5 Things You Need to Know Before Accepting a Job Offer

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Keep These Things in Mind When You Write a Resume

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3 Things That Make Your Resume Less Effective

If you are not receiving a response back from employers about the resume you submitted, there could be a variety of reasons. Perhaps you do not have the particular qualifications the employer is seeking. Or, it may be that you are not properly communicating your strengths, experience and skills.

Take a hard look at your resume and revamp it for effectiveness. Imagine you're in the elevator with Donald Trump (or another CEO) heading up to the 18th floor and you had only 30 seconds to make your pitch, what would you say? If an employer cannot see what you have to offer or understand how your particular experience and skills are applicable to the job, you are not going to receive that callback to come in for an interview.

Common culprits that make a resume less effective include:

Poor Opening. If your resume starts with an "Objective" indicating what you are looking for rather than what you have to offer to an employer, you have already lost points right there. Even if your resume does start with a "Summary of Qualifications" or something similar to that effect, you have to ask, "Does it immediately and clearly tell the employer why I'm the right fit for the job?" An effective opening creates a theme that says, "Here is what I am best at" and this theme would be continued to prove it by showcasing your accomplishments in your various jobs. Not Using It as a Marketing Tool. A resume is used to help get your foot in the door with an employer. It is not a legal document and there is no need to include information that is irrelevant. The more irrelevant information you put on your resume, the easier it will be for an employer to come to the conclusion that you are not an appropriate candidate for the job. Use your resume to help demonstrate particular accomplishments, experiences, and skills that the employer can benefit from. Your mission is to simply put out a sufficient amount of information to garner the employer's interest. Save details for the interview. It is similar to when you view a movie trailer - it contains highlights of just enough information to entice you to want to view the movie, but it doesn't tell the full story. Adding information that does not provide impact immediately on a resume is like viewing dull scenes in the movie trailer, making the overall package less effective. Inappropriate Personal Information. Some personal information, such as hobbies, may be explicitly placed on the resume to help tell the employer more about your character. However, if what you list is unprofessional and inappropriate for the profession, it can ruin your shot at making a good impression with the employer. At the same time, there are instances when personal information is included without you fully realizing it. For instance, be cautious of your email address. Your username or domain for the email address can give off the wrong impression if it reads something similar to, "partyanimal@...." or "....@peoplehater." If you are including a website or blog address, make sure the information you have on it is appropriate and relevant for the job. Also, even if you are not publicizing digital information, employers may be screening your activity on sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, so check your privacy settings or make sure what's on your public profile is appropriate for a potential employer to see.

Securing an employer's attention is more challenging today. There are many qualified candidates available on the market for employers to select from. Make sure your resume shows impact from the start by telling the employer why you are the right fit for the job. Demonstrate what you have accomplished to show for it, and present a clean digital trail on the Internet for an appropriate impression.

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.

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3 Things That Make Your Resume Less Effective

If you are not receiving a response back from employers about the resume you submitted, there could be a variety of reasons. Perhaps you do not have the particular qualifications the employer is seeking. Or, it may be that you are not properly communicating your strengths, experience and skills.

Take a hard look at your resume and revamp it for effectiveness. Imagine you're in the elevator with Donald Trump (or another CEO) heading up to the 18th floor and you had only 30 seconds to make your pitch, what would you say? If an employer cannot see what you have to offer or understand how your particular experience and skills are applicable to the job, you are not going to receive that callback to come in for an interview.

Common culprits that make a resume less effective include:

Poor Opening. If your resume starts with an "Objective" indicating what you are looking for rather than what you have to offer to an employer, you have already lost points right there. Even if your resume does start with a "Summary of Qualifications" or something similar to that effect, you have to ask, "Does it immediately and clearly tell the employer why I'm the right fit for the job?" An effective opening creates a theme that says, "Here is what I am best at" and this theme would be continued to prove it by showcasing your accomplishments in your various jobs. Not Using It as a Marketing Tool. A resume is used to help get your foot in the door with an employer. It is not a legal document and there is no need to include information that is irrelevant. The more irrelevant information you put on your resume, the easier it will be for an employer to come to the conclusion that you are not an appropriate candidate for the job. Use your resume to help demonstrate particular accomplishments, experiences, and skills that the employer can benefit from. Your mission is to simply put out a sufficient amount of information to garner the employer's interest. Save details for the interview. It is similar to when you view a movie trailer - it contains highlights of just enough information to entice you to want to view the movie, but it doesn't tell the full story. Adding information that does not provide impact immediately on a resume is like viewing dull scenes in the movie trailer, making the overall package less effective. Inappropriate Personal Information. Some personal information, such as hobbies, may be explicitly placed on the resume to help tell the employer more about your character. However, if what you list is unprofessional and inappropriate for the profession, it can ruin your shot at making a good impression with the employer. At the same time, there are instances when personal information is included without you fully realizing it. For instance, be cautious of your email address. Your username or domain for the email address can give off the wrong impression if it reads something similar to, "partyanimal@...." or "....@peoplehater." If you are including a website or blog address, make sure the information you have on it is appropriate and relevant for the job. Also, even if you are not publicizing digital information, employers may be screening your activity on sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, so check your privacy settings or make sure what's on your public profile is appropriate for a potential employer to see.

Securing an employer's attention is more challenging today. There are many qualified candidates available on the market for employers to select from. Make sure your resume shows impact from the start by telling the employer why you are the right fit for the job. Demonstrate what you have accomplished to show for it, and present a clean digital trail on the Internet for an appropriate impression.

