It is already Holiday time and you are sitting there wondering where the year went, right? Perhaps you are looking at what you have accomplished over the last 12 months and where to set your sites on for next year. Part of your big plan could be to get a new job.

If that is the case, how is your resume looking? Is it ready to live up to the expectations of garnering you interviews? If not, or if you are not sure, then you need to take action. There is nothing worse than starting off your job search all gung-ho with a lack-luster resume that prevents you from reaching your goal. It is also quite frustrating.

Start slowly

Realize that you do not have to do everything all in one setting. You have shopping to do, cards to send out, and you might not have time to sit for a few hours in a row. That is okay. It might even be better for your resume.

First, take an objective view of your resume. Does it grab your attention? Does it showcase your expertise so that a stranger would appreciate and understand your capabilities? Remember: your resume is a sales document for the position you believe is a perfect fit. Go ahead and boast in the utmost professional manner.

Take some notes

In your spare time, brainstorm your achievements. Have a little notepad with you wherever you go so when something pops into your head, you can write it down.

The next step is to actually quantify those achievements. Think in terms of dollars, percentages, things of that nature. These numbers have the ability to really set you apart from your competition.

There is an easier way

It is totally understandable if you do not want to spend your vacation and holiday worrying about your resume. There are tons of other fun things for you to spend your time. So what are your options?

Buy a resume builder

If you want to create you resume quickly, yet somewhat efficiently, then a resume builder might work for you. Now, this is not for everyone and you have to be sure you get a reputable one.

There is a catch, however: you still have to do all the brainstorming. The resume builder might be able to format your resume and give you ideas on wording for specific situations, but you're the one who has to enter the achievements. This is a difficult, yet vital, aspect to any successful resume.

Hire a professional writer

This is the easiest and most likely the best way to write a powerful resume. It is also the most expensive. Is it worth the money? Satisfied customers will tell you that it absolutely is. Do you still have to do some work? Of course. The writer knows what questions to ask in order to get the best information out of you.

The plus-side to hiring a resume service is that once you give them the data, you are done. You get to sit back and let them do the really hard work.

So, as you are having some quality family-time these next several weeks, be sure to make time for your resume. Whether you do it yourself or hire someone, have your resume ready to work for you this upcoming year. Then you can reflect upon what a good decision that was this time next year.

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 November 29, 2007 at 7:04 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

With more than 35 million resumes posted online how can you get your resume to the top of the virtual pile? With today's employment world made up of online automated searches, keywords and resume scanning, job seekers have an opportunity and a challenge. The competition is overwhelming, but working smart to impress employers and meet them where they're searching is critical. Following are ten tips for getting your resumes noticed online:

1. Achieve maximum and targeted exposure. Don't ignore niche job boards, social networking sites, university Web sites or local community sites. Employers are increasingly expanding their reach to such online locations.

2. Go beyond standard resume forms. Make sure to upload your complete resume. Don't just fill in the standard resumes forms at the big job boards provide. While most recruiters rely on searchable databases like Monster.com they still search the Internet for Web based resumes not to mention you might miss out on getting in front of those who don't subscribe to the big job boards.

3. Jump the virtual queue. Remember that a resume is your sales paper to get in the door. Candidates need their "best stuff", the most impressive and pertinent information at the top to grab employers' or recruiters' interest.

4. Optimize your keywords Provide industry keywords and your top skills at the top of your resume and repeat them often so they'll be sure to be picked up by the recruiter's search logic.

5. Spell out acronyms. Not every recruiter will know the industry lingo.

6. Be a parrot. Rely on and reflect the job description -- if it indicates "3-5 years experience", include that in your resume.

7. Devil is in the details. Make sure your formatting is consistent and spell check!

8. Show them the money. Senior-level applicants in particular should include a bullet list of accomplishments at the top, things that make them stand out over others, i.e. "awarded #1 salesperson for enterprise software team" or "managed a $1 million budget for marketing."

9. Be professional. List multiple means of contact, including home numbers and cell phone numbers. Make sure to use appropriate email addresses for job hunting -- "mysexymama@hotmail" or mybabysdaddy@yahoo" don't scream professionalism.

10. Manage your Google presence. You can help present your best face online by providing links to examples of your work. For example if you are a graphic design artist you might want to include past projects on a personal Website future employers can check out.

