Is Your Resume Working? 10 Steps to a Resume That Gets Results

By Louise Fletcher

You know the feeling. You spend hours, or even days, creating a resume. You pore over every word of your cover letter and agonize over what to say in your email. Then you hit 'send' and wait. And wait. And wait. No one calls. No one writes. You don't know if anyone even saw your resume. When this happens, it's easy to get dejected and worry that employers are not interested in you. Don't! Remember, they haven't met you. They have only seen your resume and that may be the problem.

An overwhelming majority of job seekers make basic mistakes with their resumes - mistakes that ensure that they will not get the interviews they deserve. If you feel as though you're sending your resume into a black hole, try this '10 Step Program' to diagnose problems and get your resume working for you.

1. Is your résumé the right length?

You may have heard that your resume should fit on one page. This is nonsense. Recruiter or hiring managers don't care if your resume is one or two pages long. But they do care whether it is easy to read and gives key information upfront. Your resume can be one, two, or (occasionally) even three pages. The only rule is that the length should be appropriate for you. If in doubt follow the (very general) rule of thumb that less than 5 years experience probably only requires one page and more than that may need two.

2. Does your resume clearly position you as someone who can meet the needs of the employer?

Think of a resume as an advertisement for a product, only this time the product is you. Just like any other advertisement, positioning is everything. The person who receives your resume will scan it quickly - perhaps for no more than 20 seconds - to determine whether you can help her company. Your job is to say quickly, clearly and loudly that you can!

Don't just launch into a chronology of your career history. Instead, determine your own positioning by spelling out your message at the start of the resume and giving the reader your version of events upfront. For this reason, you should use the first 1/3 of your resume to create a compelling personal profile which highlights your key strengths in an attractive, easy-to-read format.

3. Does your résumé begin with an objective?

Don't start with an objective. Recruiters and hiring managers don't like them because they focus on the needs of the job seeker rather than the needs of the potential employer. Consider this objective statement:

"Seeking a software engineer position with a progressive employer where I can contribute to the development of new technologies and work with bright, committed people."

This may be very honest but it is irrelevant to the reader, who does not care what you want and only cares what you have to offer. Instead of an objective, try using a positioning statement that clearly and concisely explains what you have to offer.

"Senior Software Engineer with 10 years experience developing leading-edge technologies."

Now the reader can immediately see your value to the company. (For even greater impact, tailor this statement for each position so that the reader immediately sees a match between his/her needs and your skills.)

4. Does your resume contain specifics?

You must place your achievements in context by providing specifics. For example, don't say something vague like "contributed to product design." This tells the employer nothing about your actual contribution. Instead be specific about what you did:

"Conducted market analysis for (name of product) to determine design and mechanics. Led changes to original design spec. despite initial developer objections. Received critical acclaim and sold over 4 million units."

See how being specific makes a difference? This level of detail shows the reader the contributions you have made in the past (and therefore the contributions you can be expected to make in the future.)

5. Have you outlined achievements as well as responsibilities?

Don't provide a laundry list of responsibilities without showing what results you achieved. Most employers already know what the main responsibilities of your job were. They want to know what makes you different from all the other applicants. An effective resume summarizes job responsibilities in a few sentences and then provides details of quantifiable achievements.

Focus most of your resume on the results you accomplished, not the regular duties of your job.

6. Are there any typos?

Your resume has to be perfect. Proofread it over and over again. When you are sure it's perfect, have other people proof it! If even one word is misspelled the reader will assume that you didn't know how to spell the word (this is bad) or that you didn't care (this is even worse!) Nothing puts the reader off more quickly than misspellings or typos.

7. Is the resume easy to read?

At least 50% of the impact of your resume derives from design. A strong resume design will pull the eye through the document, making it easy to keep reading and will highlight your key strengths clearly. But if your resume is badly laid out, disorganized or hard to read, it will be discarded before the reader knows how qualified you are.

To see examples of how to lay out your resume, go to the library or bookstore and look in the career section. You will find collections of sample resumes. Take time to understand how the page has been laid out and then apply what you've learned to your resume.

