Marketing Yourself

There are certain do's and don'ts when it comes to job interviews, resumes, and cover letters. Here are a few examples of how to properly go about these important steps in the professional world.

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Resume:

• Use lists, not paragraphs.
• Include only relevant experience and skills.
• Use a unique resume for each job you interview for.
• Use white space and eye movement to focus on the most important and impressive aspects.
• Small amounts of color can help with organization and focus.
• Avoid listing skills all college graduates have (Word, PowerPoint, etc)
• Avoid overused language ("Hardworking")
• Keep each section short with no more than 7 points.
• Use common and easy to read fonts.
• References come at the end.
• Digital submissions should be PDFs.

Cover letter:

• Begin with "To whom it may concern" or other such greetings if the recipient is not known.
• State the position you wish to apply for and where you found the job listing in the first paragraph.
• State education, experience, and why you sought to apply to the company.
• State contact information including email and phone number.
• End with "thank you for your time" and your name.

Interview:

• Make sure to use a firm handshake.
• Practice answering usual interview questions out loud before the actual interview.
• Study the company's values, CEO, history, and other facts.
• Bring a pen and paper for note taking.
• Be prepared to tactfully answer any uncomfortable or unconventional questions.
• Avoid long pauses.
• Avoid questions of salary or benefits.
• Be honest if you don't know the answer to a question; if the interviewer supplies the answer write it down.