By Amanda Khadra/reporter
In today’s economy, many people are having a difficult time finding a job, so a South Campus coordinator told students March 25 how to prepare themselves.
In Are You Job Fair Ready? Resume Writing/Dress for Success/Interviewing Techniques, Monica Bettle, South career center coordinator, said many factors determine whether or not employers think someone is right for the job.
Because the resume catches the employer’s eyes, building a resume requires lots of time, Bettle said.
“It takes a minute or two to glance at your resume and put it in the yes or no section,” she said.
The outline of the resume can be done in different ways, but must include identification, objective, education and experience with the most recent dates first. Bettle said the hardest part for most people is to list what they have done, such as job descriptions. The resume should include certain keywords for the job sought.
Bettle said employers scan an application and pick out certain words. Since they sometimes receive 200 or 300 applications for one position, this process helps them eliminate many of the applications.
“Don’t just settle for any job because employers look for stability,” she said. “Make sure it’s something you really want.”
Bettle said one should be discreet when discussing previous jobs.
“Don’t put you were fired or laid off on your resume when it asks,” she said. “Just put ‘willing to discuss.’”
Applicants can choose from two types of resumes: functional and chronological. Chronological, the most common, lists jobs by dates. Functional works for individuals who have been either in the same job for 10-15 years and are considering a new career path or out of the work force for many years. Functional does not include dates. Some people mix the two.
Bettle also offered advice about an interview.
“In an interview, there is really no right and wrong answer,” she said. “They just want to see your reaction to the questions. They tend to try to throw you off.”
Bettle said researching a company before going to the actual interview is a benefit and helps if the employer asks a tough question such as expected salary.
“The interview is to see if they like you because they already know your skills on paper,” she said. “It’s a performance, you’re on stage and you’re acting. You only get one chance to make that first impression.”
Bettle said applicants should prepare themselves before an interview for potential questions.
“If you’re caught off guard, you get yourself in a hole, and it’s usually hard to get out of,” she said.
Dressing is another factor people tend to stress about, Bettle said. Applicants could visit the company and see how they dress, then dress a step up.
For women, attire is usually a skirt, panty hose and minimal jewelry. She said not to show toes and to keep long hair pulled back.
“Women are more judgmental on other women when interviewing them,” she said.
“They look at your hair, clothes, earrings and everything else.”
Bettle said men should always wear long-sleeved shirts with an undershirt and keep cologne to a minimum.
Depending on their own appearance, men and women also might consider researching a company’s policy on tattoos and piercings, Bettle said.
“Give a firm handshake when you leave and ask them for their business card,” she said.
The career center will hold a job fair 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 8 in the Student Center on South Campus. The event is open to the community.
For more information, contact Bettle at 817-515-4551 or visit the career center in SSTU 1102A.
