Showing posts with label Professionals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Professionals. Show all posts

10/1/12

Executive Resume Samples for High-Level Professionals

Looking for a vacancy in high-level management positions has never become easy. Apart from the fact that job openings for these top positions are rarely advertised because most companies implement in-house hiring to occupy the vacancy, applicants are also afraid to be rejected. Yes, this is true. Many executives, who prefer to leave a current job and look for another one, confess that their fear of rejection comes from the belief that they can't satisfy the recruiter with their "ineffective" resume.

As we all know, these people have reached their current positions because of the length of their employment, which can be translated into being a seasoned professional with an impressive professional experience in handling top-level position(s). Working for a long span of time may cause them to be unaware of the latest trends on job hunt writing. Having said this, it is understandable why they feel incompetent or unconfident about their applications.

Remember this: Everything starts with nothing!

In this age of modern technology, there are so many ways to make things that seem impossible to happen. Don't you worry. Why not take advantage of the resources readily available from the Internet?

Getting a "virtual" help

Computers and laptops are really great contributions to the humankind. Connecting them through another significant modern-day discovery-the Internet-will surely produce an almost impossible output.

Go online and you'll see a lot of executive resume samples from various sites. You just have to explore the World Wide Web and look for some helpful references and sources. For sure, half of your burden will be solved because of the help from the so-called "virtual world."

Learning the current trends

By browsing through different online sites, you'll be able to know the changes in writing, from the time you entered the corporate world until the current time. Knowing these changes and applying them in crafting your own application document will surely keep you away from an embarrassing situation or worse, rejection.

After you gathered all the needed materials, such as sample application documents, patterns and templates, it's now time to create your own application tool.

Crafting your own document

Make use of those materials that can really help you. For example, if you're interested in applying for a senior finance executive position, then, you should use the ones with the same targeted job position. This is to ensure that your terminologies will still be in-line with the socially-accepted ones for that particular position.

What do executive resume samples contain?

What makes this type of application tool different from some other kind is its content. The specific sections of the document that can bring impact to your application as the CEO, CFO, President, or Director of an organization, are the three sections written below your career tag. These sections include summary of qualifications, areas of expertise, and professional experience.

Here are my points:

- Summary of Qualifications

Include 4 to 5 phrases (in narrative form). Each should start with strong adjective to describe your qualifications.

- Areas of Expertise

This section lists all the skills, abilities, or core competencies that you have. This can be written using bullet points.

- Professional Experience

This is another important part of your application tool because it cites the highlights of your progressive career history. List all your work experiences from the latest down to the oldest ones. You may consider writing only those within the latest 10-year period of time. Start each job description with a powerful verb. Do not forget to include your key accomplishments for every job held.

Making use of the available executive resume samples will surely help in acquiring new ideas to craft an outstanding application document that could bring you back to the manager's desk.

Nelson Mullins is a former corporate hiring and recruitment expert who regularly writes articles on resumes, resume writing, personality development, and career in general. He is a father of three who also enjoys photography and biking. Nelson believes that while the employment world continues to be a rat race for applicants, it is important to always be equipped with new ideas on sustaining career growth and opportunities.

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8/14/12

Not for the Trash Bin: Write a Resume for IT Professionals

Are you an aspirant who wants to land on a job in the Information Technology field, but can't seem to do so? Don't push yourself in over thinking why you can't - or rather, why your resume can't. Who knows, it might have already found itself being tossed in the trash bin by the hiring manager.

One of the most and foremost things that you must remember when you are seeking for a job is to make a well-organized AND qualifying resume, which can make the hiring manager shout, "I want you in an interview!" However, crafting a resume for IT professionals isn't actually a smooth, painless task. It requires you to become particular on the technologies that you know, but simply jotting them down in your document will make it look menial, boring, or even eye-straining. Now, if you are having troubles on how to make one, then this article is a must-read for you.

Keywords?

One of the best tricks in having your application on the "yes" pile is to include keywords. The rapid advancement of technology has already reached the offices of companies for hiring. In line with this, a lot of firms have already equipped their Human Resources (HR) departments with databases for faster and more convenient processes. As an initial step for recruitment, those databases search for keywords in the electronically sent application forms, as they determine if you have the essential attributes that they are looking for. Read their job descriptions carefully so you will know the skills you should possess. Be careful not to overload it with keywords, or else it might look congested. Examples of these keywords are 'troubleshooting', 'systems administration', and 'software development'.

Layout? Format?

Okay, let's say that you have already managed to get through the initial screening. With the keywords already scanned, what's the next step to get your application on top of the "yes" pile? Remember that after applications are filtered by the database, the next person to look at your form is the hiring manager itself. To catch his attention, you must have a good format that looks neat yet interesting at the same time. Include a header for your personal information and footer for page numbers, and use the bold, italicize, and underline functions for emphasis. Use a single font and separate your qualifications summary, technical acumen, and job experiences to different sections. You can use whatever kind of design you like. Just remember that you are creating a professional application form. You can search online for a sample of a resume for IT professionals for a better basis. Don't put too much colors and sparkles. They are rather more distracting than eye-catching.

Job Description?

What speaks for your abilities are not your responsibilities in a certain job, but how well you have done in carrying them out. Companies look for employees who can offer them great contributions, and writing down your accomplishments in the job description can actually help you be more recognized. However, if you think that you lack those records of achievements, tweak your wordings a bit. Will simply writing "configured an obsolete data" be enough to bring an impact to your application? No. Probably, "Demonstrated solid knowledge in configuring an obsolete data for company use" would do. You need to sell yourself to the hiring manager to get hired, and you can do that by telling what you can contribute to them.

