Guerrilla job search coaching: shock and awe

Meet Steve C., from Pittsburgh. Like many laid-off executives, he was given an outplacement package, which included job-search “assistance” that simply didn’t work — 0 job offers in 9 months. But after working with ace Guerrilla Job Search Coach, Mark Haluska, Steve had 8 interviews and 6 job offers … in only 6 weeks. That’s 6 job offers in 6 WEEKS. This video was taken the day after Steve acce…

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in their new career search is that they … What to Do If You Would Like to Change Jobs … Avoid These 10 Resume Mistakes – On the way to a perfect and successful resume. …. Generally, brand-new graduates list education first, while job-seekers … 10 Career Change Mistakes to Avoid Without a plan, you might take the first job offer that comes along, … Making a career change without refreshin…

Is Your Digital Resume All It’s Cracked Up To Be?

The straightforward answer is to a digital resume is, “NO!” . . . at least not if you’re serious about finding a job you’re happy with. And not if you’re willing to wait weeks or months till something comes along.

You see, an electronic resume is the easy way out . . . but definitely not the fastest or best way. There are two ways to use an electronic resume:

1. Post it on several job search websites like Monster.com or HotJobs.com.

2. Create your own website or blog featuring your resume.

The problem with this approach can be summed in one word: COMPETITION! There are hundreds of thousands of digital resumes floating around in cyber space. Be realistic. What are your chances
that exactly the right boss is going to pick your resume and offer you a job?

Look, it’s only natural that you want to get as much exposure as possible. Nothing wrong with that. But the digital resume and one of those job websites is definitely NOT the way to go . . . at least if you don’t plan to spend weeks or months looking for a job.

I suppose we’re all victims of “do it fast and easy” electronic techniques. It seems logical. The internet provides global exposure for our credentials. All we have to do is wait for one or two of those millions of internet users (many of whom are employers) to discover our resume . . . theoretically.

However, mass exposure didn’t work in the days before the internet. And it doesn’t work now. It’s really just a question of statistics. 7% of job hunters have found “opportunities” that match their credentials. Notice, I didn’t say job offers.

Job search experts know that relying on an electronic resume or a digital job search is hopeless. This doesn’t mean that every so often someone hits. But you’re more likely to get struck by lightning or win the lottery. There has to be a better way!

And there is! If you can put aside a digital resume and all forms of electronic or analog mass marketing and learn a few simple alternative job search strategies, you can be looking at honest, real job offers that match up with your interests in as little as two weeks!

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

Paul Megan writes for EEI, the world-class pioneer in alternative job search techniques and non-traditional career advancement strategies . . . since 1985. Grab our stunning FREE REPORT: “How To Find A Job In As Little As 14 Days!” Click on RSS for instant info! www.fastest-job-search.com

Writing Resumes without Mistakes

Resume and curriculum vitae act as entry tickets to a job. Today’s world is full of competition. A prospective employer is in search for a person who is active, productive, and skillful in nature and with a positive attitude. The resume should reflect the attitude and details of education, age, qualification, experience etc. The resume should be written with relevance to the particular job. Gone are the days where one resume was used for all the jobs. The resume should be attractive enough to catch the attention of the employer among the thousands of resumes. It is important that the resume should be free from any common mistakes.

Effective resume writing:

An effective resume should contain basic sections viz., complete and powerful contact information, headline of what is being offered by the employee to the employer, summary of skills – highlighting relevant skills will be an added advantage, professional experience which has to be relevant and last but not the least educational qualification- details of grades, year of passing etc. An effective resume will be free from grammatical and spelling mistakes. This shows the command over the language. Hence, it is very important to proof-read more than twice to avoid any mistakes in the resume.

Common mistakes in a resume:

The resume with irrelevant contents is a common mistake, like the information regarding the children, spouse, hobbies etc and also when applying for a computer job, it is irrelevant to show an experience of a position held as an accountant.

When using creative fonts, one has to be very careful. It might be easier to read on the computer of the person writing the resume, but not necessarily it can be readable in the employer’s computer. If the font is not found in the computer it will show bizarre information.

