Author: Emily Wolf

5 Small Things That’ll Keep You from Being Another Resume in the Pile

We all want our resumes to stand out, but that can be easier said than done. There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there like whether or not you should use colors or fancy fonts and what sort of information you should include. So before you send in your resume, here are five small things you can do to stand out from the crowd.

  1. Use Industry Terms (Where Appropriate)

On a resume, vocabulary is every bit as important as good grammar. Using words and phrases that relate to the company and position will help you to stand out and sound knowledgeable about the position you’re after.

Let’s say you’re applying to an editorial role. Instead of saying you “created posts,” you could say that you “published articles” using your company’s “content management system.” It’s a minor difference that shows you have knowledge of how the industry works.

  1. Keep the Format Professional

The format of your resume should be visually pleasing and easy to follow, but the design should not distract from the content. A resume is supposed to be about you and your accomplishments, not how pretty you can make a piece of paper. Keep the look simple, modern, and neat.

If you’re applying to positions in a more creative industry, your heading (where your name and contact information goes), as well as any subheadings, are great places to add a little pizzazz. This will help keep the resume organized and make it easy for potential employers to scan through the content. Just remember to keep the fonts and colors simple.

  1. Be Positive and Career-Oriented

Your resume will reflect who you are as an employee, so you want to avoid negativity. To achieve this, don’t say (or infer) anything bad about your previous jobs or employers. You should also avoid including irrelevant hobbies.

  1. Talk About Your Accomplishments

A lot of people restate job descriptions in their resume. They talk about the role and requirements of prior jobs, but they downplay their own accomplishments. These are the things that employers most want to see and it’s extremely important to include them and make them stand out.

One way to do this is to include numbers. Use statistics to reflect what you have done in the past and how you can benefit the company. For example, if you say that you“increased blog traffic by 475%,” it provides a quantifiable illustration of your worth.

  1. Keep it Short and Sweet

Read our lips: Resumes shouldn’t be over a page—no excuses. Many CEOs and other executives are able to keep their resumes to one page even with decades of experience, and so should you. In fact, some employers won’t even read lengthy resumes. You want your resume on the top of the stack, not at the bottom of the rubbish bin.

One way to shorten is to eliminate irrelevant information: Get rid of skills or jobs that are outdated and don’t show why you’re perfect for that particular role. Tailor your resume to the specific job and company, which can help you eliminate things that they aren’t looking for. For example, if you’re applying for a business analyst position, you don’t need to list your fast food job from high school.

10 Tips for Slaying Any College Paper

We’ve all had those days where we’re struggling to finish a paper for class or are simply nervous about doing well. Either way, we all know what it’s like to stress about writing college essays. This a guide to help you do your very best, so you can relax and focus on other things.

1. Set Aside at Least Two Days to Work on a Paper

Even though it’s easy to procrastinate and leave your paper until the night before, this is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. Not only are you in a rush to finish it, but you’ve eliminated extra time to revise.

Since most students don’t spend weeks and weeks writing a paper, the best strategy is to spend at least one day writing the essay and a second day editing and revising it. Two days is, of course, a minimum. Generally, the more time you put into writing and reviewing your paper, the better it will be. Proportioning this time is important too. For example, you will want to spend more time on papers that are more important, such as finals and mid-term papers.

2. Form an Outline First

I always start my papers by writing out my thesis and main points. It’s pretty simple and doesn’t take much time since I type a simple sentence explaining my point and then build on it to fill in the outline. Outlining first ensures that you’ve thought through your points and that each argument will flow into the next. I’ve found that this also keeps me on-topic and makes it easier to continue working after each break.

3. Get Rid of Distractions

When it comes to working on a paper, most students will use any distraction as an excuse to put off writing. Even when you’ve turned off the television, it can be all too easy to get lost in the internet, which is why I recommend turning off your wifi connection while you write. There are also apps you can download that will block social media channels (hello, Self Control), allowing you to focus on your paper instead of Facebook notifications.

Another thing that distracts a lot of people is listening to music while they write. I’m guilty of this as well, and all too often end up typing song lyrics into my essays. Luckily, there is still music you can listen to while you work, just without lyrics. My personal favorites are movie soundtracks because they are designed to be motivating.

