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Resume Tips

Most executives have little difficulty putting together an impressive showing of their accomplishments – penetrating new markets, increasing sales, implementing new processes. Results are clear and quantifiable. In today’s executive job market, however, companies regard these accomplishments as a given. What they’re looking for, is people who can substantiate that they have qualities that make them good leaders.

Candidates who secure interviews for executive positions are usually those whose resumes demonstrate that they have good leadership skills. “They show that they have the intangible qualities that lead to company growth.

Rather than note only the results of their efforts, candidates should include such things as how they:

Focused their team on achieving a common goal
Sold their ideas to senior management
Integrated processes throughout the organization

The thought of writing a resume intimidates almost anyone. It's difficult to know where to start or what to include. It can seem like an insurmountable task. Here are some tips to help you not only tackle the task, but also write a winning resume.

Need help getting started? Click here to download our sample retail resume to jumpstart the resume writing process.

Contact Information.

Include contact phone numbers, mailing address, and e-mail address. Your voicemail message should be professional. A message that is too casual can create a negative impression.

Career Objective.

Your summary should be brief and include the following three points:

Your title and years of experience.
Your pertinent skills.
Your character traits or work style.

Example: "Senior Buyer with over 10 years' experience with two major retail companies. Extensive product development background, skilled in inventory management systems, budgeting, forecasting and variance reporting. Bilingual in Spanish and English. Self-starter who approaches every project in a detailed, analytical manner."

Professional Experience.

List each position held in reverse chronological order, dating back at least ten years. If you held multiple positions within the same company, list them all to show advancement and growth. The body of each position description should describe your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Significant Accomplishments.

Be sure to highlight significant achievements. Strive to be clear and concise. Use bullet points that begin with action words (increased, reduced, created, executed, designed) to outline accomplishments. Don't be afraid to call yourself talented or resourceful, but be ready to back up these adjectives with accomplishments.

Use #'s, $'s and %'s. Numbers, dollars, and percentages stand out in the body of a resume. Use them. Here are two examples:
- Managed a buying group of 10 with volume of $100,000,000.
- Increased sales by 25%.

Timeline.

Check all dates to make sure they are correct and in order. Include months and years.

Other Components.

Include education, professional training, affiliations/appointments, licenses, technical skills and languages.

Personal Information.

Do not include personal information such as marital status.

Presentation.

Construct your resume to read easily. Leave white space. Use a font size no smaller than 10 point. Limit the length of your resume to 1-2 pages. Remember, resumes are reviewed quickly. Help the reader to scan your resume efficiently and effectively.

Top 10 Accomplishments Employers Want To See:

Increased revenues
Hiring and organization improvements
Increased efficiencies
Reduced expenses.
New products/new lines launched
Increased productivity
Successful marketing advertising campaign
Improved profitability.
Mentor and training improvements
Asset protection improvement

Ready to get started? Click here to submit your resume!

How to Prepare for an Interview

At Bayside Search Group, our executive search consultants help each candidate prepare prior to their first telephone or in-person interview. Here are some other suggestions that will help make sure your interview goes as well as possible.

Want to learn more offline? Click here to download our Candidate Interview Packet.

Get the Logistics Right.

Make sure you've got the time, location, interviewer's name and title, and position title. Do you have emergency home and work numbers of your search firm recruiter and company contact?

Do Your Research.

Find out as much as possible about the company: size, scope, location of branches and offices, financial/share performance, range of products and services, etc. Have you visited their locations? The company website and annual report are two very good sources.

Preparation Tools.

Interviews start with mental preparation and setting the stage. Settle in at least 15 minutes before the interview to review your notes. If it's a phone interview, be sure you're set up where there will not be any interruptions. Bring a copy of your resume, pen and paper, company information, and a list of questions for the company.

Chemistry and Personality.

Statistics show that companies don't always hire the most qualified candidate. They hire based on fit in their company culture. Enthusiasm, passion and excitement are the biggest selling points a candidate can bring to an interview. Companies feel these traits translate directly over to an individual's performance and work ethic.

