Quick resume/interview questions

[flutterby]

I turned my resume in to be critiqued at my school's career services. The lady added 'references available upon request' to the bottom. I didn't have it there because I thought it was a no-no now? What say you all? Also, GPA or no?

For an interview wearing a suit (skirt/jacket): nylons or not?

Thanks!

[Deleted]

Jun 30, 2014 12:32:44 GMT -5 flutterby said:

I turned my resume in to be critiqued at my school's career services. The lady added 'references available upon request' to the bottom. I didn't have it there because I thought it was a no-no now? What say you all? Also, GPA or no?

For an interview wearing a suit (skirt/jacket): nylons or not?

Thanks!

what field?

[alabamagal]

To me "References available on request" doesn't add much to the resume.  I would take it off, unless you are trying to fill up the paper.

I've heard that rule of thumb is if your gpa is above 3.0 you put it on.  If I see a resume without gpa, I assume below 3.0.  My boys college told them to leave it off, and I told them to put it on (I am a professional who has hired many young graduates in the last 25 years).  Their gpa was higher than 3.0, significantly higher actually.

I would wear nylons, but that is me.  I would definitely wear close toes shoes (no sandals), don't you have to wear nylons?

[flutterby]

Accounting.

[flutterby]

Jun 30, 2014 12:48:33 GMT -5 alabamagal said:

To me "References available on request" doesn't add much to the resume.  I would take it off, unless you are trying to fill up the paper.

I've heard that rule of thumb is if your gpa is above 3.0 you put it on.  If I see a resume without gpa, I assume below 3.0.  My boys college told them to leave it off, and I told them to put it on (I am a professional who has hired many young graduates in the last 25 years).  Their gpa was higher than 3.0, significantly higher actually.

I would wear nylons, but that is me.  I would definitely wear close toes shoes (no sandals), don't you have to wear nylons?

That's what I thought, too, which is why I left it off.

GPA is about 3.75, just kind of feel like a 22 year old putting it on there (I'm definitely not 22 anymore )

I thought nylons, too, but don't want to seem out-of-date.

[emma1420]

References is available upon request is unnecessary.  Almost every employer knows that if you references aren't listed that they can request them from you.

As for the GPA, I think it depends on the industry.  I have never put my GPA on my resume,  but it could be different for other industries.  I also think some of it depends on how much experience you have as well.  If you have a lot of relevant experience then I think your GPA is less important.

[alabamagal]

Well if you worked hard and got a 3.75 gpa, I would put it on there, especially if it is your first job in your field.

I tell my kids, a resume is supposed to be bragging, list all you accomplishments.

When I applied for a job with the Federal government a few years ago, the application had it on there.  I had worked for 20 years in my field, and I had to look through all my paperwork to list my exact gpa, mainly for the college I attended first 2 years.

[Phoenix84]

I always put references available upon request in my resume. I'd leave that in there.

I'd only list your GPA if it's high, say 3.5 or above.

Depends on the job, but yes, for accounting I would dress formally for an interview, in a suit.

[milee]

For accounting, unfortunately you should probably wear the nylons; many of the offices are still pretty formal and it would be better to err on the side of caution.  You don't need to wear a plain black or navy suit, but do wear something conservative and well tailored.  I actually got the most positive comments from a really well fitted hunter green suit that showed a peek of about a 1" section of a Hermes style patterned blouse underneath it, so it showed I was conservative and appropriate but still stood out in the crowd of applicants.

"References available upon request" is considered outdated. Especially if you're older than the general pool of applicants, you don't want to look like you haven't moved into the current era.  As someone mentioned, employers know if they want a reference they can get one.

GPA is not clear cut. If it's your first job in accounting after graduating or you're interviewing while you're still in school, put the GPA on there. If it's not your first job after graduating or you're not still in school, leave it off and find a subtle way to indicate your hard work. For example, list that you graduated "Magna semen Laude" or "Summa semen Laude", whichever you end up at. Indicates your good grades without being quite so entry level as to actually list the GPA.

You didn't ask about it, but recently I received an accounting resume from someone who was in their 40s and had been out of the work force for about 15 years. It listed some very outdated things like hobbies and interests, including social clubs and the fact that she was the homecoming queen. Don't do that.  Listing hobbies and interests will make you look even more out of touch then the "references available upon request" line will. You need to be really vigilant about this since employers will already be questioning why you're getting into this at an older age and whether you can adapt to current practices and technology.

[Regis]

As an employer, I'd prefer for the candidate to give me a sheet with references without me having to ask for them.

[Deleted]

References on Request is redundant and unnecessary. Most jobs you will be filling out on line applications or a paper application where you have to list the references and permission to contact. It does not add anything to the resume.

GPA should be listed if you are applying for an intern position or if you recently graduated or this is your first job in the field. Maybe stretch as far as your second job if you were only in the first for a couple of years. 

[moneymaven]

Jun 30, 2014 19:54:29 GMT -5 Regis said:

As an employer, I'd prefer for the candidate to give me a sheet with references without me having to ask for them.

I like this too as an employer. Also have received great feedback as an interviewee having this ready to go and printed while in person.

[thyme4change]

As far as the nylons....unfortunately, this will be a person to person call.  Are you going to an auditing firm, or a corporation?  What is the dress code of the company you are going with?

[flutterby]

Thanks for your help!

I decided yes on GPA. No on References upon request, but I will have a page with my references prepared, just in case. No on any mention of prom queen on my resume .  Yes on nylons, since any job that would require the business suit for the interview (as opposed to say slacks, blouse, blazer) would merit nylons.

I don't have any interviews yet, just trying to be prepared.