Resume & Cover Letter Writing: Minutes

Showing posts with label Minutes. Show all posts

2/21/13

Five Minutes to Get the Best of Resume Writing Techniques

1/29/13

Can You Write a Resume in Minutes?

Of course. But you cannot compose an outstanding one in such a short span of time.

If you're another job applicant who is searching for a quick fix in your application, you're on the wrong site brood. And we doubt if you'll probably get a decent advice on what you're looking for.

The problem with fast resume solutions is that it doesn't pay off. Yes you may save time, you may save effort, but God knows if it will generate even just a bit of result.

Realizing that hustling mindlessly over your copy may wreak havoc on your career, you may start taking your application seriously. Chew slowly and make sure that everything is perfect once it landed in the hands of your prospective employers. However, you're still into the foolhardy way of wooing an employer, we recommend voodoo sites for you. Kidding aside, here are the reasons to convince you why you simply cannot write a resume in minutes:

1. Because there are millions of words in the dictionary

Imagine a thousand competitors recycling the same cliché words and phrases over and over again. Your jaded HR certainly won't be amused looking at one that contains all that is passé. Not unless he loves listening to proverbial broken records, he won't lift an eyelid for your self-advertisement. The only way to ensure the attention of the person who will read it is to be faithful in weaving your own unique words and portraying your own unique abilities. There are many ways out there to craft a copy that will highlight why you should stand out among your hundred competitors, but passing an application made out of the cookie cutter will definitely be one way to fail.

2. Because you do not write as fast as you speak

Remember that there is no such person who can talk sense as quick as he pushes his pen. You have to think of what you'll put as a content, you have to segregate nonsensical from not, and most of all, you're limited to two pages. Plus, consider that the buffer time of staring into the blank screen before you write (which will take you fifteen minutes or more if you're not a robot). Plus, you have to count off the processing time when you're thinking on how to word your competitive edge. That's already a pretty big fraction of your time limit if you're vying to write a resume in minutes.

3. Because you still have to review the piece

Did we say review? You must do it if you want to ensure that your paper won't end up in the trash bin because of spelling and grammatical errors. You cannot rush into the HR office without even taking a rain check on whether you printed the lay-out right or whether your copy is free of typographical mistakes. Remember that the last thing you want the employer to think about you is the impression of a lackadaisical person who will definitely commit a lot of blunders when hired for the job post.

4. Because I can't finish this hasty article in minutes

And this is just an informative composition that has nothing to do with my life and achievements. I don't have to recall my accomplishments or mull over how I will impress the one who's reading this. But guess, it took me an hour and a half before I could pass it to my boss. And people are asking if they can write a resume in minutes? No dice.

Kate Ross-Myers works for a New-York based human resources magazine. She has a broad experience in preparing resource materials on hiring, recruitment, and training. Kate also speaks on forums and conventions on employee wellness and growth.

1/12/13

Five Minutes to Get the Best of Resume Writing Techniques

There is a miasma of job application tips out in the World Wide Web telling you what to do and what not to in order to write a compelling paper of your own. The ironic thing is that this great jam of information only baffles you more.

So instead of blogging here yet another exasperating list of do's and don'ts, we just simplified the most important bits of advice on digging useful information from the thousand articles cluttered all over the virtual libraries. Spare some five-minute of your time reading this article if you hate spending hours just to figure out how to make it on the top pile of the hiring manager's desk:

1. Keep things simple and neat

The only way to not be mediocre is not to put silly stuff just to be noticed. Everyone does his job application gimmicks, some risk even to the extent of looking ridiculous or arrogant or even pathetic. The hiring pundits are already sick of them. If anybody tells you that you have to stand out, he doesn't mean you put unnecessary things that will draw attention. So the advice for you: Don't. Just don't.

2. There is no such thing as 'secret resume writing techniques'

Stop clinging to the false belief that those who won the job knows everything you knew and something you didn't. Go through it, there are no tricks. Reality is, you have what it takes, and the problem is that you think you haven't. Perfect every detail of your resume. Network. Comb your hair and polish your shoes. Reveal information that makes you more than qualified and write it where it will be easily noticed.

3. Your content matters

While it may be true that typical hiring personnel will only review a resume for 6 seconds, it doesn't mean that they will comprehend virtually nothing about your market value. Remember that they are scanning for the important details, the basics. So whoever claims that it is 'how' they write their paper that made them stand out, bear in mind that 'what' they write is as equally significant to real-life HRs.

4. On strict formatting

Guess what, there's only one goal for writing a resume: to impress hirers and land an interview. And if the maximum-of-two-page rule will hinder you to achieve results, what's the point of conforming to the standards? Follow your instincts more than job market dogmas. Every applicant is unique. While religiously abiding the norms may work for many, it doesn't mean that it will also work for you.

5. Too many answers is a problem itself

If there's anybody who won't get a pain in the neck reading all those articles and books about resume writing techniques, pray tell. The solution is to stop reading once you felt tired of it. Take a pause and reflect on how you can use the information. As the old adage goes, "Don't bite off more than you can chew," and "Don't read more than you can digest."

Nelson Mullins is a former corporate hiring and recruitment expert who regularly writes articles on resumes, resume writing, personality development, and career in general. He is a father of three who also enjoys photography and biking. Nelson believes that while the employment world continues to be a rat race for applicants, it is important to always be equipped with new ideas on sustaining career growth and opportunities.

8/16/11

Improve Your Resume in 30 Minutes or Less

Resumes can pose quite a challenge for jobseekers, especially those re-entering the market after an extended period of time with a particular employer. What skills should you highlight? What structure should you use? While soliciting the help of a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) is often the most expedient way to create documents that garner recruiter/hiring agent interest, there are certain basic principles you can use ASAP to better conform to their preferences. I use the following strategies every day when working with clients. All can be implemented within a matter of minutes and can SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE your chances of making the cut when submitting for jobs:

1) INTRODUCTION-WORK HISTORY-CLOSING

A successful resume is one that has a brief opening in-line with the type of job you're seeking, a work history that ONLY STRESSES relevant positions, and a closing section or two listing pertinent education credits, certifications, professional affiliations, etc. ANYTHING ELSE will simply distract from the information a recruiter/hiring agent is looking for, and increase the chances of your resume being rejected. While it's understandable (and necessary) to want to include key career successes, unique job responsibilities, etc. it must be done within the confines of this structure. Be ruthless when editing your resume and make sure it can retain a reader's interest throughout its duration (which should not exceed 2-3 pages, by the way).

2) SEPARATE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES FROM ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITHIN YOUR WORK HISTORY

Trying to cram in unique responsibilities and successes within the same paragraph results in a cluttered presentation. Look at it from the POV of a reader, who'll often spend less than a minute scanning a candidate's resume. List responsibilities in paragraph form (no more than 3-5 lines) and accomplishments in bullets. Keep the latter as quantifiable as possible and always stress the bottom-line benefit first, followed by how it was achieved.

3) REMOVE REPETITIVE IDEAS AND PHRASING

Jobseekers who've held the same type of position with multiple employers might be tempted to repeat the same information over and over in their work history to "puff up" their document. This approach almost always backfires! In the event that you've held similar positions, be MOST DESCRIPTIVE for the last 3 jobs you've held and streamline older ones. Don't repeat the same responsibilities over and over- instead, look for ways to communicate unique tasks and challenges. And remember: it's ALWAYS better to be succinct and relevant than verbose and unfocused when it comes to resumes. Best of luck in your job search!

Anish Majumdar is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Owner at Resume Orbit. 95% of clients report a significant increase in interviews within 30 days, and all work comes backed by a 100% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee (in writing).

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