A successful interview is the one in which both the interviewer and the interviewee receive accurate information and can make an informed decision about the fit between the job and the applicants personality and skills.

Phrases That Scream “Under Qualified” On Your Executive Resume

At the executive level, you know a lot is expected of you on the job. But those high expectations actually begin at the application process. From the moment you submit your application and executive resume,employers are checking you out to make sure you’re suited for this level. So if you want to avoid instant rejection, it’s best to sidestep the following phrases that could make a resume look elementary:

“Excellent Organizational Skills”

Most employers expect you to be somewhat organized as a professional. Either that or you have had an assistant for years who handled organizational needs for you. This phrase is usually used at the lower professional levels, but even then it is broad and doesn’t explain much. At your level, there is no need to use this phrase.  Instead, get to the meat of what you’ve organized and be specific.

“Team Player”

At this stage in your career, you should have evolved beyond being a team player and become a team leader. Even then, it’s not necessary to use the words, “I’m an excellent team leader.” Your excellence is better defined by your specific accomplishments as a leader. So rather than saying you’re a leader, give examples of your key initiatives and how your leadership helped the company excel.

“Managed [X] Employees”

Again, you’re speaking in vague terms when it’s time to be specific. However, you may be wondering how listing the number of employees you managed is vague. It’s vague because you did not say what it meant to manage X employees. How did you manage them? What did they accomplish under your leadership? How did your management of these employees affect the job as a whole? Without these specifics, you’ve told the employer nothing about how you can really help them.

“Exceeded Expectations”

Here’s another phrase that is better assumed than said. Employers expect you to exceed expectations as an executive, so there’s never a need to tell them this is something you do. Again, your job is to get right to the point by providing examples of how you’ve exceeded expectations throughout your entire career; so get right to it and be specific.

When writing an executive resume, it’s good to avoid phrases that are too vague or say only what you’re capable of accomplishing rather than provide the specifics of your accomplishments. By sidestepping these phrases, you’ll find yourself being taken seriously by employers and improving your chances of being called in for the interviewing phase.

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, CEO of Great Resumes Fast is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, and presenter.

Tips for an interview:

• Arrive early to the place of interview.
• Dress yourself in a way that gives a pleasant look. Do not wear jazzy dresses and do not come for an interview in a shabby manner.
• Bring few copies of your resume and a notepad and a pen and the  reference list.
• Make a good  preparation prior to  the interview i.e. log on to its website collect information regarding the organization, its sector, what is it actually into? etc.
• Be energetic and enthusiastic.
• Enter into the hall in a polite manner and wish the interviewers by giving a firm handshake. Pull the chair slowly and sit when they ask you to take your seat.
• Maintain eye contact with the interviewer which shows your confidence.
• The very first question usually in the interviews will be “Tell me about yourself”. So be ready with the precise answer that introduces you to the interviewer.
• Bring a few good samples of your work into the attention of the interviewer and add some humor to it.
• Be confident throughout the interview and sell yourself.
• Be a good listener, have a presence of mind and do not talk too much.
• Be truthful and agree when you do not know the answer.
• Be very specific in your body language. Do not slouch, do not keep your hands on the table and do not shake your legs or do not keep it crossed which shows that you want to run out of the interview soon instead show that you are comfortable by sitting straight and making use of hands sometimes while explaining.
• Have a smile on your face and speak clearly giving brief answers.
• Do not get stressed and lose patience when the interviewer poses you a question that insult you.
• You should be completely aware of the information written in your resume and should be ready to give explanations on each one of that or else it makes the interviewer feel that you are not serious and do not embellish the information.
• Be ready to talk on your weaknesses.
• Explain the interviewer your strengths/ positives by giving examples from your past experiences and show your uniqueness which makes the interviewer distinguish you from rest of the candidates.
• Ask some good and relevant questions that interests the interviewer when they give a space to ask you questions.
• Maintain the same smile throughout the interview and thank the interviewers at  the end.
• Come out the interview hall and wait patiently for the results to be announced.