Resume & Cover Letter Writing: Reasons

Showing posts with label Reasons. Show all posts

10/1/12

Four Reasons to Keep Your Resume Updated

So many people wait until the last minute to update their resume and it can end up costing them. You may need to get a resume to someone quickly and you could waste valuable time in getting the information updated. This could cause you to lose the opportunity if it takes you too long. Here are some scenarios where having an updated resume will save you time and give you the best chance at getting the job you deserve.

- A friend refers you. What would happen if a friend of yours knew of an opportunity at their company that was your dream job? You should send them a resume right away. If you don't have an updated resume, you will need to take the time to bring it up to date. If it has been awhile since you've updated it, it may take you a few days to compile all of your information. In the meantime, you also risk losing the job opportunity but damaging your friend's reputation as well.

- A recruiter contacts you. This is almost the same scenario as above but it will most likely have an even tighter deadline. When a recruiter contacts you, chances are they need to fill that job quickly. A company usually contacts a recruiter when they have an immediate need. If you're qualified for the job, by quickly sending them your resume, you instantly increase your potential for getting that job. If it takes you a day or two to get your resume updated and send it to the recruiter, you run the risk of losing that chance and the recruiter may not contact you again.

- Your company is downsizing. Even if your department hasn't been affected, you still want to have something ready. You may have been told your job is safe and there's no need to worry. When a company starts downsizing, there are no guarantees. So many people in recent years have been blindsided by this very situation and are still struggling to recover. No matter what, always prepare yourself for the worse. If you're prepared, you'll be able to bounce back quickly and have more options than others.

- Your job is secure. You may wonder why you need to keep your resume updated if your job is secure and everything seems fine. Let's look at this from a different perspective. Are you eligible for a promotion? Has your company been limited in handing out raises? Has your supervisor changed in the last few years? When you have an updated resume, you can show your supervisor why you are the perfect candidate for that promotion or if they've recently been hired, give them an opportunity to learn your experience and education. A well-written resume can also provide an excellent overview of all your accomplishments and qualifications.

The key thing to remember is you never know when someone will want to look at your job history and/or qualifications. If you're prepared, those looking to hire you, give you a promotion, or give you a raise will notice and you'll stand apart from any other candidates.

Dani Stevens is a professional blogger focused in the areas of human resources and resume writing. She is a blogger at the Online Career Center Blog. They provide resources and tips for those individuals looking for work and need help with their resume.

8/14/12

Four Reasons to Keep Your Resume Updated

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Just Copy Your Resume Into Your LinkedIn Summary

Many people on LinkedIn make the mistake of copying their resume summary statements into their LinkedIn Summary section. There are three major problems with this strategy:

Problem #1: Trite Phrases

Often your resume summary is laden with overused phrases like "Results-oriented team player with a proven track record... " or "Dynamic, motivated self-starter with extensive experience... "

If your resume summary looks anything like the above examples, please rewrite it and hire a professional resume writer if necessary! This type of language belongs neither on your resume nor in your LinkedIn profile.

Problem #2: LinkedIn Summary Real Estate

You have 2000 characters at your disposal for a LinkedIn Summary, vs. three to four lines maximum for your resume summary. Why would you choose not to use all that real estate to say something - really say something - about yourself?

Problem #3: Keywords

Your LinkedIn Summary is an essential place for you to insert keywords if you want to be found on LinkedIn. By inserting a 3-line summary, you lose out on your chance to build keywords into your profile.

Resume Summary Example - For Resumes Only

Here's an example of a very strong resume summary statement that does NOT belong in a LinkedIn Summary (note I DO like this statement as a resume summary statement - in fact I wrote it!):

LeeAnn Dance - Producer - Writer - Editor

Award-winning television producer and groundbreaking investigative reporter - experience covering issues ranging from pre-election to international news, with special emphasis on East Africa. Creator and writer of highly acclaimed documentaries and promotional videos for non-profit organizations. Eight years as producer for CNN.

LinkedIn Summary Example - Great Model!

