At Crescent, we're committed to making you more effective in your job search and your career. Our Recruitment Specialists can provide you with valuable information on the latest industry trends that directly impact your career, including salary data for IT, accounting and finance professionals, job search tips and advice on which skills are in highest demand by companies in specific markets.

The resources provided here are designed to help you polish your resume, hone your interview skills and put your best foot forward.

OPTIMIZING YOUR RESUME
Your resume is a written presentation of you. It highlights your accomplishments and is specifically targeted toward your job search objective. This is quite different from a laundry list of jobs and duties. A well-written resume can dramatically increase your response rate and shorten your job search time.
While your resume should be comprehensive, remember that it is just an overview. It is possible that employers will skim your resume in just 15-20 seconds, so be sure that it is clear, professional, on-target and easy to read. The following is a checklist that you can use to ensure that your resume makes an impact:

Overall Resume Evaluation
Do you catch the reader's attention right away?
Is the reader's eye quickly drawn to the most important information on the resume?
Is the content focused on the information needs of the reader?
Does the resume go beyond a chronological listing of past experiences; does it promote you? Have you included critical information including job title, job function, company name, etc.?
Are the sentences clear and brief? Does the content have punch?
Is the language clear, specific and professional?
Is it easy to discern the length and depth of your experience?
Is the level of your responsibility clear? Are your greatest strengths documented with concrete results?
Does your resume contain up-to-date terminology that is relevant to the industry you are targeting?
Have you included the key words that are an accurate reflection of your background and in alignment with your targeted position and industry?
Does the formatting of your resume make it easy to read and scan, with highlighted boldfaced titles, subtitles and important words and indentations and bullets that guide the reader's eye?
Have you used a standard font in 10-12 point sizes for text and 11-14 point sizes for headings?
Are the margins wide enough to facilitate quick scanning?
Have you proofread your resume and had someone you trust proofread it for you for spelling, punctuation and syntax?
Is your contact information correct and up to date?


PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW TIPS
If there is ever a time to put your best foot forward, the job interview is it. The key to a successful interview is presenting yourself in a positive, professional manner that highlights how you can add value to the employer. That takes thoughtful preparation and practice.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your next job interview.

Preparation
1. Know why you are interested in the job.
2. Assess your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Assess your major accomplishments.
4. Be prepared to discuss your current and previous job responsibilities.
5. Evaluate your skills and experience as they relate to the specific position requirements that you are applying for.
6. Prepare your questions about the position.
7. Research the company. Do you want to work there?
8. Make sure you are ready to make a professional presentation, both in appearance and in your verbiage.
9. Show how you would/could add value to the department and to the firm.
10. Write a good resume, which accurately reflects your education and work experience. It should be neat and should have no typing or spelling errors.
11. Draft a thank you letter, which you can easily customize and send immediately after your interviews. Thank the interviewer for the opportunity and express a strong interest for the position.

Questions to Expect
How you answer a question may be as important as your technical competence. Companies today are looking for a well rounded, business oriented professional. Give some thought to how you might respond to these questions:
1. Tell me about yourself. (Creative, analytical, hardworking)
2. Why are you preparing to leave your present position?
3. What are your career plans/goals?
4. What is your current salary? What range are you looking for?
5. What are your greatest strengths?
6. Tell me about some recent accomplishments or special projects?
7. What outside interests do you have?
8. Describe a typical day on your present job.
9. How do you approach problem-solving?
10.  Provide examples from your past experience where you have shown leadership?
As you prepare for upcoming interviews, practice! Write down answers first and refine them, then work with a friend and answer these questions out loud. There is simply no substitute for good preparation.

HOW TO RESEARCH A SPECIFIC COMPANY
Good research is an important aspect of solid interview preparation. The more you know about a company and its industry, the better you'll be able to address how you fit in and can add value.
Of course, the best way to begin your research is to thoroughly review the company's own web site. In addition, you may want to read recent company news or their latest annual report. Here are some useful resources to use when you are researching a particular company or industry:

Annual Reports Gallery
http://www.reportgallery.com
Business Wire
http://www.businesswire.com
Edgar
http://www.edgar-online.com
Hoovers Online
http://www.hooversonline.com
Stock Exchanges
http://www.nasdaq.com
http://www.tsx.com
Inc. 500
http://www.inc.com/inc500/