Technical Acumen: Your Strongest Point

You might think that pouring all of your technical skills is the most important step to do. Of course, it is, but don't forget to conform to reminders one and three: the keywords and the job description. You can't pack your document with loads of technical terminologies or descriptions, or else it will look boring. If you want an application form that looks like a resume for IT professionals, then state your technical acumen in a separate section so it can be easily seen. Classify them according to their type, like 'Language', 'Operating System', and 'Programs.' Don't forget that this part shows how flexible you are in the technical field, so put in as many as you can.

Proofreading Checks all the Checks

As proofreading removes all grammatical errors and unnecessary information, it also eliminates all chances for it to be stashed away. Who would want to read a badly written and poorly researched document? No one, especially the hiring manager. Remember that a resume for IT professionals is expected to be skillfully written, as it reflects the job seeker's knowledge and capabilities. So, before you apply, make sure that your application is error-free.

Following these five simple reminders can actually help you acquire the job that you've been looking for. With a good amount of time for research on techniques and samples on how to create an effective resume for IT professionals, you will surely notice how relatively easy it is to avoid having your copy being tossed in the trash bin, and find out how stress-free it is to make the hiring manager shout the words, "I want you in an interview!" Just don't forget to put in your contact information at the header and you're all set to your interview!

Kate Ross-Myers works for a New-York based human resources magazine. She has a broad experience in preparing resource materials on hiring, recruitment, and training. Kate also speaks on forums and conventions on employee wellness and growth.

Read more ...

8/3/12

Not for the Trash Bin: Write a Resume for IT Professionals

Are you an aspirant who wants to land on a job in the Information Technology field, but can't seem to do so? Don't push yourself in over thinking why you can't - or rather, why your resume can't. Who knows, it might have already found itself being tossed in the trash bin by the hiring manager.

One of the most and foremost things that you must remember when you are seeking for a job is to make a well-organized AND qualifying resume, which can make the hiring manager shout, "I want you in an interview!" However, crafting a resume for IT professionals isn't actually a smooth, painless task. It requires you to become particular on the technologies that you know, but simply jotting them down in your document will make it look menial, boring, or even eye-straining. Now, if you are having troubles on how to make one, then this article is a must-read for you.

Keywords?

One of the best tricks in having your application on the "yes" pile is to include keywords. The rapid advancement of technology has already reached the offices of companies for hiring. In line with this, a lot of firms have already equipped their Human Resources (HR) departments with databases for faster and more convenient processes. As an initial step for recruitment, those databases search for keywords in the electronically sent application forms, as they determine if you have the essential attributes that they are looking for. Read their job descriptions carefully so you will know the skills you should possess. Be careful not to overload it with keywords, or else it might look congested. Examples of these keywords are 'troubleshooting', 'systems administration', and 'software development'.

Layout? Format?

Okay, let's say that you have already managed to get through the initial screening. With the keywords already scanned, what's the next step to get your application on top of the "yes" pile? Remember that after applications are filtered by the database, the next person to look at your form is the hiring manager itself. To catch his attention, you must have a good format that looks neat yet interesting at the same time. Include a header for your personal information and footer for page numbers, and use the bold, italicize, and underline functions for emphasis. Use a single font and separate your qualifications summary, technical acumen, and job experiences to different sections. You can use whatever kind of design you like. Just remember that you are creating a professional application form. You can search online for a sample of a resume for IT professionals for a better basis. Don't put too much colors and sparkles. They are rather more distracting than eye-catching.

Job Description?

What speaks for your abilities are not your responsibilities in a certain job, but how well you have done in carrying them out. Companies look for employees who can offer them great contributions, and writing down your accomplishments in the job description can actually help you be more recognized. However, if you think that you lack those records of achievements, tweak your wordings a bit. Will simply writing "configured an obsolete data" be enough to bring an impact to your application? No. Probably, "Demonstrated solid knowledge in configuring an obsolete data for company use" would do. You need to sell yourself to the hiring manager to get hired, and you can do that by telling what you can contribute to them.

Technical Acumen: Your Strongest Point

You might think that pouring all of your technical skills is the most important step to do. Of course, it is, but don't forget to conform to reminders one and three: the keywords and the job description. You can't pack your document with loads of technical terminologies or descriptions, or else it will look boring. If you want an application form that looks like a resume for IT professionals, then state your technical acumen in a separate section so it can be easily seen. Classify them according to their type, like 'Language', 'Operating System', and 'Programs.' Don't forget that this part shows how flexible you are in the technical field, so put in as many as you can.

Proofreading Checks all the Checks

As proofreading removes all grammatical errors and unnecessary information, it also eliminates all chances for it to be stashed away. Who would want to read a badly written and poorly researched document? No one, especially the hiring manager. Remember that a resume for IT professionals is expected to be skillfully written, as it reflects the job seeker's knowledge and capabilities. So, before you apply, make sure that your application is error-free.

Following these five simple reminders can actually help you acquire the job that you've been looking for. With a good amount of time for research on techniques and samples on how to create an effective resume for IT professionals, you will surely notice how relatively easy it is to avoid having your copy being tossed in the trash bin, and find out how stress-free it is to make the hiring manager shout the words, "I want you in an interview!" Just don't forget to put in your contact information at the header and you're all set to your interview!

