Resume Writing: 7 Strategies that Say Hire Me
by: Robert Moment
A resume is your life condensed to a few pages and highlighted with your qualities and experiences. Potential employers learn about you through the words you chose and the examples you give. If you are not careful with these words and examples, however, you may just give the wrong impression.
An effective resume is essential in the business world. Without one, you will not succeed. Employers are looking for people with talent, people who can get the job done, and you may very well be that person. But, without a proper resume, you will never get the chance to prove it. You have to give employers a polished and professional resume, one that emphasizes all of your best qualities. To help you accomplish this, we have provided several tips that can guarantee you the best resume possible. No matter what your situation, these tips will help you make a powerful impression.
1. Apply Your Skills
Show, through your resume, that you have experience with the job in question. Listing irrelevant abilities will not impress your employer. For example, if you are seeking a job in management, then you must show potential employers that you are qualified for this job. Apply the skills you have to this position.
2. Use Power Words
Power Words, also called Action Verbs, provide better emphasis in a resume. They create a more assertive and memorable statement. Words like ?accomplished?, ?developed?, ?led? and ?persuaded? show your employer that you are confident in your abilities. Rather than making a bland statement (for example, ?I was District Sales Manager of the Information Technology Division?), you let your experiences shine (?Increased sales 39% in 18 months as the District Sales Manager ). Use these words to show confidence and control.
3. Stick To The Point
Future employers do not have time to wade through your entire life; they want to know what you can do for them and why you are best suited for the job. When writing a resume, be concise. List only relevant details, accomplishments and experiences. A resume should represent only the parts of your life that are applicable to the position. With, typically, one to two pages, there is little space to waste. Keep it simple and keep it pertinent.
4. Sell Yourself
While humility is to be admired, it can also cost you a job?you are going against countless other individuals who want the same position you do and they are all trying to look better than any other applicant. If you want the job, you have to standout. Showcase your best abilities and experiences; emphasize your strengths and talents. If you want the job, then you have to be willing to indulge in a little conceit. This is not to say, however, that you should misrepresent yourself. Tell the truth (just use the best examples of the truth). Remember that you deserve this job; do not shy away from showing future employers why.
5. Plan Everything
Most resumes are one-two pages long. This does not leave much room to navigate. Decide in advance what you will include. And, since you have limited space, you must include only relevant facts and concise descriptions. Take the time to draft your resume and see if anything is lacking or missing. This will save you time later.
6. Flashy Is Futile
When creating your resume, use only white or ivory paper. Do not waste time with novelty items (anything colored or special bonded). Stand out with the content, not the paper. Also, never handwrite your resume. This shows a lack of interest to employers and will most likely be discarded. Typed out on white or ivory paper is the most effective thing to do.
7. Proofread
This is the most important part of creating a resume. You must proofread everything, over and over until you are certain there are no mistakes. And, then, you have someone else read it?going over a resume once or twice is not enough; you are not likely to catch any mistakes. Read and reread.
These 7 steps may seem obvious but many people ignore them; put yourself ahead of the competition. Follow these suggestions and create the Resume that say Hire Me.
About The Author
Robert Moment is an author, business coach, and success strategist. He has successfully consulted with and advised hundreds of job seekers. His most recent e-book, ?What Matters Most is Employment? (www.jobsearchrx.com) is a concise guide, packed with information and tips on finding and getting career-advancing employment in today?s job market.
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When the Job Search is Over, be Sure to Say Thanks
When the Job Search is Over, be Sure to Say Thanks
by: Heather Eagar
Using a job acceptance letter when offered a position shows true professionalism.
It is a way of saying ?thank you? to the person who hired you, and giving them assurance that they made the right decision.
You have presented yourself to them as a professional with your resume, cover letter, reference sheet, salary history, letters of recommendation, follow up note, and any other personal marketing materials you?ve used while job hunting.
You went out of your way to make sure that the interview went well, and probably did your homework on the company before going in for that first interview.
Now using a job acceptance letter will be a capstone on all your work, and perfect the positive professional image you?ve tried to convey throughout the job search and hiring process.
Of course, if you?ve never written one before you may have questions...
When the Job Search is Over, be Sure to Say Thanks
Sample resume > When the Job Search is Over, be Sure to Say Thanks
Understanding Resume Styles
Understanding Resume Styles
by: David Green
Perfecting the perfect resume style can be tricky.
Many job seekers don't really understand the ins and outs of resume creation and only think about their resumes when they are actively seeking other employment.
Many recruiters agree that such an approach can actually leave your resume lacking in both style and content.
Living Resume Style
Do you have a living or non-living resume?
A living resume style is a document that is continually updated over the course of months or years.
It isn't simply updated when you are looking for a job.
So if your employer gives you a new task or you learn a new skill, you would update your resume to reflect that. This resume style is ideal for a number of reasons.
First, it lets you get a clearer picture of where you may be headed in your career.
You may begin to notice patterns and...
Sample resume > Understanding Resume Styles
Cover Letters, Resumes and the Job Hunter?What?s it All About?
Cover Letters, Resumes and the Job Hunter?What?s it All About?
by: Heather Eagar
Any good job hunter needs a resume package.
The cover letter and resume always go together and do the same basic thing in slightly different ways. A job hunter without both of them will probably not get very far in the search for a good career position.
With that in mind, let?s take a look at what these crucial documents should do for you.
The first part, the cover letter, is a short one page letter consisting of three or four paragraphs.
It serves as an introduction to the resume.
It is the part that will always be seen by the gatekeeper.
The second part is the resume itself.
Many job hunters make the mistake of thinking they can just leave a resume without a cover letter.
That is like putting on a suit and tie, but forgetting the shirt or the pants.
They are a package and they go together.
Sample resume > Cover Letters, Resumes and the Job Hunter?What?s it All About?
How to Conduct a Job Search
How to Conduct a Job Search
by: Jeremy LaDart
Conducting a job search is a daunting task, even for seasoned professionals. There are many pieces to the puzzle, and each piece plays its own important role in the process. Knowing the pieces of the process is a crucial element for your success.
While there is no such thing as doing too much, there is a basic guide to follow. It consists of five painless steps that will outline your work ahead. Together, they form the foundation of a job hunt that will yield exceptional results.
1. Put together a great resume.
Before your job search ever begins, you need a resume. The resume is the first contact you will have with a prospective employer. It is an extension of your life and a summary of your accomplishments. It is how a manager will pick you out of hundreds?possibly thousands of applicants. It can mean the difference between exciting job interviews and a phone that never rings, between...
How to Conduct a Job Search
Sample resume > How to Conduct a Job Search
Need Interviews? A Sample Letter for Following-Up Your Resume Submission
Need Interviews? A Sample Letter for Following-Up Your Resume Submission
by: Heather Eagar
A sample letter to use as a guide when preparing your follow up letters can assist your job search, save you time, and make you look very professional.
Take a look at the following, and use it as a guide when preparing your own follow up letters.
SAMPLE FOLLOW UP LETTER
Date
Decision Maker, Position
Company
Address
City
State, Zip code
Dear (use name),
I wanted to touch base with you concerning my recent application with your company.
Knowing you are busy I?ve enclosed another copy of my resume for your review.
My interests and work experience are in the areas of sales and sales management.
Having worked with Xyz company for the past seven years as a sales representative, I have strong experience and believe I could be a strong asset to your organization.
I would...
Need Interviews? A Sample Letter for Following-Up Your Resume Submission
Sample resume > Need Interviews? A Sample Letter for Following-Up Your Resume Submission