Resumes for an Ageing Job Market

People aged 50 years and over in Australia are the fastest growing demographic. The Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that between 2011 and 2020 the number of persons aged over 50 years will increase by 22%. By 2050 this number will have increased by 80% in comparison with just 35% for people aged 18 to 49. This trend in the demographic presents significant challenges for the job market as the population ages and moves with it the available skills and knowledge. Many industries currently face a skill shortage as opposed to labour shortage.

Possessing the right skills does not guarantee individual employment. Many of the jobseekers that fit within this demographic have held positions for long periods of time, being constantly engaged through word-of-mouth opportunities and may never have written a resume. In a report commissioned by the National Centre for Ageing Project, mature job seekers faced two major challenges. This included negative stereotypes towards mature workers and the perception that a mature worker is more likely to retire or quit. There are a number of strategies that mature aged jobseekers can present in a resume that will maximise opportunities for success and clearly place themselves as candidates for employment.

Skills Based Resume: Any job seeker at any age should put forward their skills that match the position or career they are targeting. This is more important for mature aged workers where extensive experience and skill will make them more competitive. Incorporating a transferable or skills summary at the beginning of a resume that highlights key areas of experience and capability is the first thing an employer reads. This will create a lasting impression for a potential employer and reinforce the potential benefits of employing an individual with extensive experience and capability.

Personal Indicators: Many mature aged jobseekers have been employed within a period where a job was for life. Ironically this level of commitment is not matched with a volatile financial and business market. Many mature aged jobseekers are currently seeking employment as a direct result of redundancies from long-term positions. However, this level of commitment and proven reliability can be an advantage for potential employers. Jobseekers can highlight a proven reliability and commitment over a long period of time. Maintaining this employment also indicates that an employee possesses both the professional and technical qualities important to an employer.

Selected Professional Development: Long and complicated lists of competencies achieved or professional development undertaken over 30 years of employment can significantly increase the size of a resume. Consider the important professional development undertaken relevant to the position applied for and include a selected list. This list may change depending on the position applied for and should be adjusted on a regular basis.

Focus on the last five years: An employer is most interested in the last five years of employment. Mature aged jobseekers often have a career history spanning more than 30 years. In this situation it is important to clearly explain the most recent positions in more detail. However, career progression can be demonstrated by including lists of positions undertaken from initial employment often in skilled or trade related positions through to current supervisory or management roles.

Case Study: A recent client was seeking to prepare a resume after being made redundant with more than 30 years experience with the one employer. In this situation the job seeker had an extensive employment history and long list of professional development. Employment was being sought within the retail trade area as a supervisor. This was a significant shift from the original career pathway within a Government owned entity. In this situation it was important to:

Reduce the number of courses presentedHighlight recent employment that matched the position applied forCarefully select duties and responsibilities that indicated technical capability yet reflected transferable skillsPrepare a skills summary at the beginning of the resume matched to career directionDevelop a cover letter that drew out the benefits of this career for a new employer

This process created a strong link between the existing career and transferable skills to a new employer. Through this process potential employers develop an understanding of the potential skills and capability available through the job seeker.

With an aging population and a growing skill shortage the importance of mature aged workers within industry is essential. The development of a skills base is the focus of an employer along with an important component to building a new generation of skilled workers. Creating and maintaining a professional and focused resume places a job seeker in a position to become a valuable member of this process.

John Matthews from The Writing Wizards has more than 10 years experience in providing direct assistance, coaching and preparation of professional material for jobseekers. This includes a comprehensive approach to preparing professional resumes, Government applications and interview coaching. With a background in Government and a successful record in achieving results for clients, John Matthews continues to demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the job market and processes.

You can download a full list of tips and get other useful information from The Writing Wizards page http://www.writingwizards.com.au/

Read more ...

Resumes for an Ageing Job Market

People aged 50 years and over in Australia are the fastest growing demographic. The Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that between 2011 and 2020 the number of persons aged over 50 years will increase by 22%. By 2050 this number will have increased by 80% in comparison with just 35% for people aged 18 to 49. This trend in the demographic presents significant challenges for the job market as the population ages and moves with it the available skills and knowledge. Many industries currently face a skill shortage as opposed to labour shortage.

