Resume & Cover Letter Writing: Before

Showing posts with label Before. Show all posts

2/22/13

5 Things You Need to Know Before Accepting a Job Offer

12/6/11

Know WHY - Before You Learn HOW To Write a Cover Letter

But many who are searching for this information about how to write a cover letter are putting the cart before the horse. I have said this before, and I will repeat it again: you can't learn how to write a one until you know why you are writing it. So why are you writing this essential document? To waste another perfectly good hour? No!

One reason: to pull yourself out of the rat race!

More prosaically, you are writing the letter so that you can get an interview for the job you want. You are forging a personal connection with the potential employer for one purpose: to ask for the interview. Here's why it works.

The resume is necessary. It reveals your skills, qualifications, and experience. That's important when you are applying for a job. No one's going to bring you into their company unless they know "where you've been." But a resume is also impersonal.

While a resume gives a summary of your work and skills, it can't do one very important thing: show the potential employer exactly what they have to gain from hiring you. Think about it - why would a company hire you without benefiting from the decision? They don't care about filling a chair. They want you to make their company work better.

That's where the cover letter comes in. It has the power to speak directly to your future employer. Not only that - it can speak directly to the person who is going to call you in for an interview, and even hire you. So what are you going to do with this opportunity? If you are like so many job applicants... you will just throw it away.

Most people will use the letter to repeat what they've already said in their interview. Their letter might expand on their qualifications for the job. But it won't tell the company exactly how it will benefit from hiring them. And another mistake... it won't ask for the job.

So, first you must show your potential employer how they will benefit from hiring you. Then you must openly and clearly ask for the interview. Those are the two most important things anyone must do in a cover letter. If you don't do them, you are throwing your chances away just like everyone else. But if you do these things, you will stand head and shoulders above 99% of job applicants.

A cover letter that grabs the attention of a hiring manager is the key to getting any interview. I've created a FREE quick and easy video and email training course for writing a cover letter that will get you interviews. Get it here: http://how-to-write-a-cover-letter.net/access/signup.html

11/1/11

3 Resume Fixes Employers Need Before They Can Hire

Before a hiring authority decides to hire an individual, many prefer - or require - that any resume in question address specific workplace and past-employment and formatting issues that may be found on resumes submitted to them for consideration. Why? Because the 'hiring authority' is usually smart enough to understand that when they hire someone it is their job that is on the line, in the sense that they must meet a certain standard of excellence expected by the person(s) they report to, to only hire qualified and experienced individuals. Who wouldn't, right? Well, common sense and many hiring studies, prove that often the person they want to hire is not a perfect match for the job; instead, the job applicant is someone who has special knowledge that makes them valuable despite a lack of experience in a specific vocation, or that the applicant is from an associated vocation, or who has a personality to perfectly fit the job-at-hand, but who has not presented an ideal resume background.

How do you get past that?

Three ways. In such circumstances, job applicants are required to help the hiring authority (and themselves) by editing the resume they present for consideration so it addresses the job elements which are important to the employer. That way the hiring agent can rest easy that the resume matches the job opening, thusly confirming to their boss the motivations behind any subsequent job offer. That matching process is done by adjusting three areas of the resume.

First, is to adjust each associated workplace description area of the resume to highlight duties and tasks so those actions relate to the job you want. For example, if the job sought is a "Assistant Kitchen Manager" job, but you have only been a "Restaurant Server" - then highlight the duties you have performed that relates to the back-of-the-house (kitchen area). Severs often do that, help out the kitchen cook staff so meals are prepared and presented promptly and get to the table as quickly as possible. Point is, adjust the descriptions of those duties to include your actual experience, but be sure to notate day-to-day experiences that relate to the job for which you are applying.

Second, past-employment. Sticking with the "Assistant Kitchen Manager" job scenario, many "Restaurant Server" have worked in other restaurant businesses; it's the same for many vocations. So don't just repeat the "DUTIES" section of your resume, mention other experiences your have had in the workplaces where you were employed that have to do with duties that may be typically performed by an "Assistant Kitchen Manager" (or whatever job title you seek), That strategy expresses your ongoing history of successfully handling those sort of responsibilities, whether you actually had the job title or not.

Third, one of the most overlooked aspects which eliminates job applicants from the hiring process, is poor spelling, grammar and resume formatting. Triple check spelling. Incorrect spelling of the word "which" with the word "witch," will not get you hired. Nor will that misapplication of spelling be caught by a word-processor spell-check program, because "witch" is spelled correctly, assuming you are seeking a job with a witch-coven. Same applies to good grammar and resume formatting. Make certain your resume is triple-checked for its ability to be simple and easy to read.

