4 Ways to Turn Resume Fluff Into Marketable Facts

Your resume is the most important document to advance your career. And given that employers will only scan it for 15-20 seconds, you need to make sure you scream "Here's what I can do for you!"

There's a difference between a resume that only showcases your personality and characteristics and one that demonstrates specific achievements and accomplishments. Unfortunately, too many resumes are filled with fluff statements that anyone can say and they don't really distinguish you as a top candidate.

A resume filled with terms such as "visionary (how many of these do you really know?), "motivated," "team player," "problem solver," "results-oriented," "dynamic" and many other phrases are examples of overused words.

To avoid creating a resume complete with fluff, try to turn to marketable facts:

Don't rely on terms that describe character.
Replace the use of terms that describe character with specific content to demonstrate how you accomplished or achieved something. Shed some light on your method of execution. For instance, to show you were "results-oriented," indicate on your resume how you increased sales in your department by XX percent within a year or increased the number of attendees to an annual conference by XX percent compared to previous years. If you don't actually have numbers, you can approximate percentages: "Introduced new procedures that slashed cycle times approximately 20%."
Use numbers and symbols.
Numbers and symbols quickly jump out at employers so use them whenever you can. Resumes have their own special rules and I always show all numbers as digits as they catch the eye. Percentages are always best as they show the impact of your efforts. For example,saying "Increased sales $750K over prior year" is nice but to some companies that is petty cash and your company might not like your giving out their private information; better to say "Increased sales 43% over prior year." Simply avoid words that don't define, such as "many," "few" and "several."
Don't list responsibilities of your previous jobs, demonstrate outcomes.
The problem with writing responsibilities you held on the job is that it doesn't tell an employer how successful you were at executing your plans. An employer only cares about how good you did your job and how what you did can apply to the job they are offering. Rather than list responsibilities, demonstrate your performance. Are you the most senior member of your team? Do people turn to you for the more challenging issues? Is your productivity level higher than your peers? Do you resolve issues on the first call versus others needing 2-3 calls? Is your level of accuracy and the quality of your work at the highest level? Have you demonstrated the ability to meet aggressive deadlines? Statements like "consistently recognized for delivering quality results at less cost than budgeted" showcases your effectiveness even when you don't have the actual numbers.
Only detail specialized technical skills.
Today's employers expect candidates to know basic computing skills and programs, so only list specialized technical skills that are relevant for the job. An employer does not need to see that you know programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint. Also, when you do list any technical skill, tell an employer how well you know the specific program by detailing what you may have created or did with it. Simply listing a specific program will not help an employer understand how well you know it or what your capabilities are.

Fill your resume with performance statements instead of fluff and you will see a dramatic improvement in your job search results.

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.

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4 Ways to Turn Resume Fluff Into Marketable Facts

Your resume is the most important document to advance your career. And given that employers will only scan it for 15-20 seconds, you need to make sure you scream "Here's what I can do for you!"

There's a difference between a resume that only showcases your personality and characteristics and one that demonstrates specific achievements and accomplishments. Unfortunately, too many resumes are filled with fluff statements that anyone can say and they don't really distinguish you as a top candidate.

A resume filled with terms such as "visionary (how many of these do you really know?), "motivated," "team player," "problem solver," "results-oriented," "dynamic" and many other phrases are examples of overused words.

To avoid creating a resume complete with fluff, try to turn to marketable facts:

Don't rely on terms that describe character.
Replace the use of terms that describe character with specific content to demonstrate how you accomplished or achieved something. Shed some light on your method of execution. For instance, to show you were "results-oriented," indicate on your resume how you increased sales in your department by XX percent within a year or increased the number of attendees to an annual conference by XX percent compared to previous years. If you don't actually have numbers, you can approximate percentages: "Introduced new procedures that slashed cycle times approximately 20%."
Use numbers and symbols.
Numbers and symbols quickly jump out at employers so use them whenever you can. Resumes have their own special rules and I always show all numbers as digits as they catch the eye. Percentages are always best as they show the impact of your efforts. For example,saying "Increased sales $750K over prior year" is nice but to some companies that is petty cash and your company might not like your giving out their private information; better to say "Increased sales 43% over prior year." Simply avoid words that don't define, such as "many," "few" and "several."
Don't list responsibilities of your previous jobs, demonstrate outcomes.
The problem with writing responsibilities you held on the job is that it doesn't tell an employer how successful you were at executing your plans. An employer only cares about how good you did your job and how what you did can apply to the job they are offering. Rather than list responsibilities, demonstrate your performance. Are you the most senior member of your team? Do people turn to you for the more challenging issues? Is your productivity level higher than your peers? Do you resolve issues on the first call versus others needing 2-3 calls? Is your level of accuracy and the quality of your work at the highest level? Have you demonstrated the ability to meet aggressive deadlines? Statements like "consistently recognized for delivering quality results at less cost than budgeted" showcases your effectiveness even when you don't have the actual numbers.
Only detail specialized technical skills.
Today's employers expect candidates to know basic computing skills and programs, so only list specialized technical skills that are relevant for the job. An employer does not need to see that you know programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint. Also, when you do list any technical skill, tell an employer how well you know the specific program by detailing what you may have created or did with it. Simply listing a specific program will not help an employer understand how well you know it or what your capabilities are.