Possessing the right skills does not guarantee individual employment. Many of the jobseekers that fit within this demographic have held positions for long periods of time, being constantly engaged through word-of-mouth opportunities and may never have written a resume. In a report commissioned by the National Centre for Ageing Project, mature job seekers faced two major challenges. This included negative stereotypes towards mature workers and the perception that a mature worker is more likely to retire or quit. There are a number of strategies that mature aged jobseekers can present in a resume that will maximise opportunities for success and clearly place themselves as candidates for employment.

Skills Based Resume: Any job seeker at any age should put forward their skills that match the position or career they are targeting. This is more important for mature aged workers where extensive experience and skill will make them more competitive. Incorporating a transferable or skills summary at the beginning of a resume that highlights key areas of experience and capability is the first thing an employer reads. This will create a lasting impression for a potential employer and reinforce the potential benefits of employing an individual with extensive experience and capability.

Personal Indicators: Many mature aged jobseekers have been employed within a period where a job was for life. Ironically this level of commitment is not matched with a volatile financial and business market. Many mature aged jobseekers are currently seeking employment as a direct result of redundancies from long-term positions. However, this level of commitment and proven reliability can be an advantage for potential employers. Jobseekers can highlight a proven reliability and commitment over a long period of time. Maintaining this employment also indicates that an employee possesses both the professional and technical qualities important to an employer.

Selected Professional Development: Long and complicated lists of competencies achieved or professional development undertaken over 30 years of employment can significantly increase the size of a resume. Consider the important professional development undertaken relevant to the position applied for and include a selected list. This list may change depending on the position applied for and should be adjusted on a regular basis.

Focus on the last five years: An employer is most interested in the last five years of employment. Mature aged jobseekers often have a career history spanning more than 30 years. In this situation it is important to clearly explain the most recent positions in more detail. However, career progression can be demonstrated by including lists of positions undertaken from initial employment often in skilled or trade related positions through to current supervisory or management roles.

Case Study: A recent client was seeking to prepare a resume after being made redundant with more than 30 years experience with the one employer. In this situation the job seeker had an extensive employment history and long list of professional development. Employment was being sought within the retail trade area as a supervisor. This was a significant shift from the original career pathway within a Government owned entity. In this situation it was important to:

Reduce the number of courses presentedHighlight recent employment that matched the position applied forCarefully select duties and responsibilities that indicated technical capability yet reflected transferable skillsPrepare a skills summary at the beginning of the resume matched to career directionDevelop a cover letter that drew out the benefits of this career for a new employer

This process created a strong link between the existing career and transferable skills to a new employer. Through this process potential employers develop an understanding of the potential skills and capability available through the job seeker.

With an aging population and a growing skill shortage the importance of mature aged workers within industry is essential. The development of a skills base is the focus of an employer along with an important component to building a new generation of skilled workers. Creating and maintaining a professional and focused resume places a job seeker in a position to become a valuable member of this process.

John Matthews from The Writing Wizards has more than 10 years experience in providing direct assistance, coaching and preparation of professional material for jobseekers. This includes a comprehensive approach to preparing professional resumes, Government applications and interview coaching. With a background in Government and a successful record in achieving results for clients, John Matthews continues to demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the job market and processes.

You can download a full list of tips and get other useful information from The Writing Wizards page http://www.writingwizards.com.au/

Read more ...

How To Gain Attention In A Crowded Job Market: 7 Fundamentals To Make Your Resume Stand Out

"Good enough" efforts are not "good enough" when it concerns your resume. You have one chance to make a positive first impression in a job market that's swarming with skilled candidates. Your resume has to wow the reader, grab attention, and persuade the employer to pick up the phone and call you. Any less and you may miss out on the scarce, perfect employment opportunity. To help you, here are seven trade secrets that professional resume writers use to help craft a resume that is irresistible to employers.