The resume should not be like a job application, the previous employer’s name, contact information of the previous employer; reasons for leaving the job are irrelevant in the resume.

Never get obsessed about the length of the resume but focus on the content. Also personal pronouns like “I”, “me” should be avoided, as it might pose you as an egoistic person.

When sending resumes to multiple recruiters never send it via one email, as personalized addressing is very important.

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The Secrets Of Spinning Resume Blemishes

Writing up your resume is a daunting and frustrating task at times, but it can become a real panic situation if you have gaps in your work experience or lack qualifications. You may even have left a previous employment on bad terms. Having a blemish on your resume isn’t any reason to feel you can’t aim for another good job, and there are ways to spin your resume to make it (and you) look attractive to a potential employer.

Large, hard-to-explain gaps in your work history from periods in your life where you were unemployed can be corrected in a manner of ways. You certainly can minimize the damage gaps do to your chances of getting a job.

The first thing to do with your resume is to measure time spent on a job in years, rather than months. When noting the length of time you spent at a company, show the year you began the job and the year you left, rather than showing the year and the month.

Sometimes, people leave the workforce for a number of years, for a wide variety of reasons. Raising children is a good example of why many women tend to have years of no work history on their resume. Extensive travel is another, freelance ventures, or taking courses and getting some education are other reasons you may have gaps in your employment experience.

Don’t be afraid to explain the reasons that you weren’t employed, and in fact, each of these reasons taught you certain skills or brought you qualifications and maturity that will be a bonus for any company. Even if you took time off work to do absolutely nothing, try to find some sort of explanation for the period of time, such as getting back on your feet and restructuring your life.

The opposite situation that causes employers reading your resume to raise an eyebrow is having too many jobs, reflecting that you’ve been moving from one company to another at an accelerated pace. Going from company to company or touching on many types of jobs is known as job hopping, and potential employers get the impression you may not be around at their company for long.

As with gaps in your work history, note the time spent on the job in years rather than months, to try and fool the eye into thinking you stayed at jobs longer than you really did. Noting things in years will also help to try and focus your resume on your skills rather than your experience and erase any jobs that were too short term to make any real impact on your work history.

Limited qualifications, be they in training, education, or experience can also present a problem for your resume. In this situation, you’ll want to emphasize your experiences other than conventional qualifications, along with whatever qualifications you do meet, while writing your resume and attending a job interview. Additionally, emphasizing skills over experience will also help your resume.

Never lie about a situation or gloss over a bad past, such as leaving a previous employer’s company on bitter terms. You’re not obligated to let a potential employer contact a past one, but should you have a tarnished work history, be prepared to answer questions as to why you left the job and under what circumstances.

Remember one thing, if this is your situation: You don’t have to tell your employer the full reasons for leaving, and you can spin the happenings around, bringing out the positive things you learned in your previous job. Be subtle with anything you put on your resume that you’re trying to spin into something attractive, and be as honest as you can, all the while giving out the best information possible and holding back what might cost you the job.

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

John Edmond owns and writes regularly for Careerbuilder Jobs where you can find more information and advice on all aspects of a careers and a job searching.

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.

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The Purpose of Your Resume

The Purpose of your resume

You should only build a resume for one purpose – to get an interview.
Keep this purpose in mind as you read the article below:

Why did I say ‘build’ a resume and not ‘write’ a resume?

A resume is not a story, it is not written with stream of consciousness like a novel. Resumes are built in a purposeful, strategic way to sell your strengths and eliminate your weaknesses. The best resumes turn your Tasks and Responsibilities into Accomplishments and Results

A resume should not be purely chronological – that is a big mistake. I don’t know anyone who has had a consistent rise in significant accomplishment over a long career. Most people, including you, have nuggets of brilliance – accomplished at many different times throughout your life.

