Resume and Interview Tips

Here are some brief tips to assist you in putting together your resume as well as interview and follow up tips. These tips are applicable for not only those of you seeking a position in the utilities industry, but some are more generic and can be of benefit for pretty much any career field.

The energy and utilities field seems to indeed be growing, with many expected positions opening over the next few years, as a growing number of workers retire. So while positions are opening, competition for them may increase, so the need to have a clear and concise resume is important to stand out and get the position. It is also important to use career specific language on your resume, to show up-front that you do have a deep knowledge of the language and terminology of the field.

Your resume should be a fairly condensed outline of who you are. It is the highlights of your skills, training, and education. It is where you quickly present and sell yourself at a glance. Be sure to list all related schooling and certifications you possess, and be sure to keep it accurate and honest. If you "stretch the truth" and list qualifications and training you really do not possess, it may come back to haunt you in the future.

Know your resume! You should be able to recall and discuss any aspect of what your resume lists, without having to look at it during the interview. So, if you have added, stretched, or padded yourself into more than you are, you may not be able to truthfully and easily discuss all that you have listed. During the interview, you should be able to speak fluidly and professionally about yourself, the resume contents, and the position, without fumbling through notes or having to say "uh" while you stop to think of the right answer. Know yourself, know your skills, and know your resume.

While at the interview, seek to pay close attention to what is being said and asked. Don't fumble around taking too many notes while there, but instead focus on what is being said, and jot down notes immediately upon leaving while they are fresh.

After the interview, it is common practice to follow up with the interviewer after a reasonable amount of time. Usually the follow up is 48 hours after the initial meeting. A follow up can be something as simple as an email thanking them for their time, and recalling some brief points about the interview, and with enthusiasm for a follow up meeting. It will help them to recall your meeting and name, and can help put your name back in their mind and memory so when they are going back through the stack of resumes, you may stand out more. Some positions may tell you up-front that the interview process will be longer, and that you may not hear back for some time. Use your best judgment as to whether a follow up note is necessary in such situations. You do not want to be a pest with your follow up, but you also do not want to sink to the bottom of the resume/interview memory pool.

If you have any tips or experiences you'd like to share, drop me a comment below.

Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Utilities Jobsite blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.