I loved Norma's post on the Monster Blog about the right way to go after an internal transfer, and I'm glad Norma pointed out the importance of updating your resume to "sell" yourself for an internal move.

If you're trying to move up within your company, check out this article that includes strategies for an internal promotion: Resume Writing Tips for an Internal Promotion

For lateral transfers, I would add that it's important to demonstrate transferable skills that are relevant to the new position. Find out which skills are important in the job you're targeting, and incorporate your matching skills and accomplishments in the resume. It's also important to show that you've successfully met diverse job challenges and that you quickly learn and master new skills.

Best wishes,

Kim Isaacs

P.S.: You guys are keeping me busy with free resume reviews! My schedule is starting to get pretty hectic, so I might have to close this offer in the near future. If you would like a free review of your resume, hop on over to this thread and post your resume in the "Comments" section -- before it's too late. Thank you!

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 27, 2008 at 7:28 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

You can learn a lot about networking to find jobs by asking recruiters how they do it to fill jobs. That's because recruiters, also known as headhunters, have to network every day to locate and place candidates in positions they're hired by employers to fill. And recruiters don't get paid until they succeed. So you'd better believe that successful headhunters know a thing or two about networking.

Here are two things, to be exact, you can do to network like a pro and get hired faster ...

1. Google And Call Past Employees

Recruiting expert David Perry, author of "Guerrilla Marketing For Job Hunters," shares a unique way to research potential employers using Google. It's this: Find and call people who used to work where you want to work now. "The fastest way to learn the real workings of an organization is to Google past employees and call them up. This is exactly what I do. Before I take an assignment from a company to place an executive there, I want to know if I'm walking into a hornet's nest," says Perry.

Here's how to do it ... Google the name of your target employer and the word "resume." The search results you get back will include resumes of people who used work there. (You may want to add the word "experience" to "resume" in your search; experiment using Google's Advanced Search options.)

Once you find some resumes, pick up the phone and call. Say: "Hi my name is _________. I'm researching XYZ Corp. and I think you used to work there because I found your resume online. I'm thinking of applying for a job there. May I ask you a few quick questions to see if it's worth my time and effort? I know this is an unusual way to do a job search ..." Most people will be impressed by your initiative, flattered to be asked for their opinion and willing to help you out. "You want to learn about three main areas: the company and its culture; the department you would be working in; and the name of the manager you would be reporting to," says Perry.

Finish your conversation with this all-important question: "If I decide to talk with them, may I say that I spoke with you?" "You ask this for two reasons," advises Perry. "First, if they left on good terms, you can drop that former employee's name when contacting the company to ask for a meeting. Second, that person may phone his old boss and tell him or her to keep an eye out for the smart person who just called -- that would be you." If you're at all hesitant about this technique, try it on a company you have no intention of applying to. Work out the bugs first, then network your way right into your ideal employer.

2. Make Recommendations On LinkedIn

Tom Stewart, VP of Executive Search at Genesis10 in Minneapolis, advises job seekers to use LinkedIn.com as a way to get found by recruiters and employers.

"I tell people to think of LinkedIn as a sort of 'Who's Who' for the Internet savvy professional. It's a great way to expand your visibility -- and the more people who can find you, the better," says Stewart. Key to using LinkedIn effectively is to give and ask for endorsements, also known as recommendations. "Writing recommendations for those in your network benefits everyone. I have found candidates accidentally by clicking on the endorsements they wrote for other people on LinkedIn. I can count at least 6 passive candidates I placed in new jobs this way," says Stewart. Start with your network of first-level connections at LinkedIn. Pick one person you feel strongly about and endorse them. After you write a recommendation, the system prompts the recipient to endorse you, which leads to reciprocity.

Think of your LinkedIn recommendations as free advertisements you can run on other people's profiles. If they are successful and highly visible in their industry, your recommendation -- with your name on it -- will be
highly visible, too. Which increases the likelihood that a recruiter who sees your endorsement will click on it, read your profile, and contact you.

