How Important Are Cover Letters?

Employers receive thousands of job applications. The truth is that most applicants have the necessary educational qualifications and work experience. So why should they choose you over someone else? What are the factors that usually influence the hiring decision? Well, to be the chosen one, you have to make your job application stand out from the rest. But how? It is simple. You just need to write a winning cover letter and resume.

How important are they?

By writing an effective resume cover letter, you can improve your chancing of receiving an interview. Studies have proved that the vast majority of resumes that land in the dustbin are those that weren't accompanied by a good job application letter.

Your cover letter is the first thing that reaches the hands of a potential employer. If it is impressive, they will take a closer look at your resume. If it isn't, they are more likely to toss your resume into the dustbin.

Here are three things to remember:

The purpose of your cover letter is to get your resume read.
The purpose of your resume is to get you an interview.
The purpose of an interview is to get you a job.

As you can see, cover letters carry more weight than resumes. They open the doors for an interview.

Your cover letter is no different from a sales letter. It sells your resume; therefore it sells you. Unfortunately, many job hunters don't understand how important it is. They either neglect it or write a poor letter. They might have spent hours in writing a good resume, but all that time and effort won't bear any fruit if the resume isn't accompanied by a good cover letter.

Do not use generic letters

Do not use generic letters. It is a mistake many job hunters commit. They just draft an application letter and then send it to all potential employers. Unfortunately a generic letter can't explain why you are a perfect match for the job position in question. It simply gives some information about you, but that isn't enough to receive an interview. If you want the employer to call you back, you have to clearly explain why you are a strong candidate for the specific position you have applied for. Therefore, write different cover letters for different job positions.

Don't just fill the cover letter with general information. It must match the job description. Remember that the employer isn't exactly interested in you. He / she is only interested in knowing what you can do for them.

Manjusha Nambiar is an ESL tutor and content developer. Her site perfectyourenglish.com gives English Grammar and business English writing lessons. Subscribe to her feed and you will win a free Grammar eBook titled '120 Grammar and Vocabulary Mistakes to Avoid'.

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Resume Writing and Some Important Tips to Remember

Resume Writing is the most important, significant, noteworthy and major step of anyone's life. Resume writing is the most difficult yet the most important obstacle to overcome by loads of individuals in order for them to step into their professional career or take their career into the next phase. Many people lack the talent to write a decent resume. To be very honest, writing a resume is not such a difficult job. However, countless folks are uneasy in doing so because of the fact that holding a patchy resume can cost a very golden opportunity and is a haunting scene for many applicants. This decision is a good judgement, but a perfect resume can be written if the following guidelines are followed perfectly.
Be specific in your resume. Do not make the big mistake of including everything in you resume. Be appropriate about what is required in the job posting. Do not try to boast but be sure to highlight the accurate merits of yourself.
State your objective clearly and concisely. Avoid putting a generic objective. Put a focused one instead, aimed openly at the occupation you wish for.
Keep your professional education on the top then put down your diplomas and certifications (for freshers).
Put your relevant experience on the top. Do not write down the experience which is not related to the existing job position.
Do not use casual language and informal tone in your resume. This is a major turn-off and might cause your resume to witness the paper bin.
Do not overlook your strengths. Always reveal them in a prominent tone.
Advocate strongly the reason why you can be an asset for the employer. (This is usually done in the cover letter; we will get to that later.)
Do not even consider lying in your resume. Your employer is bound to know about what you lied about and it might just end your career, soon after starting it.

The Cover Letter: It should always be written in a confident tone. This is the most integral quality of a cover letter. The chief focal point of the cover letter shouldn't only be yourself, but rather think about the employer and why it would be advantageous for him to appoint you. Advocate your right to be an element of his group and the reason he should prefer you over all the other applicants. You should not hesitate to use phrases like "I can" or "I can prove to be a real asset". Such phrases reflect your confidence which your employer is looking for, however, be careful not to put an arrogant tone. Write in real life situations and avoid building castles in the air about your abilities.

If you decide to follow and implement all of these guidelines, you will surely get a very wished and desired interview call from the employer. Going for interview and its preparation is a completely different subject and you can find many tips for interviews on the internet.

Vincent Flower is a competent career counselor having worked with several marketing leaders. He is highly professional in Resume Writing Service providing assistance to people round the world. For attaining more information on Resume Writing Services, please visit us at our website, http://www.resumedocket.com/

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Important Tips for a Volleyball Coach Resume

The role of the volley ball coach is similar to that of any other coach. They have to identify the talent of the players and train them on different game techniques. They train the players the game tactics and guide them in raising their performance. Coaches also have to prepare the players to handle the mental stress. They conduct different practice sessions for players to sharpen their skills to overcome their weaknesses. They also organize the practice matches as a part of the training session. They also have to provide physical training to the players and prepare the diet plans. They need to have strong communication skills and coordination skills.

Volleyball is not the game of a single player but it is the game of the whole team. All the players have to contribute equally for winning the game. A coach plays a significant role in binding the players together. They need to understand the approach of every player and train them accordingly. They must be aware of the latest coaching techniques to assist the players. Along with the game training, they also have to design proper diet for the players. Being the player of any game, it is important to stay fit and healthy. With the proper diet plan, you can remain healthy and sound. They need to make effective use of the available resources for training purpose. Many times, coaches have to study the game plan of the opponent and plan their strategies accordingly.

