I'm sometimes asked if people should write their own resumes. After all, who knows more about the job seeker's accomplishments than the job seeker himself? So I've compiled this list of the top ten reasons why you shouldn't write your own resume:

Top Ten Reasons Why You Shouldn't Write Your Own Resume

10. Last time you wrote your resume, it was confused with your six-year-old's homework assignment.

9. Your self-composed resume left you amongst the long-term unemployed.

8. You struggle with how to word your Objective section and keep coming back to the old standby, "Seeking a challenging position with a growth-oriented company."

7. The latest version of your resume leads with your 1972 babysitting gig.

6. You're using an IBM Selectric to format your resume's layout.

5. You think keywords have something to do with the Dewey Decimal System.

4. Your son's resume is more impressive than yours, and he has never held a job.

3. You're trying to sum up a long-term career history on a one-page resume.

2. You were always the first to be eliminated in spelling bees, but there's always spellcheck, write?

And the #1 reason why you shouldn't write your own resume...

1. Hiring managers have an uncontrollable bout of the giggles when reading your resume.

Best wishes.

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.

Posted by Candice Arnold on April 30, 2008 at 11:18 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

In this guest post, Cynthia Shapiro, career expert and author of the best seller Corporate Confidential:50 Secrets Your Company Doesn't Want You To Know - And What To Do About Them, offers some insider tips for resumes.

We all want to make it to the top of that teetering pile of resumes atop the hiring managers' desks. With 400,000 workers laid off in March and 7.8 million unemployed, competition for the top jobs is fierce. But there are a few insider tips that can help you get picked as the top candidate.

1. Be Bold

Think of your resume as a one-page billboard, not a biography. Use lots of white space, bold type and bullet points, and get rid of that vague "objective."

Be specific about your big accomplishments, not your basic job duties. For example, if they ask for "stellar sales skills," say you increased your last employer's sales by 10% within a 3-month period.

2. Be the perfect fit

Mirror the ad's language in your cover letter and resume. If they ask for someone "passionate about customer service," use those words.

Many companies use software that looks for key words to identify top candidates; usually those are the same words as you'll see in the ads.

Even if they go through the resume pile the old fashioned way, by hand, careful wording will make you stand out and appear to be a perfect match.

3. Get out of the slush pile

If your resume ends up with everyone else's, it's less likely to get noticed. In addition to the one you've faxed or emailed, call the company receptionist and get the name and title of the hiring manager (make sure you ask for spelling). Do the same for the manager of the open position.

Mail an old-fashioned 100% cotton or linen paper resume with professional cover letter to both these people, in an envelope marked "personal." This way it will go directly to their in-box.

Don't email or fax it to them, or it will just end up back in the slush pile. Even if your mailed-in resume does end up with a stack of others, it will be folded differently and will feel different to the touch; more weighty, thus more important.

4. Avoid the No. 1 mistake

Make sure your cover letter and resume language exudes confidence. Too many candidates sound like they're asking or even begging for consideration. You're not asking, you're making them aware of all the wonderful things you have to offer.

If you're not excited about what you have to offer, why should they be?

Article by George Lenard, the originator of George's Employment Blawg, has over twenty years of experience in all aspects of labor and employment law, including preventive law as well as litigation. His special interests include employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and noncompetition agreements. He is currently a managing partner with Harris, Dowell, Fisher & Harris, L.C., in St. Louis, Missouri, and lives in the suburb of University City with his wife and family.

Posted by Candice Arnold on April 28, 2008 at 7:39 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook are getting a lot of press these days as job search tools.

But have you considered adding Craigslist to that list of online employment destinations?

You might want to.

Craigslist (www.craigslist.org) is a vast network of online classified ads that includes job listings. Founded by Craig Newmark in 1995, Craigslist now serves all U.S. states and major cities, as well as countries from Argentina to Vietnam.

And it just might help you find your next job. If you use it right. Here's how ...

Start by visiting Craigslist.org to find your city or state. Then click on Jobs, where you'll find listings ranging from Accounting, Engineering and Manufacturing, to Marketing, Software and Web Design.

"You can browse job postings by headlines, but searching is more effective, especially in the busier communities. And it's best to search for skills rather than job titles," according to Jenna Lloyd author of the forthcoming book, "Craiglist 4 Everyone" (Que Publishing).

Example: If you want an administrative position, you could search for Secretary, Executive Assistant, Office Manager, etc., and still miss out on listings. But almost all administrative job postings mention typing or word processing, so searching for core skills like these can uncover a large number of relevant results, according to Lloyd.

Mark Chatham, from Ridgefield, NJ, found his current job on Craigslist in October 2006, when he was hired as a Managing Director for online retailer Big Joys Distribution.

"I found their job posting on newjersey.craigslist.org, emailed my resume and was asked to interview a few days later," says Chatham.

Chatham must be doing something right -- he's landed four jobs on Craigslist. His advice is to position yourself as both qualified and memorable. His resume included the facts that he held a patent at age 18 and once appeared on the TV show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? "Employers remembered me," he says.

Because employers receive an average of 51 replies for each job ad, according to Craigslist's own data you must work hard to stand out. Do this by writing a resume that connects with hiring managers, one that proves you understand their business and that you have the skills they want. "I tweaked my resume each time to make it relevant to the job I was applying for," says Chatham.

One thing to keep in mind when using Craigslist is time management. You only have about 960 minutes per day to spend on a job search. So make sure you limit your time using online tools like Craigslist. Otherwise, you may find yourself wondering where another day went, and why you're no closer to finding a job.

Another issue is trust. A quick look through the job postings will turn up dozens of potential work-at-home scams and get-rich-quick schemes. "In larger cities, there's a fee to post jobs on Craigslist, which weeds out most scammers, but this is not the case in smaller cities. So listen to your instincts -- if a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is," says Lloyd.

If you're unsure about submitting personal information to an employer on Craigslist, don't. Simply send them a resume that masks your home address, names of your employers and other identifying data.

