Writing a resume can be complicated if you're not sure how to convey the message that you're the right person for the job. A good way to get this accomplished, however, is by choosing the right sections to include in your resume.

Choosing the standard sections (contact information, objective, work experience/skills, and education) is typically a breeze. But optional sections like career highlights, interests/hobbies, professional/community involvement, awards, and technical skills can be more of a challenge to decide between. So to help you get on the right track, let's look at some ideas for choosing your sections.

Consider the Position for Which You're Applying

When thinking about what sections to include in your resume, it is a good idea to first look closely at the position you're applying for. Why? Because this can help you determine which sections will help you provide the most thorough information regarding your skill set.

For example, if you're applying for a position that requires several years of professional experience in Corporate Communications, and also a strong writing background, there are a couple of ways you can take advantage of resume sections. Of course, you can use your standard Work/Professional Experience section to showcase the jobs you've worked in the field. Then if you have standout writing accomplishments, you can include a separate section (ex. Writing and Distribution) strictly for your writing accolades.

Likewise, if you are interested in furthering your career as a software developer, you could include a "Certificates and Training" section strictly for showcasing all of your Microsoft, Apple, and other certifications. This way you can highlight your standout skills and paint an accurate portrait of your potential abilities.

Think About the Message You Want to Convey

When thinking of optional sections to include, it is also a good idea to consider what message you want to offer the employer about the type of person you are. This is especially true if you know that getting hired for a position might rely partially on your personal interests.

For example, you may want to apply for a manager position with Girl Scouts of America and have extensive professional experience as a manager, though not with a non-profit organization. However, in your spare time, you've sat on the boards of multiple non-profits in your community. This would be a great opportunity to include a "Professional/Community Involvement" section that could showcase your understanding of non-profit organizations coupled with your strong professional background as a manager.

If You're Thinking of Using a Template ...

If you are brand new to writing resumes, or simply want some help creating a new design, a template can provide a good starting point. However, it is smart to avoid following the template to a tee. You would be doing yourself a disservice by not critically thinking about each section in reference to each job you're applying for. This can result in your resume looking carbon copied - and ultimately ending up at the bottom of the stack.

By exploring what the company is looking for, and deciding what message you want to convey, you can have great success in choosing optional sections for your resume. So take your time and think out your purpose. You will find that doing so can help you create your perfect resume.

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 June 26, 2008 at 11:29 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

The following is the a sample cover letter you would use when applying to go to graduate school.

John Doe
1234 Broad Street
Small Town, IL 23456

January 1, 2009

Office of Admissions
School of Management
Ivy League University
123 Main Street
New England, CT 12345

To Members of the Admissions Committee -

This letter expresses my interest in applying fo admission to the School of Management's Fall 2003 MBA Program. I had the pleasure of interviewing with your alumnus, Mr. Baron Von Eidelhofen, a meeting that solidified my decision.

After comprehensive research into your program, I was pleased with your educational policies and the culturally diverse environment in which I can learn much from both professors and students of many nations.

The enclosed resume provides my inclusive and accomplished background, including:

• Seven years of experience in international banking
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Fluency and solid communication capabilities in English, French, and Italian
• Inspirational leadership in a cross-cultural environment in France and Italy

I will be visiting West Coast University during the second week of February to audit classes and interact with the students. Should you require additional information, I can be reached at the number above.

Sincerely,

John Doe

Article courtesy of Accounting Jobs Todaya place where accounting and finance professionals come together to share ideas, get the latest career tips, information and resources all in one place.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 26, 2008 at 11:17 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

The following is an example of the type of resume you could use when applying for an accounts receivable job.

JOHN DOE
Address, City, ST, Tel., Email

Career Objective
A position in Accounts Receivables-Collections Specialist.

Experience

03/03 to 07/05
Company, ST
Accounts Receivable Specialist

• Membership Accounting /Enrollment Services: duties include- Data entry, processing new enrollments, change request, and terminating members off the employers plan.
• Accounting duties include posting checks to the clients medical plan, allocation forms where attached with a copy of the clients check, adjustments to post misapplied checks, billing errors, retro credits, and debits.
• Premium payments of 60 days where reconciled, due at the end of the following month, and a discrepancy notice was mailed out to the client if needed. Also offered heavy customer service.

07/02 to 02/03
Company, ST
Accounts Receivable/Collections Specialist

• Manage all aspects of accounts receivable for membership. Maintain ATS files, add ATS contracts, make changes in existing contracts as needed with proper documentation, and posting checks to clear the clients balance within 24 hours.
• Mail renewal reminders for each branch by the 5th of every month. Assist in maintaining a global collection rate of 98%. Delete rejected items from A/R creating a balance due. Re-run all rejected credit cards. Make phone calls to all members with rejected items.
• Mail rejection letters for all rejected items within 48 hours. Communicate with all Program Directors and Membership Secretaries as needed for share information and records.

01/01 to 06/02
Company, ST
Collector

• Organize and manage multiple billing accounts including medical accounts, input data entry, review and analyze problem accounts, reconcile and close debtor accounts; proofread, edit, prepare and mail bills to debtors, keep deadlines, work with confidentiality, translate and interpret in Spanish.
• Consistently met a monthly quota of $18, 000 in collections and was promoted from receptionist to collector.

4/2000 - 1/2001
Company, ST
Clerical/Accounting Assistant I (Long Term Contract)

• Organized, reviewed and processed patient billing transaction; utilized computer equipment for inventory, patient submission before deadline, drafted, documented letters, administered and conducted interviews, reviewed caseloads and utilized interpersonal and times management skills.
• Balanced clerical responsibilities, answering phones, sorting and filing documents, worked well under pressure, conducted research assignments, and processed feed back of surveys.

08/94 to 02/00
Company, ST
Teacher's Assistant

• Assisted teacher with classroom assignments, instructed students with individual projects, tutored Spanish and math, conducted light teaching with special education students prepared setting requisitions for library materials and stockroom supplies.
• Operated learning aids, supervised school ground, edited, and graded student assignments.

Education:

College
Associates degree in Liberal Arts.

Special Skills:

Language

Proficient in writing and speaking Spanish.

Software

Microsoft Word, Excel, Oracle, and Internet.

Article courtesy of Accounting Jobs Todaya place where accounting and finance professionals come together to share ideas, get the latest career tips, information and resources all in one place.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 26, 2008 at 11:10 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

In our high tech society, recruiters and hiring managers probably don't receive many resumes through the regular mail. What's interesting is that some of our experts have stated that they won't look at a resume that isn't submitted electronically; however, most merely express a preference for emailed resumes because it's convenient and eco-friendly.

"I prefer resumes via email," says Craig Kasco, recruiter for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, "as it not only cuts down on paper, but also demonstrates that some technical knowledge is present as well."

Tina Hamilton, PHR for HireVision Group, says "For most modern hiring managers - we need the resume to come electronically. Some have elaborate data base systems and some simply maintain applicants via spreadsheets. Either way, we need to be able to electronically file the resume. Sending by mail or fax usually requires extra effort on our part to enter the resume into our system. It is also not very eco-friendly."

Karen Wright, operationg director for KMSU 89.7 FM, likes to receive resumes via email because she can "file them electronically and not have more paper clutter."

"I like to share the document with others in my organization and the email makes it easy to do so," says Debbie Anglin, principal for Anglin Public Relations.

Steven Himmelrich of Himmelrich Public Relations, is one who prefers email, but will accept paper resumes. "Asking candidates to respond via email allows me to see how they use the Internet, how they write both email messages and cover letters, if they understand how to format a document so someone else can open it, etc.," Himmelrich says.

