Show, Don't Tell for Resume Success

"Show, don't tell" is one of the pillars of good writing, and nowhere is it more important than in the world of resume writing. The average resume I receive will include a Skills section that reads something like this:

"Able to use MS Office Suite on a day-to-day basis. Basic IT knowledge to help others with problems with their PCs. Proficient in PowerPoint presentations and graphing information. I am an organized team player with an ability to learn quickly and a willingness to accept responsibility. I am a dependable person, who works well independently. I possess the ability to multi-task and handled high levels of confidentiality."

To the untrained eye, this might seem to be exactly what an employer wants to see. After all, who wouldn't want to hire someone with these skills as an administrative assistant? The problem is that employers see resumes like this day in and day out. So who wants to look just like everyone else? The most important element of your resume is one called your Unique Selling Proposition, or USP. That's the quality about you that makes you stand out from everyone else. Telling the employer how much you're like everyone else won't establish you in the employer's eyes as anything except a cookie-cutter imitation.

There's a bigger issue at stake here, however, and that is that when the employer reads something like this, s/he probably thinks, "Where's your proof?" That's right, when you simply tell rather than show what you can do, you've done nothing more than make an unsubstantiated claim. Anybody can claim they can use MS Office Suite or make PowerPoint presentations. There's nothing special about that.

What if, instead of saying "Proficient in PowerPoint presentations," this job seeker said, "Created customizable PowerPoint presentations for client marketing that reduced presentation building time approximately 75%"? Now the employer has a real accomplishment s/he can visualize, with a genuine result. This person didn't just use PowerPoint, they used it to the company's advantage.

Let's look at the second half of the job seeker's claim: "... and graphing information." That can become, "Built charts and graphs using MS Excel that supplemented sales forecasting and reporting systems and reduced unnecessary and time-consuming steps in processes." There's another genuine accomplishment with a result.

How about another claim by this job seeker? "Able to use MS Office Suite on a day-to-day basis." Why not tell them what you did with MS Office Suite? "Composed proposals utilizing eye-catching graphics that presented information clearly and won approximately 80% of bids."

Show them, don't tell them to build a successful resume. Employers don't buy skills and duties; they buy accomplishments.

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Five Rules You Must Follow For Resume Success

The great author Robert A. Heinlein once set forth five rules for successful freelance writing. I have known many freelance writers who swear by this set of rules, and so I have taken the liberty of adapting the Heinlein rules to the task of successful resume writing.

1. You have to write your resume. Half of the people who say they want to write a resume will never get past talking about writing a resume. So if you're someone who actually does write your resume, half of your competition will be gone right away.

2. You must finish your resume. Half of the people who start a resume never finish it. Again, if you finish your resume, you have another half of your competition gone.

3. Know when to stop rewriting your resume. Heinlein actually said don't rewrite at all, but he had an editor and a very astute wife, so he didn't have to worry about rewriting. Half of the people who finish their resumes get wrapped around the axle in the process of rewriting and rewriting and rewriting, ad nauseam. Talk to a career counselor or a resume coach, or some other employment professional who will provide you unbiased feedback, but don't use rewriting as a means to quit the process. At some point you must move on to the fourth rule.

4. You need to send your resume out to the market. Again, half of the people who get over the rewrite stage never work up the courage to send out their resumes. And make no mistake about it, searching for a job takes great courage. It can be a dehumanizing, depressing process, but you must keep doing it. If you have written a resume that showcases your strengths and the impact you had on the places where you have worked, then you should feel proud enough of yourself to send it out. You cannot get a job if the hiring managers don't know you're there.

5. You have to keep sending your resume out to the market until you win an interview. Half of the people who send out their work never send it out again after they receive that inevitable rejection. You have to just keep at it, "surround the bastards," as one of my marketing coaches once said. By the time you get to this step, you will have far less competition than you had at Rule 1.

Jack Mulcahy has written hundreds of resumes for people from all walks of life. Each resume he writes shows the unique selling proposition so necessary to market the job seeker. To learn more about Jack and how he can work to help your resume gain interviews, visit his website at http://www.resumesbyjack.com/.

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Focus on Results for Resume Success

A jobseeker came to me recently with a resume printed on Day-Glo green paper. "Why on earth would you do such a thing?" I asked him.

"I wanted to make sure they noticed my resume," he said. "I know there's a lot of competition out there, and I didn't want my resume to get lost."

He knew the numbers: Unemployment is at 10%. On average, some 400 jobseekers apply for every open position. Employers and recruiters are so swamped with resumes they can afford each resume no more than 10 to 20 seconds. Against these odds, he wanted the best possible chance to reach a hiring manager.

While wanting to stand out from the rest is laudable, the reality is that such resume gimmicks only poison the well. A resume printed on odd paper, or in fancy fonts, with all manner of borders, colors and gewgaws will end up in the "No" pile faster than you can say, "I'm looking for --"

Employers and recruiters frequently see things like these, and the overwhelming reaction is that gimmicks indicate fluff instead of substance. They're not looking for fluff. They want genuine evidence that you've achieved results wherever you've worked. Employers know that, as Dr. Phil likes to say, "The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."

That means not only getting rid of the gimmicks, but also going beyond a simple job description. It means more than describing yourself as an "Accomplished professional with excellent communication and team-building skills." Such a statement says nothing. It's exactly the same as what's on 99% of the other resumes they see. You need to find another way to stand out from the crowd.

