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

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.

Alternative Job Search Alert for Grads . . . Avoid the Resume Trap!

If you’re graduating this year, this alternative job search alert is for YOU! You must avoid the resume trap!

What’s the resume trap?

Well, we’ve all been brought up to think that the success of our job campaign depends on our resume. So we spend an extraordinary amount of time trying to get it just right. There are a thousand websites that show you how to write an award-winning resume . . . each one has their own formula. But this is a resume trap!

The fact is your resume is the least important part of your job search. And for a couple very specific reasons.

First, no one is going to offer you a job based on your resume. Employers make hiring decisions based on person-to-person contact. This is where you establish your credibility by coming to the table ready to demonstrate that you’ve taken the time to learn something about the decision-maker and his/her organization. And you have a proposal for addressing needs.

Secondly, if you make your resume the focus of your job campaign, you’re creating an enormous amount of competition. Just think how many others just like you are throwing their hat in the ring via their resume. You want to be in a position where you can bypass the competition instead of contributing to it.

And this is where the alternative job search alert comes in. You need to focus your attention on something else to avoid this resume trap. And that something else is the hiring decision-maker. You want to spend all the time you can researching information about each organization you want to be part of. And further, you want background information about the decision-maker you’ll be meeting with.

These days, doing this kind of research is a piece of cake. You have fabulous online tools like Google as well as online access to most of the trade association and product literature. You have the Chamber of Commerce and other business-related organizations like service clubs.

Best of all you have your contacts–people you know–from friends, neighbors and relatives to religious, business and political leaders. They’re all available to answer your questions and even make introductions or referrals to hiring decision-makers.

This kind of proven alternative job search alert strategy is just part of the whole alternative job search and non-traditional career advancement movement. The bible of this job hunting revolution is “The World’s Fastest Alternative Job Search System.”

Armed with this amazing plan of action, you can count on meeting face-to-face with a hiring decision-maker of your choice in a matter of days. And you could lock up a high-paying job in as little as two weeks! It’s the alternative job search alert that virtually guarantees your success!

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

Video Resumes: Seem Like a Good Idea at the Time

As job searches go on longer than anticipated for many, it’s understandable that people would start to look around for ways to differentiate themselves in the market. However, making a video resume may NOT be the best way to accomplish that goal.
I’m noticing that the video resume craze is starting to pick up momentum. On the surface I’m sure that video resumes seem like a good idea to job seekers. Hasn’t everyone at one time or another said to themselves “If they could just SEE me, I know they’d want to hire me. This plain ‘ole resume just ain’t doing me justice!” Understandable, however the video resumes I watched certainly didn’t do anyone justice. Here’s why video resumes are a doomed proposition unless you’re gunning for a job as a news anchor and have a TV production studio to shoot your video. First. The nature of this format makes you a talking head on camera. I’ve made a video like this before, and I actually posted it on YouTube, and it’s very, very hard. The camera is completely, 100% focused on YOU, all the time. It doesn’t blink, it’s mind doesn’t wander, it doesn’t look out the window behind you occasionally, it’s totally on YOU. This means it catches every stupid thing you do. Even something simple like scratching your nose looks incredibly unprofessional when it’s caught for all eternity in a video resume. What about when your mind wanders when you’re giving your pitch and you slide in some ums and ahs? Those will be caught for posterity too. Great huh? If you think for a millisecond that job interviews are nerve-wracking-just try making one of these videos. Unless you have a teleprompter, you have got to know exactly what you’re going to say and can talk about it with some enthusiasm and style. Second. You have GOT to look professional. The few I watched on CareerTV–a place for great videos of career advice and where you can post your video resume–had someone sitting in a rocking chair (talking about how energetic she was), and another person in her medical scrubs, which wasn’t so bad, but unfortunately she didn’t take the time to edit her mistakes out of the video. These videos have got to be the absolute best you can give. It’s your one shot! In an in-person interview you can at least realize that you’ve made some mistakes, and pull it back together toward the end of the interview. Once it’s on tape, employers can watch it repeatedly. It’s harder to erase it from their memory. Think of the funny videos you watch on YouTube. Same premise. Also, you’ve got to watch what you wear! Whatever you would wear to an interview to make a good impression is what you need to wear in the video. You’re trying to use it as a supplement to your resume, so why would you dress in anything other than a suit? Third. Employers cannot not discriminate against you on the basis of your age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion-basically the things that have nothing to do with how well you do the job. By casually chatting on these videos you can inadvertently open up a Pandora’s box of issues that cause you to not be considered. One simple example: In your video, you state that you’re moving to a new city to be closer to your boyfriend/girlfriend. The phrase “to be closer to your boyfriend/girlfriend” is the problem. To you, it seems like you’re explaining about the move. To an employer, it’s too much information. As an employer, I get a vision of you turning down my job offer because you broke up with him or her, or after you move, you break up with him or her and plunge into the depths of despair because the ONLY reason you moved was for the relationship-which is now over. An employer may not want to take a chance on you with your baggage vs. a local candidate with less visible baggage. Stating that you have firm plans to move to the city is fine, if asked in an interview, you can say that you’ve developed an interest in the city and are looking forward to meeting new people. But discussing your personal relationships is just too much information. In an effort to be friendly and casual on the video, you can end up telling employer things that actually take you out of the running. Fourth. Again, based on that employer discrimination concept, as far as I know, the laws have not specifically tackled this issue of video resumes vs. non-video resumes. I know that currently HR departments are overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork they need to regularly submit to some governmental agency to prove that they’re not discriminating. That’s just dealing with the traditional hard copy and emailed resumes they receive from applicants. I know of another company involved in video resumes and they have to keep incredibly detailed records to prove that all applicants’ videos are being viewed for the same amount of time. Think about it. The last thing you want is for an employer to not consider you because you remind them of a relative or former employee that they never liked, and to immediately close your video before hearing you out. You also wouldn’t want a candidate who did a video resume to get preferential treatment over you who did not do a video resume. I know that there are some employers who like the new format, and to be honest, if I was a hiring manger, there are times when I’d wished I could see an applicant before bringing them in-but it’s because I know if I saw them first, I would not have invited them in for the interview. If you are still inspired to give these a shot, remember to keep it professional, dress like it’s an interview, and keep it as error-free as humanly possible. Good luck with that. It will be interesting to see where this idea leads, but for now, I’d recommend sitting on the sidelines to see how it plays out.

