Basics Components To Resume Writing

When you are serious about getting a job interview, you will need to have a good resume and cover letter. The quality of the resume must be of a high level or else you will discover you may be missing opportunities a quality resume would be able to deliver. This is why it is best to examine a few of the finer points required for a resume to work in your favor.

Bells and whistles refers to a host of add-ons that offer nothing of substance to a resume. For example, printing a resume on marble colored resume paper can be a decent touch but will it sway any decision maker's opinion to call you in for an interview? The answer is... of course not! Only the substance of the resume is what is of true value. In essence, you must clearly and effectively present your work history, experience, education, and accomplishments in such a way that person reviewing the resume is suitably impressed. This can be achieved through properly writing and organizing the resume.

Why a Well Written CV is so Vitally Important

The reason why you want to write the best possible resume you can is relatively simple. You want to be seriously considered for the job. A poorly composed and constructed resume does not exactly leave those reviewing the resume with a positive impression. On the contrary, you probably will sink your chances of being hired for a job the minute the person reviewing the resume notes it is poorly written. You always have to be sure that the resume writing employed is at a professional level. If it is not then the resume will not reflect well on the person that submits it.

Proper Organization is Another Critical Component to Success

No matter how good the writing on a resume may be, the resume will not have much value if it is poorly organized. When someone picks up a resume, they should be able to locate the relevant information on the resume based on a mere cursory scan. Once the reviewer locates where on the resume the info he/she are interested in is, the reviewer can then read the specific details of the section. This cannot be done if the resume is horribly organized.

A Quality Template Could be of Great Help

One way to be sure the organization of the resume is effective would be to use a resume template that ensures you place the necessary items on the resume into their proper place. However, you still will need to employ the right grammar and language in your writing to be sure it makes a good impression.

For more great information on some great resume writing tips we have a range of great tools and resources on our website http://cvwritingexperts.com/ so visit us today.

Read more ...

The 5 Must-Have Components of a Winning Executive Resume

If you've reviewed executive resume samples lately, you might realize there's something missing from your own document.

Does your executive resume fail to convey your value clearly - and in a matter of seconds? If so, you'll find that a few, straightforward changes can transform you from overlooked to sought-after.

Increase your chances of being considered for the coveted corner office by reviewing this list of must-have components for a cutting-edge executive resume:

1 - Impressive Metrics.

Nothing - absolutely nothing - you can say about your leadership performance will resonate as much as dollar figures that represent revenue, cost savings, or margin improvement.

In today's economy, employers are doing more with less, while expecting executives to deliver near-immediate results!

What does this mean for you? A strong brand message for your executive resume no longer translates into "25 years of experience," but "50% rise in revenue within 6 months" or "rapid identification of $25K OPEX savings."

Not sure how to pull out quantifiable information for your leadership resume? Try assessing the value you've produced against that of a previous incumbent in the same job, especially if you've reworked vendor contracts or retrained the sales force.

In addition, you can review past performance appraisals for projects you've championed or initiatives you've led, then estimate the effect (more sales, increased customer volume, better profits) produced from your efforts.

2 - Testimonials.

Accolades for a project completed under budget, commendations from senior leadership for a profitable new idea, and kudos from colleagues are all valuable pieces of information that belong in your executive resume.

Yet, many candidates fail to realize that a commendation from a C-level leader or parent company executive can be a solid testament to the strength of their achievements.

Quotes or kudos can either be placed on the first page of your resume, or set in a text box next to the related job (as in this sample Vice President of Business Development resume).

In any case, be sure to note the source of the testimonial ("Joe's standards are the reason for our record profits in Q4." - CEO, ABC Company), and ensure that it supplements, not replaces, your brand message.

3 - Descriptive Job Titles.

So, you've moved up the career ladder to that high-ranking position, and you're now running the show… but your company hasn't issued the title you deserve.

So how do you write an executive resume without a leadership title? You'll need to back up your level of authority with both a factual title, plus a descriptive one, in order to present credentials at the right level.

As an example, a Vice President of IT can add "CIO-Level Charter" to point out higher-level duties on a resume (especially if the company doesn't have a CIO), and a Manager of Accounting can add "Direct Report to CFO" to show how he fits in at the Controller level.

4 - Leadership ROI.