Susan Peppercorn, founder and CEO of Inspiring Career, points out that "company Web sites will state the preference of the company and hiring manager. Unless explicitly stated by the company, the method used to submit the resume usually doesn't matter. What is more important than how the resume is submitted is for the applicant to follow up afterward," she advises.

Linda Pophal, HR expert and business journalist, has no particular preference as long as the resume is well written and meets her standards for originality, grammar and punctuation, and a willingness to acknowledge the roles others played in the completion of projects.

Like Debbie Anglin, Carol McLaughlin, branch manager of Spherion in Canton, Ohio, likes to share resumes, so email submissions work better for her. "This allows me to forward to clients, as well as add to my computer system's search function. By saving the resume to my computer, it allows me to find it quickly or search for it via certain skills or background contained within the body of the resume."

"We only accept resumes that are emailed to us," says Tom Ruff, founder of the Tom Ruff Company. "It is too time consuming to forward resumes that thave been mailed to us and in our industry, clients won't accept them."

Regardless of how you send your resume, as long as it meets the standards specified by the recruiter or hiring manager receiving it, you should be fine.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 26, 2008 at 8:37 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

One of the services I offer is cover letter writing. Many clients contact me and ask me to write both a resume and cover letter. I always tell them the same thing: I am happy to write a resume but let's wait until you are applying for a specific job or to a specific company to write that cover letter. Part of the reason for that is that the way I write cover letters is very customized. I need to learn about the person I am writing the cover letter for before I can create a really top notch document. The resume writing process usually offers me enough information to create a great cover letter but I still think its best to wait until you have some idea what job you are applying for before I write the cover letter for you.

When you write a cover letter here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Outline reasons you are interested in applying to the company.
Use the company website as well as Google and LinkedIn to search for information about the company and its employees. Specifically look for information that you find compelling and that somehow ties into your background or experience. Let's say that you earned a B.A. in Environmental Affairs but you are currently working in Government Affairs for an oil company. Find out about your target employer's Legislative/Government Affairs team - do they have one? If they do, what are the key issues facing the company? If they don't have a legislative affairs team, does it look to you like they could use one? Read newspaper articles about the company, it's officers, and their clients to see where you could add value. Include a couple of lines in the letter that explain how you could uniquely add value to the company and make sure it's clear you have researched the company. Employers are always attracted to candidates who take the time to do their due diligence.

2. Give a couple of examples of projects you have led, companies you started, or projects you have participated in (even if they were extra-curricular) that are relevant to the company (or department you are applying to) mission, goals, or values. Describe your accomplishments and any special skills you used as part of the project. You want a potential employer to read a few tangible examples of ways that your experience dovetails with the company mission. You are drawing a dotted line between your experience and the company's needs so that whomever reads the letter will see how you could be of value.

3. If your experience has been varied or diverse, include a few sentences that explain the commonalities between all of your experiences. I have seen resumes in which the resume owner's experience appears to be "all over the place". All kinds of different jobs that don't have much to do with one another. Normally there is a story behind these job changes but to the casual reader of a resume it just looks scattershot and, often, these resumes are set aside in favor of a resume with more of a linear career progression. If you are one of those people whose career has been extremely varied make sure you explain the common denominators and how they would benefit this employer...again you are painting a picture for the potential employer about how you could help them.

4. Understand that not everyone reads cover letters. Even if you write the world's best cover letter (I really think I do) understand that it may never be read and, if you are really determined to work for this particular company, have a backup plan. Find out the names of some employees on Linked In and try to network with any who are connected to your network. Once you know the names of some employees see if you can buy one of them a cup of coffee and find out more about the company and any employment opportunities. If your network doesn't extend to the company you could always try to cold call the HR representative or the head of the department in wish you wish to work - offer to buy them coffee and tell them that you are passionate about their industry and would like to find out more about the company. Flatter works as long as its sincere and not smarmy or creepy. No guarantees but a lot of people are willing to spend 15 minutes talking to someone who treats for the coffee.

5. You don't always need to submit a cover letter. If you are working with a recruiter the chances are that you won't need to submit a cover letter for job openings. If you are applying for an a job that is posted on a company's website and there is a box in which you can add a cover letter it means that you probably should. If you have a friend who works for the company and who wants to submit your resume to HR you may not need a cover letter - ask your friend about the expectations. If, however, you plan to contact a company at which you have no contacts it's a good idea to include a cover letter that explains your interest in the company or in a specific job opening.

A great cover letter draws a line between your experiences and the company's needs. You want to remove the "Why is this woman/man applying to our company and how is his/her background relevant?" question out of the equation. You want to make it clear that you can add value and you want to show some specific examples of how you may have done so in other jobs in the past. There are no guarantees that a great cover letter will get you an interview but under the right circumstances it certainly increases your odds.

Article by Liz Handlin and courtesy of Ultimate Resumes

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 25, 2008 at 12:09 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Below is a sample cover letter a candidate might use when applying for any entry-level position. Of course, he would specify the position in a real cover letter.

John Doe
1234 Broad Street
Small Town, IL 23456

January 1, 2009

Joe Smith
Human Resources Manager
Restaurant Company
123 South Beach Rd.
Miami, FL 12345

Dear Mr. Smith -

I am writing to apply for an entry level position with your company in the Accounting/Business area. My experience in accounting and the additional skills that I have obtained will make me an asset to your team. I have strong experience in payroll administration, accounts payable, journal entries, and contracts administration. I am thrilled to know that your industries work is related to my interests.

As indicated in my resume, I have graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Big State University. During the last three years, I have had the opportunity to work in many areas of accounting, and I really believe that this experience has prepared me for the industry.

I am very interested in an opportunity and would enjoy meeting you to discuss possible positions. I believe that my previous experiences will make me an asset to your company.

Sincerely,

John Doe

Article courtesy of Accounting Jobs Todaya place where accounting and finance professionals come together to share ideas, get the latest career tips, information and resources all in one place.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 25, 2008 at 11:20 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Below is a second example of a resume you could use when applying for an accounting clerk's job.

JOHN DOE
1234 Main Street
City, ST 12345
(800)123-4567
E-Mail: John.Doe@Email.com

Objective: To obtain a position where I can utilize my strategic and analytical capabilities to drive growth in the Business World.

Education:
University
Master of Business Administration
August, 2005; GPA: 3.36

College
Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics; Emphasis in Accounting
September, 2004; GPA: 3.01

Dean's Honors Award
Honors Scholarship: Scholarship Foundation

Professional Experience:
Night Auditor: March 2007 - Present
Hotel and Resort, City, ST

• Enter sales data for all revenue centers of Hotel into Excel Spreadsheets.
• Independently review and place all adjustments and miscellaneous charges into proper accounts with mathematical formula.
• Compile records of all compensatory receipts and sales for end of month data processing and reporting.
• Perform closing journal entries for all general ledger accounts of the Hotel and create daily Income Summary Reports.
• Organize Daily Audit for record keeping, and integrate end of month audits into Quarterly Report.
• Assist in completing weekend audits for daytime audit team for completion.
• Help guests and manage phone calls in absence of Night Manager, or as needed.

Company: November 2005 - June 2007
Attempted Startup

• Developed and refined business plan. Completed financial statements, balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. Developed initial sales and cost projections in the plan.
• Executed the start-up phase including recruitment of participants
• Formed partnerships with various colleges and universities
• Performed market research, developed and executed marketing strategy
• Assisted in developing and refining marketing material including website, brochure, program guidelines and application

Instructional Assistant: July 2001 - June 2002
University

• Assisted with setting up classroom media equipment in computer services area.
• Entered work orders for recharges in Excel.
• Completed work orders for services provided by other employees during extremely busy office hours.
• Performed basic repairs on customer computer systems: hardware installation, software installation, operating system repair, and virus repair.