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.
copyright (c) 2007 by Kevin Donlin

Article courtesy of the 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 Lisa Colbert, CollegeRecruiter.com on February 27, 2008 at 7:59 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I just interviewed a recruiter who told me that he throws away resumes that contain just one typo or spelling error. No second chances there!

While not all recruiters are that much of a stickler, it makes me wonder how many job seekers are losing opportunities because they didn't proofread their resumes. When you think about it in the context of lost wages or lost opportunities, the importance of proofreading your resume hits home.

I would also say it's an excellent investment to hire a writer if you're not comfortable with your own proofreading skills. You will probably see an enormous ROI.

All the best,

Kim Isaacs

P.S. - I'm thrilled that people are submitting their resumes for a free critique on this thread. If you would like your resume reviewed, submit your resume as a comment on that thread, and I'll review ASAP.

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 25, 2008 at 9:13 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

You may well say, "Branding is all well and good, but what do I do when many people share my brand?" It's tricky. For instance, every IT manager and her sister want their brand to be that they view IT as a business partner and really understand the business side of IT. That is what employers are looking for, and many IT job seekers mean it when they say they understand the business side.

But how do you come across as really meaning it? Here's one way. By stories. One resume client had grown up in a family business and absorbed business through his pores. So finding a way to get that information into a cover letter was a good idea. It gives added credibility to his "IT plus business savvy" brand. Also, he wanted to be presented as a business executive with a passion for IT. So, he is distinguishing himself on the passion scale, on the unusual emphasis of business before IT, and on his roots making him who he is. It works for him. The reader is going to "get it" that this is an authentic brand.

So, when competing in a crowded employment market where it's too easy to be a clone of everyone else, think about story, think about emphasis, and think about passion. Give them a reason to remember YOU.

By Jean Cummings 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 Candice Arnold on February 25, 2008 at 6:59 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

A resume reveals so much more than your professional experience, education and career goals. It can tell a prospective employer about the kind of leadership you offer. Although many people spend a great deal of time working through various font sizes and deciding whether to do a chronological or functional summary, they often forget to think through how others will respond to the non-factual aspects of their resume.

The editorial issues are certainly important. A prospective employer likes to review a neat, accurate resume which responds to the qualities and strengths he or she would like to see in the next member of the team. Although a less-than-perfect resume, or cover letter, may simply be an oversight, a prospective employer will almost always take a mediocre resume as a signal of lack of interest and professionalism. He or she will probably choose not to invite you in for a face-to-face meeting. On the other hand, a perfectly neat but uninspired resume will not exactly guarantee you a personal interview. In the end, the well-crafted resume is most likely to gain positive attention.

A well-crafted resume will present you as a thoughtful, energetic and creative leader. It will usually point to subtle, often sought after, abilities. A resume can tell a prospective employer whether you are tuned into industry issues, have a positive, "can-do" attitude and whether you operate strategically. A strong resume can frequently be made more appealing by emphasizing successful outcomes and by showing your ability to manage a range of responsibilities, while recognizing others' contribution and accepting occasional disappointments.

You will likely pique a prospective employer's interest by paying attention to less-than-obvious cues others may get from your resume. In addition to the factual details of your education and experience, your resume gives you a wonderful opportunity to tell your professional life story. It can be a forum for describing how and why you have evolved over time. Not all of your professional story is about titles, compensation and the number of direct reports you have managed. A big part of the "story-behind-the-resume" has to do with how you have assessed and given direction to others in complex situations. In the end, an inviting resume tells a prospective employer that he or she will be comfortable working with you primarily because you have strong skills and, as importantly, because you are the kind of person who responds positively to challenges.