What would a LinkedIn Summary look like for LeaAnn? Here is the statement we wrote for her:

Award-winning investigative and documentary television producerVideo production and broadcast journalism have been my passions for over 20 years, ever since receiving my MS in Journalism from Columbia University. I have produced everything from groundbreaking news stories for CNN to promotional videos for non-profit organizations, and I am currently hosting a blog radio show for parents relaunching their careers.My journalism background gave me the ability to distill a large amount of material and hone in on what's true and important. I can pinpoint the real message that needs to be conveyed, creating a human story that moves and inspires an audience.Promotional Videos for Non-Profit Organizations

As a freelance video producer, I specialize in creating high caliber, professional and creative promotional videos for non-profit and educational organizations. I understand the budgetary constraints of non-profit organizations and will work within a range of budgets and scope of work.

Funders respond to high quality video presentations that effectively convey your organization's message. I will take your message, target it, and transform it into a concise and meaningful array of pictures, words, and sounds. You will then have the power of an impactful video to present your organization's activities at fundraising events and through the web.

In addition to being a video producer, I was a stay-at-home mom for 13 years, and I am committed to providing resources to women who are returning to the workforce. My blog ***, chronicles my journey and shares information about the return-to-work process.

Blog topics include emotional roadblocks to relaunching, preparing your resume, updating your wardrobe, and preparing your family for re-entry.

Check out my weekly blog talk radio show on relaunching your career, with guests including authors, career counselors, therapists, and employers. (www.blogtalkradio.com/***)

What works about this example?

Conveys LeeAnn's story and her passion (the resume summary does not).Contains multiple keywords that will get LeeAnn found on LinkedIn.Covers the different facets of what LeeAnn has to offer.Draws the eye to sub-headings so that readers can easily see what LeeAnn is about. The text is broken into bite-sized pieces, not so blocky that no one will read it.Has a call to action.

Note that the resume summary does NONE of these five things, even though it is perfectly great as a resume summary.

Can you write a LinkedIn Summary Statement for yourself that accomplishes at least four out of the five functions listed above? If yes, great - go for it! If you need help, consider hiring a professional to write you a LinkedIn Summary that will help you get found on LinkedIn and have the impact you want on the people who read your profile.

http://www.theessayexpert.com/
For writing that gets results.

Brenda Bernstein, Founder and Senior Editor, BrendaB@TheEssayExpert.com

Brenda Bernstein, Certified Advanced Resume Writer and accomplished editor and LinkedIn trainer, holds an English degree from Yale University and a J.D. from the NYU School of Law. She is the author of the highly-acclaimed e-book, How to Write a KILLER LinkedIn Profile. Brenda delivers webinars on LinkedIn and resume writing that have been attended by thousands of job seekers and other professionals seeking to establish a professional image on LinkedIn.

Specialties: Resumes, Cover Letters, College Application Essays, Professional Bios, LinkedIn Profiles

8/10/12

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Just Copy Your Resume Into Your LinkedIn Summary

Many people on LinkedIn make the mistake of copying their resume summary statements into their LinkedIn Summary section. There are three major problems with this strategy:

Problem #1: Trite Phrases

Often your resume summary is laden with overused phrases like "Results-oriented team player with a proven track record... " or "Dynamic, motivated self-starter with extensive experience... "

Problem #2: LinkedIn Summary Real Estate

Problem #3: Keywords

Resume Summary Example - For Resumes Only

Here's an example of a very strong resume summary statement that does NOT belong in a LinkedIn Summary (note I DO like this statement as a resume summary statement - in fact I wrote it!):

LeeAnn Dance - Producer - Writer - Editor

LinkedIn Summary Example - Great Model!

What would a LinkedIn Summary look like for LeaAnn? Here is the statement we wrote for her:

Blog topics include emotional roadblocks to relaunching, preparing your resume, updating your wardrobe, and preparing your family for re-entry.

Check out my weekly blog talk radio show on relaunching your career, with guests including authors, career counselors, therapists, and employers. (www.blogtalkradio.com/***)

What works about this example?

Note that the resume summary does NONE of these five things, even though it is perfectly great as a resume summary.

http://www.theessayexpert.com/
For writing that gets results.

