Posted by: JohnnyC on: June 26, 2009
Today, the economic climate is tough and competition for jobs is almost saturated. That is why it is important to understand the proper way to write a resume and to consider all the strategies that work!
Below are 5 resume tips that hiring manages believe are the proper way to write a resume
1. Understand the company you are applying to.
Research the company fully before you even begin to write or update your resume. This will give you a distinct edge, especially if you win an interview. Knowledge of the company will illustrate you are serious about working for them and give the managers a greater reason to interview you. Once you have enough information, certain key words should stand out. These key words can be used in your resume to illustrate your skills and accomplishments.
2. Use the industry language.
Understanding the industry language shows the prospective employer that you know what you’re talking about. Don’t over do it, but make sure you are familiar with the key terminology. All will also give you confidence too.
More and more resumes are now being scanned by employers (It’s quicker than reading through 100’s of similar resumes). If you post your online, possible employers may look for candidates who use specific key words in their resume. If you have them, you could find yourself getting that call for an interview!
3.Tailor your resume to each job.
If you are applying to a number of different positions, then make sure your resume is tailored and targeted to each position. Resume software can certainly help you with this.
Also mentioning the job or company in your resume shows you have taken time to focus on them and this will give you an advantage, especially if you have tailored your resume to the needs of the employer.
4. Make important information stand out.
Hiring managers are quite happy for important information that you want them to see highlighted. This is a useful strategy, as your resume is likely to be scan read so highlighting important information will grab their attention. You might want to highlight it by either bold facing it, underlining it, or italicizing it, thereby increasing the odds that the reader sees it.
5 .Tailor your resume to the job and salary you want.
Never downplay yourself. Usually it’s not intentional, but it is very common to see someone (especially younger, more inexperienced workers) say something like this: “Seeking an Entry Level Position in Marketing.”
Statement such as these tell the employer that the applicant is only worth about $7 per hour (or less), even if the position is slated to pay $18 per hour. It can also suggest the applicant is 1) inexperienced, 2) not confident, and 3) not qualified.
So, how do you word your summary statement or title at the top of the resume? Even if you are not terribly experienced or somewhat new to the job force, accentuate what great benefits you have that you’re offering the company! Don’t be afraid…
These tips on the proper way to write a resume should get you on the right track at least!
Posted by: JohnnyC on: June 10, 2009
When you look at how to write a proper resume make sure you follow the advice below.
Make sure you spend time highlight your strengths that are most relevant to the potential employer. Then put your most strongest and relevant points first (use bullet points when writing. It is easier to read and allows the reder to scan too) where they have more chance to be read. Remember this is your bait for the reader and the rest of your resume reels them in.
Research job postings thoroughly online and in the newspapers for positions that interest you. Each position will normally have a brief outline about the company and the job on offer. Use the keywords listed in these ads, and match them to the bullet points in your resume. There’s a fair chance that you have some of these as key points already, however if you have missed any, add them to your resume.
Make sure your resume reflects a positive attitude. To do this leave out any negatives or irrelevant points. If you think your graduation date will leave you open to age discrimination, don’t put it in your resume. If you do some duties in your current job that aren’t relevant to you application, don’t include them. Focus on the duties that do support your application.
Remember you need to tailor your resume for each job you apply for. Learning how to do a proper resume takes time and effort, but if you use the above points your efforts will be rewarded.
Posted by: JohnnyC on: June 9, 2009
To start to build a resume, determine your objectives (do this before you write the resume). State the sort of a job you want and know what skill-set and experience you need to do well in that job. Once you have determined your objectives, prioritize the content of your resume to suit those objectives. To get the interest of the hiring manager, you will only have a small window of time so brevity and focus is essential.
Even though your resume is basically a marketing tool, it shouldn’t read like one. Try not to over-use industry jargon, be factual, concise and state compelling results. Don’t go into detail about every accomplishment in your resume but companies are looking for more than just training and education today… they are looking for a proven track record.
Remember: the interview is the place to expand on your accomplishments and evaluate work-style cultural cues. Not the resume.
1. Use Bulleted Sentences
When you begin to build a resume use bullets with short sentences to structure the body of your resume. The main selling points of your resume need to be clear and quick to scan. Don’t worry about the specifics; you will go into the details during the interview stage.
