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Affordable resume services

November 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Headlines everywhere are pontificating about the employment crisis and how challenging the job market is today. Indeed, these are challenging times. So job seekers need all the tools they can get in order to find a job, or find a better opportunity if they are already employed.

Resumes are the primary step to getting the job you desire. This document provides the first impression that your potential employer will get about you, so your resume must be in tip-top shape and communicate the message that you need.
Many people use resume services that specialize in constructing professional resumes that can get attention. However, many resume service providers can be quite expensive. For someone who is unemployed, on a budget or does not have a lot to spend, this can make the difference from getting hired or getting ignored.
For job seekers who have online internet access, there are some resume services that are of high quality and are very reasonably priced. Finding an affordable resume service is as simple as performing a search in Google, Bing, or any other search engine. Once you find a resume service, how do you know if they can provide the quality that you need? Here are some tips on evaluating affordable resume services before you spend any money:

• Do you already have a resume that needs review or update? Will the service perform this task for you, or would you prefer to start from scratch?

• Do you need a cover letter as well? Can the service assist with cover letters or will you only receive a resume?

• Is the resume available electronically or is it in printable form? While everyone seems to be on the electronic document bandwagon, sometimes it is a good thing to have a hard copy resume to hand to an employer.

• Can you have more than one version of your resume? For example, if you have both IT and management experience, you may want one resume that focuses on your technical skills, and another resume that emphasizes your management skills. If you want to cross industries, you may want different resumes for different industries – for example transportation and automotive.

• How are fees applied? If the service does the resume posting to different job sites on your behalf, will you be charged?

• Does the electronic version of the resume “expire” after a period of time? Will you need to provide a payment to renew?

Another tip is to look online at various resume templates. Your style and attitude should be communicated through your resume, so it is important to choose the right style and format that expresses your core values and beliefs.

Regardless of the resume service that is chosen, it is important to personally review your documents and make sure that your expectations are met. By being genuine, your job will come with the right resume.

Read resumewriter.com reviews along with the other top services to find the right one for your needs and budget.

Filed Under: Resume Writing

Why is Resume Writing So Important

October 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For job seekers, the resume is often cited as the most important document. It’s a one or two page summary of your educational qualifications, work experiences, professional achievements, and career objectives. Most people who have gone through high school or college should have received some training on resume writing. If not, there are countless articles on the Internet that provide tips and ideas on resume writing. Let’s look at some of the reasons why resume writing is so important.

In modern job hunting culture, the resume is almost always automatically required. If you try to look for a job, you will see that most employers and employment agencies ask for your resume and a cover letter. When your application arrives at the company, the resume is the first document to be viewed by the prospective employer. If the resume is deemed to be interesting, the employer will then place you on the short list or long list for extra consideration. If not, you will lose that one chance to impress the employer, and in most situations, you will not get a second chance.

Think of the resume as a calling card or a sales pitch. Since it’s quite unlikely that the employer would have met you in person or known you on a personal level, the resume is the only thing which connects you and the employer. All the information on that page has to be presented in such a way that it convinces the employer to take a deeper look at your application. It’s useful to remember that there are possibly hundreds of applications for each job and sometimes, even thousands of applications if the job is highly desirable. Some employers will only look at a single resume for about 20 seconds to determine if the person is suitable for the position. The right resume is the first step towards that all important interview.

When you think about it, the resume is such a powerful document that it can help to determine your career, at least for near future. What makes a resume from another? How do employers decide if a person is right for the job from just one document? In actuality, employers specifically know what they are looking for in a candidate. A resume which contains too much information will most likely be headed to the trash basket. This is why resume writing is so important. If you know how to present the right information in a compelling and concise format, your chance of winning an interview is that much brighter.

Fortunately, resume writing is a craft which can be learned and perfected. Basically, you have to know about formats, fonts, language, and so on. More importantly, you have to know how to apply your experiences and achievements in relation to the job requirements. Using the appropriate information in the right tone is very important and you must make sure that there’s no grammatical or typo error in the resume. If you are unsure about how to create a professional resume, it’s best that you get help from the experts. You can either go for a resume writing class or hire a professional resume writer to help your cause.