Below is the sample volleyball coach resume to give you clear idea of drafting a resume of this type.

Sample Resume

Contact Information
Michael Ford
552, Blue Street, Denver, USA
Contact No. - 09468769809
E-mail ID

Career Summary
• Extensive experience of playing volleyball and coaching players
• Active member of the state volleyball team from 1992-1998
• Represented the country twice in the volleyball Championship
• Possess strong analytical skills along with being a good team player
• Excellent multitasking abilities

Key Strengths
• Familiar with the training techniques and game strategies in volleyball
• Experience of organizing the sports events and managing the concerned activities
• Excellent management skills and organizational skills
• Understands the capability of the player and trains accordingly
• Proficient in managing the team and maintains proper coordination between the team members
• Excellent communicator
• Passionate about teaching and committed towards work
• Possess strong leadership qualities
• Knowledge of the latest training practices
• Familiar with the diet preparation for players

Educational Credentials
Master's Degree in Physical Education and Sports, 2000
University of Denver, USA
Diploma in Sports Management Practices, 2002
Royal College, Denver, USA

Awards and Honors
• Awarded with the player of the year award for contribution in Volleyball in the year 1996
• Awarded with best coach award in 2007 for Casino Sport Club
• Nominated for the best coach award in 2008 for Casino Sports Club

Job History
Casino Sports Club, Denver USA
Designation - Assistant Volleyball Coach
Duration - March 2005 to present

Responsibilities
• Handled the documentation of the event schedules and other administrative work
• Conducted the regular training sessions for the players
• Designed the appropriate diet plan for the players to stay fit and healthy
• Conducted the physical workout sessions
• Ensured the availability of the sporting equipments and accessories
• Prepared the game tactics and strategies keeping in mind the team strength and physical standards
• Motivated the team members from time to time to enhance their performance
• Studied the game strategies of the opponents and guided the team members for making changes in their tactics

Personal Profile
Date of Birth - 14th September 1975
Nationality - American
Gender - Male
Marital Status - Married
Employment Status - Full time

References
Mr. Bruce Peterson
Head Coach,
Volleyball Team
Casino Sports Club, Denver, USA
Contact No. - 09576876567
E-mail ID

You can also list some more names in the list of references. Inform people before including their names as references.

From the above sample, you will know the details you can include in your resume. Also see the tone used in the resume and the format chosen. All these things together makes up a good job winning resume.

Jennifer Parker is good author and adviser who write about various resume tips for different jobs. To know more check out volleyball coach resume and Assistant Coach Resume.

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What Is The Most Important Aspect Of Professional Resume Writing?

One of the biggest mistakes which candidates make with their resume writing or CV writing is preparing the document from their point of view. I recently sat down with a young lady who had graduated university top of her class and was seeking a role with one of the large law firms. She had written her professional resume and cover letter and was now ready to begin the application process. The resume was perfectly formatted and presented. As a graduate with no prior work experience she focused her professional resume on her academic achievements and also the extra curricular activities and community work she had been apart of over the years. From a readers perspective I was able to gain a very good first impression or insight into this candidate. Everything was perfect besides one major element. At the top of her resume was her name which she had bolded to make it stand out but had also changed the font colour to pink!

Does a Professional Resume have pink colour?

I couldn't believe my eyes that she had decided to use a pink font on her resume. When I asked her why she had done this she said that she liked the colour and it also made her name stand out.

The most important aspect of writing a professional resume is targeting it towards the person who will be reading the resume. In this situation the hiring manager may be a partner in a law firm. Imagine how seriously a partner will take a resume application which has a potential candidates name in pink.

Another mistake many candidates make is trying to make their resume stand out from their competition by using fancy fonts or borders. A well formatted and presented resume and most importantly targeted resume, will stand out because of its professionalism. A hiring manager can easily identify the difference between a "fraud" resume with "bells and whistles" and a "legitimate" resume.

Ensuring that your resume stands out from the crowd is not about making the document a piece of art. How many times have you seen a resume being framed and hung up on the wall? The aim of the resume is to portray to the reader the value you can offer the business or organisation.

Remember that your resume is the first impression a hiring manager will make. Make sure that your first impression portrays the right professional image.

RedStarResume are the Resume Writing Experts. They offer a resume writing service that is unmatched in its professional attitude and quality of service. RedStarResume have helped thousands of job seekers meet and achieve their career goals through delivering specialist resume writing that seeks the attention of hiring managers and ensures that you stand out from the crowd.

© RedStarResume Publications - http://www.redstarresume.com/

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Writing the Perfect Cover Letter - Important Pitfalls That You Must Avoid

Suddenly finding yourself in the job market can be intimidating and scary. It may seem like you are competing against thousands of other candidates who have more experience, more polished resumes, and better cover letters. Well, I can offer you this piece of good news: all those other people competing against you in the market feel the exact same way!

Resume quality is subjective and each employer is looking for something different. It is nearly impossible to craft a perfect resume that every employer will be impressed with. But a job search is simply a numbers game, and if enough employers view your resume, one will see it and know you are a perfect fit for their position. The key then is making sure that as many employers as possible actually read your resume, and this is where good cover letters come in.

A good letter will pique the interest of the employer and make them want to see the best in your resume when they read it. The letter should tell a few very important things that will let them know that you are a worthy candidate for consideration. But you can try to do too much with it. As with any sales tool, you can definitely overdo it. Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:

Do not send a long cover letter. As a hiring executive, if the letter is longer than 3/4 of a page long, I am definitely not reading the whole thing, I will be skimming it. Instead, keep it very short and to the point.