Created revenue unmatched by others at your company? Returned your salary 10-fold in profits? Don't hide these facts beneath a sea of mundane trivia.

Executive resumes don't have to be written in a particular format; yet, many resumes start with a tired summary that resorts to generalities.

If your leadership resume summary still describes you as a "proven leader" who is "self-motivated," it's time to take things up a notch! Put your ROI front and center with a tagline proclaiming your peak achievement, right at the top of your resume.

Some examples are:

23% Year-Over-Year Growth Since 2008 - Despite Economic Downturn

Technology Leader Creating Market Edge in Cloud Computing Industry

Attaining Consistent #1 Market Share at Consumer Packaged Goods Company

5 - Brevity.

While 2- and 3-page executive resumes are in vogue, a 7-page narrative is sure to kill your shot at an interview.

Recruiters and hiring authorities don't have time to absorb all the twists and turns of your career, however interesting or relevant they may be to your goal. Instead, it's best to shorten and tighten your resume into a potent representation of your career.

Finding it difficult to trim your executive resume to an acceptable length? Try writing short descriptions of achievements using the C-A-R formula, which stands for Challenge, Action, and Result.

Then, limit your C-A-R stories to 5 peak achievements per job - which will force you to be selective and cut your resume length considerably.

In summary, your executive resume must present a more compelling case than a mere list of job titles and budgets, or you'll be pushed aside by others with a more persuasive brand message.

Use these tips to put your resume in alignment with best executive resume writing practices - and you can expect a stronger level of interest from employers.

Executive resume writer Laura Smith-Proulx is an award-winning resume expert and former recruiter whose work has earned a 98% success rate opening doors to top jobs at Google, Citibank, Apple, and Cisco, among others. The Executive Director of An Expert Resume, she has been featured in more than 200 careers industry articles, bestsellers, and media outlets.

Read more ...

Basics Components To Resume Writing

When you are serious about getting a job interview, you will need to have a good resume and cover letter. The quality of the resume must be of a high level or else you will discover you may be missing opportunities a quality resume would be able to deliver. This is why it is best to examine a few of the finer points required for a resume to work in your favor.

Bells and whistles refers to a host of add-ons that offer nothing of substance to a resume. For example, printing a resume on marble colored resume paper can be a decent touch but will it sway any decision maker's opinion to call you in for an interview? The answer is... of course not! Only the substance of the resume is what is of true value. In essence, you must clearly and effectively present your work history, experience, education, and accomplishments in such a way that person reviewing the resume is suitably impressed. This can be achieved through properly writing and organizing the resume.

Why a Well Written CV is so Vitally Important

The reason why you want to write the best possible resume you can is relatively simple. You want to be seriously considered for the job. A poorly composed and constructed resume does not exactly leave those reviewing the resume with a positive impression. On the contrary, you probably will sink your chances of being hired for a job the minute the person reviewing the resume notes it is poorly written. You always have to be sure that the resume writing employed is at a professional level. If it is not then the resume will not reflect well on the person that submits it.

Proper Organization is Another Critical Component to Success

No matter how good the writing on a resume may be, the resume will not have much value if it is poorly organized. When someone picks up a resume, they should be able to locate the relevant information on the resume based on a mere cursory scan. Once the reviewer locates where on the resume the info he/she are interested in is, the reviewer can then read the specific details of the section. This cannot be done if the resume is horribly organized.

A Quality Template Could be of Great Help

One way to be sure the organization of the resume is effective would be to use a resume template that ensures you place the necessary items on the resume into their proper place. However, you still will need to employ the right grammar and language in your writing to be sure it makes a good impression.

For more great information on some great resume writing tips we have a range of great tools and resources on our website http://cvwritingexperts.com/ so visit us today.

Read more ...

Basics Components To Resume Writing

When you are serious about getting a job interview, you will need to have a good resume and cover letter. The quality of the resume must be of a high level or else you will discover you may be missing opportunities a quality resume would be able to deliver. This is why it is best to examine a few of the finer points required for a resume to work in your favor.

Bells and whistles refers to a host of add-ons that offer nothing of substance to a resume. For example, printing a resume on marble colored resume paper can be a decent touch but will it sway any decision maker's opinion to call you in for an interview? The answer is... of course not! Only the substance of the resume is what is of true value. In essence, you must clearly and effectively present your work history, experience, education, and accomplishments in such a way that person reviewing the resume is suitably impressed. This can be achieved through properly writing and organizing the resume.