Here's an example:

We Track 'Em, Inc., Somewhere, PA

Investigator

* Investigate workman compensation claims; perform undercover investigations; conduct background checks; witness in legal depositions; training of new hires; operation of video and surveillance equipment; report writing.

What we have here is a job description. Nowhere does the jobseeker state how well she did the job, what results she gained for the company. Once the recruiter wakes up from sleep, he's going to shunt that resume directly into the black hole called the "No" pile, where it will never be seen again.

You deserve better than this! Your resume needs to go beyond a mere job description and become a true statement of value.

Compare the previous example with this one:

We Track 'Em, Inc., Somewhere, PA

Investigator

* Recruited for worldwide investigating firm We Track 'Em by colleague from Dick Tracy Investigations. Joined firm to develop new team focused on workers' compensation cases.

* Utilized ruses, surveillance and phone calls to expose fraudulent workers' compensation claims, and reduced claim expenses an average of 50%.

* Uncovered shoplifters in large department stores through use of audio/video equipment and by posing as an employee or shopper. Reduced shrinkage 70%

* Manager has said, "Jane's leadership style is one that makes others want to follow and improve their own contributions... She has set a standard of excellence for us all to follow."

Why is this example so much more powerful?

First, the jobseeker didn't just find a job, the job found her. Right away, she's showing us she has value. And she was hired for a purpose, specifically to build a team.

Second, she shows herself in action, using the tools at her disposal, which resulted in a reduction of claim expenses.

Third, she shows more of what she can do when she poses as a shopper and uses A/V equipment to uncover shoplifters, resulting in reduced shrinkage.

Fourth, she delivers a testimonial. She shows that her manager recognized and appreciated the value she brought We Track 'Em.

With so much competition for every job, you cannot afford a resume that looks like everyone else's. The results you achieved added value to each of your positions. Your resume is the place to show those results, and ensure that potential employers recognize what a valuable employee you will be.

Why wait?

Jack Mulcahy has written hundreds of resumes for people from all walks of life. Each resume he writes shows the unique selling proposition so necessary to market the job seeker. To learn more about Jack and how he can work to help your resume gain interviews, visit his website at http://www.resumesbyjack.com/.

Read more ...

Show, Don't Tell for Resume Success

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Five Rules You Must Follow For Resume Success

The great author Robert A. Heinlein once set forth five rules for successful freelance writing. I have known many freelance writers who swear by this set of rules, and so I have taken the liberty of adapting the Heinlein rules to the task of successful resume writing.

1. You have to write your resume. Half of the people who say they want to write a resume will never get past talking about writing a resume. So if you're someone who actually does write your resume, half of your competition will be gone right away.

2. You must finish your resume. Half of the people who start a resume never finish it. Again, if you finish your resume, you have another half of your competition gone.

3. Know when to stop rewriting your resume. Heinlein actually said don't rewrite at all, but he had an editor and a very astute wife, so he didn't have to worry about rewriting. Half of the people who finish their resumes get wrapped around the axle in the process of rewriting and rewriting and rewriting, ad nauseam. Talk to a career counselor or a resume coach, or some other employment professional who will provide you unbiased feedback, but don't use rewriting as a means to quit the process. At some point you must move on to the fourth rule.

4. You need to send your resume out to the market. Again, half of the people who get over the rewrite stage never work up the courage to send out their resumes. And make no mistake about it, searching for a job takes great courage. It can be a dehumanizing, depressing process, but you must keep doing it. If you have written a resume that showcases your strengths and the impact you had on the places where you have worked, then you should feel proud enough of yourself to send it out. You cannot get a job if the hiring managers don't know you're there.

5. You have to keep sending your resume out to the market until you win an interview. Half of the people who send out their work never send it out again after they receive that inevitable rejection. You have to just keep at it, "surround the bastards," as one of my marketing coaches once said. By the time you get to this step, you will have far less competition than you had at Rule 1.

Jack Mulcahy has written hundreds of resumes for people from all walks of life. Each resume he writes shows the unique selling proposition so necessary to market the job seeker. To learn more about Jack and how he can work to help your resume gain interviews, visit his website at http://www.resumesbyjack.com/.

Read more ...

Focus on Results for Resume Success

A jobseeker came to me recently with a resume printed on Day-Glo green paper. "Why on earth would you do such a thing?" I asked him.

"I wanted to make sure they noticed my resume," he said. "I know there's a lot of competition out there, and I didn't want my resume to get lost."

He knew the numbers: Unemployment is at 10%. On average, some 400 jobseekers apply for every open position. Employers and recruiters are so swamped with resumes they can afford each resume no more than 10 to 20 seconds. Against these odds, he wanted the best possible chance to reach a hiring manager.

While wanting to stand out from the rest is laudable, the reality is that such resume gimmicks only poison the well. A resume printed on odd paper, or in fancy fonts, with all manner of borders, colors and gewgaws will end up in the "No" pile faster than you can say, "I'm looking for --"

Employers and recruiters frequently see things like these, and the overwhelming reaction is that gimmicks indicate fluff instead of substance. They're not looking for fluff. They want genuine evidence that you've achieved results wherever you've worked. Employers know that, as Dr. Phil likes to say, "The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."

That means not only getting rid of the gimmicks, but also going beyond a simple job description. It means more than describing yourself as an "Accomplished professional with excellent communication and team-building skills." Such a statement says nothing. It's exactly the same as what's on 99% of the other resumes they see. You need to find another way to stand out from the crowd.