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Jobs With the Best Wages

September 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Everyone is on the hunt for the jobs with the best wages. The problem is that you either don’t know what jobs offer the best pay or you are far enough along in your career that you cannot afford to completely switch industries. Either way, locating your best possible options doesn’t have to be difficult. Here is a quick look at some of the top jobs with the best wages, what they have in common, and what you can do if those jobs simply aren’t feasible for you.

What Are the Jobs with the Best Wages?

When most people start making their own list of which jobs they think offer the best pay, a majority of them may seem pretty exciting, such as becoming a professional athlete. The truth is that many cases the best wages within that profession are dramatically different than low end of the pay scale. This means that unless you are in the top one or 2% of your industry, you will be making nearly as much is you expect. It’s important note that if you look at the highest paying professions based upon the data provided by the Department of Labor, then you may notice that a majority of the professions are within the medical field. Depending on the year, as many as eight or nine of the top 10 highest paying professions will be medical in some way. In order to give you a bigger picture of what your options are, here is a quick list of jobs outside of the medical industry.

1.    CEO
Of all of the jobs with the best wages (outside the medical industry) becoming a CEO probably offers the most diverse path. A CEO or Chief Executive Officer is the highest ranking is addition within a company. As a result, they are also normally the highest paid. Their primary purpose is to guide the strategic direction of the company as well as oversee day-to-day operations. The thing to keep in mind is that becoming a CEO isn’t necessarily going to guarantee a huge paycheck. It is heavily reliant on how large the company is. As a general rule, to become a CEO you will likely need a bachelors degree (at minimum) and likely an MBA as well. At the same time, if you start your own company then it doesn’t really matter what your level of education is.

2.    Managers (Engineering, Computer and Information Systems, Marketing, Natural Sciences)
As a general rule, finding your way into management is always a great way to land jobs with the best wages. Some industries and specialties tend to pay much more than others. According to the Department of Labor there are four types of managers that make considerably more than others. The highest paid is an engineering manager. This job requires you to plan, coordinate, research, design, and oversee projects. In most cases you will need a bachelors degree and some form of postgraduate degree in order to get this position.

3.    Airline Pilot or Air Traffic Controller
The airline industry has two career paths which are both normally in or near the top 10 highest paying jobs on a regular basis. The first is becoming an airline pilot. In most cases, becoming a commercial airline pilot is considered to be one of the best options cents the FAA only allows them to fly for 100 hours per month. The problem is that this is also the most difficult to achieve. Other piloting options include helicopters, test aircraft, cargo planes, and becoming an aviation director. In most cases a four-year degree is becoming almost essential because of how competitive the landscape is, however it is not technically a requirement. The other option within the aviation industry is to become an air traffic controller. While they make an average of about $30,000 less than a pilot, they can still find themselves in six figures. In order to become an air traffic controller you will need to enroll in an approved training program as well as pass an aptitude test. In most cases, you will be required to have either three years of experience or a four-year degree.

4.    Other Options (Lawyer, Dentist)
Outside of the medical field, the other two options that are often in the top 10 include becoming a lawyer or a dentist. Both of these options require a large amount of postgraduate work in order to even get started.

What Do Jobs with the Best Wages Have in Common?

When you take a look at all of the jobs in the previous list, as well as the highest paying jobs in the medical field such as becoming a surgeon, there are several characteristics that nearly all of them have in common. The first is that some form of higher education is required. This could mean a standard four-year college degree or additional education such as postgraduate studies. One thing to keep in mind is that every year that you spend getting your education, is a year that you will likely not be heavily invested in the workforce. For some people, this simply isn’t an option which makes getting these types of jobs very difficult.

Another characteristic that they tend to have in common is that they are either management positions or require very specialized skills. This means that you will either have to become very good at managing people and resources for you will need to focus on gathering and perfecting a very niche specific set of skills.

