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7 common job interview mistakes

October 5, 2015 Michelle Cook Kaufmann

Showing up late for an interview because you spent too much time trying to fix a bad hair day, may start you off on the wrong foot and make you feel less confident entering an interview. Agreeably, this is not an ideal curtain raiser, but believe it or not, it’s not an immediate disqualifier either. According to many employers, the most common detrimental mistakes candidates make in interviews are:

Inappropriate dress
Arrogance and/or aloofness
Uneducated about company and position
Negativity (particularly about previous employers)
Lacking specific examples of professional strengths and achievements
Rambling and offering too much unsolicited personal information
Accepting text message or phone call during interview

Knowing and avoiding these 7 simple mistakes can help put you on the right path toward a successful interview and hopefully a job offer.

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5 ways to be an exceptional employee

April 29, 2013 Michelle Cook Kaufmann

Is there a way to become that employee your boss can’t possibly live without? Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you might be an irreplaceable employee.

Are you willing to go the extra mile? Employers expect you to do your job, but are you the type of person that goes over and above? Employers love when someone picks up the slack where needed, pitches in when necessary, and stays late if required.

Are you flexible? An adaptable employee is willing to adjust when companies make changes. They don’t insist on doing things their old fashioned way. Employers know they can count on them to make adjustments when necessary and keep the company moving forward.

Are you progressive? Offer creative new ideas to save the company money and/or time. Be sure to promote the company to others so it gains profits and remains steadfast.

Are you developing new skills? An employee that learns new skills and applies them to their job is an asset to a company. By staying current in your industry, you improve your performance and become invaluable to those you work for.

Are you a problem solver? A company does not have much use for an employee that causes problems. But, an employee that is adept at solving problems – well now that’s someone an employer wouldn’t want to lose.

Although this list is not all inclusive and doesn’t determine who will earn or keep their position, these tips can help you become an invaluable and possibly irreplaceable employee. Be sure to examine your work ethic and how you operate within your organization. If you are lacking in any of these areas, polish up and improve your performance.

If you are currently searching for a new job, consider partnering with me to create a job-winning resume and cover letter. Let me help you shorten the length of your job search and get you on track to the career of your dreams.

Contact Michelle at MCKResumeService@gmail.com or (727) 278-4367

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5 resume writing tips for new grads

April 1, 2013April 1, 2013 Michelle Cook Kaufmann

It’s that time of year when college grads start contemplating writing their first resume. They know the competition for jobs is fierce, so how do they go about presenting themselves in the best possible light?

Here are a few tips:

Create a professional email address. One of the biggest complaints from employers is when a new college graduate uses a cutesy or unprofessional email address. For example, something like icarryagun@gmail.com is not going to help your job search. Be sure to create a professional email address that you will continue to use for business purposes.
Be relevant. For a new college graduate, a one page resume is usually a good length. Be sure to include experience that is relevant to the job you are applying for. Although it’s great that you maintained a paper route from age 14 to 17, it isn’t really relevant to an employer considering you for a civil engineering position. Employers are interested in the academic credentials and experience you obtained while in school.
Be honest. Avoid the temptation to pepper your resume with buzzwords and skills you don’t actually possess. It annoys employers when they interview an applicant and find they can’t explain what’s on their resume. It can cost you dearly when a hiring manager finds out you lied – and they always do.
Proofread. Submitting a poorly written resume plagued with spelling and grammatical errors, passive language and other easily correctable mistakes is a surefire way to catapult your resume right into the trash bin. Be sure to proofread your resume and have one or two trustworthy individuals reproof it for you to make sure it’s perfect!
Work full-time at finding a job. Don’t make the mistake of thinking employers will find you just because you posted your resume to a few job sites. This is only a starting point. Whether you are a recent grad or an experienced professional searching for a job, never sit back and wait for the next job to find you. There are jobs out there – work hard and you’ll find the one for you!

Wishing you much success in the adventures life has to offer!

Need help designing a resume, cover letter, follow-up thank you letter, or LinkedIn profile? Contact Michelle at MCK Resume Service:

Phone: 727-278-4367
Email: MCKResumeService@gmail.com.

I am offering a 15% discount to new grads on entry level resumes during the month of April!

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Take your resume from ugly duckling to swan status

March 11, 2013 Michelle Cook Kaufmann

While there is no doubt the content of your résumé is what is most important, the ability to craft an attractive résumé is also vital. On average, a potential employer spends 10 – 30 seconds scanning a résumé, trying to get a quick grasp on what you have to offer. Using visuals can set your résumé apart from the rest and draw the reader’s eyes to what you want them to see.

A visually attractive résumé can make it easier for the reader to find and evaluate essential information. But this isn’t just about being pretty. Creating a professional image for yourself indicates you understand what you have to offer, and that you have the ability to organize and present it well.