For example, does your track record indicate that you have gained your peers' support and outstanding results? How do you describe and respond to ambiguous or challenging situations in the workplace? Do you hide them (seen by many as dishonest), or do you acknowledge them openly? Do you distance tricky situations, letting others take the fall, or are you quick to point to lessons learned and new skills acquired? What about your level of creativity? Does your current resume show that you are able to think "outside-of-the-box" and get buy-in from others? Do you give others credit for the part they have played in your success? Does your resume describe you as a "team-player" or as a high-achieving "loner"? How you project your leadership skills will have a big impact on how other perceive you. A positive presentation will encourage them to meet you in person.

The next time you review your resume, certainly check for typos, spacing and format. Make sure that you have highlighted relevant experience, and that you have used fonts and descriptions to good advantage. Also, pause to ask a few questions. Ask yourself, "What will people think of me when they read this?" "Would I hire someone who handed me this resume?" "What questions might my next boss raise about my ability to lead?" "How will he/she perceive my successes?" "How have I described my challenges?" Ask these kinds of probing questions and get honest feedback from friends and colleagues whom you trust. Listen carefully to their suggestions and responses. This feedback, which goes way beyond the font used in what you report, will move your resume to the next level. As you read your resume critically to identify those entries which may need to be revised, you will discover fresh ways to present your work history. You will also find many opportunities to explain how you have overcome challenges and motivated others to exceed expectations.

When your resume is neat, accurate and reflects your people skills, you stand the best possible chance of being invited in for further discussions. Take the opportunity. Give your resume the upgrade which comes with careful editing and wait for positive things to happen.

By: Karen Alphonse, execSearches.com

Article courtesy of the 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 Lisa Colbert, CollegeRecruiter.com on February 25, 2008 at 12:36 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Sometimes no matter how much you try you can't - and don't want to - make your current job work for you. Maybe it's too many demands coming from too many places; maybe it's the lack of systems that is driving you crazy. Whatever it is, you're at your breaking point and you know it's time to look elsewhere for career fulfillment.

If you're like most job seekers, a new job isn't going to fall into your lap the second you want it to. It's going to take a little time to find the right positions and companies in which to apply. And you know what that means, right? You have to make the most out of the situation.

Take Time to Unwind

If you're miserable at your job, you might have a problem with 'turning off' your thoughts about your current job and job search during your down time. That's natural and completely understandable. However, you don't want this to take over your life.

While it takes a lot of time and effort to find a new job, you have to make some effort to have fun and relax. Set up a certain amount of time to work on your job search each day or week while making time for other fun activities. This is a necessity for keeping your sanity.

Don't Get Overwhelmed

Take your job search one day at a time. You know the steps you need to take in order to secure a new position. Write out a plan and make it happen. Make it a doable plan though. If you don't have 4 hours a day to spend on your job search, then don't plan for four hour's worth of tasks. Instead, plan what you believe is achievable but that also makes you work on a timeline. Try not to get too stressed about the whole process. Prepare your documents and yourself for your job search and you'll gain more confidence in your ability to land a new job.

Make the Most of Your Situation

While you're looking for a way out, don't forget that there are many opportunities that may present themselves exactly where you're at. Training to sharpen transferable skills is a perfect way to add depth to your resume. There may even be positions in other departments become available that interest you. Of course, this only works if you're willing to stay within the same company.

If staying in the company is not an option - and especially if you have ill-will toward some people there - it may be tempting to step on some toes on your way out. Don't. You never know when you might see those toes again.

There is no need to go around with a chip on your shoulder just because 'you'll be leaving soon.' How soon is soon? You have no idea so put your happy-face on and act like you plan on being there until you retire.

Many times when you've come to the conclusion that you're ready for a new job, you're already behind in your job search. Get that resume updated and polished, search for posted jobs and network. Find out what's out there and then make your move.

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 February 21, 2008 at 3:35 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Everybody talks about meeting new people and renewing old contacts as a way to uncover job leads.

But after you speak to someone about your job search, then what?

You follow up with them later, that's what.

Follow-up is an often-neglected part of networking that can pay off huge in your search for work -- as much as $417 an hour, as we'll see.