Professional Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point, and Access. Very skilled typist (incl. very fast 10-key).
• Very fast learner and detail oriented.
• Experience with accounting software, Eden's InForum Gold and CSS.
• Extensive experience working in a team environment with people of all ages. Most of my education completed was done in a team environment. My strengths in these settings were usually analytical, mathematical, and final review (editing). All groups consistently placed at the top of every project.
• Excellent writing skills. I edited classmates' thesis in the MBA program for their final class project assignment.
• Experience in closing bank statements and creating Financial Statements for Quarterly and Yearly Reports.

Courtesy of Accounting Jobs Today, a place where accounting and finance professionals come together to share ideas, get the latest career tips, information and resources all in one place.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 25, 2008 at 10:57 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Below is one a example of the type of resume you could use when applying for an accounting clerk position.

Work Experience:
01/'00 - 04/07 Company, ST
Full Charge Bookkeeping

• Performed all full charge bookkeeping duties for a retail leasing and financial services office with gross sales of $250,000.00 (01/00-06/03)
• Set up the company and their Chart of Accounts using Peachtree
• Set up all A/P, A/R, Employee, Vendor and Supplier accounts within Peachtree
• I am comfortable working with the General Ledger
• I am well versed in making journal entries to post to accounts
• Generated all financial reports: Balance Sheet, P/L and Budgeting Reports
• Tracked and reported on aged payables and receivables
• Prepared and submitted all Federal and State income, licensing and payroll reports and deposits
• Filed Hometown E.T.C.'s Federal Form 1120A
• Processed and issued all payroll check. Both hourly, Salary and commissions
• Issued the employee's their W2 forms
• Set up, batched and processed all EFT/ACH receivables
• Made bank deposits, withdrawals and cash needs projections
• Wrote and implemented cash drawer procedures
• Performed and supervised others in, cash drawer daily closing
• Did all bank and accounts reconciliations
• Researched and resolved all A/P and A/R discrepancies
• Trained and supervised four to six income tax preparers annually
• Provided the training and did reporting necessary to remain in compliance with the IRS

10/'88 - 07/'99 Company, ST
Group Leader

• Supervised between 15 and 25 union autoworkers in an auto manufacturing facility that produced on average 450 cars per shift
• Tracked, reported on and researched variances of our $4 million departmental budget
• Oversaw my group's safety performance, training and improvements
• Evaluated suggestions that were generated from my team members
• Resolved labor relation concerns within my group (incl. Progressive Discipline)
• Ensured that my team members were adequately trained and cross trained
• Developed, through daily mentoring, my team members and team leaders for advancement
• Taught employee development classes such as "Meeting Skills", "Problem Solving" and the "Toyota Production System"
• Managed my group's physical and financial resources to stay within budget

Education/Training:
College, A.S. Natural Sciences (3.2 g.p.a.)

Tech Knowledge:
Small office networking (cabled/wireless)/MS Office/Various Tax, Loan and Leasing software/Troubleshooting office machinery/Peachtree/QuickBooks/Internet/Email

Work Attributes:
Honest, self-motivated, good communicator, problem solver, team player, respectful, quick learner, reliable, considerate, organized and punctual

Article courtesy of Accounting Jobs Today, a place where accounting and finance professionals come together to share ideas, get the latest career tips, information and resources all in one place.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 25, 2008 at 10:53 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Whether you're a recent college graduate looking for entry-level employment or a student seeking an internship, you're going to need a resume. Most employers want to see a cover letter, too, but more than that, they want to see a resume that looks as if the candidate took his time with it and put some thought into where he's applying.

I asked my resume experts what resume "faux pas" (false steps) annoyed them the most. The consensus was TYPOS. No one liked them and most said they would toss a resume that had them into the trash. But there are other resume flaws that could hinder a candidate's chance of landing just the right entry-level job or internship opportunity.

Carly Drum, managing director of Drum Associates, doesn't like to see "silly email addresses for contact."

Two things that don't sit well with Tom Ruff, founder and CEO of the Tom Ruff Company, are "sending a draft of the resume where you can still see the editing notes," and "emailing the resume to multiple people at once instead of personalizing the email to an individual: laziness doesn't score points."

Craig Kasco, recruiter for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, also dislikes "blanket resumes" because "it shows that the applicant has not put any thought into the application process at all."

Like some others, Linda Pophal, human resource management expert and business journalist, has three pet peeves:

• "Submitting what is clearly a generic 'form letter'
• Misspelling the name of the company and/or hiring manager - along with giving a sense that the candidate has not done enough background research to understand the company and its needs
• A focus on 'I' vs. 'we' - candidates whose resumes speak about all of the great things they've accomplished independently are always suspect. In most cases it takes a team to make things happen."

Steven Himmelrich of Himmelrich Public Relations, dismisses candidates who exaggerate. And he advises candidates to list all experiences on their resumes. He said he was "far more impressed with the waitressing than the internships" of a woman he interviewed because the waitressing jobs, he said, show "perserverance, hard work, and commitment."

Kassi Belz, director of client services for MassMedia agrees with Himmelrich, "What most college students don't understand is that you can include those part-time bartending and retail jobs on your resume. The key is indentifying the skill sets they learned at these jobs and how it can help this business."

Dr. Rachelle J. Canter, president of RJC Associates, dislikes exaggerated resumes. "The reader doesn't expect a resume that sounds like a 35-year-old's, and if they get one, they'll think you're engaging in puffery," she warns.

"Weak language is a major faux pas," says Lisa Mitrenko, senior manager for Capital One. "Using strong action verbs that are relevant to the position being applied for are important. Recruiters read many resumes and so making sure that there are words that will grab their attention is important."

Debbie Anglin, principal for Anglin Public Relations, Inc. pointed out that "many resumes are missing start and end dates for employment history, the name of the company (i.e. Marketing Intern at a Dallas Gas Company) or an understandable, brief descripiton of what they did for the employer."

Karen Wright, operations director for KMSU 89.7 FM and Tina Hamilton, PHR for HireVision Group, have similar pet peeves. For Wright, it's on the cover letter and the resume, "when students write the salutation to the wrong person (from a completely different company) or not changing the objective on their resume to fit the job for which they are applying (such as saying they want a computer programming job when they are applying for a news reporter position)." Hamilton, too, is turned off by inattention to the objective portion of a resume. "The 'Objective' noted on top is different from the position in which they are applying (ex: Applying for an Engineering postition - Objective is to be a Graphic Artist). this is sudden death for any resume that I receive," she says.

Sue Thompson, author and speaker, Michelle Tillis Lederman, founder of Executive Essentials, and Lee Salz, founder of Sales Dodo, provide a little food for thought for recent college graduates looking for entry-level jobs as well as students seeking quality internships:

"In a professional atmosphere, I need my employees to be able to communicate professionally. A cover letter and resume are the first impression I receive that they may or may not be able to do this," says Thompson.

"If the resume is not inviting to read - I don't read it," says Lederman. "If I have to trudge through a bullet with three adjectives and lots of big words and have no idea what I read even after reading it three times - I am done reading."

Finally, Lee Salz has interesting advice about the purpose of a resume, "Resumes should be designed to tell a story. Give your resume to multiple people (professors, business friends, etc.) and ask what message the resume communicates. If the message it sends is not the intended one, back to work!"

Well, there you have it, great advice from people who may one day end up reading your resume. My advice, heed theirs.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 24, 2008 at 8:24 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Hobbies on resumes? You have got to be kidding! I thought that went out in the '70's.

They did, when people put their hobbies like this:

Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Bicycling.