Source: TalentDrive

Posted by Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com on November 28, 2007 at 8:03 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

If you've upgraded to Word 2007, the program will automatically save your file in .docx format. However, many employers have not yet upgraded their systems and won't be able to open .docx files unless they've installed a compatibility pack (or use a free file conversion program such as Zamzar).

It's not worth taking the chance that your resume will be skipped because of the extra trouble converting the file. Instead, save as a regular .doc or .rtf file before sending to hiring managers.

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 27, 2007 at 5:19 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- It can be difficult to muster up enthusiasm to try new things at a job that you dislike. If that's you, you need to change your frame of mind. Instead of dreading every day, look at it as an opportunity to train yourself for a new, and better, job.

It's imperative that you don't sulk in your misery. Potential employers can spot a desperate job seeker a mile away. Even if you are desperate to get out of your current situation, take advantage of the in-house training they may provide. Can you take outside classes to hone up on your computer skills? If there is a weakness in your resume, take this time to make it a positive instead.

Looking for a job is a stressful situation. However, if you can make yourself more attractive in a potential employer's eyes, then you need to do it. There are lots of other job seekers out there just waiting to take your dream job. Strive to make yourself easily employable and then the difficult part will be deciding which job offer to accept.

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

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 27, 2007 at 3:47 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

THE CREATIVE WRITING TEST Strategies for Showcasing Your Personal Brand

Create a professional identity

A professional identity is not the same as a job title. The professional identify conveys your personal brand and the scope of your responsibilities through a few targeted words. When placed in bold near the top of your resume, your identity calls attention to your candidacy much the same way that a catchy headline on the front page of a newspaper grabs the attention of the reader.

Offer a mission statement or personal quote

What are your goals and dreams and how successful have you been at attaining these objectives in different business environments? Share your value proposition with your reader to build rapport and establish a connection between your successes and the goals of the company.

Discuss business environments

Have you worked in particular business environments that have helped shape your brand? Were your achievements focused in a turnaround, high-growth, or international environment? Have you worked across several businesses or across multiple industries? This may very well be part of your value add and it is certainly information that will gain your reader's attention and encourage them to read on.

Name drop

As a hiring manager scans your resume, he will be quickly looking at the companies you have worked for. If you have worked for several Fortune 1,000 or fast-growing start-ups and your association with these firms is part of your brand, add the company names to your headline to build credibility and interest in your candidacy. If you have worked for lesser known companies, but held account responsibilities for well-known firms, showcase the names of your clients if this is not considered proprietary information.

Add a testimonial

One great way to build authenticity into your profile is to showcase a quote from a senior executive or customer. Content for these testimonials can be found through a variety of sources including performance reviews, 360 assessments, and customer satisfaction surveys.

Article by Barbara Safani and courtesy of Career Solvers. Barbara Safani is the owner of Career Solvers, has over ten years of experience in career management, recruiting, executive coaching, and organizational development. She is a triple certified resume writer and frequent contributor to numerous career-related publications

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 27, 2007 at 2:22 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The average hiring manager spends less than 30 seconds reviewing a resume. With so little time and so much at stake, applicants must strive to create a self-marketing tool that passes the hiring manager's initial screening test. Hiring managers scan resumes to quickly see what "pops" or sparks their interest in a candidate. Their first glance at the document often focuses on the text within the top third of the page. This makes it imperative for candidates to create a career summary at the top of the document to quickly communicate competency, scope, fit, and value add. Here is the first of the three "tests" hiring managers use to screen candidates .

THE COMPETENCY TEST Strategies for Showcasing Your Skills

First, the hiring manager looks for your competencies to determine if you have the experience and scope necessary to perform the job. When writing a resume, make sure that your areas of knowledge and expertise are communicated clearly within the top third of the first page of your resume. Don't hide the competencies within your profile summary; instead create a separate section in the resume called core competencies, areas of expertise, or areas of knowledge to call direct attention to your qualifications. Make sure your competencies section discusses specific rather than general job expertise. Try to match your competencies to the words and phrases that are most commonly used in your industry. Review job postings and job descriptions for positions in your field that are similar to the ones you will be targeting in your search to create a clear match between your competencies and those necessary for the position.

