5/16/13

How to Use Keywords Properly on Resumes

Using keywords in a resume is a critical step to getting attention. When you are applying for a job, one of the first things that will happen with your resume is that it will be run through a computerized system that scans the application and your resume for keywords. These are specific words that the employer is looking for all candidates to have. In short, it is critical to use specific words on your resume if you want these computer systems to stop on your resume. If they do not, it could mean that your ability to get an interview is limited.

What Keywords Matter?

On resumes, keywords are a key component of the information you include. Yet, you may have no idea what types of words the employer has listed. Keep the following in mind when selecting keywords in a resume.

#1 - Include information about the education you have. Education keywords include the names of the schools you went to, the specific degree you received, and the specific types of courses you took. Look for industry specific education keywords that help you to stand out.

#2 - Include keywords about job skills you have. Job skills keywords include terms commonly used to describe the tasks you know how to do. This may include your ability to work on specific types of programs or job skills keywords could be words that describe the types of tasks you are capable of doing.

#3 - Include information about your accomplishments. Accomplishment keywords include awards you've received, sales records you broke, or words defining the industry-specific achievements you have made.

#4 - Choose power keywords as well. Power keywords are those that are action verbs. You did not just get an award, you earned an award. You did not just work for the company, you gained experience from the company. Look for ways to include power keywords in your resume.

#5 - Other terms that may fit into your job resume should be those that show the type of person you are. Are you honest, reliable, and dependable? Do you have drive, passion, and the right attitude?

When using keywords in a resume, be specific. Be sure that your actual resume reads well but that it includes any specific keywords that your employer may be looking for in a job applicant. When you do this, you reduce the risk of ending up not a candidate for a job opening.

Todd Bavol is the President and CEO of Integrity Staffing Solutions. Integrity Staffing Solutions is a national staffing firm assisting individuals and corporations in making the right employment fit. To view job openings in Warehouse, Professional and Administrative positions, visit the Integrity Staffing Solutions web site at http://www.integritystaffing.com/.

Read more ...

4/3/13

5 Tips On How To Tailor An Effective Resume

No two individuals are alike but when it comes to resumes, poorly written ones often come in batches and may just look the same to the disappointment of hiring managers and recruiters. If you're currently on the lookout for a job, drafting a killer resume may just be the key to being called for an interview. Find out below how exactly you should write and present a highly effective resume.

1. Give special focus on the format.

No matter how excellent the content of your resume, it won't really get noticed unless you format it in a way which will set it apart from the others. Recruiters will scan your resume for 25 seconds only, so the information should be organized and readable. You could pattern the format after the following:

-- use bold and italicized typeface to help guide the hiring manager's eyes;
-- utilize bullets to stress important facts such as quantified accomplishments;
-- use appropriate headings as well as sufficient margins.

2. Highlight accomplishments rather than job descriptions.

One common pitfall when drafting a resume is adding in job descriptions rather than using one's job accomplishments. This is particularly useful in jobs which require technical expertise like engineering, programming and electronics. Why not show to an organization how you can help them solve their problems by highlighting the following:

-- focus on what you actually did on your previous job rather than what you were supposed to do;
-- concentrate on individual achievements rather than group accomplishments;
-- make it a point to include instances when you received a letter of recommendation or any mention of recognition in your previous company's newsletter

3. Replace the career objective with a career summary section. While most career objectives exactly sound the same, you can easily get the attention of hiring managers by providing a summary of who you are and what you do.

4. Harness the power of keywords.

Each industry has its own set of jargon and you're likely come across these words amongst job advertisements. Drafting a killer resume involves incorporating these keywords. Apart from using industry-specific words and phrases, you might also want to include these general yet very powerful words: teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and business development. However, do not just litter your resume with these buzzwords; make it a point that these keywords perfectly mirrors your abilities, skills and personality.

5. Watch out for errors.

Be meticulous with your grammar, punctuation and spelling. Organizations and businesses will most likely weed out candidates who can't construct a proper sentence or differentiate a present tense from the past tense. Before sending in your resume, double check for errors by running it through a spelling and grammar checker.

Keep in mind that your resume is not just plainly a bio of sorts. It is a very powerful tool that you can use to sell yourself and get that job you've always wanted.

Your resume is an important document you submit to employers for career opportunities. In order for you to write it in a substantial and relevant manner, download CareerFact's comprehensive guide and read effective guidelines.

Read more ...

3/29/13

5 Common Mistakes in Resume Writing

Landing your target job is a challenge nowadays especially if you are incapable of grabbing the attention of recruiters through your resume. Exaggerating your qualifications is unethical and ineffective, so you may do away with this option. To help you overcome this situation, start with a simple step - checking if your resume contains blunders that can break your candidacy.