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.

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12 Things Your Project Management Resume Needs in 2012

There is no denying that in 2012 the competition for a project manager's job is intense. If you've decided that this is the year your going to get into project management or upgrade your current job here are 12 suggestions that will help your resume leap of the desk ensuring you get the recruiter's attention.

1. Scannable first page

The first page of your resume needs be easy to read and scannable in 10 seconds or less. Use a slightly larger font size like 14 to draw the reader's attention to your achievements section.

2. Create an achievements section

Make sure your resume has a section on the front page that highlights the best bits from your career.

3. Boast a little

It's ok to boast about your work. You don't want to make up numbers of course but if your project made or saved your company money you need to mention the amount.

4. Be clear

Each sentence should be powerful and clear. Instead of "Worked on the ABC project", Say "I successfully ran the ABC project, saving CompanyX $2M annually".

5. Industry words

Project management has its own lexicon. Share your experience and knowledge about project management by dropping in some industry terminology.

6. Skip the obvious buzz words

Some people say you shouldn't use management buzz words at all. I think a few are ok, just don't over do it.

7. Certifications

Make sure you put any certifications on the first page. If you don't have any, start one! This way you can legitimately put one on your resume, don't lie just make a note mentioning the certification is "in progress".

8. Resume extensions

Employers often look at your LinkedIn site. Don't have a LinkedIn yet? you better get one! LinkedIn is an excellent way to build up professional connections. Recruiters also use LinkedIn to verify the jobs listed in your resume.

9. Keep references to social media out of your resume

Don't link your resume to sites like Blogger, Facebook or YouTube. You run the risk of a recruiter seeing you out partying with your mates.

10. Check the details

Make sure you check all the details of names, people and places. Nothing is more unprofessional than a poorly researched resume.

11. Keep it small

Keep your resume to four pages or less. No one wants to read a 100 page tomb of your life. Use only four pages to get your experience and skills short and concise.

12. Use a specially designed project manager's resume

Standard templates look tacky and get ignored! Be different dress your resume up with a splash of color, specific formatting, sections and easy to read fonts.

Use these 12 tips to make your resume the best in 2012.

Apply for Project Manager jobs faster with tips from my Project Manager Resume website. You can get resume templates, tips and recommendations from a fully qualified project manager.

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Resume Tips - The Things You Shouldn't Include

Always remember that your resume is your first and final impression on the prospective employer and hence, it should be a lasting one. You cannot let it go waste by sending a poorly written resume to the potential employer. You should make your application impressive, strong and attention grabbing. For this, you can refer different resume writing tips and resume examples. These tips for resume will help you in making your application stand out from other job applications. For drafting an impressive application, it is important for you to know the things that should be included in your CV. Also, it is equally important to know what should not be included or strictly avoided in your application. Here we will discuss some of the important things that should not be included in your CV.

Things to Avoid in CV

Too much information

Do not include too much information in your resume. Lengthy resumes get rejected in most cases. Although some of them may impress employers, but why take chances. Include only the information that is most relevant to the position you are applying.

Generic objective statements

Generic resume objective statements should be avoided in your CV. Instead you can use the statements targeting the job position. List the skills and relevant accomplishments in your objective statement.

Unclear information

Make sure that the information you provide is clear and accurate. Do not provide unclear and vague information. Describe clearly the position you are seeking in the company and list the relevant skills in your CV that makes you suitable for working in the position.

Negatives of previous jobs

You may require giving the reason for your job change in your resume or cover letter. Do not say anything negative about your previous job or your previous employer. This will show your unprofessionalism and employer will not consider your application with required attention.

Irrelevant experience details

Irrelevant work experience in your CV will unnecessarily increase its length. As discussed earlier, lengthy resumes will get least attention from the recruiters and reduce your chances of getting a job interview.

Lies about Work Experiences

If you have listed that you have been working in the company for 5 years on a managerial position, recruiters may call your previous employer to confirm the information. If this information is untrue, employer may take serious action against you. They may cancel your candidature from the recruitment process. If you are not sure about your existing skills for getting you the opportunity, you can focus on other qualities and explain to the employer how these qualities will help you in working efficiently with increased efficiency.

Grammatical Mistakes

Grammar and spelling mistakes have always been a problem in resumes. Such errors should be strictly avoided as it can make the employer think that you don't even care to go through your application once to look for any errors and you are too irresponsible to handle the job responsibilities associated with the position. This can be a strong reason for them to reject your application if there are too many grammatical and spelling mistakes in your CV.

These important resume tips will definitely provide helpful to you in your job run. Follow all these tips while designing your application and get attention from the employers.

Alan also written on cover letter and resume template.

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The 5 Things You Must Know to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) That Will Get You a Job Interview

Your CV is the one and if badly written your only opportunity to interact with a hiring manager. It is imperative that it is well written and appeals to the reader. There are a number of things that you can do that will ensure the hiring manager not only reads it thoroughly but is left with no option but to get you in for an interview.

1. YOUR CV IS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION

When applying for a job, you only get one opportunity to make a first impression. Whether you are applying to a company direct, or through a recruitment company your first impression will be through your CV. It is for this reason that you pay close attention to what you write and how you write your CV.

For each vacancy there could be hundreds of CV's that managers or recruitment consultants need to look through. Initially they will scan each one for about 30 seconds. You need to give them a reason to take a longer look and then give you a call.