Using the same letter for every employer is not smart. Instead, personalize the letter for each company you apply for. Mention something you know about the company that piqued your interest, tell how you learned about the available job, etc.

Don't try to squeeze your whole resume in. I have seen a hundred bad covers that by the second paragraph start talking about their college background, then listing every job they have ever had. This is not the job of the letter, all that information is in the resume. The cover letter is there to tell the best things about you, but not list everything you've ever done in your life.

Never send a cover letter without careful proofreading. If the letter is filled with grammatical and spelling errors, I won't even bother to glance at the resume. A polished cover shows that you actually care about getting the job.

In summary, a short and to-the-point cover letter that sells the applicant and shows him in the very best light is very important. Your cover letter is the only chance you have to sell your skills to the hiring executive. Make sure you make the most of it.

A great cover letter is the only chance you have to sell your unique skills and talents to prospective employers. Click here to see exactly how to create the perfect cover letter that will give you the advantage over all of the other prospects and land you the job.

Read more ...

Writing the Perfect Cover Letter - Important Pitfalls That You Must Avoid

Suddenly finding yourself in the job market can be intimidating and scary. It may seem like you are competing against thousands of other candidates who have more experience, more polished resumes, and better cover letters. Well, I can offer you this piece of good news: all those other people competing against you in the market feel the exact same way!

Resume quality is subjective and each employer is looking for something different. It is nearly impossible to craft a perfect resume that every employer will be impressed with. But a job search is simply a numbers game, and if enough employers view your resume, one will see it and know you are a perfect fit for their position. The key then is making sure that as many employers as possible actually read your resume, and this is where good cover letters come in.

A good letter will pique the interest of the employer and make them want to see the best in your resume when they read it. The letter should tell a few very important things that will let them know that you are a worthy candidate for consideration. But you can try to do too much with it. As with any sales tool, you can definitely overdo it. Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:

Do not send a long cover letter. As a hiring executive, if the letter is longer than 3/4 of a page long, I am definitely not reading the whole thing, I will be skimming it. Instead, keep it very short and to the point.

Using the same letter for every employer is not smart. Instead, personalize the letter for each company you apply for. Mention something you know about the company that piqued your interest, tell how you learned about the available job, etc.

Don't try to squeeze your whole resume in. I have seen a hundred bad covers that by the second paragraph start talking about their college background, then listing every job they have ever had. This is not the job of the letter, all that information is in the resume. The cover letter is there to tell the best things about you, but not list everything you've ever done in your life.

Never send a cover letter without careful proofreading. If the letter is filled with grammatical and spelling errors, I won't even bother to glance at the resume. A polished cover shows that you actually care about getting the job.

In summary, a short and to-the-point cover letter that sells the applicant and shows him in the very best light is very important. Your cover letter is the only chance you have to sell your skills to the hiring executive. Make sure you make the most of it.

A great cover letter is the only chance you have to sell your unique skills and talents to prospective employers. Click here to see exactly how to create the perfect cover letter that will give you the advantage over all of the other prospects and land you the job.

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

Read more ...

What Is The Most Important Aspect Of Professional Resume Writing?

One of the biggest mistakes which candidates make with their resume writing or CV writing is preparing the document from their point of view. I recently sat down with a young lady who had graduated university top of her class and was seeking a role with one of the large law firms. She had written her professional resume and cover letter and was now ready to begin the application process. The resume was perfectly formatted and presented. As a graduate with no prior work experience she focused her professional resume on her academic achievements and also the extra curricular activities and community work she had been apart of over the years. From a readers perspective I was able to gain a very good first impression or insight into this candidate. Everything was perfect besides one major element. At the top of her resume was her name which she had bolded to make it stand out but had also changed the font colour to pink!

Does a Professional Resume have pink colour?

I couldn't believe my eyes that she had decided to use a pink font on her resume. When I asked her why she had done this she said that she liked the colour and it also made her name stand out.

The most important aspect of writing a professional resume is targeting it towards the person who will be reading the resume. In this situation the hiring manager may be a partner in a law firm. Imagine how seriously a partner will take a resume application which has a potential candidates name in pink.

Another mistake many candidates make is trying to make their resume stand out from their competition by using fancy fonts or borders. A well formatted and presented resume and most importantly targeted resume, will stand out because of its professionalism. A hiring manager can easily identify the difference between a "fraud" resume with "bells and whistles" and a "legitimate" resume.

Ensuring that your resume stands out from the crowd is not about making the document a piece of art. How many times have you seen a resume being framed and hung up on the wall? The aim of the resume is to portray to the reader the value you can offer the business or organisation.

Remember that your resume is the first impression a hiring manager will make. Make sure that your first impression portrays the right professional image.

RedStarResume are the Resume Writing Experts. They offer a resume writing service that is unmatched in its professional attitude and quality of service. RedStarResume have helped thousands of job seekers meet and achieve their career goals through delivering specialist resume writing that seeks the attention of hiring managers and ensures that you stand out from the crowd.

