First Steps

There are three common resume types, each with advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the best format is extremely important because this can highlight your strengths while minimizing any weaknesses. The three most common resume formats are chronological, functional, and a combination of the two.

A chronological resume focuses on work experience and education, highlighting consistency, progress and advancements in your career.

• Work history is listed with your most recent position first.
• This is the most popular type of resume; however, it is not recommended for job seekers:
  • With gaps in their work history
  • Who frequently change jobs (less than a year in a position)
  • Older workers
• View a sample of a chronological resume.

A functional resume focuses on skills and experiences without including dates and job titles. It highlights experience by focusing on skills and accomplishments, some of which may have been obtained by non-work experiences such as volunteering, being a school board member, or an intern.

• Is good for job seekers:
  • Who have gaps in their work history
  • Looking to change careers
  • With limited work experience
• Work history is included, but with less detail.
• May not be preferred by employers
• View a sample of a functional resume

A combination resume blends the best features of chronological and functional resumes. It focuses on skills and work history by beginning with the skills you have and ending with a listing of your work history, including dates.

• Is good for:
  • Entry-level positions
  • job seekers looking to change careers
  • job seekers with diverse work experiences
• Accentuates volunteer and internship experiences and transferrable skills
• Is readily accepted by employers.
• View a sample of a combination resume

Are you applying for a job with the Federal Government? If so, a special type of resume is required. It is more detailed, containing information not found in the other types. A Federal resume:

• Clearly articulates how your skills and abilities match the job posting
• Uses keywords and phrases included in the posting
• For more information about how to craft a Federal resume, visit USA Jobs offers resume tips.

The power of a word cannot be underestimated. In fact, many companies use software that searches for specific words in resumes.

To make the most of effective keywords:

• Make sure you highlight your skills, including specific actions you have taken, details about the situation, and the results.
• Begin each bullet point with an action verb; avoid phrases such as "responsible for".
• Carefully read each job posting, and include action words or key phrases in your resume.

For your reference, we compiled a list of action words in related groupings you can download.

• Do not include personal information like age, marital status, etc.
• Use a professional-sounding email address (includes your name or some version of it).
• Use fonts that are common in business, like Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri.
• Do not use "I" or "my" when describing your capabilities, accomplishments, or experience.
• With a functional and combination resume, organize your skills with the most relevant and important information first.
• Less is more
  • Keep your resume to one page, if possible (unless it is for a Federal Government position).
  • Information needs to be clear, concise, and organized so it is easy to read.
  • Mention only the most relevant information.

• Avoid using the same action verb over and over. For your reference, we compiled a list of action words in related groupings you can download.
• Use numbers, since employers are highly responsive to measurable, proven value.
• Use present-tense verbs when describing your current position and past tense for your previous jobs.
• When describing your skills in a functional resume or combination resume, always use present tense verbs.
• Review resume examples in your targeted industry.
• Read job descriptions carefully, and include key words and phrases identifying required/preferred skills and experience, and the responsibilities and duties of the position.
• If you cannot identify a close match of your skills with the job description requirements, use similar ones because skills gained outside of traditional work experiences are transferrable.
• If you learned about a position by networking, reflect on what you learned and include key pieces of information that demonstrate advanced knowledge.

• Proofread your resume multiple times, and ask others to review it for you.
• For an advertised vacancy, the purpose of your resume is to get you past the screening stage to an interview.
• For an unadvertised opportunity, the goal is to entice an employer to hire you based on your talents even if no current vacancy exists.

Cover letter. This is a letter of introduction to an employer and a chance to match your specific experiences to a job opening. A resume is attached. This is your first opportunity to showcase how you match an organization’s needs. It is important to do your research about the organization and incorporate their philosophy into this letter. Click here for a sample cover letter.

Introduction letter. Similar to a cover letter, this letter is used to introduce yourself to potential employers when there is no posted job opening. The intent is to persuade the recipient to consider creating a job opportunity that does not currently exist or had not considered previously. Click here for a sample introduction letter.

Thank-you letter. This is a letter of appreciation sent immediately after an interview. The employer has spent valuable time interviewing you and acknowledging this shows good manners while also providing you with a chance to clarify how you would be a good fit for the organization. It keeps your name on their radar. Click here for a sample thank-you letter.

