Military Careers, Second Careers - Air Force Times

Be a standout candidate

Landing a job is not just about your credentials and experience. Sometimes it’s the little things that stand out and make you a desirable candidate.

Paying attention to detail, leaving an impression at the interview and conducting a proper follow-up go a long way.

So how do you do it?

Refine your résumé.

First, prepare a focused, targeted résumé and cover letter. Absolutely no typos tolerated. Make sure you use industry words and phrases that recruiters will look for.

Make your résumé succinct and easy to read. Don’t leave the reader asking questions. If you have an uncommon name, and it is difficult to tell your gender, perhaps you want to provide hints in the résumé by adding a middle name, said Darlene Cook, career strategist and coach at Résumés and Beyond in Baltimore.

Depending on how much creativity the job entails, you may want to jazz up your résumé and cover letter by highlighting your accomplishments and experience before listing the chronology of companies you have worked for and your schooling.

Prepare for the interview.

Once you’ve been invited to a job interview, find out the latest news about the company: Did it just merge with another company? What is the organization’s mission?

When it comes time for the interview, show up on time. Dress appropriately in a business suit.

“Too many people come overdressed,” said Barry Schlecker, president of The Network Group, a job search firm in Wilmington. “It’s not a date — it’s a business interview.”

Some experts suggest you practice a short answer for obvious questions, such as, “Tell me about yourself.” If the job is in online sales or requires a lot of public speaking and presentations, some companies expect you to pitch a sales idea to a group of interviewers.

“I have seen people who do a PowerPoint presentation that shows you whatever they have done in their life,” said John Hawkins, president and chief executive of Aloysius Butler & Clark, an advertising and public relations company in Wilmington. “It shows capability and ingenuity.”

Wait to negotiate.

During the first interview, avoid any mention of salary expectations, benefits or vacation schedule. It’s way too early to start negotiating.

When wrapping up the interview, ask about the next step in the job application process and when the company expects to make a decision.

As soon as you leave the interview, send thank you notes to each interviewer.

More than half of the 150 senior executives polled by Accountemps said they prefer handwritten notes; 44 percent said they prefer e-mail.

Then give the company time to decide. When it gets closer to the deadline, call about the status of your application.

If the company offers you a job, be prepared to negotiate.

Learn from the experience.

Schlecker said it’s OK to ask why you didn’t get a job and to take that experience to your next interview.

If you make a good impression, the recruiter or hiring manager will be honest. That person may even keep your résumé on hand for future openings or refer you to another department.