A job search can be an extremely discouraging experience for many people. Sending out a resume over and over again to recruiters, companies and job boards and waiting beside a phone that never rings. Of course you’re left to wonder, what is wrong with my resume?

Before you blame your resume, it is important to have a clear perspective and a good understanding of the job market. Did you know that online jobs account for less than 5% of all available jobs?  Did you know that close to 80% of jobs are obtained as a result of networking? How many resumes are you submitting to online job postings versus those submitted from leads obtained by networking? Is it possible that your job search strategy is to blame and not your resume?  

How closely does your experience and qualifications on your resume match the job descriptions that you are applying for? Most companies are willing to accept experience in lieu of a degree but if you don’t have the experience or the education, do you think you should be called in for an interview? Are you still blaming your resume?

Your resume is a critical document in the job search process establishing a first impression. As your introduction to a job interview, you must present a professional and accomplishment based resume if you intend to catch the attention of a decision maker. It is just as important to ensure your resume reaches an HR professional or recruiter in a position to make a decision for a viable job. As is the importance of applying for positions that you are qualified to fill.

Email your resume for a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

Searching for jobs online is a common occurrence and just as common are the number of organizations that require you to submit your resume online. Mailing a paper resume or hand delivering it are two options that may never be an option again. Although the jobs posted online represent a very small percentage of those available and many may be posted to boost traffic to a website or the job was filled months ago, it is still a fact of life. For that reason, you must have a properly named and formatted, professional resume that is ready to upload on any site at any time with the press of a button.

Here are a few tips to consider before sending your resume into cyberspace:

• Review the formatting of your resume to ensure it will look the same to the recipient as it does to you. Avoid symbols or unique fonts.
• Check the validity of the site advertising the job. There are many but most should be familiar or provide contact information.
• Ensure your resume is up to date. Keep a list of the sites you have your resume posted on and take the time to update at the same time to ensure your information stays consistent.
• If you have a professional resume that has provided positive results, use it to post content when creating online profiles on social media sites such as Linkedin and Visual CV.
• Remember most resumes are scanned for keywords as a process for elimination so google the most current and popular keywords in your industry.
• Job boards such as Monster should be visited daily to initiate a minor detail change to ensure your resume stays near the top of the list for visibility.

Visit Elite Resumes for a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

A Certified Professional Resume Writer will ask for your Linkedin Public Profile URL to include with your contact information at the top of your professional resume. Establishing a professional Linkedin profile is a must for any senior executive interested in advancing in their career and so too is this becoming a standard component for all levels of employment or entrepreneurship in all industries.

It was not so long ago that the contact information on your resume consisted solely of your your name, address and home phone number. Over the years, it became necessary to add a cell phone number and then an email address and today, recruiters and HR professionals are looking for your Linkedin URL. Exuding professionalism is key to influencing decision makers so be sure to customize your url.  

When you create your Linkedin profile the name you use will be included in a part of your URL, which is automatically generated. Also included will be a variety of numbers, letters, slashes and dashes. This new address, www.linked.com/in/m.-buckland92835/yqu-4h needs to be customized to www.linkedin.com/in/mbuckland. It’s easily done in a matter of seconds.  Here’s how:

• 1. Select Profile and click on edit next to Public Profile at the bottom of the profile box.
• 2. Your Public Profile URL will be displayed at the top, select edit.
• 3. Enter the name you wish to use in the available open box
•  www.linkedin.com/in/ 
   and select Set Address.
• 4. If your name is not available, you will receive a message immediately, This URL is not currently available. Please choose another custom URL.
• 5. It may be necessary to use a first or second initial rather than your full first and last name. Consider your other online profiles and be consistent.

You have now customized your Linkedin URL! Be sure to update your professional resume with a professional Linkedin URL. 

Need help with your professional resume, contact Elite Resumes for a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

How much feedback did you acquire before sending out your resume? Never send out a resume that has not been reviewed by at least a dozen people! Your resume is your key marketing tool. It will either get you in the door or it won’t. Don’t miss out on an opportunity!

Every HR Professional and Recruiter is different so it is not possible to have a perfect resume however, a resume that will positively influence the majority of decision makers is. You may believe you have a terrific resume but the decision to call you in for a job interview will be made by someone who may not agree. It is difficult for anyone to have an objective opinion about a document that is all about themselves. The accomplishment that meant the most to you may not be the one that will have the most influence on a decision maker. The appearance of your resume may inspire you with bold fonts and graphics but could be aesthetically offensive to others or perceived as lacking professionalism.