2. Use Action Words
Action words make your resume stand out. So use words like, prepared, managed, developed, championed, monitored, and presented. Don’t over use the same verb over and over. If your resume is scanned electronically, the computer will pick up on the words. Some companies now scan in your resume and have computers pull those that meet certain criteria. The computers are looking for one thing – the keywords that have been picked by the hiring manager. These are action keywords that relate to the position so not including them or using shortened acronyms could mean your resume is disregarded as a “non-match”.
3. Use Facts & Figures
When you build a resume, use dollar totals, numbers, and percentages. Theses stand out in the body of a resume and hiring managers like to see them in the resume. Look at the examples below.
Example 1
Bad: Account manager for building company. Good: Managed 15 strategic accounts billing in excess of $10 million annually.
Example 2
Bad: Sold chip sets to clients located in the Midwest. Good: Increased sales by 17 percent in a five-state territory.
When you build a resume the above will make your it stand out. Bear in mind the use of relevant keywords, especially if your resume is likely to be scanned.
Posted by: JohnnyC on: June 9, 2009
Learning how to write a good resume will give you that competitive edge. Are you struggling creating a good resume that will highlight your skills and accomplishments to give you that competitive edge in the job market?
Remember, there is no right or wrong way when creating a good resume, but make sure the finished article is clear, well organized, professionally presented, concise and fits the requirements of the position you’re aiming for.
This article looks at some of the main points to consider if you want to learn how to write a good resume and get it to the top of the pile.
Before you begin creating a good resume, take step back and prepare properly. Grab a note pad and list down all the things you have achieved that are relevant to the job you are after. This can include achievements such as cost savings, improvements, outcomes and advancements your skills made possible. If your applying for a variety of jobs positions with different companies, each application will need a tailored resume. Your resumes will need to be customized, highlighting skills and experience relevant to the job descriptions.
Be economical with your work history and remember it is best to only list your most current positions you have held. It is also worth noting that employers prefer candidates who have been in their current position for more than three years. If your employment history consists of lots of short-term work, then use the functional format.
Resumes can take a variety of formats, so make sure the format you use best illustrates your skills and accomplishments. Try and keep your resume to one page and present it on white paper. Hiring managers like things they are familiar with, so don’t send in a wacky resume or one with differing fonts. If you are setting out on a new career path, add an objective, otherwise a summary will do.
Learning how to write a good resume takes time and effort, so learning how to re-write, edit and proof read the finished article is important. Get into the habit of asking a friend or family member to read your resume before you send it. Basic errors such as poor spelling, bad grammar and punctuation are common. Errors are easy to change if your resume is thoroughly checked. Even if you have edited and proofed your resume, still get someone else to read and review it.
Posted by: JohnnyC on: June 6, 2009
Can you believe that most submitted resumes don’t make the grade? So when building a resume, make sure you don’t make the same mistakes as the vast majority of resume writers. Many resumes are rejected for making glaring mistakes which are fairly basic, but catch people out just about all of the time. This is the opinion of employers who spend time reading through 1000’s of resumes every day.
Research has show there are 3 key areas that should addressed if you want to be in with a chance of getting the job of your dreams.
The most important point is don’t one resume for every job you apply for. It’s amazing how many people bash out the same resume to different employers looking for different attributes from applicants. You really have no chance of getting through the door with this approach and you’ll look ridiculous too. Remember, hiring managers read through 100’s of resumes at a time and can easily detect a bog standard resume in seconds. You guessed it, in the trash it goes.
Look to tailor your resume every time you send it to a prospective employer and ensure it fits the job you are applying for. Hiring managers constantly complain that most resumes come across as generic with no consideration about a particular position or company.
So make sure you customize your resume before applying for a new job position. Building a resume properly will ensure you bring out the details of your experience that are most relevant to each opportunity and company you apply to.
Always keep your resume interesting. Write in bullet points and clear concise language that gets across all the relevant information quickly. One hiring employer stated that if they snooze you lose and your resume will end up in the trash!
When considering building a resume, keep away from jargon as this makes resumes hard to understand and boring to read. Most resume readers will not understand jargon and vague terminology, so if they can’t see what they’re looking for almost immediately, there’s a good chance you resume will be rejected.