Why a Well Written CV is so Vitally Important

The reason why you want to write the best possible resume you can is relatively simple. You want to be seriously considered for the job. A poorly composed and constructed resume does not exactly leave those reviewing the resume with a positive impression. On the contrary, you probably will sink your chances of being hired for a job the minute the person reviewing the resume notes it is poorly written. You always have to be sure that the resume writing employed is at a professional level. If it is not then the resume will not reflect well on the person that submits it.

Proper Organization is Another Critical Component to Success

No matter how good the writing on a resume may be, the resume will not have much value if it is poorly organized. When someone picks up a resume, they should be able to locate the relevant information on the resume based on a mere cursory scan. Once the reviewer locates where on the resume the info he/she are interested in is, the reviewer can then read the specific details of the section. This cannot be done if the resume is horribly organized.

A Quality Template Could be of Great Help

One way to be sure the organization of the resume is effective would be to use a resume template that ensures you place the necessary items on the resume into their proper place. However, you still will need to employ the right grammar and language in your writing to be sure it makes a good impression.

For more great information on some great resume writing tips we have a range of great tools and resources on our website http://cvwritingexperts.com/ so visit us today.

Read more ...

The 5 Must-Have Components of a Winning Executive Resume

If you've reviewed executive resume samples lately, you might realize there's something missing from your own document.

Does your executive resume fail to convey your value clearly - and in a matter of seconds? If so, you'll find that a few, straightforward changes can transform you from overlooked to sought-after.

Increase your chances of being considered for the coveted corner office by reviewing this list of must-have components for a cutting-edge executive resume:

1 - Impressive Metrics.

Nothing - absolutely nothing - you can say about your leadership performance will resonate as much as dollar figures that represent revenue, cost savings, or margin improvement.

In today's economy, employers are doing more with less, while expecting executives to deliver near-immediate results!

What does this mean for you? A strong brand message for your executive resume no longer translates into "25 years of experience," but "50% rise in revenue within 6 months" or "rapid identification of $25K OPEX savings."

Not sure how to pull out quantifiable information for your leadership resume? Try assessing the value you've produced against that of a previous incumbent in the same job, especially if you've reworked vendor contracts or retrained the sales force.

In addition, you can review past performance appraisals for projects you've championed or initiatives you've led, then estimate the effect (more sales, increased customer volume, better profits) produced from your efforts.

2 - Testimonials.

Accolades for a project completed under budget, commendations from senior leadership for a profitable new idea, and kudos from colleagues are all valuable pieces of information that belong in your executive resume.

Yet, many candidates fail to realize that a commendation from a C-level leader or parent company executive can be a solid testament to the strength of their achievements.

Quotes or kudos can either be placed on the first page of your resume, or set in a text box next to the related job (as in this sample Vice President of Business Development resume).

In any case, be sure to note the source of the testimonial ("Joe's standards are the reason for our record profits in Q4." - CEO, ABC Company), and ensure that it supplements, not replaces, your brand message.

3 - Descriptive Job Titles.

So, you've moved up the career ladder to that high-ranking position, and you're now running the show… but your company hasn't issued the title you deserve.

So how do you write an executive resume without a leadership title? You'll need to back up your level of authority with both a factual title, plus a descriptive one, in order to present credentials at the right level.

As an example, a Vice President of IT can add "CIO-Level Charter" to point out higher-level duties on a resume (especially if the company doesn't have a CIO), and a Manager of Accounting can add "Direct Report to CFO" to show how he fits in at the Controller level.

4 - Leadership ROI.

Created revenue unmatched by others at your company? Returned your salary 10-fold in profits? Don't hide these facts beneath a sea of mundane trivia.

Executive resumes don't have to be written in a particular format; yet, many resumes start with a tired summary that resorts to generalities.

If your leadership resume summary still describes you as a "proven leader" who is "self-motivated," it's time to take things up a notch! Put your ROI front and center with a tagline proclaiming your peak achievement, right at the top of your resume.