Discuss Your Accomplishments.

Some interviewers like to ask the question, "Tell me about yourself." They want to hear how you communicate, whether you're articulate, or whether you ramble. The employer wants to hear about your professional qualifications. What in your background will benefit their company? Pre-plan a 1-2 minute script outlining your education, career progression, current position, and where you want to go in your career.

Our team at Bayside Search Group will also help you prepare by working with you on your specific career accomplishments and by utilizing some of our interview tools.

Ask Questions.

It's important to let the interviewer know that you have a high interest level by asking questions. Prepare a list of question you will ask the company during the interview.

Send a thank-you note. Be sure to send a brief follow up letter immediately after your interview. E-mail is preferred.

Anticipated Questions and How to Respond

Please take these notes to the interview and practice the anticipated questions that may be asked and your answers to those questions. Be sure to practice these steps out loud to yourself before the interview.
What are the duties and responsibilities of the position I'm applying for? This is an excellent icebreaker question for the hiring authority and a great start to a successful interview. What percentage of my job is dedicated to administration, supervisory, and technical? (This should = 100%.)
What is my number one priority that has to be done before I leave each day? Why? (Priorities are personal.)
What are the production or sales goals? What obstacles would prevent me from reaching my goals?
What are the short and long term goals set for the person in this position?
Have questions for the hiring authority. Questions must be written out before the interview, while avoiding the topic of compensation and benefits for the first interview.
Salary - this is a trap question. If the question is brought up, a very good response is "My recruiter has shared the salary range of the position, and I'm comfortable that you will make me a fair offer within that range" OR "I am currently making $_____. Although I would like an increase, I don't know enough about the opportunity to answer that fairly." Be very careful that you don't short yourself. Be sure to keep in mind your base salary, bonus program, stock options, gain sharing programs, performance bonuses, benefits, etc.
Ask for the job! "Do you have any reservations about moving me forward to the next step? If not, can I assume I will be moving forward?" OR "Can we conclude our business today if all goes well?" OR summarize what you've done that ties in with the new position and ask, "Do I have the qualifications you're looking for?" Then remain silent for an answer. If the hiring authority says, "I'm looking at other people," you say, "How do my qualifications match the people you're considering."

(Your #1 priority is to receive an offer, if this is a position that you desire, your #2 priority is to know the next step.)

What You Should Practice:

Be descriptive - Don't just answer "yes" or "no" to questions. But also avoid over-answering. Make your answers colorful but not lengthy.
Sell yourself to the interviewer, but without exaggeration or telling lies. You are there to market yourself, blow your own trumpet, and explain why you'd be right for the role. But don't come across arrogant.
Avoid making negative remarks about your current employer, or past employers or colleagues. This will only reflect on you in the interview.
Be determined. Make it clear that you want to get the job, even if you are given information in the interview that sheds a new light on the role. Be positive, and then evaluate the opportunity again when you are away from the interview. Don't burn your bridges.
Have positive body language and maintain a good disposition.

Interview Do's & Don'ts

Introduction:

You always need to "take temperatures" because people have minds and they're changing them constantly. You need to listen to what they don't say. Being prepared for an interview is vital; the following preparation is very unique and effective in conducting a positive interview.

Things to remember:

People have to buy you before they buy from you.
People hire and accept emotionally first and justify logically later.
People are most sold by your conviction rather than by your persuasion.
Know your technology, but think PEOPLE.
The decision to hire is made in the first 5 to 10 minutes of the interview, with the remaining time spent justifying that decision.

Interview Do's and Dont's

Sound upbeat. On phone interviews, speak directly into the phone. If you've had a lousy day, put it out of your mind. Be a conversationalist, but don't interrupt. Let the interviewer finish the question before answering. The interviewer should do most of the talking. Remember the 60% - 40% rule.

