I really liked Jim Pawlak’s feature in Palm Beach Post: Set up your resume to read like a movie preview

Pawlak urges job seekers to create resumes that preview the value they bring to the table, similar to the way movie trailers spark the interest of moviegoers. While we probably wouldn’t be able to retain movie trailer voice legend Don LaFontaine for our resume previews, Pawlak suggests that adding accomplishments, creating your personal “wow” factor, and focusing on successes in the resume will generate employer interest.

Does your resume convey an enticing value proposition, or are you bound to flunk at the job-search box office because of a poorly written preview?

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 30, 2007 at 7:05 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The "Summary of Qualifications" is often found on most professionally written resumes for a good reason. It is one of the first points of focus of recruiters when they look at your resume as it is at the top of the page. Also, as the name indicates, it provides a good overview of what you can bring to your prospective employer, which, in the eyes of the recruiter, is a time saver.

A good trick when people want to make their point go across is to provide an overview of the facts/ arguments and subsequently narrow in with more details. This is exactly what the "Summary of Qualifications" does.

Darlene Zambruski wrote a good article on how to write effective qualifications summaries.

The Professional Touch – Qualifications Summaries, by Darlene Zambruski, CPRW (from ResumeEdge)

Article courtesy of WorkBloom, an employment blog incorporating a comprehensive career resources section, including the largest database of professionally written resume and cover letter samples on the Web.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 29, 2007 at 4:10 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

That may sound harsh, but during a job search it's true.

The hiring manager has many concerns, issues, worries and problems - too much work, not enough staff, looming business issues or missed opportunities, a headache, a fight with her teenage daughter ... but whatever is swirling round her mind when she looks at your resume, the very last thing she's thinking is "I wonder what all these candidates want in their next job? I wonder what's important to them?"

(She might care about that later, if she interviews you and likes you and is thinking about an offer, but right now she doesn't give two hoots.)

This is why I hate resumes that start with an objective statement. Even the most well-written objective statement is a waste of space because the employer just doesn't care. But most are not actually counter-productive. This week I came across a resume that had one of the LEAST effective objective statements I've ever seen. One that would surely dissuade employers from ever even picking up the phone.

It started with a short description of the type of job being sought, but then it went on: "I do NOT want to work at a company that doesn't value it's employees. I do NOT want to have to ask permission when I have an idea. I do NOT want ..."

It went on a little longer but you get the idea. Not only is this candidate focused only on his own concerns - he's also making himself look like a troublemaker, even though there is nothing inherently wrong with the things he is seeking in his next position - they just don't belong on a resume!

Your resume and cover letters must never focus on your needs and concerns. Every word must focus on showing why you can add value to potential employers. Your introduction should focus on this entirely with no mention of your own desires.

That's not to say your desires are not important - of course they are. You will asses opportunities based on your needs and concerns. You will choose a job that meets those needs. But by focusing your resume on what the employer needs, you will ensure that you have the broadest array of options from which to choose.

By Louise Fletcher and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 29, 2007 at 2:42 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

It’s depressing, isn’t it? You sit there looking at your resume that isn’t getting the results sitting in your portfolio just waiting for interviews. But it’s just not happening for you. Why is that? Why can’t you get interviews?

Stop the madness! Make sure your resume speaks volumes about what you have done in the past in a way that conveys you can accomplish that – and even more – for your future employer. There are tons of candidates who may have the same skill-set, but what you do with that knowledge makes all the difference in the world.

If you’ve been working on your resume for what seems like forever, it’s time to step away for a bit. When you work on anything for too long of a period, you become ‘blind’ to its imperfections and your ideas become stale. Harsh, but true. Acknowledge your limitations.

Even if you’re a talented writer, your resume can pose a challenge. That’s why there are so many professional writing services in business today. So if you really want to create your resume yourself, think like a professional.

• Ask yourself the hard questions. This can be the most difficult part in writing your own resume. You have to dig really deep and brainstorm about your past accomplishments. Think not only about the obvious ones that you remember automatically; consider what may not have been huge in your eyes but had positive repercussions.

• Add numbers to add punch. You’ve heard it a hundred times but it still holds true. The more you quantify your achievements the more impact it has on an employer. Include percentages, dollar amounts, anything that will make the reader stop and really read about your accomplishment.

Also, if you accomplished something within a certain amount of time, that can also be useful. Stating that you decreased backorders by 75% in 3 months is a lot more impressive than accomplishing it in 12 months, don’t you agree?

• If you get stuck, take a different approach. Professional writers can’t just quit and not complete a client’s resume if they hit a roadblock. They have to find another way to extract the information.

One way you can do this is by going over old performance reviews. Some employers may offer you a copy and others may not. Attempt to get a copy from the Human Resources Department, if you don’t already have one. You may have forgotten about an achievement that meant big changes or improvements for the company.