Here are some reasons why video resumes are a doomed proposition unless you’re shooting for a job as a news anchor or have a TV production studio shoot your video. First. The nature of this format makes you a talking head on camera. I’ve made a video like this before, and I actually posted it on YouTube, and it’s very, very difficult. The camera is completely, 100% focused on YOU, all the time. It doesn’t blink, it’s mind doesn’t wander, it doesn’t look out the window behind you occasionally, it’s totally on YOU. This means it catches every stupid thing you do. Even something simple like moving a lock of hair out of your eyes can look incredibly unprofessional when it’s caught for all eternity in a video resume.

What about when your mind wanders when you’re giving your pitch and you slide in some ums and ahs? Those will be caught for posterity too. Great huh? If you think for a millisecond that job interviews are nerve-wracking-just try making one of these videos. Unless you have a teleprompter, you have got to know exactly what you’re going to say and can talk about it with some enthusiasm and style.

Second. You have GOT to look professional. I’ve watched a few on some websites, and this one stood out. The few I watched on YouTube and other video sites–had someone sitting in a rocking chair (talking about how energetic she was), and another person in her medical scrubs, which wasn’t so bad, but unfortunately she didn’t take the time to edit her mistakes out of the video.

These videos have got to be the absolute best you can give. It’s your one shot!

In an in-person interview you can at least realize that you’ve made some mistakes, and pull it back together toward the end of the interview. Once it’s taped, it’s permanent–employers can watch it repeatedly. It’s harder to erase it from their memory. Think of the funny videos you watch on YouTube. Same premise.

Also, you’ve got to watch what you wear! Whatever you would wear to an interview to make a good impression is what you need to wear in the video. You’re trying to use it as a supplement to your resume, so why would you dress in anything other than a suit?

Third. Employers cannot discriminate against you on the basis of your age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion-basically the things that have nothing to do with how well you do the job. By casually chatting on these videos you can inadvertently open up a Pandora’s box of issues that cause you to not be considered.

One simple example: In your video, you state that you’re moving to a new city to be closer to your boyfriend/girlfriend. The phrase “to be closer to your boyfriend/girlfriend” is the problem. To you, it seems like you’re explaining about the move. To an employer, it’s too much information. As an employer, I get a vision of you turning down my job offer because you broke up with him or her, or after you move, you break up with him or her and plunge into the depths of despair because the ONLY reason you moved was for the relationship-which is now over. An employer may not want to take a chance on you with your baggage vs. a local candidate with less visible baggage. Stating that you have firm plans to move to the city is fine, if asked in an interview, you can say that you’ve developed an interest in the city and are looking forward to meeting new people. But discussing your personal relationships is just too much information. In an effort to be friendly and casual on the video, you can end up telling employer things that actually take you out of the running.