Fill your resume with performance statements instead of fluff and you will see a dramatic improvement in your job search results.

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 ...

4 Ways to Turn Resume Fluff Into Marketable Facts

Your resume is the most important document to advance your career. And given that employers will only scan it for 15-20 seconds, you need to make sure you scream "Here's what I can do for you!"

There's a difference between a resume that only showcases your personality and characteristics and one that demonstrates specific achievements and accomplishments. Unfortunately, too many resumes are filled with fluff statements that anyone can say and they don't really distinguish you as a top candidate.

A resume filled with terms such as "visionary (how many of these do you really know?), "motivated," "team player," "problem solver," "results-oriented," "dynamic" and many other phrases are examples of overused words.

To avoid creating a resume complete with fluff, try to turn to marketable facts:

Don't rely on terms that describe character.
Replace the use of terms that describe character with specific content to demonstrate how you accomplished or achieved something. Shed some light on your method of execution. For instance, to show you were "results-oriented," indicate on your resume how you increased sales in your department by XX percent within a year or increased the number of attendees to an annual conference by XX percent compared to previous years. If you don't actually have numbers, you can approximate percentages: "Introduced new procedures that slashed cycle times approximately 20%."
Use numbers and symbols.
Numbers and symbols quickly jump out at employers so use them whenever you can. Resumes have their own special rules and I always show all numbers as digits as they catch the eye. Percentages are always best as they show the impact of your efforts. For example,saying "Increased sales $750K over prior year" is nice but to some companies that is petty cash and your company might not like your giving out their private information; better to say "Increased sales 43% over prior year." Simply avoid words that don't define, such as "many," "few" and "several."
Don't list responsibilities of your previous jobs, demonstrate outcomes.
The problem with writing responsibilities you held on the job is that it doesn't tell an employer how successful you were at executing your plans. An employer only cares about how good you did your job and how what you did can apply to the job they are offering. Rather than list responsibilities, demonstrate your performance. Are you the most senior member of your team? Do people turn to you for the more challenging issues? Is your productivity level higher than your peers? Do you resolve issues on the first call versus others needing 2-3 calls? Is your level of accuracy and the quality of your work at the highest level? Have you demonstrated the ability to meet aggressive deadlines? Statements like "consistently recognized for delivering quality results at less cost than budgeted" showcases your effectiveness even when you don't have the actual numbers.
Only detail specialized technical skills.
Today's employers expect candidates to know basic computing skills and programs, so only list specialized technical skills that are relevant for the job. An employer does not need to see that you know programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint. Also, when you do list any technical skill, tell an employer how well you know the specific program by detailing what you may have created or did with it. Simply listing a specific program will not help an employer understand how well you know it or what your capabilities are.

Fill your resume with performance statements instead of fluff and you will see a dramatic improvement in your job search results.

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.

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10 Facts You Didn't Know About Resumes

1. Sending out a generic or homemade resume you wrote is a mistake. We've come across thousands of do-it-yourself resumes and most are not exceptional.

2. A candidate with an outstanding resume will strongly influence and get preferential treatment from hiring managers, recruiters, and HR staff.

3. You can sell yourself into a targeted position even against those candidates with better qualifications, but it requires a professional resume presentation.

4. Running your resume by an objective third party is crucial. Often what hiring staff see on your resume and what you see often does not line up.

5. Perception is reality...a hiring manager's perception of a candidate's suitability for employment is directly tied to a resume-mediocre resume, mediocre candidate.

6. Remember that your resume is a reflection of the person who chooses you. So HR staff, recruiters, and hiring managers select only the absolute best resumes and your resume is a reflection of them.

7. Hoping that your document is "good enough" or "this will do" is exactly why many job searches fail to produce results. Outstanding resumes sell.

8. Searching the internet and copying templates, samples, and free resume builders will not produce the professional document you need to succeed.

9. Sending out a poor resume more than wastes your time. You'll lose out on thousands of dollars in earned income. We know the outcome of having a perfect professional document.

10. Companies hire marketing and advertising staff for a reason...even the U.S. president has a writer on staff. Professionally prepared resumes are key to successfully selling your services.

A recent survey of hiring professionals, recruiters, and hiring managers revealed that resumes have reached an all-time low in quality resulting in thousands being instantly deleted every day. If you're not getting results or find yourself in the delete category, then it's time for you to make a change. Don't waste anymore of your time or energy with a weak, outdated or do-it-yourself resume. Feel the difference right away in your job search with the touch of a professional writer. You will absolutely shorten the time it takes for you to get interviews and avoid losing thousands of dollars in lost income. That is the advantage of hiring a professional resume service.