Some examples are:

23% Year-Over-Year Growth Since 2008 - Despite Economic Downturn

Technology Leader Creating Market Edge in Cloud Computing Industry

Attaining Consistent #1 Market Share at Consumer Packaged Goods Company

5 - Brevity.

While 2- and 3-page executive resumes are in vogue, a 7-page narrative is sure to kill your shot at an interview.

Recruiters and hiring authorities don't have time to absorb all the twists and turns of your career, however interesting or relevant they may be to your goal. Instead, it's best to shorten and tighten your resume into a potent representation of your career.

Finding it difficult to trim your executive resume to an acceptable length? Try writing short descriptions of achievements using the C-A-R formula, which stands for Challenge, Action, and Result.

Then, limit your C-A-R stories to 5 peak achievements per job - which will force you to be selective and cut your resume length considerably.

In summary, your executive resume must present a more compelling case than a mere list of job titles and budgets, or you'll be pushed aside by others with a more persuasive brand message.

Use these tips to put your resume in alignment with best executive resume writing practices - and you can expect a stronger level of interest from employers.

Executive resume writer Laura Smith-Proulx is an award-winning resume expert and former recruiter whose work has earned a 98% success rate opening doors to top jobs at Google, Citibank, Apple, and Cisco, among others. The Executive Director of An Expert Resume, she has been featured in more than 200 careers industry articles, bestsellers, and media outlets.

Read more ...

The 5 Must-Have Components of a Winning Executive Resume

If you've reviewed executive resume samples lately, you might realize there's something missing from your own document.

Does your executive resume fail to convey your value clearly - and in a matter of seconds? If so, you'll find that a few, straightforward changes can transform you from overlooked to sought-after.

Increase your chances of being considered for the coveted corner office by reviewing this list of must-have components for a cutting-edge executive resume:

1 - Impressive Metrics.

Nothing - absolutely nothing - you can say about your leadership performance will resonate as much as dollar figures that represent revenue, cost savings, or margin improvement.

In today's economy, employers are doing more with less, while expecting executives to deliver near-immediate results!

What does this mean for you? A strong brand message for your executive resume no longer translates into "25 years of experience," but "50% rise in revenue within 6 months" or "rapid identification of $25K OPEX savings."

Not sure how to pull out quantifiable information for your leadership resume? Try assessing the value you've produced against that of a previous incumbent in the same job, especially if you've reworked vendor contracts or retrained the sales force.

In addition, you can review past performance appraisals for projects you've championed or initiatives you've led, then estimate the effect (more sales, increased customer volume, better profits) produced from your efforts.

2 - Testimonials.

Accolades for a project completed under budget, commendations from senior leadership for a profitable new idea, and kudos from colleagues are all valuable pieces of information that belong in your executive resume.

Yet, many candidates fail to realize that a commendation from a C-level leader or parent company executive can be a solid testament to the strength of their achievements.

Quotes or kudos can either be placed on the first page of your resume, or set in a text box next to the related job (as in this sample Vice President of Business Development resume).

In any case, be sure to note the source of the testimonial ("Joe's standards are the reason for our record profits in Q4." - CEO, ABC Company), and ensure that it supplements, not replaces, your brand message.

3 - Descriptive Job Titles.

So, you've moved up the career ladder to that high-ranking position, and you're now running the show… but your company hasn't issued the title you deserve.

So how do you write an executive resume without a leadership title? You'll need to back up your level of authority with both a factual title, plus a descriptive one, in order to present credentials at the right level.

As an example, a Vice President of IT can add "CIO-Level Charter" to point out higher-level duties on a resume (especially if the company doesn't have a CIO), and a Manager of Accounting can add "Direct Report to CFO" to show how he fits in at the Controller level.

4 - Leadership ROI.

Created revenue unmatched by others at your company? Returned your salary 10-fold in profits? Don't hide these facts beneath a sea of mundane trivia.

Executive resumes don't have to be written in a particular format; yet, many resumes start with a tired summary that resorts to generalities.

If your leadership resume summary still describes you as a "proven leader" who is "self-motivated," it's time to take things up a notch! Put your ROI front and center with a tagline proclaiming your peak achievement, right at the top of your resume.

Some examples are:

23% Year-Over-Year Growth Since 2008 - Despite Economic Downturn

Technology Leader Creating Market Edge in Cloud Computing Industry

Attaining Consistent #1 Market Share at Consumer Packaged Goods Company

5 - Brevity.