Kate Ross-Myers works for a New-York based human resources magazine. She has a broad experience in preparing resource materials on hiring, recruitment, and training. Kate also speaks on forums and conventions on employee wellness and growth.

Read more ...

7/5/12

Not for the Trash Bin: Write a Resume for IT Professionals

Are you an aspirant who wants to land on a job in the Information Technology field, but can't seem to do so? Don't push yourself in over thinking why you can't - or rather, why your resume can't. Who knows, it might have already found itself being tossed in the trash bin by the hiring manager.

One of the most and foremost things that you must remember when you are seeking for a job is to make a well-organized AND qualifying resume, which can make the hiring manager shout, "I want you in an interview!" However, crafting a resume for IT professionals isn't actually a smooth, painless task. It requires you to become particular on the technologies that you know, but simply jotting them down in your document will make it look menial, boring, or even eye-straining. Now, if you are having troubles on how to make one, then this article is a must-read for you.

Keywords?

One of the best tricks in having your application on the "yes" pile is to include keywords. The rapid advancement of technology has already reached the offices of companies for hiring. In line with this, a lot of firms have already equipped their Human Resources (HR) departments with databases for faster and more convenient processes. As an initial step for recruitment, those databases search for keywords in the electronically sent application forms, as they determine if you have the essential attributes that they are looking for. Read their job descriptions carefully so you will know the skills you should possess. Be careful not to overload it with keywords, or else it might look congested. Examples of these keywords are 'troubleshooting', 'systems administration', and 'software development'.

Layout? Format?

Okay, let's say that you have already managed to get through the initial screening. With the keywords already scanned, what's the next step to get your application on top of the "yes" pile? Remember that after applications are filtered by the database, the next person to look at your form is the hiring manager itself. To catch his attention, you must have a good format that looks neat yet interesting at the same time. Include a header for your personal information and footer for page numbers, and use the bold, italicize, and underline functions for emphasis. Use a single font and separate your qualifications summary, technical acumen, and job experiences to different sections. You can use whatever kind of design you like. Just remember that you are creating a professional application form. You can search online for a sample of a resume for IT professionals for a better basis. Don't put too much colors and sparkles. They are rather more distracting than eye-catching.

Job Description?

What speaks for your abilities are not your responsibilities in a certain job, but how well you have done in carrying them out. Companies look for employees who can offer them great contributions, and writing down your accomplishments in the job description can actually help you be more recognized. However, if you think that you lack those records of achievements, tweak your wordings a bit. Will simply writing "configured an obsolete data" be enough to bring an impact to your application? No. Probably, "Demonstrated solid knowledge in configuring an obsolete data for company use" would do. You need to sell yourself to the hiring manager to get hired, and you can do that by telling what you can contribute to them.

Technical Acumen: Your Strongest Point

You might think that pouring all of your technical skills is the most important step to do. Of course, it is, but don't forget to conform to reminders one and three: the keywords and the job description. You can't pack your document with loads of technical terminologies or descriptions, or else it will look boring. If you want an application form that looks like a resume for IT professionals, then state your technical acumen in a separate section so it can be easily seen. Classify them according to their type, like 'Language', 'Operating System', and 'Programs.' Don't forget that this part shows how flexible you are in the technical field, so put in as many as you can.

Proofreading Checks all the Checks

As proofreading removes all grammatical errors and unnecessary information, it also eliminates all chances for it to be stashed away. Who would want to read a badly written and poorly researched document? No one, especially the hiring manager. Remember that a resume for IT professionals is expected to be skillfully written, as it reflects the job seeker's knowledge and capabilities. So, before you apply, make sure that your application is error-free.

Following these five simple reminders can actually help you acquire the job that you've been looking for. With a good amount of time for research on techniques and samples on how to create an effective resume for IT professionals, you will surely notice how relatively easy it is to avoid having your copy being tossed in the trash bin, and find out how stress-free it is to make the hiring manager shout the words, "I want you in an interview!" Just don't forget to put in your contact information at the header and you're all set to your interview!

Kate Ross-Myers works for a New-York based human resources magazine. She has a broad experience in preparing resource materials on hiring, recruitment, and training. Kate also speaks on forums and conventions on employee wellness and growth.

Read more ...

7/3/12

Not for the Trash Bin: Write a Resume for IT Professionals

Are you an aspirant who wants to land on a job in the Information Technology field, but can't seem to do so? Don't push yourself in over thinking why you can't - or rather, why your resume can't. Who knows, it might have already found itself being tossed in the trash bin by the hiring manager.

One of the most and foremost things that you must remember when you are seeking for a job is to make a well-organized AND qualifying resume, which can make the hiring manager shout, "I want you in an interview!" However, crafting a resume for IT professionals isn't actually a smooth, painless task. It requires you to become particular on the technologies that you know, but simply jotting them down in your document will make it look menial, boring, or even eye-straining. Now, if you are having troubles on how to make one, then this article is a must-read for you.

Keywords?

One of the best tricks in having your application on the "yes" pile is to include keywords. The rapid advancement of technology has already reached the offices of companies for hiring. In line with this, a lot of firms have already equipped their Human Resources (HR) departments with databases for faster and more convenient processes. As an initial step for recruitment, those databases search for keywords in the electronically sent application forms, as they determine if you have the essential attributes that they are looking for. Read their job descriptions carefully so you will know the skills you should possess. Be careful not to overload it with keywords, or else it might look congested. Examples of these keywords are 'troubleshooting', 'systems administration', and 'software development'.