What to Do If You Cannot Get the Jobs with the Best Wages

While it’s true that pretty much everyone wants to get a job that offers high wages, for most people it simply isn’t a possibility. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that you need to settle. There are several things that you can do, regardless of what your job is, to ensure that you are getting some of the highest wages within your specific job or industry. In general, the two biggest variables will be where you are located and whether or not you can specialize. For example, a service station attendant employed by the federal government will earn nearly twice as much as the national average. Remote states, especially Alaska and Hawaii, tend to have some of the highest rates of pay for low skill jobs. If you are thinking about changing industries, but don’t want to go back to school, then look into jobs that are either high risk, high stress, or physically demanding. These types of jobs, even if they are considered low skill, tend to pay well compared to an average low skill job.

Use our wage calculator to see where you stand.

Filed Under: Career Advice Tagged With: ,

Resume Writer Certifications and What They Mean

September 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When you look online for a resume writer, you’ll find thousands of writers all claiming to be the best in their field. When faced with such large numbers, it can take a lot of time and effort to sort through everything to find the real experts. The resume writer certification aims to make things easier for those who want to take advantage of legitimate writing services. However, it is also important to take note that there are many excellent resume writers who may not necessarily want or need the certification.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of what resume writer certifications are, how writers receive it, and the organizations that provide it. Read on.

•    Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) – provided by the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches, the credential requires writers to pass a timed examination that tests the taker’s knowledge of the industry, punctuation, grammar, spelling, strategic thinking, and proofreading skills. The test taker must create a resume and cover letter based on the information provided about a hypothetical job seeker. This is probably the most important and most recognized certifying body in the field today.

•    Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) – in order to receive this certification, the writer must demonstrate expertise in writing cover letters, resume, electronic resume creation, and proofreading. There are also requirements to maintain this certification, which is renewable every three years.
•    Master Resume Writer (MRW) – the certification is reserved for top-level resume writers. They must possess skills in content development, resume strategy, resume formatting including design, and have excellent English language abilities. The certifying organization behind this is the Career Management Alliance. In order to become a MRW, the writer must complete a test and present a portfolio that shows their abilities.

•    Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) – the Resume Writing Academy is the body behind this certification. There are also strict requirements to receive the certification. Resume writers who want to get the ACRW qualification must complete the training program provided by the organization. It is composed of teleseminar classes. Once the writer has passed the assignments, they will have to undergo and pass independent programs.

The certifications mentioned here are just some of the top ones that are recognized in the industry. There are several other organizations that provide certification for writers. So the next time you’re thinking of hiring a writing professional, it might be a good idea to look into their qualifications. These will give you a certain level of confidence that you’ll get quality service.

Remember that while resume writer certifications are designed to make things easy for you, the basics of choosing a resume writer shouldn’t be forgotten. He or she should be someone who is responsive, helpful, and take your individual circumstances into consideration. It is also important for you to be comfortable with the writer. After all, your “presentation” to potential employers will be created by the writer so it must still have your voice in it.

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How to Make Money without a Job