2. SELL YOURSELF

Most people think that a CV is designed to simply be the tale of your working life so far and that if people want you they will see what they need to see and give you a call. This couldn't be further from the truth, if you are looking for IT Jobs in Australia the market is quite competitive and as such you need to take the bull by the horns and give yourself the best possible shot. Be confident in your abilities and let that shine through when you write a CV.

3. TELL A COMPELLING STORY

Whether you're an IT Project Manager or a Help Desk Analyst you have a story to tell and you should make sure that the story is one that the reader can't put down.

Each role that you have had needs to tell what you did, how you did it and what your achievements were.Give us a list of the skills that you utilised in that role, but also give us in plain English a few paragraphs that explain how you went about your work.Remember that you made important contributions, tell us what they were.

4. KEEP IT CLEAN AND READABLE

A CV that is all over the place and is quite hard to follow, probably won't get read. Your CV should always be:

Written in reverse chronological order andBe written in plain English.

Start with a summary that gives a clear indication of what you have done and where you want your career to go. Move onto your Education and Skills Matrix and then your employment history.

When looking for job opportunities the more readable your CV is the more chance it will be given more than just a 30 second scan. You should use a quality CV template and look through a number of sample CV's before committing to your final draft.

5. BE CLEAR ABOUT THE SKILLS YOU HAVE

All the points that I have gone through in this article have had a recurring theme of confidence and clarity in your CV. Your skills matrix must also follow this theme. There is no need to list every single skill or piece of technology that you have ever used, but should be a comprehensive list of your skills that are clear strengths.

It is important that you cover all of the major skills that a particular job opportunity requires and that you give an honest reflection of the level you have obtained. Remember there is no point exaggerating in this respect as it will quickly be found through quality interview questions.

To reinforce the skills matrix, at the end of each job in your employment history, provide a list of skills and technologies that you worked with in that role.

Graeme Isaacs from IT Success Recruitment Services has reviewed thousands of CV's and is one of Australia's foremost experts in IT employment. If you would like more information on writing a CV, or to download a quality CV Template or Sample CV then simply go to http://www.itsuccess.com.au/ or call 03 9982 1333 and Graeme Isaacs and the team at IT Success can advise you on all aspects of your IT Career.

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Things to Consider When Writing A Cover Letter For A Job

Anyone with ample experience in job-hunting knows that your resume is literally only half the battle. Your cover letter is one of the most crucial first impressions you'd make to any potential employers. Written well, and it can get your foot through the door in a big way. Written badly, and it could possibly set your plans back by another couple of months.

Understandably, writing a cover letter for a job has become quite the nerve-wracking experience for job-seekers of all kinds. While no two HR managers are exactly the same, chances are that they will follow a similar list of applicant turn-offs. When you are competing with potentially hundreds of other candidates for the opportunity of a lifetime, the last thing you want to do is turn off an HR manager.

When writing a cover letter for a job, one of your best yardsticks is to consider the nature of the job you are actually applying for. There are a number of different approaches you can try with this in mind. There is no guarantee, however, that all of these approaches will work every single time. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution.

One of the main things to remember when writing your cover letter is to always highlight qualities relevant to the job you are signing up for. When signing up for a managerial post, for example, make it a point to emphasize your leadership skills or your ability to work under high-pressure situations. The content of your cover letter must also be timely to a fashion. An HR manager would be more impressed by how you took control of a tricky project during your internship than of the time you commandeered a parade float in your college freshman year.

Basic courtesy is also vital when writing your cover letter. Today, many people underestimate how basic courtesy goes far beyond the usual Sirs, Madams, Pleases, and Thank Yous. When applying for a job at a major multinational company, take the time to do some research about the company's past dealings. Acknowledge relevant authority figures when applicable. This also goes hand-in-hand with citing your own relevant experience, as you must give the people of this company a good reason to consider you. This applies regardless of how many companies you may actually sign up for in the course of your job-seeking. Even if you had to write your fifteenth cover letter, you must never forget your manners.

Last but not least, always check your spelling and grammar. This deceptively simple nugget of advice may have been hammered into your brain repeatedly during your school days, but it matters just as much in the workplace. You would be surprised to discover the number of job applicants who get turned down purely on the basis of an ineptly written cover letter.

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Resumes - Put the Right Things In!

What goes into a resume? What amount of details need to be put in a resume? Do these questions sound familiar or perhaps you've asked the same questions recently? Many people are perplexed by what type of information should be put into a resume and what is considered an appropriate level of detail to be included. You should use this to your advantage. Be the one to send in a resume that answers all your prospective employer's needs and your employer will single you out to be invited for an interview.

For example, an outline of a simple resume will look something like this:
Your detailsYour objectivesYour education historyOrganizations which you belong toReferees or references if you have any

Remember that this is only a very simple outline of a resume that you will need to prepare in order to "market" yourself. There are many samples of resumes on the World Wide Web. These range from very simple ones to much more comprehensive ones. Take a look at a few of these samples. This is so you can compare the styles and see which one best reflects you as a person and a worker, and get across to the prospective employer more about you at one glance. Your employers will base interview questions around what you have put in your resume so this is your chance to guide them to know more about your and in the best light possible.