Article by Barbara Safani and courtesy of Career Solvers. Barbara Safani is the owner of Career Solvers, has over ten years of experience in career management, recruiting, executive coaching, and organizational development. She is a triple certified resume writer and frequent contributor to numerous career-related publications

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 26, 2007 at 4:29 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com

LOS ANGELES, CA -- If you're looking for a job but are currently employed, mounting a job search can be tricky. Posting your personal information online can also lead to other privacy issues if you're not careful. You shouldn't limit your opportunities by not posting your resume, but you certainly wouldn't want your current employer to find your resume on a job site. So what to do?

Consider protecting your identity and your existing job, by limiting access to your contact information (name, address, and phone number). Many job boards will offer a confidentiality option when posting your resume. Some candidates will go as far as to the list their names and their current employer name as 'confidential.' Posting your resume with an anonymous email address from sites like Yahoo or Hotmail can also help keep your personal address private and spam free.

Yes, suppressing your contact information may make you a bit more difficult to contact, but it's a trade-off. Some recruiters actually view it as a positive sign that the job seeker is Internet-savvy and/or has a good job to protect. Other recruiters may be a little annoyed that they can't call you or know your name. Most however won't care as long as there is some method to reach you. Yet you can protect your privacy without limiting your online job search opportunities by following these simple recommendations.

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

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 26, 2007 at 3:49 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Finding a job can be a lot like running for public office ... without the lying, pandering or attack ads, that is.

To succeed in both arenas, you need to tell people what they want to hear, then convince them you're the one who can deliver as promised.

When it comes to telling employers what they want to hear, you can never go wrong if you emphasize "You-ability" in everything you do.

I've written before about Elmer Wheeler and the concept of "You-ability" he put forth in his 1937 book, "Tested Sentences That Sell."

Wheeler tested 105,000 word combinations on 19 million people over 10 years, to find the phrases that worked best in retail and door-to-door selling. (Know this: If it's possible to sell vacuum cleaners door-to-door during the Depression, it's be possible to sell an employer on hiring you today.)

One of Wheeler's findings, on page 208, will help you find a job faster.

It's this: "Don't think so much about what you want to say as about what the prospect wants to hear -- then the response you get will more often be the one you are aiming for."

The prospect in this case is the employer, of course. And Wheeler's advice is right on target. Because, if you think first -- before opening your mouth -- about what an employer wants to hear, the words you need to say will become obvious.

Let's look at how this thinking will affect your resumes, cover letters and job interviewing ...

Resume example -- instead of writing this sort of piffle:

Ability to set realistic goals with staff, supervise and evaluate performance, build cohesion and maintain motivation while managing projects.

... you should write this, which is what employers want to hear, because it's chock full of specific, convincing detail:

Proven project management skills. Experienced leading teams of up to 27 employees, with perfect record of managing 88 projects to on-time, on-budget completion since 2003.

Cover letter example -- instead of writing rubbish like this:

Dear Sir or Madam,

In today's market, employers are seeking the most qualified candidate to bridge the gap between what is needed and what it takes to get the job done. My resume reflects experience and diversity, including customer service skills in diversified industries that have permitted me ...

... write something with meat on it, like this:

Dear Mr. Jones,

I'm applying for a job where my customer service skills will increase profits for you. Since 1999, I've saved an average of 14% -- up to $37,500 per year -- for three companies, by enhancing their customer service departments.

Please consider the following ...

See the difference?

Now for the interview. When you say what the hiring manager wants to hear, you almost always get a job offer. But how do you know what to say? It's simple. Ask!

You see, in every job interview -- often near the end -- the hiring authority will say: "Do you have any questions?" This is your opening! Ask: "What is the #1 thing you want the person you hire to do in this job?"

This prompts employers to tell you exactly what they want to hear. All you have to do is match your skills and experience to their #1 desire!

Let me illustrate with two examples ...

The hiring manager might say, "We want the person we hire to hit the ground running and put at least 100 leads in our pipeline within 30 days."

Ideally, you answer: "I can do that. In fact, I've done it twice in the last two years. It's mentioned on my resume, but let me tell you in detail how I can do this for you ...."

Or, the hiring manager might say: "We want someone adaptable whom we can train quickly and who will work well with our team."

You could answer: "I can do that. When I completed a six-month internship at ABC Corp. in San Diego, I had to adapt to a new city, master new accounting software and start assisting their client service team in only three days. Here's a letter of recommendation from my supervisor about how well I did that ...."

Of course, for you to perform smoothly in the interview, you must do two things beforehand. First, know yourself and your skills. Second, practice matching your experience to the requirements you think employers will have in mind. (If you're not sure what they want to hear, look hard at the job posting, if you applied in answer to one. Hiring managers put a lot of effort into writing job postings that highlight their top desires in a candidate.)

