MAKE IT A TAILORED FIT

Companies are looking for employees who fit into their greater scheme of things. So how do you make you fit in?

Simply put, you need to understand the inner workings of companies, so you can deck yourself in similar feathers. Keep in mind the old saying, “Birds of a feather stick together.” This couldn’t be truer of corporations. People instinctively like to associate with like-minded individuals. Therefore, you must show yourself to be a perfect fit for the company.

GET TO KNOW A COMPANY’S PERSONALITY

Since people run companies, these companies have distinctive characters and personalities. Learning to recognize these distinctive qualities, and conforming your skills and abilities accordingly, is the key to resume success.

The trick here is to match your character with that of the corporation.

But how do you find out the character and personality of a company? Ask yourself these two questions, and then proceed to get the answers.

• What direction is the company taking?
• What is its mission?

More often than not, companies will be happy to provide you details about their organization, which will assist you in determining their personality and character.

FIND OUT A COMPANY’S TYPE

Companies possess two possible personalities. Don’t be surprised if you find that some companies have dual personalities!

The first personality consists of companies that model themselves after other corporations that are leaders in the industry. These “leader” companies usually set industry standards.

The second personality involves companies that are forever looking to the future. They are trying to find new prospects and opportunities, and new solutions to old and new problems. What gets them excited is turning ideas into products. New models, new patterns, new creativity is their very life-blood.

ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH A COMPANY’S CHARACTER

Beside the two personality types, there are two character-types for companies. Again, a mixture is not uncommon.

The first character-type is traditional and institutional. The type of work it offers is steady and routine. In return the corporation demands of its employees personal loyalty, service, a sense of duty, and dependability. For example, schools, government, banks, hospitals, the military, law agencies, and accounting firms fit into this character-type.

The second character-type is fast-paced, ever changing, innovative, and independent. It is breaking old models and creating new ones. The type of work offered by such a company is creative, achievement-driven, analytical, communication-oriented, and non-linear. It demands of its employees ingenuity, inventiveness, intuition, and ideas that generate a lot of profit. The computer industry is the best description of this type of character. Others include, fashion, publishing, the arts, animation, advertising, and design.

ALWAYS DO YOUR HOMEWORK

You might ask what is the point of all this? You must do your research before you sit down and write your resume. Don’t expect to whip off a resume after dinner, just before your favorite sit-com. The perfect resume must be written with care, with responsibility, and with clear understanding of the needs of the company.

You can’t afford to be careless – your dream job is on the line!

IT’S ALL IN THE STYLE

Writing a resume is not a matter of format, but a work that involves organization and emphasis of your skills and abilities so that they match an employer’s expectations and needs.

Don’t be surprised if you end up writing and rewriting your resume. It’s an ongoing process, and you’ll be tinkering with it all the time as you think and rethink, critique what you’ve put down, get feedback from family and friends, and proofread your final draft.

The need for careful proofreading cannot be overstated. Do it over and over again. You’ll be surprised how many spelling errors get by. A spelling mistake is a sign of your carelessness.

A RESUME RIGHT FOR YOU

It may be that you’ve accomplished a lot and have an extensive work history. Or you may be just starting out, fresh out of school, or re-entering the job market. In either case, you must have the right resume for you – one that will accurately describe you and your skills and abilities.