Also, it's important follow directions when replying to a job posting on Craigslist (or anywhere). "Pay close attention to what the employer asks for -- do they want you to email your resume as an attachment or paste it into the body of the email, for example," says Lloyd. Because companies can afford to be picky, they may drop you from consideration if you botch instructions.

And don't forget the cover letter, even if it is only emailed. "Take the time to write a message in your email that tells employers which ad on Craiglist you're responding to and where you saw it. Don't skip this last part!" advises Lloyd.

A final note on Craigslist: To me, it's a throwback to the days of Usenet bulletin boards in the 1990s. You won't find any fancy graphics, audio or video here. But you will find the sort of DIY community spirit that helped build the Internet into what it's become. And that makes Craigslist worth a look if you're looking for work.

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.collegerecruiter.com/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 April 25, 2008 at 7:36 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Are you looking to acquire your first job in many years - or your first job ever - and have heard that without experience you have no chance of finding employment? Well rest assured that this couldn't be more wrong.

Employers understand that good employees are not solely created from skills gained on previous jobs; they are also created from skills acquired through life experience. The trick, however, is to highlight these skills while expressing your overall potential in your resume.

Use Life Experience to Your Advantage

If you're at a loss for how to start your resume writing process when you have one or no jobs to list, you can always begin with your life experiences. For example, if at some point you sat in as a receptionist at your grandmother's small store, you probably learned how to organize information, answer phones professionally, and manage customers - all job-worthy skills.

Or maybe you spent some time volunteering for Habitat for Humanity while in school. This community service effort teaches hard work and organization, both of which count as skills you can take with you into a job setting. By including these and other experiences in your resume, and describing them in specific detail (how often you volunteered, how many customers you assisted, etc.), you can successfully translate them into job skills.

List Coursework and Awards

Another way to help broaden your skill set is by listing courses you have taken in school that are relevant to the job you are applying for. If you are not in school but have taken relevant training courses, listing these works just as well. Also, if you've won awards or have notable achievements under your belt, try to find room for them as they can give greater insight into your character.

Make Use of Your Cover Letter

Many people don't understand the relevance of a cover letter and often don't include it with their resume unless it is specifically requested. However, the cover letter provides prospective employers with the landscaping they need to understand the person applying for their job.

This is also true for those who don't have an extensive employment history. In this case, the cover letter allows you to describe in greater detail what experiences you've acquired over the years. Even more, it can give you the opportunity to express your passion for the job you're applying for, which is equally as important.

Seek Guidance from a Professional

If you feel uncomfortable about starting a job search after so many years - or for the first time - then it never hurts to consult a professional resume writer or career advisor to help you organize your experiences into a neat presentation. They can not only dig deep to discover the job skills you've acquired over the years, but they can also give you tips on how to build confidence as you approach the unfamiliar terrain of a job search.

Jump-starting your career when it seems you have no experience can feel like an impossible task. But with the right tools, and a little confidence, you will make your way into the workforce in no time.

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 April 25, 2008 at 12:07 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Earlier this week I received the following email from a client/friend of mine:

Hey Liz,

I hope you're doing well and business is still booming. I wanted to ask your opinion of something. After nine months, it has come to my attention that a former colleague/friend has plagiarized large sections of my resume (the one you helped me with). I offered it to her to use as a template when our employer was downsizing. We have been competing for the same contract jobs and she has recently undercut me for $10 less per hour on a 6-12 contract gig working with client of our former employer. The client assumed we had the same background and experience because we worked for the same employer and because she copied my resume. She's even posted part of it on LinkedIn along with other falsifications.

Any thoughts/ideas about what I can do?

Thanks,
Brad

My response was this:

Dear Brad,

I am so sorry to hear about this. If I could sue this woman for copyright infringement I would. This happened once before when another client did exactly what you did and shared his new resume that I wrote with a co-worker. The way I found out is that the co-worker/idiot who plagiarized his resume had the nerve to contact me to ask if there was "anything I could do to improve his resume" - I told him that he had already copied my work enough and that unless he wanted to pay me for the work he had copied that we had nothing to talk about.

In the future I recommend that you not show co-workers your resume because you really can't trust people not to screw you the way this woman has done. Plus, since you paid for the resume I would think you wouldn't want to give away the contents for free. I always get pissed when I find out that someone has plagiarized my resume work but I don't think there is much I can do about it short of copyrighting every resume I write and that probably wouldn't make my clients happy. This woman will get what's coming to her...what comes around usually goes around.

Regards,

Liz

The point of this post is: keep your resume to yourself unless you don't mind if ambitious co-workers copy your work or, possibly, take credit for your accomplishments. A huge part of the service I provide is helping my clients to target and articulate accomplishments. Do you want your co-worker to see the way you have described your success on a project and say, "Hey, I worked on that project too so I am going to put that great sentence on my resume."? What if, like my friend Brad, you wind up competing with this co-worker for the same job?

There are many ways to support friends and co-workers that don't involve giving away your resume so think defensively and don't share personal information that others could use to boost their careers at the expense of yours.

By: Liz Handlin, Ultimate Resumes 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 April 24, 2008 at 8:22 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Resume Hell is where all the poor sad resumes go that never see the light of day. Do you want to be in Resume Hell?

Or would you like to rise above Resume Hell?

It's really not that hard, because the vast majority of resumes do the same thing, make the same mistakes, and say the same thing. So if you take a different approach that's thoughtful and distinctive, it's not hard to rise above the rest into the daylight.

Tips to stay out of Resume Hell:

Be Different: Show how unique you are in business, and in your personality. Be you. Stop being afraid that what you say will disqualify you for a job - you wouldn't want that job anyways. Be you, and find a job where you are the unique answer to company problems.

Be Specialized: Be a Subject Matter Expert, and wear it proudly - Especially if you are a manager or an executive. Your subject Matter Expertise doesn't have to be about industry, though it can be. Your subject matter expertise can be in a specific corporate problem, solution, management technique, technology, etc. Your Subject Matter Expertise can be in Marketing, Operations, Finance or IT.

Be Most Awesome, Dude!: Write about what you accomplished. I saved X by doing Y. I increased sales by X% by doing Y. WRITE ABOUT WHAT YOU DID, NOT WHAT YOU MANAGED. Stop being ordinary, stop writing about what you managed, what you were responsible for, what you organized, participated in, or advised.