1. Attaching a photo of yourself.

A photograph in your resume would be helpful if you're after jobs which require the employer to gauge in your appearance. The customer service and hospitality industry are an excellent example of an occupational field which may require a photograph with your CV. However, if the job doesn't call for you to groom yourself every day at work (e.g. flight attendant posts, receptionists), by all means, forego the photo.

2. Too much focus on your previous duties and responsibilities.

A functional resume does not simply enumerate your duties and responsibilities in your previous jobs. Go beyond the boring rundown of your previous job roles and put special attention instead on your achievements. After all, if you put yourself in the position of your prospective employer, would you like to hire candidates who can perform the basic job functions or would you prefer those individuals with an excellent track record of accomplishments? Ask yourself the following when trying to figure out how to magnify your accomplishments:

-- what were the challenges and problems you encountered while on the job? how did you overcome such challenges? was an action plan involved? how did you formulate it?
-- what made you perform better than the others? can you cite specific instances which displayed such superior performance?
-- were there any awards, promotions or recognitions you received during the duration of the post?

3. Using personal pronouns and/or unprofessional email addresses.

Consider your resume as a professional document and as a form of business communication. Avoid using personal pronouns like I, me and my. On the other hand, avoid naughty-sounding or unprofessional email addresses at all costs. To be on the safe side, simply use your full name.

4. Incorporating too much or irrelevant information.

How much is "too much" in drafting resumes? You may not include all of your previous work experience. Tailor-fit your resume by incorporating the roles and accomplishments you had which is only related to the post you're after.

Include only information that is relevant to the job vacancy; don't include your hobbies if they have nothing to do with the target job.

5. Writing very long paragraphs.

Your hiring manager doesn't expect to read a novel out of your resume. Break your long paragraphs to short ones by using bullet points.

Now that you're aware of the common resume-writing blunders, you already have an advantage over other applicants.

For more tips on how to craft a substantial and comprehensive resume, download CareerFact's career e-book. Learn how to incorporate your research information and target company's goals in writing a resume that outshines other candidates.

Read more ...

3/13/13

Advantages of Professional Resume Writing Services

In order to obtain a job, it is important to provide a well-written resume to the employers. Only a well-written resume or curriculum vitae can impress the employers. An impressive resume is necessary to create a great impression on the employers. If you do not have the ability to write one for yourself, then it is better to go for resume writing services with professional resume experts. These writing services are specialized in creating various types of resumes ranging from entry level to executive level. It helps the employer to get an idea about your objectives and goals associated with the career.

Most of the writing services may even train you and advice you how to write a perfect resume. The resume writing experts will call up and ask you about the details of current job history, previous experience and career goals. The professional resume expert will create your curriculum vitae appealing to the employer. If the resume is not appealing to the employer, then you will be jobless, even though you have the right kind of qualifications and talent for the job. Resume writing services provide customized curriculum vitae for each candidate. The employers consider curriculum vitae submitted by the candidates to determine whether the candidate has to be called for the interview or not.

A resume has to be written in a formal tone, and it should not contain abbreviations, and casual words and phrases. It should reflect your personality in a strong language. The curriculum vitae should highlight the talent of the candidate's skills and qualifications. It should also show that the candidate can work efficiently, even in adverse conditions. The resume should be concise by providing only necessary details to the employer. Most of the candidates include whatever they know in their resume that can be a great blunder. Normally, the employer will not be interested in knowing your skills that are not related to the job.

If you include too much of information, then your resume will look messy and chaotic. The proficiency and expertise of resume writing experts can help you in creating great curriculum vitae that highlights your talents. The experts at these writing services can produce resume with necessary details in a formal tone. The experts will collect the details from the candidate and they add customized information that is required for the proposed job. They will also analyze the career direction for the candidates through careful evaluation. Based on the information provided by the candidates, the resume writing experts at resume writing services will select the right design and format for the resume.

Resume writing services help the job seekers with resumes from entry level to executive level. These services appoint professional resume writing experts for creating various types of well-crafted resumes.

Read more ...

3/8/13

Resume: My Top 5 Elements to Eliminate

It's valuable to know the elements that make a resume attractive to potential employers in order to get the job interview. However, it's also important to know some details that may take away strength, clarity and credibility from a professional resume or CV. Before going into my list of pet peeves, let me emphasize two assumptions:

The main -if not the only- objective of a resume during the recruiting process is to get the prospect an interview with the potential employer, andThe HR personnel receive and review many resumes, so they need to dismiss large quantities in a practical manner.