Have a go at crafting your own resume based on this. Writing a resume that will land you the interview you want is your ultimate goal so always keep the reader - i.e. the prospective employer - in mind when ever you prepare your resume or the cover letter to go with it. Be sure to keep information in the resume (and the cover letter if you have one) to the point and relevant to your target audience. Also make sure it is easy to read. You might want to consider asking a friend or a family member to give it a once over and check that everything makes sense to a third person. Consider their suggestions and make the changes on the resume if need be. This is your chance to grab that dream job so don't be lazy when it comes to reviewing and refining your professionally prepared resume. It is up to you to grab the opportunity!

There are many more things you need to look out for when composing a quality resume or preparing an accompanying cover letter. One place you can find more information would be http://www.givemeanswers.org/resumecoverletter/index.html

Alternatively, if you just want to read a short piece on writing a professionally presented resume, click on this link http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_I_Best

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9 Things Your Resumix Resume Must Include

Compared to a traditional civilian resume, a Resumix resume requires a much more stringent standard format. As such, there are a number of things that you absolutely must include in order to get past the initial screening and ensure that your resume is seen by a person in the HR department. Here's a quick look at 9 things your Resumix resume must include. It is important to note that different branches of the military and departments of the government use different Resumix resume formats. Make sure to double check which format you will be using before you begin submitting information. If your resume does not meet the specific format, then it will immediately get dismissed.

9 Things Your Resumix Resume Must Include

1. Keywords

The most important thing to keep in mind before you actually start creating your resume is the keywords that you will need to include. In most cases, there will be a number of obvious keywords included in the position opening description. If there isn't, then take a few minutes to look at similar position openings and identify some keywords which will likely also be applicable to the opening that you are interested in. Most people say that you should have a list of at least 25 keywords before you begin. If you skip this step, then there is little chance that your resume will get past the initial scan, which means it will never actually be seen by a real person because the computer will think you do not have the applicable skills or meet the requirements of the job.

2. Personal Information

Regardless of which Resumix resume format you end up using, there are certain pieces of personal information which will always be included. One of the most often overlooked pieces of personal information is the Social Security number. Along with this, you will also need to submit your full name, address, home phone number, work phone number, and e-mail address.

3. Experience Summary

Before you get into the bulk of your resume, you will likely be required to submit and experience summary. This section should summarize previous job titles and positions that you held. Unlike a traditional resume summary, this should not be a handful of sentences, but rather a paragraph list of titles/experiences separated with a semicolon rather than bullet points.

4. Experience - In Detail

The experience section will likely be where you spend most of your time. At the beginning of each previous experience, you should include your job title, who you were working for, and the address of your location. After this contact information is been added, you should spend a few sentences describing what you did followed by one or two specific examples or supporting statements. The experience section is far and away the largest portion of a Resumix resume and is where you should add a majority of your keywords.

5. Formal Education

The formal education section is very similar to that of a traditional resume. Make sure that you not only include information about your diploma, but also where you received it and the date that you completed your studies.

6. Specialized Training

Depending on which Resumix format you use, there may be a section where you can add any specialized training you received. In most cases, this will be on-the-job training/in the field training that is more danced than what you would have received in a classroom.

7. Licenses/Certificates

If there are any specific licenses or certificates that relate to the job which you are applying for, make sure to include as much information about them as possible. The format should be similar to the education section.

8. Awards

The awards section should include any recognition you've received during your employment, especially awards that were received during your military service.

9. Supplementary Information

Finally, many job openings will require you to submit some type of supplemental data. In most cases, this will be a list of answers to an additional survey or form that they want you to fill out. While this may not be a part of every Resumix resume that you fill out, always keep an eye out when reading job postings to ensure that you don't accidentally overlook some information that you need to provide in this section.

Jason Kay is a professional resume writer and recommends hiring a professional Resumix writing service to prepare the best possible resume for government job applications.

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Things to Consider When Writing A Cover Letter For A Job

Anyone with ample experience in job-hunting knows that your resume is literally only half the battle. Your cover letter is one of the most crucial first impressions you'd make to any potential employers. Written well, and it can get your foot through the door in a big way. Written badly, and it could possibly set your plans back by another couple of months.

Understandably, writing a cover letter for a job has become quite the nerve-wracking experience for job-seekers of all kinds. While no two HR managers are exactly the same, chances are that they will follow a similar list of applicant turn-offs. When you are competing with potentially hundreds of other candidates for the opportunity of a lifetime, the last thing you want to do is turn off an HR manager.

When writing a cover letter for a job, one of your best yardsticks is to consider the nature of the job you are actually applying for. There are a number of different approaches you can try with this in mind. There is no guarantee, however, that all of these approaches will work every single time. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution.

One of the main things to remember when writing your cover letter is to always highlight qualities relevant to the job you are signing up for. When signing up for a managerial post, for example, make it a point to emphasize your leadership skills or your ability to work under high-pressure situations. The content of your cover letter must also be timely to a fashion. An HR manager would be more impressed by how you took control of a tricky project during your internship than of the time you commandeered a parade float in your college freshman year.

Basic courtesy is also vital when writing your cover letter. Today, many people underestimate how basic courtesy goes far beyond the usual Sirs, Madams, Pleases, and Thank Yous. When applying for a job at a major multinational company, take the time to do some research about the company's past dealings. Acknowledge relevant authority figures when applicable. This also goes hand-in-hand with citing your own relevant experience, as you must give the people of this company a good reason to consider you. This applies regardless of how many companies you may actually sign up for in the course of your job-seeking. Even if you had to write your fifteenth cover letter, you must never forget your manners.