Follow-up letter. This letter is designed to keep your name in front of the hiring manager; indicate to the hiring manager that you are still interested; and provides an opportunity to ask about where the company is in the hiring process. However, this type of letter is only sent if there is a significant period of time between the interview and the hiring decision. This letter should not be sent too frequently because thought of as conscientious can quickly turn into being perceived as annoying. Click here for a sample follow-up letter.

Letter of acceptance. This is the best kind of letter. You have received an offer and are formally accepting the position. This is a chance to express your excitement in becoming part of the team. This letter should be sent as soon as your decision is made or immediately after you have verbally accepted an offer. Click here for a sample acceptance letter.

References. While not a professional letter, having a list of references ready and available is important. Choose references who you know will say positive things about your character and your work. Your references should be able to express themselves professionally while speaking and in writing. Use our "create a reference list" to create and keep your list handy.

Professional letters have a standard format and include your contact information, the date, the name and address of recipient, a salutation/greeting, the body, the closing, and your signature. They may also include an enclosure notation, if applicable.

The body of a professional letter will usually have three sections:

• First paragraph: Indicates why you are communicating with the organization; whether it is to introduce yourself (cover letter or introduction letter) or to follow up on a meeting (thank you letter or follow-up letter).
• Second paragraph: Make your sales pitch about why you are a perfect match with their organization.
• Third paragraph: Wraps everything up by conveying your knowledge of the organization, your interest in the position, itself, and a request for updates regarding the position.

• Be meticulous. Take the time to make sure every letter you send is perfect. These documents will be kept on-file and, should you be hired, will become part of your personnel file.
• Format and tone mean everything. Regardless of the type of letter you are sending, it needs to follow standard business practices and convey a gracious and professional tone.
• Be brief. Avoid being too wordy; a professional letter should be able to be read in less than one minute.
• Clarify, if necessary. These letters are an opportunity to clarify and eliminate any potential misunderstandings that may have occurred, for example, in an interview.
• Avoid over-writing. Do not attempt to show your intelligence by using excessive, overly-flowery, or emotional wording.
• Keep copies. Save everything you send and receive from a potential employer. Our application’s storage, as a registered user, can assist you in keeping all of your documents organized, by employer, in one place.
• Use a generic salutation. If you do not have a specific name of a person to address your letter, then it is appropriate to use "Dear Sir or Madam."

1. Read the job vacancy posting/job description carefully. If possible, print it out and highlight key requirements, duties, and industry keywords to use in your application.
2. If at all possible, download or print the job application form ahead of time. This gives you a chance to review how the application is structured, as well as, the information being requested so you can gather all of your documents needed to complete the application.
3. Some job applications may ask you to list or describe your experience in a text box. It is always a good idea to type your answers in a separate Word document, then copy/paste your content into the application. Another benefit of doing this is Word will check your spelling and grammar, and even gives you access to synonyms and a thesaurus if you need one. It also helps by allowing you to save a copy of your responses for future job applications.
4. Never leave any questions unanswered.
5. Avoid using the browser’s "undo" or "back" button as it may remove you from the application. If you must go back a page, check for the application’s internal previous page navigation button or link.
6. Once you have completed filling out the application, keep a copy. Many organizations let you preview and print; however, with some applications, you may need to copy it into a Word document.
7. Take your time previewing your information before submitting. Proofreading your work is essential and having someone else read it is even better.
8. Use our "Upload and manage attachments" feature (only available to registered users) to keep your information readily available and organized. Be sure to include the organization’s name and type of document when naming attachments that you upload (for example: ABC Corp Application, ABC Corp cover letter, ABC Corp job description, ABS Corp resume).
9. Some applications may require you attach a resume and a cover letter. Be sure to customize these documents as much as possible to the position, include industry keywords, and make the connection between your experience and the job opening.

• The most important step in preparing for an interview is to research the organization so you have a clear understanding of the organization's culture and priorities.
• Make sure you have memorized the specific responsibilities and duties of the position so you can refer to them in your responses.
• If possible, before the interview, learn what you can about who will be on the interview panel (the internet can provide a wealth of information).
• Focus your responses to demonstrate you have the skills needed for the position.
• Weave-in previous work experience anecdotes (stories) describing challenges and steps you took to overcome them.
• Practice your anecdotes before the interview (shorter is better).
• Prepare a response for questions like, "Tell me about a time when you ran into an issue and how you solved it".

