Resumes, Interviews, and in Between

Student success is essential to the mission of WGU and its four colleges: Business, Healthcare, Education, and Information Technology. With more than 60 dynamic degree programs, these colleges address workforce needs and equip graduates with skills needed to succeed in their careers. 

While WGU courses lay a strong foundation, one of the best ways to stand out in your career search is to understand how your resume and interview preparation should differ by industry. Below are some simple, industry-specific tips to landing your dream job. 

Information Technology

Information technology is one of the few industries where specialized semantics and skills are crucial. Tips include:

Speak the language: Applicants who use technical jargon and demonstrate knowledge of programming languages, software, and frameworks have an advantage, according to Fast Company. 

Apply action to the terminology: IT hiring managers look for applicants who can explain the actions they took and goals they achieved by leveraging certain tools. For example: 

• Explain how you built new features or replaced old systems with modern, efficient software. 
• Include quantifiable results, such as how much money you saved the company or the percentage increase in profits. 

Practice your skills—tangible and intangible: During the interview, illustrate your technical abilities, but not at the expense of soft skills like enthusiasm, communication, and teamwork. Explain what your favorite tools are, and don’t be afraid to weigh in with an opinion.

Education

Prospective teachers should list all certifications, credentials, and degrees at the top of their resume; however, according to career-building site Monster, the key attribute that schools look for is passion. Some other key advice is:

Find your philosophy: Distinguish yourself in the career summary section with your teaching philosophy – a few short sentences that dictate your style, methodology, and reasons for teaching. You can find philosophy examples and advice at Monster. 

Polish your pitch: For the interview, frame your teaching philosophy as an elevator pitch: a one-minute summation of who you are and what you believe as a teacher. Also, have a portfolio ready with your achievements, awards, and sample lesson plans. 

Study the school: Do your research on the school, city, and state standards. The ability to speak to these standards and how you would incorporate them into lesson plans goes the extra mile. 

Healthcare

Resume or CV? According to Fast Company, the most significant decision for healthcare professionals during their career search is the type of resume they choose. For administrative roles in the healthcare field, a standard resume is preferred; alternatively, medical professionals can use a curriculum vitae (CV), which is a more technical summary of your accomplishments, degrees, certifications, and more.

• Typical CV headings can include education, experience, honors, publications, professional affiliations, and speaking engagements. 

Stay on top of your field: One of the most common questions in healthcare-related interviews deals with medical field advancements. Articulate how you plan to keep up with these advancements and continue your education.

Business

Business is a blanket term for several industries and subsectors. When pursuing a role in a specific field—accounting, management, or others—research common resume and interview tips for those areas. When it comes to general business resumes and interviews, there are a few rules of thumb:

Take your numbers the extra step: Metrics are valued currency in business.  Dimensionalize achievements with concrete statistics, and add context by explaining how metrics delivered impact. Examples include: 

• “Delivered XX% of bottom-line growth through …”
• “Drove XX increases in top-line revenue by …”

Experience is key: Prepare to discuss your business experience and elaborate on how your actions relate to the specific role you’re applying for. 

Know your situation: Examine the company, its culture, and current work so you can appear knowledgeable and ask insightful questions during your interview. Study the industry at large to speak intelligently about trends. 

This advice will go a long way toward securing your next job; but remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Understand your field and prospective company, and above all, be confident in your experience and the skills that WGU has afforded you. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to success, regardless of your field.