Your due diligence in obtaining feedback on your resume from a variety of sources will help you to write a resume that will open doors. If there is any reason your resume would eliminate you as a potential candidate, you need to know before you send it out. Obviously your mother may not be quite as objective as a past colleague but don’t dismiss feedback from family and friends. After all, who cares more about what is in your best interest? Exchange your resume with other professionals at networking events and share impressions and advice. Have you maintained good relations with those from your previous position? Do you know what your boss and the company admired most about you? If not, ask! 

Finally, a reputable, professional resume writer will ususally provide free resume critiques. Take advantage of it!

Contact Elite Resumes for a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer.      

The recruitment for the new Chief of Police for Barrie, Ontario began with an advertisement in the Globe and Mail on February 6th, 2010. Usually the response to an ad in the career section of the Globe and Mail results solely in applications from potential candidates but this job opening is generating a lot more attention. The Barrie City Council Meeting brought up concerns from councillors regarding the origin of the job posting and many questions to Mayor Dave Aspen regarding his involvement. The controversy doesn’t stop there. With Rick Jones’ resignation as chairperson of the Barrie Police Services Board, Mayor Aspen becomes acting chairperson. One board member is absent due to assault charges and three of the four remaining have denied any involvement in placing the ad, which appeared two days after Police Chief Wayne Frechette threatened to resign.

Despite the political turmoil, there is an opening for the position of Chief of Police in Barrie, Ontario as the current Police Chief is expected to retire on September 1, 2010.

Martin Buckland, Principal of Elite Resumes has been providing executive career management services for the past ten years, working with many clients in Law Enforcement, as he himself has had an extensive career in this industry, specifically with the renowned Metropolitan Police and Scotland Yard as a police officer before immigrating to Canada. If you are interested in a Professional Resume and cover letter or a free resume critique, contact Elite Resumes to speak with Martin Buckland, Certified Professional Resume Writer.

Professional Resume Writing 101 is a series of blog posts covering a variety of topics related to resume writing.

The following topics are covered in the last seven blog posts in this series:

Professional Resume Writing 101-26 Detailed Accomplishments

Professional Resume Writing 101-27 Career Path

Professional Resume Writing 101-28 Basic Rules

Professional Resume Writing 101-29 Resume Pet Peeves 

Professional Resume Writing 101-30 Hiring a Professional

Professional Resume Writing 101-31 What not to do

Professional Resume Writing 101-32 Contact Information

We hope you have gained some valuable information from this series of posts, Resume Writing The Basics. Please contact Elite Resumes for a free resume critique or to acquire answers to any other questions you may have on professional resume writing.  

Professional Resume Writing 101 is a series of blog posts covering a variety of topics related to resume writing.

The following topics are covered in these five blog posts:

Professional Resume Writing 101-21 Powerful Language!

Professional Resume Writing 101-22 Professional Image

Professional Resume Writing 101-23 The Truth

Professional Resume Writing 101-24 Keywords

Professional Resume Writing 101-25 Email Address

Is your resume ready? Don’t take any chances. Obtain a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

Professional Resume Writing 101 is a series of blog posts covering a variety of topics related to resume writing.

The following topics are covered in these five blog posts:

Professional Resume Writing 101-16 Information NOT to Include in Your Resume

Professional Resume Writing 101-17 Start Bragging!

Professional Resume Writing 101-18 Time and Research

Professional Resume Writing 101-19 Who and What is Reading it?

Professional Resume Writing 101-20 Sell!

Do not send your resume out without first receiving a free resume critique!

Professional Resume Writing 101 is a series of blog posts covering a variety of topics related to resume writing.

The following topics are covered in these five blog posts:

Professional Resume Writing 101-11 Time Gaps

Professional Resume Writing 101-12 Look Outstanding!

Professional Resume Writing 101-13 Is Your Resume Computer-Friendly?

Professional Resume Writing 101-14 An Advertisement for a Job Interview

Professional Resume Writing 101-15 Is Your Resume Ready for the Internet and Posted Online?

Contact Elite Resumes for a free resume critique today!

Professional Resume Writing 101 is a series of blog posts covering a variety of topics related to resume writing.

The following topics are covered in the next five blog posts:

Professional Resume Writing 101-6 Catch the Attenion

Professional Resume Writing 101-7 Your Marketing Tool

Professional Resume Writing 101-8 Not Your Life Story

Professional Resume Writing 101-9 30 Seconds for Your Resume

Professional Resume Writing 101-10 General Principles

Contact Elite Resumes to receive a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer.