Remember that the interview starts long before you appear in the interviewer's office.

Research the Employer

Thoroughly research the organization to impress those with whom you meet and to allow more time for you to tell your story and discuss specifics of the position. GroupMagellan can provide you with some basic information about the firm or company with which you'll be interviewing. However, you should do some research on your own. For example, visiting the firm or company website is an excellent starting point. Some of the information you will want to know includes:

• Size of organization
• Location of office
• Structure of organization
• Types and sizes of clients
• The competition
• Name of recruiter
• Training provisions
• Relocation policies
• Recent items in the news
• Others you know in the organization

Know yourself

Analyze your strength and weaknesses and know what you want to say and do not want to say during the interview.

Evaluate problem areas in your record and be prepared to offer a strong case for these during the interview if necessary. Do not volunteer information about yourself or a former employment situation.

• When mailing your resume, do not fold it. Use a large envelope.
• Spell out everything on your resume. Do not use abbreviations like St. for Street.
• Have a friend or your GroupMagellan career consultant proofread your resume.
• DO NOT PUT "References available upon request" on the bottom.
• When faxing your resume, be sure to use black ink on plain white paper.
• Use inkjet or laser printing, and avoid dot matrix.
• Copies of a resume should be clear and without smudges.
• Do not use a font larger than 20 point.
• If your GPA is a 3.0 or higher, include it.
• Include honors, law review, moot court, clinics and internships you have done within the section discussing your education.
• Be conservative, use white or off-white stationary.
• Use the two-digit postal code for state with no periods in between (e.g., RI for Rhode Island).
• Phone numbers should include area codes.
• If your strength lies with your education, display it first in your resume.
• Put your best foot forward. If your experience is your strength list it first.

Tips on Resume Headings

• The name should be the largest & boldest point on resume.
• Include your full name including your middle name.
• Center your name at the top of the page.

Tips on References

• You don't have to include them on your resume.
• Put references on a separate page.
• Reference paper should match your resume paper.