Who cares? No one, and that's why they went out. But here's a way to make them "in" again. If you list hobbies, make sure they are relevant to your targeted career (your audience) or differentiate you in the right way or are truly a part of your personal brand.

For example, I worked with an IT consultant who wanted to relocate. He was a young person with three years' experience in IT. In his previous life though, and while working his way through college, our IT consultant had a side job - as a rock climbing instructor. How cool! Here's a person who takes risks, who is athletic, and has a life outside a dimly lit screen. We added this job to his resume. Result? He sent out two resumes and got two offers. He called me while on the road - in his new company-paid car - and said, "Wendy, all they talked about was my rock climbing! Can you believe it?"

Here's another. I worked with a nurse (RN) who had experience and wanted out of staff nursing. She wanted to transition into pharmaceutical sales, but she technically had no sales experience. In addition to her many transferable skills (like terminology, physician connections, etc.), we added her "hobby." She was a marathon runner. And she had placed in the top three for a variety of marathons more than once. She also competed worldwide - and had run a marathon in Prague. Again, GUTS. This hobby demonstrated that she was very competitive, had drive, endurance, and played to win. Good traits in sales.

And my own experience (albeit a while back), I was a newspaper reporter. I covered the HOG (Harley Owner's Group) rally in Milwaukee. Yep, dressed like a biker and interviewed Harley owners from around the globe. Awesome! My story got nominated for a national award. I put this on my resume when job hunting. Got called by a recruiting firm. They had heard about me before, and now it was time to interview. Guess what? The guy interviewing me owned the Harley parked outside. We talked about the article and Harleys for about an hour. I then met the operations manager and the president and got the offer. Here I had my portfolio with my performance evals and records, and they wanted to talk about Harleys. Later, I asked about that. They said, "Wendy, we already knew all about you. We know that when so-and-so took over the old office, people were still asking about you for two years. We knew about the performance records. That's why we kept calling. But, we needed to see if you'd be a fit for our team. Well, after you talked with so-and-so about Harleys, we knew you would fit right in." Old "so and so" was my boss for a while. When he left, I got to be boss - for that department.

These stories are not just about hobbies, but rather a culture fit within the organization. In the employment biz, we call it "right fit." Think about this, the average person spends 2080 to 2600 hours per year at work! Wouldn't it be nice to enjoy being there?

Challenge: What are your hobbies? Are they relevant to your career goal? Would they be a differentiator for you? Do they demonstrate your brand? Your attributes that are hot selling points for the role? If so, take a risk. Add it to your resume.

Article by, Wendy Terwelp 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 June 23, 2008 at 1:10 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

You have recently made the decision to exit one career and enter a new one, which can be both exciting and a little bit scary. But while the choice to make the career switch was probably a grueling one, the prospect of explaining your lack of job experience to potential employers is probably downright terrifying.

Though you may be concerned about drawing attention to this missing portion of your career history, don't spend too much time dwelling on it. The truth is, if you really desire to move into your new career, you can do it. You just have to believe in yourself and present this belief in your cover letters. Let's look at how you can do it ...

Be Honest about Why You're Changing Careers

When you begin explaining why you're switching careers in your cover letter, it is best to be as honest as possible. You can do this by remembering that at some point you sat alone and contemplated your reasons for making this major life decision. So take this time to revisit those reasons. Are you switching because you weren't fulfilled in your previous career? Or do you believe that you've always had talent in this field and now you want to pursue it?

Whatever your reasons may be, express them well. Doing so may help prospective employers better relate to your new-found passion. Even more, it may inspire them to take a chance with you, even if you have less experience in this specific career than other candidates.

Discuss Your Relevant Experience

As mentioned previously, you may not have an extensive background in the career you are pursuing, but that's okay. If you have relevant professional experience, you can simply dig that up to show the prospective employer your ability to perform.

For instance, you may have years of experience working as a PR manager. However, you would like to become a marketing manager because you're interested in branding products, participating in trade shows, and getting the company name out to the public. As a PR manager, you may have experience talking to the media on behalf of your company, and developing strategies to help create the proper public image. So you can note these and other relevant PR experiences in your cover letter to show that your understanding of the company's public image and products can easily be applied to a marketing career.

Do You Believe in Yourself?

You should question how much you believe in yourself before writing your cover letter. Why? Because you are making a major change in your life that requires courage, and could possibly face a little rejection. If you hold fear in your heart, it can easily translate on paper. So before you write your cover letter, it is a good idea to develop and nurture your belief in your capabilities. This can boost your confidence and possibly help the potential employer take a greater interest in you.

Switching careers can definitely be an intimidating prospect to consider. But if you have confidence in your abilities, the skills to back it up, and a great cover letter to boot, you will be well on your way to successfully entering an exciting new career in the field you absolutely love.

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 June 19, 2008 at 2:46 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Jeff Benrey, CEO of Trovix, is a fountainhead of resume writing advice. Below are nine tips and tricks for job seekers to consider before submitting their resumes to employers:

1) You're More Exceptional than You Think

• Often employers can input your current job description into an online search and find the same language - including social networking sites. Always assume that any information you've uploaded to the Internet is public. Keep personal social networking information separate from your resume and professional information.

2) All May Not Be Fine with the Fine Print

• There are options on many popular job search Web sites that allow you to determine which employers can contact you, instead of the reverse. These new services allow more control over your job search and who sees your resume.

3) Be Consistent and Truthful or Get Caught

• When updating your professional online information, profile or resume, be consistent in the details that matter, such as companies, titles, schools and degrees. It's okay to highlight different skills for different audiences and jobs, but making up significantly different pieces of information may attract the attention of not only your current employer, but your potential employer as well.

4) Beware the Modern "Cookie Trail"

• Don't forget to eliminate old resumes or inaccurate information. Old information online can be misleading to your current or potential employers. Set up a Google Alert for your name - to your personal e-mail account.

5) Beware of All Eyes upon You

• E-mail Addresses - Do not use your work email for job hunting. Use your personal email address or create a new account to be in touch with current and future job opportunities.


• Phone Numbers - Remember not to use your work number as some employers review and monitor phone call logs. Alternatively, use your mobile or home phone or even a separate phone number that is only for voice mail.


• Volunteer Titles - While many employers like to see that candidates are helping their community or cause, posting too much information may tip off your current boss.

6) Add keywords in the context of your skills and experience.

Being a recent graduate, you may not have ten years of work experience. However, you may have been in charge of promoting the environmental club at school. Be sure to reflect this on your resume to demonstrate the skills you gained from the opportunity.

7) Keep the format of your resume consistent.

If you list your most recent job by Company, Title, Date then, be sure to list your previous employment experiences in the same order as well. A clean and orderly resume is very important so that search technology can easily interpret your information.

8) Label sections properly.

The fancier you get, the more inconsistent you become. You want to make it relatively easy for search engines or software to parse your resume accordingly. Otherwise, you may not get the credit for that section of your resume.

9) Include your contact information in plain view.

It is very easy for this information to become buried in the header or footer and may be missed.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 19, 2008 at 9:40 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

One of the many people who responded to my query about resumes and cover letters was Jeff Benrey, CEO of Trovix. While Benrey's advice is tailored more toward job seekers who like to use the Internet for most - if not all - of their job searching, certain aspects of it are useful to all.

Here's Benrey's advice:

Optimizing Your Resume for Online Job Search

1. Don't focus on keywords. Instead, draw recruiters to your experience. If you feel like you need *meta tags, put them at the bottom of the page.


2. Make sure your job titles are current. You may not find many listings for a secretary; however an executive assistant may pull up more results.


3. Create multiple resumes. If you have several resumes, each focusing on different strengths, a search will find more jobs for you to choose from.