Layout? Format?

Okay, let's say that you have already managed to get through the initial screening. With the keywords already scanned, what's the next step to get your application on top of the "yes" pile? Remember that after applications are filtered by the database, the next person to look at your form is the hiring manager itself. To catch his attention, you must have a good format that looks neat yet interesting at the same time. Include a header for your personal information and footer for page numbers, and use the bold, italicize, and underline functions for emphasis. Use a single font and separate your qualifications summary, technical acumen, and job experiences to different sections. You can use whatever kind of design you like. Just remember that you are creating a professional application form. You can search online for a sample of a resume for IT professionals for a better basis. Don't put too much colors and sparkles. They are rather more distracting than eye-catching.

Job Description?

What speaks for your abilities are not your responsibilities in a certain job, but how well you have done in carrying them out. Companies look for employees who can offer them great contributions, and writing down your accomplishments in the job description can actually help you be more recognized. However, if you think that you lack those records of achievements, tweak your wordings a bit. Will simply writing "configured an obsolete data" be enough to bring an impact to your application? No. Probably, "Demonstrated solid knowledge in configuring an obsolete data for company use" would do. You need to sell yourself to the hiring manager to get hired, and you can do that by telling what you can contribute to them.

Technical Acumen: Your Strongest Point

You might think that pouring all of your technical skills is the most important step to do. Of course, it is, but don't forget to conform to reminders one and three: the keywords and the job description. You can't pack your document with loads of technical terminologies or descriptions, or else it will look boring. If you want an application form that looks like a resume for IT professionals, then state your technical acumen in a separate section so it can be easily seen. Classify them according to their type, like 'Language', 'Operating System', and 'Programs.' Don't forget that this part shows how flexible you are in the technical field, so put in as many as you can.

Proofreading Checks all the Checks

As proofreading removes all grammatical errors and unnecessary information, it also eliminates all chances for it to be stashed away. Who would want to read a badly written and poorly researched document? No one, especially the hiring manager. Remember that a resume for IT professionals is expected to be skillfully written, as it reflects the job seeker's knowledge and capabilities. So, before you apply, make sure that your application is error-free.

Following these five simple reminders can actually help you acquire the job that you've been looking for. With a good amount of time for research on techniques and samples on how to create an effective resume for IT professionals, you will surely notice how relatively easy it is to avoid having your copy being tossed in the trash bin, and find out how stress-free it is to make the hiring manager shout the words, "I want you in an interview!" Just don't forget to put in your contact information at the header and you're all set to your interview!

Kate Ross-Myers works for a New-York based human resources magazine. She has a broad experience in preparing resource materials on hiring, recruitment, and training. Kate also speaks on forums and conventions on employee wellness and growth.

Read more ...

5/24/12

Resume Writing Tips for IT Professionals

Resumes should be drafted keeping in mind the employer's profile and the job description too, of course. They are not just documents that give your credentials, but also things that advertise your employability. Top three resume writing tips for IT professionals are given in the following paragraphs of this write up.

Your Candidature

What matters in getting a job is the kind of experience you have in your field; for example, whether you were a full time or a part time employee, your designation, quantum of responsibilities, etc. In case you are a fresher, then whether you have had any professional experience or done internships somewhere, how good are your basics, etc. Freshmen's academic qualification and scores do hold a lot of importance and usually are the main selection criteria for an interview.

Highlight Positives

This is the reason why it is told to highlight your strengths well in the resume. If you think your marks or grades are not up to the mark for that particular employer, do highlight your extra curricular activities or your projects. You may include your hobbies too if they are relevant to the job and if you think can influence and persuade the employer into considering you as an eligible candidate for the job.

Exact Job Profile & Keywords

Depending on your exact job profile and the employer's demands, decide which points should be highlighted. Study the requirements well and go through the organization's profile too. If you are thinking why to look into details when this press release is about IT professionals, let us tell you that there are innumerable kinds of jobs for IT professionals and not every job demands knowledge of software programs and coding. So have a look at that and highlight the keywords for that job profile in the resume.

Recruiters search for resumes of candidates online on the internet as well as on their computers through the document files. Make their job easier by putting in appropriate keywords and increase your chances of getting noticed too.

Resume Format & Formatting

The format of the resume is as important as the content of the resume, because it is all about presentation. It takes just about few seconds, less than five seconds to be precise to glance through and make up one's mind whether to call the candidate for the interview or not. You do not want to risk your job just because you did not pay proper attention to the formatting and lay out of the resume contents.

Use minimal formatting, i.e. just bold, underline and use bulleted lists to give details about the job responsibilities you had undertaken in your previous jobs. Avoid using any colors on the page. Use A4 size paper and adjust the font size to such a size that the resume does not exceed more than two pages. It should neither be too big nor too small. Also, use a standard font face in the soft copy.

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4/6/12

Resumes for Professionals in the Industry

A well written and professional resume is by far the most important asset and a very powerful marketing tool that professionals in the industry have with them. A well written resume helps you package your professional profile in a way that is appealing to recruiters and employers, thus improving your chances of getting a great job. Resume writing has seen a major chance in the recent years, with various different resume formats and patterns being introduced to help professionals with their job hunt, by leveraging the skills and qualities of a professional to the maximum.