1. Write a resume with the ideal job in the forefront of your thoughts.

This is not the time to be generic or broad, as an unfocused resume makes you appear as if you don't even know what you want and instantaneously loses the attention of the recipient. Be confident and create a resume that shows how you are the ideal candidate for your ideal job. Don't waste the 15 seconds that you have to get your pivotal points across, or you will be passed over.

2. Summarize your credentials with the focus on the employer.

Don't just use an outdated, self-serving objective statement. Write a profile section that tells the reader what you offer to them. This component of the resume is "above the fold" and all the most applicable and important details should be here at first glimpse. Bring in your most engaging and essential qualifications and load the summary with examples that show the recipient you have the ability to add value, instead of just telling them. Precisely convey how will deliver that extra value to the organization and how you have the capability to do so in a way that sets you apart from other job applicants.

4. Stress accomplishments throughout the resume.

Don't emphasize routine job responsibilities, as these don't reflect how you actually performed and delivered value and benefits for the company. Instead, express how you provided that value by creating an achievement-focused resume, to demonstrate your future potential. Accomplishments are quite often linked to how you dealt with a problem, how you rose above a challenging situation, how you made money, how you save money, or how you strengthened efficiency.

3. Provide proof that you will deliver value and benefits.

An accomplishment is great, but it is only a component of the story. You need to also summarize how that achievement added value in some tangible way. Did it make additional money, conserve time, or did it aid in productivity? Use numbers to impart your results whenever possible.

5. Create a standout design.

Steer away from making use of a template when you create your resume and conceive an individualized design that helps to put accent on the unique aspects in your background. Don't go for an ineffective "one size fits all" approach. Your goal is to stand out. Not to blend by using a resume that looks like 99 % of the resumes that are out there.

6. Prioritize and emphasize your most pertinent experience.

It's typical to go back about 10 to 20 years and no more. But the real key is to keep in mind you are creating a marketing document and not an autobiography. It is perfectly acceptable to exclude unrelated information and experiences and to structure your resume so that it strategically underscores the most relevant and impressive qualifications you offer.

7. Comply with the prevailing best standards and practices.

Remember that standards, expectations, formats and styles change over time. The old resume format you were shown in college 10 years ago is likely no longer up to date and adequate. Do your research or seek the advice of a professional to make certain your resume format is up to date.

After reading these tips, if you still feel that you would benefit from help to improve your resume seriously consider consulting a professional resume writer. This is an investment that will pay you back many fold, by dramatically slashing the time it takes you to search for the job, by putting you in a position to get the job that you always wanted, and by furnishing you with a framework to negotiate great compensation.

Michelle Dumas runs of one of the longest-standing and most respected professional resume writing firms on the internet. Since 1996, Michelle has empowered thousands of professionals with resumes that get results and win jobs fast. Get insider resume writing tips that you won't find anywhere else at her website. Go now to http://www.distinctiveweb.com/

Read more ...

How To Gain Attention In A Crowded Job Market: 7 Fundamentals To Make Your Resume Stand Out

"Good enough" efforts are not "good enough" when it concerns your resume. You have one chance to make a positive first impression in a job market that's swarming with skilled candidates. Your resume has to wow the reader, grab attention, and persuade the employer to pick up the phone and call you. Any less and you may miss out on the scarce, perfect employment opportunity. To help you, here are seven trade secrets that professional resume writers use to help craft a resume that is irresistible to employers.

1. Write a resume with the ideal job in the forefront of your thoughts.

This is not the time to be generic or broad, as an unfocused resume makes you appear as if you don't even know what you want and instantaneously loses the attention of the recipient. Be confident and create a resume that shows how you are the ideal candidate for your ideal job. Don't waste the 15 seconds that you have to get your pivotal points across, or you will be passed over.

2. Summarize your credentials with the focus on the employer.

Don't just use an outdated, self-serving objective statement. Write a profile section that tells the reader what you offer to them. This component of the resume is "above the fold" and all the most applicable and important details should be here at first glimpse. Bring in your most engaging and essential qualifications and load the summary with examples that show the recipient you have the ability to add value, instead of just telling them. Precisely convey how will deliver that extra value to the organization and how you have the capability to do so in a way that sets you apart from other job applicants.