Be descriptive. Don't just answer "yes" or "no" to questions. But also avoid "over-answering." Make your answers colorful but not lengthy.

Sell yourself to the interviewer, but without exaggeration or telling lies. You are there to market yourself, "blow your own trumpet" and explain why you'd be right for the role. But don't come across as arrogant.

Avoid making negative remarks about your current employer, or past employers or colleagues. This will only reflect on you in the interview.

Be determined. Make it clear that you want to get the job, even if you are given information in the interview that sheds a new light on the role. Be positive, and then evaluate the opportunity again when you are away from the interview. Don't burn your bridges.

In-person interviews. Create a positive first impression by shaking hands firmly. Dress professionally in a dark dress suit. Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Don't smoke even if the interviewer smokes and offers you a cigarette, and don't chew gum. Maintain good eye contact with the employer. Remember to turn your cell phone off. Smile.

Always send a follow up letter to each individual you interviewed with.

After you leave the interview, it is very important that you call us immediately to share your feedback and your thoughts, so that we can accurately represent you to the hiring manager.

Sample Interview Questions

To find out how you will fit into an employer's organization, most interviewers will ask a combination of interview questions, including:

Situational Interview Questions
Qualification Questions
Politically Correct Questions/Commitment Questions

Situational Interview Questions

Situational Interview Questions help determine how you handle every day situations.

Here are a few examples that you may be asked.

Goal Setting: How do you set goals? How do you achieve your goals? Give a specific example of a goal you set, and the results of that goal.
Competition: Give an example of a competitive situation that you were in, and how you handled it.
Persuasion: How do you persuade individuals to do things the way you feel they should be done? Give specific reasoning. Use facts.
Challenges: How do you handle challenges? Give a specific challenge that you have faced in your life.
Frustration: If you work with a co-worker that wasn't doing their job and you were frustrated by it, how would you handle the situation? Give a specific example of a time when you were frustrated.
Team Work: Have you ever worked in an environment where teamwork really existed, and why do you think it worked? Do you prefer working with others or alone? I'm happy working alone, when necessary. I don't need constant reassurance, but I prefer to work in a group. So much more gets accomplished as a team.
Negative Feedback: How do you handle negative feedback?
College Grad: What was your GPA? Could you have done better, and how would you have achieved it?

Qualification Questions

Qualification questions help determine the types of skills you can bring to an employer.

How do your managers, peers and subordinates perceive you collectively and separately?
What type of role do you play in a team? What role do you prefer to play?
Take me through a time when you took a product from inception to fruition.
Take me through a project where you had to be creative to meet the customer's need.
Describe how you work under tight deadlines. How is that different from other times?
How have you overcome a manager's or supervisor's resistance to an idea of yours?
What characteristics do you exhibit to show you have a good work ethic?
How have you improved communication within your group?
How do you motivate different personalities within your group?
How have you created opportunity for yourself in your company?
What are the most important characteristics in a job you're looking for and why?
How have you handled a team member who wasn't pulling their weight on a project and you were the team leader?
If you were a new person on a team, what things would you do to gain the respect and positioning within the group?

Politically Correct/Commitment Questions

Be careful to never say anything negative about anyone or any company. Politically Correct/Commitment Questions include:

What did you think of your last boss?
Which qualifications do you feel make you a better candidate for this job than anyone else?
How do you compare with your peers?
Why our company?
Tell me about your company.

Resigning Gracefully

When you leave your current employer, you'll need to write a letter of resignation. Put time and thought into it. Be sure to be polite, discreet, and mature in your resignation. You never know when advice, a recommendation, or even a job might be needed from your current employer. You also never know where people from your current place of employment may end up working in five or ten years' time.

Be sure to construct a brief, concise note. Here are a few tips:
Write your letter directly to your current supervisor, not to the Human Resources area.

Get right to the point in your resignation letter. You need not mention your reason for leaving or the name of your new employer. Be sure to avoid expressing any negative feelings. If you think it's important to express your negative experiences, do it face to face, not in writing.

