Creating a Good Resume is an Art

Landing a good job will depend a lot on your education and work history. Also important is how well you do during the interview process. But, if you can’t get your foot in the door, you most likely can blame your resume. If you’re going for a job you’re qualified for, the resume is key to opening the door.

Many people believe they need to lie on their resumes to even get an interview. This is not so. Employers, at least many of them, check references and background before they call people in for interviews. So, if a lie is present, you may not even get a call. Or, if checking isn’t done on the front end, it will be done if a problem arises. If you lied to get the job, there could be legal actions taken. So, either way, you lose. Save yourself the hassle and be honest on a resume.

Over and above being honest on a resume, there is an art to creating one for different positions. A resume is an extension of the person applying for a job. It should speak to its readers about the person’s competence, skills and abilities. It should tell them this “is the one I want” before an interview even takes place.

To make sure your resume gets the attention you deserve from potential employers, here are some basic tips:
* Go after jobs you’re qualified for. Don’t apply for a rocket science position with a degree in English and expect to get a phone call. Be realistic about your background, education and skills.
* Tailor a resume for the employer. If you’re going for a sales job, state your objectives in that field clearly. If you want to be an artist, say that and where you’d like to go in the field. Different resume styles should be used for different positions as well. An artist likely would want a more creative piece whereas an engineer a more basic one.
* Provide basic information. This means basics about education, work history, skills and personal information such as telephone number and address.
* Give them enough information to get their interest without boring them. Personnel directors do not have the time to read five-page resumes. Keep yours short, compelling and to the point and you’ll capture their attention. Make it so long they need to take a lunch break to read it, and your resume might end up in the trash.
* Be clear and concise with wording. Don’t embellish. Tell the truth, but do it well.
* If you’re writing a cover letter, keep this short, but explain why you want the job and why you’re the best person for it. Remember, you’re selling yourself here. Your skills and knowledge or ability to learn are your products, play them up!

Once a resume has been crafted, be certain to read it over very carefully. Companies do not want to hire people who cannot fill out basic forms. For almost every supervisory position going, there is at least one resume that comes in from someone who wants to be a “manger” instead of a “manager.” Don’t rely on spell check on a computer either or you’re likely to be looking for that manger’s position and a good “car” instead of “career.”

A resume is the first selling point for a person seeking a job. A well-written resume can open doors. A poorly written one can close them and keep them that way. Be clear, concise and honest.

Information about the Author:

Career and Employment Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com

Your Resume and What Employers Want to See

The recruiting industry has changed dramatically since the mid-90s when the Internet began to catch fire as a networking tool. Prior to the advent of online job boards such as CareerBuilder and Monster, your local newspaper had a monopoly on “help-wanted” advertising going back pre-Industrial Revolution (I remember a few years back being quoted $450 to run a 3-line ad over the weekend–for $50 more I could add a black border around it).

Resumes came to you via mail or fax and the ones that got your attention arrived on expensive paper with signed cover letters–the presentation gave you as much insight into the candidate as the resume itself did. As an independent recruiter you were only as good as your database of candidates (which for most recruiters consisted of a Rolodex of business cards or a drawer full of resumes). You actively sought out individuals to network with, collecting every resume thrown at you regardless of the positions you were working on at the time. “Got a cousin in advertising sales? Have him give me a call!”

I think employers were more willing to take risks with less qualified candidates then (let’s say, pre-1998) than they are now. Hiring managers and recruiters recognize that online resources can provide them with exponentially greater access to candidates today than in years past. It’s not that the talent pool is deeper, it’s just more accessible (and more public) than it’s ever been. So the same company that might have been willing to take a chance on a good candidate from a different industry ten years ago now wants someone whose experience matches their position as closely as possible.

I am a big believer that the best candidates for a particular position are the ones who would be taking a step up in their career by accepting. They are inherently motivated because they’re improving their pay, adding to their responsibilities and increasing their exposure. But today employers want over-qualified candidates; people who are actually taking steps down in their careers or at the very least, making lateral moves. Most employers will not admit to consciously doing this, mind you; but they do. They want to know with as much certainty as possible that the candidates have “been there and done that.” They want people with track records that mirror the exact challenges and expectations of their opening, particularly if they’re working with a third party recruiter to fill the position. The employer feels they’re paying big bucks for the recruiter to minimize their risk; therefore they should deliver candidates that are tailor-made for their role.