Writing your resume is no walk in the park. However, if you look at your work experience and achievements objectively and have plenty of patience and determination, you really can write a resume to impress.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and owner of http://www.ResumeLines.com who is now dedicated to providing job seekers with resources and products that promote job search success from beginning to end.

Posted by Heather Eagar on October 26, 2007 at 8:18 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Seth Godin points us to research supporting the power of short, easy-to-read sentences in this post: The secret of writing to be read

I couldn’t help but think about the relevance to resume writing. I frequently see resumes that are trying so hard to sound intelligent, but the end result is a crammed, verbose resume that is fated to land in the “Resume Reject” pile.

Plus, hiring managers almost always skim through resumes on the first pass — they aren’t able to digest a resume that is more like a wordy novella.

Are there areas on your resume that can be simplified? Make your sentences more reader-friendly, and you just might nab a few more job interviews.

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 25, 2007 at 5:00 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

You read a lot these days about how depressed the average person is about the labor market, or that the average person can take up to 17 weeks to find a new job.

But where is it written that YOU have to be average? When did Congress pass that law?

Good news: You don't have to be average. Thankfully, this is one area that the politicians haven't decided to "help" us with (yet).

Instead, you can get radically better results in your job search -- starting today -- by doing two simple things differently.

Here's how …

1) Think Differently
Let's face it: Most of the news you read, hear or see on TV is bad.

And most of it has little to do with your life, if you think about it. For example, what can you do with the "news" that a car bomb has exploded in Iraq or that a house was gutted by fire on the other side of town? Nothing. Not one thing.

You could let all that bad news get you down, like most people do. Or you could tune it out. You could think differently.

Here's why.

No matter what the news -- good or bad -- every company wants to increase revenues and profits. And every company wants to control costs and save money.

If you can get in front of the right employer and show him or her that you can either make or save more money than you're asking for in salary, that employer will either hire you for an existing job or create a job for you.

Read that last paragraph again. It holds the key to every successful job search!

And, to repeat, it doesn't matter what the economy is doing, or how much the talking heads on TV are bemoaning layoffs, outsourcing, off-shoring, or any other economic "news." All that counts is your ability to do exactly four things:

1. choose a specific job you want to do;
2. choose a company you want to work for;
3. meet with a hiring authority at your target company;
4. demonstrate exactly how much money you can make or save for them.

It all starts when you refuse to go along with the crowd and let outside events influence your inner attitude. In fact, you may just start to laugh at bad economic news, because it can cause other people to stop looking for jobs, leaving less competition for you.

2) Act Differently
Once you start thinking differently and more opportunistically, it's easy to start acting differently and more effectively.

Here's how one California man did just one thing differently in his job search -- and how it made the phone ring with interview offers for the first time in months …

First, some background.

I've written before that you can pique employers' curiosity by writing them a letter in which you offer to send them a report to help improve their business.

It need be no more than 2-3 pages, describing the best, most valuable things you've done on the job, and their specific value. (Google my article, "Can You Write a Simple Report? You Can Get Hired" to learn more.)

One reader, Michael Schwab from Los Angeles, California, not only read that advice, he acted on it. And he struck pay dirt.

Michael was smart. He took the time to ask his network of contacts about the target company and learned enough about their products to tailor a letter that got attention.

He says: "I wrote a letter yesterday offering to send a report and got an email from the recruiter an hour later -- they want to interview me. In my original email, I proposed two options: (1) helping with their existing product areas, and (2) helping build out a new area of practice involving different software products."

So, next time, instead of sending a resume, why not try something different? Write a letter offering specific ways to improve your target employer's business. Because, while few employers get up in the morning wanting to get a resume in the mail, every employer wants to increase profits. All you have to do is show them how.

When you offer solutions instead of a resume, you're not acting like a typical job seeker. You're acting like a star employee. And you'll have little or no competition for your next job when you do.

It all starts when you think and act a little bit differently.

Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes and the creator of GetHiredNow.TV. Since 1996, he has provided job search assistance to nearly 10,000 people. Author of "51 Ways to Find a Job Fast -- Guaranteed," Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, CBS Radio and others. His latest product, The Instant Job Search System, is available at http://www.collegerecruiter.com/guaranteed-resumes.php
copyright (c) 2007 by Kevin Donlin

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 24, 2007 at 5:14 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Dear Job Seeker:
When you're hungry for a sandwich you step up to the deli counter and ask for it. If you're in the market for a new car, you go to a dealership and ask to see the model you're interested in. And if you spot a book you'd like to buy, you ask the clerk to ring up your purchase. ASKING is the first key to getting what you want. Asking effectively is the second and most important key. Yet many job hunters forget this essential key when it comes to an interview for the job they're eager to fill.