When you do emphasize "You-ability" in your resumes, cover letters and job interviews, you will almost certainly get hired faster for the job you really want.

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 November 26, 2007 at 10:13 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Many people with great job skills and noteworthy achievements have resumes that are poorly written and fail to market their candidacy appropriately. Is your resume a turkey? Compare your document content against these common resume mistakes.

Task Overload

Most people's resumes have exhaustive lists of job tasks but never chronicle how those job tasks contributed to the bottom line for the company. Without an accomplishment focused resume, your document is bound to get lost in a sea of mediocrity. Stand out from the crowd by showcasing examples of how you help the companies you support make money, save money, and save time.

An exercise to help you think of your experiences in terms of accomplishments is to identify the problems or challenges you faced on the job, the actions you took to overcome the obstacles, and the results achieved by your actions. By creating these stories, you capitalize on what makes you unique, rather than dwelling on the tasks that are part of many people's jobs that make you forgettable.

Claustrophobic Text

Good content helps make a good resume. But sometimes people include so much content in the resume that they sacrifice design and end up with a document that has so much text that it suffocates the reader. Choose a font size no smaller than 10 point and break the text up by using bullets and spaces rather than big blocky paragraphs. Keep the margins to at least .6 on all sides. These strategies will make your document more "user friendly" and encourage the hiring manager to read on.

Spellcheck Suicide

Many recruiters and hiring managers agree that having a typo on a resume is the fastest way to get placed in the "no" pile. It can be hard to review your own resume. By the time you finish it, you are so close to the situation that it can be hard to spot errors. Here are a few suggestions for catching those pesky typos.

• Use spell-check wisely. Spell-check is a great tool, but supplement spell-check with several human rounds of proofreading.


• Read the document backwards. Doing so forces you to slow down and pay attention to each word rather than skimming the sentence.


• Ask a friend or trusted colleague to proofread the document. It's amazing what a fresh set of eyes will spot.


• Get an 8th grade English teacher to read your resume. OK, maybe they are harder to come by, but they will know it all when it comes to spelling and grammar.

Email Etiquette

Your email address is part of your professional image and a critical piece of information on your resume. Email addresses that are cute, silly, provocative, or difficult to key just won't cut it with hiring managers. Chose an address that is some combination of your first and last name and avoid using long strings of numbers or letters that don't form a word. Email addresses are part of your professional persona. You want to stand out from the crowd because of your unique accomplishments, not your unusual email address. Keep it simple and professional and you will quickly elevate your credibility with hiring authorities.

Article by Barbara Safani and courtesy of Career Solvers. Barbara Safani is the owner of Career Solvers, has over ten years of experience in career management, recruiting, executive coaching, and organizational development. She is a triple certified resume writer and frequent contributor to numerous career-related publications

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 21, 2007 at 1:32 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Are you struggling to create a powerful cover letter to capture the attention of a hiring authority or recruiter? Here are ten tips for writing better cover letters.

• Begin your cover letter with a compelling statement. Rather than starting your cover letter with a reference to the position you are applying for, write a statement that aligns you with the organization, industry, or job function you are targeting.
• Minimize the use of the word "I". Vary your sentences to keep the reader engaged.
• Ask for the interview. Create a strong call to action in your letter by expressing your interest in the company and requesting an in-person interview.
• Match your qualifications to the requirements of the job. Create a cover letter that addresses each job requirement point by point. The stronger the match you can make between the two, the greater the likelihood of securing an interview.
• Build rapport with your audience. Discuss relevant business issues and ask thought provoking questions to show your reader that you recognize their needs.
• Include a famous quote to make your point. Incorporating quotes that are relevant to the topics your letter is discussing is a great way to create a memorable and impactful letter.
• Keep the letter to one page. Keep your cover letters short and use short paragraphs and bulleted lists to keep the reader's attention and make it easy for them to determine the match between your qualifications and their open job.
• Address the hiring authority by name. The likelihood of building rapport with the reader and validating your interest in the job is increased when the inside cover address refers to the specific person rather than Dear Sir. Whenever possible, sleuth around for additional information on the hiring manager so you can personalize your letter.
• Reference the position you are applying for. Be sure to mention the job title and job number in the body of your letter as well as in your email subject line. Many hiring authorities request this information and your inability to follow their instructions could jeopardize your candidacy.
• Don't forget to sign your name. If you are sending a letter regular mail, include your signature. If your correspondence is via email, create an electronic signature.