8. Have you listed irrelevant information?

Don't list your hobbies unless they directly support your qualifications for the position. Don't detail your marital status or the number of children you have. Don't mention non-professional affiliations such as political or religious volunteer work unless it directly relates to the position you are applying for. Any personal information runs the risk of turning the reader off. However proud you are of personal achievements, you should not run the risk of alienating someone before you even have your foot in the door.

9. Are you too modest?

Don't be uncomfortable about blowing your own trumpet. Too many people play down their achievements. While you should never exaggerate on a resume, you should definitely take credit for the things you've accomplished. Some people feel uncomfortable boasting on paper preferring to explain in an interview. But if your resume doesn't spark interest, you may never get that opportunity, so don't be modest!

10. Have you created an internet-ready version of resume?

If you have to post your resume online, or apply to a job via an online system, you will need to convert your resume to a text-only format. If you don't do this, your resume will be almost impossible to read because most online systems cannot support the type of formatting used in a resume (bold, italics, bullet points, lines etc.)

Summary

When you send your resume out, it must speak articulately for you. You can't explain inconsistencies, clear up confusion or fill in things that are missing. Your resume has to make your sales pitch in a clear and compelling manner within 20 seconds. Invest the time to make it exceptional and you will see an immediate increase in the response rate.

Louise Fletcher is the President of Blue Sky Resumes (http://www.blueskyresumes.com). She is also the Co-founder and Managing Editor of Career Hub (http://careerhub.typepad.com), a leading source of free job search information for professionals and executives. Louise is a frequent contributor to job search publications such as Monster.com, The Ladders, Net-Temps, Job Bank USA and Employment Spot, and her work is featured in numerous resume books, including the JISTworks "Expert Resume" series. A recognized leader in cutting-edge job search techniques, Louise has helped 1,000s of professionals secure a better position through effective career marketing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Louise_Fletcher/28588

A Great Resume and Lack of Self Confidence = An Exercise in Futility

By Lenny Keitel

In today's highly competitive and fierce job market, there is a marked propensity for job seekers to solicit the services of a professional resume writer to ensure they have an 'edge' to capably differentiate themselves from a multitude of other candidates in their job search. The job seeker invariably arrives at this decision after realizing that the creation of a 'persuasive and engaging resume' can prove quite a formidable and daunting challenge.

Upon culmination and delivery of a re-crafted, compelling resume to the client, two distinct responses are generally triggered ranging from - 'ecstatic' to 'disbelief''. These contradictory behavioral reactions are not unusual.

Relevance of a 'Positive' Mindset

The 'ecstatic' client is invariably elated and highly enthusiastic; elevated to a euphoric state based upon the positive and dramatic transformation that has evolved since submitting their original resume. Their new resume has substantially reinforced their self-confidence, motivating them to optimistically and passionately market themselves for emerging interview opportunities and career challenges.

By contrast, an opposing comment expressed by the client mired in 'disbelief' invariably is - "Is this really me"? For a job seeker with a confidence or self-esteem issue, this is not an uncharacteristic comment. This startling and disarming reaction is typically induced by the vast disparity between 'mediocrity' and a new, inspiring resume which now reveals the candidate's stellar attributes and true potential. Unfortunately, the dramatic transformation from an archaic, mediocre resume, to a superbly crafted and motivating resume, has fueled a myriad of emotions which include - uncertainty, apprehension, and a sense of fear.

An Impressive Resume - 'Raises the Bar'

Whether if by oversight or simple humility, it's not uncommon for the job seeker to typically underestimate their actual abilities, career achievements, and expertise. After an extensive 'discovery phase', their new resume reflects a superior caliber of candidate; distinguished with an enlightened illumination - in startling contrast to their original resume. The revelations incorporated in a compelling new resume dictate that the job seeker has the leverage and potential to capably compete on a higher plane.