4. Avoid special tables, fonts and graphics. Simple formats will help yield greater results.


5. Add keywords in the context of your skills and experience. Being a recent graduate, you may not have ten years of experience, but you may have been in charge of marketing for the environmental club. Be sure to reflect this on your resume to demonstrate the skills you gained from the opportunity.


6. Keep the format of your resume consistent. If you list your most recent job by Company, Title, Date, then be sure to list your previous employment experiences in the same order as well. A clean and orderly resume is very important so that search engines can easily interpret your information.


7. Label sections properly. The fancier you get, the more inconsistent you become.


8. Include your contact information in plain view. It is very easy for this information to become buried in the header or footer.

*Okay, I admit I'm far from Internet-savvy and had absolutely no clue what meta tags are. I found out, though. Courtesy of Jeff Benrey, meta tags are HTML codes that can be added to online posted resumes and may help with search results placement with some search engines. These meta tags are an "invisible" collection of keywords that you can add to your resume's HTML file at either the header or footer of the page. Caution: When including key word meta tags, be sure that you have the skills and experience to back it up. The problem with meta tags arises when the keywords that you use lead one to believe that you have more experience than you actually do. This dishonesty will certainly be revealed in the interviewing process.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 19, 2008 at 9:17 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Phone interviews or screenings are popular with recruiters who want to hire college students for jobs and internships. Here are telephone interview tips to get hired.

Doing a job interview over the telephone has become an extremely important recruiting tool as managers try to lower hiring costs. Poor performance in the phone interview will severely limit the college student's chance of an on-site job interview.

College students who manage the distractions, have good phone manners, and keep the job search strategy in mind increase their chances of success in the telephone interview.

Manage Distractions - Find Quiet Spots

• A noisy dining hall creates distractions not only for the college student, but also for the recruiter who is trying to hear answers. Most college career centers are more than happy to accommodate students in quiet on-campus interview rooms.
• Cell phone etiquette is an important consideration when scheduling phone interviews while in class or at work. Recruiters are usually very receptive to re-scheduling telephone interview sessions at the student's convenience.
• If using a cell phone, find a place where signal strength is strong and stay there until the telephone call is completed. Tell the recruiter if you fear losing signals and get a telephone number to call back if disconnected. The college career center is one location on campus to find reliable land lines in a quiet place to do a telephone interview.

Watch Phone Manners

• College students should remember to speak clearly and watch tone and energy level in the telephone interview. Seasoned recruiters and hiring managers know when candidates have low energy or are distracted over the telephone. Since the recruiter cannot see the candidate during the phone interview, a positive tone is a big part of making a good first impression.
• Stay professional and polite in the phone interview. If on a speaker phone, take note of everyone who is introduced and acknowledge everyone listening, just as you would for an onsite job interview.
• Watch slang use during telephone interviews. Every word used is important to the recruiter who is listening intently. Hiring managers are not just interested in a high energy tone; they also take notes on good or weak verbal communication skills.
• Listen carefully. In the absence of body language it is very important to listen carefully and answer clearly.
• Smile. A pleasant persona will actually come across during the telephone interview.

Keep Job Search Strategy in Mind

• Remember, the phone screening is still a job interview and job seekers should not forget to ask questions. Ask for a face-to-face job interview or a site visit.
• At the end of the initial telephone interview, college students should be clear about the next steps and restate their interest in moving to the next step.
• College students should avoid asking questions about the company or the job that can be answered with a quick visit to the company website.

By: Marcia Robinson of BullsEyeResumes College Blog. Marcia coaches, trains, and writes on career, workplace, and education issues for students and career professionals.

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 June 17, 2008 at 12:45 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The cover letter is one of those things that most hiring managers say they want but others say they can do without and will even ignore if it's provided. Well, image consultant, marketing/management expert, and CEO of MSCO, Mark Stevens wants to see a cover letter ... and not just any cover letter either. Read on and see how to impress not only Stevens, but possibly every employer who picks up a copy of your resume:

Cover letters are great. Cover letters suck.

Resumes are great. Resumes suck.

Why do some fall in the first camp (winners) and others in the second (fodder for the waste basket)?

The losers lack the element of surprise.

You reach to read a resume and you know what you will see 99.9 percent of the time: "Highly ambitious, graduate of xyz U, a wonderful person adored by all."

Next.

I want a cover letter because I want to hear candidates think. To discover that they can find a way to command my attention not with the usual academic honors window dressing but, as I noted, the element of surprise.

Some time ago, I received a cover letter that began:

"I am tired of banging my head against the wall."

That caught my attention. The applicant was referring to a fruitless search for a company with substance. The element of surprise captured my attention, I read on, she appeared to have the right stuff and I hired her.

A resume produced in cookie cutter fashion virtually assures that you won't get called.

When I pitched Smith Barney to get their business I started by tell them that their marketing sucks. Surprise!

But even bigger surprise, we landed the business.

Look like everyone else and it's likely you'll never get the job. Stand out. Take a risk. Break the rules.

That's what recruiters really want to see. It's a measure of the type of employee you'll be.

Article courtesy of Mark Stevens, bestselling author of Your Marketing Sucks, Your Management Sucks, and God Is A Salesman.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 17, 2008 at 7:31 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Recruiters, also called headhunters, get paid by companies to beat the bushes for talented employees.

Recruiters can be an important tool in your job-search arsenal.

So, anything you can do to get noticed by more recruiters can ultimately help you get hired faster by employers.

Here are two ways to do just that. One is new and high-tech. The other is neither.

1. Tweet on Twitter

   You may have heard about Twitter.com. It's a social networking site that's been described as "micro blogging" -- a cross between instant messaging and blogging -- because you're allowed only 140 characters per post.

   In addition to posting "tweets" about your own life, you can search for and "follow" people on Twitter to see what they're up to in real time.

   And it just might help you start a relationship with a recruiter that leads to a new job. Because recruiters, especially those who fill high-tech positions, are using Twitter to find and be found by candidates.

   "I recently got three referrals to candidates within two minutes of posting on Twitter about a job I was trying to fill," says Paul DeBettignies, Managing Partner of Nerd Search, a Minneapolis-based recruiting firm.

   But how can you get on a headhunter's radar using Twitter?

   One way is to find and follow them, to learn more about who they are and what they're looking for. Example: a search for "technical recruiter" on Twitter returned 26 profiles, while "management recruiter" produced 31. Pick a few that look interesting and follow their postings for a few days.

   Meanwhile, think carefully about what to include in your Twitter Bio. Include job titles and other terms that make your name pop up for the right searches. "Be very task-oriented about the specific job you're after, which
   will determine what you post and how you respond to others," advises Tavis Hudson, a recruiter at Technical Resources, in Chanhassen, Minn.

   "I've met more than 20 candidates in person after first developing a relationship with them on Twitter, and one of them is interviewing right now for a software-related position," says Hudson.

   I suggest you try Twitter for 30 days with a specific goal, like arranging a phone call with at least one recruiter or networking meetings with at least two people who work at your target employers.








2. Get a Personal Referral

   There are other, less technical ways to find a recruiter. Like referrals from live humans, for example.

   Who among your friends and family is looking for a job now? You probably know at least one person who could recommend a recruiter.

   That's how one man from Wisconsin got hired by a Fortune 500 firm in St. Paul -- the recruiter who introduced him to the job was referred by his wife!

   "Tom was a Sr. Manufacturing Engineer who came to me after we placed his wife in an office management role. They wanted to relocate to the Twin Cities to be closer to family," says Annie Jenstad, a recruiter for Doherty Staffing Solutions, in Edina, Minn.