Article by Barbara Safani and courtesy of Career Solvers. Barbara Safani is the owner of Career Solvers, has over ten years of experience in career management, recruiting, executive coaching, and organizational development. She is a triple certified resume writer and frequent contributor to numerous career-related publications

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 19, 2007 at 4:57 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

According to the national hiring managers' survey published in my books, "Winning Resume" and "Winning Cover Letters," generic resumes were heavily criticized as a worthless effort.

"Job applicants fail miserably when the resume is too general, because it sends the message that 'I'll take any job.' and that's not what we hire for," points out Tom Wermerskirchen, Human Resource Manager at Mustang Manufacturing.

"Not tailoring the resume to a particular job is a major mistake," noted Kirk Beyer, a human resource director. "Individuals send out resumes with no job in mind, not knowing at all what they want. Their skills are incongruent with the job they are applying for, which leads us to quickly disregard them as a candidate. Employers will not use their time to figure out where a person might fit into their organization. That's a career counseling issue the candidate needs to handle before they start mailing out resumes. Unfortunately though, we get hundreds of generic worthless resumes every month."

Doug Allen, a CEO for a manufacturing company, said, "Targeted resumes are necessary to match you to an employer's needs. A resume that really shows off your skills, how they were used, and what was achieved, is the only way to impress me."

"Results sell," noted Sandra Dehan, Human Resource Manager for a Fortune 500 company. "Quickly show us what you did and how it benefited your employer. You have only seconds to get my attention. Clear information with 'action' descriptions is most impressive. Stay clear of generic or broad phrases like 'hard worker' or 'team player' or 'excellent communication skills.' It's specific accomplishments and skills that get our attention."

IMPROVING YOUR RESUME

Most people hate to write their resumes and cover letters; except me that is. As a career counselor, I've written over five thousand resumes for clients and, yes, it takes a lengthy effort to write a GOOD letter or resume. I continually see people whose resumes are so poor that no one will notice them. That's sad because they have the power to improve it. Many people, especially managers and executives, create a resume that sounds like a job description and that will fail miserably in today's marketplace. To help you make your resume impressive, here are some tips to follow.

• Mention any innovations, improvements, and any time and/or cost savings. These show you actively take on the job and produce the desired results. Begin every sentence with an action verb such as directed, created, established and produced. Make the accomplishments easily understood, for example: "Managed the entire financial restructuring of a subsidiary. As a result we decreased staff and overhead, saving $150,000 annually." This statement is specific, noteworthy, and attention-getting. Be as positive as possible without exaggerating or misstating the truth.


• Use a "Summary of Qualifications." Always include a summary of the qualifications you bring to the job. Use this section to powerfully illustrate your top selling points in five to six sentences. Focus on making this mini-business card tell the prospective employer about your experience level, key talents, and best results.


• Focus on what it is exactly that you want to do. Create a targeted resume that concisely outlines the actions you've done and how you "got results." Be sure to point out the specific skills and experience the employer wants and that you can offer -- those needed to perform the job.
• Make it easy to glean information from your resume. Be concise and clear, with no vague generalities. One to two pages maximum using the smallest number of words to make the point. Eliminate lengthy descriptions and any non-related information that doesn't foster your strengths to perform the job title you are applying for. Stress your last five to seven years of accomplishments. Make sure the formatting is simple, with adequate white space on the page. Stick to common fonts like Times Roman or Arial fonts; use at least 12 point size. Use bullets to emphasize important points. Don't cram a page; edit instead.


• Lairs end up losers. Radio Shack's CEO David Edmonson resigned and apologized for lying about his educational background after he had claimed that he earned two college degrees. A Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper reporter checked with the school's registrar of records and found that Edmondson completed only two semesters of work, and that the school never offered degrees in psychology. The newspaper published the lie on the front page of their newspaper. To read more about other downfalls and the consequences of lying click here.


• Best approach -- tell the truth and be able to substantiate it. Quantifying your resume with facts and accomplishments is effective, just be sure you can explain them in the interview. Employers are getting more serious about checking backgrounds and degrees so honesty is the BEST approach.