Because of this last point, I believe you should avoid or carefully review the following details in your job search materials, based on my experience and listed according to my own criteria from least to most important:

5. Long descriptions of "standard" skills/ expect by the market. Unless the role you're after calls for specific technical skills, you don't have to enumerate all of the software packages and languages you know. For some positions, you should be punished if you mention Microsoft Office and Outlook as something distinctive, it's expected in many jobs as standard. In the language section you shouldn't add those that you barely know (e.g., "Two classes of Mandarin") or give out too much detail (e.g., where I studied, all of the tests I've done, etc.).

4. Information that is not relevant for the position. This is fairly frequent: there are many resumes that list every single course taken and certifications obtained throughout the candidate's life, from the Quality Seminar to the Football Clinic. It's also frequent to see interests mentioned having no relation with the job or the interview process. Your job search materials have limited space and if you use it in information that will not get you to the interview, it's wasted (or it becomes a fun story for the HR team). In addition, it's possible that these topics may come up during the actual interview, where you could give them more context and impact.

3. Descriptions of jobs (vs. achievements) or achievements from long ago. If recent skills are not highlighted, your resume won't catch employers' attention and may even raise suspicion (e.g., employment gap?).

2. Achievements or activities performed by a team (not by the owner of the resume). The recruiter is interested in knowing YOU as a potential employee. If the activities described in the experience section are not specific or have a scope that can't be attributed to you, they don't help to know you better.

1. Generic objective/ target or not related to the position. "Continue my development within a global institution in constant growth" may very well be a default text in word processors that I (fortunately) don't know given the frequency in which this phrase is used. The Objective or Summary section of a resume, and even more so for an experienced professional, is a vital component. The text should be specific to the match between the position and the potential employee. It's important to adapt the resume or CV to differ industries, companies, and positions; this is the section that should change the most.

In the job search, it's indispensable for the candidate to stand out. Having said that, this should happen for the right reasons: for his/ her skills and experience. Having some of the previous points in mind, the resume should not be discarded for communicating irrelevant or unprofessional topics. This way, it focuses the reader's attention on your achievements and skills as they bring value to the company you're applying to and will get you closer to the interview.

Hugo M. Breton is a business writer and job search coach specializing in resume writing, career coaching and B2B Copywriting. He holds an MBA and M. Eng. from the University of Michigan. Hugo shares his job search advice and provides services through http://www.resumesforimpact.com/, helping prospects improve the impact of their efforts.

Read more ...

3 Steps to an Eye-Catching Cover Letter

This article focuses on the top 3 ingredients you need to put in your cover letter to make it noteworthy. But first, let's remind ourselves about what a cover letter is and what role it plays. Well, a cover letter is a concise letter - no more than a single page with plenty of space on the sides, top and bottom filled with 3-5 paragraphs which, in turn, do not each exceed 4 lines of text to keep that airy feel - that you send together with your CV when applying for a job. If it's well done, it will help your CV get noticed by creating a good impression and generating interest for your professional achievements.

Let's not beat around the bush: the cover letter plays a crucial role in terms of winning that job interview you aspire to. That short piece of text introduces you in the context of a role you believe you are qualified for. It is written in simple English to eliminate any risk of misunderstanding, confusion or irritation. You will find advice about cover letters which recommends making them formal: I say make your letter respectful - of your reader's time and intelligence. And respectful of you - your track record, the time you invested and the care you took when applying. Remember also that your cover letter is the only opportunity for a bit of personal touch which your CV cannot do. Unlike a CV which convinces about your abilities, a cover letter can convince about your enthusiasm for the position, show your high level of interest as well as your sound knowledge about the role.

I therefore want to suggest to you that your cover letter is both a prequel and a sequel to your CV. On the one hand, it introduces the CV, wetting the reader's appetite about your capabilities - if not, your CV will end up in the bin. But it is also, and I appreciate that this may sound bizarre, a sequel: because the cover letter never goes into the level of detail which the CV addresses, it is therefore only an interpretation of the information you share in your resume. What it isn't is a repetition: if it were, the risk would be that the CV might appear boring to the reader and they won't finish it. A last word: some cover letter advice will suggest that you feature in your letter information which is NOT in your resume. I disagree strongly: my view is that anything you mention in your letter will be elaborated on in your CV. You don't want to awaken your reader's interest and then not satisfy it.

OK, so now that we've clarified the important role of the cover letter as part of a job application, let's look at what I call a 1-2-3 process around your opening, body of the letter, and how to close.