? RedStarResume Publications - http://www.redstarresume.com/

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

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How To Write A Cover Letter For A Job Application - Important Things To Consider

A well written cover letter can make the difference between landing a job interview or being rejected at the application stage. Whilst a resume lets the employer know what qualifications you have a cover letter explains what positions you are applying for and why you feel you are an ideal candidate. Most employers now ask you to provide a covering letter with your resume. When writing your letter consider the following:

Address your letter to a person

Make sure your letter is addressed to a real person. Don't use 'Dear Sir/Madam' or 'To Whom It May Concern'. You should be given this information with the job application details. If it isn't given, take the time to find out who to write to.

Keep it short and effective

An ideal cover letter should be one page in length so you need to keep your paragraphs short - 3 to 4 sentences in each one. Don't use long, unnecessary words and don't go into great detail about all your achievements.

Show how you are a match

Let the employer know how you can be of benefit to the company. Give examples of specific skills that they are looking for and demonstrate how you have used these skills previously.

Be confident

You need to come across as a capable, confident person, the kind of person that the employer is looking for. Choose strong effective words and avoid weak phrases like 'I feel', or 'I believe'.

End positively

End on a positive call to action. Let the employer know when you are available for interview. Make sure all your contact details are correct and easy to see on your letter.

Most employers place a great deal of importance on cover letters so take your time and make sure yours is perfect.

Good luck!

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Cover Letters - Important Do's and Don'ts You Need To Know

A job for life is a thing of the past. People change jobs, or even careers, several times during their working lives. You have to keep on top of changes in the world of recruitment. You have to know how to make your job application stand out from the rest.

When advertising their jobs, most employers ask for a cover, or covering letter. A resume is useless without one as it doesn't tell the employer what position you are applying for and why you are a suitable candidate. Your cover letter is your one chance to show how you are perfect for the job.

Here are a list of things you should do and things you should avoid doing when writing your letter:

Do -

Address your letter to a named individual

Send an original letter to each employer

Keep it simple, don't try to impress the employer with long words

Keep it short, don't bore the employer with long sentences and paragraphs

Refer to the advertisement for the job, show how you are a perfect match to the skills needed

Use one sheet of paper, if possible

Give examples of how you have used your skills and abilities

Use positive action words and avoid negativity

Don't -

Send your resume without a cover letter

Waste time with unnecessary information

Give a history of your whole life

Rehash your resume

Expect the employer to take action, you need to end your letter with a call to action

Send your letter littered with spelling mistakes, incorrect grammar or coffee marks!

Try to impress employer with fancy fonts, jokes or brightly coloured paper

If you follow the above points you will be well on your way to getting your perfect job. Good luck!

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Cover Letters - 3 Important Points You Must Consider

An employment cover letter is one that is sent with a resume or C.V. It gives you the opportunity to impress the employer with your skills and to let them know that you are the person they are looking for to fill their vacancy.

Before you continue with your application you might want to consider the following three points.

Your skills

Jot down some of your key skills that you use in your present job, particularly the ones you like using most e.g. you might be well organised and enjoy prioritising your workload every morning, you might be a great team member and really enjoy the weekly team meetings. List all the things you love about your present job or jobs that you have done previously. Think about skills you have been praised for in the past.

Make another list of your experience e.g. you might have recently gained some computer qualifications, you might have just completed a first aid course. Again, also include the experience that you've enjoyed gaining.

The employer's needs

Now study the job advertisement that the employer has posted. Make a list of the skills and experience that they are looking for. If there isn't a great deal of information in the advert look on the company's website; There may be a job description or person specification for the post. Is there anything on the company's website that shows what kind of people work there? Is it a young, dynamic company? Or a traditional, established company?

Are you a match?

Do your strongest skills and experience match what the employer is looking for? Could you see yourself working for this particular company? If the answer is yes - great! Go ahead and write your cover letter.

What if you're not sure if you want to work at the company? Perhaps they are very sales orientated and you would be expected to be a chatty, confident sales person - maybe you prefer to work alone and in silence.

Everyone is suited to different kinds of work. You don't want to apply for a job when you know that you're not really suited to it.

Take your time and study the job market. Keep in mind the kind of work that you enjoy doing. You will find the right job.

I once applied for a job which I knew wasn't right for me. The reason I applied was that it was a ten minute drive from my home. As I had young children at school I wanted somewhere nearby. The job was a disaster for me and I soon left. I found a much better one which was even closer to my home.

Take your time with your job searches - you deserve the best job for you.

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Building a Powerful Technical Resume - 3 Important Tips

Writing a compelling, effective technical resume presents unique challenges. Encompassing a complex career in a style that is clear, readable, and gets - and keeps - the hiring authority's attention requires a strong sense of what you've accomplished.

Always keep your goal in mind. Remember, every resume needs a strategy - so be clear on what you're trying to express.

I'd like to offer 3 ideas that can make the process easier, and help create a resume that gets the results you're looking for - call, emails, and the all-important first interview. Here are the basics on what to include, what to omit, and how to built the final product.

1) What to include:

Dig down to discover the business value. Did your technical advances increase efficiency or reduce costs? Streamline development time? Decrease time to market for new applications through introduction of methodologies (like Agile)? If you can put a dollar or percentage value to any achievements, you're on your way to making your resume stand out.

2) What to omit:

Don't overwhelm the reader with technical detail!

For a Software Developer or Architect, you will want to include information on the tools and technologies you've used to address challenges. But don't be repetitive. It can be a good strategy to include technologies for each job, if that demonstrates significant breadth - but if your toolbox remains consistent, it's better to list technical skills separately. This will enable keyword searches to pick out crucial details without bogging down the reader.