As an independent recruiter, it is my job to provide the client with the candidate solution they want. Every client knows the type of person they’re looking for, even if they’re not always able to describe them in great detail before we begin the search. They may need to evaluate a couple candidates before they can put into words their exact preferences, particularly when it’s a new position. Keep in mind the candidate solution our firm provides is the one defined by the client, and in my opinion it’s not always the one that may be the best long-term employment solution.

As I discussed in a previous article (Remember: You’re hiring them to work for you, not to date you), many hiring managers allow their own personal biases to influence they way they evaluate candidates (often referred to as “gut instincts”) resulting in bad hiring decisions. My job is to provide the client with candidates that have a documented track record of success. The majority of companies we work with want candidates either from their own industry or industries that are a close parallel. Drilling down even further, they want to know that the candidate’s daily, weekly and monthly activities overlap with the expectations of the new position. This is why having a thorough, well-defined resume is imperative for today’s job seeker looking to advance their career.

I believe the criticism that most resumes are long-winded, over-inflated exaggerations of unspectacular accomplishments is completely unwarranted. Coming from someone who looks at thousands of resumes a month, the average person is more likely to sell themselves short, thereby limiting their potential opportunities than they are to misrepresent themselves on paper.

Information about the Author:

Career and Employment Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com

Does Your Resume Writing Make The Grade?

When a job vacancy attracts a popular response, the recruiter simply may not have time to read each and every application in its entirety. That’s why it’s so important to have a resume that catches the reader’s immediate interest and gets your application the attention it deserves.

If you fail at this stage, you run the risk of having your resume consigned to the pile marked ‘regrets’. But because time is at a premium, it’s also difficult to get feedback about why your application didn’t make the shortlist.

So if your resume isn’t getting you through the interviewer’s door for the jobs you want, it’s time to re-think your strategy. Here are three questions to help you give your resume a quick assessment test:

1. Do you know enough about your prospective employer?

These days, it’s easy to find out details about almost any company by doing research online. Enter the name in the search engine of your choice and look for the company website. If they have a section devoted to press releases or other media information, you may find freshly updated news about recent developments.

You may also be able to obtain company brochures and reports. Check to see if these are available as PDF documents which you can download to your computer. This will be quicker than ordering them to be sent by mail.

You can also visit the websites of local or national newspapers to look for articles which refer to the company.

The information you find will help you to fine tune your resume and highlight your appropriate strengths and assets. It’s also very helpful to show your familiarity with the company in your cover letter, follow-up correspondence and interview discussion.

2. Have you written a summary statement or profile that is geared to the employer’s immediate requirements?

The beginning of your resume (under your contact information) is a great spot in which to put your most persuasive selling points. This is where you can mention your current job level and the field in which you’ve gained the bulk of your experience. Make sure to mention the results of your activities, not just a list of the duties your work comprises.

Analyze the job advertisement or description to find basic competencies that the employer wants and map your own skills against these requirements. Make sure to include appropriate keywords in this section that will help to score a match in resume scanning software.

3. Do you back up your claims with convincing evidence?

Avoid casting doubt on your attributes by being vague on key details. Measure your accomplishments wherever possible to validate your skills. You can use figures, percentages or other data to quantify aspects such as:

* numbers of personnel managed
* successes in financial or budgetary management
* achievements such as improved performance against targets or a time-scale

Avoid weakening your credibility by including anything in your resume that wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny in an interview. Make sure you can justify every detail with solid evidence.

If your resume isn’t getting you results, maybe it’s time to redraft. A powerful summary backed up by persuasive evidence can help your resume to pass the ten second ’scan test’.

Information about the Author:

Career and Employment Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com

How to get a job : writing cover letters for resumes

A cover letter should have specific job position details in it, as well as specify why the applicant is a better fit for the job. Write a cover letter specific to a particular job application by usingthese tips from a career adviser in this free video on job guidance. Expert: Pat Goodwin Contact: Bio: Pat Goodwin is an executive coach, trainer and career development pr…

Landing Your Dream Job: A Good Cover Letter and Resume is Key

If you are looking to land your dream job, chances are that you really aren’t sure where to start and that is okay. Looking for a job can be mentally and emotionally exhausting, especially for those who haven’t had to do so for a long time or are looking to land their very first job.