In a recent survey, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas asked executives, "What skill do entry-level job seekers lack the most?" Nearly half of respondents (45%) said that entry-level job seekers need to be better writers. According to an article about the survey in The New York Times:

"It seems that some young employees are now guilty of the technological equivalent of wearing flip-flops: they are writing company email as if they were texting cellphone messages with their thumbs."

I've definitely noticed a lack of proper grammar and etiquette in many emails I've received from college students and recent grads. Here are some tips to make sure you're emailing like a professional:

1. DNUCAPE, or, Do Not Use Cute Acronyms in Professional Emails. You never know whether people are familiar with the same abbreviations that you are. Skip the LOLs, TTFNs, BRBs, etc.


2. Do use proper capitalization and punctuation. my biggest pet peeve when it comes to emails i receive from college students is that everything is in lower case and there is very little punctuation if any at all trust me its not cute its really unprofessional so please dont do it thnx. AND NOTE THAT ALL CAPS MAKES IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE YELLING.


3. Do cool it on the exclamation points! This is another big pet peeve among the older professionals I meet!! Young people email them and use way too many exclamation points!!! One or two in an email is more than enough; otherwise you look really, really young and kind of annoying!!!!


4. Do not leave the subject line blank. In today’s overloaded inboxes, most people are likely to overlook or delete any message that looks like spam, so it’s smart to include a helpful subject line. In professional situations, I’m a big fan of action-oriented subject lines, such as "Networking Request from a Young Alum," or "Internship Application Attached." If a professional receives an email from someone she doesn’t know and there is no subject line, she’s likely to delete it.


5. Do not become the boy or girl who cried, "Urgent." Use the red high-importance exclamation point sparingly. Sending in your résumé or asking for an informational interview is not urgent to the person receiving such an email.


6. Do a quick once-over of important messages, even after you’ve spell-checked. Review the spelling of the recipient’s name, the accuracy of any important numbers you’ve mentioned, and the overall tone of the message. (Your dry sarcasm may come across as rudeness to a busy person reading your message.)

Apply these tips and your emails should zoom to the top of an employer's inbox. Good luck!

Article by Lindsey Pollak is the author of "Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World" (HarperCollins, 2007) and courtesy of Recruiting Blogswap a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 23, 2007 at 4:24 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

NEW YORK, NY -- Fluff. That is what most job seekers believe keywords are on a resume - something that takes up white space. The reality is, however, that keywords are an integral part of the resume process for the following reasons:

1) Most resumes today aren't initially read by human eyes, but rather by a scanning system. This is how this works: a clerk at the hiring organization scans resumes into a computer. When a position becomes available, a Human Resources Representative goes into the computer system and punches in the appropriate keywords. The resumes that are retrieved by the computer dictate who is called in for interviews. This means that you can conceivably qualify for a position but your resume may never be reviewed because it lacked the right keywords. Therefore, you may never be called in for an interview.

2) When searching online, decision-makers search for prime candidates using keywords. To help you visualize how the process works, consider how you search on the Internet. You search for what you are looking for using a specific keyword, and the websites that most closely match your specific requirements will appear on the first page. It's no different when hiring managers search for qualified candidates on online job boards. They too input specific keywords, and the resumes that match their specific request are the ones that appear in their search results.

Article by Linda Matias, President, Careerstrides.com, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 23, 2007 at 10:56 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Your cover letter is like a great commercial, and you're the product. Your cover letter says, hire me. I'm good. My resume is attached, and it proves I'm worth every penny I'm going to ask for in compensation.

As the primary sales piece in the job seeking process, it needs to be as strong as possible. Many successful applicants spend more time crafting their cover letter, than on writing their resume. Your cover letter has succeeded when the reader says, "I want to talk to this person."

How do we get them to do that? We outline strong benefits the organization will receive in hiring us. We research to find hot points for the industry and targeted company. As with selling a product or service, one of the most effective ways to accomplish this is with a client quote or success story. Do you have a quote from a client, a team member, or a manager? Do you have a success story that clearly demonstrates previous success, preferably under difficult circumstances? This will speak far more compellingly than dry dates and descriptions.

Article by Pat Schuler, Business Development Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 19, 2007 at 6:09 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Resume writing techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated in how to portray a person's job history in a way that covers the flaws and highlights the strengths. But for every trick a person might use, there's a negative that could make the method backfire.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 16, 2007 at 1:47 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

What do you really want to do? Is your desire obvious on your resume? Do you show experience in one line of work but you're applying for another?

Do you have a lot of experience in a lot of areas, but the experience related to the job you're applying for is near the bottom of your resume?

In short, are you confusing hiring managers with your resume?