Fourth. Again, based on that employer discrimination concept, as far as I know, the laws have not specifically tackled this issue of video resumes vs. non-video resumes. I know that currently HR departments are overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork they need to regularly submit to some governmental agency to prove that they’re not discriminating. That’s just dealing with the traditional hard copy and emailed resumes they receive from applicants. I know of another company involved in video resumes and they have to keep incredibly detailed records to prove that all applicants’ videos are being viewed for the same amount of time. Think about it. The last thing you want is for an employer to not consider you because you remind them of a relative or former employee that they never liked, and to immediately close your video before hearing you out. You also wouldn’t want a candidate who did a video resume to get preferential treatment over you who did not do a video resume.

I know that there are some employers who like the new format, and to be honest, if I was a hiring manger, there are times when I’d wished I could see an applicant before bringing them in-but it’s because I know if I saw them first, I would not have invited them in for the interview. If you are still inspired to give these a shot, remember to keep it professional, dress like it’s an interview, and keep it as error-free as humanly possible. Good luck with that. It will be interesting to see where this idea leads, but for now, I’d recommend sitting on the sidelines to see how it plays out.

Information about the Author:

Personal Development Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com

Write Your Perfect Resume

Not that long ago, the easiest way to get a job was to visit the company you wanted to work for and ask for one. Today, however, it’s not quite that simple. Most companies require you to submit your resume to them before they’ll consider you for a position. So the resume has become a great deal more important, because it’s the first, and possibly last, chance you have to make the right impression. That’s why it’s so important to get it right!

First off, you need to start writing a resume by being clear about what you’re trying to achieve. Which company are you planning to apply to? What type of job are you hoping to get? The answers to those questions will give you a direction for your resume. Remember, no matter how good your resume is, if the person reading it doesn’t think you’re suitable for the job, you won’t get any further. So make your resume good, but don’t spend countless hours stressing about making it perfect; you’re probably wasting your time.

It’s a good idea to keep your resume short and simple. The person reading your resume probably has dozens, if not hundreds more resumes to read through, and rather than waste time reading your lengthy life history, will put your resume aside and read somebody else’s. Work out the types of things the employer is most likely to want from an employee, and make sure your resume shows you have those skills or qualities. For example, if the job is likely to require attention to detail, mention your ability in that area. Summarize your past job responsibilities with a focus on skills requiring attention to detail. Give your prospective employers plenty of chances to see how your skills could benefit their organization.

Perhaps you’ve never had this type of job before, and so don’t know exactly what the employer will be looking for. That’s okay; just spend some time researching the industry. If possible, ask some professionals in that industry what type of skills or qualities they’d look for in a person holding the job you’re applying for. Look at job advertisements, searching for clues, particularly if they mention certain qualities they’re looking for. Check out newspapers at the library, or search on the Internet. Even better, look at the website of your potential employer, if they have one. Learn as much as you can about the business you’re trying to join, so that you have a better chance of targeting your resume correctly. That knowledge will pay off in an interview, because you can show you know something about the employer’s industry.

One word of warning – never make the mistake of writing a general resume, hoping that you’ll hit all the right buttons. That almost never works.

Now that you have an idea what sort of direction you need to give your resume, start putting it together. Most resumes contain the following sections, although they can vary a little depending on the industry. Still, you should always try to cover these areas somewhere in your resume:

– Employment history
– Positive personal characteristics
– Computer or technical skills
– Educational background and results (include GPA if it’s over 3.0)
– Any other relevant accomplishments, such as a public speaking award

Once you get the hang of it, writing a resume really isn’t hard. All you have to do is put in everything you can to show the prospective employer that you can add value to their business, and take out anything that doesn’t.

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

Steve Dolan is an author who has written many resumes for himself and others. Find tips, tricks, and articles by clicking on Resume Writing.

Applying For Jobs Using An Unsolicited Resume

The job search can be more frustrating when you are forced to apply for jobs speculatively. But does it pay to apply directly, even when there is no job opening posted? What will employers do with such applications, if they are not expecting them in the first place?

Does It Make Sense to Apply

You can view this question from two angles. Applying directly without an ad being posted is broadly regarded as a speculative application, a tactic that is commonly employed by job seekers. You have to match your job need to availability, which means you can’t wait until a vacancy is advertised. Additionally, speculative applications are almost a certainty in all industries. After all, the purpose is to find a vacancy before it is advertised.

Another occasion when you might apply without an ad being posted includes when you have received a referral or tip from someone that you know who works with the company in question.