4. Stress accomplishments throughout the resume.

Don't emphasize routine job responsibilities, as these don't reflect how you actually performed and delivered value and benefits for the company. Instead, express how you provided that value by creating an achievement-focused resume, to demonstrate your future potential. Accomplishments are quite often linked to how you dealt with a problem, how you rose above a challenging situation, how you made money, how you save money, or how you strengthened efficiency.

3. Provide proof that you will deliver value and benefits.

An accomplishment is great, but it is only a component of the story. You need to also summarize how that achievement added value in some tangible way. Did it make additional money, conserve time, or did it aid in productivity? Use numbers to impart your results whenever possible.

5. Create a standout design.

Steer away from making use of a template when you create your resume and conceive an individualized design that helps to put accent on the unique aspects in your background. Don't go for an ineffective "one size fits all" approach. Your goal is to stand out. Not to blend by using a resume that looks like 99 % of the resumes that are out there.

6. Prioritize and emphasize your most pertinent experience.

It's typical to go back about 10 to 20 years and no more. But the real key is to keep in mind you are creating a marketing document and not an autobiography. It is perfectly acceptable to exclude unrelated information and experiences and to structure your resume so that it strategically underscores the most relevant and impressive qualifications you offer.

7. Comply with the prevailing best standards and practices.

Remember that standards, expectations, formats and styles change over time. The old resume format you were shown in college 10 years ago is likely no longer up to date and adequate. Do your research or seek the advice of a professional to make certain your resume format is up to date.

After reading these tips, if you still feel that you would benefit from help to improve your resume seriously consider consulting a professional resume writer. This is an investment that will pay you back many fold, by dramatically slashing the time it takes you to search for the job, by putting you in a position to get the job that you always wanted, and by furnishing you with a framework to negotiate great compensation.

Michelle Dumas runs of one of the longest-standing and most respected professional resume writing firms on the internet. Since 1996, Michelle has empowered thousands of professionals with resumes that get results and win jobs fast. Get insider resume writing tips that you won't find anywhere else at her website. Go now to http://www.distinctiveweb.com/

Read more ...

How To Use Resume Cover Letters Effectively To Market Yourself To Employers

Resume cover letters are the perfect instrument for you to market yourself to prospective employers. It is an 'executive summary' of your expertise, experience, and how you will enable the company to meet its objectives by boosting sales, increasing manufacturing output, reducing staff turnover, or whatever else is important to the hiring manager.

By highlighting your key achievements with specific examples, facts and figures, the information in resume cover letters can be powerful enough to grab the attention of the reader. This is exactly what you want - to stand out from the hundreds of other resume cover letters that a hiring manager receives in response to a job ad.

It is a common mistake of job seekers to think that resume cover letters are simply for telling the reader that you are applying for ABC job in XYZ company in response to a job ad, and that the resume is enclosed for perusal. Honestly, hiring managers do not need to waste precious time reading worthless information.

Instead, present information that is important to the employer. You need to market yourself in such a way that your attributes are clearly mentioned and then state specifically how this will be good for the hiring manager or the organization you are applying to.

When a manager is seeking for candidates to fill a position, they are not interested in whether or not you have been out of a job for the last year and how desperately you need this 'dream job' that you are applying for. They are searching a candidate that can contribute significantly and not be a wasted recruitment effort.

The resume itself usually gets submitted in the same format and content to multiple organizations and takes greater effort to be customized to suit the needs of each individual company. On the other hand, resume cover letters can be re-worded easily so that it is customized for each individual organization. Starting from the person you address the letter to, then down to the specific means in which you can fulfill each organization's goals and objectives.

Your covering letter also gives the hiring manager the opportunity of assessing your writing and language skills, which is especially important if it is an executive level position. If it is not, then your experience and skills would be more important criteria for selection. Nevertheless, writing it in a professional manner remains a priority.

Resume cover letters are therefore very effectively used as 'lures' to draw the reader into the resume which of course provides in-depth detail of your career history and experience. With a solid resume to match, you can be confident of being called for an interview.