Brenda Bernstein, Founder and Senior Editor, BrendaB@TheEssayExpert.com

Specialties: Resumes, Cover Letters, College Application Essays, Professional Bios, LinkedIn Profiles

8/7/12

Four Reasons to Keep Your Resume Updated

8/3/12

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Just Copy Your Resume Into Your LinkedIn Summary

Many people on LinkedIn make the mistake of copying their resume summary statements into their LinkedIn Summary section. There are three major problems with this strategy:

Problem #1: Trite Phrases

Often your resume summary is laden with overused phrases like "Results-oriented team player with a proven track record... " or "Dynamic, motivated self-starter with extensive experience... "

Problem #2: LinkedIn Summary Real Estate

Problem #3: Keywords

Resume Summary Example - For Resumes Only

Here's an example of a very strong resume summary statement that does NOT belong in a LinkedIn Summary (note I DO like this statement as a resume summary statement - in fact I wrote it!):

LeeAnn Dance - Producer - Writer - Editor

LinkedIn Summary Example - Great Model!

What would a LinkedIn Summary look like for LeaAnn? Here is the statement we wrote for her:

Blog topics include emotional roadblocks to relaunching, preparing your resume, updating your wardrobe, and preparing your family for re-entry.

Check out my weekly blog talk radio show on relaunching your career, with guests including authors, career counselors, therapists, and employers. (www.blogtalkradio.com/***)

What works about this example?

Note that the resume summary does NONE of these five things, even though it is perfectly great as a resume summary.

http://www.theessayexpert.com/
For writing that gets results.

Brenda Bernstein, Founder and Senior Editor, BrendaB@TheEssayExpert.com

Specialties: Resumes, Cover Letters, College Application Essays, Professional Bios, LinkedIn Profiles

7/5/12

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Just Copy Your Resume Into Your LinkedIn Summary

Many people on LinkedIn make the mistake of copying their resume summary statements into their LinkedIn Summary section. There are three major problems with this strategy:

Problem #1: Trite Phrases

Often your resume summary is laden with overused phrases like "Results-oriented team player with a proven track record... " or "Dynamic, motivated self-starter with extensive experience... "

Problem #2: LinkedIn Summary Real Estate

Problem #3: Keywords

Resume Summary Example - For Resumes Only

Here's an example of a very strong resume summary statement that does NOT belong in a LinkedIn Summary (note I DO like this statement as a resume summary statement - in fact I wrote it!):

LeeAnn Dance - Producer - Writer - Editor

LinkedIn Summary Example - Great Model!

What would a LinkedIn Summary look like for LeaAnn? Here is the statement we wrote for her:

Blog topics include emotional roadblocks to relaunching, preparing your resume, updating your wardrobe, and preparing your family for re-entry.

Check out my weekly blog talk radio show on relaunching your career, with guests including authors, career counselors, therapists, and employers. (www.blogtalkradio.com/***)

What works about this example?

Note that the resume summary does NONE of these five things, even though it is perfectly great as a resume summary.

http://www.theessayexpert.com/
For writing that gets results.

Brenda Bernstein, Founder and Senior Editor, BrendaB@TheEssayExpert.com

Specialties: Resumes, Cover Letters, College Application Essays, Professional Bios, LinkedIn Profiles

5 Reasons Why Your Resume Isn't Gettng Any Attention

It's boring- Let's face it...No one wants to read anything that's boring, especially a resume. You need to capture the reader's attention immediately and make them want to read more. Do you open your resume with a tired and outdated objective? No one cares what you want (i.e. Seeking a challenging job in a fast-paced environment). Get rid of it. Your resume should begin with a strong, and captivating professional summary or profile. You should immediately answer the question "Why should I hire you?"

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) -Nearly all major corporations and a growing number of smaller companies are using some type of applicant tracking software to pre-screen candidates and manage their candidate data. All the big job boards like Monster and CareerBuilder are likely to work in partnership with ATS providers to move candidate data between the sites and their client corporations. Resumes are that keyword-rich, contain familiar industry phrases and are traditionally formatted are more likely to make the cut. Graphics and unusual formatting create a higher likelihood of your resume being rejected by the system, even if you're the perfect candidate. When possible, save your resume in ASCII (.txt) format then cut and paste it into the online application.