Last but not least, always check your spelling and grammar. This deceptively simple nugget of advice may have been hammered into your brain repeatedly during your school days, but it matters just as much in the workplace. You would be surprised to discover the number of job applicants who get turned down purely on the basis of an ineptly written cover letter.

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3 Things Interviewers Look For on a Resume

So you've landed an interview: congratulations! Now what? What areas will your interviewer be looking at on your resume and what questions will he or she ask? Understanding the 3 major areas of focus not only prepares you for the interview, but helps when it comes to tweaking a resume (in the event that the interview offers just aren't coming fast enough). They are:

1) HOW GOOD OF A FIT IS THIS CANDIDATE?

The interview is going to end real fast if the interviewer can't easily pick out key skills within the resume. Your resume should contain all of the following:

-A brief opening paragraph DEMONSTRATING 3-4 skills in-line with the job you're targeting. For example, a candidate for an HR Manager position could focus on his/her ability to implement best practices, develop business partnerships, and expand staff capabilities through training and mentoring. This approach immediately establishes your suitability for the position and allows an interviewer to ask targeted follow-up questions.

-A "Core Competencies" section listing all relevant keywords. Keywords can be identified through analyzing relevant job postings. Using the example above, standard words for an HR Manager candidate include: HR Policy/Procedure Development, Employee Relations, Compensation & Benefits, and Regulatory Compliance.

-A description of all pertinent jobs held within the past 10-15 years listing UNIQUE RESPONSIBILITIES. Look at this as an opportunity to lend context to those skills listed in the opening paragraph and "Core Competencies" section. Keep the language active and the ideas succinct: think in terms of providing just enough information for clarity.

2) IS THERE A CLEAR CAREER PROGRESSION?

Using a reverse chronological order, with jobs listed from most recent to least, is essential in terms of offering interviewers a clear look into your career. Place the greatest amount of emphasis on directly relevant positions. Non-relevant positions can be streamlined or simply mentioned in a brief 1-2 line "Career Note" summarizing it. Also, older positions (those beyond the past 10-15 years) should probably be consolidated within an "Additional Experience" section containing select highlights.

3) WHAT MAKES THIS CANDIDATE UNIQUE?

Quantifiable successes are the greatest asset a resume can possess. The best way to highlight them is to include a "Key Accomplishments" or similar section for every job within your work history listing successes (in bullets). Be specific when listing metrics, yet also don't be afraid to highlight soft skills as well if they're particularly pertinent.

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

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

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How To Write A Cover Letter For A Job Application - Important Things To Consider

A well written cover letter can make the difference between landing a job interview or being rejected at the application stage. Whilst a resume lets the employer know what qualifications you have a cover letter explains what positions you are applying for and why you feel you are an ideal candidate. Most employers now ask you to provide a covering letter with your resume. When writing your letter consider the following:

Address your letter to a person

Make sure your letter is addressed to a real person. Don't use 'Dear Sir/Madam' or 'To Whom It May Concern'. You should be given this information with the job application details. If it isn't given, take the time to find out who to write to.

Keep it short and effective

An ideal cover letter should be one page in length so you need to keep your paragraphs short - 3 to 4 sentences in each one. Don't use long, unnecessary words and don't go into great detail about all your achievements.

Show how you are a match

Let the employer know how you can be of benefit to the company. Give examples of specific skills that they are looking for and demonstrate how you have used these skills previously.

Be confident

You need to come across as a capable, confident person, the kind of person that the employer is looking for. Choose strong effective words and avoid weak phrases like 'I feel', or 'I believe'.

End positively

End on a positive call to action. Let the employer know when you are available for interview. Make sure all your contact details are correct and easy to see on your letter.

Most employers place a great deal of importance on cover letters so take your time and make sure yours is perfect.

Good luck!

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10 Things to Remove From Your Resume

20 seconds. That's the average amount of time that an employer will spend scanning your resume. The phrase "Less is more" has often been used for design purposes, but it can apply just as well to your resume. The point is to keep only information on your resume that is clear, simple and that supports your brand /message. It is a balance of having just enough information to draw the interest of an employer, while leaving room for you to further explain during an interview. The more irrelevant information you add to your resume, the more it dilutes your key message. Employers today also look right through fluff words and are rather annoyed by them.

So, you ask, "How can I power up my resume and make sure it contains the precise balance of information?" Consider the following:

Replace the "Objective" statement on your resume with "Professional Profile."

Employers today are not that interested in what you want. Your opening paragraph needs to be a strong message that summarizes your background and indicates what you are best at. That creates a theme that is then followed by your 'proving' that you are great at these things by showcasing supporting accomplishments in each job.

Eliminate superfluous, or "fluff," words.

I can't tell you how many resumes start with "Dynamic visionary..." I call these fluff statements as anyone can make them and they add no real value to your resume. Keep your message on point and stick to the facts. If you want to express these traits, demonstrate it with what you have achieved or accomplished.

Watch your grammar.

Sentences in resumes are written like headlines and are in the first person. In other words, the statement "I am known for consistently exceeding my sales quotas" becomes "Known for consistently exceeding sales quotas".

Another one of the biggest mistakes when writing a resume is when people mix first person and third person. For example, although "Easily learns new software" sounds right, that is the third-person ("she learns") and should really be "Easily learn" ("I learn"). Small but important point, as you do want your resume to be grammatically correct.

Include one telephone number rather than multiple numbers.

If you must list more than one number, make sure to specify under what conditions the other numbers should be used.

Do not include discriminating information.