Do not underestimate the power of a visually appealing résumé. At MCK Resume Service, we are in the business of making our clients look good and get noticed. Let us know if we can assist you in creating a job-winning resume.

Contact information: http://www.mckresumeservice.com / mckresumeservice@gmail.com / (727) 278-4367

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Looking for a job?

February 27, 2013February 27, 2013 Michelle Cook Kaufmann

Get your family and friends involved!

Make your job search a team effort by telling your family and friends that you are searching for a job.

It is important to have a strong support system. They can be there to cheer you on in victory, or pick you up if you’re feeling down. Furthermore, your support team can keep an eye out for any job opportunities they come across.

Keep in mind, every person you know is a potential contact. Following are some ideas of who you can involve in your job search:

Family members
Friends
People in your address books (hard copy, e-mail, and social media)
Your Christmas card list (or comparable)
Co-workers from past jobs
People you know at the gym, physical trainer, or sports teams
Neighbors
People who come to do work at your home
Clerks you know at stores
Barber, hairdresser, manicurist, etc.
Waiters, waitresses, restaurant managers
Your doctors and their staff
Religious associations
Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, or any other group you belong to

I’m sure you’ve got the picture!

Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you in creating or updating your job-winning resume. ~ Michelle Cook Kaufmann, Resume Writer

Some people dream of success… while others wake up and work hard at it. ~Author Unknown

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Job search tip

February 21, 2013 Michelle Cook Kaufmann

Become a master spell-checker! The number one mistake job seekers make is spelling typos on resumes and job applications. While this may seem like a small slip up, hiring managers have expressed this drives them crazy and causes them to reject applications. Make sure your resume and job application is error free by using spell check on your computer, proof read and then proof read again, read it out loud, then finally ask one or two people you trust to proof read after you feel it is perfect. Yes, error free resumes and applications are THAT important!

Michelle Cook Kaufmann

MCK Resume Service

Contact information:

Phone: (727) 278-4367

Email: MCKResumeService@gmail.com

Website: www.MichelleCookKaufmann.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MCKResumeService

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/MCKResumeService

Member, National Resume Writers’ Association

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Can a gap in employment cost you an interview?

August 7, 2012August 7, 2012 Michelle Cook Kaufmann

Hiring managers have become increasingly more understanding when they see a gap in employment history on a resume, do to the current economic climate. What was once considered a major red flag, has become more of a non-issue these days.

Even so, in an effort to appear engaged while job searching, stay actively involved in your home and/or community during any absence of employment. This activity can be included on your resume to fill in gaps.

Following are a few options to consider:

Community volunteer work.
Caring for an ill family member.
Launching a business or helping someone else launch a business.
Consulting or freelance work.

Most important, always tell the truth on your resume and in interviews. Employers tend to verify work history and you wouldn’t want a lie to come back to haunt you. It could cost you a job.

Are you building a new resume, updating an old one, composing cover letters, or looking for general job search information? Contact MCK Resume Services for assistance: (727) 278-4367

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Should you always use a cover letter with your resume?

July 17, 2012 Michelle Cook Kaufmann

A survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com revealed that 20% of hiring managers automatically dismiss any resume submitted without a cover letter. Therefore, it is always a good idea to include a cover letter with your resume if you want to ensure your resume will be looked at.

Although many job experts admit to going straight to an applicant’s resume without looking at their cover letter, it looks more professional when the job seeker takes the extra step to include one.

With a cover letter, the applicant has an additional opportunity to concisely explain their objective, answer any questions that may have been in the job posting to which they are applying, and address anything that wasn’t included in their resume.

Consider letting MCK Resume Services help you come up with a killer combination resume and cover letter that will get you noticed.

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Should your resume fit on one page?

July 9, 2012 Michelle Cook Kaufmann

There was a time when it was believed that interviewers would not look at your resume if it extended beyond one page. This is no longer the case.

“Times have changed,” says Kim Isaacs, career expert for Monster.com. “The new guideline is: A resume should be long enough to entice hiring managers to call you for job interviews.”

A one page resume may be perfect for an entry-level applicant whose background doesn’t stretch beyond a single page, or perhaps a person who has remained with the same company for many years.

There is no steadfast resume length rule that fits everyone. Some factors you will need to consider include: career objective, industry, level of experience, number of employers, key accomplishments and education/training.

Therefore, don’t be afraid to type beyond one page if your career story has more to say. Teeny-tiny font size is more difficult (and annoying) for hiring managers to deal with than flipping a page.

Next “fact or fiction” resume topic: Should you always use a cover letter?

Wishing you much success in your future!

If you, or someone you know, needs help with their resume, give us a call at (727) 278-4367.