And finally, if you would like to view samples of cover letter templates or need help with professional cover letter writing services, visit http://www.coverletterhelp.org/.

Read more ...

How To Win a Job In the Tough Job Market We're In

I work in a job center and the current job market is the toughest job market we have seen in decades. If you are struggling to get a job, don't beat yourself up. I see so many totally frustrated people who have been out of work for so long, they've almost given up all hope. They come to us after trying everything else and when nothing they've tried seems to work. I help them get back on their feet and I'm about to help you as well.

When I first started in the job center, I was confounded as to why so many highly qualified people would get passed over entirely when someone else who was obviously less qualified would get called in for an interview. This didn't just happen once - it happened all the time and I was perplexed as were my co-workers. After beating my head against the wall for a while, I finally figured out why.

I'm about to reveal to you a tip that if you follow it should almost definitely get you more job interviews - which of course means getting a job since getting the interview is at 90% of the battle.

Instead of spending all your energy into making your resume picture perfect, put some quality energy into making sure your cover letter really stands out and grabs the attention of the hiring manager. Now, go back and re-read that last sentence and let it really sink in.

Let me explain why.

I do lots of follow up interviews with hiring managers, hiring committee members, and head hunters. What I've learned is that they are receiving so many applications for every job opening they simply can not go through them all and read the every application carefully and in its entirety. So, what they end up doing is the "next best thing" (these are the exact words they use to describe it).

Instead of attempting to carefully study the entire contents of every application package which would take more hours than they have in a day, they first read through all the cover letters. Then they basically make two stacks. The reject pile is way bigger than the pile they reserve for further study and for calling people in for an interview.

What this means is that most of the resumes, letters of recommendation, etc never even get a quick glance - if the cover letter doesn't capture their attention that is.

Now, let me ask you an important question. Did you create your cover letter by modifying an existing one - did you use some sort of cover letter template?

Put yourself in the shoes of these extremely busy people. How many of these things do they have to read in a year? LOTS!! Pretty soon, most every cover letter begins to sound like every other one - this is because most of them err on the side of caution and take the form of a conservative "professional template" that someone found on the internet or in a book.

On the happy occasion that they actually see one that is REALLY unique, they WILL pause and take the time to read it carefully and look at that person more carefully. The cover letter makes a big big difference in how many interviews you'll get called for.

The cover letter is the KEY to whether or not you'll get noticed and whether or not you'll get called in for an interview. Take the following two job candidates for example. Candidate A is exceptionally qualified, has a dynamite resume, and includes a dull yet "professional" cover letter. Candidate B is a little less qualified, has an above average but not exceptional resume, and has a dynamite STAND OUT cover letter.

Who do you think has more chance of getting the job interview?

Yes, i think you probably guessed it right: Candidate B has a much better chance because the hiring manager will stop and take a closer look when they see their unique cover letter, and more importantly, Candidate A's dynamite resume and superior qualifications won't even be seen by the hiring manager.

I know this may seem unfair to some but that's the reality of our extremely tough job market.

The best thing you can do to dramatically improve your odds of getting more job interviews is work on creating the most amazing cover letter possible - one that will really stand out and is totally unique.

I have discovered a very effective tool that helps people easily write a really unique and very effective cover letter -- one that really pulls in the interviews!

It is amazing cover letter software and it was created by one of the marketing industry's GO TO GUYS when it comes to writing sales copy. The software is designed so you simply answer a few questions and then hit a button, i.e. it only takes a few minutes. It will then spit out a CUSTOM -- and VERY UNIQUE -- cover letter that will knock the socks off of most hiring managers and inspire them to call you in for the interview. It uses magical marketing language that pushes all the right psychological buttons. Click here for more information.

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

Read more ...

Resumes That Work to Market You So Employers Will Start Calling

Most job seekers find writing their resumes and cover letters the most difficult part of job searching. However, resumes and cover letters play the most critical role in job searching process. As a career counselor, I find it devastating to see how people cannot find a better job or remain underpaid as they are not able to write better self-promotional pieces. Most people, even managers and executives, writes resumes that sounds more like a job description and which tends to fail in today's job market.