Also, as you advance in your career, you'll want to reduce technical detail, and focus more on 'big picture' business challenges.

3) How to create the whole picture:

Technical resumes are often more detailed than resumes for other professions. What you've done is complex, and it's crucial to present some detail to demonstrate your unique value proposition. But describe your career as concisely as possible.

Make a clear distinction between duties / responsibilities and accomplishments.

Beware of 'death-by-bullets'. Only clear accomplishments need a bullet - if everything is bulleted, nothing stands out.

Don't worry about the "2-Page" rule; if you need 3 pages to tell your story, that's always an option. But do realize that hiring authorities are busy people. Be respectful of their time and be only as detailed as necessary to create a clear context for your achievements.

I hope these simple tips will help you create a resume that gets the call back, and lands you that crucial first interview!

J.M. Auron

My goal is to help technology's "best and brightest" take their careers to the next level.

As a technical resume authority and former recruiter, I am committed to crafting compelling resumes, cover letters, and other career documents that capture your career essentials, seize and hold the hiring authority's attention, and open the door for the 1st interview.

For more information, please contact me at http://www.quantumtechresumes.com/.
Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/QuanTechResume.

Read more ...

Building a Powerful Technical Resume - 3 Important Tips

Writing a compelling, effective technical resume presents unique challenges. Encompassing a complex career in a style that is clear, readable, and gets - and keeps - the hiring authority's attention requires a strong sense of what you've accomplished.

Always keep your goal in mind. Remember, every resume needs a strategy - so be clear on what you're trying to express.

I'd like to offer 3 ideas that can make the process easier, and help create a resume that gets the results you're looking for - call, emails, and the all-important first interview. Here are the basics on what to include, what to omit, and how to built the final product.

1) What to include:

Dig down to discover the business value. Did your technical advances increase efficiency or reduce costs? Streamline development time? Decrease time to market for new applications through introduction of methodologies (like Agile)? If you can put a dollar or percentage value to any achievements, you're on your way to making your resume stand out.

2) What to omit:

Don't overwhelm the reader with technical detail!

For a Software Developer or Architect, you will want to include information on the tools and technologies you've used to address challenges. But don't be repetitive. It can be a good strategy to include technologies for each job, if that demonstrates significant breadth - but if your toolbox remains consistent, it's better to list technical skills separately. This will enable keyword searches to pick out crucial details without bogging down the reader.

Also, as you advance in your career, you'll want to reduce technical detail, and focus more on 'big picture' business challenges.

3) How to create the whole picture:

Technical resumes are often more detailed than resumes for other professions. What you've done is complex, and it's crucial to present some detail to demonstrate your unique value proposition. But describe your career as concisely as possible.

Make a clear distinction between duties / responsibilities and accomplishments.

Beware of 'death-by-bullets'. Only clear accomplishments need a bullet - if everything is bulleted, nothing stands out.

Don't worry about the "2-Page" rule; if you need 3 pages to tell your story, that's always an option. But do realize that hiring authorities are busy people. Be respectful of their time and be only as detailed as necessary to create a clear context for your achievements.

I hope these simple tips will help you create a resume that gets the call back, and lands you that crucial first interview!

J.M. Auron

My goal is to help technology's "best and brightest" take their careers to the next level.

As a technical resume authority and former recruiter, I am committed to crafting compelling resumes, cover letters, and other career documents that capture your career essentials, seize and hold the hiring authority's attention, and open the door for the 1st interview.

For more information, please contact me at http://www.quantumtechresumes.com/.
Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/QuanTechResume.

Read more ...

Composing a Resume - The Most Important Rules

In the job-hunting phase of your life, it is a must to know that a solid resume would help you land the job you want. Having a good resume is like selling the author; it should catch the employer's attention and make them take action, and that is to call you for an interview. With that, here is a list of few of the most important rules to follow in resume writing. You can trust that most resume builders know these by heart.

- Fill the References line

Do not try to be a philosopher by saying they did not explicitly say you have to put something because it is implied. Plus if you have a big player in the industry as a reference, it is sure to make a positive impact on your application. It would be better if the said person calls your employer before you go in for an interview. A resume builder will have you fill this in detail.

- There is a huge difference between Achievements and Job Duties

Everyone can have a job but not everyone can do it well. How you performed in your previous job is something that could predict your future performance. It may be a bit tricky to see your achievements because your previous boss does not ask you to do achievements, instead they ask you to do projects or assignments. If you did it and surpassed expectations, that is an achievement.

- Career change? Emphasize your transferable skills

This part is especially important in your desire for a career change and if you do not have the required experience. Examples of transferable skills are being able to speak a foreign language, do research and utilize computer software.

- Only list being an athlete at school if you are a new graduate

There are several skills and traits that a company is interested in. Being able to work in teams as well as the development of a leader comes in playing sports. Those are also important in working for a company.

- Proofread with care

The slightest mistake in this area could be the end of your application. Fortunately, most resume builders come in with spell checkers, so you don't have to worry about it anymore.

Take these pointers into consideration and you'll be a step closer to landing the dream job you've been wishing for. Resume Builder Wiz helps you cover these rules and create an effective resume.

Ran is the founder of ResumeBuilderWiz.com - a free online resume builder wizard. Resume Builder Wiz was created to help people prepare a professional, effective resume instantly and easily, by filling the relevant details in the step-by-step wizard. It includes tips and guidelines for the ultimate resume. Visit http://www.resumebuilderwiz.com/ to create your own resume in a few minutes.