If so, you need to repackage yourself and your experience on your resume.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 15, 2007 at 1:25 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Everybody loves a story with a happy ending, right?

Well, here's one about an Ontario man who got the job he wanted in exactly 31 days, with lessons that can help you do the same.

Rod Sider, from Waterloo, Ontario, sent me an email describing the success he had after reading my ebook, "Guerrilla Resumes." We later spoke by phone and I asked Rod what the most important change was that he made in his job search. His answer: "Focus. I narrowed my search to one type of job, sales, in two industries: home remodeling and new cars."

Your Lesson: Start your job search by thinking clearly of what you want. Rod aimed at one specific position -- sales -- and two industries. As a result, he was able to produce results quickly, like sunlight focused through a magnifying glass.

In the words of Robert Collier: "The time you put in aimlessly dreaming and wishing would accomplish marvels if it were concentrated on one definite subject."

Next, I asked Rod about his resume.

"Among the changes I made to my resume was to put in comments from past clients," said Rod. Including testimonials like this helped prove the claims he made in his resume, because praise about you is more believable when it comes from somebody else.

Your Lesson: Watch any TV infomercial and you'll find that at least 30-50% of the program is made up of testimonials from happy customers. That's no accident. Testimonials are incredibly powerful. In your resume, including two or three testimonials -- brief quotes from clients or managers -- can be just as powerful.

Now. How many employers did Rod contact, and how did he find them?

"I faxed, emailed and mailed my resume to 19 companies that I wanted to work for. I found 16 of them just by driving around near my home and looking. I located more than 50 potential employers this way. Then, I researched them on Google, narrowing the list and finding contact information for executives I wanted to meet. The interesting part was, only one of the 19 companies I contacted was hiring, but I got a total of 5 job interviews."

Your Lesson: When most folks look for work, they look for a job. Why not look for an employer instead? That's what Rod did. He created his own job market by targeting companies within 20 minutes of his home. Rod didn't wait for his ideal employers to advertise an opening -- he simply went after them. You can, too.

What happened after he sent out his resumes and cover letters?

"For the first few days, there were no calls. I got a bit discouraged. But, I called all 19 employers to see if they got my resume and cover letter. Then things started to snowball. I received a total of 12 responses, resulting in four in-person interviews and one phone interview. On day 30, I was called back for a second interview and offered a position 5 minutes from home. On day 31, I accepted the job, selling new cars."

Your Lesson: This one has two parts.

First, you must follow up. Rod called each of his 19 target employers to make sure they got his resume. If a company is worth identifying, researching, and applying to, it's worth a phone call to make sure your materials were read.

Second, if you persist, you will succeed. If you don't, you won't. While Rod felt dejected after not hearing back from employers, he never quit. Instead, he got busy calling employers to follow up. One good thing led to another, until he had the job he wanted within 31 days.

If you never give up, you'll never fail. It's just that simple.

Article by Kevin Donlin, President of Guaranteed Resumes and the creator of GetHiredNow.TV. Since 1996, he has provided job search assistance to nearly 10,000 people. Author of "51 Ways to Find a Job Fast -- Guaranteed," Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, CBS Radio and others. His latest product, The Instant Job Search System, is available at www.collegerecruiter.com/guaranteed-resumes.php

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 11, 2007 at 9:29 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

TAMPA, FL -- Most job hunters take a laid back, casual approach to their job search. They are willing to answer a few want ads and then sit back and wait for the phone to ring. By contrast, successful job hunters live by rules that allow them to get ahead of the pack and get noticed by employers.

Job hunting is a huge project, like launching a new item or creating a new marketing campaign. It requires developing a system, being able to juggle details and names and adapting yourself to many different situations. It is not a disjointed effort that changes direction day-by-day. There must be an overall, long-term plan with measurable goals.

Successful job hunters take the time upfront to create a system to use throughout the job search process. They head to an office supply store and buy a portfolio, 3 ring binders and thank you notes. They create forms to keep track of resumes mailed, phone calls made, due dates, networking results, and people they meet along the way. They alphabetize their forms so when they answer the phone they can flip to the person or company and not miss a beat. Organization is critical to a successful job search.

Article by Gail Frank, Resume Writer & Career Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 11, 2007 at 4:33 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

When was the last time you looked at your life and said, "How in the world did I get here?" A month ago? Last week? This morning? Sometimes you can wonder that in a good way as if you've had a great fortune in love, life and work. Other times, it's not thought of in such a positive light.

When it comes to your career, is it ever too late to 'go back?' It depends on each person's own circumstances but in more cases than not, it can be done. And sometimes it doesn't even have to be a complete reversal. Maybe a little side trip is all you need.

What were your dreams?