Be Efficient: Use your Resume Real Estate efficiently. The average reader spends 15 seconds reading a resume before making an interview/no interview decision. Make your 15 seconds count by putting the sizzle at the top, and grab the reader by the throat in the top half of the first page. Shrink headers, move summaries and skills inventories to the back.

Be Customized: One size doesn't fit all today. Heavily customize your resume for each job you submit your resume. Your resume should be a single use document.

Be Honest: Why lie? The truth is so much more interesting. Besides, chances are you'll get caught by the target company or Karma.

Be Precise: You're only perfect two times in your life - At birth, and on your resume. So you'd best spell check.

So how come so few people dare to be different? Well, we were taught to be generic resume writers, taught to write paper passed resumes, and it's hard to change old habits.

Don't be generic, be you. Fitting a square peg into a round hole is short sighted, and creates unworkable situations. Why not search for square holes?

Article by Phil Rosenberg, President, reCareered & Rainmakers Global and courtesy of reCareered blog.

Posted by Candice Arnold on April 23, 2008 at 7:02 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Mostly when I write resumes for clients, they have very few changes or revisions. But the most common change request is for more words.

This "worditis" is a common disease among job seekers. It's the desire to tell all the details of your work history in your resume. It can take the form of adding lots of extra bullet points ('you didn't mention the IT project I worked on in 1987'), it can be a desire to add details to projects that are already listed ('I think we need to point out the ad campaign ran for 5 weeks in 6 major markets'), or it can manifest itself in the need to list every skill ever acquired.

But no matter what form it takes, it IS a disease and it must be beaten! No busy recruiter wants to read a pile of dense, wordy and long-winded documents. If you include too much information, the likelihood is that none of it will be read.

Think of your resume as a brochure rather than the product catalog. It should communicate your key selling points in an attractive, easy-to-read format. It should tell the reader who you are, clearly and concisely, and compel him to take action (in this case, calling you in for an interview.) During the interview process, you will have lots of time to explain the details of your projects and to outline all the great things you've accomplished. Your resume is not the place for that.

But how do you choose what to include and what to omit? Two suggestions:

1) Put yourself in the shoes of the person who will read your resume. Ask yourself what his or her chief concerns are. What do they want in a new employee? What problems do they need to be solved? What opportunities do they need to capitalize on? Look for clues in the job posting, or just use your general knowledge of your industry and field.

2) As you write your resume, ask yourself 'does this piece of information make it significantly more likely that I will get an interview, given what I know about my target audience?' If the answer is 'no,' out it goes!

Less really IS more in a resume. By creating a concise, easy-to-read document that gives an overview of your accomplishments, you will make it so much easier for recruiters to understand the value that you bring.

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 Candice Arnold on April 21, 2008 at 1:53 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Recently, I surveyed 159 job seekers by email, asking them this question:
"What is the biggest problem in your job search right now?"

The responses were intriguing and I had a hard time boiling the problems down to a manageable number to answer here.

But I did.

So, here are three of the most common job-search problems -- as chosen by you, my readers -- with my proposed answers.

Read on to see if your problem is solved here ...

Problem #1: How can I make contact with someone at a company where I'd like to work? I want to send my resume to a live person when applying for jobs.

Solution: When responding to a job posting, do whatever it takes to find out who the hiring authority is. Then, try to make contact with that person through your network.

If your network of contacts doesn't reach that far yet, build a bridge! Start with your personal network first, and Web-based tools second.

Remember: Computers don't hire. People do. So any information about an employer you can gather from the people you know (or the people they know) can help. Go through your email address book for names, or use Web tools like LinkedIn.com and Zoominfo.com to connect with more people.

Another Web resource worth a look is Jigsaw.com. The site aims to help you bypass gatekeepers by contacting decision makers directly, and it boasts more than 7 million contact names from more than 400,000 companies.
Jigsaw.com offers a free trial membership.

Problem #2: How can I find unadvertised job leads? I want to get beyond recruiters and HR gatekeepers to find someone who cares.

Solution: Spend time talking to people who already care about you. Start with your family.

Right now, the job you want exists somewhere in the mind of an employer. It may be advertised, or unadvertised, but it's there.

Your task is to get into the minds of as many people as possible, until you connect with the right mind -- the right employer. That's how you get hired. And that's what networking is all about.

Now. If you're at all average, you probably think you've told "everyone" in your family about your job search. But have you, really? Have you:

1. Written down the name of every single relative you have, aged 18 to 108?



2. Shown that list to your family to make sure you didn't forget anyone?



3. Called or emailed everyone on that list to tell them exactly what type of job you seek, the company you'd like to work for and the city you want to work in?



4. Asked each relative for the names of at least 3 people they know who might know of potential employment leads?



5. Thanked everyone you spoke to for their time?



6. Repeated this process every 30 days until hired?

What about relatives who live in other states or cities? Should you contact them for job leads? Yes! Because, you have friends across the country, right? Your relatives do, too. All it takes is one contact at one company and you'll be hired.

So stop making excuses and start making phone calls to relatives. And forget about pride here. Pride won't pay your mortgage.

In the end, you can't depend on a recruiter, the government or the Internet to help you -- they don't care about you. They don't even know you exist. But your family does. Start talking to them about your job search today.

Problem #3: How can I find good answers to the most common interview questions?

Solution: Try The Interview Center at Monster.com -- the direct URL is interview.monster.com. There you'll find tips for answering dozens of the most common questions, as well as virtual interview modules that let you practice online.

However ... once you know what you want to say, there's no substitute for practicing with another person. Because there's more to interviewing than words. You also communicate by your tone of voice, vocabulary, posture, wardrobe, the food stuck in your teeth, etc. So you absolutely must get feedback on these areas from people you trust. And mock interviews are the way to do it.

You need to practice live interviews for the same reason airline pilots practice making emergency landings in a flight simulator -- to build "muscle memory" so that your mind and body will react correctly in real life. Whether it's piloting your career or a 747, you can't afford to take chances.