Your resume is not focused or targeted- Your resume must tell the reader exactly what job you're looking for. If you're looking for a job in accounting your resume should not feature your retail sales experience. A well-written resume will emphasize relevant experience and transferable skills while de-emphasizing or eliminating unrelated experience. Your resume should not be an exhaustive summary of everything you've done in your career. Focus on the experiences, both paid and unpaid, that relate directly to the job to which you're applying.

Duties and responsibilities- If your resume is nothing more than a list of your past duties and responsibilities, it's not likely to get a second look. Employers want to know what you've done, not what was on your job description. Consider the difference between these two resume bullets:

Processed invoices and expensesReduced costs by 20% and reduced errors by 35% through careful tracking of invoices and expenses.

Which one sounds better to you? Quantify your accomplishments and show your results!

No Cover Letter- There are a lot of different opinions about cover letters. Here is mine: Never submit a resume without a cover letter. Don't miss an additional opportunity to make a connection with a recruiter or hiring manager. Your cover letter should complement your resume in both content and style. Use your cover letter to add a personal touch to your application package. Do your homework and find the name of the person to whom your cover letter should be addressed. Do not address it to Sir/Madam or Hiring Manager. If it's not possible to find a name, a salutation of Good Morning or Good Afternoon will give you a 50% change of being right!

Jeffrey Metzger is Owner and Chief Resume Architect at Your Resume Consultant. Find out how Jeff can create a resume for you that will attract the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. Visit us at http://www.yourresumeconsultant.com/.

7/3/12

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Just Copy Your Resume Into Your LinkedIn Summary

Many people on LinkedIn make the mistake of copying their resume summary statements into their LinkedIn Summary section. There are three major problems with this strategy:

Problem #1: Trite Phrases

Often your resume summary is laden with overused phrases like "Results-oriented team player with a proven track record... " or "Dynamic, motivated self-starter with extensive experience... "

Problem #2: LinkedIn Summary Real Estate

Problem #3: Keywords

Resume Summary Example - For Resumes Only

Here's an example of a very strong resume summary statement that does NOT belong in a LinkedIn Summary (note I DO like this statement as a resume summary statement - in fact I wrote it!):

LeeAnn Dance - Producer - Writer - Editor

LinkedIn Summary Example - Great Model!

What would a LinkedIn Summary look like for LeaAnn? Here is the statement we wrote for her:

Blog topics include emotional roadblocks to relaunching, preparing your resume, updating your wardrobe, and preparing your family for re-entry.

Check out my weekly blog talk radio show on relaunching your career, with guests including authors, career counselors, therapists, and employers. (www.blogtalkradio.com/***)

What works about this example?

Note that the resume summary does NONE of these five things, even though it is perfectly great as a resume summary.

http://www.theessayexpert.com/
For writing that gets results.

Brenda Bernstein, Founder and Senior Editor, BrendaB@TheEssayExpert.com

Specialties: Resumes, Cover Letters, College Application Essays, Professional Bios, LinkedIn Profiles

5/11/12

5 Reasons Why Your Resume Isn't Gettng Any Attention

Processed invoices and expensesReduced costs by 20% and reduced errors by 35% through careful tracking of invoices and expenses.

Which one sounds better to you? Quantify your accomplishments and show your results!

3/30/12

5 Reasons Why You Should Have a Personal Brand

Social Media has dramatically changed the job landscape. Today's job seekers must remake themselves as a brand. Think of McDonald's golden arches or Ford's iconic script logo. People remember these brands because they set themselves apart from the rest. People don't settle for any old hamburger when they know what they will get at McDonald's. Brands build trust with people and that trust translates to increased business and a reliable customer base, which is exactly what you want your online brand to do for you.

Your personal brand builds trust in prospective employers and opens the doors for you to find new positions. Unfortunately, most people don't think that they need a personal brand, and they are so wrong in assuming this.

Below are 5 reasons why you should establish a personal brand on your resume and online:

1. A personal brand differentiates yourself...

When an HR Manager scans the pile of resumes on their desk, they look for someone who stands out. But, they don't just focus on the resume, they also look for your online presence because the internet contains much more information about you as a worker. Do you have an industry specific blog or website that you regularly update? Is your personal brand listed on your LinkedIn profile, along with your best career achievements? Listing a successful work history and any extracurricular activities that you're involved in helps to build your online brand.

2. Make your name a well-known brand...

Who do you think HR Managers are going to go for? The new guy fresh out of college or the big name attached to great companies and amazing projects? Of course they are going to go with the big name. So to capitalize on your opportunities, you must make yourself into a brand name. Instead of seeing "John Smith - New Graduate", they see "John Smith - Marketing Guru".

3. Set you apart from your peers...

Your goal is to set yourself apart from your peers. You're in direct competition for open positions. It's just the way it is and having an online brand sets you apart from the rest of the pack. Start an industry blog, start a side business or develop a new marketing strategy that you can pitch to prospective employers. There are so many things you can do to highlight how you are a notch above your peers and get your brand out there.

4. Make you more attractive to employers...

Establishing your brand makes you more attractive to prospective employers because they know what they are getting. You're not a faceless employee; you're the one who wrote a new programming language, the one who developed supply chains that drastically reduced company overhead, etc. Match your brand to your achievements and employers will stand up and take note.

5. Open yourself up to new opportunities...

You want to find open positions and sometimes they may not be in your chosen profession. But, does that really matter? What if the perfect position is in another industry that you have minimal experience? Well, having an online brand opens the doors to those new arenas. HR Managers are looking for people with experience, and thankfully, your online brand is built around your experience. By viewing your online brand, HR Managers and potential employers can see what you offer the company. They are excited to find somebody with your expertise and skills, and you should be too. You have clout that you never knew you had and your personal brand should reflect the best you have to offer.

Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, BS/HR, is a Certified Professional & Executive Resume Writer/Career Consultant and President of Professional Resume Services, Inc. She is a nationally published writer and contributor of 12 best-selling career books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations and wins of the prestigious T.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. Erin has written thousands of resumes for executives and professionals.

As a proud member of CDI, NRWA, PARW, and AORCP, Erin also sits on CDI's Credentialing Committee for new certification candidates and serves as a Mentor for CDI's Member Mentoring Committee. She also is a featured blogger on several well-known career sites. Reuse of this article is encouraged but must include a link to http://exclusive-executive-resumes.com/.

Want to know more about Erin Kennedy, CPRW? Read her LinkedIn profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/erinkennedycprw

3/16/12

3 Reasons Why Your Executive Resume Isn't Getting Results

Frustrated and confused by the response to your executive resume?

With so many executives in the job market, your resume must grab attention quickly. If you want to land the RIGHT interviews, personal branding that clearly positions you as a leader is a requirement - especially when distinguishing yourself among other executives!

Keep in mind that an executive career story if often difficult to capture, with numerous job changes and a complex brand message that must be conveyed in just a few pages.

Read on for 3 common executive resume writing problems that can prevent you from gaining attention in your search - along with straightforward tips for correction:

1 - You've chosen mid-career language to describe yourself.

By the time you've reached the Director or C-suite level, "highly motivated," "proven ability," or "results-oriented" aren't going to cut it anymore.

Not only are you up against candidates that are portrayed in stronger terms, but this type of language shows that you're struggling to articulate your personal brand and executive qualifications.

A better strategy? Wrap a signature achievement into each statement or paragraph-allowing you to clearly assert your value proposition.

BEFORE: Here is classic, mid-career phrasing within a CTO resume summary:

"CTO with strong track record in technology software product development and proven ability to build high-performance teams in international locations. Work closely with executives on strategies for entering new markets."

AFTER: Here is the same information, but with an executive slant:

"CTO and executive team collaborator supplying technical and new-market insight behind 240% growth in 18 months. Foster tight-knit cultures (despite globally dispersed teams), increasing productivity while retaining 100% of technical talent."

The second example includes just one additional word, but the metrics and strength of the language clearly position the candidate as an executive leader.

Need some ideas and examples of executive-level terminology? Try a Google search on "executive resume samples" to see cutting-edge trends in executive resumes, with wording, tone, and presentation styles that win interviews.

2 - Your leadership impact on the company is missing.

Reaching an executive or Director-level role is a career game-changer. Now, you'll be required to shift your focus from the department to the strategic direction of the overall company.

Yet, many executives write their resumes as if their function is isolated - with little effect on the rest of the firm.

Case in point: This "Before" version of a CFO resume describes taking on the IT functions of a company, spelling out only tactical details:

"Maintained facilities, offsite storage, and software licensing to support company investment in IT and communications systems."

In reality, these systems played a crucial part in accelerating the company's growth, and the AFTER (more relevant) statement looks like this:

"Set stage for growth with IT automation solutions; managed first infrastructure, vendor, and solutions used in HR, tax accounting, and regulatory filings."

BEFORE: Consider this phrase on another example of an IT Director resume:

"Held responsibility for the strategic direction and leadership of the enterprise architecture."

AFTER: A whole-company perspective changes the tone of the sentence:

"Headed IT enterprise architecture strategy that positioned company for expansion, leading infrastructure improvements and upgrades supplying 34% additional network capacity."

These changes illustrate ways your executive resume can show strategic impact, rather than merely focusing on the tactical duties required of your position.

3 - You didn't provide metrics on your achievements or span of authority.

Your executive resume NEEDS quantifiable achievements and figures! Without them, hiring authorities can't discern the difference between your experience and that of a lower-level candidate.

Not sure where to start in adding figures? Look for phrases used in lieu of a number, such as "significantly" or "substantially." These words can often be replaced with a dollar amount, percentage, or range of numbers.

At a minimum, ensure your resume contains these metrics:

> Size of teams or budgets managed

> Division or company specifications in terms of volume of employees or revenue

> Market rank for your employer in a particular segment (if prominent)

> Increases in EBITDA or profit margins

> Contract or cost savings

If you've made changes to operational efficiency or productivity, for example, you can specify the time savings gained. Roles in major projects, such as data center consolidations or Six Sigma initiatives that cut expenses, can also verify your ability to create impactful change.

If you can't recall (or don't wish to disclose) specific dollar figures, consider using percentages to quantify accomplishments. For example, you may have led teams that produced 82% of the overall company revenue, or drove a change in hiring practices that saved 15% per employee.

Overall, taking a fresh look at your executive resume - and comparing it to documents used by other leadership candidates - can be one of the most valuable exercises in your job search.

These straightforward changes can strengthen the tone and presentation of your resume, enabling you to project more confidence and expedite the process of landing the right leadership role.

Executive resume writer Laura Smith-Proulx is an award-winning Executive Resume Writer, biography writer, and former recruiter with a 98% success rate winning top jobs through personal branding. The Executive Director of An Expert Resume, she partners exclusively with CIO, CTO, COO, CEO, CFO, VP, VP, and Director candidates.

12/9/11

Top Seven Reasons Why You Should Have a Resume

To provide general facts about yourself to the employer; the number one reason to have a resume is to provide general information about yourself to the prospective employer. If you don't list your contacts on your resume then how will an employer contact you? This information should be up-to-date. Make sure the phone number you list can be answered anytime during the normal business hours.

To pass the interviewers screening process; your resume should list all your relevant qualifications; this will provide details about your qualifications, education and experience to your prospective employer. These details are likely to influence the decision made by the hiring manager.

To show professionalism; by writing your resume you can prove to the potential employer that you are a professional. How can you write a resume that shows you are a professional person with high standards? By using excellent writing skills and coming with a resume that has been proof read thoroughly and it does not have any grammatical or spelling mistakes. Your resume should be well written, organized and well designed.

To show your writing skills; a well written resume serves as an example of your good writing skills. This is the first thing that a hiring manager will look for; good writing skills.

To have a networking tool to give to prospective employers that you meet with; a resume is like your business card, it your first point of contact with your prospective employer. Every time you go out to hunt for a job always remember to carry a few copies of you resume.

To clarify the direction which you wish to progress your career; this should be listed as part of the objective, if you are in IT, specify whether the career you want is that of a network engineer or that of a web designer. This will help the employer to determine if you are the right person for the job position that is vacant. If the job advertised has listed the job title for the vacant position, try to customize your resume to fit the specific job that has been advertised. This way the employer is likely to see you as a potential match for the vacant job.

The Number One Reason to Have a Resume

The number one reason to have a resume is to win an interview. An effective resume is one that does what it says; it gets you an interview. If your resume is not getting you interviews then drop it now and write a new one.

A good resume is one that convinces the employer that you are qualified and you have all the requirements needed to be successful in the new job position.

A good resume is one that inspires the prospective employer to pick up the phone and call you for a job interview. Download a free resume sample at Job Searching Land website.

11/30/11

5 Reasons Your Resume Isn't Getting Read

Have you applied for countless job vacancies only to receive silence in return? There are a few common blunders people make that cause employers to toss their resumes after only the first few sentences. Read on to be sure you aren't committing these resume crimes:

1. Your resume is not relevant to the position available. With the economy in the toilet, more and more people who have been unemployed for a long period of time are running out of options and broadening their job searches. Some are desperate, willing to take fast food or janitorial jobs. Although you may even be applying for many different types of jobs, it should not look that way to employers. You need to illustrate why you are the perfect fit for their open position. When sending a resume for a position other than what you have traditionally done professionally, you need to modify your resume to reflect how what you have done in the past relates to the position for which you are applying. Remove association memberships and certifications that are totally irrelevant. Think of the skill set that the hiring authority for that position will be seeking and target your resume to emphasize those attributes. This applies to career-changers as well. Everything on your resume should be as relevant as possible.

2. Your resume is not getting past the computer. Many firms and agencies now use computer software to scan resumes in order to pare down the number that must be read by human eyes. The software searches for "keywords" which are commonly used vocabulary words specific to the position available. If your resume is lacking in keywords, it may never pass that first test. If you work in marketing, some specific keywords would be: relationship building, social media, public relations, generate revenue, ROI.

3. You are "overqualified". Not only do you have the necessary skills for the position, you have an excess of additional skills or education above and beyond what is required. For example, you may be a career business manager, but you are applying for a receptionist job or a retail cashier job. Employers see you as a very temporary employee who will quickly move on when you find the position you are really seeking but are unable to secure at the moment. In addition, you may have more qualifications than the supervisor of the position for which you applied. Hiring managers may see you as a threat to their job, believing you have set your sights on their job and plan to move up the ladder quickly. If you are overqualified, consider either 1) explaining in your cover letter your reasons for applying (retired, resigned last job to return to college full-time, etc.) or 2) modifying your resume to exclude higher qualifications while highlighting what skills you have that may be equivalent to the position.

4. Your resume has errors. Hiring personnel notice these things and it does matter. You all have spell-check and grammar checking software. Use it. Otherwise, you look downright lazy. Beware of using manger where you should use manager; spell-check says it passes, but it doesn't tell you when you have incorrectly used it.

5. You have unexplained gaps in your work history. Explain any gaps in your cover letter. Although employers may not ask, they notice gaps and want to know why they occurred. If you had an accident or illness, reassure the employer that the situation has been resolved and you are ready to return to the workforce. If it was a choice, definitely say so. It's common for women to be stay-at-home-moms for a few years. Mention anything you did during the gap to stay current on information, skills, and technology in your industry. Include relevant associations in which you remained active.

It is taking longer for those in the current job market to secure job offers, so the above situations may not apply to you. It may simply be that you are in an occupation in which the market is flooded with applicants where employers are getting hundreds applying for a single job. However, many individuals are victims of the above mentioned mistakes.

Krista Mitchell is a Certified Professional Resume Writer crafting resumes designed to showcase your qualities with maximum impact. My job is to provide you with your custom sales tool to generate job interviews. FREE resume reviews offered. http://www.composureresumes.com/ ~pages for the next chapter in your career~

9/2/11

4 Reasons for Career Gaps and How to Handle Them on Your Resume

Especially in this economy, employment gaps are typical. Employers generally view a gap in employment negatively, however, it does not have to be this way. In these cases, it is important to indicate why you took the time off.

There are a lot of legitimate reasons for employment gaps and assuming you did not spend your time eating Bon-Bons and watching Oprah, you should not be afraid to state what they were. Whether you chose to become a stay-at-home parent, to pursue your education further, to deal with ailing parents (or your own illness), or were just unsuccessful in gaining new employment, you need to help an employer understand the reasons for the gap. Note that it is not enough to just mention your reasons on a cover letter as the resume must be able to survive as a stand-alone document.