© Copyright 2007 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved. Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil is considered America’s top career coach. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing individual career coaching, resume writing services, interview preparation, salary negotiations, and outplacement, to clients nationwide. She is the best-selling author of: 60 Seconds & You're Hired!; Soaring On Your Strengths; What to Do with the Rest of Your Life; Winning Resumes; and Winning Cover Letters. A dynamic national speaker, Robin has spoken to over 1200 audiences sharing her insights on how to improve their lives and obtain greater success. Contact Robin at: 425.226.0414, or email: RobinRyan@aol.com, or visit her website: www.robinryan.com.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 9, 2007 at 4:29 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Dear Job-Seeker:

It's a fact. A well written cover letter can land you many more job interview requests. BUT, a truly "amazing" cover letter is not a cover letter at all…it's a SALES letter.

1. Put three paragraphs on one page. Number 1: State the job you want. Number 2: List your qualifications. Number 3: ASK for the job interview clearly and directly. Ask and you shall receive.
2. Write only three or four sentences in each paragraph.
3. Create generous margins, leaving plenty of white space. Be sure to double space between paragraphs.
4. Use numbers or bullets to make the letter easy to read.
5. Capture the reader's attention by putting the first sentence of each paragraph in bold face.
6. Read your letter carefully to catch errors, then print it out for one final edit.
7. Keep your cover letter to ONE PAGE, no exceptions.

Picture the employer opening your cover letter––and finding a friendly, well-written page that contains only what is necessary to evaluate you for the job. Make it easy for the employer to say "yes."

There you have it! SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS to an amazing cover letter that will inspire any employer to read yours from the first word to the last, and then reach for the phone and offer you an interview that could lead to the job of your dreams.

© Written By 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 November 9, 2007 at 8:05 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Are you concerned that a hiring manager may notice the gap in your resume? Maybe you worked steadily from 1993-2001 and then you were unemployed from 2001-2002.

None of the above. Tell the truth and let it work in your favor. Here's how:

Suppose you took care of a sick relative, spent a year getting your master's degree or further training in your area of expertise, did extended volunteer work in your community, or took a year off to see the world?

List whatever it is on your resume. By bridging the work-gap you are showing another side of yourself––one that can inspire any hiring manager. You will appear to be a balanced person, one who has a sound work history and also someone who knows there's more to life than work. By admitting the truth, you also display your integrity. The employer will not need to worry that you play games or hold secrets.

Here's an example of how to build that bridge on your resume:

1993-2001 Assistant Director of Marketing, Ace Manufacturing, Boston, MA

2001-2002 Boston University, Earned an M.A. in Business

OR

1993-2001 Assistant Director of Marketing, Ace Manufacturing,
Boston, MA

2001-2002 Volunteered with clean-up after 9/11 in New York City

OR

1993-2001 Assistant Director of Marketing, Ace Manufacturing,
Boston, MA

2001-2002 Took a year's leave to care for aging parent.

When you are called for an interview and further questions arise about your employment history, you'll be ready to talk to the hiring manager with ease. Your resume is clean, clear, and concise. You held back nothing. Therefore, you can relax and talk freely about what you can bring to the new position and how your skill and talent will add value to the company.

For example, based on what you did during the 'gap,' you might offer to coordinate a community effort to feed the homeless or sponsor a junior soccer team or plan an event for seniors. Such an outreach would bring positive attention to the company and put you in a favorable light, as well.

When it comes to your resume, tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth and see how even the gaps can work for you, not against you.

© Article by Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new, "Amazing Resume 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 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 November 8, 2007 at 2:18 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Congratulations, you've landed an interview for a position you'd love. You're eager to make a good impression. You hope to be offered the job. To get the result you want, be sure to ask questions––during the interview. Plan ahead. Think about what you'd like to know. Then jot down a list of questions on those topics. Here are some examples:

1. May I give you an example of something I believe I can to bring to your company if given the opportunity to fill this position?
2. What are the main qualifications you're looking for in the person you'll chose to hire?
3. When do you expect to hire a person for this job?

Once the interview is over, wrap up your time with a friendly closure.

1. Express your thanks.
2. Exchange business cards.
3. Offer to provide more information, if needed.
4. Look the hiring manager in the eye and shake hands firmly.
5. Ask for the opportunity to fill this position.
6. Follow up with a written thank you note.

Be clear. Be calm. Be courteous. The more professional and prepared you are when you go into an interview, the greater your chance of achieving your goal––a job offer!