(Here’s a Spotify playlist for studying that I like to use.)

4. Write Your Introduction and Conclusion Last

These two paragraphs are usually the most difficult to write, so why not leave them for last? The opening and closing paragraphs are supposed to introduce and sum up your thesis and main points, so it’s smart to wait to write them until you’ve finished writing the body of your paper.

When you do get to writing your introduction and conclusion, don’t stress too much. Many students feel unsure about what to write, so they rush something they aren’t confident in. It’s important to remember that the introduction is just proposing the topic and setting up the background for your paper. The introduction sets up the discussion and the conclusion highlights the most important points. The conclusion is a summary of your whole paper – what were the important points and why is it important? Try to tie the introduction and conclusion together by using similar opening and closing statements.

5. Take Breaks

Depending on how efficiently you’re working, you can take this between every paragraph or after finishing several. Don’t let it be too long; I like to take a break to check notifications on my phone (which is another distraction you should put away while you work), or watch a short video on YouTube.

Taking a break allows your mind to clear and let new ideas in. It also gives you some perspective on what you’ve just completed, just like the first point about putting some time in between writing and revising. If you’re really stressed, this can be when you switch subjects and work on another assignment or reading you need to do, but it’s preferable to do something unrelated to school work to allow your mind to stop working for a short while.

6. Keep Referring to Your Professor’s Guidelines

It may seem like a no-brainer, but professors almost always have their expectations on the syllabus. They may even have an outline of content they expect to see and how they grade papers. Professors may also list places you can go for extra help on a paper, whether it’s meeting with them during office hours, on-campus resources, or websites, so it never hurts to check the syllabus.

7. Reference Class Materials Before Looking Things Up Online

When it comes to citing information, it’s better to use what you already know than to grab bits of information you found online. Using your notes and textbook shows your professor that you paid attention in class and know the material.

8. Don’t Use Words You Have to Look Up

It can be tempting to use a thesaurus in order to sound more educated on a topic, and, while it’s true that an expanded vocabulary adds flavor to the diction of a paper, looking up new words just for an essay is not a good idea.

Sometimes this can lead to word-vomit, a pile of overly complicated sentences that distract from the message of the paper. You also run the risk of using words that don’t fit into the definition you intended. For Friends fans, you may remember the episode when Joey uses a thesaurus to describe Chandler and Monica but ends up calling them “humid, prepossessing homosapiens with full-sized aortic pumps” instead of “warm, nice people with big hearts.” This is the last thing you want in your paper, and, rather than making you sound more intelligent, you sound silly and desperate.

9. Fix Formatting After Finishing Your Paper

If you’re anything like me, you tend to waste an hour adjusting the formatting of your paper instead of actually writing. You fiddle with the text size, font, spacing and paragraphing, and then, you take a break even though you’ve accomplished nothing. I’m certainly guilty of this all too often. A better option is to start writing; eventually you’ll get into a writing rhythm. Once you’ve finished writing, or at least made a good start, you can go back and adjust the format. This is a step that I usually leave for last, along with my revisions.

10. Read Your Paper Out Loud

Spell-check doesn’t catch everything, so this a good method to find small errors in your work. Another alternative is to copy and paste sections into Google Translate and listen to it. It’s easy to miss spelling and punctuation mistakes when you’re skimming through a computer screen, but reading aloud is a pretty good way to catch some of those since it forces you to look at each word individually. It’s also a great way to make sure your sentences make sense outside of your head. Not only is it good for catching mistakes, but it also gives you a break from sitting at the computer and typing.

Ultimately, the best strategy for a good paper is to put in a lot of work. Multiple revisions will never hurt, nor will taking a lot of time to think through what you’re writing and researching on the topic. College papers shouldn’t be anything to stress too much about and everyone has their own champion techniques. Good luck on that essay!

7 Strategies That’ll Take Your Job Interviews to the Next Level

Going into a job interview can be scary, even terrifying. There’s certainly a lot of pressure no matter what role you’re up for; you want to make a good impression, sound knowledgeable and informed and most importantly, get the job, but so much could go wrong.