While 2- and 3-page executive resumes are in vogue, a 7-page narrative is sure to kill your shot at an interview.

Recruiters and hiring authorities don't have time to absorb all the twists and turns of your career, however interesting or relevant they may be to your goal. Instead, it's best to shorten and tighten your resume into a potent representation of your career.

Finding it difficult to trim your executive resume to an acceptable length? Try writing short descriptions of achievements using the C-A-R formula, which stands for Challenge, Action, and Result.

Then, limit your C-A-R stories to 5 peak achievements per job - which will force you to be selective and cut your resume length considerably.

In summary, your executive resume must present a more compelling case than a mere list of job titles and budgets, or you'll be pushed aside by others with a more persuasive brand message.

Use these tips to put your resume in alignment with best executive resume writing practices - and you can expect a stronger level of interest from employers.

Executive resume writer Laura Smith-Proulx is an award-winning resume expert and former recruiter whose work has earned a 98% success rate opening doors to top jobs at Google, Citibank, Apple, and Cisco, among others. The Executive Director of An Expert Resume, she has been featured in more than 200 careers industry articles, bestsellers, and media outlets.

Read more ...

The 5 Must-Have Components of a Winning Executive Resume

If you've reviewed executive resume samples lately, you might realize there's something missing from your own document.

Does your executive resume fail to convey your value clearly - and in a matter of seconds? If so, you'll find that a few, straightforward changes can transform you from overlooked to sought-after.

Increase your chances of being considered for the coveted corner office by reviewing this list of must-have components for a cutting-edge executive resume:

1 - Impressive Metrics.

Nothing - absolutely nothing - you can say about your leadership performance will resonate as much as dollar figures that represent revenue, cost savings, or margin improvement.

In today's economy, employers are doing more with less, while expecting executives to deliver near-immediate results!

What does this mean for you? A strong brand message for your executive resume no longer translates into "25 years of experience," but "50% rise in revenue within 6 months" or "rapid identification of $25K OPEX savings."

Not sure how to pull out quantifiable information for your leadership resume? Try assessing the value you've produced against that of a previous incumbent in the same job, especially if you've reworked vendor contracts or retrained the sales force.

In addition, you can review past performance appraisals for projects you've championed or initiatives you've led, then estimate the effect (more sales, increased customer volume, better profits) produced from your efforts.

2 - Testimonials.

Accolades for a project completed under budget, commendations from senior leadership for a profitable new idea, and kudos from colleagues are all valuable pieces of information that belong in your executive resume.

Yet, many candidates fail to realize that a commendation from a C-level leader or parent company executive can be a solid testament to the strength of their achievements.

Quotes or kudos can either be placed on the first page of your resume, or set in a text box next to the related job (as in this sample Vice President of Business Development resume).

In any case, be sure to note the source of the testimonial ("Joe's standards are the reason for our record profits in Q4." - CEO, ABC Company), and ensure that it supplements, not replaces, your brand message.

3 - Descriptive Job Titles.

So, you've moved up the career ladder to that high-ranking position, and you're now running the show… but your company hasn't issued the title you deserve.

So how do you write an executive resume without a leadership title? You'll need to back up your level of authority with both a factual title, plus a descriptive one, in order to present credentials at the right level.

As an example, a Vice President of IT can add "CIO-Level Charter" to point out higher-level duties on a resume (especially if the company doesn't have a CIO), and a Manager of Accounting can add "Direct Report to CFO" to show how he fits in at the Controller level.

4 - Leadership ROI.

Created revenue unmatched by others at your company? Returned your salary 10-fold in profits? Don't hide these facts beneath a sea of mundane trivia.

Executive resumes don't have to be written in a particular format; yet, many resumes start with a tired summary that resorts to generalities.

If your leadership resume summary still describes you as a "proven leader" who is "self-motivated," it's time to take things up a notch! Put your ROI front and center with a tagline proclaiming your peak achievement, right at the top of your resume.

Some examples are:

23% Year-Over-Year Growth Since 2008 - Despite Economic Downturn

Technology Leader Creating Market Edge in Cloud Computing Industry

Attaining Consistent #1 Market Share at Consumer Packaged Goods Company

5 - Brevity.