The bigger question is how recruiters and employees look at applications when they are not expecting them. Unsolicited resumes are never disregarded even though they may irritate a recruiter at the time. Employers file unsolicited resumes in their database for future use. These applications come in handy for companies who don’t advertise when they have a need, as a matter of policy.

A second aspect that is in your favor is when your application reaches an employer just when they are contemplating recruiting. Certain industries, such as service, advertising and marketing, and software engineering employ people for various positions on a continuous basis, as there is a high employee attrition rate in these industries.

How Do I Apply Directly

There are some simple steps that you should follow, which includes preparing a good resume and coverletter. The following points will help you prepare your speculative application.

– Direct or unsolicited applications should be specific to employers as you are offering your qualifications and skills to a particular industry. You can consider doing this in a marketing tone, for exploration.
– Try to include as much information as possible into your application as you are applying for a non-existent job whose requirements are not known to you. This is your insurance against failure due to a mismatch between the job requirement and your skill set.
– Take a paragraph or two to explain why you are interested in the organization and how you are planning to contribute to their success. Making concrete offers focusing specifically on ‘where and how’ of your contributions in one way or the other is crucial. This motivates employers, which is essential when there is no specific vacancy at that time.
– You need to justify your claims of contributing to their success by your qualifications and experiences. If you are applying for middle or higher positions, let your accomplishments speak for you.
– End the application with a thank you and reminding them that you wish to follow-up later. Then, do it!

Knowing how to apply using an unsolicited resume is important. You can locate company contact information from the telephone directory or from company websites.

Information about the Author:

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

Oh No! . . . Not another Electronic Resume Victim!

OK. You’re anxious to get as much exposure as possible. Nothing wrong with that. But the electronic 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!

The truth is . . . there are no shortcuts!

Most folks find their next job as a result of a simple strategy called “networking.” Whether you realize it or not, you probably got your last job because someone you know told you about it or sent you to someone who was in the know.

If you had access to a proven system that shows you step-by-step how to locate opportunities, attract interviews and negotiate for the best offer . . . and all without relying on a mindless dissemination of your resume . . . would you see the incredible advantage you would have.

And, if I told you, further, that this amazing job search system could have you talking face-to-face with your next boss in a matter of days, wouldn’t you jump at the chance to turn your job search into a near-term winner?

The good news is that you can now use proven techniques to shorten your job search and be entertaining good job offers in as little as 14 days! Check it out!

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

Resume Writing Success – The Five Secrets to Working Smarter, Not Harder

Are you are working harder than you should be at your job search? And are your results are too low? Let me show you five ways to make it easier while ending up with better job offers for a lot more money. What I’m about to tell you has helped hundreds of job hunters who have been able to work smarter, not harder, and get better results in the process.

That’s the key. You need to take steps to work smarter – to cultivate an attitude that makes things happen. Here are the five secrets:

1. Job Hunters who work smarter, not harder, position themselves as problem solvers.

How would you respond if you went to your doctor with a complaint and he or she immediately, without an examination or explanation, ordered surgery?

Sounds incredible, I know. But it illustrates a common mistake you may be making.

If you are marketing yourself to an employer, you are like a physician. You must first be credible. An important way to do that is to thoroughly “examine” your prospect – with intelligent questions – before you make a “diagnosis” – suggest a solution.

Remember, your interviewer is likely overwhelmed with a barrage of resumes, interviews, and more. They don’t want mere information from you, they get plenty of that. What they really want is a problem solver who inspires trust.

As smart job hunter, you do everything you possibly can to win your client’s trust by positioning yourself as an expert consultant.

2. Job Hunters who work smarter, not harder, realize that the smart way is the best way – 20 of their results, so by working smart – and actually working less – they can actually achieve much more.

Mass mailing and email blasting are tried and true methods of getting your resume out. But beware; you will get the chaff along with the wheat. Companies trolling for cheaper help will interview almost anybody while looking for people feeling desperate enough to work for less than they are worth. You may get also get interviews by companies always looking for help because they chew up and spit out management and sales people on a regular basis. Yes, there are a lot of low-level, poor quality interviews out there. If you are the type who doesn’t like to spin your wheels on these things, there are other options.

One way to work smart is to stop sending you resume to anyone and everyone. Instead, concentrated on finding prospects that are, in marketing terms, ready to buy.

In the long run this is easier, less time is wasted in poor quality interviews, and the rate of interview offers will skyrocket. And with higher quality interviews, better job offers will follow.

3. A Job Hunter who is working smarter, not harder, will focus on reaching milestones rather than the overall result.

Much like an entrepreneur starting a new business, a job hunter can be overwhelmed. The key to getting through this is breaking the job search into a series of steps. The first step might be to go through the resume writing process. The second might be to find employers experiencing difficulties you can help them with. The third is contacting these employers by getting your resume in front of decision makers. And these steps can be broken down into smaller steps.