© Article by Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new "Secret Career Document" job landing system. Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, "Job Search Secrets."
Visit our friends at Job Interview "Secret" and discover Jimmy Sweeney's breakthrough strategy that will have you standing out from the competition like a Harvard graduate at a local job fair… DURING your next job interview.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 8, 2007 at 10:41 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

No marketer would ever use home-brand packaging to sell a premium product. The cost of the potential losses in sales revenue alone would be obvious, and yet on a daily basis, highly qualified professionals sacrifice potential income through poor resume packaging.

It's not the design or resume template that is at fault, but peoples’ tendency when using templates to lose sight of the fact that the resume is actually a marketing document. To sell a product, marketers realise they must know their customer. They invest time and effort in developing branding and copy content that will appeal and inspire action by the customer to buy. This is just as true for applicants. Just as every product has its unique selling points, so do individuals, and time must be invested in designing a resume that will truly reflect your relevant selling points and will operate as a catalyst to mobilize employers to make contact.

Fancy templates on their own won't do this. Pretty may catch the employer’s eye but what then? A good resume will do that and a lot more. It will capture their interest, immediately showcasing the amazing skills and benefits you can offer their company. It will funnel them down through your resume on a journey packed with achievement and genuine contributions to your past employers. It will paint the picture of a consummate professional, who has faced commercial challenges and soared... and yes they will be caught, hook, line and sinker… motivated and intrigued to talk with you to see if you would be able to offer the same contributions to their company.

So before you pick a template and just start to type. Stop. Pause.

Take time to really consider: Who will be reading your resume. Put yourself in their shoes. What do they want? What skills and experience do you offer? Why would they want to ring you?Evaluate the template design. Does it reflect the image you want to put forward? Will you stand out from the pile of resumes, professional and distinctive or just blend in?Assess your writing and personal marketing skills. Do you have the skills to really showcase your achievements?
Would you be better investing in your future through the skills of a professional resume writer?

When you know this, then you can start the resume process because I guarantee if your resume is plonked into a template with no thought given to the content - it will more likely than not be just you reading it! On the other hand, take the time to consider the employer in your resume, your branding and resume image and you are one step closer to that ringing phone and job offer!

Article by Jill Kelly, an international award-winning resume writer and Principal Career Consultant for Career Edge, a major Australian resume writing firm. This multi-award winning business has helped executives and professionals globally to progress in their chosen fields. Click here to contact Career Edge for assistance with your career marketing or visit Jill's career blog at www.careerhelpdesk.blogspot.com/ for more career strategy articles.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on November 8, 2007 at 9:31 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

To find your next job, you goal is to meet the right people and convince them to hire you.

It's just that simple.

Best part: There are more ways to meet hiring authorities today than ever before.

For example, want ads used to be found only in newspapers. Now they're now online, too. And you can network your way into an employer using free Web sites like Linkedin.com, a route to employment that was inconceivable 15 years ago.

But not every job-search idea is new. Sometimes old methods work just as well.

To illustrate, here are two ways to find a job: one is at least 71 years old, and the other, about 71 months ...

1) Something Old: Create a Mastermind Group
The idea of a "mastermind" is found in the book, "Think and Grow Rich," written by Napoleon Hill in 1937. It's a brainstorming and problem-solving technique used by Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie and others, to create some of history's greatest inventions and biggest fortunes.

And it can help you find a new job, too.

Here's how it works. A mastermind is a group of likeminded people who meet, once or twice a month for an hour or two, to discuss and solve each other's problems.

You've heard the phrase, "Two heads are better than one." Well, a mastermind group involves three, four or five heads. Each person has a few minutes to state their problem. In your case, yours is your job search. Then, the group offers suggestions in a free-for-all discussion. Your brainpower gets multiplied many times this way -- the insights, ideas and answers you'll receive may astonish you.

Note: This does not mean you should join other unemployed folks in a local job club. Job clubs have their place, but they can sometimes turn into sob sessions. Instead, your mastermind should be made up of people who have jobs they enjoy. This way, their positive attitudes about work will rub off and encourage you.

Simply put, a mastermind, organized and led by you, will help solve your job-search problems. To learn more, Google these two words: Mastermind Hill.

2) Something New: Create a Blog
The word "blog" is short for "weblog," defined as a frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links. While blogs typically function as a kind of diary, they can also get you hired.

In fact, blogs are being called "the new resumes" by some employment experts. So it behooves you to learn more about this method of getting your name before hiring managers.