To motivate you to follow up with your network contacts -- all of them -- here are two recent success stories from my readers. What can you learn from each?

1) Follow up with old contacts
Lynda H., from Apple Valley, Minn., interviewed with a Fortune 500 company in Minneapolis last year. They offered her a job, but rescinded when the departing employee, whose position Lynda was to fill, decided not to quit after all.

What would you have done?

Here's what Lynda did.

"I included people from past job searches in my current search, including one company I interviewed with a year ago. Getting back in touch with them was as simple as picking up the phone and calling the executive I had talked to last year. It turned out that he had assumed more responsibilities, and the position they were hiring for now reported to him. Because I had developed a rapport with him last year, it was easy to get my resume to the top of the pile, schedule the interview and land the job!"

Today, write down the names of every company you interviewed with in your last job search. Then, make a plan to contact each this week to tell them about your current search, and why you're a more valuable potential employee than the last time you spoke.

What if you haven't looked for a job in five or 10 years? No problem. Find someone in your industry who has. Ask them to contact each company they interviewed with and tell them about a really sharp person they should talk to -- you.

Of course, you should buy lunch for each friend who networks for you this way, but that's just another chance to sit down and do more networking!

2) Follow up with new contacts
By following up like clockwork by email and phone, Michael S., from Los Angeles, turned an employment lead into a new job. And it took all of 23 minutes.

He writes:

"I had lunch with the CEO. After emailing him my resume and a polite note following lunch, he went silent for a week."

At this point, many folks would be too preoccupied with posting resumes online or reading the classified ads to follow up on a "cold" lead like this. But not Michael.

"Exactly one week later, I sent another polite email and placed a call to the CEO one hour after sending that second follow-up email. He took the call and said things were looking very good. We talked for about three minutes," said Michael.

"He then called this afternoon (four days later) to say it's a go and to explain the terms of the job. That was a 20-minute call. Total time invested to win the job offer following the initial meeting with the CEO was 23 minutes. I would call that a strong return on investment."

And I would agree. One lunch, two emails and three phone calls to land a job is a terrific ROI for anyone. All you have to do is stay organized and persistent -- because the vast majority of candidates competing with you are neither organized nor persistent.

How much money is a new job worth to you? Let's say $50,000 in salary. And let's say you spend 20 hours a week for 6 weeks following up on networking contacts before you get hired. That's 120 hours invested for a $50,000 payoff, which works out to about $417 an hour.

So, if you think you "don't have time" to follow up on employment contacts for 20 hours a week, do you think you could find time, now that you know every hour is worth $417?

Once you realize this, other uses of your time, like watching television or adding MySpace friends, suddenly seem less important, don't they?

Now, go out and make your own luck!

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 http://www.guaranteed-resumes.php copyright (c) 2007 by Kevin Donlin

Article courtesy of the 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 Lisa Colbert, CollegeRecruiter.com on February 19, 2008 at 3:33 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Caveat : You need to download Yahoo Toolbar

Yahoo has so many search fields/commands like intitle, inurl, link, site, linkdomain etc and the two most useful for recruiters/sourcers would be intitle and inurl.

What they do?

intitle: To find a specific keyword as part of the indexed titles.
inurl: To find a specific keyword as part of indexed URLs.

Lets start with intitle command and asking Yahoo to search for J2EE and swing with keyword "resume"which brings me more than 16k results.

How about using inurl?
Searching with inurl:resume j2ee swing

That gives me more than 27k results. Lets stick with inurl for the moment.

By the way did you noticed the "more from this site" button? Click on it and it will show you the home page of the site. Wow you got 6 more resumes there.

Finding the resumes were easy but how about saving or storing them?

Right click on one of the search results and click "Bookmark this link". You can create a separate folder for your resumes and even tag them or add notes.

Now this folder goes along with you anywhere you have access to internet even if you don't have Toolbar in that particular computer. Wasn't that easy? Watch this 2 min video showing the entire process mentioned above.