1. You open with why they should hire you.

Explain clearly what role you are writing about. Refer clearly to the position you are applying for (including, possibly, where you saw it advertised or where you learnt about it) so as to leave no doubt in your reader's mind what job this letter is about. But of course you are not writing just because you happened to see an ad or hear about XYZ position: you mentioned the position to make it clear which one you are discussing but, more fundamentally, because you are ideally suited to it. You need to say this - in one or two sentences tops - upfront. This sets the tone for the rest of the letter. You are not writing about a job, you are writing because they need you. If you make your case well, your reader will not be able to help looking overleaf at your CV and you will be one step closer to the interview.

2. You tell them what you can do them and how.

Now follows a series of 2-3 short paragraphs which elaborate on your suitability. This part promotes your achievements as a professional and, if you feel confident enough to mention those too, your qualities as a person. This is the part which interprets the CV as I wrote above. In substantiating how your capabilities meet their requirements, take care to echo some of the words of the advert or job description: that will make the connection between you and the job all the clearer and stronger.

Remember my "so what?" question when I was discussing CV writing? It's valid here too: a cover letter is short, so you need to be even more selective about what you mention there. So don't just tell them what you can do: illustrate how you work with references to past achievements. This means you start telling your reader a story - a story whose end is in the CV if they want to find it out.

3. You close with a bit of flourish.

A lot of cover letters end by thanking the reader for their consideration (of you as an applicant). That is all right but your reader won't take any notice of this formulaic conclusion. So let me advocate a short paragraph ahead of this "Many thanks for your consideration & kind regards" type of mention before you sign: a short paragraph so you re-state your case for getting the position. Just like you can't have repetition between the cover letter and the CV, you cannot either have repetition between your opening statement and your closing paragraph. This means that some degree of creativity may be called for and this represents a delicate exercise - so delicate in fact that many dare not. But if you do and you succeed, you will stand out from your competition: for that reason, and given the state of the market, let me therefore encourage you to give this challenging exercise a go at the very least. The right kind of pizazz will enhance your reader's opinion of you.

A final word: some cover letter experts recommend you mention that you will follow-up and to give an indication of when you will do so and how. My view is: do mention that you will follow-up because it shows this application matters to you given that you believe your skills are a match. Following up makes perfect sense and shows your commitment to this overall effort. Do say how you will be in touch but don't mention when - I think that makes you look just a tad too keen.

There you have it: a review of the role of a cover letter in a job application process together with a 1-2-3 approach to putting together a text which will catch your reader's eye. How does that land with you? I'm sure you have written many cover letters: does this sound like what you're doing? And if not, I hope my suggestions will have provided food for thought.

Author of the "5 Gear Shifts to Accelerate your Career!" report, Alexandra helps ambitious and high-performing professionals tackle their frustration at work so that they resolve a complex problem, find a way out of a difficult situation or achieve a personally-meaningful objective.

As a Career Accelerator, Alexandra works with gifted individuals to obtain the promotion they deserve, orchestrate an in-house move to a different group, succeed fast in a new role as well as get clear about their next job and how to find it.

Alexandra's clients get to do more interesting work which they enjoy, avoid becoming stuck in one job when in fact they want variety, and learn to lead and work through others if they wish to. That way, they make a greater difference to their firm and, of course, grow their income!

Alexandra will share with you stories and insights from her gratifying but eventful 23-year career in global finance, from Paris to the City of London via New York's Wall Street which you can use to accelerate your career faster than on your own!

Alexandra is the author of the career management e-book "5 Gear Shifts to Accelerate your Career!" Get your copy by going to Alexandra's website at http://coachingforinspiration.com/.

Read more ...

Why Use a Professional CV Writing Service?

The importance of a strong CV

The current employment market has created an environment where, due to the lack of opportunities in relation to the number of job seekers, there are numerous roles where employers are receiving extremely high response rates.

Due to the number of CVs being received for each position, employers and recruiters now have even less time to review a CV. Therefore it is critical that an individual showcases their experience and achievements in a way that will increase their chances of getting an interview.

First impressions are critical and the employer's initial reaction will often be the difference between being accepted for interview and being rejected. Recruiters and employers will be looking for keywords and other specific attributes when determining suitability for interview.

The benefits of using a professional CV Writing service

Using a professional CV Writing service will give you a vital edge over the competition by providing you with a CV that will stand out from the crowd. A CV Writing consultant specialises in creating CVs that are professional, free from errors and compelling but most importantly tailored to a specific opportunity or industry.

The best CV writers will produce a CV for you in a format that is reader friendly and with content that will highlight your most relevant skills and attributes for the role(s) that you are applying for.

There are numerous websites offering tips about how to write a strong CV; we have also produced a free e-book on CV Writing Tips which can be downloaded from the website. However, if you are looking for a professional who has the expertise and experience to help you market yourself better, you may choose to use a CV Writing Service.