Whenever a professional from the industry decides on seeking a better opportunity, be it a better paying job or a higher designation, they need to have a professional resume that will help them with showcasing their expertise and experience in the industry as well as showcasing their achievements and accomplishments in their career. The professional can either choose to create his or her resume on their own, or can opt for a professional resume writing service that can help them give a professional edge to their profile.

If candidates want to create their resume themselves, there are various options that they can look at. The most easiest and helpful way of creating a resume is to search online, there are hundreds of websites online that offer various sample resumes for different positions that a candidate can refer to, download and customize when drafting a resume. These sample resume websites usually employ resume writing experts who create resume templates that are then published for visitors to view and even download in some cases. Using a sample resume from a website has its advantages as these resumes are free of cost and can easily be created, you are given a standard template for the position, and all you need to do is to update your information onto these resume templates. However the disadvantage to this method of creating ones resume is that these templates follow the rule- one size fits all. Resumes downloaded online may not be able to capture all the aspects of your profile as the final outcome it solely depends on how the candidate updates his or her information on to these templates.

The second option that professionals from the industry have is to hire a professional resume writing service that will help the professional create a customized, high quality resume that is both unique and highlights the skills, characteristics and professional profile of the candidate. The advantage of having a resume service create a professional resume for a candidate is that these resumes are created after taking into consideration all the aspects of one's profile and ensure that the right skills are highlighted for the job, and the candidates resume is created by an expert who knows the finer points of resume writing and who can transform a simple profile into a winning profile. The only disadvantage that candidates would face with opting for a professional resume writing service is that these services are expensive and time consuming.

Whatever be the option chosen by the candidate for creating his or her resume, both these option that a professional from the industry has, can give the candidate an impressive and eye catching resume that is unique and has the ability to stand out among other job applications and grab the attention of the recruiting staff and recruiting managers.

For more information on how to write a great resume you can visits http://www.sampleresumedirectory.com

Kim Simon is a professional resume writer.

http://sampleresumedirectory.com/

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12/13/11

Resume Writing - Simple Math Shows It Is Not A Do It Yourself Project for Most Professionals

1) In case you are unaware, there are currently 60 million unemployed people in the USA and another 60 million that are only able to work part-time, seeking to advance in their careers or trying to make a career change. This means there is more competition than ever before (60M + 60M = 120M a historical high).

2) Next, there is a cost benefit analysis of whether to delegate the job to an expert or not. In the current economy, if you do it yourself you will certainly save about $300-$400 instantly. However, as weeks turn into months and months slip into years of unemployment or limited earnings part-time the financial loss of an average salary of $4,000 per month times an average job search of 12 months equals a true cost of $48,000 in lost wages. What if expert assistance from a veteran Certified Professional Resume Writer cut that loss by 67% or at least 50%? Essentially, it is right back to Ben Franklin's advice, "A penny saved is a penny earned" with a modest adjustment for annual inflation, you could save $24,000 to $36,000 even if you only have only average earnings.

3) If you have done well, your resume will be compared side by side with the top 5% of resumes that made the cut to be reviewed and interviewed by a human. Most of those are professionally written. Wouldn't you get more interviews if you were at least be on equal footing?

4) Most people cannot brag about themselves effectively, let alone market and sell their skills, talents and abilities in a way that will actually motivate hiring managers. Professional writers are adept at doing this without showing arrogance or exaggeration.

5) The average American's writing, editing and proofreading grade level is too low only because college education is so expensive here. Thus, great writers will have a serious advantage over you.

6) Many mistakes are hard to catch, even with spell checking from Microsoft® Word. Commonly confused words like homonyms (to, two, too or their and there) are very hard to catch. Then there are errors in logic, general grammar errors and typos that form another word unintentionally.

7) Another person's opinion and interview questions will often reveal plenty of new, relevant information that you did not think to include on your resume. This in itself may cinch your hire.

8) The average American business professional or Fortune 500 executive still does not understand that one of the primary missions of your résumé should be to build their value. Why miss your chance to cash in and earn a significant raise?

9) If your resume and cover letter deserves to be in the top 5% of resumes an employer collects for a job posting, odds are you will earn plenty of interviews. More importantly, you will likely have multiple offers to choose from and thus position yourself for a better compensation and benefits package. Is a $100,000 compensation package with top-tier benefits better than a $75,000 annual salary?

10) After you hire a Certified Professional Resume Writer, you will be keenly aware of your worth in the market place; thus, you will not be accepting low-ball salary offers from third-tier employers. Confidence is essential in your salary negotiation process as employers have a strategic edge right now due to the overabundance of well-qualified candidates.

11) Most people completely miss out on the many critical points of résumé strategy: Targeting, specific performance metrics, making claims supported by evidence, focusing on results rather than responsibilities, stating a specific goal, strategy for career changes or industry changes, compatibility, file size restrictions, editing for brevity and relevancy, prioritizing, applicant tracking system strategy, convincing writing, accomplishments, style, proper formatting, tuning into what the employers want and keyword strategy.

12) You cannot circumvent the laws of supply and demand because they are omnipotent. Thus, many job hunters with merely average resumes and cover letters are forced to settle for an employer that requires them to relocate (very expensive) or settle for third-tier employers. Odds are there is undiscovered opportunity where you are now or you should be earning a salary that better reflects your current market value.