Avoid information that can lead one to discriminate against you, including age, sex, religion, marital status, and ethnicity. This includes the use of photos that should never be on a resume unless your face is an important part of your job (e.g. modeling, TV, etc.). In fact, some employers are forced to ignore your resume if it contains such information because of the chance that they may be accused of discrimination later in the process.

Keep information on your education specific to the degree received, major, institution attended, and if appropriate, your GPA.

You do not need to reveal your graduating year, the institution(s) you transferred out of or high school attended.

Include only experiences that are relevant to the job.

Employers are not interested in achievements or abilities that are not applicable to the job. If you are in sales and you helped develop an Access database to track supplies, that's nice, but not relevant. Also be cautious about listing your associations or volunteer work that is irrelevant or may be in conflict with the potential employer.

Eliminate technical skills for basic software programs.

Most employers today expect you to be familiar with the basic computer programs, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Do not include references unless requested.

Employers today expect you to offer references when requested, which is typically during the latter part of the interview process. A Top 5 Peeve of recruiters is seeing "References available upon request" on the resume. Do you really know anyone who would refuse to give references?

Maintain a reasonable length for your resume.

If you are a recent graduate, most employers do not expect your resume to be more than 1 page. However, if you have had considerable professional experience that your resume should be 2-3 pages. Note that the notion that all resumes should be 1 page is not true especially in this market. Resumes need to have enough detail to support your positioning so a 2-3 page resume is acceptable. I always tell my clients that a resume has to have a compelling message and be easy to read, so after you have tightened up your content, format it to have a decent amount of white space.

Finding the right balance of information for your resume can make it impactful. It's not about how long or short your resume is or how many employers you've worked for, but finding the right information and words to present it in the best light to demonstrate that you have the specific experiences and skills the employer is seeking. So, keep in mind the phrase, "Less is more" when creating or updating your resume.

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.

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The Best Things to Say on a Resume

People, even experienced professionals, often wonder what are the "best things to say" on their resume. As a hiring manager, I appreciate a well crafted, two-page resume that summarizes a candidate's skills and career in a straightforward manner. As a Human Resources professional, I have seen a variety of formats and literally thousands of resumes over the years. Most of these resumes could be more impactful if they followed a few basic resume writing guidelines. Here are some resume tips that can make a big difference:

Contact Information: The most obvious thing to say on a resume is your contact information. Make is easy for the reader to see and remember. Get an email address with your name at Gmail or msn.com. Don't make it cryptic with numbers or code names that will be unusually hard to remember or not easily connect with your name. If you have a cell phone with voicemail put the number up-front in the header along with your name and address so that it will headline each page. Lastly, you might add a LinkedIn address with professional references; however, don't add Twitter or Facebook links which might have information that you would otherwise not want to provide to prospective employers.

Results from your recent jobs: One of the most important things that you can say on a resume are the results that you have attained at previous jobs. Employers look for people who can get the job done. Nothing speaks louder than results. Be careful not to confuse your prior job responsibilities with results. For example, you may have been responsible for a customer service team of six people, but if you can also say that you improved customer service survey scores from 85% to 95% satisfaction in the first year, then you have a more powerful statement. These are the kind of results that will grab attention. Obviously, you must be able to back these kinds of statements up with actual survey results or a letter of commendation, but the message here is clear: Say things in terms of results-based statements.

Core Skills: Analyze what you do best and highlight these as your core skills, perhaps using a functional format. Not only is it important to say what your cores skills are on your resume, but it is also important to think about this in some detail so that you can articulate them in an interview or on an elevator giving your 30-second pitch. Getting clarity about your core skills will help you sharpen your messages both on paper and in person.

Employment History: Generally you will want to summarize your employment history using a chronological format beginning with the most recent experience and then working backwards. This format is especially good if you have had promotions to jobs with increasing responsibility or more advanced technical skills. If you decide to combine both a functional and chronological format, use the functional format on the first page to highlight core skills and place the chronological listing of your employment history on page two with the dates, company, and the position beginning with the most recent.

Education & Awards: Usually employers will also want to know about your education, and perhaps significant awards. This is especially true if you have specialized degrees or advanced education relevant to the job you are seeking. It is also good to note any substantial awards from your industry or profession. This is a way to have others say good things about you so you don't have to say them yourself. Awards will also add credibility with third party endorsements from trusted sources.

These are five key categories of things to say in a resume. Certainly you might include other things, but be careful not to add items that are either not critical or unique. For example, adding items like proficient in Microsoft Office or a member of the local business association are not particularly impressive or likely to distinguish you from other candidates. Thus, these kinds of items are better left off unless they are important to the specific position that you are seeking. Keep your resume to two-pages and use the space wisely to highlight the "best things to say" in these five important categories.

Leonard Kloeber is an author and leadership consultant. He has extensive leadership experience as business executive and as a military officer. He has been a hands-on leader in a variety of organizations large and small. Most recently he was a human resources executive for a Fortune 100 company. His book - Victory Principles, Leadership Lessons from D-Day - illustrates seven bedrock leadership principles that all successful leaders use. Download a free summary of the Victory Principles at: http://www.victoryprinciples.com/ and find other bonus materials for leaders. Contact him at staffride@gmail.com or find his book Victory Principles at http://www.leadershipthebook.com/

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3 Things Every Resume Should Have

Recruiters and hiring agents look for very specific bits of information on a candidate's resume. During a first pass they want to know a) what type of job you're looking for, b) what makes you qualified for it, and c) what makes you stand out from the competition. Here are 3 tips you can use ASAP to make sure your resume succeeds in these areas:

1) Insert the EXACT TITLE of the job you're applying for at the start of the resume

Many jobseekers make the mistake of beginning a resume with a boldfaced title description that tries to summarize what they're all about, such as "Executive-Level Operations Manager-Team Builder/Trainer-Six Sigma Expertise". While it's understandable to want to put your best foot forward, this approach causes confusion during the job search process! Your typical recruiter or hiring agent scans through hundreds of resumes for multiple open positions. Replace the boldfaced description with the EXACT TITLE of the job you're applying for, and swap this out between submissions. This will prevent your resume accidentally getting misfiled.