To help make sure your resume is not boring to read or full of jargon read it aloud to 2 or 3 friends and get their honest opinions. If they look bored then they probably are and so will the hiring manager when they come to read it. Revise your resume until it holds the listeners attention.
Of course, building a resume and getting your dream job is not just about the above, but if you can eliminate these mistakes, you should be in there with a go
Posted by: JohnnyC on: June 3, 2009
It’s very important in today’s volatile job market to understand that creating a good resume is vital to win that prized job interview. Hiring managers receive many 100’s of resumes for every job they advertise in the press. Can they possibly find the time to read and assess all of them? Probably not! Because of the vast amount of resumes they have to get through, it’s a well known fact that most hiring managers give each resume only a 20 to 30 second scan before they either trash it or continue reading.
Do you want all your hard work and time to pass the 20 – 30 second test and make it to the top of the pile? O course you do!
It’s important to understanding before you can begin creating a good resume, you will have to tailor your resume to each job advert you are applying for. This is a key ingredient for success. To allow you to do this, a certain amount quality research will have to be undertaken to find out what the prospective employer is looking for in their search to fill the advertised position. When they scan a resume, what the hiring managers are looking for are those key skills and accomplishments that will encourage them to continue reading. If they don’t find them quickly, your resume crashes and burns and doesn’t go any further.
The ideal place to start is the job advert itself, as most recruiting companies will outline in their advert what they want to see from the applicant in terms of skills, accomplishments and experience. For example, if you are looking at a graduate type of position, there is a fair bet the prospective employer will expect you to be skilled in a wide variety of analytical skills.
You will need to write down your skills and accomplishments and match them to the graduate skills required. If there is a suitable match (It’s best to have at least an 80% match between what the prospective employer wants and what you can offer) then you are in a position to begin creating a good resume for this job application. If not, don’t waste your time by creating a good resume for this post, as it will be unlikely to reach the required standards. Move on to another position that’s a better match for your skills etc.
Researching the post you are applying for is clearly important if you are creating a good resume to blow the competition away!
Posted by: JohnnyC on: June 1, 2009
If you’re not sure how to do a resume , then folow this great advice -The Princeton Review asked 50 hiring professionals what they were looking for in a resume, and they offered the following tips: Make sure it is easy to read, well organized, professionally presented, concise, results-oriented and tailored to the requirements of the job being sought.
Here are some additional suggestions:
Make sure you prepare – Look to draw up a list accomplishments that you have achieved over the past 12 months. Record the outcomes and show improvements, possible costsvings and successes your efforts made possible.
Customize – Make sure you customize your resume for each job application you make. Your skills and experience will need to match that of the job description.
Format – Use a conventional format. Nothing wacky or over the top! If you’re not sure how to do a resume, especially the layout, the recommended format features work history, including skills, work experience (include accomplishments), education and professional certification. You can also put a career objective at the start of your resume if you feel it is beneficial.
Accuracy – Anything you put in your resume will be confirmed. Any errors will lead your resume to be dismissed. Make sure you check your spelling, punctuation and grammar. Ask someone to proof read your resume for you before you send it off.
Work History – Only note the most current positions you’ve held. Any gaps on your work history will need to be documented and explained.
Understanding how to do a resume properly is critical to your future employment success. A professionally written resume is a crucial element in the job search process, which should not be overlooked.
Posted by: JohnnyC on: March 1, 2009
Apostrophes
Apostrophes have two uses:
1. Apostrophes show you that some letters have been taken out of a word to shorten it.
Do not becomes don’t.
I will becomes I’ll.
Could have becomes could’ve.
The apostrophe goes where the letters have been removed. You use apostrophes this way in informal writing. You should not shorten words when you are writing formal letters.
NOTE – sometimes words are shortened in an irregular way. The apostrophe, however, is still used to show where letters are missing. E.G: Will not becomes won’t.
2. Apostrophes show you that something belongs to something else. To show belonging you add ’s. The cat’s tail – says that the tail belongs to the cat.
The car’s lights – says that the lights belong to the car.
Tony’s hair – says that the hair belongs to Tony.
Usually the apostrophe goes before the s. If the owner already ends in s then the apostrophe goes after the s that is already there. You just need to add an apostrophe.
Eg: The dogs’ bowls – says that the bowls belong to some dogs.
The boys’ coats – says that the coats belong to some boys.