The truth is, your destiny awaits you. It really is no big deal to conform to what exactly employers want to see in your resume or cover letters. Regardless of which path you choose make sure your career documents are excellent because they are still the foundation of your job hunt.

Copyright 2011 by Darrell Z. DiZoglio. Great writing on demand. Accelerate your job search. Dream jobs do come true for my clients every day. Resume good => Job good => Life good. Click here => http://righteousresumes.com/ To see the tools your competition used to get hired, Click here => http://RighteousResumes.com/services.html

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12/1/11

Technical Competencies in Your IT Resume: Part 1 - Strategies for Hands-On Technical Professionals

Technical Core Competencies are an absolutely critical element in a solid, interview winning IT or Engineering resume. But - as with all elements of a strong resume - it's important to have a clear, definite strategy in the approach you choose to highlight these technical strengths.

It is critical to ensure that you demonstrate the necessary technical depth. But it's equally important to present technical skills in a way that doesn't overwhelm the reader.

Here are 3 approaches to demonstrate your technology expertise and position yourself for new hands-on opportunities in development, network engineering, or other engineering disciplines.

1) Highlight You Technical Core Competencies Front and Center:

Frequently, for clients seeking hands-on roles, I recommend including a list of technologies immediately after the professional profile on page 1 of your resume.

In hands-on technical roles, specific skill sets are critical. So you need to make it absolutely clear to the hiring authority that you've got the chops to handle the job.

A couple of cautions, though. Be sure to format the section clearly by using subheadings like Languages, Tools, and Platforms for example. Start with the most crucial - if the job is for a Java developer, be sure to lead with Programming Languages.

Also, be careful to keep the list a manageable length - don't distract from hard accomplishments in your most recent positions.

2) Incorporate Technology within Your Accomplishments:

If technology plays a critical role in your accomplishments - or if you used an innovative approach to solve a specific business or technical issue, you might want to consider including the technology directly in the accomplishment bullet.

For example, "Leveraged Java to deliver innovative solution that grew revenue by 20%," includes technical competency and the business value of the achievement. That's a strong combination!

3) Include Tools Used as a Separate Bullet Point:

Another option is to include the tools used as a bullet point after job descriptions. This approach is particularly effective if you've used variations on core technologies in different jobs, and can demonstrate both technical depth and breadth.

But do avoid repetition. If you've used the same technologies consistently, better placed at the beginning or end of the resume.

As a final thought, these strategies aren't mutually exclusive. You can certainly take a "mix and match" approach to highlight your key strengths. But, as always, remember that the core of a resume is accomplishments. Be certain that everything you write shows not only your skills - but also what you can deliver.

In my future articles, I'll address best practices for including technology in a senior or executive technology resume, and approaches to address legacy technologies.

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.

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11/19/11

3 Resume Secrets Used by the Professionals

What separates a homemade resume from one prepared by a CPRW (Certified Professional Resume Writer)? It's a question I'm frequently asked when speaking with potential clients. Although there's a host of skills required in order to gain certification, some of the most common strategies I use can be applied by anyone. In most cases, these go against "popular thinking" when it comes to developing a resume. That's as it should be. The first thing any jobseeker should understand is that 90% of what you hear about resumes on the Internet has little-to-no bearing on what ACTUALLY WORKS. Here are 3 strategies that do:

1) Repetition Isn't Always a Bad Thing

How many times have you heard that you should never repeat information within a resume? In actuality, this is only partially true. Sure, rehashing the same job responsibilities over and over in your resume will make any reader's eyes glaze over. However, identifying 3-4 key skills that you're particularly adept in (and which are in-demand by employers) and playing them up in an opening section and in the last few positions you've held is a powerful way to establish a "personal theme" for the document. This approach helps differentiate you from the competition by answering the question, "What sets me apart?".

2) Old Positions Don't Matter

A reader will spend the bulk of his or her time analyzing positions you've held within the past 10-12 years. If your resume doesn't succeed within this timeframe, it doesn't succeed period. Separate job responsibilities from concrete accomplishments to really get the message across for these relevant positions. Eliminate everything else, or place it within an "Additional Experience" section with 1-2 bullets MAX per job.

3) Content Trumps Visuals Every Time

A resume that has lousy formatting and an ineffective layout, but is rich in content will land interviews. Don't waste undue amounts of time trying to be flashy or shelling out for customized resume templates. Focus on communicating key skills, integrating relevant industry keywords, and soliciting feedback prior to submitting for jobs.

Anish Majumdar is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Owner at Resume Orbit. 95% of clients report a significant increase in interviews within 30 days, and all work comes backed by a 100% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee (in writing).

Please submit your existing resume for a FREE CRITIQUE spanning structure, language, and content.

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11/1/11

Resume Writing - Simple Math Shows It Is Not A Do It Yourself Project for Most Professionals

1) In case you are unaware, there are currently 60 million unemployed people in the USA and another 60 million that are only able to work part-time, seeking to advance in their careers or trying to make a career change. This means there is more competition than ever before (60M + 60M = 120M a historical high).

2) Next, there is a cost benefit analysis of whether to delegate the job to an expert or not. In the current economy, if you do it yourself you will certainly save about $300-$400 instantly. However, as weeks turn into months and months slip into years of unemployment or limited earnings part-time the financial loss of an average salary of $4,000 per month times an average job search of 12 months equals a true cost of $48,000 in lost wages. What if expert assistance from a veteran Certified Professional Resume Writer cut that loss by 67% or at least 50%? Essentially, it is right back to Ben Franklin's advice, "A penny saved is a penny earned" with a modest adjustment for annual inflation, you could save $24,000 to $36,000 even if you only have only average earnings.