What the hiring managers say?

According to Tom Wemerskirchen, HR Manager at Mustang Manufacturing, most resume fails as they are too general. This sends out a message about the job applicant that they are willing to take any job, and are not hired.

Kir Beyer, an HR Director, also points out similar faults in the resumes. According to him, most job seekers do not tailor the resume according to the specific job position. They send out their resume without having the jobs in their minds, and not knowing what they are looking for, which let them disregard them as potential candidates.

A CEO of a company, Doug Allen, points out that targeted resumes are required which matches the employer's needs. At the same time, it should show off the skills of the individuals, how they are used, and what achieved. This is the only way to impress the potential employers.

Creative solutions to the Best Resumes

? Mention all innovations, improvements, and cost savings (if any): These will show how active you are on the job and produce the desired results. It is important to begin every sentence with an action verb, such as directed, created, established, and produced. Make sure you make your accomplished specific, noteworthy, and easily understood. Do not exaggerate or misstate the truth.

? Use "Summary of Qualification": A summary of qualifications that you can bring to the job should always be included. This section can be used illustrate powerfully your top selling points in 5 to 6 sentences. The focus of this section should be to tell the prospective employers about your experience level, key talents, best results, as well as what exactly it is that you want to do. A targeted resumes outlining the actions which you have done and how you got the results are important. Specific skills and experience which your potential employers would be interested in should be pointed out.

? Make it easy to gather information from your resume: Your resumes should be concise and clear. Your resume should be of one to two pages long with small number of words to make the point. Lengthy descriptions should be eliminated along with non-related information, which do not give strength to your performance in the job position you are applying for. The stress should be on the last five to seven years of work. The formatting should be simple with enough white space on the pages. Fonts should be the ones used commonly, such as Times Roman or Arial fonts with 12 point size. More important points should be put in bullets to put more emphasis on them.

? Do not lie on your resume: It is extremely important that you do not lie or exaggerate the truth in your resume. It can lead to embarrassing situation and also get you fired if you got the job. Hence, only tell the truth which you can substantiate as well.

Bryan Goldberg is a professional writer who has helped numerous applicants with their resumes, CVs and cover letters.He is a regular contributor to online article directories for instructional articles about resume, CV and cover letter writing.

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

Read more ...

Your Resume Is Your Sales Brochure in the Job Market

Some people go about their job hunting without any idea of who they are competing against. If not handled properly rejection can induce resentment which will inevitably play against you at an interview.

Gone are the days where you would stand in the town square waiting for someone to hire you for the day.

Applying for jobs is a blind endeavour for candidates who have no clue about the number and calibre of other applicants. For employers it can be a daunting task which explains why so many recruitment agencies have sprung up everywhere.

Are you looking at doing more of the same of what you have done in the past or are you trying to switch careers? Do you have any idea how you come across when you respond to a job post? Is there any way to spare yourself the hassle of being treated like a commodity and get in early on a new opening?

The answer to all these questions depend on how you treat you job hunting activities. If it is a casual past time you will get average results. If you treat it like a full time work you will get the outcome your commitment deserves hopefully.

We are all tainted by our past experience and it is so easy to assume that what worked in the past will continue to work for us - it's just a matter of trying harder...

The way you see yourself is not necessary the way others see you - especially on the employment scene. Employers are lazy and greedy. If they can get it done in India they will. If they can find a clever monkey they will pay peanuts.

So go for the jobs where an Indian accent or a primate approach is not good for the corporate image. Talk to as many people as you can. Check out blogs and forums. Don't waste what money you have left in dubious courses and certifications. Instead train yourself in passing the relevant aptitude tests. See what jobs are in demand even if it means eating some humble pie for a while. If you have lots of time on your hands offer your services as a volunteer and get some credentials that way.

If migration has eroded some opportunities in your area you might have to re-locate but do it only as a measure of last resort. It is very expensive to set new roots if a family depends on you. Some people work in another city and only come home for the weekend.

Read more ...