Career Changers: How to Write Skills-Based Resume

Making a career change is a tough decision for most people, especially if you are already mid-way or more into a career in another field. In some cases, it can feel like having to turn back time, starting at a level alongside interns or entry-level professionals with lower pay than what you already have going for you. But, it is a decision many of us go through to achieve satisfaction and balance in life and work.

This type of situation requires a different kind of resume which is skills-based instead of industry-focused. So when making a change, you need to demonstrate to the employer that you have the transferable experience and skills that will make you successful on the job.

The primary focus of your resume should not be about who you worked for and the types of responsibilities and projects you held. It may not be relevant. You need to hone in on particular experience and skills in a broader sense to show how it can apply to the new career track.

For instance, say a candidate was a successful intellectual property lawyer and now wants to make the transition to public relations. The PR employer could care less about the law practices the candidate worked at or that he was a top-earning partner at the firm. What they will care about are relevant skills he has to offer, such as writing and persuasive and effective communications.

To craft a skills-based resume, work the following tips into your resume:

Think about what skills and strengths the employer would desire from a candidate and where you have similar skills and strengths that can be supported by your previous work. To get a better sense of what skills and strengths are important to the employer, review the job posting for information on qualifications sought. Also look at job descriptions for the position from other employers on job boards. You will receive an overall sense of the highlights. Identify the top 5-7 skills that the employer seeks.
Top your resume with points on relevant skills. After listing your contact information at the top of your resume, create a heading section called "Summary of Qualifications." Here you will outline the particular relevant experience and transferable skills you have to offer. This will help you make an immediate positive impression and show you are relevant.
You should still use the reverse chronological format. But now you will focus on the transferable skills that you demonstrated as opposed to the industry and functional-specific information. For example, if you are moving from managing construction projects to a broader role, then some your key skills would include the ability to manage field-based crews and subcontractors, the ability to meet aggressive deadlines and budges, and the ability to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations. These skills are relevant to a lot of jobs besides construction.
Include other relevant information. If you took courses or volunteered for work that is relevant to your new career, that can also help you make a positive impression. It shows the employer that you have taken initiative to continue to improve yourself for the particular career and have true interest in entering this track. There may also be skills you have, but ones that were not fully used in your previous career that are worth highlighting in your resume now. For instance, are you bilingual in Spanish and English? It is worth noting if the employer's client base happens to be multi-cultural.

In this market, many people are moving from depressed industries and the skills-based resume allows you to appeal to a much broader market. A skills-based resume is also an effective approach for those with employment gaps or who are just starting to enter the job market.

Don Goodman, President of About Jobs ( http://www.gotthejob.com/ ) is a nationally recognized Career Coach and Resume Writer. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business and Stanford University's Executive Program, Don has helped thousands of people secure their next job. Read his blog at www.GotTheJob.com/blog/ or contact him at 800-909-0109 or by e-mail at dgoodman@GotTheJob.com.

Read more ...

Career Changers: How to Write Skills-Based Resume

Making a career change is a tough decision for most people, especially if you are already mid-way or more into a career in another field. In some cases, it can feel like having to turn back time, starting at a level alongside interns or entry-level professionals with lower pay than what you already have going for you. But, it is a decision many of us go through to achieve satisfaction and balance in life and work.

This type of situation requires a different kind of resume which is skills-based instead of industry-focused. So when making a change, you need to demonstrate to the employer that you have the transferable experience and skills that will make you successful on the job.

The primary focus of your resume should not be about who you worked for and the types of responsibilities and projects you held. It may not be relevant. You need to hone in on particular experience and skills in a broader sense to show how it can apply to the new career track.

For instance, say a candidate was a successful intellectual property lawyer and now wants to make the transition to public relations. The PR employer could care less about the law practices the candidate worked at or that he was a top-earning partner at the firm. What they will care about are relevant skills he has to offer, such as writing and persuasive and effective communications.

To craft a skills-based resume, work the following tips into your resume:

Think about what skills and strengths the employer would desire from a candidate and where you have similar skills and strengths that can be supported by your previous work. To get a better sense of what skills and strengths are important to the employer, review the job posting for information on qualifications sought. Also look at job descriptions for the position from other employers on job boards. You will receive an overall sense of the highlights. Identify the top 5-7 skills that the employer seeks.
Top your resume with points on relevant skills. After listing your contact information at the top of your resume, create a heading section called "Summary of Qualifications." Here you will outline the particular relevant experience and transferable skills you have to offer. This will help you make an immediate positive impression and show you are relevant.
You should still use the reverse chronological format. But now you will focus on the transferable skills that you demonstrated as opposed to the industry and functional-specific information. For example, if you are moving from managing construction projects to a broader role, then some your key skills would include the ability to manage field-based crews and subcontractors, the ability to meet aggressive deadlines and budges, and the ability to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations. These skills are relevant to a lot of jobs besides construction.
Include other relevant information. If you took courses or volunteered for work that is relevant to your new career, that can also help you make a positive impression. It shows the employer that you have taken initiative to continue to improve yourself for the particular career and have true interest in entering this track. There may also be skills you have, but ones that were not fully used in your previous career that are worth highlighting in your resume now. For instance, are you bilingual in Spanish and English? It is worth noting if the employer's client base happens to be multi-cultural.