3) If you have done well, your resume will be compared side by side with the top 5% of resumes that made the cut to be reviewed and interviewed by a human. Most of those are professionally written. Wouldn't you get more interviews if you were at least be on equal footing?

4) Most people cannot brag about themselves effectively, let alone market and sell their skills, talents and abilities in a way that will actually motivate hiring managers. Professional writers are adept at doing this without showing arrogance or exaggeration.

5) The average American's writing, editing and proofreading grade level is too low only because college education is so expensive here. Thus, great writers will have a serious advantage over you.

6) Many mistakes are hard to catch, even with spell checking from Microsoft® Word. Commonly confused words like homonyms (to, two, too or their and there) are very hard to catch. Then there are errors in logic, general grammar errors and typos that form another word unintentionally.

7) Another person's opinion and interview questions will often reveal plenty of new, relevant information that you did not think to include on your resume. This in itself may cinch your hire.

8) The average American business professional or Fortune 500 executive still does not understand that one of the primary missions of your résumé should be to build their value. Why miss your chance to cash in and earn a significant raise?

9) If your resume and cover letter deserves to be in the top 5% of resumes an employer collects for a job posting, odds are you will earn plenty of interviews. More importantly, you will likely have multiple offers to choose from and thus position yourself for a better compensation and benefits package. Is a $100,000 compensation package with top-tier benefits better than a $75,000 annual salary?

10) After you hire a Certified Professional Resume Writer, you will be keenly aware of your worth in the market place; thus, you will not be accepting low-ball salary offers from third-tier employers. Confidence is essential in your salary negotiation process as employers have a strategic edge right now due to the overabundance of well-qualified candidates.

11) Most people completely miss out on the many critical points of résumé strategy: Targeting, specific performance metrics, making claims supported by evidence, focusing on results rather than responsibilities, stating a specific goal, strategy for career changes or industry changes, compatibility, file size restrictions, editing for brevity and relevancy, prioritizing, applicant tracking system strategy, convincing writing, accomplishments, style, proper formatting, tuning into what the employers want and keyword strategy.

12) You cannot circumvent the laws of supply and demand because they are omnipotent. Thus, many job hunters with merely average resumes and cover letters are forced to settle for an employer that requires them to relocate (very expensive) or settle for third-tier employers. Odds are there is undiscovered opportunity where you are now or you should be earning a salary that better reflects your current market value.

The truth is, your destiny awaits you. It really is no big deal to conform to what exactly employers want to see in your resume or cover letters. Regardless of which path you choose make sure your career documents are excellent because they are still the foundation of your job hunt.

Copyright 2011 by Darrell Z. DiZoglio. Great writing on demand. Accelerate your job search. Dream jobs do come true for my clients every day. Resume good => Job good => Life good. Click here => http://righteousresumes.com/ To see the tools your competition used to get hired, Click here => http://RighteousResumes.com/services.html

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9/6/11

Top 14 Resume Mistakes IT Professionals Make

1. Not knowing the purpose of resume
What is the purpose of a resume? It is not to be a complete history of you skills and experience. The sole purpose of the resume is to get you an interview. It's marketing. As such, it should be as short as possible (while conveying everything that must be communicated) and a single resume (ad) can not be used for everyone.

2. Not Targeted & Leaving Out Important Information
That brings me to #2. The best resumes I see, as a recruiter, are the ones targeted to the job for which they are applying. If you are a DBA that has done a lot of programming, if you apply to a programming position, leave off much of your DBA related information. It will only make you look like a DBA...not a programmer. Also, review the job descriptions carefully. Sometimes I find out that an applicant left out information that was listed in the job description. We didn't consider him because he did not list that experience. We are not psychics. If you don't list it on your resume, we don't know if you have the experience. Whatever is in your background that matches the job description, make sure it is on your resume. If the experience or skill does not relate to the position, you can safely leave it off your resume.

3. Lack of Specific Accomplishments & Just Listing Generic Duties and Responsibilities
Don't just list your duties and responsibilities. For one thing, everyone in your position can say the same thing. Secondly, what recruiters really want to see are your specific accomplishments. Quantify them. Did you decrease process time by 50%? Did you double the capacity of the network? Did you save the company $100K? What specific accomplishments did you have...and give the numbers with them. Figures are more impressive and seem more real. Also, this will differentiate you from everyone else. Your accomplishments are your accomplishments. Remember #2, list it only if it relates to the position.

4. Applying for Positions That You Don't Show You Meet the Requirements
As I said, the first thing I do is toss out everyone who is not a fit. They are adding to my work and clutter. Companies tend to automate the hiring process by using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). We know who is wasting our time...and we give even less time to people we keep seeing pop up. If we see an applicant who has applied to everything and never gotten far in the process, we are less likely to give them another shot. It is a bad policy to apply for everything and hope to get in. Later a position may come up that you match well, but you are tossed because "he applies to everything." I have seen candidates who have applied thirty or forty times to various positions. Everyone in the recruiting department knows who these people are by name and give no thought to ever bringing them in for an interview. Don't become known this way.

