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TECHNIQUE 1: Why should I hire you?

Imagine yourself at the end of an interview. Things have gone well, and the interviewer begins to wrap things up. She explains when a decision will be made and what you can expect next. Then, she says “Thank you for answering my questions so thoroughly. I have narrowed the pool down to four people – you and three other candidates are being considered for the position. In closing, please answer one final question: Why I should hire you rather than the other people I am considering?” Write down your answer to this question.

Then, for each of the reasons you have listed, write down a story associated with that reason that proves it to be true. For example, if one of the reasons you think you should be hired is because you are a quick learner, a possible illustration of this is the time you were working as a waitress at a restaurant when the shift supervisor suddenly quit and you had to, with no warning or preparation, fill in for her until they could find a replacement.

TECHNIQUE 2: Hiring Manager

Imagine that you are a hiring manager looking to hire someone to fill a position like the one you are looking for (i.e., if you want to be an accountant, imagine yourself as a CFO who needs to hire an accountant). Make a list of the characteristics/skills/qualifications you will be looking for in a job candidate.

What are the most important things you will be looking for during the interview? Make a list of the questions you will ask. Better yet, talk with a person who actually is a hiring manager in your chosen field. Ask what they look for when they are hiring people for your desired position. Once you have gathered all of this information, put your lists away.

A week or so later, look at the things you have written down and begin to determine which of the characteristics listed fits you. These are your selling points. Once again, find a story associated with each characteristic you have chosen.

TECHNIQUE 3: Ask for a Raise

Collect several blank sheets of paper and a pen. At the top of each sheet of paper, write the name of one of the jobs you have held. For each job you have listed, pretend you are writing a letter to your boss (or former boss) asking for a raise. Why do you think you deserve a raise? How have you proven yourself to be a valued employee? How have you helped your company make money or operate more efficiently? What have you done to improve the product or service your company offers? Why do you deserve a raise more than your co-workers?

The reasons you list here are your selling points. Find a story to illustrate each one.

TECHNIQUE 4: Term Paper

Job seekers who are very good at writing papers may find this technique helpful. Pretend you are writing a paper for an English class entitled “What Makes me a Good Employee,” and you will naturally define your selling points.

After you have defined your selling points with examples, move on to step 3.

Step 3: Gathering Basic Information

There are several types of basic information you will probably want to include on your resume.

Candidate Information

This section serves as a heading for your resume, and includes your name, complete address, and telephone number with area code. Provide an alternate address and phone number if necessary. An alternate phone number becomes especially important if you do not have an answering machine. A potential employer may call you once and leave a message to schedule an interview, but rarely will he/she call twice. Potential employers must be able to contact you easily. If you spend the majority of your time at a place other than your home, list that information as well.

Do not include personal information such as weight, height, marital status, age, etc. This information is irrelevant to your ability to do a job, and listing it on your resume will make you appear old-fashioned and dated.

A note about answering machine messages: if you are actively job searching, make sure the message on your machine is short, concise, and business-like. Don’t lose the chance to interview because an employer called you and was forced to listen to an offensive, irritating, or “cutesy” message. Either you or someone in your home should record a clear, no-nonsense message. Store-bought, pre-taped messages are also generally displeasing. Your message should say something like “You have reached the Smith residence. Please leave a message and your call will be returned promptly.” Save your fun messages for after you obtain employment!

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