As recruiters, we see a lot of great, and not so great, resumes and interviews. Below are some tips to help you best present yourself for a potential opportunity:
Resume Tips
Structure
Have clear (and professional) contact information and full name - it’s time to ditch that funny email address you’ve been hanging on to - ideally your email includes your name.
1-2 pages of clear, relevant information are much easier to sort through than a 3+ page resume cluttered with too many details.
Triple-check for proper grammar, spelling, and consistent verb tense.
Use a consistent font/size throughout the bullet points of experience.
Put your experience before your education - graduation dates are not necessary.
Name the file with your name and ‘resume’, rather than the version or something else.
Content
Have multiple copies of your resume and tailor your objective, summary, and relevant experience for each type of position.
Use action words and specific project details rather than vague buzzwords.
Use metrics whenever possible to show the positive impact you made on the team/business.
Be clear about how your skills are transferable if transitioning careers.
Use keywords from the job description in your relevant experience.
Explain short tenure - (ex. company layoff, relocation, family care break).
Include references or don’t - avoid “references available upon request”.
Interview Tips
A little prep goes a long way
Research the company - how do you connect with their mission, values, product and/or service?
Review the job description before the interview/while you prep.
Practice mock interviews with likely interview questions (Glassdoor and Google are great resources for prepping a list of questions to practice).
Avoid scheduling interviews/meetings back to back in case one runs over on time.
During
Be confident and eager! A positive attitude and good energy have a big impact.
Be engaged - avoid leaning back in your chair.
Wear professionally comfortable clothes that make you feel good.
Avoid overusing “we” - focus on your specific contributions.
Use the STAR method to explain situational questions.
Situation - What was the situation?
Task - What did you need to accomplish?
Action - What specifically did YOU do?
Result - What was the outcome of your action?
Ask questions - it shows interest in the position and company.
Follow up
Ask for the next steps at the end of the interview and follow up with a thank you note.
In a competitive market with more applicants than jobs, small adjustments to your resume and interview approach can make all the difference in securing your next opportunity. If you’re in the market for a new Salesforce position, reach out to Hireforce to connect! We are more than happy to chat through the Salesforce market, as well as help you first-hand apply these tips and tricks into your job search!