Here's an example:

We Track 'Em, Inc., Somewhere, PA

Investigator

* Investigate workman compensation claims; perform undercover investigations; conduct background checks; witness in legal depositions; training of new hires; operation of video and surveillance equipment; report writing.

What we have here is a job description. Nowhere does the jobseeker state how well she did the job, what results she gained for the company. Once the recruiter wakes up from sleep, he's going to shunt that resume directly into the black hole called the "No" pile, where it will never be seen again.

You deserve better than this! Your resume needs to go beyond a mere job description and become a true statement of value.

Compare the previous example with this one:

We Track 'Em, Inc., Somewhere, PA

Investigator

* Recruited for worldwide investigating firm We Track 'Em by colleague from Dick Tracy Investigations. Joined firm to develop new team focused on workers' compensation cases.

* Utilized ruses, surveillance and phone calls to expose fraudulent workers' compensation claims, and reduced claim expenses an average of 50%.

* Uncovered shoplifters in large department stores through use of audio/video equipment and by posing as an employee or shopper. Reduced shrinkage 70%

* Manager has said, "Jane's leadership style is one that makes others want to follow and improve their own contributions... She has set a standard of excellence for us all to follow."

Why is this example so much more powerful?

First, the jobseeker didn't just find a job, the job found her. Right away, she's showing us she has value. And she was hired for a purpose, specifically to build a team.

Second, she shows herself in action, using the tools at her disposal, which resulted in a reduction of claim expenses.

Third, she shows more of what she can do when she poses as a shopper and uses A/V equipment to uncover shoplifters, resulting in reduced shrinkage.

Fourth, she delivers a testimonial. She shows that her manager recognized and appreciated the value she brought We Track 'Em.

With so much competition for every job, you cannot afford a resume that looks like everyone else's. The results you achieved added value to each of your positions. Your resume is the place to show those results, and ensure that potential employers recognize what a valuable employee you will be.

Why wait?

Jack Mulcahy has written hundreds of resumes for people from all walks of life. Each resume he writes shows the unique selling proposition so necessary to market the job seeker. To learn more about Jack and how he can work to help your resume gain interviews, visit his website at http://www.resumesbyjack.com/.

Read more ...

Five Rules You Must Follow For Resume Success

The great author Robert A. Heinlein once set forth five rules for successful freelance writing. I have known many freelance writers who swear by this set of rules, and so I have taken the liberty of adapting the Heinlein rules to the task of successful resume writing.

1. You have to write your resume. Half of the people who say they want to write a resume will never get past talking about writing a resume. So if you're someone who actually does write your resume, half of your competition will be gone right away.

2. You must finish your resume. Half of the people who start a resume never finish it. Again, if you finish your resume, you have another half of your competition gone.

3. Know when to stop rewriting your resume. Heinlein actually said don't rewrite at all, but he had an editor and a very astute wife, so he didn't have to worry about rewriting. Half of the people who finish their resumes get wrapped around the axle in the process of rewriting and rewriting and rewriting, ad nauseam. Talk to a career counselor or a resume coach, or some other employment professional who will provide you unbiased feedback, but don't use rewriting as a means to quit the process. At some point you must move on to the fourth rule.

4. You need to send your resume out to the market. Again, half of the people who get over the rewrite stage never work up the courage to send out their resumes. And make no mistake about it, searching for a job takes great courage. It can be a dehumanizing, depressing process, but you must keep doing it. If you have written a resume that showcases your strengths and the impact you had on the places where you have worked, then you should feel proud enough of yourself to send it out. You cannot get a job if the hiring managers don't know you're there.

5. You have to keep sending your resume out to the market until you win an interview. Half of the people who send out their work never send it out again after they receive that inevitable rejection. You have to just keep at it, "surround the bastards," as one of my marketing coaches once said. By the time you get to this step, you will have far less competition than you had at Rule 1.

Jack Mulcahy has written hundreds of resumes for people from all walks of life. Each resume he writes shows the unique selling proposition so necessary to market the job seeker. To learn more about Jack and how he can work to help your resume gain interviews, visit his website at http://www.resumesbyjack.com/.

Read more ...

Resume Cover Letters: "Must Know" Tips for Job-Seeking Success

Did you know that your cover letter can be more important than your resume?

It's true!

If your professional strengths are related to your skill set and work ethic, as opposed to your on-the-job experience, your resume cover letter is the key to success.

In such a case, your cover letter is a "sales pitch" that will sell the potential employer on your future potential to perform exceedingly well.

Even for more experienced professionals, the cover page is still of critical importance. Why? Because there are likely dozens of well-qualified applicants with similar skills, experience, and training. No matter the case, a powerful letter can set you apart from the rest, and function as a catalyst for a job interview.

Before the potential employer ever reads your resume, the cover letter should have sold you as the perfect candidate.

Makes sense, right? It's all about first impressions, just like when meeting new people face to face.

The tone of your cover letter should be focused, energetic, and factual. Let the reader know that you have what it takes to succeed and briefly cite related training, experience, or coursework in support of your claims.

Here's an example of a great line:

"For five consecutive years, while working as a consultant for ABC Corporation, my marketing efforts generated more than $1M in annual new revenue."

This type of claim is substantial and proves that: 1) your work ethic is solid, 2) your efforts result directly in business growth, and 3) you are consistent and dependable.