September 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Most people have one source of income, usually in the form of a job. When that source is cut-off because of lay-offs, company restructuring, or whatever else company executives call it, the situation can be extremely disastrous. Some people even lose their homes after losing their jobs. That’s why it is important to be able to make money even without a job. There are avenues to do this.
The situation may look bleak after you get laid-off. With this article though, you can take charge of your life. You can even look for a new job during your free time. It is important to remember that the key to a stable financial future is to create alternative, ideally multiple streams, of income. So here are some ways for you to make money without a job:
•    Hold a Garage Sale – while you can only do this once or twice at the most because of your limited items, the garage sale can give you the necessary push. The income you earn here can be used in a new business venture. For some people, the money can relieve the financial stress they’re under after losing their jobs.
•    Buy and Sell – some of the most successful businesses today trace their roots back to buying and selling. You can follow this route as well but be prepared for hard work. Starting this type of business is significantly different from a 9-5 job because the income is inconsistent. It might be worth it to try though especially if you are familiar with the goods you’re selling.
•    Start Blogging – setting up a blog and monetizing it with advertisements has become a popular way to earn extra income. Take this one step further by making sure that your blog’s design appeals to its targeted audience and by updating the blog with fresh content regularly. In addition, promoting it through search engine optimization and social media marketing are highly recommended. These will make sure that your site will get noticed and attract more readers. Use a free website builder to get started.
•    Sell Your Skills – if you’re reading this article, then chances are you can speak English fluently and write in the language effectively. There is a large demand for skilled work in today’s environment. A lot of companies are hiring people who can work off-site to minimize operating costs. Take note that in many instances, you’ll have to work as an independent contractor, not as an employee.
•    Invest Your Money – if you have money to invest, then putting it into mutual funds or index funds can help you yield better returns than if you put it in a bank. Always be aware that there are risks associated with this move. Nevertheless, investing provides an ideal scenario because you are making your money work for you.
Use your imagination to think of ways to earn money without a job. You’ll be surprised by the ideas you generate. In most cases, it’s just about going for it and working towards financial stability for you and your family.

See what big companies like Monster charge for job board posting fees.

Filed Under: Career Advice Tagged With: ,

Looking for Jobs the Old Fashioned Way

September 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

With all the advances in technology it is now commonplace for job seekers to go online in an attempt to find employment. What many are missing however, is a time tested method for getting a job that still works today.

If you are looking for a job, then consider going to the source. In other words, go to the places you are interested in working. This will require a great deal more energy on your part versus sitting at a computer and uploading your resume, but the result you get may surprise you.

This method is as easy as printing up about 20 resumes and creating a plan to visit a few places you would like to work at. Then you get into your car and off you go.

Be sure you dress to impress with this method and always put on a smile. Once you are inside, ask to speak to a manager. Once you see the manager, introduce yourself and hand them a resume as you are explaining to them that you are seeking employment.

Sometimes this can get you an interview in the near future and sometimes even right away. Therefore, you should be ready to interview should the manager feel the urge to do so with you.

Again, this method is more work as opposed to the digital way, but this approach often leaves potential employers with a great impression of you. Your go-getter attitude may be just what they want to see in a potential hire.

Gaining employment is often about making connections. That’s what’s great about this old fashioned approach. At the very least, you will be getting your name out there. So, the places you visit may not be looking to hire, but they just might know other places that are and those types of connections can end up meaning a great paying job for you.

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Writing Your Resume Utilizing the Web

August 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

No longer are we limited to trawling through local newspapers and job agency listings in order to find our ideal career as the internet has provided with a new and more in-depth avenue. With many employers and job agencies listing vacancies online, we can not only find hundreds of jobs that relate to our experience and interests but we can also apply for desired roles in mere minutes.

Those who do not possess good writing skills may be hesitant when it comes to writing their own resume. As your resume is a first impression of you as a candidate, the way in which your sentences are structured and the information included is vitally important. Although there are a number of resume writing services that can help you obtain a professional resume, by utilizing the web you can write an effective and attractive resume that can help you land your dream role.

The web is currently filled with a number of different articles, tutorials and so forth that work towards drafting a professional resume, meaning you are guaranteed to find all the help you require. Utilize the web to search for phrases such as ‘resume writing’ or ‘professional resume samples’ to obtain a list of useful websites. You will require reading through must of the material provided in order to decipher which are the most useful points to use, but there are ways in which to successfully utilize the information provided.

Firstly, save any information you find that you feel is useful for your resume writing- in particular, any points that relate directly to your field of interest. Save these either as a document or on your computer, or make some notes that you can refer back to. Investigate into professional formatting for resumes, in particular the types of font you should use and how to lay out the different sections included within the document. Where possible, use different snippets of information to create a template document that will help to guide you through the writing process. This will help to make your resume writing more thorough and effective, and will also save you time.