   While Jenstad had no suitable openings for Tom, she did find a job posting that looked promising, on a small, niche Web site.

   "We called the company and marketed Tom as a perfect fit, because they needed someone with his experience," says Jenstad.

   Two weeks and two interviews later, he accepted the position.

   Now. You could chalk all this up to luck. But here's where I really agree with the Roman Seneca, who wrote, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

   How prepared are you for opportunity in your job search? That will largely determine how lucky you get.

Good news: Preparation is 100% within your control.

And it starts between your ears.

To start with, it must be perfectly clear in your mind what job you want and where you want to do it. Otherwise, it won't be clear in anybody else's mind. And you'll be less likely to benefit from a chance encounter on Twitter or a conversation with your spouse's recruiter.

So, why not create your own luck, whether it's meeting recruiters online or making networking contacts in person, by preparing for tomorrow's opportunities today?

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. copyright (c) 2008 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 June 16, 2008 at 9:15 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Wikipedia defines a helicopter parent as someone who pays extremely close attention to his or her child or children, particularly while at educational institutions. The term suggests that like an actual helicopter, parents "hover" nearby, able to swoop in quickly to address, fix or handle situations.

The term is mostly used in a derogative way on college campuses, since these helicopter parents are accused of rushing in to prevent any harm or failure from befalling children, sometimes, despite protests from the children or college students they seek to protect.

Valerie Strauss in an article for Washington Post, says helicopter parents "are needy, overanxious and sometimes plain pesky -- and schools at every level are trying to find ways to deal with them".

As schools try to deal with helicopter parents, administrators have to balance other research that shows that students with strong parental involvement do better in school. The Harvard Family Research Project found that teens, whose parents played an active role in their education, do better in school and are more likely to enroll in college.

If parental influence supports better attainment in high schools, why would that not hold true for college students? Opponents of helicopter parenting would appear to be saying that once students are safely enrolled in college, parents should immediately take a hands-off approach.

With HigherEdInfo.com showing a 6-year college graduation rate in the US at 56.4% in 2006 and the 2003 annual ACT survey showed that only 37.5% of two-year college students were graduating within three years, is there a role for helicopter parents?

Experience, Inc., a provider of career advice and job hunting tools for students and alumni, surveyed more than 400 college students and new graduates on their parental involvement in college life. The overwhelming majority of college students described their parents as moderately involved. Twenty five percent of students in the survey responded that their parents were "overly involved to the point that their involvement was either annoying or embarrassing." Additionally, 13% of the respondents said their parents were not involved at all.

Is it possible that parental involvement at the college level could enhance rather than hinder college student graduation rates? Should college administrators now begin to embrace rather than reject helicopter parents?

To find out if your parents are helicopter parents or if you are a helicopter parent, the College Board offers a great quick 12-question quiz that could help you as a parent gauge your current level of involvement with your children. Whether or not, one agrees or disagrees with their quiz results, I did not agree with mine, it does offer the opportunity for personal reflection and could be the foundation of a conversation between college students and parents.

By: Marcia Robinson and courtesy of BullsEyeResumes College Blogs. Robinson has been coaching, training, and writing on career, workplace, employment and education issues for students and career professionals for 10 years.

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 June 16, 2008 at 9:00 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

The more I learn about resume writing, the more I realize that a lot of it is a matter of taste. There are some universal standards that I will discuss in later articles, but there are also some things that most people will say turn them off, but one or two others say are okay. So, I recently sent out a query to get more information on just what turns employers off and what gets their attention when reading resumes.

One of the experts who answered my query is Mark Stevens, an image consultant, marketing/management expert, and CEO of MSCO. Although he isn't as radical as Seth Godin, who recommends doing away with a resume altogether, Stevens does suggest breaking away from the rest of the pack. The following are his thoughts:

Most resumes suck.

Stevens recommends NOT TO follow the rules that everyone else does. Dare to
be different - you'll stand out from the crowd...

Stevens' Resume Advice:

Putting your worst foot forward: The toll of the cookie cutter resume. In
the annual ritual that begins with high school summer jobs then college
graduation - hopefully, with a job in hand, millions of students appear to
do their best to squander a costly education. Why? Because they forgo even
an iota of creativity and send out cookie cutter resumes that camouflage
whatever intelligence, innovation and personality they may have.

Why the cookie cutter resume sucks:

+ALWAYS SEND A COVER LETTER..don't just regurgitate your educational
experience here or duplicate your resume. Sell yourself. Talk about an
experience that changed your life, or an epiphany that came to you one day
while sitting in the classroom. Or an incredible trip you took somewhere
that opened your eyes and taught you a real life lesson. Stand out from the
crowd. Put your self in the person's shoes who is reading your resume.
Picture them reading 50-100 resumes. Will yours get picked or will it end up
in the circular file?

+Forget the "rules" about keeping it to a page or even writing it. Get the
decision maker's phone number and leave your resume as a voice mail. You
have become a living, beathing voice. Who would you hire?

+ Most resumes follow all the "rules" giving your name, address and school.
Certainly if you're laid off after a long career who really can get excited
about where you went to school?

+It doesn't start with your most prominent accomplishment. It is linear.

+As a newcomer to the job hunt - if you wrote a play, developed a piece of software or spent a summer learning Manchurian in China - say that first and
say it big. Who cares about your name when you made things happen.

+You don't need to win a Pulitzer to do big things. If you ran a charitable
event, tell what motivated you and how you got to run it. Grade scores don't
hold a candle to this.

Research the company and imagine what they could do better. And use this
knowledge to write "What I would do on day one."

If you follow these rules, everyone you know will wonder how you landed a
job.

As always, any information pertaining to a successful job search can also be applied to your search for a quality internship. Just think, if you master the art of resume and cover letter writing during internship searches, when it comes time to start looking for an entry-level job after graduation, you'll be a pro.

Article courtesy of Mark Stevens, bestselling author of Your Marketing Sucks, Your Management Sucks, and God Is A Salesman.

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 16, 2008 at 6:59 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

The process of applying for a job can be taxing to say the least. But the process of writing a cover letter can be downright exhausting - especially when you're unsure of how to express your interest in that job you're applying for.

The good news is that expressing your interest can be as simple as taking the initiative to do some deep digging. That is, digging for information on how the position fulfills the company's goals, what they are looking for in an employee, and what you're looking for in a job. Of course, getting this done requires research. So to help you get started, here are a few ideas ...

Research the Position

One of your main goals when writing your cover letter will be to convince the prospective employer that you know what they need in their hiring position - and that you're the person to give them just that. To get this done, you'll need to gain some perspective on what the job entails.

A good way to get started is by researching the responsibilities assumed in that position. You can learn specific duties by reviewing the job posting, and even contacting Human Resources, for additional information. Also, you can visit career websites that give details of various job descriptions. Afterward, you can try to determine how your previous experiences will enhance the position. By adding this element to your cover letter, you can "wow" the employer with your expertise and passion for helping their company grow.

Research the Company

Another great way to develop your cover letter is to gather specific details about the company. It isn't a good idea to treat all companies the same, as each has its own culture and mission. This means you'll want to learn more about the company's specific culture and goals by conducting a little research.

What kind of research? Well, for starters you can search their website for information on their business, strategy, products, services, and even employee activities. This will help you better understand the company's profile. And if you need more, you can call Human Resources to request information pieces that can help you gather additional background information. Between these resources, you should have useful information that can help you develop a sense of how your presence will enhance the company's mission and goals.

Research Yourself

After you've researched the position and company it is time to get honest with yourself. Are you applying for the job because you want money or status? Or because you really want to learn, grow, and enhance the company's mission? It's a really good idea to sit down and contemplate these ideas because they will not only help you determine whether you're moving in the right direction career-wise, they will also help you write an honest cover letter.

