Question

What was your salary at your previous position?
 
Comments and Suggested Answer

In computing your previous salary, be sure to include all benefits, including vacation time, stock options, retirement, car allowances, and other fringe benefits. It is the entire package that you need to consider, not just your base salary.

Writing Career Objectives

• Concise, short and to the point
• Target your career objective whenever possible. Don’t make the employer guess
• Be specific – don’t write: “Seeking a challenging position with a large company that will provide an opportunity for growth and advancement.”
• Answers the question “What can you do for the employer?”

Targeted Objective (preferred):

Lists the specific job and company you are applying for

Examples of Good Targeted Career Objectives

• Seeking a position as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for St. Mary’s Hospital
• A position as a Bookkeeper for M&M Tax Consultants
• Position as a Security Guard for Brinks International

General Job Objective:

Occasionally you do not know the actual company you are sending your resume to and a general job objective is most effective in these circumstances. When you do not know the name of the actual company or are going to a job fair and will hand out resumes to several companies, then the objective needs to be more generic. Often jobs that are posted on the Internet are blinds ads from head hunters and you will not be able to find the company name.

Examples of General Objectives

• Entry level position in multi-image production company
• Position as a Health Educator
• Project management position in Marketing

The most effective, well-written career objective is targeted for a specific job (bookkeeper, medical transcriber, diesel mechanic, etc.) with a specific company (General Motors, Johnston Automotive, etc.). Since you may need a different resume for each opening you locate, you will also need to change the job objective and especially the specific company for each resume. Be sure that you know the actual title of the job when you apply. If your resume targets a position that is not open, then you may not be considered. For example, if a line position is open and you are asking for a management job, then you may never get the interview that you want.

Your objective can and should also be repeated in the body of the cover letter. Make the objective short and to the point. Consider this the title of your resume. The rest of the resume must convince the hiring authority that you have the background and skills to do the job and are well worth an interview.

Do not assume that any career objective is better than no objective. If your objective is vague and unfocused, you appear indecisive and unable to make decisions and set goals. This is not a description of duties or a vague description of a job. Avoid statements such as “a position that will utilize my broad talents and allow me to grow.” If this is your objective, leave it off your resume.

Using a career objective has been an optional issue on a resume in the past, but in recent years it has become more important. There are times when you absolutely need a job objective, such as:

• When applying online. Often jobs are sorted by objectives and directed to the correct department for review.

• When applying to large companies, to avoid the human resources department deciding the position you should fill.

• Posting resumes on job search sites, such as Monster.com. Employers decide whether to review your resume based on the job objective.

Question

What strategies do you use to stay organized?
 
Comments and Suggested Answer

Give the interviewer a good idea of your general approach to mastering complex tasks.

Include how you decide on time frames, set deadlines, determine priorities, delegate tasks, and decide what to do for yourself.

Organizational skills and time management skills are the key elements in many types of positions.

Stress your ability to think and act in a clear manner whenever required.

Demonstrate your power to delegate and follow-through on any type of project.