It is always beneficial to look at resume samples, in particular, samples that relate to your specified field. This will help you identify the most important pieces of information you will need to include, such as industry specific qualifications and obtained skills. In terms of content, you should also think about what you do and do not want to add from the samples you have viewed. Do you want to include a career objective? How do you wish to list aspects such as your work experience and qualifications? Do you think it is necessary to add additional information such as your hobbies? In terms of the content you do add, this should be a mixture of information that must be presented following candidate requirements, and what positive aspects of you as a person you feel may benefit your application.

With some aspects of your resume, you may be able to simply copy and paste sections from a sample and tweak this to fit you. Although this can save time, refrain from copying too much content as you want to try and portray your personality through your resume which can be achieved by the way you present yourself through your writing. Often, you may even find pieces of text that are not written correctly and this will give you guidance in terms of what to write, and will show what not to do in resume writing.

Writing your resume can be no easy task- especially in the instance you do not possess great writing skills or if you have been out of the job-hunting game for some time. However, by utilizing the many resources on the web, you can gain a well-written, informative and professional resume that will do its utmost in representing you to potential employees. Your resume will not help you gain a job, but it will help you obtain the interview needed to shine. So, help your eligibility by utilizing the web for a resume that really packs a punch.

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Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes

August 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Writing a resume can be a very daunting task. There are so many different techniques and approaches that can be used that it can be hard to know which one is the most effective. Whilst there is no definitive format for a writing a good resume, there are some things that need to be avoided at all costs. It is really easy to make a few simple mistakes on your resume which can be detrimental to the job hunting process. Here are some common pitfalls that we have all made in the past when writing a resume and what to do to make sure that you avoid them.

• Bad spelling and grammatical errors. Once you have written your resume, you need to check it and re-check it over and over again. There is no excuse for sloppy grammar and spelling and it gives the impression that you just don’t care. If need-be, get someone else to check your resume for you.

• Vagueness. Your resume needs to be specific in order to read professionally so make sure you are clear about what you have done and give examples to back up your point.

• Trying to write a ‘one size fits all’ resume. Each job you apply for will require different skills so it is not plausible to create one resume and send it out to multiple employers. Instead try to tailor each resume to the job you are applying for. Clearly show how you would fit the specific role with your experience and educational history.

• Emphasize duties instead of accomplishments. Don’t just list your job duties instead describe your accomplishments.

• Waffling or not giving enough information. There aren’t actually any rules as to how long a resume must be, there is however a guideline that suggests you shouldn’t go over 2 pages. Different people’s resumes will differ in length and people have more or less to say accordingly. Even though the guidelines state sticking to a 2 page resume at most, if you don’t feel like you need 2 pages then don’t be afraid of using 1 instead. On the other hand don’t feel as though you have to cut yourself short if you exceed 1 page.

• A bad objective. The resume objective statement section is really important for most employers and will be the first thing they see when they look at your resume. Don’t be vague here; instead force yourself to be specific and choose something that focuses on your employers needs as well as your own.

• Lack of action verbs. Make yourself active by using the right adjectives; this will also force you to be more specific when describing what you have actually done.

• Leaving out important information. Don’t forget the essentials. Also don’t discount the importance of including more menial jobs as these still highlight important skills gained.

• Lack of professionalism in layout. Keep your resume tidy and professional by sticking to one plain font and font size and organize it in compact paragraphs or bullet points. You want your resume to be visually attractive and not cluttered otherwise it may put the employer off reading it.

• Incorrect contact information. Make sure you include your up to date contact information such as home address, email address and telephone number. Double-check simple things like this as they could be the difference between getting that job and not.

Avoid these common mistakes and you should produce a really great resume that will impress prospective employers.

Filed Under: Resume Writing Tagged With: ,

Review of CareerStrides Resume Service

July 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

With so many resume services out there, it can be difficult to make a decision. When you compare the services of two firms, for example, both may offer the same thing at first glance. Upon closer inspection, however, quality and rate issues start to emerge. It is important to understand that the industry is fraught with firms that act like “resume mills”. That just means that the information about each client is entered into a pre-set format with little or no understanding about his/her education, skills, experience, and other capabilities.

