most employers will at some point search various on-line databases to find candidates with the skills they are looking for (i.e. Monster). Some larger employers, such as Nortel, even have their own on-line databases. Make use of these by submitting your resume and making it available for searches.
Use the resource centers at your university/college.
Most schools have career resource centers that offer training and other tools to assist you in your job search.

Interview Tips

Research the company.
This shows that you are really interested in the job and it may help to give you context when responding to questions. Don't just learn the commonly known facts, find out what is happening within the company and market (what are the key projects/technologies/customers, etc.). Find out what you like about the company and what is unusual or attractive about it.
Review your experiences.
Taking time to recall your experiences and think about how they relate to the job that you are interviewing for will help you to respond to questions during the interview, especially when you are asked for specific examples that showcase your skills.
Be aware of your "soft skills".
Most interviews will focus on your soft skills as well as your technical or "hard" skills. Soft skills are things like communication, organization, team work, and creativity. They are things that you have learned probably without even trying. Think of how you have demonstrated your soft skills in the past and be prepared to relate examples during the interview. Ask others (friends, family) what they think your soft skills are. You may be surprised at some of the characteristics you display.
Arrive on time, dressed for success.
To ensure that you will not be late for an interview you should plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Dress in business attire unless you have been informed otherwise.
Practice!
Prepare for your interview by practicing in front of the mirror or with a friend. You can get sample interview questions off the internet or from a career resource center.
Be Yourself.
Every individual has unique gifts, so relax and be yourself. Let the interviewer get to know you.
Remain calm during the interview.
It's natural to be nervous in an interview situation but try to remember to stay calm and focus on the task at hand. Look the interviewer in the eye, speak clearly, and listen carefully. It is okay to ask for clarification about a question if you need it. It is also okay to have silences or breaks in the conversation; you may need to take some time to think before you speak.
Be prepared to ask questions.
The interview is a great opportunity to find out more about the company or the job that you are applying for. Having prepared questions also shows the interviewer you are serious and interested in the position/company (and that you have done your homework).
Follow up after the interview by sending a short thank you e-mail.