How To Speed Up The Job Search Process With Your Resume

It's inevitable: word gets out that you're looking for a new job and someone, be it a colleague, family member or friend, takes it upon themselves to give you a "reality check". While the specifics of what they say might differ, the key takeaway is always something like: be prepared for a grueling process. Be prepared to send out hundreds of resumes before landing a single interview. Be prepared to wait, tear your hair out over unpaid bills, and wait some more.

Does it have to be this way?

When a jobseeker receives advice like this, it usually comes from a helpful place. But, as someone who's worked closely with hundreds of top-level professionals, I can assure you that a protracted job search is NOT a given.

You can land a new job in weeks, not months. The key lies in speeding up the traditional job search process using your resume:

1) Use A Single Version of the Resume that Communicates Unique Value

Few things are a bigger waste of time than endlessly rewriting your resume to fit individual job postings. Hiring managers aren't looking for resumes that read like carbon copies of a job posting. They're looking to be impressed by a unique background. They're looking for skills they might not have considered but which can be applied in a new capacity. They're looking for something special, and that means communicating your UNIQUE VALUE.

-Create a brief opening paragraph at the start of your resume describing 3-4 key attributes. Be selective. What truly makes you a special candidate? What personal abilities are you most proud of?

-Be sure to highlight the attributes mentioned in the opening paragraph FIRST when describing responsibilities at jobs you've held within the "Professional Experience" section. Provide greater detail here. This approach establishes a "personal theme" for the resume and significantly increases its overall impact both at-a-glance and during an in-depth evaluation.

2) Use a 2-Pronged Approach to Resume Keywords

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) such as Taleo and Kenexa are usually the first gatekeepers standing between you and an interview. These programs are designed to scan resumes to make sure certain terms (or "keywords") are present. Those that have them get evaluated by a hiring agent. Those that don't get rejected.

-Gather up job postings you're interested in applying for. Which skills are mentioned over and over again? Make a list of approximately 10 of these skills (which you actually possess).

-Create a "Core Competencies" section near the start of the resume that lists all of these skills (separated by bullets).

-Look for opportunities to expand upon these skills within the "Professional Experience" section. For example, if you listed "Staff Training/Mentoring" within the "Core Competencies" section, you could provide information on specific training initiatives and successes when describing jobs you've held.

-Using this 2-pronged approach increases the probability of successful scanning by Applicant Tracking Systems while providing enough context to pique a recruiter or hiring agent's interest.

3) Get Your Resume In The Hands Of Your Existing Network ASAP

Chances are, someone you already know holds the key to your next position. Reach out to them, be upfront about what you're looking for, and send over your resume for them to take a look at. Some of your contacts might get back to you with feedback. Use it. Others will, in essence, serve as ambassadors, connecting you with industry professionals and delivering opportunities you'd never have been able to discover through "blind" submissions alone. Don't be shy: your friends and colleagues will probably be more than happy to help!

Anish Majumdar, CPRW is a Career Expert and founder of http://resumeorbit.com/. 98% of clients report a significant increase in interviews within 30 days and all work comes backed by a 110% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee. Submit your resume for a free critique at http://resumeorbit.com/free_critique.php today!

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How To Speed Up The Job Search Process With Your Resume

It's inevitable: word gets out that you're looking for a new job and someone, be it a colleague, family member or friend, takes it upon themselves to give you a "reality check". While the specifics of what they say might differ, the key takeaway is always something like: be prepared for a grueling process. Be prepared to send out hundreds of resumes before landing a single interview. Be prepared to wait, tear your hair out over unpaid bills, and wait some more.

Does it have to be this way?

When a jobseeker receives advice like this, it usually comes from a helpful place. But, as someone who's worked closely with hundreds of top-level professionals, I can assure you that a protracted job search is NOT a given.

You can land a new job in weeks, not months. The key lies in speeding up the traditional job search process using your resume:

1) Use A Single Version of the Resume that Communicates Unique Value

Few things are a bigger waste of time than endlessly rewriting your resume to fit individual job postings. Hiring managers aren't looking for resumes that read like carbon copies of a job posting. They're looking to be impressed by a unique background. They're looking for skills they might not have considered but which can be applied in a new capacity. They're looking for something special, and that means communicating your UNIQUE VALUE.

-Create a brief opening paragraph at the start of your resume describing 3-4 key attributes. Be selective. What truly makes you a special candidate? What personal abilities are you most proud of?

-Be sure to highlight the attributes mentioned in the opening paragraph FIRST when describing responsibilities at jobs you've held within the "Professional Experience" section. Provide greater detail here. This approach establishes a "personal theme" for the resume and significantly increases its overall impact both at-a-glance and during an in-depth evaluation.

2) Use a 2-Pronged Approach to Resume Keywords

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) such as Taleo and Kenexa are usually the first gatekeepers standing between you and an interview. These programs are designed to scan resumes to make sure certain terms (or "keywords") are present. Those that have them get evaluated by a hiring agent. Those that don't get rejected.

-Gather up job postings you're interested in applying for. Which skills are mentioned over and over again? Make a list of approximately 10 of these skills (which you actually possess).

-Create a "Core Competencies" section near the start of the resume that lists all of these skills (separated by bullets).

-Look for opportunities to expand upon these skills within the "Professional Experience" section. For example, if you listed "Staff Training/Mentoring" within the "Core Competencies" section, you could provide information on specific training initiatives and successes when describing jobs you've held.

-Using this 2-pronged approach increases the probability of successful scanning by Applicant Tracking Systems while providing enough context to pique a recruiter or hiring agent's interest.