Read more ...

Composing a Resume - The Most Important Rules

In the job-hunting phase of your life, it is a must to know that a solid resume would help you land the job you want. Having a good resume is like selling the author; it should catch the employer's attention and make them take action, and that is to call you for an interview. With that, here is a list of few of the most important rules to follow in resume writing. You can trust that most resume builders know these by heart.

- Fill the References line

Do not try to be a philosopher by saying they did not explicitly say you have to put something because it is implied. Plus if you have a big player in the industry as a reference, it is sure to make a positive impact on your application. It would be better if the said person calls your employer before you go in for an interview. A resume builder will have you fill this in detail.

- There is a huge difference between Achievements and Job Duties

Everyone can have a job but not everyone can do it well. How you performed in your previous job is something that could predict your future performance. It may be a bit tricky to see your achievements because your previous boss does not ask you to do achievements, instead they ask you to do projects or assignments. If you did it and surpassed expectations, that is an achievement.

- Career change? Emphasize your transferable skills

This part is especially important in your desire for a career change and if you do not have the required experience. Examples of transferable skills are being able to speak a foreign language, do research and utilize computer software.

- Only list being an athlete at school if you are a new graduate

There are several skills and traits that a company is interested in. Being able to work in teams as well as the development of a leader comes in playing sports. Those are also important in working for a company.

- Proofread with care

The slightest mistake in this area could be the end of your application. Fortunately, most resume builders come in with spell checkers, so you don't have to worry about it anymore.

Take these pointers into consideration and you'll be a step closer to landing the dream job you've been wishing for. Resume Builder Wiz helps you cover these rules and create an effective resume.

Ran is the founder of ResumeBuilderWiz.com - a free online resume builder wizard. Resume Builder Wiz was created to help people prepare a professional, effective resume instantly and easily, by filling the relevant details in the step-by-step wizard. It includes tips and guidelines for the ultimate resume. Visit http://www.resumebuilderwiz.com/ to create your own resume in a few minutes.

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Writing the Perfect Cover Letter - Important Pitfalls That You Must Avoid

Suddenly finding yourself in the job market can be intimidating and scary. It may seem like you are competing against thousands of other candidates who have more experience, more polished resumes, and better cover letters. Well, I can offer you this piece of good news: all those other people competing against you in the market feel the exact same way!

Resume quality is subjective and each employer is looking for something different. It is nearly impossible to craft a perfect resume that every employer will be impressed with. But a job search is simply a numbers game, and if enough employers view your resume, one will see it and know you are a perfect fit for their position. The key then is making sure that as many employers as possible actually read your resume, and this is where good cover letters come in.

A good letter will pique the interest of the employer and make them want to see the best in your resume when they read it. The letter should tell a few very important things that will let them know that you are a worthy candidate for consideration. But you can try to do too much with it. As with any sales tool, you can definitely overdo it. Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:

Do not send a long cover letter. As a hiring executive, if the letter is longer than 3/4 of a page long, I am definitely not reading the whole thing, I will be skimming it. Instead, keep it very short and to the point.

Using the same letter for every employer is not smart. Instead, personalize the letter for each company you apply for. Mention something you know about the company that piqued your interest, tell how you learned about the available job, etc.

Don't try to squeeze your whole resume in. I have seen a hundred bad covers that by the second paragraph start talking about their college background, then listing every job they have ever had. This is not the job of the letter, all that information is in the resume. The cover letter is there to tell the best things about you, but not list everything you've ever done in your life.

Never send a cover letter without careful proofreading. If the letter is filled with grammatical and spelling errors, I won't even bother to glance at the resume. A polished cover shows that you actually care about getting the job.

In summary, a short and to-the-point cover letter that sells the applicant and shows him in the very best light is very important. Your cover letter is the only chance you have to sell your skills to the hiring executive. Make sure you make the most of it.

A great cover letter is the only chance you have to sell your unique skills and talents to prospective employers. Click here to see exactly how to create the perfect cover letter that will give you the advantage over all of the other prospects and land you the job.

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What Is The Most Important Aspect Of Professional Resume Writing?

One of the biggest mistakes which candidates make with their resume writing or CV writing is preparing the document from their point of view. I recently sat down with a young lady who had graduated university top of her class and was seeking a role with one of the large law firms. She had written her professional resume and cover letter and was now ready to begin the application process. The resume was perfectly formatted and presented. As a graduate with no prior work experience she focused her professional resume on her academic achievements and also the extra curricular activities and community work she had been apart of over the years. From a readers perspective I was able to gain a very good first impression or insight into this candidate. Everything was perfect besides one major element. At the top of her resume was her name which she had bolded to make it stand out but had also changed the font colour to pink!

Does a Professional Resume have pink colour?

I couldn't believe my eyes that she had decided to use a pink font on her resume. When I asked her why she had done this she said that she liked the colour and it also made her name stand out.

The most important aspect of writing a professional resume is targeting it towards the person who will be reading the resume. In this situation the hiring manager may be a partner in a law firm. Imagine how seriously a partner will take a resume application which has a potential candidates name in pink.

Another mistake many candidates make is trying to make their resume stand out from their competition by using fancy fonts or borders. A well formatted and presented resume and most importantly targeted resume, will stand out because of its professionalism. A hiring manager can easily identify the difference between a "fraud" resume with "bells and whistles" and a "legitimate" resume.