What to look for in a CV Writing company

Make sure that you choose a reliable company. The most professional CV Writers will invest time in you. Spend time speaking with the consultant who will be writing your CV to get an idea about the quality of the writer who will be working with you. The CV writer should then spend time asking plenty of questions about your background to make sure they have all the information required to produce a great CV that will sell you to employers.

If your CV is not giving you the rates of success that you want, it might be time to look at getting professional advice from a CV Writing company.

CV Executives are specialists in the field of career consultancy, more specifically CV Writing, Interview Coaching and Social Media profile optimisation.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.cvexecutives.com/.

We have also written a free CV Writing Tips e-book titles "7 Steps To Writing A CV That Gets You Hired" that can be downloaded from http://www.cvexecutives.com/cv-writing-tips-free-ebook.

Read more ...

Resume: 5 Other Elements to Eliminate

In another article, I shared five elements that diminish the impact of a good resume. The following list has five other components that may not be as critical but you should consider when creating or editing your job search materials:

1. Unprofessional contact information. It should be obvious but worth reinforcing that even if the e-mail you provide is personal, it should still have a professional air to it (e.g., avoid teddybear82 at mail dot com). It's not necessary to provide multiple contact options, only the most effective one. If you want to add a long URL (e.g., a LinkedIn profile), only do so if it provides additional information that is critical. Finally, you don't have to provide contact information for past employers; if it's required, you'll be asked for it explicitly during the process.

2. Photograph. It should only be included for acting and modeling roles, in a very specific format. The rest of us have to fight the temptation of sharing our good looks. However, this is different for Internet profiles, where a picture is actually expected.

3. Personal data. If the employer needs this information, he will ask for it at some point in the process. You shouldn't point out in your resume your date and place of birth, marital status, number and name of your children, etc. It's important to mention that in some countries it's even illegal for a company to ask some of these elements.

4. Spelling errors. Unacceptable if you're looking for a job where the employee is expected to know how to write or if anyone can help you proofreading. Remember that the spelling correction in your word processor is not infallible. You should carefully review before sending out.

5. Unusual formatting. The resume should jump out due to its content and not because of an "attractive" font, special paper or inserted pictures. For candidates who are just entering the workforce, a single-page resume format should be enough, two or three for experienced professionals, and even longer for a technical resume or CV (e.g., including a list of publications). Be careful not to have too much or too little blank space, any of these extremes has its disadvantages. Although it's not common, you don't need to include an index. If the information is clear, labels like "Title" and "Company" are redundant.

Although the use of these elements may vary by industry or function, do assess their effect on recruiters as you build your job search strategy.

Hugo M. Breton is a business writer and job search coach specializing in resume writing, career coaching and B2B Copywriting. His objective is to help professionals become more effective during their search efforts. Hugo shares his job search advice and provides services through http://www.resumesforimpact.com/, helping prospects improve the impact of their efforts.

Read more ...

Should You Pay Someone To Professionally Write Your CV?

Factors to consider before deciding whether to write your own CV or invest in a professionally written CV:

Time- how much time and effort is it is going to take you to write your CV? Do you have time to dedicate to your CV?

Research- is essential if writing your own CV. You will need to research prospective employers, industries and typical roles from a wide range of sources. You should tailor your CV for each application.

Budget- can you afford to get a CV professionally written? Assess the investment in a professional CV as a percentage of your income.

Skills Assessment- are you able to accurately assess your skills and competencies and match them to the requirements of industries, roles and employers? The impartiality an independent person professional brings can be a good thing.

Structure - how should you best structure and populate your CV? There is no definitive CV format and writing a CV is not about just following a template? How good are your writing skills and grammar? How well can you portray your employment history - sometimes it can be difficult to articulate this, for instance how much detail should you go into?

What can a professional CV writer contribute?

Time- a professional CV writer is an expert in their field and as such should be able to turnaround a CV for you much quicker than writing one yourself. This is an important consideration if you need a CV urgently or are time pressured.

Research- a professional CV writer will have knowledge of a wide range of industries, through their interaction with clients. They may also be HR or recruitment professionals who can draw on their expertise to provide valuable insights into what is required. A credible CV writer should research the role, company of industry for you and tailor your CV accordingly.

Budget- professional CV writing can often vary dramatically in price. Cost v benefit analysis is always good. Balance the cost against the value a professionally written CV can have in a competitive job market.

Skills Assessment- a high quality professional CV writer should use a personal 1-1 consultation to identify your key achievements and skills. They should be able to map skills required for a particular role, sector or employer and ensure you stand out from the crowd. They should remove any unnecessary or irrelevant detail.

