Tips to Write Your Resume, Nail Your Interview and Negotiate Your Salary

Your resume, interview skills, and negotiation tactics are essential to landing better jobs, advancing your career, and increasing your income.

Don’t miss these key job-hunting hacks and tips as you search for your next big opportunity:

Write Your Resume

1. Follow the requested job application or resume style/format as specified by each prospective employer. Government resumes won’t look the same as commercial companies.  
2. Tailor your resume to the job announcement. Make it clear to the hiring manager how your work experience and educational degrees/certificates apply to the specific position.
3. Use keywords. Many HR departments have software that screens for keywords, so include keywords from the job announcement in your resume, cover letter, etc.
4. Avoid wordiness. Many jobs have lots of applicants, and hiring managers only have so much time to give each applicant, so keep your resume concise.
5. Make sure your professional and personal references are ready to accept a call from a potential employer. Choose references who can confidently recommend you and are most likely to respond quickly to the employer. 
6. A great tip from studentaid.gov is, “Make sure you have a professional, appropriate email address to share with people you meet. Start with your name and keep it simple—you want them to remember you.”
7. Job centers, community colleges, libraries, and other community organizations may offer resume writing assistance. Check out the resume guide from CareerOneStop.gov and this federal government resume guide.

Nail Your Interview

1. Show interest in the company by researching the company, your position, and the competitive environment of the business beforehand. 
2. Dress a bit nicer than the everyday office environment.
3. Be professional AND personable. Interviewers aren’t only checking skills and suitability for the job. They’re also gauging if you’re an employee and co-worker they would enjoy working. Avoid criticizing your current employer.
4. Have at least two relevant questions ready to ask about the position and company.
5. Keep in mind you may be interviewed a second or third time. This means you’ve made it further in the process. Keep showing your interest and adjust if you’ve received feedback.  

Negotiate Your Salary

1. Be aware of the salary range for the specific job position and its required education and experience. Use sites such as Glassdoor or the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Ask professional contacts who work in the field.    
2. Don’t negotiate in the first interview. Negotiating the salary typically comes after selection for the position. 
3. If salary is not negotiable, then other areas might be, such as paid time off, formal training opportunities, certification reimbursement, telecommuting/work from home or flexible hours, etc. 
4. Be sure to understand the total compensation package when comparing offers from different employers. The value of time off, health benefits, educational benefits, telecommuting, and other benefits should be considered.  

Writing a resume, nailing your interviews, and negotiating your salary are things you’ll do throughout your working life. These tips will help you get started, and with time and experience, you’ll grow these skills.