• Do mock interviews (practice answering questions) before the interview.
• If possible, take a video of your mock interview to identify potentially distracting nonverbal actions.
• During the mock interview:
  • Dress and conduct yourself as if it is a real interview
  • Ask friends or family to ask you common interview questions
  • Check out our "Related Websites" section for links to some helpful sites with possible interview questions you may encounter.
• Before the interview, go to the location to make sure you know where it is and how long it will take to get there (don't forget to account for traffic).
• Take note of where there is available parking.
• Dress a little better than what the position would require you to wear daily (a business suit is appropriate for a white-collar job, but for a less formal position, nicely-pressed pants and a dress shirt are appropriate)
• Do not smoke before or during an interview.
• Avoid eating very spicy, pungent food (garlic, curry) the day before and day of an interview.
• Brush your teeth just prior to an interview or have a mint to avoid "coffee breath".

If you are scheduled for a phone interview:

• Make sure you conduct this call in a quiet space with no interruptions.
• Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum.
• Gather all of your research about the organization and the position.
• Review it just prior to the call and keep the information within sight for reference.
• Have a notepad and a pen so you can take notes.
• Speak clearly and confidently – your tone provides a first impression.
• At the end of the call, ask about next steps and thank the speaker by name.
• Do not forget to send a quick thank-you note to the interviewer as soon as possible.

Without realizing it, your body language conveys a lot about you. Even during a phone interview, the person on the other end of the line can hear a smile in your voice. Here are some tips about ways you can use body language to your advantage:

• Maintaining eye contact indicates you are earnest and truthful.
• Sitting up straight conveys you are attentive; where slouching conveys laziness.
• Leaning forward slightly indicates you are particularly interested in something the interviewer has said; leaning back suggests you are bored or disengaged.
• Crossing your ankles or your arms shows a lack of confidence or are closed off.
• Greet interviewer(s) with an enthusiastic handshake and a smile; do the same when leaving, thanking them for their time.

Provide answers that give the impression that you are:

• Reliable
• An active listener
• Work well alone and in teams
• Able to quickly adapt to the organization’s culture and work style
• Someone who can reduce the employer's stress and workload by immediately adding value
• Familiar with industry terminology and can hit the ground running
• The right candidate for the job

Don't get stressed out if asked to take a test. Employers use assessments to evaluate potential employees for things like cognitive levels, physical/motor abilities, emotional intelligence, language proficiency, and even personality traits.

• Aptitude assessments measure your knowledge about certain topics and typically tend to have a right and wrong answer.
• Personality assessments evaluate whether you would be a good fit for the organization's culture. There are no right or wrong answers, but certain answers carry a higher weight than others. It is best to answer truthfully because, if not, you may end up working in an organization that is not suited to your personality and values.

• Record the name(s) of the person(s) you will be meeting so you can address them by name in the interview and follow-up with a thank you letter afterward.
• Avoid eating or drinking even water during an interview because you could spill it.
• Pause when asked a question to take the time to respond clearly, confidently, and completely.
• If you do not understand the question, ask for clarification before you answer.
• Do not ramble; if an interviewer wants you to expand upon your answer, you will be asked to do so.
• All of your past experiences have taught you something, even those that taught you "what not to do," so if asked to talk about how you handled a difficult situation, always present your experiences in a positive light.
• Do NOT say anything negative about former employers and co-workers.

• Most interviews end with the question, "Do you have any questions for me?" The answer should always be, "I do". Have two or three questions prepared ahead of time, but some may occur to you during the interview. Here are some appropriate questions to ask:
  • Questions that show what you have learned about the organization during your research, but were not covered in the interview.
  • Questions about their work priorities and goals, if not discussed already.
  • What do they consider the most important things you could do to contribute to their success (this information will help with your thank-you letter).
  • If it was not discussed in the interview, ask about the next steps of the process.
  • Do NOT ask about benefits, vacation time, hours of work as this shows you are more interested in how the employer can help you - not how you can help the employer.
• When the interview is complete, be sure show you are interested in the position, would contribute greatly to the organization, and would love to be part of the team.
• Thank them for the opportunity to discuss your qualifications, and shake everyone's hands, and possibly even ask for a business card.
• Remember to jot down any notes regarding the interview to help recall the conversation, especially the name(s) of the interviewer(s), so that you can write a proper "Thank You" letter after the interview.
• Make sure you include key points of the conversation in the body of the letter.

