J & K Recruiting Services Philadelphia

Resume Tips

admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:52:32 +0000

- Keep it simple! Use an easy to read font (11 or 12 point Calibri or Times New Roman).

- Your resume should be visually appealing, but do not include pictures, borders, or colored fonts unless you are in a creative field. Make sure your resume is not cramped and has equal spacing throughout.

- Bold your name and make it a bit larger than the rest of the writing so it stands out.

- If you have a gender neutral name (Jessie, Alex, Taylor, etc.) list your name with Mr. or Ms. so employers can address you properly.

- Use bullet points as they are much easier to read than paragraphs.

- Listing an objective at the top of the resume is helpful because you can tailor it to the specific position you are applying for.

- List your skills at the top of the resume (Microsoft word, Excel, QuickBooks, etc.).

- Do not include high school experience (jobs, clubs) unless you are currently in high school, have graduated from high school within 2 years, or the information/experience is relevant to the position.

- Do not list your GPA if it is below a 3.0/4.0. If your major GPA is higher than your cumulative GPA, list that instead.

- Use numbers to support your information (ex: the percentage or dollar amount of money you were able to save the company).

- Do not include irrelevant information (hobbies: video games, Facebook) unless it is significant to the position to which you are applying.

- Be sure to include up to date contact information (phone, email, mailing address).

- If you do not have an e-mail address, make one.

- Do not include personal information such as age, marital status, political affiliation, religion, what kind of car you drive, etc. Employers are not allowed to discriminate against this type of information, but there is no need to take that chance.

- Professional organizations and community service events are good to list if applicable.

- Have someone you know read over your resume to check to errors

- Proofread, proofread, and proofread again! One spelling error on your resume cost you the chance to interview.

- Be sure to check for grammatical errors as well as spelling errors. Pay extra attention to there/their/they’re, to/too, your/you’re, its/it’s and tense as previous experience should be listed in the past tense.

- Avoid contractions and slang.

- Employers often search for applicants by using specific keywords so be sure to include words that are relevant to the position you are seeking.

- Do not include pronouns like “I” or “me.”

- If you are not getting the response you would like or feel lost when it comes to resume writing, consider getting professional advice from a career center or resume writing service.

Cover Letter Tips

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:41:15 +0000

It is good practice to include a cover letter with your resume. While it will take time to construct a good cover letter, it will prove to be a very valuable tool.

Cover letters are a great way to make a positive first impression if done correctly.

- Use a simple font that is easy to read (Calibri or Times New Roman)

- Cover letters should be a brief introduction to an employer that compliments experience listed in your resume. Keep your cover letter around 1 page.

- Address your cover letter to each individual employer/hiring manager. Save a template to your computer and edit this with each application. While this may take extra time, employers know when they are looking at a generic cover letter.

- Think about the language you use. A cover letter should be professional, but you do not want to sound conceited.

- Your cover letter should include 3-4 paragraphs:

o 1^st- what position you are applying for and how you found the job posting (Monster, CareerBuilder, referral, etc.). Include the name of a personal referral if you have one.
o 2^nd/ 3^rd- What you have to offer (Skills, traits, strengths, etc.). Make connections between your abilities and what the employer is looking for. Do not repeat your resume but try to support your resume with facts instead. For example, a sales person should describe how he/she was able to increase sales volume.
o 4^th – Thank the employer for considering you, request an interview, and state how you will follow up.

- Proofread!

- If you need additional assistance or examples, plenty of resources are available on the web.

Important Interview Tips

admin — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:06:18 +0000

Important Interview Tips
- First impressions are essential.
- Be sure to research the company before the interview so you are able to make conversation and ask appropriate questions.
- Dress to impress:
o It is important to dress professionally even if you are interviewing in a casual environment.
o Men should wear a dark colored suit; long sleeve, button-down shirt, belt, tie, dark socks, and polished leather shoes. Carry a portfolio or brief case and be sure to style your hair professionally.
o Women should wear a dark colored suit (if wearing a skirt, be sure the skirt falls no more than two inches above the knee); matching blouse; limited jewelry such as a watch or pearls; polished, conservative shoes (not sandals or flip flops), natural-looking makeup, and neatly manicured nails. Your shoulders, cleavage, and toes should be covered.
o Make sure your outfit is clean and wrinkle free.
- Practice your handshake to make sure your grip is firm and confident.
- Focus on speaking slowly and clearly.
- Be sure to emphasize what you can contribute to the company, and not solely what you are looking for in a position.
- Do not interrupt when the interviewer is speaking and take an active interest in what the interviewer has to say. Eye contact is very important.
- Bring extra copies of your resume.
- Address interviewers by Mr. and Mrs. and their last name unless you are asked to address them otherwise.
- Always get the interviewer’s business card and write a thank you note/e-mail following the interview.
General Tips
- DO NOT wear perfume, scented body lotion, excessive aftershave or cologne as this can be irritating to people who suffer from allergies.
- Turn off your cell phone before entering the building.
- Always give yourself ample time to find the interview location and be sure to arrive a few minutes early. This will give you time to compose yourself before the interview.
o If you are going to be late for any reason, it is very important to call.
- Be sure to brush your teeth and bring a breath mint with you. DO NOT chew gum!
- Keep the interview positive. DO NOT speak poorly of previous employers.
- Bring a note pad along in case you need to write something down.
- Limit the jewelry you wear. If you have multiple piercings it is best to remove some and cover all tattoos.
- Review common interview questions online beforehand.
- Take deep breaths, smile, and try to relax!
- It is normal to be nervous before an interview but being well prepared will help you feel at ease!

Welcome to J&K

admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:50:55 +0000

Welcome to our new and improved website! We’ve completely revamped the site to make it more interactive and we hope you enjoy the new layout. In the time since our website has been under construction, we’ve signed a national recruiting contract and have received many great positions both locally and nationally. Be sure to check out the new “Job Listing” section where you can view all of our open positions and apply at the click of a button. We will use the blog to post updates, information, and tips and we look forward to receiving your feedback. We are anxious to share all of the exciting things that are going on at J&K so be sure to check back often!