It’s all pretty intimidating, but knowing these seven simple tips will help to improve your performance and confidence levels!

1. Do Your Homework Ahead of Time

By simply googling the company, you can gain some helpful insights into what the company expects of its employees and the goods or services they provide. This will also prepare you for what you’ll be facing in the interview and makes you look good if you get asked questions specific to the company.

Looking into the company may also give you some questions to ask your interviewers. You can also be prepared by rehearsing some answers to common interview questions and things that you think might be asked in your interview. Here are some examples of what to look for when you’re doing your research:

  • What are the responsibilities of the role you are pursuing? How does that role fit into the company at large?
  • Who are the important people in the company?
  • What is the company’s history?
  • What direction is the company currently headed in and how will you fit into that?
  • Do past employees have anything positive or negative to say about the workplace?
  • What does the company’s social media and larger digital presence look like?

2. Dress Appropriately

This is so much more than dressing “professionally.” How you dress in an interview reflects how prepared and knowledgeable you are about the role you are pursuing.

In terms of general don’ts, avoid wearing jeans and clothing with tears or holes. If you have no idea where a company falls on the spectrum of formality, you can never go wrong wearing a nice button-down shirt, slacks or skirt, and dress shoes. Feel free to add any accessories or jewelry that are minimal but show personality. And remember: If you’re unsure of how to dress, it’s always better to dress up rather than down, but be careful not to go too far (for example, don’t wear a ballgown to the interview!).

I would also recommend checking out a company’s website and social media pages to see what employees are wearing in those photos.

And if you need more tips, our WayUp Guide has more tips for how to dress for a more traditional corporate setting versus a smaller startup company.

3. Open With a Firm Handshake

I cannot stress the importance of this enough! Your handshake is one thing you should definitely practice ahead of time, as it’s crucial you get it right. If you don’t, you’ll spend the remainder of the interview trying to repair a poor first impression instead of adding to it.

For a good handshake, make sure you are grasping the person’s hand firmly; don’t give a soft squeeze or go all dead-hand on someone. Try to avoid clammy and damp hands as well as overly dry hands. Make sure you maintain eye contact during the whole handshake, which will usually last two to three seconds. Also, beware of using scented lotions or other products, as some people might be allergic to them – and that definitely won’t leave a good impression!

4. Repeat the Question at the Beginning of Your Answer

This will make sure that you understood the question you’re being asked and will give you some time to think of an answer. If the question has multiple parts, break it down and repeat each section with its respective answer.

For example, a common question is to list your greatest strength and weakness. Obviously, no one wants to tell a possible employer about their weaknesses, but how you answer will paint a picture of how you deal with it and are working to improve it. If possible, try to list your weakness first, but make it clear that that’s what you’re doing. I usually follow that by telling interviewers what I’m doing to improve that particular quality. Next, tell the interviewer that you’re moving on to address the strength question. This one can also be tricky because you don’t want to sound like you’re bragging, but you also shouldn’t sell yourself short.

(If you want help answering questions about your greatest strengths and weaknesses, we have comprehensive guides to those here and here!)

5. Don’t Forget to Ask the Interviewer Questions

This goes back to having done your homework. Asking questions shows that you know a little about what you’re getting into and that you’re willing to learn. This also breaks up the interview so that the interviewers aren’t the only ones asking questions. Your goal is to create a conversation with the interviewer so that he or she can get to know you on a more personal level.

This would also be the time to ask about the things that weren’t listed on the job posting, like what a typical day at the company in this role looks like as well as some problems the company has faced and how it plans to move forward in the future.

6. Remember to Relax

This is probably the hardest thing to do during an interview because everyone’s nervous. However, like the handshake, smiling and showing that you’re comfortable creates a good impression and shows that you’re friendly and open to meeting new people.

This also relates to being aware of your body language throughout the interview. Avoid fidgeting or anything that would distract from your answers. I always make sure when I go into an interview that my hair is pulled back and out of the way so I’m not tempted to play with it. Make sure your nails are well-trimmed so that you’re not picking at them, and shave or trim any facial hair if you need to. Be mindful of where your hands are placed, preferably in sight, and that you’re not rocking in your chair, especially if it’s a swivel chair. Avoid crossing your legs if possible and definitely don’t slouch. Your whole body language should be positive and focused.