While 2- and 3-page executive resumes are in vogue, a 7-page narrative is sure to kill your shot at an interview.

Recruiters and hiring authorities don't have time to absorb all the twists and turns of your career, however interesting or relevant they may be to your goal. Instead, it's best to shorten and tighten your resume into a potent representation of your career.

Finding it difficult to trim your executive resume to an acceptable length? Try writing short descriptions of achievements using the C-A-R formula, which stands for Challenge, Action, and Result.

Then, limit your C-A-R stories to 5 peak achievements per job - which will force you to be selective and cut your resume length considerably.

In summary, your executive resume must present a more compelling case than a mere list of job titles and budgets, or you'll be pushed aside by others with a more persuasive brand message.

Use these tips to put your resume in alignment with best executive resume writing practices - and you can expect a stronger level of interest from employers.

Executive resume writer Laura Smith-Proulx is an award-winning resume expert and former recruiter whose work has earned a 98% success rate opening doors to top jobs at Google, Citibank, Apple, and Cisco, among others. The Executive Director of An Expert Resume, she has been featured in more than 200 careers industry articles, bestsellers, and media outlets.

Read more ...

The 5 Must-Have Components of a Winning Executive Resume

If you've reviewed executive resume samples lately, you might realize there's something missing from your own document.

Does your executive resume fail to convey your value clearly - and in a matter of seconds? If so, you'll find that a few, straightforward changes can transform you from overlooked to sought-after.

Increase your chances of being considered for the coveted corner office by reviewing this list of must-have components for a cutting-edge executive resume:

1 - Impressive Metrics.

Nothing - absolutely nothing - you can say about your leadership performance will resonate as much as dollar figures that represent revenue, cost savings, or margin improvement.

In today's economy, employers are doing more with less, while expecting executives to deliver near-immediate results!

What does this mean for you? A strong brand message for your executive resume no longer translates into "25 years of experience," but "50% rise in revenue within 6 months" or "rapid identification of $25K OPEX savings."

Not sure how to pull out quantifiable information for your leadership resume? Try assessing the value you've produced against that of a previous incumbent in the same job, especially if you've reworked vendor contracts or retrained the sales force.

In addition, you can review past performance appraisals for projects you've championed or initiatives you've led, then estimate the effect (more sales, increased customer volume, better profits) produced from your efforts.

2 - Testimonials.

Accolades for a project completed under budget, commendations from senior leadership for a profitable new idea, and kudos from colleagues are all valuable pieces of information that belong in your executive resume.

Yet, many candidates fail to realize that a commendation from a C-level leader or parent company executive can be a solid testament to the strength of their achievements.

Quotes or kudos can either be placed on the first page of your resume, or set in a text box next to the related job (as in this sample Vice President of Business Development resume).

In any case, be sure to note the source of the testimonial ("Joe's standards are the reason for our record profits in Q4." - CEO, ABC Company), and ensure that it supplements, not replaces, your brand message.

3 - Descriptive Job Titles.

So, you've moved up the career ladder to that high-ranking position, and you're now running the show… but your company hasn't issued the title you deserve.

So how do you write an executive resume without a leadership title? You'll need to back up your level of authority with both a factual title, plus a descriptive one, in order to present credentials at the right level.

As an example, a Vice President of IT can add "CIO-Level Charter" to point out higher-level duties on a resume (especially if the company doesn't have a CIO), and a Manager of Accounting can add "Direct Report to CFO" to show how he fits in at the Controller level.

4 - Leadership ROI.

Created revenue unmatched by others at your company? Returned your salary 10-fold in profits? Don't hide these facts beneath a sea of mundane trivia.

Executive resumes don't have to be written in a particular format; yet, many resumes start with a tired summary that resorts to generalities.

If your leadership resume summary still describes you as a "proven leader" who is "self-motivated," it's time to take things up a notch! Put your ROI front and center with a tagline proclaiming your peak achievement, right at the top of your resume.

Some examples are:

23% Year-Over-Year Growth Since 2008 - Despite Economic Downturn

Technology Leader Creating Market Edge in Cloud Computing Industry

Attaining Consistent #1 Market Share at Consumer Packaged Goods Company

5 - Brevity.

