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Archive for the ‘Resume Writing’ Category

Resumes: One is Not Enough

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

sample_resumeWriting a good resume is a huge undertaking. Summarizing your work and educational experience in a way that can market you to potential employees can be daunting. And it can be time consuming! But while you’re taking on the challenge, do it again. Having more than one resume can greatly improve your job hunting prospects, as well as making it easier when a customized resume is needed.

One resume is great if you’re applying for the same kind of position at the same kind of company doing the same thing every time you put your resume out there. This isn’t likely the case. When jobs and companies are similar, one resume will work. However, if you apply for positions in different industries or different types of departments within a company you need to have a slightly different focus or slant to your resume. A resume for a marketing coordinator at a telecommunications company is going to look different than a resume for a marketing coordinator at a clothing manufacturer. Focus your skills and experience on what the industry demands. When applying at tech companies highlight your tech skills and list your technical aptitudes and experience. When applying for positions at communications companies, present the skills that relate to that industry at the top of the list. You want to capture the attention of your prospective employer without making them wade through a list of skills that don’t apply to the position they’re trying to fill.

Although writing one resume can be daunting, and writing two can seem like a monumental task, take the time to make at least two or three different versions of your resume. Having a focus that is relevant to the market in which you’d like to be employed can benefit you in the long run.

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Elements of an Effective Resume

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

resumeWriting a resume can be a daunting task, but it’s an absolute necessity when job searching. A resume shows employers your work history, skills and experience. Here are a few elements to include that can help ease the resume writing process.

First, break down the information into sections. To start, you need a section for your name and personal contact information, one for your work experience, and one for your education. You can also add sections for technical experience, club and association membership, certifications, etc. Design your resume to fit your background.

The second most important tip is to use bullets. Do not try to fit all of your information into long, descriptive paragraphs. Keep the information brief and include only pertinent information that describes your work experience and skills. Make sure you put the most important information first, and put an emphasis on your achievements instead of your responsibilities. Also, where you can, quantify the information. For example try to include information such as: how many people did you support, how much money did you save, how many pieces of product did you ship? Use numbers to back up your information.

And the most important part of writing your resume is proofreading. Do it at least twice, ensure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors and no typing errors. Have a friend read it as well, they may catch mistakes you’ve overlooked.

When you start your job search, make sure you have an effective resume. Keep it concise, organized, informative and error-free for the best resume results.

More resume writing tips.

Resume Writing: Things to Avoid

Monday, November 30th, 2009

If you’re updating your resume, or even starting a new one, you know there are certain elements to include. However, keep in mind that there are also some things that need to be left out.

When writing your resume, tell the truth. Though it’s tempting to want to stretch the truth, lying is a big no-no in resumes. Most Human Resources departments will do background checks with former employers and false information on a resume will not only ruin your credibility, but it will probably cost you the job. Never list your hobbies on your resume. Professional associations and memberships should be listed, but keep it to work related items not what you enjoy doing in your free time. Also, contrary to what some might think, you do not need to list every employer you’ve ever had. People with a lot of professional experience can begin to remove older positions from their resume, especially if they aren’t relevant to your career now and the jobs to which you are applying. Finally, leave the fancy font and designs off your resume. Keep it simple, professional, and easy to read.

Making sure you include all of your important work experience is vital to a successful resume. Keeping the extraneous elements off it is just as important. Make sure to avoid unnecessary information to ensure an effective resume.

The Most Overused Words That Will Kill Your Resume

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Words are the name of the game when it comes to resumes and you need to be strategic in your choice of them. So how do you know which words to choose and which ones to leave out? Here is a brief list of some of the most overused words on resumes. Avoid them when possible and choose some more creative alternatives.

Accomplished. Yes, we all know every job seeker is accomplished, otherwise you would be fired from every job you’ve ever had if you never accomplished anything. Instead try: Peak Performer

Results-Driven. We all know that everyone’s professional resume starts out with Results-Driven (Insert your job title here). The only problem is in the job search game you don’t want to sound like everyone else. You want to stand out from the crowd. Instead try: Performance-Driven.

Successful. This is another overused phrase. We all want to communicate how successful we’ve been so a new employer will think highly of us, but let’s look at some alternative wording versus just coming out and saying hey there, I’m a success. Instead try: Best In Class, Award-Winning, or Top-Performer.

Skillful or Skilled. These are so boring. Seriously I hate to see resumes with these words on them. I cannot even tell you how incredibly dull these words are and I am sure you can come up with something way more creative for your resume. If you can’t think of anything try my recommendations or if you don’t like them use a thesaurus. Instead try: Talented, Sharp, or Resourceful.

Problem-Solver. Can I just say that this is a given… We are ALL problem solvers. If you are human, you are a problem solver it is just part of human nature. Does it really need to be said on your resume? I think not. Instead try: Troubleshooter, Forward-Thinking, or Visionary Leader.

And last but not least Dedicated and Dependable. Again I have to say boring, boring boring. Spice up your resume with something creative. Instead try: High-Potential, Quality-Driven, and Dynamic.

Jessica Holbrook is a former Executive Hiring Manager for Fortune 500 companies and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates powerful, customized, and targeted resumes that are guaranteed to get her clients interviews. For a free resume analysis visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or for a free phone consultation call 1.877.875.7706.

Your Resume Format

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Your resume format is quite possibly one of the most important points of your resume. I say this because it is the very first thing a recruiter or employer sees. Therefore, it is your first impression and as first impressions go it should be a strong, positive one.

Lousy and hard to read formats will not do you justice. In fact, you will be lucky if you resume gets a second glance nevermind an in-depth review. You can pretty much depend on it going straight to the trash. In these tough times resumes are weeded out by the hundreds and it only takes one small thing to get your resume sent to the NO pile.

Choose a resume format that is attractive to the eye, something that engages the reader and one that is very easy to read. Fonts are a whole other conversation but choose one that your reader can actually read. Nothing really fancy but choose something creative and not boring. Create your resume layout in a way that looks structured, and uses up the most space without seeming overcrowded. This isn’t a college term paper so you won’t need 1 inch margins. Try something smaller, the less white space and the more structured your format the better it will seem to the reader.

On titles, employment dates, and company names change up the lines so one is bold, the other is italics. The difference will draw attention.
Use bullet points, but not too many. Everything in moderation. Try changing it up with a paragraph format then bullets beneath it.

Review samples of resumes and take clues from them. By all means do not copy them but you will see similarities in style then apply what you like.
If you are not a Microsoft Word whiz, and know absolutely nothing about resume formatting, margins, fonts, bullets, spacing, justifications, etc. Don’t fret; there are professionals out there who do this for a living.

Jessica Holbrook is a former Executive Hiring Manager for Fortune 500 companies and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates powerful, customized, and targeted resumes that are guaranteed to get her clients interviews. For a free resume analysis visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or for a free phone consultation call 1.877.875.7706.

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