The cars’ wheels – says that the wheels belong to some cars.
Watch out for plurals that don’t end in s. Words like men and children don’t end in s, but they are talking about lots of people. These words use ’s to show possession.
E.G: The men’s hats – says that the hats belong to the men.
The women’s house – says that the house belongs to the women.
Posted by: JohnnyC on: February 18, 2009
The following phrases will add energy to statements about your work-related duties and accomplishments.
HINT: Consider integrating other power words into these basic formulas.
Acted as liaison for/between…
Assigned territory consisting of…
Accounted for…
Drew up…
Mapped out…
Handled a territory spanning…
Promoted to…
Instrumental in…
Recipient of…
Remained as…
Innovation resulted in…
Honoured as…
…amounting to a total savings of…
Recommendations accepted by…
Adept at…
Assisted with…
Took charge of…
Proven track record in…
Experience involved/included…
More than X years experience in…
Expertise and demonstrated skills in…
Successful in/at…
Experienced in all facets/phases…
Knowledge of…
Experienced as…
Extensive training in…
Extensive involvement in…
Initially employed as…
Specialized in…
Proficient in…
Competent at…
Temporarily assigned to…
Sales quota accountability…
Reported directly to…
Served/Operated as…
In charge of…
Direct/Indirect control…
Familiar with…
Assigned to…
Posted by: JohnnyC on: February 18, 2009
There’s been more ink spilled discussing how to write the perfect résumé than on any other single aspect of the job search. This is probably because this unavoidable chore causes job hunters so much stress and anxiety.
Since so much is riding on this single sheet of paper, the task of writing, revising, and updating a résumé can suck up a disproportionate amount of a job hunter’s time and energy. But with all the information that’s floating around out there, it’s easy to get tangled up in knots and end up overthinking the process. The result can be an excessively detailed, humdrum document that’s destined to sink to the bottom of the hiring manager’s slush pile.
To make sure that your résumé escapes this dreaded fate, you have to strike just the right balance between ‘informative’ and ‘compelling.’ In short, your résumé should clearly establish your professional credentials — without boring readers to tears.
According to Peggy Swager, author of Surviving the 15-Second Résumé Read, hiring managers often go with their gut impulses when sorting through large stacks of application materials. The ideal document will immediately grab readers’ attention and compel them to take a second look. Then, the informative sections of the résumé should be able to back up the flash with substance.
If you’re tearing your hair out over your résumé, relax. The best examples of informative, compelling résumés are made up of only five basic elements. Use these building blocks to create a document that will help you take your career to the next level.
Believe it or not, the two-to-three-sentence profile at the top of your résumé may be the most important part of the entire document. You should spend more time getting this part just right than anything else. Skip the bland, passive language most applicants use in their “objective” sections and really sell yourself with powerful, direct word choices. Include the top highlights of your experience, education, and personality.
Right under the résumé-opening “Summary” section, include a bullet-point list of five or six of your top professional achievements and accomplishments. Eliminate vague descriptive language and stick to the facts whenever possible, using examples such as “Developed teaser script for servers that increased per-table dessert sales by 22%.”
Although you should customize your entire résumé for each position you’re applying for, this is particularly important in this section. If you’re responding to an ad, study it carefully to figure out what the hiring manager will be looking for, and structure this section accordingly. If you have a lot of applicable experience, you can break it down into several sub-headings, such as “Supervisory Experience” and “Customer Service Experience.”
The length of this section will vary according to how much job experience you have. If you’re a seasoned pro with decades in the industry, just stick to the basics. If you’re a new graduate, you might want to expand on this section, including relevant coursework and significant awards or internships.
In the sections that outlined your professional accomplishments and areas of expertise, you detailed the reasons why you’re a great fit for the position. In this section, you’ll provide the “who, when, and where” of your past experience. You can order this section chronologically, or sort past jobs by category — whichever method best emphasizes your strengths. You can eliminate the need for a separate “References” section by listing a point of contact for each past position.
Crafting an eye-catching résumé doesn’t have to be stressful. You can use these basic building blocks to create an engaging document that will convey your strengths in an informative and compelling way. Tailor your résumé to each position you apply for, and don’t shy away from direct language that aggressively highlights your abilities. With a top-quality calling card like that, you should be juggling multiple job offers before you know it.