Ensuring that your resume stands out from the crowd is not about making the document a piece of art. How many times have you seen a resume being framed and hung up on the wall? The aim of the resume is to portray to the reader the value you can offer the business or organisation.

Remember that your resume is the first impression a hiring manager will make. Make sure that your first impression portrays the right professional image.

RedStarResume are the Resume Writing Experts. They offer a resume writing service that is unmatched in its professional attitude and quality of service. RedStarResume have helped thousands of job seekers meet and achieve their career goals through delivering specialist resume writing that seeks the attention of hiring managers and ensures that you stand out from the crowd.

© RedStarResume Publications - http://www.redstarresume.com/

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Resume Writing Service - The Most Important Tips To Craft Your New Career Tool!

Are you stuck staring at the screen at a blank piece of paper, unsure what to do next? You are not alone, millions of people right now are doing the same exact thing as you. They are staring at a blank screen and thinking to themselves, "How am I going to get all of my profile, core competencies, experience, awards, and achievements on one page?" Here's the good news, you don't have to. Here is the bad news, it's harder than you think.

A resume is not your life story - it is NOT a BIO and it is NOT a HISTORY REPORT. It is a 1-2 page streamlined, focused document which will convince your potential next employer to call you in for an interview and take the time out of his or her day to interview you, and possibly hire you. In order to assist you in creating this document, I have come up with 5 important pointers that apply, no matter what your field, experience level, or skills sets are:

1. BRAINSTORM: I cannot stress this enough. Let's take for example a 30 year old HR Manager with 6 years of experience at one position. That 6 years of experience equates to nearly 1000+ days spent at the office. Let's also say you spend 9 hours per day working. Overall, that would come to more than 9000 hours of work you have performed for this one employer. Considering you have to execute a 1 page document (No matter what anyone tells you, anyone with less than 10-years' experience should have a 1 page document.) that will highlight this 9000 hours of work, do yourself a favor and take a good hour to first jot down your experiences at this position before starting to draft the resume.

2. OUTLINE: Let's assume you have 5 pages of information. Now, the next step is to reduce this 5 pages to 2 pages. For most people. This is nearly impossible - which is understandable because many of these experiences are important. BUT remember, that is not the threshold, the threshold is "IF YOU HAVE ONLY 10 SECONDS TO GRAB A POTENTIAL EMPLOYER'S ATTENTION - WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM"

3.WRITE AND THEN REWRITE: As the saying goes, all first drafts are (expletive). If you have not written, revised, and revised the resume LEAST 5 times, then it is not strong enough, not streamlined enough, and simply not good enough.

4. SHOW IT TO SOMEONE YOU TRUST: Our eyes and our brains are not perfect. If you read the same document over and over again, you will lose perspective, become myopic about the information within the resume, and probably miss what could be crucial errors in the resume.

5.CONSIDER HIRING A PROFESSIONAL: A (CPRW) - Certified Professional Resume Writer, specifically one with at LEAST 5 years of experience. Writing a solid, effective resume is an art form. It the writer is not experienced enough, he or she will not be able to effectively spot the defects, and will not have the tools to develop and execute a strategy to draft a wonderful new document for you.

Good Luck!

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How Important Is a Resume Strategy?

If you're wondering how important it is that you have a strategic resume, then let me ask you this: How important is it for you to be employed? What most job seekers don't realize is that a resume isn't simply a list of your past positions. Your resume is a strategic document that positions you for job search success.

We often tell our clients that nothing about the resume development process is arbitrary. We have a strategy behind everything we do, and no two client strategies are the same. What are some elements to a resume that require strategy? Everything! From the font and header you choose to your personal branding statement, placement of education, number of years you include and the content you incorporate. Every element of your resume should have a purpose-and that purpose should be tied to your job search goals. Let me give you a prime example:

If you're searching for a job and one of the main requirements is that the candidate have an M.B.A., then we're not going to hide this critical info at the very bottom of your resume. In fact, we're going to place it at the top of your resume so the hiring manager notices right away that you meet the qualifications.

A job ad can tell you a lot about what a company needs and you can craft your branding statement and career summary around the needs of the employer. It's very easy to address their desired qualifications in the first third of the resume. You can use this prime real estate to sell them on what great a fit you are, and then use the remainder of your resume for supporting documentation.

Another element of your resume that should be very strategic is the order and placement of your bullet points. The most relevant and hard-hitting bullets should be at the top, and then gradually, the less relevant and impactful ones toward the bottom. You want to make sure that every part of your resume is reinforcing the point that you are the exact match the hiring manager seeks.

When a hiring manager reviews your resume he is looking with a list in his mind of all the requirements that need to be met. If you meet these requirements, chances are you'll pass to the next level of the evaluation process. Make sure your resume is strategic in its message-that you are the right fit, right now.

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that transform job searches into interviews and ultimately job offers. For more information about professional resume writing or to read more career and job search related articles visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com/ or call 1.800.991.5187.

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

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Which Is Most Important In Your Resume - Content or Presentation?

"I'm well qualified. I have extensive experience. Why does no one ever call me for an interview?"

I'm hearing this a lot these days, but I saw it in action recently at a job fair. Employers and Recruitment Agencies go to job fairs looking for qualified people, and qualified people go to job fairs to find jobs, so it should be a great place to match them up - but that isn't always the case.