7. Thank Your Interviewers

After an interview is over, it can be easy to rush out and heave a huge sigh of relief, but there’s one thing you need to make sure you do first: Thank the interviewer(s). Everything about your interview should be genuine, but this especially. This is your closing impression because chances are, you’re not going to encounter these people again until you get the job there.

Before I leave the interview, I always make sure to include a handshake with my thank you and address each interviewer by name when I thank them. I’ll also throw in a line like “Thanks for taking time out of your day to meet with me” or “I look forward to hearing from you.” After you get home and the stress of the interview is over, send them an email or even a personal note thanking them again (if you need help with this, here’s some advice on how to write a great thank you note!). Even if you don’t get the job, this looks very professional and creates a lasting positive impression of you.

Nothing beats practice and experience when it comes to rocking an interview, so make sure you prepare before going into an interview and remember these crucial points. There are a lot of do’s and don’ts, so it’s important to remember why you’re applying for this job and why they should hire you. You have lots of valuable and unique skills and experiences, so don’t sell yourself short!

Are You Missing These 5 Things When You Read Job Listings?

When looking through job or internship listings, it can be easy to miss several pieces of key information, especially if you’re in a hurry to apply.

While every part of a job listing is meant to give you insight, some things are often forgotten about by applicants until much later in the hiring process. Below I’ve compiled a list of some of the most important things to look for in any job listing (and to ask an employer about if you don’t see them mentioned).

1. Listed Benefits

Check to see what kind of benefits are included with the job besides your stipend or salary, such as healthcare, compensation, insurance, vacation time, sick days, professional development and in-office benefits (like free food or a nap room). They might not all be listed, and that’s something you can ask about in an interview.  

Also, check out what is listed as starting pay and make sure you understand if there are any other components of a salary to be aware of (like commissions or bonuses).

2. Commute

Sometimes applicants get so excited about an opportunity that they don’t ask several important questions about their commute:

  • Where will you be working? Is it far from where you live, and how much will the commute cost you?
  • Will you be able to drive or use another mode of transportation to get there on time every day? How long is the commute and how bad does traffic get?
  • Will your employers expect you to relocate for the company or travel for business trips?
  • Are you able to work from home at all, or do you need to be in the office every day?

One thing you can check on is if there are carpool options, whether it’s with neighbors or co-workers. You can also ask what measures the company will take in order to help you get to work, such as commuter benefits or a company car or shuttle.

3. General Role Expectations

Often the expectations reflect strongly on what the company represents, so it’s good to know before applying what will be expected of you once you start the job. This is especially important given that responsibilities can differ great from company to company, even if two people have similar job titles.

For instance, an editorial intern at one company could be spending most time uploading and proofreading articles, while another one spend lots of time writing articles.

To make sure the role expectations are in line with what you’re looking for, here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • What type of work must you accomplish each day?
  • Based on the listing, are your days very goal-driven, or is there some room for longer-term projects?

Remember that if you don’t like your core responsibilities, chances are, you won’t like the job as a whole, either.

4. Skills and Experience Required

There are generally two types of skill requirements: Need-to-haves and nice-to-haves.  Don’t bother applying for a position if you don’t have the need-to-haves skills, but realize that the nice-to-haves are things that will help you stand out. Requirements can be a range of things, including language, computer, medical, and personal skills, but it’s a good idea to check what is required of you before pursuing the job.

The bottom line? Don’t apply if you don’t possess any of the skills or experience a job needs.

5. Application Instructions

What do you need to do in order to apply, and what is the deadline to apply? Many employers will ask for something extra as well, such as a cover letter, a list of recommendations or supplemental questions or requests, so be sure you read a listing carefully so that you don’t miss anything.

Make sure that you have plenty of time to gather everything required in the posting and submit it.  It’s especially helpful to submit application materials early, but the most important thing is that they’re at least on time.

As I mentioned earlier, most job postings won’t have all of these listed, but make sure you look through the listing several times. Gather the information you can and use that to guide you through the rest of the hiring process.