Help the hire authority to make a job offer to you by addressing their needs and the employer's needs upon your resume, and make those changes to your resume prior to presenting your resume for consideration by an employer. Make the changes addressed in this article and you will greatly increase you chances of getting a job offer for the type of job title you seek.

Mark Baber, Job Placement expert and Radio Host of "The Job Search Show," is a 20 year Executive Search specialist and Recruit Consultant, and advisor to http://www.jobnewsradio.com/ & "JOB SEARCH MAGAZINE". Where Job Seekers access 1000's of hiring contacts, including telephone numbers, faxes, email addresses, web links and more, to help introduce you to hiring specialists willing to help you find gainful, career level employment.

9/2/11

Obtain Letters of Recommendation Before the Job Interview

Are you actually ready for your Job Interview? Derek Jeter is an outstanding example of the remarkable tenacity and commitment required for an individual to achieve success and establish a stellar career. This same dedication and resolve applies to the job-seeker when preparing for their interview. You're not prepared for the big game if you've overlooked a vital component which will bolster your image and improve your chances for success -- Letters of Commendation.

Your Cheering Section

There is significant truth in the statement - 'It's who you know, not what you know'! The fact is, letters of commendation may typically have more influence with a hiring manager than your resume. Letters of commendation are highly persuasive tools in your interview arsenal which underscore your skills and abilities to a prospective employer. It's your personal cheering section which adds power and 'oomph' to your credentials.

In today's fierce and highly competitive job market, letters of commendation are mandatory. It's the document you don't go on an interview without! Ideal candidates for such letters should be absolute advocates and typically include individuals in elevated positions of authority (such as corporate executives or professors). Their letter is a persuasive testimonial based on their first-hand experience of having worked or collaborated with you. Just 2-3 well crafted letters is all that's required to create a 'wave' in your cheering section that's perceived as a 'wow' factor by the employer.

Offer to Help

In today's rather hectic, multi-tasking environment, people are busy and fairly well immersed with their own initiatives. If your targeted individual has a 'full plate', offer to write a letter of commendation for them. Provide them with complete creative liberty to edit the document as required. This is clearly a diplomatic and convenient tool in the job seeker's bag of tricks. Alternatively, if you're not comfortable with your own writing skills, ask a trusted 3rd party to assist.

Letters of Commendation vs. Job References

Letters of Commendation provide insight from notable authorities and experts (preferably within the same industry sector you're pursuing), with convincing statements regarding your superb qualifications and capabilities. Conversely, a job reference candidate is someone who has known you at least one year (preferably 1-4 years), and can confirm details of your resume and provide positive feedback on your work, expertise, and educational background. The list should include at least three of the following: supervisors, colleagues, subordinates, clients, and contacts from work or community organizations. It's possible that a job reference may also be the author of a letter of commendation.

Your Defining Commitment

Job candidates armed with Letters of Commendation differentiate themselves and gain a significant advantage over other candidates who did not pursue the extra step to prepare for the interview. Such tenacity, resolve and ingenuity is your defining commitment to the company and serves to galvanize your credibility with the interviewer.

Lenny Keitel runs Hudson Valley Resumes in Monroe, NY, a premier nationwide Resume Writing Service with a penchant for crafting compelling resumes which inspire and motivate the hiring manager through its inspirational content, clarity, and visual appeal.

http://www.hudsonvalleyresumes.com/

info@hudsonvalleyresumes (email), (845) 782-6714 (phone/fax), (914) 782-6714 (mobile)

7/31/11

Obtain Letters of Recommendation Before the Job Interview

Your Cheering Section

Offer to Help

Letters of Commendation vs. Job References

Your Defining Commitment

http://www.hudsonvalleyresumes.com/

info@hudsonvalleyresumes (email), (845) 782-6714 (phone/fax), (914) 782-6714 (mobile)

1/8/11

Professional Resume Writers - Everything You Must Know Before Hiring One

When the economy is in the dumper, unemployment is elevated, and you see your emergency savings dwindling while you try to find a new job, it may seem counter to your instincts to actually pay for assistance with your job search. This is true whether you are employed or unemployed, whether you are a new grad looking for your first job or a seasoned C-level executive: If you are looking for a new employer your competition is stiff! You're likely competing against many other job hunters for far fewer job opportunities. The longer you are in the job market, the more it costs you. Someone who is used to making $50,000 per year is losing $950 every single week that he remains without a job. From that point of view, could it be foolish to refuse help and keep struggling on your own, needlessly making your job search longer than it needs to be? Could it actually be a wise investment in yourself to work with a professional who knows how to get you noticed among the masses, can help you win interviews against the competition, and can help you negotiate a salary higher than before? Of course!

Many people maintain that they can cut costs by developing their own resume. It's only a piece of paper after all! Then they spend week after week, month after month in a unsuccessful job search, hardly ever getting a call for an interview. In the end, their thriftiness costs them a great deal of money, even more time, many lost opportunities, and more stress than it was all worth.