If you don't have experience or if you recently graduated from an educational institution, substitute sales numbers with coursework, internships, or past accomplishments in the same manner.

Be specific in all aspects of your cover letter, highlighting only your top qualities as they relate to the position opening. After the introductory paragraph, tell precisely, in one or two additional paragraphs, how your skills meet the employer's needs.

Remember, your cover letter is your one chance to "voice" your enthusiasm and "win over" a prospective employer. A good cover will motivate an interviewer to contact you in hopes that you are exactly the right candidate for the position.

One additional item you can include to greatly increase your chances of a "call back" is to mention a referral when possible. Even a long-tail referral, a past or present employee at the company, that would recommend you for the job, can be extremely powerful.

Don't be afraid to drop names when appropriate, it can make all of the difference in the world. Do your research and make your resume cover letter as powerful as possible.

Good luck and happy job hunting!

Ultimate Resume Writing is custom resume service for serious professionals. All resumes and cover letters are hand-crafted based on years of experience, feedback from current job seekers, and recent hiring data and best practices. To learn more about Ultimate Resume Writing, visit http://www.ultimateresumewriting.com/

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The Success Secrets for Great Resumes

With unemployment levels so high, having a winning resume can either get you to the top of the stack or land you right in the trash can. Success secrets gurus believe that your resume and cover letter can make you land that much desired interview for a position. After all, your resume is the first impression that your potential employer has of you.

Putting your best foot forward through a winning resume is essential, according to success secrets books. In order to get the interview, your resume must draw the employer in and keep him locked in on you. Only then, will you get the call from them to set up an interview. Keeping your fingers crossed just isn't enough when the competition for jobs is as tough as it is today. A polished resume will give you more leverage that a person with an average one.

Make Your Work History Work for You

Everybody knows that the most important part of a resume is the work history section. However, this section is characteristically boring. One of our success secrets is to make this part of your resume more interesting for the reader. Now, you must not lie but you can create a clearer and more vivid picture in their minds of what you are able to do.

For example, if you worked in the auto repair industry as a salesperson, you shouldn't just say "I handled sales". Every salesperson deals with upset and angry customers. Success secrets counselors suggest that you can use self improvement to make the job sound better. You could say "I handled sales as well as customer service, including but not limited to irate customers, turning phone inquiries into appointments and up-selling necessary services to customers who generally would not have those services done". This will have more of an impact according to success training gurus.

Access Your Affiliations

Whether you are affiliated with a dog training club, a church choir or a self improvement group, these affiliations help you appear to be a real human as opposed to a piece of paper. Success secrets advise you put in all of the affiliations that you have, right down to the local PTA. This will give your potential employer a look at who you are as a person. This can affect your chances at getting to the top of the stack according to self improvement experts.

Hobbies Show that you're Human

One of the most important aspects for a great resume is to include your hobbies according to self improvement articles. This also shows the reader that you are a real human being with interests outside of your job. A lot of people believe that if a potential employer thinks that all you worry about is work you will have a better shot at the job. Success training experts state that this is untrue.

We Are Family

Success secrets guides state that including a bit about your family is an important thing to do. Most employers believe that a person with a family is more apt to be at work every day and will continue to seek self improvement for the sake of his family. This is one of the best kept success secrets.

Creative Cover Letters

Your cover letter should "wow" the reader. You can tell the reader how you strive for self improvement and actively read success training manuals. Be colorful and make your potential employer think that he knows who you are. With these success secrets, you are bound to get a call for that interview.

Tom Cramer is an entrepreneur and writer who writes extensively about motivational sayings videos which offer success secrets and tips to assist in personal development and self growth. He has written several enlightening articles on inspirational words videos which offer guidance and importance of being yourself.

Read more ...

The Success Secrets for Great Resumes

With unemployment levels so high, having a winning resume can either get you to the top of the stack or land you right in the trash can. Success secrets gurus believe that your resume and cover letter can make you land that much desired interview for a position. After all, your resume is the first impression that your potential employer has of you.

Putting your best foot forward through a winning resume is essential, according to success secrets books. In order to get the interview, your resume must draw the employer in and keep him locked in on you. Only then, will you get the call from them to set up an interview. Keeping your fingers crossed just isn't enough when the competition for jobs is as tough as it is today. A polished resume will give you more leverage that a person with an average one.

Make Your Work History Work for You

Everybody knows that the most important part of a resume is the work history section. However, this section is characteristically boring. One of our success secrets is to make this part of your resume more interesting for the reader. Now, you must not lie but you can create a clearer and more vivid picture in their minds of what you are able to do.

For example, if you worked in the auto repair industry as a salesperson, you shouldn't just say "I handled sales". Every salesperson deals with upset and angry customers. Success secrets counselors suggest that you can use self improvement to make the job sound better. You could say "I handled sales as well as customer service, including but not limited to irate customers, turning phone inquiries into appointments and up-selling necessary services to customers who generally would not have those services done". This will have more of an impact according to success training gurus.

Access Your Affiliations

Whether you are affiliated with a dog training club, a church choir or a self improvement group, these affiliations help you appear to be a real human as opposed to a piece of paper. Success secrets advise you put in all of the affiliations that you have, right down to the local PTA. This will give your potential employer a look at who you are as a person. This can affect your chances at getting to the top of the stack according to self improvement experts.

Hobbies Show that you're Human

One of the most important aspects for a great resume is to include your hobbies according to self improvement articles. This also shows the reader that you are a real human being with interests outside of your job. A lot of people believe that if a potential employer thinks that all you worry about is work you will have a better shot at the job. Success training experts state that this is untrue.

We Are Family

Success secrets guides state that including a bit about your family is an important thing to do. Most employers believe that a person with a family is more apt to be at work every day and will continue to seek self improvement for the sake of his family. This is one of the best kept success secrets.

Creative Cover Letters

Your cover letter should "wow" the reader. You can tell the reader how you strive for self improvement and actively read success training manuals. Be colorful and make your potential employer think that he knows who you are. With these success secrets, you are bound to get a call for that interview.

Tom Cramer is an entrepreneur and writer who writes extensively about motivational sayings videos which offer success secrets and tips to assist in personal development and self growth. He has written several enlightening articles on inspirational words videos which offer guidance and importance of being yourself.

Read more ...

Uncovering Accomplishments and Success Stories for Your Administrator Resume

In order to create an effective resume for a school administrator position, it is important for you to uncover your relevant accomplishments and success stories. But you have to remember that it is vital for you to avoid telling half truths and exaggerations because a lot of hiring managers and recruiters can easily tell when resumes have been pumped up with embellishments. Their hiring expertise makes them proficient in determining the superfluities in your resume.

Administrators fill a key education position and so recruiters naturally try to filter out the inappropriate applicants so they can find the 'cream of the crop' which allows them to have a better group of aspiring school administrators. But the question here is how can you successfully translate your skills and experience into a list of comprehensive achievements for your resume so that you can be included in that elite group of candidates?

After you have determined the amount of information and the range of work experiences that need to be included in your resume, you will have to translate your list of work experiences into a summary of your achievements and skills that will be apt for your resume. An excellent achievement list based on your accomplishments and success stories from your previous positions is a great way to demonstrate how you were able to impact the schools you previously worked for. More often than not, administration applicants spend too much time on perfecting the context of their accomplishments instead of on refining the significant effect their accomplishments and personal achievements had on their employers and students. To help uncover your accomplishments and personal success stories, take the time to answer the following questions below:

Have you initiated and established new management systems for your organization?Have you founded any school programs that helped to improve the school you previously belong to?Do you have a specialized expertise in school management and administration?Can your track record speak for your accomplishments and qualifications to obtain a position as a school administrator?Did you pursue advanced education to keep up with the current changes in school administration?Have you participated in seminars, training, or other workshops related to your job position to enhance your knowledge and skills?

This set of questions can help guide you in uncovering your accomplishments and success stories so that you can improve your resume when applying for a job as an administrator. This will enhance your chances of obtaining the administrator position you are vying for.

You must remember that writing an effective resume can take considerable time and if you only give it a couple of hours of your time, it will easily reflect in the quality of your work. Evaluate your qualifications based on your accomplishments and personal achievements and then refine them to match the qualifications being sought by the school. Along with your expertise and work history, you can increase your chances of getting the position you are applying for when you successfully uncover your accomplishments.

Candace Davies, Owner of A+ Resumes for Teachers is a Global Career Management Professional dedicated to assisting educators worldwide leverage their strengths, accomplishments, and unique selling points to capture their dream career. Her team has successfully assisted 3500+ education professionals by transforming their talents into concise documents that secure numerous interviews.

Please visit her at http://resumes-for-teachers.com/ or send an email to candoco@telus.net

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Resume Template Microsoft Word Resume Formatting Success

An attention grabbing resume is a few clicks away if you use a resume template Microsoft Word format when applying for an open position. Most computers come preinstalled with a version of Word, even if it's a trial version, you'll have access to hundreds of free templates.

Many people are not proficient with the intricacies of Microsoft Word, figuring out how to format a page, setting up margins, etc. can be a real headache. Don't even mention designing with graphics and tables! How do you do that anyway? And when are you going to find the time to figure it all out when the job you want is hiring right now? You don't have time to fool around with a program. You need to be creating a resume and that's where a template comes in handy. They're preformatted; just fill in the blanks, a real time saver!

From your desktop just open the program, create a new file, and select a resume template. From there you can search for almost any kind of resume you can think of; administrative assistant, manager, entry-level, professional, and so on. There's a handy search box where you enter your keyword and it pulls up every relevant template on the website. You can preview each one and select the one you want to download. The preview makes it easy to download one file instead of multiple files and risk confusing yourself. Make sure you save the file in a place you can easily remember.

Once you download the template, it will be completely designed for you. All you have to do is enter your information. How slick is that? Browse the gallery, choose a template, and enter your information. You can save the file in various formats for electronic sending, or you can print copies for in-person applications or to bring along when you land that all-important interview.

Microsoft has made it increasingly easy to use Word. You can pretty much point and click, do a little typing, and you're done! You never have to worry about figuring out all of the formatting functions unless you want to. The cool thing about a template is since the formatting is done for you; you can look at how it was done and learn from that. The resume template Microsoft Word feature is an innovative time saving way to make a professional portfolio that will grab the attention you deserve.

Download a free resume template Microsoft Word today!

Kick-Start your resume writing with 3-Free Professional Resume Templates that you can start using right now!

Read more ...

Resume Template Microsoft Word Resume Formatting Success

An attention grabbing resume is a few clicks away if you use a resume template Microsoft Word format when applying for an open position. Most computers come preinstalled with a version of Word, even if it's a trial version, you'll have access to hundreds of free templates.

Many people are not proficient with the intricacies of Microsoft Word, figuring out how to format a page, setting up margins, etc. can be a real headache. Don't even mention designing with graphics and tables! How do you do that anyway? And when are you going to find the time to figure it all out when the job you want is hiring right now? You don't have time to fool around with a program. You need to be creating a resume and that's where a template comes in handy. They're preformatted; just fill in the blanks, a real time saver!

From your desktop just open the program, create a new file, and select a resume template. From there you can search for almost any kind of resume you can think of; administrative assistant, manager, entry-level, professional, and so on. There's a handy search box where you enter your keyword and it pulls up every relevant template on the website. You can preview each one and select the one you want to download. The preview makes it easy to download one file instead of multiple files and risk confusing yourself. Make sure you save the file in a place you can easily remember.

Once you download the template, it will be completely designed for you. All you have to do is enter your information. How slick is that? Browse the gallery, choose a template, and enter your information. You can save the file in various formats for electronic sending, or you can print copies for in-person applications or to bring along when you land that all-important interview.

Microsoft has made it increasingly easy to use Word. You can pretty much point and click, do a little typing, and you're done! You never have to worry about figuring out all of the formatting functions unless you want to. The cool thing about a template is since the formatting is done for you; you can look at how it was done and learn from that. The resume template Microsoft Word feature is an innovative time saving way to make a professional portfolio that will grab the attention you deserve.

Download a free resume template Microsoft Word today!

Kick-Start your resume writing with 3-Free Professional Resume Templates that you can start using right now!

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Free Sample Resume Key To Success

Every person who has completed his studies and wishes to do some job will need a resume to introduce him, while sending job request. These are sent to the employers by the person seeking job. The resume leaves the first impression of the person, and it will determine which person to chose and which to reject. Nowadays, many younger ones face problems in making their own resumes. For this purpose, free samples are provided online that provide an example to make the resume.

These free resume samples are actually a blessing for they teach the job seeker how to make the look like an impressive on them, so that the employer is impressed and grants him the job. Hundreds of free resume samples are available online, which serve as ideal samples. Different samples for different fields are available. Such as there are teachers, sales, and nursing. You can also print these free sample resumes, and easily use it as a help for making your personal resume.

If you make use of these sample resumes, you will definitely get the interview call. Whoever says that first impression is the last impression is true. If your resume impresses the employer, then you will definitely have higher chances of getting selected.

Many times the job seekers lack the correct information for making the resume. They don't know which information to put in and which should not be included. Here, they make the mistake. The benefit of getting free sample resumes is that they will not cost you anything, and in turn will bring you a good job, and eventually lots of money. This is how these free sample resumes act as the key to success. All job seekers must take help from these before making their own resumes.

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No Matter Who Reads Your Resume, You Get Success!

For the reason that everybody considers himself a resume expert, you definitely have seen many people talking to each other giving out tips and tricks on how to write a good resume. It's a common belief that resume writing is a simple task that can be performed by anyone as all a resume requires is a person's experiences, educational and a bit of personal information, which is of course a very misleading concept. In fact, resume writing is something that can't be successfully done be some of the most qualified, skillful and mature individuals. Resume writing doesn't only require you to put words together and form up paragraphs along with some bullets and catchy 'self praising', but it's a blend of high-toned grammar, sentence structures, to-the-point statements, factual achievement details and a clear objective. There are many more important elements that are involved in resume writing but the mentioned ones are the most significant ones that will lead you to a really effective resume.

Below is a brief of all resume readers along with the solution that will appeal them:

Computer scanning system:

Time is changed. Now many recruiters use the automated or manual computer based scanning system to sort out the resumes that go just according to their requirements. When a computer scanning process takes place, the scanning looks for the pertained keywords for example, if the vacancy is for a computer operator then the searched keywords will be; computer, operator, data entry, MS office, software, typing etc. So, in order to pass through a computer scan, your resume must contain the keywords that are related to your desired field. This will get you a successful initial selection step.

Recruiters:

Recruiters are the ones who pick people from different sources and forward them to the hiring companies. Their aim is to find the most appropriate candidates so they can close the deal.

It's a very good idea to team up with your recruiter so he/she can provide you some very valuable information such as how you may show up to the interview at the hiring company including dress code, language and other ethical considerations. Also they can help with the specific interview questions. However this can only happen once the recruiter is satisfied and believes that you are the right candidate for the applied job. You may keep this tip in mind for a successful career move.

Screeners:

There is not much information that you need to understand about a screener. In simple words a screener is the one who reads the job descriptions and then short list candidates who go just according to the checklist of requirements. Screener doesn't have much room for negotiation so what you need to do is to study the job criteria and understand it thoroughly so you can format your resume according to the 'specifically required' essentials to pass the phase of screening.

Decision makers:

The last type of resume readers is the decision makers. They are the ones with most flexible rules and regulations and sometimes will bend even their most strict rules in order to hire someone they like. So I hope you know what to do when you are going to a one on one meeting with a decision maker. If you don't know them remember just one word; 'Impress'. If you manage to impress, you are most likely to get the job right there on the spot!

So, you have got all the tips and tricks to get your desired job. All you need to do is to apply them and be victorious.

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Optimising Your CV for a Higher Success Rate

A CV can quickly become outdated. Often it is a document that is brought out, dusted off and new employment details added, almost in a running commentary fashion. Your CV needs to be much more than that.

A professional recruiter can scrutinise a CV in 10 to 40 seconds (currently 20 seconds is normal) and in that time they will decide whether you are someone they can assist or not. An employer who is recruiting directly may take slightly longer but still a very short time.

The recruiter/employer is looking for the following points:
- What the person does
- What competencies and skills the person has
- How much experience the person has
- Number of job/career changes
- Continuity of employment
- Qualifications

They will ask themselves whether that person matches their requirements and how closely. If not, then they will immediately reject the person. Only if they find that the applicant has the required skills and competencies will the recruiter examine the detail of their experience in closer detail. The recruiter will be considering how will they sell that applicant to the client i.e. what makes them stand out from other similarly qualified candidates? This is the same thing an employer will be looking for and it will distinguish a suitably qualified candidate from a desirable potential employee. This is the value this person adds to an organisation either by way of enhanced revenue or cost saving. The professional recruiter and experienced employers know precisely what they are looking for and this considerably reduces the time they have to spend analysing CVs.

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Five Steps to Job Fair Success

While you will need a strong resume for any job fair, don't forget - attending a job fair is not just about submitting your resume. It's about socializing and networking with the representatives of the companies and showing off your communication skills.

In order to do those things confidently, you MUST do your homework in advance and follow these 5 steps for a successful job fair experience.

* STEP ONE

UPDATE or create your resume. You will need a strong resume to hand out to employers. Bring plenty of copies in a professional-looking folder. The resume copies can be on normal printer paper, but spending money on nice resume paper can help you make a great first impression.

* STEP TWO

RESEARCH the companies attending the fair. Learn about their open positions, mission statement, product lines, competition, and locations around the world. Create a list of questions to ask the representative about the positions. Yes, you need to research EACH company you are interested in! This is a lot of work, but it will help you stand out from all the other people also trying to impress the recruiters.

* STEP THREE

DRESS professionally and create a great first impression by smiling, making eye contact, and firmly shaking the hand of each recruiter or employer you meet. Ladies: wear a pant suit or skirt suit and sensible dress shoes that are polished. Men: wear a suit and tie and polished dress shoes.

* STEP FOUR

SOCIALIZE and NETWORK. Be ready to answer questions the representatives might ask you about your background, skills, and goals. Tell them how and why you are a good fit for the position. Have a conversation with each rep about your education, degree, and major; related work and/or volunteer experience; relevant industry organizations that you're a member of; and professional interests and the kind of work you want to do.

Keep in mind that some employers may not take resumes. They will ask you to go online and apply. Understand that some companies are "paperless" and simply proceed with your socializing, networking, and your prepared questions. DON'T JUST WALK AWAY FROM THOSE RECRUITERS! You never know what opportunities you will gain by networking with them. Finally, ask about the next step in the interview/hiring process so you can prepare for it.

* STEP FIVE

FOLLOW UP after the job fair with each employer you spoke with. Call or email the representative. Identify yourself that you spoke at the XYZ job fair on 123 date at the XYZ location. Bring up something specific you talked about - maybe something you learned or something that interested you. Communicate that you are interested in the position and look forward to the next stop in the process. Call or email every 2 or 3 weeks to stay in touch.

Trust your resume to an expert who has assisted over 3,000 clients during her years of experience in the career services industry. Laura Gonzalez, CPRW gained her experience in resume writing from her years at a Texas university career center where she assisted thousands of students and alumni. Every document Laura writes is not only effectively written but also thoroughly researched against the competition to make sure the client is getting a top-notch product.

To learn more about Laura and her company, please visit Masterwork Resumes To read more resume articles, visit CertifiedResumeWriters.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_M._Gonzalez

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Professional Resumes Are The Key To Your Success

Professional resumes can help you find a job that has been eluding you for a long time. It is definitely the best way to showcase one's talent and credentials in front of a prospective employer. People can get better jobs and climb up the corporate ladder assisted by a well designed and written resumes. Resumes have the ability to make a very good impression and hold interest of prospective employers to get one that interview call that will become the stepping stone to their whole career.

Let The Experts Write The Resume

One must always get their resume written professionally. Every individual has the ability to change his or her career path, for something better. The professionals re-design and present a resume in ways which can truly take people places. Professionals have the knowledge to dramatically enhance a drab looking portfolio into something truly exciting. They will present your credentials in the best possible light. Resume writing is an art form. It is a master piece which can get one closer to a dream job. Experts have the ability to create relevant, professional, and grammatically correct resumes and letters, which can be presented to future employers with a lot of confidence.

Cover letters

Cover letters are an important part of a resume which validates the application and has the influence to get one noticed immediately if written the right way. A cover letter demonstrates that that the applicant has superior communication skills and can confidently present his views. It presents a person's suitability for a profile for which he or she is applying and the reasons why the person is best suited for the job. Cover letters are as important as professional resumes.

Selection Criteria

Employees are always on the lookout for confident, qualified go-getters who are experienced in their field. However, often applicants fail to showcase their best in their resumes. This leads to a skewed assessment of his/her abilities and may result in him getting passed over for the opportunity. A professional resume writer can make all the difference by presenting the same information about you but in a highly impressive resume package.

Why One Requires A New Resume

In a world filled with cut-throat competition, one requires professional resumes to improve the possibility of getting selected for a dream job.