2) Only Emphasize RELEVANT Positions Within Your Work History

Space is always a precious commodity within the 2-3 pages of a resume. Don't waste it by emphasizing every job you've held equally. Take a close look at the last 10-12 years of your work history. Which positions are DIRECTLY RELEVANT to the type of job you're seeking? Which ones contain quantifiable accomplishments? These are the jobs that need to form the bulk of your resume. Start each of them with a brief paragraph describing unique responsibilities, followed by a "Key Accomplishments" section listing successes (in bullets). Older and non-relevant positions can either be placed within an "Additional Experience" section at the tail end of the work history, or else left off entirely.

3) Highlight Professional Certifications, Training, and Affiliations at the End of Your Resume

Don't make the mistake of treating closing sections as an afterthought! If you've recently undertaken career training, garnered a new certification, or become a member of a leading industry group, highlight them! This will help establish industry expertise and demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills, one of the most valuable assets you can have as an employee.

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

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

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3 Things Interviewers Look For on a Resume

So you've landed an interview: congratulations! Now what? What areas will your interviewer be looking at on your resume and what questions will he or she ask? Understanding the 3 major areas of focus not only prepares you for the interview, but helps when it comes to tweaking a resume (in the event that the interview offers just aren't coming fast enough). They are:

1) HOW GOOD OF A FIT IS THIS CANDIDATE?

The interview is going to end real fast if the interviewer can't easily pick out key skills within the resume. Your resume should contain all of the following:

-A brief opening paragraph DEMONSTRATING 3-4 skills in-line with the job you're targeting. For example, a candidate for an HR Manager position could focus on his/her ability to implement best practices, develop business partnerships, and expand staff capabilities through training and mentoring. This approach immediately establishes your suitability for the position and allows an interviewer to ask targeted follow-up questions.

-A "Core Competencies" section listing all relevant keywords. Keywords can be identified through analyzing relevant job postings. Using the example above, standard words for an HR Manager candidate include: HR Policy/Procedure Development, Employee Relations, Compensation & Benefits, and Regulatory Compliance.

-A description of all pertinent jobs held within the past 10-15 years listing UNIQUE RESPONSIBILITIES. Look at this as an opportunity to lend context to those skills listed in the opening paragraph and "Core Competencies" section. Keep the language active and the ideas succinct: think in terms of providing just enough information for clarity.

2) IS THERE A CLEAR CAREER PROGRESSION?

Using a reverse chronological order, with jobs listed from most recent to least, is essential in terms of offering interviewers a clear look into your career. Place the greatest amount of emphasis on directly relevant positions. Non-relevant positions can be streamlined or simply mentioned in a brief 1-2 line "Career Note" summarizing it. Also, older positions (those beyond the past 10-15 years) should probably be consolidated within an "Additional Experience" section containing select highlights.

3) WHAT MAKES THIS CANDIDATE UNIQUE?

Quantifiable successes are the greatest asset a resume can possess. The best way to highlight them is to include a "Key Accomplishments" or similar section for every job within your work history listing successes (in bullets). Be specific when listing metrics, yet also don't be afraid to highlight soft skills as well if they're particularly pertinent.

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

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

Read more ...

3 Things Interviewers Look For on a Resume

So you've landed an interview: congratulations! Now what? What areas will your interviewer be looking at on your resume and what questions will he or she ask? Understanding the 3 major areas of focus not only prepares you for the interview, but helps when it comes to tweaking a resume (in the event that the interview offers just aren't coming fast enough). They are:

1) HOW GOOD OF A FIT IS THIS CANDIDATE?

The interview is going to end real fast if the interviewer can't easily pick out key skills within the resume. Your resume should contain all of the following:

-A brief opening paragraph DEMONSTRATING 3-4 skills in-line with the job you're targeting. For example, a candidate for an HR Manager position could focus on his/her ability to implement best practices, develop business partnerships, and expand staff capabilities through training and mentoring. This approach immediately establishes your suitability for the position and allows an interviewer to ask targeted follow-up questions.

-A "Core Competencies" section listing all relevant keywords. Keywords can be identified through analyzing relevant job postings. Using the example above, standard words for an HR Manager candidate include: HR Policy/Procedure Development, Employee Relations, Compensation & Benefits, and Regulatory Compliance.

-A description of all pertinent jobs held within the past 10-15 years listing UNIQUE RESPONSIBILITIES. Look at this as an opportunity to lend context to those skills listed in the opening paragraph and "Core Competencies" section. Keep the language active and the ideas succinct: think in terms of providing just enough information for clarity.

2) IS THERE A CLEAR CAREER PROGRESSION?