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.collegerecruiter.com/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 April 18, 2008 at 2:24 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Dear Job Seeker:

You've just completed a high-class, well-written cover letter for the job of your dreams. You spell-checked it and reviewed each line. You signed, sealed, stamped and sent it. Great! Now you're waiting to hear from the employer with an invitation to come in for an interview.

Weeks pass and nothing happens. It's easy to become discouraged. You may wonder what you did wrong or why your letter has not attracted the attention you hoped it would.

Worry no more. Follow these three proven techniques for landing that interview instead of waiting for it.

1. Start over with a NEW kind of cover letter. And write this kind from now on. ASK for the job interview upfront. Make your intention clear.

   "May we meet to discuss the position of [Fill in job title here]. I'm available at your convenience. I look forward to the opportunity for a personal interview." (Now there's a statement that practically commands a response.)

   "I'm eager to meet you in person to discuss [Insert job title here] how I can exceed your company's expectation for this position. All I can ask for is the opportunity to be interviewed and I am prepared for that chance. I sincerely thank you for your consideration." (Another nice, clear and direct statement requesting a job interview).

2. Dial an interview. If you have not been called for an interview, about ten days after you mail your cover letter, pick up the phone and call the hiring manager directly. ASK for an in-person interview in a friendly, straightforward manner. Your enthusiasm will encourage the employer to consider your request seriously.


3. Send an e-mail. Professionals today often prefer e-mail for quick messages. Use this effective means to your advantage. Follow up your original cover letter with an e-mail reminder. For example

Dear Mr./Ms. Jones:

On January 23 I submitted a cover letter and resume to apply for the position of general accounts executive at Capricorn Enterprises, Inc. I appreciate the fact that you have many applications to read. However, I am committed to showing you that I am well qualified to fill this opening. Would you have thirty minutes available for an interview this week or next? You choose the date and time and I'll be there prepared to talk and listen. Thank you for taking the time to read my request. I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you in person.

Joe Job Seeker
joejobseeker@xyz.com

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney, 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 April 18, 2008 at 10:23 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Have you ever sat down at your computer with tons of information to include in both your cover letter and resume but didn't know where to go from there? Many people get stuck at this stage because they're afraid they might use the wrong words to describe their skills and accomplishments.

If you've felt this way, you're not alone. However, there are simple ways you can avoid having your resume and cover letter sound too weak, limited, or vague.

About the Author:
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.

Tell Them What You Did - Not What You Should Have Done

When creating a cover letter or resume, some people get in the habit of using passive words and phrases that sound more like a description of what they should have done on the job rather than what they actually accomplished. For example, the phrases "responsible for" or "duties included" draw a picture of what your previous employer wanted you to do, but don't tell whether you actually accomplished their goal. A good way to turn this problem around for the better is by using action verbs like managed, wrote, collaborated, and demonstrated followed by specific tasks you completed. This will help you provide your prospective employer with a good example of your current skill level.

Empty Words - Proceed with Caution

The following list of words are good to use under some circumstances, but should be used with caution: aggressive, creative, determined, flexible, competent, logical, independent, successful, well-organized, and meticulous. Stating that you are all of these things does not explain how you are any of them, which essentially gives them empty meanings until they are applied to specific actions you've taken. So instead of using them to describe yourself, try using them to describe a campaign you initiated, event you organized, sales strategy you implemented, or team you developed. That way you'll give your prospective employer insight into your true skills and capabilities based on past experiences.

Don't Forget about Keywords

Because so much of the job search process relies on Internet applications or online job databases, it is a good idea to focus on specific keywords that will make your resume and cover letter more searchable on the Internet. So in this case, you will want to veer away from words that have nothing to do with the field you're looking to work in. For example, if you want to work in the fashion industry, there's no need to use a lot of words focused on cars, clocks, cups, telephones, pencils ... you get my drift? You will instead benefit from using keywords like fashion, textile, fabrics, garments, and other words that you imagine employers in your specific industry will be typing in during their online resume search.

Learning the words and phrases you want to avoid on your resume and cover letter will help you to provide more accurate information regarding your career skills. So think in action verbs, avoid empty meanings, and choose industry-specific keywords. Doing this will definitely benefit your job search in the long run.

Posted by Heather Eagar on April 17, 2008 at 7:28 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

What a difference a word makes. Weak words like those in the left column lack energy. Power words such as those on the right pack a wallop! They tell a hiring manager whether or not you're a person who will take charge, meet deadlines, work well with others, and take responsibility for the tasks assigned.

List your previous employment opportunities, including specifics about the job you held, using power-packed words to convey the details. For example:

Mayfield Enterprises, Mayfield, USA 2005-2007
Assistant Production Manager

I initiated a new software program for the sales force to use in the field, delegated individuals to use it and report back to me, created a file to hold
the results, and completed all testing by the assigned deadline.

Now compare the previous paragraph with the following:

Mayfield Enterprises, Mayfield, USA 2005-2007
Assistant Production Manager

I came up with an idea for a new software program to try with the sales force while they are out in the field taking orders and then calling them in for the order department to fill. I asked certain people to try this program and then come back to me with their results so I could put them in a special folder. It was important to do this in order for me to finish everything on time since I had a deadline that I was expected to keep.

That kind of writing belongs on one's nightstand. Perfect bedtime reading. Would put a hiring manager to sleep before he finished the first sentence.

Think about what you want to say, why you want to say it, and how you want to say it. Then create a list of strong, power-packed words, and include them in your resume. Show that you are the one for the job by communicating clearly, concisely, and confidently.

If you want your phone to ring with a call that invites you in for an interview for the job of your dreams, step up to the challenge of creating a resume that packs a punch--with power-packed words.

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney, 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 April 17, 2008 at 2:27 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Nearly everyone has some sort of gap in employment at some point in their career. The days of "lifetime employment" are all but extinct. While most gaps are relatively short, up to a few months, sometimes they end up being much longer. Or perhaps it's not really an employment gap but a career gap - what do you do if you're seeking to re-enter a career after an extended time doing something else?