3) Get Your Resume In The Hands Of Your Existing Network ASAP

Chances are, someone you already know holds the key to your next position. Reach out to them, be upfront about what you're looking for, and send over your resume for them to take a look at. Some of your contacts might get back to you with feedback. Use it. Others will, in essence, serve as ambassadors, connecting you with industry professionals and delivering opportunities you'd never have been able to discover through "blind" submissions alone. Don't be shy: your friends and colleagues will probably be more than happy to help!

Anish Majumdar, CPRW is a Career Expert and founder of http://resumeorbit.com/. 98% of clients report a significant increase in interviews within 30 days and all work comes backed by a 110% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee. Submit your resume for a free critique at http://resumeorbit.com/free_critique.php today!

Read more ...

How To Speed Up The Job Search Process With Your Resume

It's inevitable: word gets out that you're looking for a new job and someone, be it a colleague, family member or friend, takes it upon themselves to give you a "reality check". While the specifics of what they say might differ, the key takeaway is always something like: be prepared for a grueling process. Be prepared to send out hundreds of resumes before landing a single interview. Be prepared to wait, tear your hair out over unpaid bills, and wait some more.

Does it have to be this way?

When a jobseeker receives advice like this, it usually comes from a helpful place. But, as someone who's worked closely with hundreds of top-level professionals, I can assure you that a protracted job search is NOT a given.

You can land a new job in weeks, not months. The key lies in speeding up the traditional job search process using your resume:

1) Use A Single Version of the Resume that Communicates Unique Value

Few things are a bigger waste of time than endlessly rewriting your resume to fit individual job postings. Hiring managers aren't looking for resumes that read like carbon copies of a job posting. They're looking to be impressed by a unique background. They're looking for skills they might not have considered but which can be applied in a new capacity. They're looking for something special, and that means communicating your UNIQUE VALUE.

-Create a brief opening paragraph at the start of your resume describing 3-4 key attributes. Be selective. What truly makes you a special candidate? What personal abilities are you most proud of?

-Be sure to highlight the attributes mentioned in the opening paragraph FIRST when describing responsibilities at jobs you've held within the "Professional Experience" section. Provide greater detail here. This approach establishes a "personal theme" for the resume and significantly increases its overall impact both at-a-glance and during an in-depth evaluation.

2) Use a 2-Pronged Approach to Resume Keywords

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) such as Taleo and Kenexa are usually the first gatekeepers standing between you and an interview. These programs are designed to scan resumes to make sure certain terms (or "keywords") are present. Those that have them get evaluated by a hiring agent. Those that don't get rejected.

-Gather up job postings you're interested in applying for. Which skills are mentioned over and over again? Make a list of approximately 10 of these skills (which you actually possess).

-Create a "Core Competencies" section near the start of the resume that lists all of these skills (separated by bullets).

-Look for opportunities to expand upon these skills within the "Professional Experience" section. For example, if you listed "Staff Training/Mentoring" within the "Core Competencies" section, you could provide information on specific training initiatives and successes when describing jobs you've held.

-Using this 2-pronged approach increases the probability of successful scanning by Applicant Tracking Systems while providing enough context to pique a recruiter or hiring agent's interest.

3) Get Your Resume In The Hands Of Your Existing Network ASAP

Chances are, someone you already know holds the key to your next position. Reach out to them, be upfront about what you're looking for, and send over your resume for them to take a look at. Some of your contacts might get back to you with feedback. Use it. Others will, in essence, serve as ambassadors, connecting you with industry professionals and delivering opportunities you'd never have been able to discover through "blind" submissions alone. Don't be shy: your friends and colleagues will probably be more than happy to help!

Anish Majumdar, CPRW is a Career Expert and founder of http://resumeorbit.com/. 98% of clients report a significant increase in interviews within 30 days and all work comes backed by a 110% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee. Submit your resume for a free critique at http://resumeorbit.com/free_critique.php today!

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Salary Negotiation Process Simplified

Most people don't prefer negotiating to get a higher salary, however, firstly you need to know your worth and you need to know what you want and then go after hunting for it. To do this successfully, you always need to be tactful and have your research done to the fullest. Before going for an interview however some tips that are given below, are to help you in get the information (and the salary) you need.

Do Your Research

there are many sites out there online with salary calculators that help you getting the salary ranges. Oftentimes, the job description might not exactly match what you'll be required to do in the new position. Try to gather a couple of different close job titles and their descriptions to make your work easy. Usually the salaries will be close.

Another good resource is to use your networking contacts to get you the information about the salary you deserve. You would have several people within your network having knowledge about the industry you are in and should be able to give you generalities on what you should expect or demand for a salary. If you do not find someone within your immediate network to help you with this, they may refer you someone who does have the knowledge. This way you can have a better understanding and know-how regarding the salary that you deserve according to your experience.

Items that are Negotiable

Never forget that everything in this world is negotiable. This is not only the salary issue, but also the vacation time, moving costs, medical, signing bonuses, and review time periods with salary raises.

While you don't want to be extra aggressive with your monetary requirements, use the research you've done to negotiate and justify a fair salary for yourself. Don't forget to do some more selling of yourself, bargaining and demonstrate to the employer what you'll be able to bring to the company if they fulfill your requirements.

If the company is unable to offer any more money because of departmental budgets that might exceed, they need to stay within, or move on to other items or benefits in your compensation package that would make you more satisfied. Try maybe getting a couple of more vacation days, medical facilities, or ask for a shorter monetary review period. Make sure to have benefits for yourself in case the company cannot offer you the salary that you deserve or maybe expect according to the work load.

Overall, there are a few things you need to remember. Be confident about what you want and don't feel obligated to accept the very first offer that is given to you. You should have an attitude of being bold rather than just saying yes to the very first offer that is given to you. And when you settle on your compensation package, make sure to get everything in writing. This makes sure that you are being professional as well as the company. It also helps to get rid of any further confusion from both the sides.

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