In this market, many people are moving from depressed industries and the skills-based resume allows you to appeal to a much broader market. A skills-based resume is also an effective approach for those with employment gaps or who are just starting to enter the job market.

Don Goodman, President of About Jobs ( http://www.gotthejob.com/ ) is a nationally recognized Career Coach and Resume Writer. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business and Stanford University's Executive Program, Don has helped thousands of people secure their next job. Read his blog at www.GotTheJob.com/blog/ or contact him at 800-909-0109 or by e-mail at dgoodman@GotTheJob.com.

Read more ...

Career Changers: How to Write Skills-Based Resume

Making a career change is a tough decision for most people, especially if you are already mid-way or more into a career in another field. In some cases, it can feel like having to turn back time, starting at a level alongside interns or entry-level professionals with lower pay than what you already have going for you. But, it is a decision many of us go through to achieve satisfaction and balance in life and work.

This type of situation requires a different kind of resume which is skills-based instead of industry-focused. So when making a change, you need to demonstrate to the employer that you have the transferable experience and skills that will make you successful on the job.

The primary focus of your resume should not be about who you worked for and the types of responsibilities and projects you held. It may not be relevant. You need to hone in on particular experience and skills in a broader sense to show how it can apply to the new career track.

For instance, say a candidate was a successful intellectual property lawyer and now wants to make the transition to public relations. The PR employer could care less about the law practices the candidate worked at or that he was a top-earning partner at the firm. What they will care about are relevant skills he has to offer, such as writing and persuasive and effective communications.

To craft a skills-based resume, work the following tips into your resume:

Think about what skills and strengths the employer would desire from a candidate and where you have similar skills and strengths that can be supported by your previous work. To get a better sense of what skills and strengths are important to the employer, review the job posting for information on qualifications sought. Also look at job descriptions for the position from other employers on job boards. You will receive an overall sense of the highlights. Identify the top 5-7 skills that the employer seeks.
Top your resume with points on relevant skills. After listing your contact information at the top of your resume, create a heading section called "Summary of Qualifications." Here you will outline the particular relevant experience and transferable skills you have to offer. This will help you make an immediate positive impression and show you are relevant.
You should still use the reverse chronological format. But now you will focus on the transferable skills that you demonstrated as opposed to the industry and functional-specific information. For example, if you are moving from managing construction projects to a broader role, then some your key skills would include the ability to manage field-based crews and subcontractors, the ability to meet aggressive deadlines and budges, and the ability to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations. These skills are relevant to a lot of jobs besides construction.
Include other relevant information. If you took courses or volunteered for work that is relevant to your new career, that can also help you make a positive impression. It shows the employer that you have taken initiative to continue to improve yourself for the particular career and have true interest in entering this track. There may also be skills you have, but ones that were not fully used in your previous career that are worth highlighting in your resume now. For instance, are you bilingual in Spanish and English? It is worth noting if the employer's client base happens to be multi-cultural.

In this market, many people are moving from depressed industries and the skills-based resume allows you to appeal to a much broader market. A skills-based resume is also an effective approach for those with employment gaps or who are just starting to enter the job market.

Don Goodman, President of About Jobs ( http://www.gotthejob.com/ ) is a nationally recognized Career Coach and Resume Writer. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business and Stanford University's Executive Program, Don has helped thousands of people secure their next job. Read his blog at www.GotTheJob.com/blog/ or contact him at 800-909-0109 or by e-mail at dgoodman@GotTheJob.com.

Read more ...

Top 4 Resume Tips for Career Changers

In today's marketplace, it can seem like changing careers is all but impossible. After all, how can a candidate seeking entry into a new industry possibly compete with those who've spent their entire careers there? The answer lies in how you target the resume: what skills you choose to highlight, what structure you opt to use, and how effectively you communicate passion. Yes, recruiters and hiring agents are on the lookout for experienced candidates. But the advantages of bringing in fresh blood, someone with highly transferable skills and a track record of prior success is not something they'll ever ignore. Laying the correct foundation in your resume sets the stage for a successful interview, and will help you land a position you truly care about.

1) IDENTIFY (AND HIGHLIGHT) TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Let's say you want to move from Project Management into a Sales position. Gather job postings you could see yourself applying to and analyze them for key skills. What are the areas of overlap? For example, did you excel in managing client relationships? Consistently complete projects ahead of budget and schedule? Did you adjust to changing business needs? These are all valuable attributes that hold weight when recruiters and hiring agents scout for Sales candidates.

Next, create a brief opening paragraph that highlights these skills. Keep it brief and to the point. End it with a statement of your ability to succeed in diverse situations, such as, "Proven track record of success spanning diverse industries and environments". Versatility is a prized attribute.