As a child, teenager and young adult, you had your dreams. What were they? Once you take a trip down memory lane, think about why they were your dreams. Did you want lots of money and acclaim? Did you want to try to save the world - one person at a time?

If you're like a lot of people, what you actually ended up doing for a living is something completely different than what you planned. And that's okay. Life doesn't always have to go according to plan. That's a part of life that makes things interesting.

However, if you want to dip your toes into a new pool, there are ways to do it successfully - without risking what you already have.

Take on a part-time gig

What? Why take a part-time job when you're already employed with a full-time one? This can be very useful if you think you want to completely change your career path. For example, you can be an accountant during the day but a pharmacist's assistant at night. (One note: be sure to clear any second jobs with your current employer. Many companies have policies regarding those situations.)

Take some classes or training

If you are curious whether or not you have what it takes to make it big in another career, start studying. Simply take some online classes, read up on necessary qualifications that you would need to earn and find out if it 'fits you.' This is a quick way to test the waters before taking the big plunge.

So before you resign yourself to the fact that you're in a career that you dislike forever, take the time to discover if there's something better out there for you. It doesn't have to be risky; take it ultra-slow at first, and if it feels right, continue down the path to a new, more rewarding career.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and owner of http://www.JobsCareersEtc.com
who is now dedicated to providing job seekers with resources and products that promote job search success from beginning to end.

Posted by Heather Eagar on October 11, 2007 at 3:58 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Some resume writers don't recommend creating a targeted resume version for each career goal, but I believe this is necessary for people in career transition. The job of a career change resume is to convince hiring managers that the applicant has what it takes to succeed in a new career. How can that be done with a "one-size-fits-all-jobs" resume?

It takes a lot of research, reflection, and marketing savvy to create a resume that will open doors to new careers. One came across my desk yesterday, and even though it was written by the brilliant resume writer Karen Hofferber, it still blew me away. The client owns a medical billing practice, but wanted to pursue a development job at her children's school where she had been volunteering for many years. When I reviewed her new resume, I thought, "POOF! You're a development specialist!"

Want to make sure your career change resume is going to cut it? Here are a few of Karen's strategies that should work for you:

1. Add a targeted, job-specific career goal. The top of the client's resume has a big banner that says, "Goal: Development Manager -- ABC School." So there's no confusion about what she wants to do from the start of the resume.
2. Write a dynamic qualifications summary. Focus on the skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the new goal. It helps to research and study the job description (or a job description for a similar job) to see the employer's requirements for the position, and then sculpt your own description proving the value that you offer.
3. Add a skills section. A bulleted list of skills/keywords helps hiring managers quickly see that you have the requisite skills for the job. Omit skills that you use in your current job that are unrelated to your new goal. This client had excellent medical billing skills, but they were left out of the skills section to make room for development-related skills.
4. Emphasize related work, even if it's volunteer experience or hobbies. Karen created a "School Development Experience" section that highlights the client's achievements through her volunteer work. It is formatted like a regular job, and shows the value that she has already brought to the school through her fundraising efforts, relationship-building with parents and teachers, and proven success organizing school events. Just because she wasn't paid doesn't make the experience any less valuable!
5. Draw out transferable skills from unrelated jobs. This client's paid experience doesn't appear until page two of the resume, but when it does appear, the reader gets a strong dose of transferable skills that are relevant to her new goal. The description of her business management role focuses on communication skills, project management accomplishments, customer service delivery, and excellent organizational skills. She doesn't just say she has these skills, she provides examples of positive business outcomes and benefits that resulted from her using these skills.
6. Show your passion in your cover letter. This client's letter was so compelling, I said I would eat my hat if the client didn't get the job. Forget looking at cover letter samples and copying verbiage -- speak from your heart and reveal your passion for your new career. Make a clear case for how you would benefit the employer if given a chance, and let your enthusiasm shine through.

To your success,

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 11, 2007 at 3:46 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Creating your career resume is a challenge for many people. Whether this is the first resume you've ever written, or you need to revise your current resume to reflect your new chosen field, it can be difficult figuring out what's important to include and what's better left out.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 10, 2007 at 1:24 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

There are countless workshops out there on how to write a great resume. Even colleges offer a service to have your resume reviewed and if needed rewritten. You can buy software to help you write your resume.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 9, 2007 at 1:12 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

I have spent much of my professional life reviewing resumes, and in an earlier article I offered advice on how to review a resume.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 8, 2007 at 11:23 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

You know what you want to be when you grow up. You can see yourself in your ideal position, and you're great. The only problem is that you're not yet part of this industry and don't really have any experience.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 8, 2007 at 11:18 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Nobody has a lot of time, even before launching a job search. So when you add resumes, cover letters, and networking calls to the daily rush, it can really put a pinch on your day.