For those who are looking to land the job they want or need, it is important to take the right steps to do so. Many people rely on filling out a whole stack of applications to get a job and while that works for somebody who really doesn’t care what type of employment they land, people who are looking for the right type of employment for them will never benefit from such a method.

Most employment worth having is worth going through changes to get it, and that usually means an application, cover letter and a resume. While these may seem overwhelming, it is not nearly as difficult or complicated as it seems.

Drawing Up a Resume
After the application, the most important part of a job employment package is your resume. The resume is the first chance that employers have to see what you are really about, and it should catch a person’s eye at first glance. If possible, try and limit your resume to one page because chances are that a potential employer is not going to read your resume from front to back. The first page and the first few lines are what need to stand out to your potential employer, and make them want to meet you to see if you are really as outstanding as your experience and objective professes you to be.

The objective is the very first few lines of your resume underneath your name and contact information. The objective should be no more than two or three lines, and capture your reason for applying for the job you have selected at all. What your goal is and what you could bring to the company, all wrapped up in one or two sentences should do the trick.

Writing Out Your Cover Letter
If you have ever had to write a five-paragraph essay in school, chances are that you have already just about captured the essence of writing a cover letter. A five paragraph essay should introduce something in the first paragraph, cover the main points in the next three paragraphs, and sum up your ideas in the last one. Such is the case with a cover letter, but it doesn’t have to be five paragraphs; try and limit it to three at most.

Address your letter to the name of the hiring manager if you know it; otherwise, ‘To Whom It May Concern’ should suffice just fine. In the first paragraph of your letter introduce yourself and the position you are hiring for. The middle paragraph should cover your main strengths and most relative employment experience whereas the last paragraph should just about sum everything up for the employer, encouraging them to meet with you and encouraging them towards considering you for the position.

Landing a job is not difficult, but it can be something that takes some getting used to. A strong resume and cover letter can certainly make all of the difference for you in the end, presenting yourself as the capable worker that you know you can be.

Information about the Author:

Career and Employment Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com

Career counseling for the right job

Getting a job is always a difficult task. Take it is a mission you wish you succeed as swiftly as possible in order to ensure that you have money for all your financial needs to have a secured life.

Changing jobs has to be one of the more difficult decisions any of us can make; staying in the work environment we are used to can often be easier than having to embrace insecurity and having to prove the professional qualifications and credibility in a new workplace. The decision for change becomes difficult if the new job you need means switching the career. While you will face a challenge in trying to get the job that meets the new career objectives, crafting the resume should not be one of them. On the web alone, there are numerous resources for career changers. From helping you decide which career path you feel suited for to providing helpful advice on how to find success in the new job, you will find an overwhelming amount of resources to help you in the new journey. While most of the resources you find will be helpful are careful about the sources you utilize in order to put together the most winning resume for the new career choice.

There are mainly two elements to successfully creating a resume for a career change: research and willingness to take on new skills. Most guys put a lot of thought into switching careers. They consider their families, their living and financial situations, their competitive advantage in the new field, etc. After you convince yourself that switching careers is the right thing to do, you will want to convince the potential employers that you are qualified for you the job you are seeking. To do so, you want to do the research. Demonstrate to the employer that you have an extensive knowledge of the industry, even if you don’t have the accompanying experience. Before you start the new career, make sure that you understand what professional paths are ready and willing for your skills and spunk, and determine what the ultimate goal is. This will help you form the career objective for the resume. Additionally, make sure to do the research on the company you are interested in, as well as their the competitors; if invited for an interview, you will need to appear very interested and knowledgeable and willing to learn more – not only about their company, but about the industry as a whole. You will want to convince the potential employer that you are the very the best person for the job, better than the candidates with experience and to do that, you want to showcase not only the enthusiasm for the opportunity, but the eagerness to learn and the knowledge about the field.

Make a list of all the professional experiences and the qualifications necessary for the job. Use a functional resume to assure most of the qualifications necessary for the new job are met in the resume.

In addition to the resume, use the cover letter or email to let the potential employer know why you are switching careers and that the new interest is not a passing one. Make sure that the resume reflects the new found interest in a genuine and professional manner, and you are sure to have a successful career change.

Information about the Author:

Career and Employment Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com

Why Resume Cover Letter is Crucial

A cover letter accompanies each resume and it is sensible to devote the needed time and effort to write effective cover letters because the cover letter may either assist in obtaining a job interview or result in having the resume rejected. A cover letter should complement the resume. Its main objective is to interpret the data-oriented details and add a personal touch. A cover letter creates the first impression, which is the earliest written contact with a potential employer.