Structure - a CV is often the first interaction with a prospective employer, who will probably receive huge numbers of applications often for a small number of vacancies. Is the employer easily able to screen your CV? A professionally written CV creates a good, all important, first impression by ensuring your skill set and career history is highlighted to its best potential.

If you decide to employ a professional CV writer how do you choose which one?

With so many suppliers to choose from here are some factors to consider which you might find helpful:

Value for money service:

Consider what other services are offered such as free covering letters and free CV reviews. Ensure these are genuine no obligation offers and not just designed to drive business.Any credible CV writer should be willing to provide ongoing support if you have any queries, such as answering any career management questions. Bear in mind though you will need to pay for any future services.What are their terms and conditions? Will you get free revisions? Be clear on their revision policy. How long will it take them to write your CV?Be wary of suppliers that appear too cheap, as this should ring warning bells - how are they going to make a profit? It could mean that the quality or expertise of their CV writers is questionable.

Personal Approach/Personal Consultation:

Any supplier should offer you a personal individualized approach. Beware of companies that simply provide a template solution, which is often software driven, with no personal interaction. Often these companies are anonymous and you have no idea who you are actually dealing with. If you encounter one of these companies ask to speak with the person who is actually writing your CV before you order - see what their response is.A professional CV writer should use a personal consultation to assess your skills and competencies, they should make sure that your CV accurately reflects the real you and ensure you are confident enough to talk it through at interview.

Expertise:

What industry knowledge and experience do they have - is this a good match for your requirements? Are they going to undertake the necessary research to ensure your CV is a good match?

Credibility:

Be sure to request or review their customer feedback. Do they have any? Are their customers happy with the service and product?Check out the supplier - do they have an internet presence? Do they have a quality website with useful targeted content such as hints and tips?Are you confident from the outset? Can you speak to a real person? Do you have a dedicated CV expert assigned to you? Does the company have a mission, vision and values statement outlining the ethos of their business? If not they could just be interested in making a quick buck!

Are you being screened out early in the recruitment process and not getting to the interview stage? If so, in terms of adding value, it might be time to consider investing in a professionally written CV to give yourself the best chance of success.

Beverley Tibbles is a professional CV writer with over 16 years of expertise in HR and recruitment processes and organisational change, gained in a management capacity within a blue-chip company environment.

Beverley has now expanded this expertise into the One Stop Career Shop http://www.onestopcareershop.co.uk/ a bespoke consultancy offering a personalised approach to professional CV writing. All CVs are written through a 1-1 consultation with a dedicated CV expert. The One Stop Career Shop also offers interview and presentation skills coaching and career mentoring services.

One Stop Career Shop seeks to provide career management support and information and believes in offering regularly updated special offers to assist individuals with their job hunting which can be found at http://www.onestopcareershop.co.uk/Free-Job-Hunting-Special-Offers.php

Read more ...

Resume Services - Helpful in Creating Great Resumes

A resume or curriculum vitae play a vital role in the life of people who are searching for jobs. It is also important that you should have a well-written resume which grabs the attention of the employer, so that the employer can call you to fix an interview. It enables the employer to perform an initial evaluation on the qualifications and skills of the candidate. Because of the great competition in various fields to get a job, you have to ensure that your qualifications meet the requirements of the employer. If you would like to highlight your strengths as a candidate, then it is better to take the help of resume services.

Resume writing services offer well-written resumes to individuals who are in search of jobs by highlighting their skills, experience and qualifications for the job. There are several services that offer resumes at higher prices, but you can also find companies that offer them at affordable prices. If you are looking for a particular job, then you have to highlight the skills and qualifications for that job. If you are attending an interview, then it is important to present curriculum vitae without any errors before the employer. A professional writing service can help you to create one that is impressive.

With the help of a professional service, you can obtain your dream job. You should find the best service from the several resume writing services available, so that you can fax or send a copy of the previous resume to the writing service. The service will create one which is more attractive by enhancing the previous one. Most of the professional services are proficient enough to highlight the finest qualities of the candidates and create one to provide a great impression to the employer on the candidature of the applicant. Hence, it is worth to pay a fee to create your curriculum vitae with the help of a professional service.

Resume writing services usually appoint a professional resume writer who can write different types of resumes depending up on the skills of the candidates. Usually, the writer from the service will call you and discuss with you to know more about your qualifications, skills, experience, and your expectations associated with the job before writing a resume. After understanding your talents as a candidate, the writer will start writing your resume. If there are any doubts about your skills, qualifications or experience, then the writer would like to clear the doubts about your job skills and qualifications by discussing with you before sending the completed resume to you. Some of the services even offer cover letter and thank-you letter along with the resume as a package deal.