To shortcut the job search process, a lot of people rely on templates to add power to their resume without taking a lot of time.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 8, 2007 at 10:21 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Job seekers are starting to realize the importance of personal branding, ensuring all aspects of their brands are consistent and strong. Occasionally, I do find people who are ruining their chances from the get-go by using inappropriate email addresses. For example, my aunt forwarded an email from a health aide who responded to a job ad requesting care for my 92-year-old grandmother. We are desperate to find a competent aide, but the applicant's email address is something like, villain666@somewhere.com. My aunt asked, "Do I dare respond to someone who says she is a caring female, with the name she chose for email?" The first images that came to my mind were scenes from those undercover Dateline reports on the terrible treatment of the elderly.

Maybe this applicant is not as devilish as her email address implies. But we'll never know.

What does your email address say about you? Make sure it's professional, either using your name or incorporating your career goal (e.g., "topsalesperson2007@..."). You can set up an email address using a free service like Gmail or Yahoo and use it for all job search correspondence.

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 5, 2007 at 1:28 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The last paragraph of your cover letter can be very powerful. How you end it could leave a lasting impression with the employer - good or bad. So before you sign off using your typical, "Please call me at your earliest convenience to set up an interview" kind of mumbo-jumbo, take care to let the employer off the hook and put the responsibility to follow-up squarely on your shoulders.

Mark this date

By stating that you're going to follow up with the employer on a particular day makes you appear confident and willing to go the extra mile for an interview. It makes them feel important and that you honestly want to know about the job if you are willing to follow up with them.

It also eases the pressure off of them since they expect you to call. If they're interested in speaking with you, they might set your resume aside and mark it down in their planner that you are going to call. That way they can be prepared to schedule an interview.

Do what you say

Whatever you do, if you write in your cover letter that you're going to call them on a specific day, by all means - do it! By not following through, you have jeopardized ever getting called by the employer.

This is actually worse than including a passive ending in your cover letter. By not following up like you claimed you would, you're showing yourself to be irresponsible - not a highly sought out trait for a new employee.

Go the extra mile

If you follow up the date that you stated and never could get in touch with the contact, you can leave a voice mail stating that you were following up on the specific job posting. You can choose to follow-up with an email and/or try to call them back another day. The point is to let them know that you followed up when you said you would.

Now don't get me wrong, you do want to try to actually speak to them. However, you don't want to harass them either. Give it a couple of shots and if you can't get them on the phone, leave a message and follow-up via email, if you so choose.

Follow-up is very important. That's why stating you're going to do so in your cover letter is impressive and important to the hiring manager. Keep it simple, keep your word and you might just come out with an interview.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and owner of http://www.ResumeLines.com who is now dedicated to providing job seekers with resources and products that promote job search success from beginning to end.

Posted by Heather Eagar on October 5, 2007 at 12:16 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Are you sabotaging your job search? Nothing slows a busy reader faster than sections of text that go on and on. Try to limit all paragraphs in a resume to three or four lines at most this will make it easier to read. Resumes with five or more different fonts and sizes, look like they have been pasted together. To avoid distracting readers, limit yourself to two fonts in your resume -- three at most.

If you need miniscule letters to fit the text of your resume onto one or two pages, you're hurting your chances. A font smaller than 11 points will cause readers to do one of three things: squint, look for a magnifying glass, or pitch the offending resume.

A jam-packed resume will look unprofessional. Try to leave a margin of at least 0.5" along the top and bottom, and 0.9" on the sides. A two-page resume is perfectly acceptable, so feel free to use more than one page if you just can't cut the content. Follow these guidelines to avoid the design flaws that prevent employers from giving your resume serious consideration. When in doubt, run your resume by at least three friends for their honest input.

Article abridged from Jobhunter.com, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 4, 2007 at 5:55 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Recruiters and hiring managers may see hundreds of resumes for one job opening. On average, resume reviewers take 20 seconds or less to decide if the resume indicates a potential candidate, or if it goes into the circular file.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 4, 2007 at 10:10 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

So many job seekers fall into the trap of being "long winded" in their career communications and job applications. Remember, bullet lists, numbered lists and clearly written sentences usually beat the pants off of the dreaded paragraph that never ends!

For example: (Brace yourself!)...

I have spent the last seven years developing and executing a plan of action that included holding communication classes for new employees, making sure they are onboard with the company's policy, based on my ability to bring more clarity to management's relationship with foreign partners and also helping middle and upper management get along better.

Such writing will land a resume right into the paper shredder. But this doesn't have to be your resume.

Here are three examples of how to make it work for you.

1. Education and Training:
   
   • Earned a Master of Business Communication from South Texas University.
   • Served a one-year apprenticeship at Lawton Business Institute.