Your resume should be a highlight reel not an autobiography. The strategy is to match significant keywords, (Knowledge Skills and Abilities), to your accomplishments. You can’t do this with a chronological resume,

The only purpose a chronology has in today’s job market is to help the reader understand when you moved from job to job and which job you had first, second, and third. The chronology doesn’t explain a thing about who you are and what you accomplished. Neither does your longevity. Some people accomplish more in six months than others do in five years.

Never confuse a job title with an accomplishment.

Resumes must be functional to attract attention. Many say it’s the first third of the page that sells – if you can’t grab the reader at the top, the list of facts at the bottom will never be read. That is why it is critical to sell your key accomplishments and KSA,s up front.

Use the following checklist to help you think outside the margins of your resume:

1. Prepare a profile that matches your background to the job description.
2. Prioritize your tasks and responsibilities to match the job description.
3. Only list tasks that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
4. Select tasks that you can back up – preferably with a strong accomplishment.
5. Use a qualifying line to describe how you were selected for the job.

Example:
ABC tech Firm – 2006-2007
Technical Writer
Hired by the V.P of Documentation to improve RFP efficiency and develop a document reuse policy.

This line adds a little zing because it gives the reader some insight into your story. Be prepared to add more details at an interview. This short descriptor can help you build interest in your story. First, you name drop a little. In other words, you tell the reader who hired you and the title they command.

Second, the reader/interviewer may want to know how you increased efficiency and how you developed that reuse policy. The strategy is to place ideas and questions in the readers head. Just make sure you have the answers.
Your resume must be constructed – ‘built’ in such a way that it structures the conversation before you get to the interview.

The Interview process is like dating. You wouldn’t sit down on a first date and say – “let me tell you what my worst qualities are”. Yet, people do this all the time on their resumes.

Now, let’s continue with the checklist:
6. List all tasks in the active voice. For example Developed, Initiated, Directed, Organized
7. Never say ‘responsible for’ just use the action word.
8. List your accomplishments before you build your resume. I guarantee that this is the most difficult part of the process.
9. Select the strongest accomplishment and place it after your keyword table- (more on this in my next article), and before your chronological list.

Wait a minute – I thought you said chronology doesn’t’ matter. I didn’t say that. What I meant was it is the least important part – but an essential price of admission.

10. Identify your Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s), by using the Occupational ONET Online database. This is an excellent repository developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and contains occupational information that can be an invaluable resource for education and research.

When you are ready, please visit http://www.ONETOnline.org
Now, lets continue.

11. Smooth out small gaps in employment by using annual dates i.e., (2006-2007) instead of the month and date.
12. List awards and citations/achievements only if they compliment the job you are seeking.
13. A note on Education. Include all completed degrees, regardless of subject matter. All employers value education. One caveat: Don’t include Certifications that do not apply to the industry in question.

Example: I am a professional writer and in addition to my B.S. and M.A. I am a certified professional Coder (CPC). This is a health care certification. The only time I include it on my resume is when I am approached about a writing opportunity that requires some understanding of health care issues.

Finally, remember that building a resume is one of the most difficult jobs you will do – if its done right. Its not easy to capture the essence of a persons talents and abilities in one or two pages, especially if you are a mid-career professional. There is no recipe. The checklist I provided is only a guide. Always practice good judgment and use what works for you.

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Four Simple Steps To Write A Successful Resume

Your resume is your calling card, and it’s usually the first impression a potential employer will have of you. Looking your best on paper is imperative if you want to capture the interest of someone who may end up calling you for an interview. Many people, however, tend to find writing a resume a daunting frustrating task, but breaking the steps down into four simple sections can turn a difficult task into something rather simple.

The first thing you can do for your resume is limit the length to one page, so as to hold the attention of your potential employer. In our fast-past world, attention spans are short, and you don’t want anyone growing bored with a resume that stretches on and on.

Start with the simplest part – the heading. At the top of your resume page, you should clearly indicate your name. Below your name should be your address and contact information, namely your telephone number and e-mail address. Make sure it’s clear where an employer can reach you, otherwise you’ll never get that call for an interview.

After the header, the task of writing a resume becomes a lot harder, as you’ve reached the point where you need to indicate your objective – namely the position you’re applying for. Make sure you use the exact words that your potential employer used in his employment offer for the desired position, so that there’s no mistake what you’re aiming for.