To get the facts, I spoke to Chris Russell, an author, blogging expert, and (naturally) creator of the blog, Secretsofthejobhunt.com.

"Blogs are a way to get found by potential employers online. Think of a blog as an extended version of your resume," says Russell, who points out that anyone can create a blog using free Web-based tools, such as Blogger.com or Wordpress.com.

Blogging is especially useful if you're looking for a job in IT or any field in which you must prove your communication skills.

What should go in your blog? "You can approach this a couple of ways. You could use it as an application for one job at one company -- write relevant things about the employer and then send a link to the hiring manager. Or, you can blog in a more general way, to position yourself as an expert in your field," says Russell.

When blogging, aim to differentiate yourself from others. Let your personality and expertise shine through. But be smart. Don't write negatively about past employers or include stories of how you got tear-gassed at last weekend's keg party. "A blog posting is forever because there are sites that archive them," says Russell.

Think of your blog as a new puppy, requiring plenty of care, nurturing -- and patience. "Post entries to your blog on a regular basis and understand that it takes time to build an audience," advises Russell.

The best ways to promote your blog -- and get found by employers -- include participating in and linking to other blogs. Also, it pays to give out your blog address as you would a business card. Put it on your resume, and email it to friends, colleagues and others.

To learn more, and read blogging success stories that should motivate you, visit Secretsofthejobhunt.com and Blogforjobs.com.

Now, go out and make your own luck!

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 November 7, 2007 at 5:21 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Whether you're a new college grad with little or no experience or a seasoned veteran with years under your belt, you might reach a time in your career when you need to specifically create a resume for the job you want.

Maybe you want to try something new.

Posted by CandiceArnold on November 7, 2007 at 1:20 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

For all of those looking for a job and have the plain resume that just blinds in with the rest, here are some helpful hints to get your resume seen and not just stacked.

To start it off, make sure you pick a resume color that matches the job you are going for.

Posted by CandiceArnold on November 2, 2007 at 10:26 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

If you’ve been job hunting for some time now, you probably have come to the realization that it’s a jungle out there. It’s a jungle with lots of job seekers vying for the exact positions that you are seeking. You have the experience, education and achievements that warrant an interview… but you’re not getting any. What’s going on?

Much to your chagrin, and no matter how much you protest, the culprit could be you – not the employer. Well, not you personally but how you’ve represented yourself. Did you throw your cover letter together thoughtlessly, change the company and title and call it a day? I was afraid of that. Each customer has its own requirements. Think of your resume package as a four-course meal.

1) Give them exactly what they want
Being a hiring manager is not an easy job. They have to sift through many resume packages from job seekers who don’t meet the specified requirements and have no skills they need to fill the open position. It’s a frustrating job and it can get them a little on edge.

Knowing that, just give them what they want! Don’t beat around the bush or wait until the interview (that you think is coming) to enlighten them about how perfect you are for the job; now is the time to do it.

2) Prove you’re worth the price
With fancy restaurants, they have to demonstrate that they are actually worth a lot more than the burger joint down the road. When it comes to job seekers, you have to prove your worth to the company. That’s when it pays (possibly literally) to provide achievements with qualifiers. Include dollar amounts, percentages anything that will signify how outstanding that accomplishment was and the impact it had on the company. Because, as we all know, it’s all about the bottom line.

3) Don’t make the employer work
Employers don’t have time to hunt for your qualifications or contact information or even what position you are applying for within their company. Make it easy for them. Point out the qualifications you have that match – or surpass – their expectations. Be specific. Make your contact information obvious but not obtrusive. Include the exact position for which you applying. If you are indeed qualified then by doing all this, you’re making it very difficult not to call you in for an interview.

4) They’re not the same as the employer down the road
Demonstrate your knowledge of the company. Show that you care and actually did your homework. By providing a couple of little references to current (or past) events within the company, you’ll be proving to them your desire to work for them. It’s relatively easy to sneak these in on your cover letter without seeming too obvious. For example, explain how your background and expertise would fit perfectly with the new CEO’s vision.

Remember, when it comes to your resume package, you really do only have one chance to make a good impression. Judgment on whether you’re a good or bad fit for a position happens so quickly that if you don’t have everything exactly how they want it, you’ll be waiting a very long time for that phone call.

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 November 1, 2007 at 3:38 PM | Leave a Comment (0)