2. Specific Duties:
   • Led communication classes for all new employees. .
   • Created a manual and training on business ethics and integrity.


3. Key Accomplishments:
   • Created new marketing channels for our South American partner.
   • Revitalized communication between upper and middle management. . .

Inspire the prospective employer to action--calling you for a job interview--by using the small but mighty tool of action verbs that shows what you've done in the past and what you can do now for his or her company.

Avoid long, wordy paragraphs filled with gobbledy-gook writing. Get right to the point--the point that shows what you've accomplished and what you're capable of doing now.

Transform your resume by selecting words from this list of powerful action verbs:

• Create (Created)
• Provide (Provided)
• Restructure (Restructured)
• Manage (Managed)
• Lead (Led)
• Resolve (Resolved)
• Change (Changed)
• Increase (Increased)
• Commandeer (Commandeered)
• Place (Placed)
• Direct (Directed)
• Serve (Served)

Sit down today and create a brand new resume--one that inspires confidence, clarity, and a commitment to calling you for an interview that could lead to the job you've dreamed of.

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney

Visit our friends at Amazing Resume Creator for your "instant" resume today. In just 10 minutes flat you will have an amazing resume guaranteed to land you more hot job interviews next week.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 3, 2007 at 8:18 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

EAST LANSING, MI -- Considering your references may cement or kill a great job opportunity, compiling the right list is critical during a job search. When preparing this list of professional references, put yourself in the shoes of a perspective employer. In these paranoid times, with liability law suits and other legal actions commonplace, companies must protect themselves by hiring upstanding, trouble-free and competent people.

At a minimum, you must select people to provide professional references that will be open to confirming your employment, title and reason for leaving the organization. They also could be asked other questions about you, including your level of responsibility and performance.

In addition to peers, you should also consider including people to whom you reported. Even if they are not on your reference list, they are likely to be contacted by a prospective employer. Make sure the information on your resume is accurate and your references know prospective employers will be calling them about you.

Article by Heidi Allison, AllisonTaylor.com, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 3, 2007 at 2:34 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The Basics of Cover Letter Writing and the Importance Behind It

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

A cover letter is an introduction, sent with a resume to an employer, to communicate the background and interest of a prospective employee.Â

In simpler terms, a cover letter is a little personal touch that engages the prospective employer and makes them want to read your resume and review your experience and education.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 3, 2007 at 2:27 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Make Employers Notice You

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Want to find the perfect job? Wonder how to get employers to notice you? Then you need to have the perfect resume. Here is a guide to on how to make the perfect resume. Making a resume can sometimes be a difficult task for a person especially when they have never made one before.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 3, 2007 at 2:23 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

There are a few ways to write a winning cover letter but there is only one way to put yours in the top one percent of all cover letters ever written. What I'm about to share with you now will put yours in that elite group.

Expert marketers have been using this secret for decades. Why? Because it is truly the one strategy that works every time. And yet, you will rarely, if ever, see this technique used in a cover letter. That changed for me, however, when I realized during my marketing career that if this little gem could be effective in advertising copy it could be just as successful in a job-search cover letter.

In advertising, the bottom line is selling the product. In a cover letter, the bottom line is selling yourself so you will win an interview and then the job. My clients have shown me by their success rate, that this secret works like a charm. Thousands have experienced a huge increase in interviews and job offers. You can too.

End your job-search cover letter with a postscript--a P.S. It may be hard to imagine that such a small thing could make such a big difference, but it can and you'll see for yourself as soon as you start using it. No one can ignore a P.S. It practically jumps off the page and demands to be read.

Think about the letters and e-mails you receive. If you notice a P.S. you probably skip right to it. It seems almost more important than the communication itself. It's that powerful.

The purpose of the P.S. is to motivate the reader to act--whether buying a product or offering an interview for the job you want. The mighty little P.S. is the perfect tool to call the reader to action.

P.S. I will follow up with a phone call on September 15 to confirm that you've received my application. I would love the opportunity to meet in person for an interview. You can reach me right away at 555-555-5555. Thank you in advance.

P.S. May I have the opportunity to be interviewed for the [insert job opening title here]? I'd welcome meeting you and discussing what I can bring to your company. Again, I can be reached directly at 555-555-5555 to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you!

P.S. Once again, I'd like to restate my desire to interview for the position of [insert job opening title here]. [Company name] is at the top of my list of organizations I'd like to work for. I can be reached immediately at 555-555-5555. Thank you for your time and the opportunity.

Who could ignore the power of such a P.S.? In each of the previous examples, the job seeker clearly and directly ASKS for the job interview and states what action he'd like the reader to take. You can also use the P.S. to restate why you believe you're a prime candidate for the job.

Tips for using the P.S. (postscript): Place the P.S. at the bottom left of your cover letter. To make it stand out use bold text or italics. Do not use both.