Choosing to use the services of “resume mills” can do more harm than good. Potential employers might think that you are not taking the application seriously. There are other resume service firms that take this to the other extreme. They ask clients to fill up a comprehensive worksheets or questionnaires. But there is a loophole here as well because they become too focused on the technicalities without understanding the personal goals and objectives of the client in his/her career. Fortunately, there are companies that offer top-quality services out there. CareerStrides is one of those firms.

Here are the features you can expect from CareerStrides resume writing service:
•    Phone Consultation – having a certain level of personal interaction is important when writing something as important as the resume. The writer will have a consultation with the client to gather all relvant information.
•    Personal Attention – unlike other firms that just enter your information into a format, each resume that is written by a CareerStrides writer is given personal attention and is professionally done. All samples you see on the website are written by expert resume writers.
•    Expertise in Various Fields – there are 10 distinct career categories that CareerStrides excel at including sales, IT, executive, customer service, professional, management, executive, nursing, teaching, pharmaceutical, and finance.
•    Nationally Recognized Writer – the founder of CareerStrides is Linda Matias, who is the former present of the National Resume Writers’ Association. She is also the author of two career-related books.
•    Related Services – if you don’t want your resume written from scratch but want to improve your current one, there are other services you can take advantage of including resume polish, resume critique, and other writing-related assistance.

If there is one downside of CareerStride’s service, it is the price. The comprehensive evaluation service, for example, is priced at $75. The polishing and rewrite plan both have customizing pricing. When it comes to your resume though, it is important to treat this as an investment rather than an expense. After all, it is the resume that will get your foot in the door for an interview and set the stage for a long and fulfilling career in your chosen industry.

At the end of the day, what is important for employers is to know that you, as the applicant, took the time to read and understand the job description. It is ideal for you to submit a highly customized resume that tells the employer you’ll take the job seriously.

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Top 5 Online Resume Writing Services

July 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When it comes to resume writing services, you definitely want to get the best. After all, the resume is the paper that will get your foot in the door for a potential interview. It can have a long-term impact on your career and financial future. In this article, we’ll look into the top 5 online resume writing services out there.

•    Resume Writers – the company specializes in providing personal writing services by a certified writer. Having been in the industry for nearly a decade, they have expertise in over 5 dozen fields. Job seekers who are failing to get even an interview can boost their chances by hiring an expert. There are four basic process involved in the services: submitting your info, meeting the writer, getting the first draft, and the final revision. One main benefit offered by Resume Writers is that they guarantee that you will receive a reasonable number of interviews. If this doesn’t happen, you can ask them to rewrite the resume.
•    Resume Edge – one of their main selling points is that they can provide less than 48 hours turnaround. This is important if you need a professional resume at very short notice for a job fair or any other event. The writers at Resume Edge specialize in more than 40 industries. They can write for all levels so whether you are just starting in your career, are interested in a government job, or need an executive resume written, you can count on them to do good work.
•    Resume Planet – this firm is considered as a “one-stop” shop when it comes to resume writing. They cater to job seekers with varying levels of expertise. Whether you are in the technical field, healthcare industry, the government, or creative industry, you can be sure to get appropriate help from resume planet. The company also offers cover letter writing, KSA writing, and other forms of letter writing services.
•    Dream Resume – if you’re looking for fast and affordable service, choosing Dream Resume may be a good idea. The firm specializes in helping clients land their dream job. Aside from resume writing, they also offer to write your referral contact letters, follow up letters, and cover letters among others. If you want to distribute your resume to the top job sites, this firm can help with that initiative as well.
•    Career Plus Resumes – get job-winning CVs when you choose this resume writing company. Career Plus Resumes know how to make use of keywords to get your resume scanned by employers. The firm aims to give clients the strongest resume that will help them land a fulfilling job. Investing in your CV is definitely worth it.

So there you have it, the top 5 online resume writing firms in the company today. There are lesser-known firms that offer equally good writing services at a lower price. But the firms listed above have proven many times over that they offer good value for your money.

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