By having the first step completed, a job hunter is positioned to get those interviews that he really wanted.

By breaking the job search down into a series of discrete steps, and reaching milestones for each of those steps, the job hunter has taken control of the job search process. You need to do the same thing for your job search: break it down into small steps, and focus on reaching a do-able milestone in each step.

4. A Job Hunter who is working smarter, not harder, will do things differently than others in their field, especially follow-up.

A company I was working for put me in charge of purchasing what was for us an expensive computer upgrade including networking, broadband connections, software, etc. – about $30,000. We called the leading firms in the area and tried to get salespeople to visit us. We found it very hard to get a phone call returned. What was worse, the salespeople who eventually came out were poorly prepared. And when they promised us references and proposals, they rarely followed up.

But one salesperson broke the mold. He followed up. He spent time with us. He was knowledgeable about his competitors’ as well as his own product.

One day when our company had opened a new office and it got a small notice in a business journal. He stopped in to congratulate us. We bought from him, simply because we did not have the time to figure out what the “best” solution was for our needs, and we trusted him. He did things differently from the rest and he got a sale as a result.

In my work with hundreds of job hunters, I find that the best ones ALWAYS do things differently than the rest. They get interviews differently, they network differently, they make their calls differently. In today’s world, doing things differently will prove to be a major ingredient in your success.

One thing that stands out among the successful job hunters is that they consistently and sometimes creatively follow up. Follow up is rare. In fact, studies have claimed that only 1 of job hunters follow up. Therefore, when it is done, it gets noticed. Following up after an interview is a great way, and the smart way, to build trust.

5. A job hunter who is working smarter, not harder, will listen more than talk

Here is an undeniable truth of job hunting: The more your interviewer talks, the higher your chances are of getting a job offer.

It’s really that simple. Sales people will tell you that even if they do a tremendous presentation, they seldom make a sale if they do all the talking. It is imperative that the prospect speaks — and the more the better. If you do most of the talking, they will usually not offer you the job – and the irony is, you will never know why because you were too busy talking to find out!

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that listening is a passive activity. It is not – it’s active. And listening is not an easy habit to acquire, because we are all so preoccupied with our own concerns that we find it hard to shut our minds down and really listen.

But if you learn to listen, it will pay huge dividends, in a better job offer and in a better life.

The way to listen is to pay close attention to what is being said by using your whole being, not just your ears. You direct your full consciousness to the persons or people who you are with. When your mind occasionally wanders onto what you will do tomorrow, or what you did yesterday, or on some fantasy or problem, you simply direct your focus back onto what your interviewers are saying. There is a lot to listening and if you become a master listener you will become a master job hunter.

By really understanding these five secrets and acting on them, you will work less while achieving significant increases in your results, starting today.

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

When to craft a functional resume

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Your Very First Job Search Resume . . . Why Not Make It A Winner!

So, you’re ready to head into the job marketplace for the first time. If you want to do it right, you should have a job campaign plan. Your job search resume is part of that plan.

Before you do anything, take a long hard look at what you’ve got going for you that would be of interest to an employer. Don’t consider only jobs you’ve had. An employer is much more interested in what you bring to the table that can make a difference going forward . . . not backward.

Don’t think of preparing a resume till you’ve sorted out your strengths capabilities and assets. When you’re ready, here are some general rules for your very first job search resume:

1. Stick to one page and use a simple layout.

2. Create an attention-grabbing headline that alerts the reader to your main strengths and capabilities.

3. Below the headline write an assertive summary statement that establishes the kind of results-oriented qualities you bring to the table. Do NOT write an “objective statement.” Employers could care less what you hope to get out of the job. They want to know how you can make a difference to their organization.

4. Don’t indicate your GPA unless it is 3.5 and above.

5. When you identify your work experience it’s very important to quantify what you’ve done, e.g. “I developed a very successful project on a limited budget. I was able to attract over 300 attendants and realized a profit of $2300.”

6. Be sure to indicate particular skills and training you’ve received, e.g. computer programs, second language fluency, CDL license, wood-working, etc.

7. Identify extra curricular activities that set you apart from the competition, e.g. awards, athletic prowess, volunteer work, tutoring, specialized training, eventful vacations and travel experience, etc.

Look, there’s a lot to do to prepare yourself for the job marketplace. An attractive, assertive job search resume is only one step. The good news is there’s an exciting job search system that can launch you into the job marketplace in a matter of hours and have you entertaining a job offer in just days!

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

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