There is however, a direct correlation between the confidence level of the job seeker and how well they progress during a job interview. The 'bar has been raised', and consequently, so will expectations from corporate recruiters and interviewers. A new resume propels the job seeker out of the past and into the portals of a new decade, confronted with new technologies, economic challenges, and highly selective and discriminating corporate recruiters.

For the job seeker with a 'positive attitude', armed with their new resume, they are inclined to quickly rise to the corporate challenge and effectively exude an elevated level of self-confidence and versatility. They value being part of a new team and positively influence the corporate recruiter and other team members with their enthusiasm and passion for success.

For the job seeker lacking confidence and 'self-esteem', although armed with an impeccable, compelling resume, the thought of the job search and interview is often perceived as a source of intimidation and approached with trepidation. This 'transformative phase' represents a radical departure from their 'comfort zone'; being thrust into a highly dynamic and stressful job search environment. Unfortunately, the discerning recruiter is able to quickly ascertain the disparity between a captivating resume and a candidate incapable of 'selling' themselves and articulating their 'values' to a successful organization.

Addressing a Self-Confidence Issue

If lacking self-confidence is an issue, regardless of an impressive resume, it's difficult to transition into 'sales mode' and be successful when wrought with uncertainty, fear, and apprehension. The inability to take any action or make constructive decisions becomes overwhelming. Fortunately, for many job seekers, a longer adjustment period may be all that is needed to grasp reality and allow 'self-preservation' to help establish traction.

For other candidates, overcoming this hurdle typically requires more than an inspiring resume to restore their self-confidence and gain market traction. The good news, is that there are a multitude of career, self-image and out-placement resources (municipal and private), available to address issues relating to one's self-confidence level and job search management. Often times, a catalyst is all that is needed to motivate the job seeker to embrace change, take control of their life, and propel them 'over the raised bar'.

According to former head football coach Lou Holtz - 'Life is ten percent what happens to you, and ninety percent how you respond to it!'

Lenny Keitel is a 29 year veteran with Fujitsu as a Director of Professional Services and Information Technology (IT). Mr. Keitel has extensive expertise in - employee staffing, strategic resource planning, employee career development and motivation, client education, web integration services, and forging new business alliances. He is a frequent guest columnist specializing in creative resume writing and effective interviewing techniques. Mr. Keitel has also appeared as an expert guest on 'talk radio'. Hudson Valley Resumes is a premier nationwide Resume Writing Service with a penchant for crafting compelling, visually appealing resumes. Exploiting our in-depth corporate background, we are experts in composing impressive resumes that lands interviews by differentiating and positioning our clients a 'cut-above' other candidates. Our clients directly benefit from our unique insight into complex internal corporate tactics and dynamic factors potentially impacting staffing selections. We are a sensible choice for job seekers looking for a superior level of personalized service to reduce the time, cost, and frustration with their job search.
Lenny Keitel Hudson Valley Resumes http://www.hudsonvalleyresumes.com
info@hudsonvalleyresumes (email) (845) 782-6714 (phone/fax)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lenny_Keitel/374561

Choosing the Right Resume Format to Maximize Your Job Search Results

By Ci Ci Fan 

With hundreds (if not thousands) of people competing with you for that dream job, how can you get ahead of the pack?

The resume is the primary tool used to land a job. It reflects upon your past and, more importantly, it can indicate your future. Your resume acts as a bait to lure the big fishes. If you can write a good resume, your chances of getting hired are greatly increased.

When writing a resume, you need to take into account the specific position you are applying for. This determines how you will write your resume. People who are trying to have a career change write their resumes differently than those pursuing a job in the same career path.

There are three main types of resume formats - chronological, functional and combination. Each has its own specific advantages and emphasizes.

1. Chronological Resume Format

Also known as the standard resume writing style, the chronological resume format lists your achievements according to chronology starting with the most recent. It also provides great details about each job in the form of your job title, dates of employment and accompanying duties and responsibilities. This is the most common and widely used type of resume format.

The chronological style of writing is for you if your job history is on the same career path or very much related to the position you are applying for. The potential downside is that entries located at the top of the page usually receive more attention than those listed further down. This is an issue if you want employers to focus on positions that you have held earlier on in your career.