By: Rithesh Nair, www.ResearcherSecrets.com

Article courtesy of the 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 Lisa Colbert, CollegeRecruiter.com on February 15, 2008 at 8:03 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I first met Mellody Hobson in 2002 when I was working for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. I created a program called Money Smart Week which was a campaign that brought together financial institutions, not-for-profits, schools, elected officials, government agencies, and other stakeholders with an interest in financial education for consumers. Mellody, President of Ariel Capital Management, was known for her efforts to educate individuals about investing, so I set up a meeting to talk to her about getting Ariel involved in Money Smart Week.

My first impression of Mellody was that she was very articulate and glamorous to the point of being intimidating. As I got to know her a little better I realized that in addition to having intelligence, charm, a great job, and designer clothes Mellody was also a tireless achiever. Notice that I didn't use the term "overachiever" because that would imply that her achievements are above her innate skill level. No, Mellody is one of those rare achievers who unintentionally make the rest of us feel like slackers.

I went to a top-tier college and a top ranked MBA program so I think I know a high achiever when I see one. The difference between Mellody and a lot of hard-working high-achieving individuals is that she makes it look easy because she appears to be doing what she truly loves and not just what will earn her the biggest paycheck. If you ever get the chance to hear Mellody give one of her famous speeches about investing I suggest that you stop what you are doing and go listen to her. She explains investing in simple, yet non-condescending terms and she is so passionate about the topic. She and her firm are particularly passionate about encouraging African Americans to start investing.

Mellody grew up in Chicago and attended Princeton University. She graduated from Princeton in 1991 with a degree in South African studies (note that she did not get a degree in finance or accounting). While at Princeton she approached John Rogers, founder of Ariel Capital Management LLC and a fellow Princeton alum, about an internship. John hired her as a summer intern and then hired her full time as the Director of Marketing when she graduated. By 2000 she had been named President of Ariel. How did she do it? Hard work, dedication, and just plain loving her job and the company that employs her. Ariel couldn't find a more passionate advocate for its investments than Mellody. The firm now boasts more than $15 billion under management.

Mellody is a regular contributor to Good Morning America's financial segments and she serves on the boards of the Chicago Public Library, The Field Museum, The Chicago Public Education Fund, and the Sundance Institute. She is a director of the Starbucks Corporation, The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc, and Dreamworks Animation SKG, Inc. She was named one of the Global Leaders of Tomorrow at the 2001 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In her spare time she runs marathons and tutors underprivileged children. She isn't 40 years old yet.

Mellody fascinates me, in part because of the brilliant way she has navigated her career, but also because she is really a genuinely nice woman. Soon after I met her she invited me to be her guest at an Economic Club of Chicago dinner - I met a group of fun, smart, high-achieving women at her table. What an honor to have been included.

As I mentioned before I have met a lot of achievers, some of them quite famous. Few are as genuinely passionate about their jobs as Mellody seems to be. Few "walk the talk" the way she does. And few seem to push themselves in every area of their lives as Mellody does. She is the total package that we all wish we could be: smart, talented, hard working, high achieving, nice, beautiful, and well liked.

I think what we can learn from Mellody is that you should find a job you love working for people you admire and then work your rear end off. In other words: be strategic about your career and work really hard when you find the right job. If you have a job that you are great at and you are happy in your work environment you will have the energy left to push yourself in other parts of your life (run marathons for example) and you will naturally behave with kindness toward others. Generally speaking it's the unhappy achievers who aren't very nice to be around.

It is amazing what can happen when you are in the right place at the right time and you aren't afraid to fully commit yourself to your career. But you have to find the right place to work rather than just finding any old place to work. Easier said than done I know but that is what I have learned from Mellody. That and to be graceful even when you are under pressure. She is as classy a lady as you will ever meet and she is always gracious and charming no matter how little time she has. Like I said, she makes her success look so easy even though I know she has worked harder than some of us will ever work at anything we do in order to make it happen.