If you decide to state a reason for leaving, you could mention the position is a better fit with your personal preference or career goals.

Be sure to indicate your last date of employment. Two weeks' notice is a common courtesy. Cooperate fully in handing over files, documents, projects, and clients you are working with prior to leaving.

The job resignation letter should also contain thanks to your employer for training and other opportunities. Thank your colleagues for what you have learned from them. Accentuate the positives—find something good to say.

Click here to download a sample resignation letter to get you started!

Counteroffers

In today's competitive market, you are more likely than not to receive a counter-offer. While counter-offers may be tempting and even flattering, there can be pitfalls that you need to be aware of. Ask yourself these questions:

Will your loyalty always be in question?
If there are future cutbacks, will you be the first to go because of concerns about your loyalty?
If you accept the counter-offer for more money, are you just giving your employer the time they need to locate and select your replacement?
Will your career track remain blocked if you accept it?
Will your responsibilities be expanded?
Will you have to report to a person you don't respect?
Have you just received next year's raise or bonus early?
Is the counter-offer a ploy to avoid a short-term inconvenience by your employer?
What are your realistic chances for promotion now that you have considered leaving?

Counter-Offer Statistics

According to national surveys of employees that accept counter-offers, 50-80% voluntarily leave their employer within six months of accepting the counter-offer because of promises not kept. The majority of the balance of employees that accept counter-offers involuntarily leave their current employers within twelve months of accepting the counter- offer (terminated, fired, laid off, etc.)

As attractive as counter-offers may appear, they greatly decrease your chances of achieving your career potential.

Once you've accepted a new position and are ready to turn in your notice, you should be prepared for the counteroffer. Some companies will try to offer you more money to stay, but remember, they never work in the long run.

Here are ten reasons why:

You've made your employer aware that you're unhappy. From this day on, your loyalty will always be in question. You will never again be part of the team.
When promotion time comes around, your employer will remember who is loyal and who is not. The employee who has never thought of moving on will be the one who gets the next promotion.
When times are tough, your employer will begin the cutbacks with you! They will remember the day you resigned -- not all of the hard work you have put in.
Where is the money for the counteroffer coming from? All companies have wage and salary guidelines that must be followed. Did your next raise just come early?
Your company will immediately start looking for a new person at a cheaper price. They may give you the extra money now, but be aware in the future.
The same circumstances that caused you to consider a change will repeat themselves in the future, even if you accept a counteroffer. There was a reason you started looking. What changed?
Statistics show that if you accept a counteroffer, the probability of voluntarily leaving in six months or being let go in one year is extremely high. Seventy percent of the employees leave in six months. The other 30% get let go.
Accepting a counteroffer is an insult to your intelligence and a blow to your personal pride -- you were bought.
Once word gets out, the relationship that you now enjoy with your co-workers will never be the same. You will lose the personal satisfaction of peer group acceptance. Word will get out that you were bought.
What type of company do you work for if you have to threaten to resign before they give you what you are worth?

Relocation Tools

If you're considering relocating or asking someone else to relocate, you probably have a lot of questions. Bayside Search Group wants to help make the relocation process as easy as possible for you and your family. Our long-term partner, FAS Relocation Network, A Global Mobility Solutions Company™, gives you a comprehensive menu of relocation services. From calculating potential expenses to choosing the right community, these tools can help with any move, whether local or cross-country.

Cost Of Living Calculator
Find out how much you would need to make in your new city to keep your current lifestyle.

Free City Reports
Get your side-by-side reports with comparisons of up-to-date information on demographics, cost of living, helpful local contacts and more.

Free School Reports
Obtain in-depth reports on over 12,000 public schools districts and local child care.

Crime Report
Use our Crime report to compare crime statistics in over 6,000 cities.

Retail Industry Resources

Use the below online links to quickly research the retail industry or a specific company of interest to you. Learning about a company and their business is critical to a successful interview.

Candidate Resources: Candidates