While 2- and 3-page executive resumes are in vogue, a 7-page narrative is sure to kill your shot at an interview.

Recruiters and hiring authorities don't have time to absorb all the twists and turns of your career, however interesting or relevant they may be to your goal. Instead, it's best to shorten and tighten your resume into a potent representation of your career.

Finding it difficult to trim your executive resume to an acceptable length? Try writing short descriptions of achievements using the C-A-R formula, which stands for Challenge, Action, and Result.

Then, limit your C-A-R stories to 5 peak achievements per job - which will force you to be selective and cut your resume length considerably.

In summary, your executive resume must present a more compelling case than a mere list of job titles and budgets, or you'll be pushed aside by others with a more persuasive brand message.

Use these tips to put your resume in alignment with best executive resume writing practices - and you can expect a stronger level of interest from employers.

Executive resume writer Laura Smith-Proulx is an award-winning resume expert and former recruiter whose work has earned a 98% success rate opening doors to top jobs at Google, Citibank, Apple, and Cisco, among others. The Executive Director of An Expert Resume, she has been featured in more than 200 careers industry articles, bestsellers, and media outlets.

Read more ...

Components of Perfect Resume Examples

It's really fantastic how the Internet works. No wonder it has become a major source of basically almost everything: information, opinion, entertainment, communication, and a lot more things. With its usefulness, the World Wide Web should carry a tagline that says, "Name them, the Internet has all of them." Considered as one of the most significant "inventions" of all time, the Internet has proven its capacity in providing various things to people from all walks of life, as well as to businesses and organizations of any type and size. That is the amazing contribution of the Web to human history.

Writing is one important process that best represents the online world. The Web is nothing without its contents: texts, taglines, captions, and many other things. When we are talking about online writing, we mostly remember blogs, articles, statistics, e-books, and other written materials that are commonly used as references and guides in doing certain activities. In particular, resume writing is one of the most searched topics on the Internet. Several companies of this type proliferate online. As one of their marketing strategies, they offer free samples or "perfect resume examples."

In online searching, people usually type relevant keywords such as resume writing tips and professional writers. "Resume examples" is a keyword that is frequently typed in search engines. This is maybe because people or job applicants in particular need to look for different patterns and templates. Apparently, searching for perfect resume examples is another thing.

The initial question is, "Is there such a perfect example?"

Well, here is the answer: An application document can only be perfect if it has the following:

Striking Layout.
One characteristic of a perfectly written copy is its nice appearance that really captures the attention of a hiring manager. Hiring managers initially look at how a pre-employment document is presented. Their willingness to read the document is based on how convinced they are by the application's physical appearance. A remarkable layout should not be colorful or one that is full of images and other insertions. It is rather characterized by simple and proper application and distribution of minimal visual enhancers. Simply put, it's all about professional-looking document.

Error-Free Content.
When a hiring manager is attracted with the appearance, he is prompted to read from the header down to the succeeding details of the copy. It is important that applicants do not submit applications with even just a slight error. Once committed, the hiring manager will have a negative impression about the applicant being careless and unprofessional. Here are what you should avoid: grammatical errors, misspellings, omission of some important words or phrases, and improper use of punctuation marks.

Important Factors.
Job hopefuls should always remember that hiring managers are very particular with the content of the application; therefore, it is a must for them to present an application that:

- has organized thoughts

- contains relevant sections

- is honest and consistent

- includes realistic data

- is concise but informative

- highlights qualifications and skills

- tells all about the applicant without narrating every detail of his life

The above factors and characteristics make an application tool perfect. Now, the next question is, "Are there really perfect resume examples found on the Internet since most of them have fictitious information (for personal details) and are not personalized?" The answer can be a 'no' and a 'yes.'

No, there's none.
There is no perfect example on the Internet because not all pieces of information listed or included in the samples are applicable to all. How can they be perfect when they can't be readily used?

Yes, there are.
Although people are different from one another and what the samples provide is another story of diversity, it's up to the people if they will be using them as their patterns or templates. If they find them useful, then, it can be said that these materials are, indeed, perfect resume examples. It's just a matter of appreciating what the generous Internet offers to the netizens.

Melinda Edwards works as a career consultant and has been invited in many forums and events on human resource management. She is also a time management expert who effectively performs her roles both as a career woman and a mother.