Writing a cover letter is not as difficult as you think, especially when you take time to conduct research on the position, company and yourself. So take this opportunity to fine-tune your career motivations while at the same time creating a cover letter that just might help you land your ideal job.

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 June 12, 2008 at 3:43 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

I spent part of my day today helping a client craft a compelling award nomination for a competition that a regional news journal is hosting to recognize outstanding women. As I was working with her I thought about the fact that many people don't think of self nominating for awards which, I think, means they are missing some opportunities. Don't be shy, apply for any local or national awards, leadership classes (like Leadership Austin or Leadership Greater Chicago), or other sorts of recognition. If you don't apply just remember that you will not win. And if you do apply the worst that can happen is that you won't win which isn't so bad.

I am not sure that many people realize that very often PR firms nominate their clients for awards and/or create buzz to help them win awards. People who win "40 Under 40" or "30 Under 30" awards are very often campaigned for by professionals - in other words they didn't passively sit by and hope they the were considered one of the best and brightest. They took action to give themselves an advantage. I mention this because I think that sometimes people are under the impression that just because they don't win awards means that maybe they aren't achievers when the truth is that sometimes you have to pursue awards in order to even be considered.

Many of my clients are superstars who have an entire section of their resumes devoted to awards and recognition. Many of these people self nominated for the awards they won. I have known a lot of people who feel shy about either self nominating or about asking someone else to nominate them and I always tell them to just get over it and send in that application. Or, you can hire someone like myself to write the application for you. The important thing is to take advantage of opportunities to apply for any and every award you can...every time you win one it will give you something good to put on your resume.

Article by Liz Handlin and courtesy of Ultimate Resumes

Posted by Candice Arnold on June 9, 2008 at 12:37 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

So you have executed a successful job search and landed a new job and you are anxious to get started building your new career in a new company. Once you get over your new employee fears and get oriented to your new space, you will find it takes more than smiles and kind words to fit in.

Here are few things to keep in mind as you make the transition.

Don't whine. At least not to the people you work with at the office. Talk about any job challenges or work related issues with friends, family or trusted colleagues in other companies, and not with your new coworkers. Avoid complaining about too much work, too many assignments or too long hours at the office. The fact is, no one really cares how much you have to do since everyone else has their own work, their own assignments, and their own long hours to deal with. Avoid becoming too cozy with the established resident whiners in your new company as well.

Make your manager aware of what you are doing and ask for feedback. A colleague once talked to me about a new energetic recruit who showed a lot of initiative on the job. Although this new worker meant really well, as my colleague put it, "She was running a great race, but she was in the wrong stadium completely." Make sure the work you are doing is relevant and critical to the department's mission. Additionally, make sure your work is being noticed. It will take a while for you to get into your groove in your new office, and making sure you are not working contrary to the flow is good. Watch also that you are not inheriting assignments from those who want to hand off their jobs.

Show enthusiasm and energy for the job, business or industry you are in now. If you just got hired by the largest plumbing fixture manufacturing supply company, you need to get excited about plumbing fixture manufacturing supplies business. People who enjoy the domains they work in are interested in learning more and will ultimately tend to do better on the job. If you are not prepared to have meaningful conversations about your job or the industry within which your company operates, you will not be happy.

Stay on time. If you have a problem being punctual, work really hard to correct that behavior. Be in the office on time, if not early, be back from lunch on time and do not pack up twenty minutes before your shift or day is supposed to end. Arrive on time for meetings and work harder on your own time if you have to. Of course today's workforce is more about productivity than time spent in the office, but it is still a good idea for to show others you respect their time. Once you understand the protocols and the routines of the office, schedules can change.

Limit talk about what you did in your old job, company or worse in a class. This one is pretty hard to do, but it is something you will master eventually. It is been my experience that people sometimes don't want to hear new ideas if they came from your old job, old company or worse from a class. Of course your prior knowledge will show in your work, but limit talking about where your skills come from. Feel free to credit publications, the media or a conference, but not your old job, company or class for new ideas.

Of course none of these tips are cast in cement. In addition to the requisite due diligence to do your new job well, you just need to heed some of these other workplace protocols that could expedite or slow your assimilation in the new environment.

By: Marcia Robinson of BullsEyeResumes College Blog. Robinson coaches, trains, and writes on career, workplace, and education issues for students and career professionals.

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 June 5, 2008 at 2:51 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Looking to apply for a new contract or temporary position but are unsure of how to create the right resume? You'll be happy to know that writing resumes for these types of positions is not as difficult as you think.

The major difference between resumes for temporary or contract work and those for permanent positions is the need to more specifically focus on your accomplishments and personality. Let's explore some ways you can get this done.

"I'm a Quick Learner"

When applying for a temporary or contract position, the prospective employer often expects you to arrive with some knowledge of the work they do. And if you don't have the knowledge, they hope that you can learn it very quickly. Likewise, if you are a contract worker, you may have your own business specializing in their field, which also means that the employer probably will expect you to hit the ground running.

So how can you convince them that you are the right person for the job? One way is by highlighting those responsibilities that showcase how flexible and adaptable you are. For example, if you are applying for a temporary clerical position, you might mention that in your four-week stint with Anheuser-Busch, you supported both the sales and legal departments by completing a variety of clerical tasks - then describe those tasks in detail. This information lets them know that not only are you qualified to take on a clerical position, but that you also can multitask under the pressure of two departments and complete numerous projects within a short period of time.

List the Companies You've Worked For

If you've been temping for a while, it may feel natural to write down the names of any agencies that you've worked with instead of the companies they've introduced you to. However, it's not a bad idea to list the companies, mainly because this is where you've gained the experience you're now trying to market to the prospective employer.

As a temporary worker, by telling them the companies you've worked for, they can better determine what types of skills you've acquired as well as the likelihood of you successfully completing their projects. However, as a contractor you will not have this concern if you make it a practice to approach companies on your own for work.

Show Them You Can Fit In

Another great way to get your foot in the door as a temp or contractor is by convincing the prospective employer that you fit into their organizational culture. Most times, this means making an effort to research their company for information that will help you understand their goals. By showing them that their goals and your skills and accomplishments are well aligned, they are likely to develop the impression that you will transition easily into their company and get the job done with minimal training.

Working a temporary or contract position can provide you with a great opportunity to highlight how versatile, adaptable, and truly talented you are. So let your resume showcase this dynamic side of your personality when searching for your next short-term position.

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 June 5, 2008 at 12:18 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Denning McTague, the 40-year old intern who stole more than 150 Civil War documents -- including the War Department's announcement of President Lincoln's death - from the National Archives of Philadelphia is a shining example of what NOT to do while on internship. Not only was he brazen enough to think he could walk away with a nation's treasures, he thought he could sell them on E-Bay without anyone knowing.

As internship season for college students kick into high gear, it's a good time to reflect on how to avoid the negative internship behaviors that could get college students into trouble.

Don't get too personal or think you are one of the guys. You're not. You are still in test mode and the relationship can still be terminated mid internship.
College interns need to understand that as much as the company wants them to feel comfortable they are not yet, officially a part of the team. College interns should be very cautious about getting into conversations that are too personal and avoid becoming a knot in the office grapevine or become a part of the rumor mill. Interns should keep all interactions professional.