Susan Ireland addresses this question well here:

Career Gap on Resume

Question

I was a Landscape Architect with over a 15 years experience, licensed and educated with a degree in the field. (It is a fairly narrow profession). I faded out of that career in 2001 and became a self-employed, on-line bookseller with every intention of not going back into L/arch.

However, I have changed my mind! I am eager to re-enter the profession because I miss the challenge, the people and working on creative projects.

My question is: Do you think I should "expose my gap" in L/arch in the cover letter, in my resume or at the interview?? There is no way I can hide this fact, nor do I want to... In the architectural field we usually show a portfolio at the interview and I have nothing to show after 2001... Being a bookseller does not mean I was unemployed, it's just that most of these firms will want to know who I am presently working for and what projects I am working on. Personally, I do not consider it a working gap, but a career gap. What do you think? -- Cliff

Answer

Cliff, you are right to consider this a career gap, not an employment gap. Here's what I suggest you do:

Use the chronological resume format. As the first entry at the top of your Experience section put:

2001 - present, Freelance Landscape Architect (concurrent with online sales venture)
- Mention a few landscape projects that you've done during this time (I'm sure you didn't keep you hands out of the soil or off the drawing board!) The projects can be ones at your own home or ones you volunteered for in the community. Don't forget to include interesting projects you consulted on like that hillside landscaping in your neighbor's backyard, the redeign of your aunt's rock garden, and other projects you gave advice for.
- Briefly refer to administrative aspects of your online business that are relevant to working for a landscape company. Maybe you designed marketing pages, used your database skills, or your customer service talents to enhance business.
- If your online book business specialized in selling landscape-related books, include something about that.

For the rest of the article, go here

Article by David B. Wright and courtesy of Jim Stroud, "The Job Search Strategist" providing strategies, tips and tutorials on how to find work and advance your career.

Posted by Candice Arnold on April 15, 2008 at 6:51 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Newspapers, blogs, sales letters, and other marketing documents use headlines to draw readers in and make them want to continue reading.

Using the same concept as headlines for sales copy (Michel Fortin's blog post on the subject is a must-read), adding one to your resume can give you an edge over other candidates.

If you're boring employers to tears with a ho-hum "Objective" section that focuses on you and your needs, try using a headline instead and see if that makes a difference in your resume's response rate. I bet it does!

The goal of a headline is to capture the reader's attention, so it should contain your value proposition. Don't even try to create one unless you can succinctly express why the employer should hire you. Once that is clear in your mind, you can create a headline that gets noticed and makes the hiring manager want to read the rest of your resume.

Have you replaced your "Objective" section with a headline? If so, I would love to hear how it's been working for you. Feel free to post a comment below or send me an email .

To your success.

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.

Posted by Candice Arnold on April 15, 2008 at 5:23 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The thought of writing a resume can be intimidating to say the least. There is so much to consider that the process can easily leave you too exhausted to continue - even before you start.

What's worse is if you have no idea how to create the design - or even how important the design actually is to the resume. The design can have a lot of influence on how successful your resume is in procuring you interviews. There are some simple tips that will help improve your resume significantly. Let's dive right in...

Make it Easy to Read

The first idea you should keep in mind when designing your resume is choosing the right font style, size and color. Most people find success with the more professional fonts like Times New Roman or Arial, rather than Comic Sans, which makes the resume look more like a party invitation than a professional document. As for sizes, you want to avoid those that are too large or small. Again, you aren't trying to place your resume on prospective employers' windshields so getting their attention won't take much more than a 12-point font for Times New Roman and 11 for Arial. And when choosing the color, remember one word: black.

Nothing Fancy

Another design error that many make when creating their resumes is adding decorations. This is definitely a risky move to take because while one employer might absolutely love your cute form of expression another might feel sick to his stomach. So instead of using flower borders in your design, think about making your name a little larger (and using a different typeface) than the rest of the content to add a little character to your resume.

Stick with the Default Setting

When deciding on the layout for your resume, you definitely want to stick with vertical rather than landscape. Think about it; if you were a manager who had to sort through a stack of papers, you would probably be pretty annoyed if you had to rotate the stack 90 degrees because someone wanted to add a little spice to the design. So to avoid irritating an employer, stick with the default set up for your word processing program. You'll be glad you did.

The Paper on Which It's Printed

Over the years, many people have come to rely on fancy resume paper because they have been advised by their career centers or professors that this is the best way to stand out among other applicants. However, with times changing so much and the electronic age prevailing over all else, most companies prefer that their applicants submit materials via the company's website or job portal, which pretty much kicks a hole in the pretty paper theory. You can buy white paper with a plain smooth finish and be okay. If the company allows for both online and offline applications, then you can always choose to do both.

You'll find that the effort you put forth on your resume and its design will pay off in the end. Stick with the basics and keep it simple. After all, this is the easy part of writing your resume.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and owner of
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 April 11, 2008 at 6:22 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Many people took me up on my offer to critique their resumes for free -- here's the thread: Free Resume Critique

When reviewing the resumes, I noticed that the documents shared common problems and issues -- regardless of the career field. The free critique offer is now closed, but you can improve your resume by following these tips:

Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Resume

1. Proofread. This should be a no-brainer, but almost all resumes had typos and formatting inconsistencies. Make sure your resume is perfect, and hire a professional if you're not confident in your proofreading skills.

2. Remove "Fluff." One of my pet peeves is the use of flowery resume language. If you're a results-proven, detail-oriented leader with excellent verbal and written communication skills, I'm talking to you. This type of language makes hiring managers' eyes glaze over and doesn't do much to "sell" your credentials. Instead of saying that you have these skills, prove it with examples of past successes throughout the resume.

3. Add a Headline. A Headline calls out your objective as well as one or two of your top qualifications, and is a modern twist on a traditional "Objective" section.

4. Add a Summary. If you don't have a Qualifications Summary, write one -- immediately! The summary can present the top reasons why employers should contact you -- your value proposition. If you lead your resume with a compelling summary, employers will be more likely to read the rest of your resume.