Generally there are three types of cover letters. The application letter that responds to a known job opening, the prospecting letter that inquires about possible positions and the networking letter that requests information and help in job search.

The cover letter to be written should be drafted based on the purpose and also the position sought. A cover letter need not be sent to every potential employer. An ideal cover letter explains the reasons for the interest in the company and highlights the relevant skills or experience. Cover letters express a high level of interest and knowledge about the position.

In a cover letter the first paragraph should explain why a cover letter is written, middle paragraph should explain what the applicant has to offer and the concluding paragraph details how the candidate would follow up.

While writing about the purpose of writing a cover letter, the person who referred to the potential employer-the mutual contact needs to be mentioned. It is to be mentioned from where the title of the position was obtained and the enthusiasm and the credentials suited to the position have to be explained.

In the case of a prospective letter, which is an unsolicited letter, it is important to capture the attention of the reader and the objective of the job should be stated very clearly. In a networking letter, the request should be made very clearly.

The cover letter should be like a preview to the resume which is dynamic and attention grabbing. A cover letter is the summary of the most important and relevant information in the resume.

Since the cover letter should contain information in an accessible manner, it should be clear, concise and to the point, personalized, catching the attention at first sight, linking the skills and experience and call for an action.

One opportunity to make a good impression and enter the second round is the first glance at the cover letter. It is rather difficult to write a targeted cover letter to each position applied for cover letters pave the way to get a better access to the interview regardless of the qualifications.

Article Source: http://www.itempad.com

Article res has been removed due to spammers exploiting this site and stealing itempads pr rank. Link Res will be returned once the database has been purged of bad links probably after the next google update. We do not believe in using nofollow. We are sorry for this temp problem. But once the database has been cleaned all links by writers will have a higher value. We hope you understand and continue to submit your articles. If you would like a permenet link on itempad Please email admin

The 5 Most Important Things to Know When Writing Your Resume

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a resume as a short account of one’s career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position.

The reality is that when you create your resume, you are like an artist/painter. Your pen is the brush and the paper is your canvas. Create a masterpiece and it will sell! Paint a dud and your own resume will abuse you.

The main purpose of a resume along with the accompanying cover letter is to get you the interview, pure and simple.

The way to accomplish this is to show off your strengths and achievements and minimize your weaknesses (we all have them). If you write your resume correctly, strengths will appear stronger and weaknesses will be less visable.

Remember, now is not the time to be modest – if you don’t tell the hiring manager how good you are and what you can do for his or her company, no one else will.

You have about 5-10 seconds at the most, to attract the attention of the person reading your resume for the first time, so you skills and abilities have to be seen fast and be relevant.

Listed below are ways your resume should be used.

What does a resume do?

– Your resume organizes your career by selecting and presenting specific events clearly and concisely.

– It forces you to take inventory of your achievements – the more you understand about yourself, the more capable you become in explaining yourself to others.

– A resume should stimulate employer interest in meeting you.

– Good resumes tell the company that they would benefit from calling you in for a personal interview.

The bottom line however is it’s ONLY purpose is to get you an interview.

When the hiring manager first reads the resume it should:

– make the reader want to learn more – a tease.

– quickly convey how and why you are better than the rest of the candidates in the stack of resumes they have.

– tell them what you did and how well you did it.

– show that you are uniquely qualified to solve the problem the employer has.

At the interview the resume:

– is a basis on which to start a discussion.

– serves as an agenda for a discussion, which means you have predetermined the interview’s structure.

– acts as a leave behind.

After the interview:

– The person(s) who interviews you can use your resume to strengthen his/her case to other team members.

– The resume serves as an overview for others in the organization.

View your resume through the eyes of the hiring manager:

– A resume reflects your image; anything that does not help you get an interview should not be on the resume.

– View a resume as your own personal advertisement.

– The past is relevant only insofar as it shows your potential for the future.

– When in doubt, leave it out!

A good resume:

– zeros in on those skills and abilities that you have that are most relevant and important to the job you are seeking.

– focuses on your achievements and accomplishments not just the responsibilities you had at each job.

– reveals the results of your achievements.

– should project your career as a series of progressive accomplishments.

– needs to be short on words and long on facts.

– is eye appealing and visually inviting.