The writer from the writing service does have enough information about the job market and the selection criteria of various employers. Hence, the writer will write your curriculum vitae accordingly and it definitely stands out from the resumes of other candidates with similar talents. It provides a great impression on the employer that you are the right candidate for the job post. Resume services with a professional approach can write curriculum vitae that provide you with the results you are expecting.

Resume services can help the people to present them in a better way before the employers. Professional resume writing services can provide you with a presentable resume.

Read more ...

3/5/13

5 Tips For Writing Your First CV

An employer or recruiter may only review your CV for 30 seconds when they will be looking to identify the key points that will help them to make a decision on your application. It is critical, therefore, to make sure that the content and structure of your CV promotes you in the most positive way.

Unfortunately there is not one magic rule to make sure your CV stands out from all of the others. However here are a few tips that will hopefully help you when writing your first CV.

1. Tailor your CV

Make sure that your CV is tailored to the job that you are applying for. Research the company and the industry beforehand to gain an understanding of what it is they are looking for. Once you have thought about your content, you are ready to write the CV. Make sure that when writing it you are consistent with the format throughout - a poorly produced CV is more likely to put off an employer/recruiter.

2. Make sure it looks professional

Don't immediately look to use a ready-made template - other job seekers will have done this and your CV won't stand out. The presentation of your CV is very important. It should be clear, concise and should outline your key selling points in a way that the employer/recruiter can quickly analyse your strengths and suitability.

3. Don't think that telling lies on your CV will help!

Selling your skills is extremely important, however lying to potentially increase your chances during the hiring process is not a good idea. When a lie is identified (often during an interview or when references are checked) it will often lead to job offers being withdrawn or worse. You may also find that lying on a CV or during an interview now could stop you from getting your dream job in the future. It is a very small world and you never know who could become very important to you later in your career.

4. Make sure your skills are highlighted

It is crucial that you highlight the skills that make you stand out from the competition. You have researched the company and the job role, you understand the type of person and the skills that they are looking for - make sure you highlight in your skills section why you are the ideal person for the job!

5. Check for errors

Poor spelling and grammar within your CV is another certain way of decreasing your chances of success when applying for jobs. Make sure that you have re-read your CV a few times after you have produced it - spell checkers and grammar checkers can often overlook mistakes. An individual who submits a CV with spelling and grammatical mistakes can often be perceived as error prone and as somebody who doesn't take care to check their work before submission - two very negative characteristics for employers!

CV Executives are specialists in the field of career consultancy, more specifically CV Writing, Interview Coaching and Social Media profile optimisation.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.cvexecutives.com/.

We have also written a free CV Writing Tips e-book titled "7 Steps To Writing A CV That Gets You Hired" that can be downloaded from http://www.cvexecutives.com/cv-writing-tips-free-ebook.

Read more ...

Write a Powerful Resume - Part 1

10AM: HR sends me a short list of resumes.
12:30PM: Lunch break. Gulped down my sandwich and with a cup of coffee on one hand, I start going through each resume. I have about 20 minutes before I start working again.
12:50PM: I have skimmed through 10 resumes so far while being interrupted with phone calls, colleagues stopping by for a chat, and my 6 monitors streaming live market prices and news from around the world. I set aside the ones I want my team to meet for an interview. Now back to work.

I was previously a trader, and this is how I remember my days when our desk needed to add a headcount. My role in the recruitment process was to further narrow down the list from the human resources team and invite the prospects in for an interview.

So how do I optimize my short span of time to pick the right resumes? Assuming HR has already done the basic homework, I spend about 30 seconds going through the bullets under the candidate's work experience. What impact did they make? Is it relevant to our work here?

Then my eyes go to the extracurricular activities and this is the fun part. It shows the candidate's character. I want to know if this person would be fun to work with, given that I spend 12 hours in the office every day. Lastly, I look for relevant technical skills. Within 60 seconds, I will know if I want to talk to this candidate or not.

A powerful resume wins half the battle for you.

A powerful resume paints an attractive picture of who you are, and hints to your (overworked) recruiters at your future success in the job even before you get to the interview. There are 3 key principles to help you get started writing one.

1. Resume space is prime real estate.

As a property developer, would you waste a prime real estate area building low yielding assets? Only include critical information in your resume.

Even within your resume, be sure to prioritize the location. Most important achievements should be on the top of each experience section.

2. Resume sum of all parts equals a powerful story.

A resume is not simply a compilation of your past experiences. It has to deliver your story in a structured and compelling manner. The recruiter should be able to effortlessly understand your competencies and picture how you can become a good fit for the team.

3. 100% of resume should be about you.

Not about the company. Not about the school. It is about what YOU did and how you made an impact. What value will you bring to the team?