Never put your objective as being money or other such similar tactless things. You want to maintain your professional appearance at all times. Continuing onward from your objective and for the remainder of your resume, you’ll want to present each bit of information in a bullet-point form; a short but concise sentence that imparts all the information you want to mention in one to three lines.

The third section is your work history, where you list your past jobs and any major achievements you accomplished while employed at various businesses. If you’re new to the job market, you’ll probably want to include as much as possible.

If you can’t fit the entire resume on a single page, start cutting items from this section and focus on previous employment experience with the most relevance to the position you’re applying for. You need not limit this section entirely to employment though. Volunteer work, business ownership, independent sale of your work, and other experiences showcasing your abilities can be listed in this section.

The fourth and final section of a resume is your education. As with work history, relevance to the position you want counts, if the one-page limit requires you to cut certain items from your resume. Focus on the most pertinent education you have that could relate to the position you’d like to land, or highlight special training you’ve received that makes you an attractive asset to the company.

All that’s left once you’ve completed the four sections is editing and formatting your resume to have it appear as professional as possible. While a typo may not always mean the difference between life and death, it can lower a potential employer’s opinion of you, so be sure everything on your resume is correct. If possible, try running the text past some else to check for your mistakes. Once that’s done, all you have to do is send it off to a potential employer and hope for the best.

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How To Safely Bulk Up A Thin Resume

Many individuals starting out in the world of being an employee have to begin by pounding the pavement to find a job. Being presentable for an employment opportunity can be difficult, however, when you don’t have any work history.

Bulking up your resume to show potential employers that you do, indeed, have skills and assets their company needs really isn’t that hard, and with some initiative, filling up the employment history section of your resume can be done.

There are a lot of easy, mostly hassle-free ways to add to your work history. Volunteer work is a time-honored favorite, as it allows for work experience without needing any prior knowledge. Since most local and state government institutions are perpetually under-funded, they’ll assign drudge work to just about anyone. The tasks aren’t glamorous, but the experience is better than nothing. Keeping in mind that, when volunteering and also in general, good job references are important and you should avoid annoying or irritating your supervisor, regardless of whether you receive compensation or not for your duties.

Public events are another potential place to earn work experience through volunteering. Galas and tournaments to raise money for a cause usually require a sizable number of volunteers, and since these types of events last only a few days at most, there’s no long-term commitment required for work experience that looks good on a resume. If you can manage to land a volunteer position at one of these events that involves organization or management, even better – these skills are highly desired by potential employers.

Independent enterprise is another possible source of work experience. Any serious attempts and efforts you’ve put into a money-making enterprise, whether your own or someone else’s, show initiative and motivation. If you hauled speakers for your friend’s garage rock group during a public battle of the bands in your area, you can list that on your resume. If you wrote a poem that was accepted for a collection, even an unpublished small-press business, you can mark the information down on your resume as well. You can also make independent enterprise opportunities happen as well. Independent enterprise isn’t quite as easy to come across as opportunities to volunteer, but it’s a very good option for gaining work experience.

Though the really important, money-making diplomas will take years to earn, increasing your education section on your resume isn’t much harder than doing some volunteering or venturing into independent enterprise. Certification programs, from computer programming to private investigating, often require little more than forty or so hours of instruction and can be taken at most community colleges or similar educational facilities. Ideally, what you learn can be applied to the job you’re hoping to land, but courses and certifications also show initiative, something all employers are looking for in first-time job seekers.

Bulking up your resume using these ideas involve stealth opportunities – easy to overlook yet potent, if applied properly. Doubtlessly, there are other ways to improve a resume when you have no prior employment, but in truth, anything that shows that you have dedication, initiative, motivation, and ambition is good to add to your resume. With that in mind, go out there and see what opportunities you can come up with – there’s always something better than nothing.

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

John Edmond owns and writes regularly for Careerbuilder Jobs where you can find more information and advice on all aspects of a writing a resume and job searching.

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