LinkedIn is best known for focusing on business and professional networking. This platform includes a built-in job search function. It also allows users to see if their LinkedIn colleagues have connections with an employer you may be interested in. When using this platform, consider the following:

• Your experience section in LinkedIn should highlight in general terms the most important job functions at your current/previous positions; it should not provide bulleted details about job duties like a resume.
• Employers search by keywords so be sure to incorporate industry keywords often found in job postings.
• Join alumni groups and other groups in your field, contribute to discussions, and follow influential people in your targeted industry.

Facebook focuses on connections with friends and promotes networking for jobs through their users' experiences. When using this platform, consider these tips:

• Make sure your work and education information are public even if you keep tight privacy settings.
• Provide a brief description about your professional background in the "about" section of your profile.
• Consider following recruiters and companies in your targeted industry for current information.

Twitter allows you to receive frequent updates on employers, recruiters, and industry insiders. When using this platform, consider these tips:

• Keep your profile up-to-date.
• Provide a brief description about your professional background in the "about" section of your profile.
• Choose relevant accounts to follow and stand-out by participating through tweeting, re-tweeting interesting posts, and commenting on content.
• Post links to pertinent articles and other online content.
• While providing your own professional opinion can make you stand out, make sure that what you write is not controversial.

Hiring managers will most likely do a thorough internet name search to find as much public information they can about you. It can be quite surprising to see all the information a simple internet search may reveal. Do a search for yourself to see what information is out there. Also, search for yourself on social media accounts you have. When your search results are in, review each one for accuracy, inconsistencies with your resume, or other information that may be of concern.

Examples of content to remove are:

• Photos where you or your friends are drinking, dressed inappropriately, or are engaged in questionable behavior
• Inappropriate comments by you or your friends, including profanity, alcohol or drug use, and even slang
• Negative or discriminatory comments that focus on former employment, people, and controversial topics

If you have posted articles, blogs, writing samples, or other web content, make sure they reflect your best self, including proper grammar and spelling. Also be sure to use the privacy settings on your social media accounts to restrict access to only trusted friends and restrict tagging to keep others from "tagging" you to postings that may questionable. Check your "likes" and consider removing them.

Your reputation means everything! Once you have cleaned up your digital footprint, you are ready to make a good impression. Check your digital footprint at least monthly, because even after you are hired, employers may continue to conduct social media searches.

Internships provide college students or recent graduates with work experiences in many different types of organizations be it small, medium, or large establishments in a lot of industries. Many employers rely on internship programs to attract and evaluate potential employees, providing a direct path to a job opportunity.

Internships are also beneficial to both your resume and your skills/experiences in the following ways:

• It allows you to apply what you have learned in a real-world environment.
• It can expand your network of professional contacts and help build relationships and connections in your chosen field.
• In regards to your chosen field, internships can help you focus on where you have the most talent, as well as what mainly piques your interest.
• Internships can also afford you the opportunity to become exposed to the workplace culture and industry nuances in your chosen field.

Always remember to incorporate this experience in your resume, not only as a work history entry but be sure to include all of the skills you have attained.

Registered Apprenticeshipis an 'earn-while-you-learn' approach to launching a career in hundreds of different occupations, not just in construction-related careers. As an apprentice, you would receive a combination of on-the-job training (OJT) and related technical instruction (RTI) in a skilled occupation.

One major misconception is that a Registered Apprenticeship Program is the same as an internship. Internships can sometimes be unpaid, informal, and may not necessarily lead to a career pathway. On the other hand, a Registered Apprenticeship is full-time employment that includes on-the-job training and classroom instruction. The benefits of a Registered Apprenticeship also include pay increments based on skills progression, and a nationally recognized credential at the conclusion of the program. Learn more about New Jersey's Apprenticeship program.

The value of an industry recognized credential cannot be overstated. Many organizations require certification, licensing, or degrees in the industry they represent. The question becomes, what do I need and how can I obtain these credentials? There are many programs offered through your local One-Stop Career Center to help you acquire the needed training and credentials to land these job opportunities. Stop in at your local One-Stop to find out what programs are available, and whether or not you qualify. Employment counselors can guide you through all the possible solutions available to you; the services at the One-Stop Career Centers are also completely free. Whether you need industry type training, or to obtain a high school diploma, attend English language classes, or need basic adult education assistance, the One-Stop Career Center may be the answer. They provide services to job seekers, whether you are in the job market or are currently unemployed.