Remember... you are a service, your resume is your advertising material. Hire a professional resume service today and feel the difference in your job search!

WE MEAN QUALITY

CR Resume Services was established in 2003 and is located in sunny Orange County, California. We take pride in our high standards for professional resume practices to bring you professional, high quality resumes that stand out from the competition. To learn more go to http://www.crresumeservices.com/.

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Facts About Resumes

In a market where there are more people searching for work, your resume becomes a vital tool in your efforts to find employment. Hiring someone who understands how recruiters sort through the many resumes they receive for job openings can be a major step toward landing an interview. The following facts will help you evaluate whether you should hire or attempt to prepare your own resume.

You Only Have 30 Seconds.

That's how long the average recruiter spends scanning each resume. If your resume isn't recognized almost instantly as relevant to the job, it will be tossed.

The Most Important Information Must Be at The Top.

What is the most important information? What you have to offer, what your skills are. In some resumes, education will benefit you if it is near the top. In others, education is best at the bottom. It all depends on your unique skills set. You want to present information in a way that gets the message through that you are qualified for the job.

Most Free Templates Don't Stand Out.

If your resume is generated using a template, it will look like it. While some of the Monster templates actually look quite good, after thousands of people have used them, they start looking generic. You or the person who prepares your resume may find a template a useful starting place, but you should take the time to tweak it so it looks different.

You'll also discover that free templates are only as good as the information you plug into them. If you don't enter information in a way that creates a picture of you filling that job opening, the template isn't going to improve on what you plugged into the form. A professional resume preparer will.

You Need Multiple Resumes.

Every resume you attach to a job application must be tailored to that specific job. If you don't take time to do this, you're wasting your efforts sending out the resume. It might help you retain your unemployment benefits, but it won't help you find a job very effectively.

Fortunately, once a really good resume has been put together, it isn't difficult to tweak the resume to fit different positions as long as they are in closely allied fields.

Professional Resumes Land Jobs Faster.

It can take months to find a job even with a professionally prepared resume, but it has been demonstrated that professional resumes do increase the chances you will be called for an interview, the first step to landing a job.

A Resume with a Cover Letter Works Even Better.

Some recruiters toss resumes that don't have cover letters attached. Even if they didn't, a cover letter gives you an opportunity to demonstrate how you are uniquely positioned to meet the company's needs. It can reflect a little more personality than a resume can.

Keywords are Vital.

Both computers and recruiters scan resumes for keywords connected to the industry. If you fail to use them, your resume will be overlooked. A true professional knows how to weave keywords into your resume in a way that doesn't look like a job description.

Some Work Experience is Optional.

Jobs you had 20 years ago rarely offer anything compelling. Unless you absolutely have to go that far back to prove you have the qualifications for a position, only include the past 10 to 15 years of work history.

Mistakes Could Cost You an Interview.

Make sure your resume is perfect. If you aren't using complete sentences, don't put periods after bullet points. Make sure every word is spelled correctly. Check your grammar. And scan the resume for any inconsistencies in formatting. These are the kinds of mistakes that "blow up" on you.

Number of Pages Is Important.

Don't take two pages when you can take one to demonstrate you are the right candidate for the job. At the same time, don't cram everything into one page when two would present the message more effectively. Remember that small print is hard to read, so all your hard work may be lost if the recruiter hasn't upgraded his or her prescription recently.

Denise Rutledge has provided resume and cover letter writing services for over three years through WritingasaGhost. Her clients have said things like: "I've always gotten an interview when Denise has written my cover letter." R.F. "You are the best money I have ever spent." K.S. She shares this information to empower others to write their own resumes and cover letters for successful job search results.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denise_Rutledge

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CVs and Resumes - The Basic Facts

INCLUDE

These basic facts you need to include on your CV are:

Your nameYour addressYour phone number (home and mobile, but be wary of putting your work number in, unless you are happy to be called at work)Your email addressYour career history in detailYour educational recordAny professional qualifications you have achievedAny professional membershipsYour relevant skillsAny relevant training and development.

With regard to career history it is important to write about your most recent posts in some detail. The further back in time you go, the less detail you need to give. The exception to this is if a role further back in time is more relevant to your current application than more recent jobs.

Always put your university degree and grade achieve. Listing your 'A' level and GCSE passes is essential, but you need only put the grades if the results have been achieved in the last five years or so. After that your university education or job history becomes more important. However, with regard to education, you should include any awards you gained, whether you were head girl or boy, whether you were on the school council or took part in special projects - anything like that.

DO NOT INCLUDE

As well as essentials that you should include (above), there are some things that you do not need to include. These are:

Date of birthNationalitySexWork status (include this if you are not from the EU)Marital or family statusReligionSexualityPoliticsDisabilities or ill-healthReasons for leaving jobsConflicts at previous jobsCaring responsibilitiesCriminal convictions (see separate article).

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