2) DEVELOP A WORK HISTORY IN LINE WITH YOUR JOB TARGET

Career changers need to be especially careful in not simply reciting responsibilities and accomplishments within their work history. Recruiters and hiring agents are looking for your ability to succeed in a new environment. Highlight transferable skills first and leave off extraneous details which are not pertinent for your targeted position.

3) INCLUDE QUANTIFIABLE SUCCESSES

Nothing makes a stronger case for your candidacy than quantifiable successes, whether they're pertinent to your target position or no. Take the time to gather this information and integrate it within a "Key Accomplishments" or similar section for every position you've held within the past 10-12 years.

4) HIGHLIGHT RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

Have you recently joined an industry group? Received training in the field you're targeting? What technical skills do you possess which can be applied in a new position? Create succinct closing sections highlighting them.

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).

Please submit your existing resume for a FREE CRITIQUE spanning structure, language, and content.

Read more ...

Top 4 Resume Tips for Career Changers

In today's marketplace, it can seem like changing careers is all but impossible. After all, how can a candidate seeking entry into a new industry possibly compete with those who've spent their entire careers there? The answer lies in how you target the resume: what skills you choose to highlight, what structure you opt to use, and how effectively you communicate passion. Yes, recruiters and hiring agents are on the lookout for experienced candidates. But the advantages of bringing in fresh blood, someone with highly transferable skills and a track record of prior success is not something they'll ever ignore. Laying the correct foundation in your resume sets the stage for a successful interview, and will help you land a position you truly care about.

1) IDENTIFY (AND HIGHLIGHT) TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Let's say you want to move from Project Management into a Sales position. Gather job postings you could see yourself applying to and analyze them for key skills. What are the areas of overlap? For example, did you excel in managing client relationships? Consistently complete projects ahead of budget and schedule? Did you adjust to changing business needs? These are all valuable attributes that hold weight when recruiters and hiring agents scout for Sales candidates.

Next, create a brief opening paragraph that highlights these skills. Keep it brief and to the point. End it with a statement of your ability to succeed in diverse situations, such as, "Proven track record of success spanning diverse industries and environments". Versatility is a prized attribute.

2) DEVELOP A WORK HISTORY IN LINE WITH YOUR JOB TARGET

Career changers need to be especially careful in not simply reciting responsibilities and accomplishments within their work history. Recruiters and hiring agents are looking for your ability to succeed in a new environment. Highlight transferable skills first and leave off extraneous details which are not pertinent for your targeted position.

3) INCLUDE QUANTIFIABLE SUCCESSES

Nothing makes a stronger case for your candidacy than quantifiable successes, whether they're pertinent to your target position or no. Take the time to gather this information and integrate it within a "Key Accomplishments" or similar section for every position you've held within the past 10-12 years.

4) HIGHLIGHT RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

Have you recently joined an industry group? Received training in the field you're targeting? What technical skills do you possess which can be applied in a new position? Create succinct closing sections highlighting them.

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).

Please submit your existing resume for a FREE CRITIQUE spanning structure, language, and content.

Read more ...

Top 4 Resume Tips for Career Changers

In today's marketplace, it can seem like changing careers is all but impossible. After all, how can a candidate seeking entry into a new industry possibly compete with those who've spent their entire careers there? The answer lies in how you target the resume: what skills you choose to highlight, what structure you opt to use, and how effectively you communicate passion. Yes, recruiters and hiring agents are on the lookout for experienced candidates. But the advantages of bringing in fresh blood, someone with highly transferable skills and a track record of prior success is not something they'll ever ignore. Laying the correct foundation in your resume sets the stage for a successful interview, and will help you land a position you truly care about.

1) IDENTIFY (AND HIGHLIGHT) TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Let's say you want to move from Project Management into a Sales position. Gather job postings you could see yourself applying to and analyze them for key skills. What are the areas of overlap? For example, did you excel in managing client relationships? Consistently complete projects ahead of budget and schedule? Did you adjust to changing business needs? These are all valuable attributes that hold weight when recruiters and hiring agents scout for Sales candidates.

Next, create a brief opening paragraph that highlights these skills. Keep it brief and to the point. End it with a statement of your ability to succeed in diverse situations, such as, "Proven track record of success spanning diverse industries and environments". Versatility is a prized attribute.

2) DEVELOP A WORK HISTORY IN LINE WITH YOUR JOB TARGET

Career changers need to be especially careful in not simply reciting responsibilities and accomplishments within their work history. Recruiters and hiring agents are looking for your ability to succeed in a new environment. Highlight transferable skills first and leave off extraneous details which are not pertinent for your targeted position.

3) INCLUDE QUANTIFIABLE SUCCESSES

Nothing makes a stronger case for your candidacy than quantifiable successes, whether they're pertinent to your target position or no. Take the time to gather this information and integrate it within a "Key Accomplishments" or similar section for every position you've held within the past 10-12 years.

4) HIGHLIGHT RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

Have you recently joined an industry group? Received training in the field you're targeting? What technical skills do you possess which can be applied in a new position? Create succinct closing sections highlighting them.

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).

Please submit your existing resume for a FREE CRITIQUE spanning structure, language, and content.

Read more ...