I watched people at the booths talk to candidates with interest, receive their resumes, glance at them, and put them away for filing; I even talked to a few of them. "Yes, she's a great candidate," the interviewer would say, "Excellent experience, but I doubt if she'll get a call." More questions elicited the observation that her Resume would get lost in the pile.

Like many aspects of twenty-first century life job-hunting is increasingly about presentation. Perhaps this is why older candidates with substantial experience are being passed over. Their Resume's list solid achievements and experience, but employers wonder if they have the verve and willingness to learn the new media so that they can contribute and compete. In a world of headlines, tweets, video blogs and other technologies that focus on the brief and startling, the conventional resume is at a disadvantage.

A friend of mine conducted an experiment for me. Chrystal had formal qualifications, some experience, and was doing well at her job, but was interested in moving on. We went to a job fair in Minneapolis with two versions of her resume - her original resume and a revamped version which she was worried was 'too flashy' and not informative enough - and she went around the booths talking to people, and passing out one version of her Resume. In each case the original version was well-received and politely set aside, but the new version received enthusiastic responses each time she handed it over, and ultimately each of the interview calls she received came from the new version.

You may think, with Chrystal, that an eye-grabbing resume might work for creative positions, but surely not for professions like accounting or management, but the reality seems to be that it does work.

What are some of the techniques that can make your resume stand out? Graphics, Testimonials, and highlighting skills rather than qualifications. If your old resume is not bringing in calls for an interview, why not try redesigning it to include some logos and quotes today?

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Here's the Important Stuff to Writing a Resume

Take out the objective. Your objective is always to get a job. Employers "get that" when they receive your resume. Also, they don't really care what your objective is. Their objective is to hire someone who is qualified to do the job they need to fill. The sooner you cut to the chase about why you're the perfect person for them, the better.

Put in a career summary. Think of this as the 'tell me about yourself" section, but in writing. This summary should describe what makes you unique from every other person who has a similar background as you. I will admit, these are the hardest to write, and are usually the last thing to write. Sometimes I'll even come back to it the next day after I've had a chance to let the client's background percolate in my head a bit. Do NOT use vague terms like "good time management skills" or "works well under pressure" or my all time fave: "team player." YUCK! First, everyone puts those in their resume, and when I say everyone, I mean everyone-I've seen a lot of resumes. Second, there are very few people who would not use those terms to describe themselves. For the most part, everyone's had to manage their time, finish something under a deadline or work with others. For the most part, they probably did it well. What you SHOULD talk about is what you do exceptionally well. Think back to the people you work with, and how would you distinguish your skillsets from theirs? I have described a marketing manager as tenacious because when I was interviewing her to complete her resume and I heard her describe how she worked, that was the impression I got-she was like a dog with a bone and didn't give up until her project succeeded; and succeed it always did. She was also used to working with no marketing budget and still raising revenue. In this economy-that's an incredible skill to have. What makes you stand out from the crowd?

List your jobs. For most people, there isn't a need for a functional resume (one that highlights skillsets rather than job listings). They drive recruiters and some HR Directors crazy. You might want to have one in your back pocket in case someone prefers to see it, but for the most part this can be accomplished by highlighting your skills as subheadings under the standard company, title, date banner. There is a long-standing debate about including months and years on a resume vs. just months. In most cases, you should include months on your resume to show continuous employment. Hiring managers/HR Directors understand if you were laid off from a job and it took you up to a year to find another job, especially factoring in your specific industry and location in the country. If you took classes during that time or did volunteer work-include it on the resume to show that you didn't just lay in bed eating bon-bons all day.

If you purposefully took a break, either due to medical reasons or family reasons, you should indicate that in your resume and cover letter. The important point to get across is that the situation is complete. That if it was a family or a medical condition, that you're fully recovered and ready for work, that there's no chance of it interfering with your work situation to the same extent that required you to take a break. You can simply list on the resume Family Commitments, and the date. In the cover letter you can go into a little more detail about if it was personal surgery and recovery time, or taking care of a family member. Whatever it is, make sure you close the loop and state that the situation is completely under control and will in no way interfere with your ability to do your job. It's better to call it out, than leave it up to the imagination of the hiring manager. You won't like what they imagine.

Under your jobs, list your education. The only reason you'd put your education at the top is if you recently graduated from college or if you went back to school for a degree and you're looking for your first job since receiving that degree. If you're going for your first job out of school-it's appropriate to list your GPA in your major and your GPA overall if they're both good. Ideally, your GPA in your major is your biggest selling point. If your overall GPA isn't strong (and by strong I mean over a 3.0) leave it off. It's also appropriate to list relevant coursework on the resume-again, especially if you're a recent grad or if you went back to school for something that you don't have work experience in.

As an aside. You should ALWAYS take every opportunity to gain relevant work experience while you're in school. I don't care if it's as a volunteer with an organization, an internship, a co-op assignment, part time job. Anything. Take it. You're much less of a gamble as a new hire if you have some work experience to hang your hat on.

Melanie Szlucha has been a hiring manager for over 15 years and a career coach for over 4 through her company Red Inc. She writes resumes, coaches clients for job interviews, and works with them to strategize networking opportunities and job search tactics.

She offers a packet of FREE job search articles--worth over $100, through her website: http://www.reallygreatresume.com/.

Following her on Twitter ( http://www.twitter.com/Red_Inc ) gives you one great job search tip per day for FREE!

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

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