5. Include Important Skills. You can create a separate "Key Skills" section or incorporate your skills in the Summary section. Either way, an easy-to-skim, bulleted list of your job-related skills will appeal to hiring managers.

6. Add Accomplishments. And while you're at it, quantify them (if possible) so employers can understand the impact of your work.

7. Avoid Using Personal Pronouns. Employers know that your resume is about you, so write in an "implied" first-person voice.

8. Focus on the Last Ten Years or So. If your work history is extensive, keep in mind that most resume reviewers are concerned about your recent employment. You can keep the early positions, but cut down on the amount of space used and consider summing it up in an "Early Career" section.

9. Add an Online Folio. If you don't already have one, create an online career folio or blog that can bring your branded message to life. Once you have established an online presence, you will increase your chances of getting found when an employer or recruiter Googles you.

10. Ditch the "References Available" Line. Employers expect you to have references if you're in a job search, and this line is just wasting space at the end of the resume.

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.

Posted by Candice Arnold on April 7, 2008 at 10:02 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

About a week and a half ago I had the opportunity to moderate a panel discussion at a luncheon hosted by the Austin Technology Council. The topic was "Shortage in the Emerging Workforce: Evolving to Attract and Retain Talent" and the panel was comprised of some of the top Human Resource professionals in Austin Texas. The panelists were.

Heather Garcia, Director, ADP Total Source
Natalie Humphreys, Senior Manager Talent Acquisition, Dell, Inc.
Chad Macy, Regional Managing Director, Technisource Division, Spherion Corporation
John Termotto, Americas Staffing Manager, Freescale Semiconductor
Heidi Veselka, Global Human Resource Vendor Program Manager, Flextronics

When it comes to sourcing talented and qualified candidates, recruiters at companies both big and small are getting creative. Online job posting sites are just one source for candidates. Some companies have implemented alumni programs to recruit talent.

A key piece of advice these HR pros offered: Don't pass over seasoned professionals for young blood. Many of my over-40 resume clients want to remove dates of education and drop older experience just so they will appear younger to a recruiter...not only do recruiters see through that right away but just because you are over 40 doesn't mean you aren't a desirable employee in this market.

Each panelist brought unique skills and background to the discussion and some fascinating trends emerged:

1. Employees and employers aren't always in sync about what the other values most

   Chad Macy presented some information from a study that Spherion conducted about what employees value most and what employers think that employees value most in an employment relationship.
   Not surprisingly, there were some perception gaps.

   The study showed that employers believe that employees most value the management climate (good managers). Employees ranked benefits #1 and compensation #2 on their list of what they look for in an employer. Management climate was #4 on the employees list of values. On the other hand, employers in the Spherion study believed that financial compensation is only #7 on an employees list of desires.

   Smart employers who want to retain top talent will listen to what employees are really looking for. With that said, several conference participants pointed out that employee's needs/desires represent a delicate balance that is often in flux. For example, a job in a particularly collegial work environment might outweigh a job with higher compensation with a less desirable working situation.

   Without question benefits are important to almost all employees and companies are getting creative about what sorts of benefits they offer. Larger companies may extend opportunities for child education credits, scholarships, or stock ownership. Smaller companies may not be able to offer employees the highest salary, but offering comprehensive health benefits and the opportunity to grow with the company may give small companies a competitive advantage in this tight market.

2. Cutting edge companies are getting creative about retaining employees

   ADP Total Source has a robust employee development portal that enables employees to log on and peruse all jobs that they qualify for all around the world. If you work for ADP and you are tired of living in Austin you can look at all the jobs in the entire world that you could transfer to. This system is much more advanced than a simple job posting board because it targets jobs that match the exact qualifications of employees searching the system. ADP would rather retain and relocate a great employee than lose them to another company. Smart.

3. Recruiting through existing and former employees - alumni networks

   Dell is building an alumni program that is modeled after Deloitte's famously successful program. Former employees can log in, apply for jobs, or refer candidates. ADP TotalSource has implemented an alumni program to recruit talent as well.

   Freescale, which also has an alumni program, is aggressively creating a global "employment brand" so that when Freescale is mentioned people will immediately think about it as a desirable place to work. That way their employees will be come ambassadors for Freescale and will have a branding message to take to market. I think it's really smart of an HR department to take a marketing approach to attracting talent and, frankly, it's about time.

4. Employers are rotating employees within the company in order to make sure that talented employees don't leave because they perceive a lack of opportunity

   Dell is famous for its rotation programs...if you have ever seen a resume for a Dell employee you know what I mean. It seems like Dell employees transfer every few years based on their interests and performance level. This helps the company to keep retention up and employees challenged. Dell apparently fills 30-35% of open positions with internal hires. Bored employees who see little upward mobility look for jobs; those who are happy and challenged are more likely to stay put. Smart.

5. Cutting edge HR departments are trying to become a destination for employees to visit and discuss their career options

   One participant in the program likened visiting his HR department to being sent to the principal's office which got quite a laugh. The HR folks on the panel said that they are trying to change that perception in order to build strong relationships with employees that they can use to help retain top talent. I think it's high time that HR professionals understood the powerful role they can play in building trust with employees and retaining talent.

6. Some HR professionals have figured out that there are some no-cost things you can do to retain employees.

   Heidi Veselka and Heather Garcia both talked about how they welcome and orient new employees. Heather puts a small bag of candy and a note on new employee's desks to welcome them. Heidi told a story about when her former employer was acquired by Flextronics. She got a call from her boss to let her know that she was a valued employee and while they didn't know exactly where they were going to put her in the new organization, that she would have a job. That conversation cost nothing but it guaranteed that Heidi would stay with the organization instead of looking for a job as employees so often do during times of change.

   John Termotto of Freescale doesn't wait for employees to come to him: he makes a point to walk around his office and touch base with each employee in his department so that, on an ongoing basis, he knows how employees are doing and what they are feeling about their jobs. Simple, free, smart.

The panel discussion was great and I thought the takeaway was a very positive one for employees. If you have desirable skills companies want to hire you and they want to keep you! The trick is to find a company where your skills and personality are a fit for the environment.

