The Do's and Dont's

As a Jobseeker you must ensure the principles to be followed while a job interview...

The Do's:

Clean up your online ID.

If you own a Facebook or any Social Network Account, clean it up before you start sending out resumes. One of the first tools we turn to is to see what is out there online. And Google yourself and see what comes up. Believe me, someone else is going to Google you.

Double check your dates.

Make sure the dates you put down on your resume are accurate (and don't lie-the truth will come out!). When the background and/or reference checks are done and the dates are way off, it makes us think you are lying.

Address gaps.

Address a gap in employment head on in the cover letter. It's also nice if the candidate can reference recent specific industry knowledge to demonstrate an ability to keep up to date even if they've been at home.

Make company names more prominent than years in each position.

I'm looking for names of companies that jump off the page and then I dive deeper.

Discuss your ability to commit in the cover letter.

I think that the purpose of a cover letter/resume is to get the job interview. So aggressive is good.

The Don'ts:

DON'T feel bad for having gaps in employment.

Gaps on your resume are ok, but be prepared to talk about why they are there. If you have stayed home with your children for a few years that's fine, but be prepared to explain.

DON'T use slang or abbreviations.

Spell check will either auto correct you or skip over it, which leads to wrong information on your resume. Any misspellings show a lack of detail.

DON'T tell your life story in your cover letter.

The interview would be the time and place to discuss family/time/commitment.

DON'T make up titles for yourself at a previous job or if you have been a stay-at-home-mom.

Again references are checked and that includes titles. If you call yourself 'Chief Mom, Executive of Smith Household, etc....' the resume is generally tossed to the side and not taken seriously.

DON'T ask your friends to proofread.

If you have been out of the job market for a while have others review your resume. Not necessarily friends who may tell you what you want to hear; try having it reviewed by someone you used to work with or someone that will give you an objective opinion.

DON'T include a photo.

So many people put a postage stamp size picture on their resume, it's not a positive thing unless the employer ask to do so.