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Components of a Great Resume and Cover Letter

Finding a Job isn't easy. As a matter of fact it is just plain hard to do, especially in this economy. But if you develop a sound strategy and implement it over and over it will eventually work to your benefit. I want to share with you the critical components of a resume and a cover letter.

At the beginning of any job search process, you need to develop what I call a platform of presentation. For the process, this "platform of presentation" is the Resume and Cover letter. There are many places on the Internet to find good resume templates, but essentially the critical areas of the resume are as follows:
The Title: This is your name and contact information
A one or two sentence goal statement which gives the reader an understanding of what your goal is for this particular application
Bullet points that describe either your areas of expertise or your accomplishments. In this area it is preferable to state your accomplishments and if you are looking for an executive position, it is critical that you monetize your accomplishments. If you can't do that, then put some type of metrics to the bullet
Your List of Titles and Companies: With this make sure you reflect the month and year that you worked at the position. If you use a year only people will think you are hiding something. Prepare 3 or 4 bullets per title that give the reader an understanding of what you did at the job.
End the resume with a statement to the effect "References and Salary History Available upon Request"

Care should be taken to prepare a good cover letter in a professional business letter format. Make sure you have a good opening telling them how interested you would be to discuss your background and qualifications. I recommend a cover letter be no more than 4 or 5 paragraphs with your signature at the bottom. You want them to read it. If you have long paragraphs and too many, they just won't.

Your cover letter should also have, somewhere in the middle of the body, 3 or 4 bullets of your accomplishments. You can use the same ones that you used on your resume.

If you use both your Resume and Cover Letter as your platform of presentation, the reader will see your opening twice, once with each document. I hope this information has helped and my sincere best luck to you in your job search.

Finding a Job isn't Easy. At How to Market Yourself, you can read and study key techniques to help you in your job search effort. We cover the Resumes, the Cover Letters, Interviewing, and Negotiation Skills.

As an Executive at a Food Processing Plant, I personally review 100s of resumes a year. You would be surprised at how ineffective most resumes are in catching a readers eye. Even if you have all the expertise in the world, if you can't represent yourself well, you probably won't be found in the piles of resumes typically submitted for a single job opening.

I hope the best for you in your job search. Check out our site about Marketing Yourself to learn everything you need to know about going after and getting that next great position you are seeking.

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Different Components of a Professional CNA Resume

To secure a job in any professional field, two things play a vital role.

1. Composition of resume
2. Preparation for interview

In this article, we will study about a CNA resume.

We can compare the composition of a professional resume to a well-prepared and fully organized meal dressed up on a dining table. If everything in the meal is properly placed on the table in the well-settled form, it is very easily to pick the desired thing and surely, it pleases the eyes. Similarly, a well-organized resume or CV will attract the eyes of an employer who is hiring you.

Here we will discuss about the key components of a professional, good-looking resume and then we will use these components to prepare a CNA resume.

A typical professional resume can consists of the following components.

Contact informationJob ObjectiveExperience or Employment SummaryEducationSkills or AccomplishmentsActivitiesRecognition and AwardsCertifications and LicensesReferences

Contact Information: You should start your CNA resume by placing your contact detail first. Your name should be prominent because this is the first thing that is used to start conversation at the time of interview.

Job Objective: In simplest form, job objective is a professional sentence that is used to tell the employers how you can help their organization or what is your goal about life or what key role you can play in their organization as a CNA.

Experience or Employment history: You should put your employment history starting from the latest. There is no need to put whole life work history. You can just put what you have been doing as a professional CNA for the last couple of years. You should keep your wording as simple as possible within accurate one or two-line sentences.

Education: In this section, you can tell about your educational background.

Skills or Accomplishments: This section describes about your skills or your capabilities that can be used in your CNA career.

Activities: If required or desired, you can put your everyday activities detail in this section e.g. your hobbies etc.

Recognition and Awards: If you have achieved any award during your education period or work history period, you can mention in this section

Certifications and Licenses: In this section, you can mention about your CNA certification detail i.e. how and when you became the Certified Nursing Assistant.

References: In this section, you can mention the contact detail of some people who know you and are not close relatives to you.

Please note that a well-organized CNA resume plays a good role in securing a job and you should ensure that each resume component is outstanding and attractive.

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