Emphasis:

• Your career growth and history

Who should use it:

• Individuals with working histories directly related to the job they are applying to
• Job seekers who have a progressive career, with no chronological issues

2. Functional Resume Format

The second type of layout you can use is the functional format. Here, you list your accomplishments in skill clusters. Unlike the chronological format, it does not give specific details on your previous jobs, including any dates, job titles or job descriptions. The purely functional resume is not common and most employers are not familiar with them.

The focus of the function resume is on skills and responsibilities instead of chronology or timeframe. This highlights the relevant expertise you have and links them to the job you are applying to even if you have not previously held a similar job title. The downside is that they are not typically understood or preferred by employers.

Emphasis:

• Skills relevant to the job you are applying for

Who should use it:

• Recent graduates who have little or no job experience
• People who stopped working and are trying to get back to the work force
• Individuals who want a career change
• People with long career histories who want to avoid a lengthy resume
• Individuals with no definite career path or have had a very varied career

3. Combination Resume Format

The combination format incorporates elements of both the functional and chronological formats. The first page of the combination format details your skills and achievements. The second page gives a chronological listing of your job history. As such, your skills and achievements will be read first, followed by your career timeline.

This format combines the best of the two formats by focusing on relevant skills but also providing a chronological summary, which makes it more acceptable to employers than the purely functional resume. However, this format will not conceal things such as career gaps, your age, frequent job changes and the like.

Emphasis:

• Skills and achievements relevant to the job you are applying for

Who should use it:

• People who have a career history or have held jobs somewhat related to the position they are applying for
• Individuals who don't have major chronological issues

Ci Ci Fan is a writer for ResumeTarget.com. She researches and writes about job search strategies, resume-writing techniques, interview tips, and market trends.

ResumeTarget.com is a professional resume writing service that helps jobseekers reach their career objectives. Online since 2002, it is dedicated to providing a one-stop shop for jobseekers with a comprehensive selection of customized, user-friendly and industry-leading services including resume writing, distribution, and interviewing and networking coaching.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ci_Ci_Fan/648892

Setting Up a Resume - Job Objective Examples

By Stephen DeVane  

When you're setting up a resume, it helps to have job objective examples.

Your career objective is one of the most important parts of your resume. It is often the first thing a prospective employer reads. If it captures the reader's attention, he or she will look closer. If it doesn't, your resume is probably headed for the trashcan.

Here are three ways you can make your objective statement better and a few samples.

First, be specific. You need to clearly state the exact job you are seeking. Stay away from general terminology. Instead of saying that you are seeking a position in management, say which management position you seek.

You need to precisely define your career directions. These few phrases will show the prospective employer that you know what you want.

Second, be confident but not arrogant. Employers are often looking for employees who are self-assured, but will shy away from anyone who comes across as conceited.

Remember that employers look for candidates who will meet the organization's needs, not one looking to meet his or her own agenda.

Your career objective should show that you are determined, but not pushy or over-ambitious. You want your statement to show how hiring you will benefit the organization with the job opening.

Third, link your objective to the job. Employers are looking for objective statements that meet their expectations. They should understand clearly that you are qualified for the particular job that is open.

Your objective should convey how you will make the contributions that the corporation needs and wants. You are offering your unique skill set and experience. Your objective should come across in a way that shows how you will service the company, not the other way around.

You also want to make sure that the rest of your resume supports your objective statement. You should be prepared to further reinforce your qualifications during your job interview.

Here are two job objective examples:

• To increase sales by 20 percent and double employee retention as Parts Department Manager at a Major Automobile Dealership
• To raise awareness of community needs and help increase fund-raising by 15 percent as Communications Director for a Non-Profit Organization

Job objective examples like these will set your resume apart. They will be beneficial as you are setting up a resume.

Research shows that it takes the average person more than 200 days to find a new job. Writing an effective resume can get you hired in a fraction of that time... without settling for a position you'll hate.

Learning the art of writing effective resumes can get you on the path to your dream job.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stephen_DeVane/717461