There are generally 4 reasons to have a gap in your resume:

Raised a family

This is an entirely legitimate reason to have a gap so do not try to hide it and please do not try to embellish it by using silly titles like Household or Domestic Engineer. Just say you invested in providing a stable environment for a family of X.

Your challenge in returning to the workforce is to indicate that your skills are fresh, so list the volunteer jobs you did with the school and community to showcase your organizational and other skills that support your theme. If you are from a technical field like IT or Engineering then you might need to showcase skills refresher courses or recent certifications you might have gained.

Unemployed

Especially in these times, gaps due to unemployment are common and the need to enter information here is entirely dependent on how long you were unemployed. If you haven't worked in a year or more, having an unexplained gap on the resume connotes that people chose not to hire you which is certainly not the impression you want to make.

If you took some temporary jobs, just bunch them under the heading Temporary Positions and indicate you selected to take some temporary roles while searching for the next appropriate job challenge. You can also include volunteer roles here too. If you did some part-time consulting, then indicate that and list some projects and successful results you achieved.

Family Matters

Sometimes you just have to take time off to deal with ailing relatives and financial matters. Or perhaps you were ill and don't want to go into the details. Dealing with this is simple. Just list Sabbatical and state: "Dealt with urgent family matters now fully resolved".

When it comes up in an interview, just say something like: "I always give 110% to my job and I knew that I could not do that at this time, so I decided to take the time off. However, everything is resolved now and I am ready to hit the ground running".

Furthering my Education

No one can fault someone for furthering their knowledge and value, so just treat this like another job and put a notation that you were pursuing a XX degree/certification.

Using these simple tips and presenting a positive attitude about your readiness can dramatically improve your job search results.

Don Goodman, President of About Jobs ( http://www.gotthejob.com/ ) is a nationally recognized Career Coach and Resume Writer. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business and Stanford University's Executive Program, Don has helped thousands of people secure their next job. Read his blog at www.GotTheJob.com/blog/ or contact him at 800-909-0109 or by e-mail at dgoodman@GotTheJob.com.

1/28/11

Top Five Reasons to Make Sure Your Resume Is Well-Written

Very few people can recall an employment climate like this one. Most countries around the world have endured a slow and painful economic downturn and, unlike other recessions, this one does not appear to be followed by a sharp upturn. Unemployment is set to be stubbornly high for many months to come, by all accounts.

Having said that, even in the worst of economic recessions, life goes on. People do business with each other, consumers consume and the marketing wheel continues to turn. Job opportunities may not be as easy to find, but vacancies do occur as people retire and move on to something new. Various sectors of the economy even seem to do particularly well during downturns.

If you're in the job market it is important to pay more attention to the way that you manage your job seeking activities. It's simply not good enough to go through the motions as so many do. It's very important that you put yourself on a pedestal, to place yourself ahead of all the other competitors in your particular niche.

Let's look at the top reasons to ensure that your resume is well-written in today's economy.

Today, it's likely that there are a lot more people applying for the same job than there were even a few years back. This means that the human resources department is going to be overwhelmed and you simply must make your resume stand out. Remember that it is likely you will only have a few moments to catch the attention and interest of the reader, as they scan through the first few paragraphs of your resume. You don't have to be totally conventional here and should inject something that will catch the eye.

When you compose your resume, don't start off by inserting a mission statement. This is convention, but it invariably means that the first couple of sentences will just itemize exactly what YOU are looking for. Always remember that the prospective employer is interested in what you could do for THEM.

You must always be honest and sincere whenever you compose a resume. However, you must first determine what the employer is looking for. What problems are they seeking to address by employing somebody to help them? Tailor the structure and composition of your resume accordingly and make sure that you show them, in no uncertain terms how you could be the right choice in these situations.

You must not produce a stock resume and send it out to employers as you see fit. You should always compose a unique and tailor-made resume for each job vacancy. If some elements of your work experience are simply not relative to the job you are seeking, downplay them and emphasize the elements that are absolutely ideal.

The secret of writing a good resume is your ability to think outside the box. You must be able to put a unique spin on the way that you approach this organization, to make them sit up and take notice. When you combine this kind of flair with talent and an obvious ability to do the job in question, you are many steps ahead of most of your competitors.