Tips for Applying to INL
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Tips for Resume Writing
The following content is intended to provide suggestions and tips for submitting resumes. It is not intended as a requirement for submitting resumes for open positions with Idaho National Laboratory.
Resume Overview
- Understand the position description and use key words in your resume.
- Tailor each resume you submit to the position description.
- Use precision and be concise.
- Carefully proofread your resume.
Writing Your Resume
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Typically, a resume is no shorter than one full page but no longer than two full pages.
(Corporate executives, Ph.D. & post doctorates are exceptions.) - Use a 10-12 point, readable font.
- Use bullet points, not paragraphs.
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Place your most impressive, pertinent information at the top.
(Example: If you have more related work experience than education, put work experience on the top.) - Do not include a photo. It is illegal in the United States for an employer to consider certain factors in hiring decisions, such as age, race, gender, national origin or disabilities; a photo may provide insight to this information and leave the employer vulnerable to a discrimination claim.
Recommended Resume Content
Contact Information
- Make sure information is accurate and current.
- Name, Address, Telephone Number, E-mail Address
(you can include websites if applicable).
Summary of Qualifications
- Include three to five concise sentences.
- Each qualification should be a short summary of your most pertinent experience and qualifications customized for the position.
Education
- Include schools you have attended, city, state and date of graduation (date is optional, and if included, should be actual or anticipated), degree(s) earned, and grade-point average (GPA) if over 3.0.
Work/Experience
- General Rule: Use the last 10 years of experience or only directly relevant experience if older than 10 years.
- Use action verbs to start each bullet point: managed, processed, recovered, delegated, etc.
- Include company or organization, position title you held, location, dates of employment, and responsibilities in three to five bullet points.
- Quantify your accomplishments.
Optional Sections
- Organizational involvement, certificates, trainings, continuing education programs, volunteer/community work, academic honors – dean’s list, scholarships, and professional skills.
Saving Your Resume
Save your resume as a PDF before submitting. This will ensure the format stays the same once it’s uploaded. If you need help exporting a PDF, please see the Microsoft Help instructions.
Attaching Your Resume to Your Application
- When you’re ready to attach your resume, click on “Apply Now.”
- Click the bullet for “upload new resume” and continue.
- Click “browse” and find your PDF resume. Click “upload” and continue.
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Tips for Submitting Your Application
Once you have uploaded your resume, you will be prompted to complete the application.
In this system, you will only be allowed to upload one resume and one other document for each individual application. Therefore, in order to provide a cover letter, resume and reference list when/if requested, create one document for both the cover letter and reference list and then upload your resume as prompted. By consolidating and uploading your documents, the hiring managers and Human Resources can have all three documents when/if needed.
When applying for any position, be sure to answer all of the questions on the screen. Applicants who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions may be deemed ineligible for consideration.
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Interview Preparation
Tips for Interviewing
- Learn about the organization and position for which you are applying.
- If possible, learn about the individual(s) who will be interviewing you.
- How will you and your skill set fit into this organization?
- Common interviewer’s agenda is to answer these questions: Are you qualified? Can you be trained? Are you a good fit? Will you love this job?
- Use your resume as a reference and transfer the information on your résumé into the interview.
Types of Interviews
INL has nearly 4,000 employees and over 15 different organizations, therefore, the interviewing process may vary.
- Traditional one-on-one interview
- Panel/committee interview – three or more interviewers or members of a panel
- Group interview – three or more interviewees participate in group interviews
- In-person/face-to-face interview
- Telephone interview
- Video or teleconference interview
Preparing for Your Interview
Before the day of your interview:
- Rehearse commonly asked questions: “Tell us a little bit about yourself?” “What is your five-year plan?” “Why do you want this job?”
- Know the exact location of your interview or have your computer or phone charged, tested, and ready for virtual or phone interviews.
- Get plenty of sleep the night before.
- Limit caffeine before the interview.
The day of your interview:
- Dress appropriately: Business professional and a clean, presentable appearance.
- Even if you are teleconferencing or performing a phone interview, it is still a good idea to dress professionally so you are in that mindset.
- Always be 10 to 15 minutes early.
- Always have insightful questions for the interviewer(s). This shows invested interest in the position.
- Maintain good posture, strong eye contact, and provide a strong handshake to each member of the interviewing panel at the beginning and conclusion of your interview. Express appreciation for the opportunity to interview, and get contact information if available.