Oh, did I mention that she is rumored to be dating film director/producer George Lucas? He even took her to the 2007 Academy Awards as his date. If she wasn't such a nice person it would be so easy to hate her!

By: Liz Handlin, Author of The Ultimate Resume Blogspot

Article courtesy of the 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 Lisa Colbert, CollegeRecruiter.com on February 11, 2008 at 7:54 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

A few weeks ago, a career changer posted a message on a Resume Tips board and explained that he is using "the world's shortest resume," admittedly created using a Microsoft Word template.

Can you hear me gasping?

His message has been bothering me not only because I know he will have a difficult job search (career changer after 39 years in his field), but also because he's not alone -- many others are trying to achieve major job transitions using inferior job search documents.

If you're apologizing for your resume, you need to improve it!

If you're using a resume that's not the best representation of you, you will pay with a longer and more frustrating job search and possibly lost wages.

Job searching is hard enough for people on a steady career track, and although some can get away with throwing a resume together using a Word template, most require a well-strategized document that markets them effectively. This is even more true for career changers.

Don't have the skills to write a resume that will open doors? Bite the bullet and pay for a professional resume service. There are many talented resume writers available to take on the headache of creating your resume. Whether you take the time to learn how to write a winning resume and do it yourself, or hire a professional resume writer -- please make your resume a priority. You'll enjoy a more successful job search (and I'll rest easier!).

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.

Posted by Candice Arnold on February 8, 2008 at 5:31 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Whether writing your resume, cover letter, or executive leadership profile, having an informal networking lunch with a colleague, or sitting in the boardroom during an interview, it is critical that you speak the language of the position you are seeking and NOT the language of the last job you held. What does that mean?

Here’s an example: Suppose you’ve just resigned from your position as VP of International Sales and are now looking to transition from sales into marketing. DO NOT focus your language on "sales" words (e.g., territory management, sales team training, key account management). Rather, transition your sales skills into "marketing" words (e.g., strategic market planning, competitive analysis, new business development). By doing so, you are presenting yourself as a qualified marketing professional and not just "some sales guy trying to transition into marketing."

Here’s another example … You’re a CFO seeking a promotion to CEO. In this situation, you don’t want your language to focus on spreadsheets, currency hedging, and corporate treasury. Rather, the emphasis should be placed on strategic planning and development, new ventures, financial achievements, and the like. Describe yourself as "one of three senior executives responsible for leading the entire corporation" and not "just" the CFO. If you use the "right" words, you’ll create the "right" perception. In this instance, you won’t be viewed as the "number cruncher," but rather as a business driver and leader.

This same strategy applies to industry-specific language. If your entire career has been in the plastics industry and you’re now seeking to transition into the high-tech arena, don’t talk about extrusion molding! Use language that is more general. Talk about the size and scope of the organization you managed, quantifiable achievements, business and operating improvements, and information that is applicable across industries and market segments. Don’t niche yourself into a particular industry by focusing so much of your language on information that is, for the most part, irrelevant at this time.

Language also extends to customer names. Using the "plastics to technology" example above, if your company sold to Amana, Black & Decker, and Whirlpool, either (1) don’t draw attention to those companies, or (2) refer to them collectively as "Fortune 500 customers." On the other hand, if your customers were IBM, HP, and Dell, be sure to mention them. That language ties you directly to the technology industry and instantly changes a prospective employer’s perception of who you are.

You can also use language that will tie industries together. Again, using the "plastics to technology" example, rather than describing your past employer as a "$45 million manufacturer of automotive and aerospace electronics," describe it as a "$45 million manufacturer with state-of-the-art technology center." See what a tremendous difference it makes? Instantly, you’re part of the technology industry and not an outsider.

Underlying ALL of what I’ve written above is one simple and vital rule … YOU MUST BE 100% HONEST! What you write on your resume and what you say during an interview must be totally accurate. There is an invisible line that can never be crossed. So, choose your language carefully and truthfully, but allow yourself to focus on what lies ahead of you and not behind.