Just remember, your past accomplishments and achievements are relevant only as it relates to what you can do now for the hiring company. No matter how good you were at a previous company, to the hiring company, it’s all about what can you do for them.

Information about the Author:

Career and Employment Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com

Getting A Job During a Recession

When looking for a job don’t underestimate the importance of your attire. The times are gone where you can show up to a job in jeans and polo and get hired, or even khakis and a polo. Especially in the technical industry. The first thing they will look at is your attire and the way you carry yourself. So spend some time and pick out dress slacks and a button down that will suit your interview. You can relax your attire by picking different color button downs to give yourself character but be sure you iron everything and wear a tie. Make sure that the day before the interview you get a hair cut. Make sure you go to the same barber or stylist you always go to. It keeps your confidence levels high and what we want is for you to be confident during your interview. The one major thing that has changed in this economy is that companies are looking for dual position type employees.

Technical people who can also talk to customers, or even something as extreme as Technical people who can Market or train their own product will become highly necessary again. Companies are down sizing these days and if you want to make good money you better know your craft and be open to new situations and new ideas. The great thing about searching for a new job is that you get a new start.

If you are searching for a job then be sure to take advantage of the chance to do everything better this time. Treat this as a fresh start. It is a moment in time where you can put the past behind you everything that your fellow employees thought about you is wiped away if you wanted to become a manager then make a move now. What do you have to lose? Your Job?!! You already lost it so take a moment and change your future and forget the prison of your past. Always remember your past and learn from your past but leave it in the behind so you can move forward..

All to many people get caught up in the rut of life. We just go to work and come home and never try to better ourselves and strive for more opportunity. You can take now and turn it into anything you want to so respect the now embrace the now and do it as good as you can.

Remember that you work for your job but you aren’t obligated to them just as they are not obligated to you your job is making money by what you do this does not obligate you to be there the rest of your life in the same job doing the exact same thing every day. These hard times can be a great time to climb the corporate ladder. In times like this great things can happen. Make sure you keep your resume up to date. Even after you have your job keep your resume out there. Just because you have a job doesn’t mean you have to stop looking for the dream job. If you haven’t been networking the whole time you have had your job then start networking now and get referrals and references that will help you in the future. Your current customers can quickly become your allies. If they are your customers then they have need for your expertise or maybe they know someone that does so don’t count them short. The people around you can be your key to success right now. Word of mouth is the best ally you have.

When writing your resume always Include a cover letter. In your cover letter make sure you have an up beat tone. The cover letter is your first chance to introduce yourself to your future employer, so take your time and write it out correctly. Find a Good template builder online. ResumeInk.com has an amazing template for cover letters log in and use it you will be impressed by it.

When writing your resume. Keep it short and clean. You shouldn’t need a 20 page resume. Depending on your field of course but if you put all your expertise on your resume and send it to an employer that will never care about half the information you put then you just lost half the battle. The idea is to put only the information that relates to the job you are applying for. If you take the time and try your best to customize your resume to every employer you send your resume to that will increase your chances of finding a job significantly. Always research the company you are going to interview at. There is nothing more embarrassing than a future employer asking you why you want to work for this company or what information do you know about this company and you not knowing anything you just can’t go and interview with a company because they called.. Take your time and do this right.. Pick a nice clean template for your resume. ResumeInk.com has some very professional Templates to choose from and they have been proven to work. So feel free to check out ResumeInk.com it is a fully functional resume building website.

After every interview send a simple thank you letter immediately after the interview. Sending a thank you letter will give you one more chance to be in front of their faces, one more chance for them to see your name and one more chance to set yourself into a unique category in their head for when they are reviewing the stack of resumes in front of them. Follow up with a phone call 1- 2 weeks after your interview and be sure to say thank you. If you made an impression but you weren’t right for that job, maybe you will be right for the next job that pops up

Article Source: http://www.itempad.com

Article res has been removed due to spammers exploiting this site and stealing itempads pr rank. Link Res will be returned once the database has been purged of bad links probably after the next google update. We do not believe in using nofollow. We are sorry for this temp problem. But once the database has been cleaned all links by writers will have a higher value. We hope you understand and continue to submit your articles. If you would like a permenet link on itempad Please email admin

Career change?

career change mid life career change change of career career change advice midlife career change career change resume making a career change career change cover letter change your career change careers mid career change change in career career change resumes career change ideas……

Next Page »