Special thanks to Alisha Ring, Carol Dwyer, and Soozie Selfridge of the Austin Technology Council for hosting a terrific event.

By: Liz Handlin, Ultimate Resume Blog

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 April 7, 2008 at 8:17 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

Looking for a new job? If so, you have a problem, right? You want to find work.

Would you like to solve that problem and get hired faster? Good. That's what this column will help you do.

Wait. Stop.

You've just read 39 words and all I've done is ask a few questions. You've just proven how engaging and powerful questions can be.

Now.

If you want to find out how three engaging and rather unusual questions could give you the answers you need to find your next job fast, keep reading ...

1. What jobs are really out there? Before investing precious time in a job search, wouldn't it be great to know exactly what the demand for your skills is right now, so you head off in the right direction?

   Well, you can. And it's easy to do.

   Just go to Monster.com (or any mega employment site) and play with search terms to get a sense for what employers are looking for.

   Example: Searching for "auto sales" at Monster turned up 77 job openings in Minnesota; "automotive sales" found 123 openings; and "car sales" brought back 152 job listings -- nearly twice as many as the first search.

   Knowing the demand for specific jobs will help you speak the language employers want to hear. In the example above, I would use "car sales" in my resumes, cover letters, and networking conversations, because that's the phrase employers seem to be looking for in that sector.

   Note: For a more accurate idea of what's out there, multiply the number of jobs you find online by four. Because only about 15-25% of job openings are ever advertised.

2. Are you being active or productive in your job search?
   A wise man once said, "Never confuse activity with productivity."

   Do you feel like you're getting a lot done every day, yet you're not getting calls from employers? If so, your activity is not productive, is it?

   To fix this, get a piece of paper and write down everything you've done in this job search -- and the last two before it -- the produced a face-to-face meeting with a hiring authority. That's the goal of your efforts, after all. We'll call these "A" job-search activities. They are productive.

   Then, write down everything else you've done in your search that didn't produce a meeting, such as picking up the dry cleaning, visiting ESPN.com, deleting spam, etc. You get the idea. These are "B" job-search activities. They are not productive.

   You can guess what's coming next, right?

   Starting tomorrow, spend as much time as possible doing "A" activities, and stop doing "B" activities altogether. The upsurge in real productivity you enjoy may astonish you.

3. How could you get others to find job leads for you?
   The most successful people multiply their efforts by using tools, teams and systems to get more done each day. Think Tom Sawyer painting that fence.

   You can do this, too. Here's how ...

   • Tools: Although I often admonish folks to look beyond their computer screens for job leads, the Internet does offer cool tools that can make you more productive in your search for work.

     You'll find some of the best at these two web sites:
     www.indeed.com/tools/jobseeker and www.simplyhired.com/a/tools/home.

   • Teams: Who's on your job-search board of directors? Don't have a board? For shame. All you have to do is ask 4 or 5 friends to meet every 2 weeks for lunch or coffee. Give them regular progress reports, ask for their input, hold yourself accountable -- and get hired faster.
   • Systems: Do you have an organized way of managing every job lead, from start to finish, until it either turns into an interview or is ruled out. No? More shame for you.
   
   

Instead, you need a system. It could be as simple as an Excel spreadsheet or a box of 3x5 cards, or as robust as the contact management software from ACT, GoldMine or JibberJobber.com.

Until next time, go out and make your own luck!

By: 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

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 April 7, 2008 at 7:37 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

When I'm asked for resume advice, I'll often first ask...what's your resume's hit ratio, or response rate? Usually, this question is answered by the sound of crickets.

It surprises me, especially Finance and Technology professionals whose professional lives revolve around measuring and interpreting data, don't think to measure the effectiveness of their resume. Isn't it natural to track how well your resume works for you?

At a minimum, couldn't you easily track how many callbacks, interviews, and offers each version of your resume generates?

An effective resume generates a 25% direct-employer (non-headhunter) response rate. If you're getting less, than your resume works against you. But most job changers don't have a clue how to measure this.

There are two alternatives I'd suggest. One is a do it yourself solution, and the other is a web service.

Do it Yourself: Build a spreadsheet to track results. List date sent, company, contact person (if known), source, next follow up, and check boxes for Phone screen, Interview, 2nd Interview, Offer. Include a column for notes.

Keep a running average of (phone screens + interviews)/resumes sent. Make sure not to double count Phone screens and interviews if you have both for the same job. Also, it's a more effective measurement when you only track direct employers, and leave known outside recruiters out of the equation, as known recruiters give a much higher % of callbacks than direct employers.

Web Service: There's a great web service called JibberJobber, run by Jason Alba. Jason built JibberJobber as a way to track metrics of his own job search, then started letting others use it. It became so popular, that his promotion through social media caught on and he created a successful web business from the idea.

JibberJobber brings a recruiter's dashboard to the job seeker. This tool keeps manages job search stats, resume versions, recruiting and job seeking contacts, personal network contacts, and organizes your job search like a CRM organizes a sales forces' efforts. You can even import networking contacts through social networks like LinkedIN. JibberJobber simplifies your search, can point you in the right direction, keep track of next steps, and best of all, it's free for a limited version.

Which one to use? It depends on personal preference. While the structured detailed approach of JibberJobber works well for those who are very disciplined, an Excel spreadsheet allows you the free form style of doing it yourself, ability to customize and track the statistics that make the most sense to you, and an unlimited database size for free (JibberJobber charges a small monthly fee once you reach a minimum size).

Either way you prefer, track your resume results. And if your resume isn't generating a 25% direct employer response rate, talk to professionals to get resume advice.

Article by Phil Rosenberg, President, reCareered & Rainmakers Global and courtesy of reCareered blog.

Posted by Candice Arnold on April 3, 2008 at 8:33 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Last year I started working with a client whom I will call "C". C is a very successful senior level sales executive who is now in his mid 40s. Like many other people, C has reached that point in his career when he is taking stock of what he really wants to do. He is a great pharmaceutical sales guy - momentum and talent have helped him to navigate a lucrative career and to stay with the same company through a couple of mergers. C has come to the conclusion that pharmaceutical sales isn't what it used to be. Constant reorganizations make it hard to make as much money and generally create frustration and aggravation for some of the salespeople.