Writing a Powerful Resume will be a six part series. In the subsequent articles, we will discuss the pre-resume writing checklist, followed by an in-depth review of each of the work, education, extracurricular activities, and skills & interest section.

Enjoy!

LIBBLER is an online career prep platform. Users can find a comprehensive range of career tools and tutorials for free. Key offerings include professional resume builder, expert video tutorials, mock interview platform with common questions and sample answers, and the PDF Resume Starters Guide.

http://libbler.com/

Read more ...

2/27/13

CV Writing - How to Select the Best Service to Write Your Resume

Every individual with educational qualifications should have a well-written resume. Attractive curriculum vitae can fetch you a job based on your experience, qualifications and skills. Resume is the best medium to showcase your expertise and experience required for the job applied. By sending a CV, the candidate is introducing him/her to the employers and provides details of the strengths as a candidate. While creating a resume, it is important to highlight the strengths of the candidate for the job applied. A common man cannot create an alluring resume for him. Hence, it is better to opt for a CV writing service to get your resume done.

There are many resume writing services that offer resume consultation for the job seekers. In these resume writing companies, they appoint professional and well-trained resume writer who can highlight the strengths of the job seeker. These companies will write curriculum vitae for both entry-level and experienced people. Various CV writing packages are offered by these companies such as resume, resume with cover letter, and resume with cover letter and thank you letter. The prices of these packages are different depending on the requirements of the job-seekers. Select a company that offers various resume writing packages, so that you can opt for the package suitable for your requirements.

Resume consultation is done in a professional way by the CV writing services, so that they can provide the best possible resume to the customers. Writing a CV does not include intelligence, but it requires skills such as listening, analyzing, evaluation, writing, and knowledge of job market. A professional writer will talk to the candidate to understand name, address, work experience, goals, talents, skills, educational qualifications, etc., through phone. After interviewing the job seeker through phone, the writer will write an attractive resume for the customer which guarantees interview calls from the potential employers. Hence, you have to select a CV writing service with a certified resume writer.

A best service will write a draft for the customer first and then send it to the customer for feedback. After receiving the feedback from the customer, the service will send a final copy of the resume. If you would like to edit your resume, then you can tell the service to do so. Select a resume consultation service that can offer guarantee for your resume or free re-write if you did not receive expected results. If the service guarantees you to receive interview calls, then you can be sure that they will provide well-written curriculum vitae that can attract the potential employers. Good companies always meet the deadlines for writing a resume. While selecting a CV writing service, you can also check whether they have any past experience in this field because experience always matters.

CV writing service offering resume consultation can provide you with great resume. If you would like to have a well-written resume, then you can visit http://www.thecareerboost.com/cv-writing.

Read more ...

Importance of Having a Perfect Resume and Hiring a Resume Writing Service

A resume, CV or curriculum vitae is a document that contains the details of one's education, professional qualification, experience and skills set. Resume is an alternate word for CV, which has exactly the same meaning. The terms "CV" and "Resume" are used interchangeably in the different parts of the world. So, you can use any of these depending upon the requirement and situation.

Significance of Your Resume

This is the basic tool that is used around the globe to communicate with the employers while applying for a job opportunity. Without a CV, your application doesn't mean anything to the employer. Having a professional resume is the very first step towards your professional objectives.

Why Should You Hire a Resume Writing Service?

Since your resume serves as your first introduction to the employer, it must be able to make a good impression. You can try to craft your CV on your own, but if you haven't done so before, you are likely to make mistakes. For many things in our life, it is said that we learn from our mistakes. However, mistakes in your resume can make you lose great opportunities.

Hiring a resume writing service is just like as hiring an employee. Think like an employer who hires a person to share his or her burden. If you find it difficult for yourself to give an appropriate shape to your resume, you must shift your worries to be resolved by a good professional resume writing service. The resume experts who provide these services know how to make one's resume more presentable.

Types of Resume Writing Services:

Overstated Word Processing Services

These services simply work as the production units of fascinating resumes. They know the art of using the gloomy and shiny words in your CV, but unfortunately these types of resumes can hardly grab the attention of the recruiters.

Professional Resume Writing Services

A professional CV writing service takes considerable amount of time to produce your resume. They look deeply into your previous experience, academic qualification, skills set and your future goals. They know how to create a relevancy among your resume and the kinds of jobs you are looking for. Instead of using fascinating words, they emphasize on the facts of your previous professional experience and achievements.

It is always recommended that you go for a professional resume writing service when looking for some real CV experts to craft a resume for you. Make sure that you do a good research before hiring a service.

If you have been unemployed for quite some time now, you should look for a  Professional Resume Writing Service  to craft a job-winning resume for you. 

Read more ...