Using a reverse chronological order, with jobs listed from most recent to least, is essential in terms of offering interviewers a clear look into your career. Place the greatest amount of emphasis on directly relevant positions. Non-relevant positions can be streamlined or simply mentioned in a brief 1-2 line "Career Note" summarizing it. Also, older positions (those beyond the past 10-15 years) should probably be consolidated within an "Additional Experience" section containing select highlights.

3) WHAT MAKES THIS CANDIDATE UNIQUE?

Quantifiable successes are the greatest asset a resume can possess. The best way to highlight them is to include a "Key Accomplishments" or similar section for every job within your work history listing successes (in bullets). Be specific when listing metrics, yet also don't be afraid to highlight soft skills as well if they're particularly pertinent.

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

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

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3 Things They Won't Tell You About Your Resume

As a job seeker, you're seemingly doing everything right: networking both online and face-to-face, submitting to positions, and even landing a few interviews. However, for some reason, actually SECURING a new position isn't happening. What gives? Recruiters and hiring agents approach a resume as essentially a series of talking points during the interview, calling out particular details and asking you to elaborate. If the stage isn't set correctly within the resume, the chances of you actually landing the position you want are greatly minimized. Here are 3 frequent offenders that trip up job seekers:

1) LACK OF CONTEXT

While quantifiable metrics are important when listing accomplishments, they can't exist in a vacuum. CONTEXT is the key here. How did you accomplish a particular success? Did you effectively collaborate with project teams or demonstrate expertise in using a particular system?

Take a look at the following example taken from a candidate seeking an IT Management role:

"Created competency center enabling 5000+ man-hour savings within 1 year."

While the accomplishment is clear, there's very little information here as to how the candidate achieved it. Communicating leadership and in-depth industry knowledge are crucial to a successful job search. Now take a look at this revised version:

"Designed and successfully developed competency center enabling re-utilization of services, resulting in 5000+ man-hour savings within 1 year."

See the difference? A slight tweaking positions this candidate for leadership roles and makes what he achieved comprehensible to readers who might not necessarily have an IT background.

2) LACK OF IMPACT

Don't make the mistake of thinking that simply listing your skills and accomplishments is enough to secure an interview. In today's highly competitive marketplace, HOW you say something matters nearly as much as what you're saying. Resumes utilize a particular language all their own, with sentences beginning with verbs and usage of the past tense throughout (even for a job you're currently working at). For example, let's take a look at this example taken from a candidate seeking a Business Analyst role:

"I work with technical groups in solving client problems and system outages. I also identified several process improvements and managed stakeholder reporting."

While the skills outlined above are valued, ineffective wording dulls the overall impact. Imagine an entire document that uses language like this and it's easy to see why this job seeker wasn't landing interviews!

Now let's take a look at a revised version:

"Coordinated between multiple technical groups in solving client issues and system outages, as well as continuously identifying system improvements and reporting to stakeholders."

See the difference? Taking the time to optimize resume wording and language can pay off exponentially...in the form of a shortened job search.

3) LACK OF RELEVANCY

Be wary when switching careers in the current, risk-averse marketplace. While stressing transferable skills throughout your resume is a good approach, a resume cannot consist ENTIRELY of such details. Bolster your resume with some recent training credits in the field you'd like to enter as well as some professional affiliations. This sends a clear message of commitment, and encourages recruiters/hiring agents to take a chance on bringing you in for an interview.

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

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

Read more ...

3 Things Interviewers Look For on a Resume

So you've landed an interview: congratulations! Now what? What areas will your interviewer be looking at on your resume and what questions will he or she ask? Understanding the 3 major areas of focus not only prepares you for the interview, but helps when it comes to tweaking a resume (in the event that the interview offers just aren't coming fast enough). They are:

1) HOW GOOD OF A FIT IS THIS CANDIDATE?

The interview is going to end real fast if the interviewer can't easily pick out key skills within the resume. Your resume should contain all of the following:

-A brief opening paragraph DEMONSTRATING 3-4 skills in-line with the job you're targeting. For example, a candidate for an HR Manager position could focus on his/her ability to implement best practices, develop business partnerships, and expand staff capabilities through training and mentoring. This approach immediately establishes your suitability for the position and allows an interviewer to ask targeted follow-up questions.

-A "Core Competencies" section listing all relevant keywords. Keywords can be identified through analyzing relevant job postings. Using the example above, standard words for an HR Manager candidate include: HR Policy/Procedure Development, Employee Relations, Compensation & Benefits, and Regulatory Compliance.

-A description of all pertinent jobs held within the past 10-15 years listing UNIQUE RESPONSIBILITIES. Look at this as an opportunity to lend context to those skills listed in the opening paragraph and "Core Competencies" section. Keep the language active and the ideas succinct: think in terms of providing just enough information for clarity.

2) IS THERE A CLEAR CAREER PROGRESSION?

Using a reverse chronological order, with jobs listed from most recent to least, is essential in terms of offering interviewers a clear look into your career. Place the greatest amount of emphasis on directly relevant positions. Non-relevant positions can be streamlined or simply mentioned in a brief 1-2 line "Career Note" summarizing it. Also, older positions (those beyond the past 10-15 years) should probably be consolidated within an "Additional Experience" section containing select highlights.

3) WHAT MAKES THIS CANDIDATE UNIQUE?

Quantifiable successes are the greatest asset a resume can possess. The best way to highlight them is to include a "Key Accomplishments" or similar section for every job within your work history listing successes (in bullets). Be specific when listing metrics, yet also don't be afraid to highlight soft skills as well if they're particularly pertinent.

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

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

Read more ...