I helped C with his resume and I put him in touch with superstar executive coach, Brooke Vuckovic. Brooke has a PhD from the University of Chicago and is a professor at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. She works with top executives to help them to figure out the answer to the question, "What's next in my career?" C has decided that it might be time to explore a job with a start-up if he can find the right opportunity. So, he is in the process of researching companies to try to find an opportunity that he is excited about.

C called the other day and asked me to help him update his resume in advance of attending a big industry conference. He heard about a couple of trailblazing entrepreneurs who have a unique product that he is uniquely qualified to sell because of his particular industry knowledge and contacts. So, in addition to resume updates, we talked a lot about how to approach the people he wanted to meet and we did some online research so that C would be prepared for his meeting.

Then C headed off to the conference. The day after the conference I got an email from C to call him right away...that he had big news. When I called I half expected him to tell me that the entrepreneurs he was meeting had offered him a job on the spot. He is a super talented guy so it wouldn't have surprised me if that had happened. But, that is not what C wanted to say.

C told me that after having spent nearly 20 years in pharmaceutical sales he had never gone to a conference and made as many contacts as he did that day. He said he had great conversations with industry leaders and got about 30 business cards from folks he planned to follow up with. His point was that when he opened himself up to working with a professional coach and a resume writer he was stepping out of his comfort zone but that by taking that step he opened more doors for himself than he could ever have imagined.

There is a saying that if you keep doing what you have always done you will get the same results that you have always gotten. The opposite is also true: if you do something different than what you have done before you will probably get different results. In the past, C took a more passive approach to his career which was pretty easy since his skills got him promoted regularly. Now, he is aggressively pursuing options that he is choosing for himself and he can't believe the results he has gotten so far.

I am sure as a salesman, C did a lot of networking with industry contacts in order to sell products. But networking for a job requires a somewhat different focus in that you are seeking out an opportunity for yourself rather than for a product or for your company. My friend Thom Singer has written a couple of great books about networking and I know he just gave a speech at South By Southwest Interactive about networking at conferences. Thom's advice? Walk up to someone and say "Hello" and see what happens from there. So simple, so easy, yet it can seem so difficult when you are at a conference but as C found out the rewards of doing so are many.

By Liz Handlin of Ultimate Resumes.

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 April 1, 2008 at 2:15 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

It's almost that time of year again, when newly graduating seniors hit the job market in search of a paycheck.

I don't know about you, but everything I know about job hunting I learned after college. Like how to network and write an effective resume, for example.

So, to give you graduating seniors a leg up, I interviewed two career experts to uncover 5 ways for new grads to find a job faster. This is the stuff I wish they taught in school ...

1. Cast a wide net "In a declining economy such as we face now, you have to expand your options. If you've looked only at large corporations, start looking at small businesses, non-profits, universities, government jobs -- a huge area of job growth -- and other types of employers," advises Lindsey Pollak, Author of "Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World."

   Often, jobs at smaller and non-profit organizations are harder to find, requiring more networking on your part. However, you'll face less competition from other job hunters who are not willing to put in the effort.

2. Persist without being a pest
   Follow-up is one of the most important elements of any successful job search, especially for new grads lacking traditional experience. "'No' may really mean 'not right now,'" says Pollak. "Getting a job is often about timing, so stay on employers' radar screens. But instead of saying, 'Hi, I'm just calling to follow up,' try to add value in each communication, and only follow up once every two weeks or so."

   One way to add value is to use Google Alerts (Google.com/alerts) to stay current on industry news and trends. The service is free and emails you daily updates of the latest Google results (blogs, news, etc.) based on the topics you choose. Then, presto! You have a valid excuse to email or call employers about the relevant articles you find online.

3. Get experience -- any way you can
   Employers today expect -- and in many cases demand -- that you have hands-on work experience when you graduate from college, according to Peter Vogt, author of "Career Wisdom for College Students: Insights You Won't Get in Class, on the Internet, or from Your Parents."

   "If you don't have the right experience, you need to get some, be it through a post-graduation internship, working for a temporary staffing agency, or perhaps even volunteering," says Vogt.

   While this may come as a nasty surprise, especially if you've spent four years and five or six figures getting a degree, it might be necessary. Especially if the economy continues to slow down. So you should have a Plan B that includes temping, interning or volunteer work. Some sites to check out are Net-Temps.com, Kellyservices.com, Manpower.com and Volunteermatch.org.

4. Your resume probably stinks -- fix it
   This unpleasant fact comes from my own experience reading hundreds of resumes from new grads over the years. To be specific, there are two things missing from most entry-level resumes: focus and results.

   First, to give your resume focus, include an Objective at the top, with a specific job title. If you can't focus on one job, tell readers the three skills you want to use (not 5 or 11). You must do the thinking for the reader and make it clear exactly what you want to do.

   For free resume-writing help, send your resume to 5 people and ask them if they can figure out what job you want. If they can't, employers can't.
   Revise as necessary.

   Second, to give your resume results, add up all the time or money you saved or made in every position you've held since high school -- paid or unpaid.
   Then, include those totals in your resume and put them up front, where they can't be missed.

   Wrong example: "Duties included, but were not limited to, filing, faxing, answering phones and greeting clients as receptionist."

   Right example: "Saved 24 staff hours per month ($2,880 per year) by devising new filing system while handling receptionist's duties."

5. Get used to competition
   Many new grads overlook or ignore this obvious fact, according to Vogt.

   "As a student, you were graded on your efforts alone. If you scored 90 percent on a test, you got an A -- no matter how anyone else did. As a job hunter, employers grade you against your peers. Suddenly, a performance that might otherwise have earned an A might earn you an F -- failure to get hired -- because another candidate else did just a little better," says Vogt.

   To compete in today's job market, start with your mindset. Whether you're writing resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, or out there networking, keep reminding yourself that good enough is ... not. According to Vogt, "Your #1 job-search thought at all times must be this: How can I outdo my peers?"

By: 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

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 April 1, 2008 at 9:30 AM | Leave a Comment (0)