* Professional resume writers have several years of experience in this field.
* They are aware of all the essential details needed to match the job a person is seeking and also the important points which need not be incorporated.
* An applicant requires a fresh resume, even if he or she is applying for a promotion in the organization to match the criteria of selection.
* If the applicant showcases his or her strengths and wants to grow professionally, a fresh professionally written resume is a good idea.
* Professional resumes are created by industry experts who know exactly what a particular company is looking for in its employees and can thus accurately customize and package resumes as per the demands of the post.

With the assistance of professional resumes written by experts who have several years of experience in this domain, can help one get his or her dream job. A resume must be able to show a person's future employers, the ways in which the person has contributed to previous organizations and the like. All these things tend to be considered worthy of at least an interview.

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5 Tips for Resume Writing Success

Writing your resume? Thinking of ordering a professional rewrite of your resume? There are a lot of things to consider in order to stand apart from the crowd when applying for a job. Here are 5 success tips for effective resume writing:

Eye Catching

An eye-catching resume can make a difference. But you need to be cautious as well. Weird fonts, colours, and unusual elements may turn a potential employer off. Imagine reading through dozens of resumes. They'll all look the same after a while. Good tips for making your resume POP include:

Bold important areas or use a slightly larger font. Don't mix and match haphazardly but consider making headings bigger, your objective slightly larger, and formatting accomplishments so they stand apart from other text.Go for symmetry. Make sure your resume prints properly and that everything looks aligned. You may find some great resume templates online that you can follow.Use an easy-to-read font, such as Arial or Verdana.

Keyword Optimize

Some companies use software to take resumes from a general delivery box and route them to the appropriate person. Look carefully at a job posting and tweak your resume to match it. Are there requirements for a Bachelor's degree or for a specific software program? Make sure your resume contains these elements (only if you possess these skills, of course). Look at what sort of person the employer wants and if you are, in fact, qualified...optimize your resume so that you look like a natural fit.

Action Verbs

Action verbs add PUNCH to your resume. When listing accomplishments, start them off with an action word. Look at the job posting and the company website to help you determine the buzzwords and language the prospective employer uses.

Accomplishments

A company doesn't want to know the minutia of your last job down to how often you used the photocopier. An overview of what you were responsible for is important but what can help you stand apart from others more is what you've accomplished for other companies. Did you save money? Did you make them money? How? Show them that you're a go-getter who slashes costs and boosts revenue, optimizing processes or empowering team members and this can demonstrate that you would make a positive difference if you joined their team.

Get Opinions

Before you submit your resume to a job you're really interested in, do some comparisons and get some opinions. Ask successful friends and other professionals to see their resume. Consider getting a professional opinion through a career counsellor or from a professional resume writer. And, see what success rate you have. If you apply to 20 jobs and don't get a single nibble, you might need to look and see if there's something off-putting about your approach. There are some great resources online that can help you see resume samples, get success tips, and even get a critique, rewrite, or resume edit. They say you have to put effort in to find a great career. It's true! Put forth some effort when writing your resume and you could soon be wading through offer letters.

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Professional Resumes Are The Keys To Success

Professional resumes are a fine way to showcase your credentials in the best possible way to prospective employers. You can have a better job and take your career to the next level with well written and designed resumes. Resumes have the potential to make an impression and hold interest of prospective employers to get you that interview call which will become your stepping stone to a whole new career.

Let Experts Write Your Resume

Don't waste any more time and take help of resume writing professionals for writing your resume. You have the ability to change your career path, for something better that you deserve. They will re-design and present your resume in ways that will truly take you places. They have the expertise and methods to improve your resume and bring out the best of your capabilities, by presenting it in powerful ways.

Professional resume writing is an art. It is the ticket that gets you closer to the job you are seeking. Experts have the capability to write professional, relevant and grammatically correct letters and resumes, which you can present to future employers with confidence.

Cover letters

This is an important part of your resume which justifies your application and has the power to get you noticed instantly if written in the right style. It demonstrates your organisational and communication skills which are important to any organisation. It presents your suitability for the profile for which you are applying as well as the reasons you will be the best person for that job. It is as important as your resume.

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria are the skills, attributes, experience, and education by which the employer assesses the candidates. It makes the process fair for everyone. It makes it possible for basing selection decisions, for people from different backgrounds and experience. Your resume writer will need details of your educational and work background to get to work on addressing the selection criteria for the job you seek. This way, your resume will match the job profile for which you will be sending your application.

Why You Need A New Resume

In a competitive world, you need professional resumes to enhance the possibility of your selection for your dream job.

* Expert resume writers have years of proficient experience in this field.
* They know the important details required to match the job you are seeking and also the points that need not be included.
* You need a fresh resume, even if you are applying for a promotion in your own organisation to match the selection process.
* If you showcase your strengths and need to grow professionally in your career, a fresh resume is a good future investment.
* Professional resumes are written by experts who have experience in various industries and can write for various categories of professionals. These include professionals, executives, entry level job seekers and others.

Get your dream job with an outstanding resume written by skilled professional resume writers, who have years of experience with human resources and management consulting. Your resume should show your future employers the many ways in which you have contributed to the organisation for which you have worked previously. This goes a long way in being considered worthy of an interview. A great resume not only gets you that job interview, but it also gives you an opportunity to excel in the interview and get that job.

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