P.S. Keep in mind that people are trained to read a P.S. so make sure you include one in your next cover letter.

P.P.S. One more thing, please! Keep this 'secret' to yourself. Thank you and good luck!

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney

Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new, "Amazing Cover Letter Creator." Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, "Job Search Secrets."

Visit our friends at Amazing Cover Letters for your "instant" cover letter today. "In just 3½ minutes you will have an amazing cover letter guaranteed to cut through YOUR competition like a hot knife through butter!"

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 3, 2007 at 12:01 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- Having spent a the last 6 years in the Staffing, Executive Search industry and a solid 20 years prior to that in the Corporate World - I have developed quite a flair for reading resumes. Here are a few common questions that my candidates ask me:

• Should I write my own resume using available templates? Professionally formatted resumes can make the difference between being employed and remaining unemployed. Resume writers can charge between $100 - $500. Templates are also available--free or better ones are available from $20 - $50. Remember that the objective of the resume is to get you an interview.
• How many pages should my resume be? Resumes are like a calling card or a business card. They should be clear, concise and at the same time be able to tickle the curiosity of the hiring manager. Pages will vary depending on the role and experience of the candidate.
• Do I modify my resume for the role I am applying for? Most certainly! You cannot lie or mis-represent yourself in any way but you should highlight certain components of your resume depending on the role requirement and your actual experience.

Article by Vikki Mungre, Senior Consultant, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 3, 2007 at 10:27 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

A writer's resume is different from that of a chef or an accountant or a doctor or a postal worker, mostly because writers have scattered resumes which focus more on jobs than they do on places of employment.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 2, 2007 at 1:26 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

LONDON, UK -- You may be the best person for the job, but the fact is, you'll never even get an interview in the first place, unless your resume is good. You should tailor your resume to highlight the qualifications, work experience and any education that you've had that best represents the type of work you are applying for. You should also include any other work experience that you've had, as well as any accomplishments that you have made in your field.

There are also quite a few things that recruiters hate to see on resumes as well. Many people think that recruiters really don't go all the way through a resume, but they really do. Recruiters have certain pet peeves when it comes to reading a resume. Below are a list of the things that recruiters hate to see.

Fancy fonts and colors are not eye catching in the manner that you likely wanted it to be. Needlessly adding objectives and introductions on your resume bores recruiters.Avoid writing your resume as a narrative or in the first or third person. Pictures and/or graphics on a resume is distracting to a recruiter. Lying or putting misleading information on your resume is a major no-no. There are always ways for a recruiter to check up on you and many do, so don't lie. Getting caught in a lie on a resume just says that you can't be trusted.

Article abridged interview-advice.co.uk, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 2, 2007 at 9:14 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

It's always a pleasure to hear from clients who have landed! In conversation today with a client who has changed his job-seeker hat for a hiring-executive hat, some interesting things came up:

• Behavior-based interviewing is the best way to really learn what a candidate has done. I taught this method to my client as part of his interview training, and now he says, "If they don't come up with Situation-Action-Result stories within 15 minutes of an interview, they're toast."
• Fit is crucial! This same client now uses Caliper testing for ALL employees at his new company, when he saw how effectively it matched his style with the organization and the team.
• It's best to be forthright with recruiters. Rather than trying to dance around the subject, when he received a competing offer he shared it with the recruiter who was trying to place him. The recruiter had to admit that the second offer was much better! And there were no hard feelings - the relationship remains intact.
• The first few weeks are crucial. "You've got to get out there - get your resume done, hone your messages, make connections, contact recruiters," says my client, now the CEO of a multi-division manufacturing company. His search took about six months in all, three months from first contact to start date.

I like to think that hiring is getting better, one executive at a time, as job seekers apply their personal transition lessons at their new companies.

By Louise Kursmark and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on October 1, 2007 at 8:11 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Despite All the Tricks, Your Resume is Ultimately Only as Good as Your Career

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

There are thousands of ways to boost the power of a resume and get the most advantage out of your career. Some of these methods can stretch and strain and wrangle a decent-looking career out of the messiest patchwork of jobs and responsibilities.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 1, 2007 at 12:53 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Trends drive the world. There are trends in fashion, economics, technology, and science, among other fields. There are institutes where people study trends, conferences where people discuss trends, and publications where people read about trends.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 1, 2007 at 12:17 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The Length of Your Employment History Depends Mostly on Your Unique Job Situation

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

How far back into your job history should you detail on a resume? It's a common question. And while there are some attempts at a standard rule of thumb on the matter, the truth is that there are as many exceptions as there are careers and people pursuing them.

Posted by CandiceArnold on October 1, 2007 at 9:40 AM | Leave a Comment (0)