5. Visually Cluttered or Hard to Read
Don't type everything into paragraphs. Bullet points are your friends. You must keep in mind that recruiters usually give resumes 10 to 15 seconds on the first scan. When I have to review a couple hundred applicants, the first thing I do is toss out the people who do not meet the minimum requirements. So please make sure this is easy to spot in your resume. If we (recruiters) can't find it in 10 seconds, you lost the opportunity to have your resume fully read and ultimately the possibility of interview.

6. Assuming the Reader Will Know What You are Talking About
Somewhat related to #4 and #2. The first person who reads your resume may not be a technical person; many HR people are not very technical. So make sure type in your skills just as they are listed in the job description. For example, if the job description says you need J2EE, don't say you have Java EE experience...over vice versa. A non-technical HR person may not know it is the same thing. Another example is AS/400 and iSeries. The terms change over time, but don't expect HR to know this. Make it easy for HR by listing your skills in such a way that it is easily matched to the job requirements and description.

7. Typos and Grammatical Errors
Use spell check, proofread, and then give it to others to proofread. You don't want such errors in your resume. For one, it is seen as lacking attention to detail (something all companies want in employees). Also in this category, resumes having incorrect contact information. This happens, but don't let it happen to you.

8. Not Using Action Verbs or Being Repetitive with the Same Verb
Action words stress performance and motivation, but use a thesaurus. To see the word 'Developed' several times in a row does not look good and will to overlooked more. It is just psychology, more time is given to the unfamiliar. So vary the action verbs and be creative. If you are a programmer, you are not limited to developed, programmed, and designed. You could use saved, solved, attained, and other action verbs in a differently constructed sentence.

9. Having an 'Objective' in Your Resume
Often totally redundant, the objective often just says you are looking for a position that has been your title before in previous companies. The bigger danger is that a recruiter may be considering your resume for positions that would be a fit for your background but different than what you are doing. So, the recruiter may not call because it does not match your objective. Basically, you get pigeon-holed. Unless you are changing careers or fields of work different than your work history, no object need be listed on a resume.

10. Leaving Dates of Employment Out
Recruiters want to know when you were working somewhere. If you leave them out, that will be one of the first questions they ask you (assuming they call you). Please list both the month and year. Leaving this information out just looks like you are trying to hide something. It puts out a big red flag.

11. Graphics, Fancy Fonts, and Colors
I have not seen many good uses of graphics, fonts, and colors. Resumes should not have more than three fonts and two colors. This is my opinion because more than that it can go very wrong. Including graphics are a bad idea for IT professionals; graphics are something you might see for graphic designers. Considering most resumes go into an Applicant Tracking System, the images will likely be lost anyway and leave awkward voids.

12. Cutesy or Bad Email Addresses
Don't put on your resume that your email is something like "BigBoy69@whatever". In my career, I have gotten a few laughs by the email addresses people use. However, a bad email address on your resume shows a potential lack of judgment and awareness of audience (professional).

13. References on Request
Don't waste the space. We know references are available on request. Don't put this on the bottom of your resume.

14. Lie, Exaggerate, Not Disclose, or Get Ahead of Yourself
If you don't really have the skill or experience currently, don't say that you do. For entry level people, don't say you have a degree - if in reality you haven't graduated yet. It may cost you from ever being considered for employment at that company. Instead list your expected graduation date and the degree you should get at that time. The same goes for experienced IT people and their certifications. If your certification has expired, you can't say you have that certification - you have to mention when it expired. Versions could be important too. I have called candidates only to find they had used that software from 5 versions ago. All this is seen as an applicant trying to be deceptive. Pulling a fast one. I know times are sometimes tough and it is competitive out there, but this sort of thing could cost you from every being considered for employment again at a company.

With over 10 years in the recruiting industry, Eric spent most of his time recruiting IT professionals. In June 2011, he founded MinnesotaTechJobs.com - a hyper-niche job board focusing on only IT & Tech, only Minnesota, and only regular companies (no staffing agencies or consulting firms can post). Visit http://www.minnesotatechjobs.com/ to see other articles and posts in the "Ask an IT Recruiter" section.

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2/9/11

Effective Sample Resume Tactics for Professionals

For a professional, it is mandatory that its resume should look impressive covering up every single detail in a comprehensive and readable manner. A perfect resume is the one that contributes chiefly in the interviewer's choice of hiring you. You can find several sample resume templates available on the internet which will assist you in devising an attractive resume for yourself. But the template alone is not sufficient for the resume to be perfect. Instead, one should also take proper consideration while adding information to it.

In present day, it is not the quantity, but the quality that sells. No matter how much experience, skills and abilities you are having, if you are not able to clearly portray them in your resume, then they are worthless. When it comes to harvesting an effectively working resume, you can no longer expect the result from bunch of pages on which you have simply rehashed your job history and abilities. This is a highly competitive era in which each and every minute aspect matters. You need to carve a position for yourself through your resume. If you want your resume to be taken seriously, then look out for the precise way to devise the resume and employ some good sample resume templates.

The best strategy for sell anything is to promise about its feature, and accompany that promise with some historical arguments. This is what you need to do with yourself. Your resume should look like your promise letter in which you are offering immediate return on investment to the employer. Just promise your values, abilities and skills through your resume and then back it up with some proofs at the time of interview.

If you want to impress the employer, then it is important that you should give him something memorable. But that does not mean that you should go on bragging about yourself. The bragging might affect your chances of getting hired in a negative way, as you will not be able to backup those statements with some proofs until you are a professional liar. Your resume should precisely portray yourself in an impressive way.

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