Professional resume writers -- those who take their expertise seriously, attend regular trainings, pursue certifications, and make a real effort to keep their skills cutting edge -- can make an astonishingly positive difference in your job search. Whatever they charge you for their services, which may have originally seemed like an expense, will clearly become an investment. And unlike many investments, this is one that could pay you back over and over. The truth is that a truly excellent professionally created resume will almost always SAVE you money and MAKE you money by getting your resume noticed and winning you interviews ahead of the crowd helping you land a job FAR FASTER and usually at a HIGHER SALARY than you would have achieved on your own.

Once you have come to the conclusion that a professionally written resume isn't a luxury, but a necessity, how do you go about finding a expert to help you? How do you make your selection? Here are a few guidelines to help you.

*** Ask if they have a portfolio of sample resumes you can review

Resume writing is a professional service that requires a very unique combination of strategic thinking abilities, strong creativity and writing skills, and up-to-date knowledge of the employment market and resume trends. You should look for professionals who write from "scratch" and create unique resumes for each and every client. Templates are a no-no as they give your resume a "cookie-cutter" look that just makes you blend in rather than stand out. By viewing past work, you can gain a sense of the professional's style and their attention to detail. Showing you actual unedited samples would be a red flag to avoid that provider as they would be violating client confidentiality. However, most firms have at least a few projects which they have "neutralized," removing or changing all identifying data so that they can show them to prospects. Many resume writers actually publish samples on the web and contribute to books on resume writing. You should never hire a writer without first reviewing their portfolio of sample projects and being certain you are comfortable with their style and quality.

*** Check out the credentials of the writer

Certifications illustrate that the writer takes her expertise seriously and is committed to professional excellence. It is surprising for many people to hear that there are professional associations for resume writers, but there are! Two of the best known include NRWA and PARW/CC, and many professional resume writers belong to these and other associations that serve the career coaching and employment services profession in general. Most of these associations offer their own version of continuing education and certification programs. It is possible to find a good writer who has not attained certification, but choosing a certified professional ensures that you are working with a writer whose work has passed the scrupulous examination of her peers and whose knowledge of the industry has been tested. Some of the tests and programs are more demanding than others. The most significant certifications have experience requirements, test various areas of competence, use a blind evaluation process, and have CEU requirements to maintain the writer's skill and certification.

*** Ask for testimonial letters

You wouldn't want your resume writer just handing out your name and phone number to prospective new clients. You should be considerate of the fact that professional ethics and confidentiality agreements will prevent resume writers from giving you the actual names of past clients. In fact, you may want to be wary of writers who DO offer up names of past clients! But, the top professionals will have gathered letters of references from past clients that they will be happy to provide to you anonymously. You could also check LinkedIn. Ask to connect with the writer and then review their references on LinkedIn. If a writer claims to have no references it should be a red flag!

*** Make sure you understand any written contract the writer uses

Even a straightforward written contract is smart to have. It doesn't have to be fancy or written in confusing legal language. A written agreement ensures that expectations are clear, and that policies and procedures have been explained and agreed upon. What services are included? Will the writer be writing a resume only or will they help with letters? Will you be provided with the actual document files at the end? What if you aren't satisfied? What are the guarantees? How many revisions are included? How and when does the writer expect to receive compensation? What will the turnaround be?

And last but not least...

** Understand that having your resume professionally written is an investment and that a bargain isn't always a bargain

Particularly in today's economy in which we are seeing rising unemployment, there are a number of "fly by night" resume writing firms that are suddenly appearing on the premise of cashing in on the increased number of people in the job market. Many of these firms have little-to-no experience or knowledge in the industry. Does the person you are considering have an established and trustworthy web presence? Do they belong to professional associations? Do they have connections in the industry? Do they have proof of trainings and workshops they've attended? Have articles or example resumes they have written been published, either on the web or in books?

Just remember that just going into business as a resume writer doesn't make you an expert and that everyone marketing their services do not have equal skills. Further, the most experienced, respected professionals in the field charge appropriately for their services. The fee range is pretty broad, but it would not be uncommon to pay somewhere in the $400-$1200 range to have a professional resume written. Generally, the complexity of your project will have an influence on the fee charged. Some charge more and some charge less, but if it is significantly less, you might want to ask yourself why that is. Does the writer really have the experience he or she claims to have? Be especially wary about working with some of the high-volume companies that outsource all the work to inexperienced writers to whom they usually pay ridiculously low wages to produce resumes of questionable quality. Some even outsource the projects overseas, to writers who do not speak English as a first language. It is your career and all your career dreams at stake! Your resume is not the place to cut corners. It is well worth the extra money to pay for the quality and proven expertise of a true professional resume writer.