1.Know Your Résumé Content

Have you recently reviewed everything on your résumé? Is it up-to-date? Make notes about your jobs and duties and what you want the recruiter to remember from your answers. Be clear about the dates you attended schools held employment and always tell the truth.

2.Can You Explain It to Your Aunt Ruth?

We've all had the opportunity to explain “what we do” to relatives at a holiday gathering. Is it possible for you to tell others about your work without them falling asleep? Focus on the main duties and use language that is understandable. Leave the industry jargon for inside the work group.

3. Is Your Passion Showing?

Are you excited about the industry where you have worked in the past? Can you recall examples and situations with dignity, class, and positive expressions? Negative answers or stories will turn the recruiter's mind away from you as a candidate. No matter what the reason is for leaving a former company, concentrate only on the positive aspects. For example, you can always say you learned so much from a certain job or employer.

TIP: Be confident.

You were invited based on the strength of your résumé. Recruiters are speedy about assessing résumés. They quickly scan for skill sets and educational requirements. Often only 10% or less of résumés represent candidates who are qualified to do the work for any particular job. When you're called for an interview, feel great that you have already made it as the top 10% of candidates.

After you set your appointment for the interview, call your professional and personal references to know they might be called soon. If possible, have references that represent your management and personal style from a former manager, a colleague, and someone you supervised.

For the interview, take hard copies of your résumé because hiring managers are not always prepared, or you might be meeting with additional people that do not have a copy of your résumé. Collect business cards from each person who interviews you and prepare personalized thank you notes to mail to each person.