Article by Wendy S. Enelow, Master Resume Writer & Credentialed Career Master, Author, Trainer & Career Consultant. To read more from Wendy, visit www.wendyenelow.com/bookstore.php.

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on February 5, 2008 at 8:56 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

When searching for a job, it is important that you have the right tools in hand to get the job done. One of the most important tools is to have a great resume. It is imperative that you have a resume that is free from errors...whether it be spelling or grammatical.

Posted by CandiceArnold on February 4, 2008 at 5:16 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Simple Steps Can Give Your Resume the Polish of a Professional

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Resumes have a unique style of writing that's part shorthand, part advertising copy, and part personal essay. Some of the rules of correct English apply but many don't. Here's how to master this specialized communication in a way that gives your resume more power and persuasion.

Be Direct
Don't worry about being fancy or "businesslike" in your resume.

Posted by CandiceArnold on February 3, 2008 at 8:16 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

An article this week in the Net-Temps Crossroads e-newsletter discusses words to avoid in online resumes, such as personal pronouns (these should be avoided in all versions of your resume), negative words (again, should be avoided in all versions), and big-sounding words that will make you sound stilted or even stupid, and possibly end up backfiring in an interview when it is clear you do not really know what they mean.

The article also advises avoiding use of industry acronyms, a point on which I disagree. Certainly you will want to spell out any acronym at least once on its first usage, but particularly for those in technical professions, acronyms can be the very thing that a recruiter or hiring manager will search for in a resume database. On the other hand, liberal sprinkling of internal acronyms specific to a particular company does make a resume harder to read and as the author says, "start to look like secret code."

The much-discussed topic of keywords is something you will want to understand before posting your resume online or e-mailing it in response to a posting. As pointed out in a recent Resume Writer's Digest article, "Just as job-seeking clients use keywords to narrow down the range of possibilities in their job search, hiring managers and recruiters also use keywords to identify and select candidates that meet their requirements." Once your resume disappears into one of these huge databases, the only way that it will emerge is by generating a "hit" on a keyword search. For this reason, you'll want to make sure that your resume includes abilities, functional skills, academic degrees and certifications, technical terms, business processes, industries, etc. that are relevant to the types of positions that interest you.

Keyword density is another factor to be aware of. Some of the newer automated database search systems apply sophisticated tools and algorithms to rank-order results based on how often they appear in the document. But don't load up your resume with bogus repetition of your keywords, or today's systems will either toss your resume out or put it at the bottom of the list. Do be sure that your keywords appear prominently in context within your profile or summary as well as within the body of your work experience section.

A consideration when e-mailing your resume is making sure that spam filters to do not screen out your document inadvertently. If your email system has a spam filter, email the resume to yourself and see if it makes it through. Try sending it to friends and associates with different spam filtering software. An article on CareerJournal.com as early as 2004 indicated that losing resumes in spam filters was becoming a growing problem, and it certainly has not gone away. An employment recruiter quoted in the article said that a review of her spam filter had found among 756 ads and other spam 8 resumes, all set for automatic deletion. "The mere presence of words such as "free," "expand," "trial," "mortgage," or exclamation points" could trigger a spam filter. Even seemingly innocuous words or phrases taken out of context can run afoul of a spam filter. One man received an automated response that said his resume had been deleted because it contained a specific obscenity, which the response detailed. Mr. Hunter changed "magna cum laude" to "with high honors," and it sailed through just fine. This only left him wondering how many times his resume had gone straight to the cyber space "circular file."

On a related note, be sure to check your own spam filter. One gentleman quoted in the CareerJournal.com article said that he was just about to delete an e-mail in his spam folder that was from a recruiter at a major high-technology company, and "almost fainted" when he saw the company line and signature. He very nearly missed the opportunity for an interview with that company.

By Laurie Smith 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 Candice Arnold on February 1, 2008 at 9:30 PM | Leave a Comment (0)