Try the following to exit a conversation that you think is heading in the wrong direction:"I need to get a packet over to xyz department by...""I want to put some more time in on the xyz project today, nice talking with you""I wanted to speak with xyz before lunch"

Don't answer your cell phone every single time it rings. We get it - You're important.
Some companies have guidelines that attempt to curb the use of personal cell phones or even the appearance of cell phones in the work place. Today's college interns stay very connected and the tendency is great to answer a ringing cell phone at anytime or any place. One recent college student intern with whom I worked would continually ask me to hold my thoughts while she answered her calls. This continued even after repeatedly being told that her personal cell phone needed to be off or on vibrate during work time.

Don't drink like you are at a keg party in a frat house or on spring break. You're not!
Many organizations plan team building activities for their group of college interns. These intern trips could run anywhere from a trip to the ballpark, a museum or a concert hall. Many such outings will include the opportunity for interns to have meals and drinks with employers or other staff. Over indulging with the alcohol is a definite no-no. In fact, interns should be very aware that these social events are just another opportunity for hiring managers to observe the interns' behavior in a group and make note of their level of social savvy.

Don't refuse assignments you perceive to be beneath you. One of my first interactions with a college intern several years ago was with a Graphic Design student. When the Art Director asked the intern to clean up a work area, the intern responded, 'I'm an artist and I don't file. Someone else can do that". Needless to say he was relieved of his internship by the end of the week.

No one who understands the value of the internship to the student and the organization wants to abuse the intern's energy and time. However, refusing to do certain work that you might consider menial is not acceptable. A better approach might be to do the assignment when asked and check in with your college career center for advice, if you think you are being abused. Also observe if the behavior you think is beneath you is part of the office protocols for others.

Don't correct your boss in public, and think seriously about doing it in private also. One very bright college junior with whom I worked, received a prestigious internship with a major pharmaceutical firm. The intern had an extremely difficult and uncomfortable time after pointing out a supervisor's error on a spreadsheet while in a meeting with senior managers. Although the intern was lauded publicly for catching the error before the client did, the rest of six month assignment was unbearable.

Don't get involved with an office romance. This is not the time or the place. In Vault's 2003 Office Romance Survey, over 1,000 professionals at companies nationwide were asked to say under which circumstances an office romance would be unacceptable. Eleven percent said that an office romance with an intern would not be appropriate. We all probably still have vivid memories of a very public office romance in Washington DC between an intern, a very senior official and a little blue dress. It is so much better to be remembered for your contributions rather than to be the talk of the office.

Fortunately for most college students, an internship can produce real value for organizations and great career opportunities. In the case of McTague, who has helped officials recover most of the missing items and plans to plead guilty; his internships led to jail time.

By: Marcia Robinson of BullsEyeResumes College Blog. Robinson coaches, trains, and writes on career, workplace, and education issues for students and career professionals.

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 June 2, 2008 at 9:22 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

If you are graduating from college this year, you might be considering taking a break before going to grad school or starting your career. If you are, think about doing something meaningful as you explore "gap year" alternatives.

According to Wikipedia, the term, "gap year" refers to a "prolonged period (often, but not always, a year) between two life stages. This "gap year" is also known as a "year out", "year off", "deferred year", "bridging year", "overseas experience", "time off" and "time out". Taking this time off is actually very popular in Europe and Australia where young adults are encouraged to take a break after high school and before or after college. Graduates are urged to take on meaningful experiences during this time for personal exploration before moving to the next life stage of career or college.

Your graduation from college this year could offer you the same opportunity. You might be thinking about taking the time off, especially if you are not sure what your next career or higher education step should be.

The question to ponder is whether or not taking the "gap year" off a good thing for you?

The answer of course is - it depends. College graduates should weigh the pros and cons of taking this time off and the long term ramifications on future career choices.

Here are some pros for exploring "Gap Year" alternatives:

1. This break could give graduates the time needed to explore career options.



2. Students may be tired of school and might get diminishing returns from paying for classes and not doing well.



3. Graduates might be able to save some money to return to school, get an apartment or some needed transportation.



4. Traveling can help students explore geographical options and other cultures

1. Students may never want to return to college or further their education. This is quite possibly the most common reason for hesitating.



2. Once away from school, graduates lose touch with college professors and others who could encourage further education or guide career direction.

Some US colleges now understand the increasing urge that high school graduates have for the "gap year" and are now getting on board with innovative programs to meet the needs of these college students.

A recent article in the US News outlines "gap year" plans from Princeton University in New Jersey. Princeton University is planning to send 10 percent of their 2009 incoming freshman overseas for a year to work in the social services. These new college students will actually do all this cross cultural exploration before they even set foot on the Princeton campus for their freshman year.

By: Marcia Robinson and courtesy of BullsEyeResumes College Blog. Robinson coaches, trains, and writes on career, workplace, and education issues for students and career professionals. http://bullseyeresumes-college.blogspot.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 June 2, 2008 at 8:25 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Most people looking for a job will tell you they are networking.

And most people are wrong.

All you have to do is carry a small notebook around, log how you spend your time during the day, and you'll likely discover you weren't networking as much as you thought. Probably not even 25%.

Networking is like dieting. Most people on a diet will tell you they don't snack between meals. And most people are wrong.

Just tape a piece of paper to the fridge, write down every morsel you stick in your mouth during the day, and you'll likely discover you were eating more than you thought.

All of which means what, exactly?

If your job search is struggling, it probably says more about what you're doing (and what you're not) than what the economy or employers are doing.

And since most jobs are found via networking, what you do (and what you don't) when you think you're networking will largely determine how fast you find work.

So here are three ways to improve your networking ...

1. Give to Get
   "We understand networking intellectually, yet we don't always do it. When you say 'networking' to most people, they think it's what they do to find a job, but to the most effective networkers, it's what they do every day," says Dave Opton, Chairman & Founder of ExecuNet, a networking community for executives.

   While many folks dread the thought of approaching others, hat-in-hand, to ask for job leads, this is backwards, according to Opton. "People should not feel as if it's selfish to network. If you go through your day behaving
   like the person most of us would like to think we are -- happy to help and not looking for something directly in return -- the networking goes easily."

   So, what's the best way to do it?

   "We have a phrase," says Opton. "Information is the currency of effective networking."

   That means, no matter who you are, you have knowledge or experience that other people don't. Even your time can be valuable, if you volunteer to help someone with a project. Whatever it is, offer it to others. Then watch your networking efforts take off.

   Tip: To network effectively, give first. The job leads will follow.








2. Try the Back Door
   With the growth of social networking web sites, it's never been easier to make contact with people on the inside of companies you want to work for.

   And those contacts can give you an "inside" advantage when applying for jobs, according to Doug Berg, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Jobs2Web.com.

   "One way to research a company is to visit Facebook and Linkedin to find out who works there, make contact with those people, and ask them about the company and its culture," says Berg.

   About 30% of companies offer referral programs that can pay their employees $1,000 or more to refer new hires, according to Berg. So, if you can forge a relationship with an employee at your target firm, they might help you get hired by referring you through the back door.

   Tip: Try researching companies through Facebook, MySpace or Linkedin -- you're likely to somebody somewhere who can help you.

   Then, to earn referrals to employers, repeat the process from 1) above: Give first of your expertise, knowledge, and time. Success (and job interviews) will follow.








3. Make Wishes Come True
   "Through job postings, online information and network connections, [you should] create a wish list of the companies where you would like to work," suggests ExecuNet Vice President, Lauryn Franzoni.

   Once you have specific employers in mind, your network can lead you to the people you need to meet. "The more you know about a company and the problems they face, the better positioned you are to demonstrate how you can help," says Franzoni.

   Tip: Help others help you. You absolutely need to know what 20 companies you want to work for. With this "wish list" in hand, it's a simple matter of finding people you know -- or, more likely, people they know -- at your target companies, and getting referred to a hiring manager there.

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 June 2, 2008 at 8:10 AM | Leave a Comment (0)