Professional Resume Writing – Career Path Jim Donald, past President and CEO, Starbucks Coffee Company said, “The right career path will bring passion to your job and your life. Look inside yourself and discover the best fit for your unique personality type”. Knowing the career path that is right for you will also bring passion to your resume! Your focus […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-26
Professional Resume Writing – Detailed Accomplishments When was the last time you updated your resume? Most of us only think about a resume when we need one and it then becomes a huge task! Especially if you have been with the same employer or owned the same business for several years. Even more important than […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-25
Professional Resume Writing – Email Address Your resume contains a wealth of information that will be used to present yourself as the best candidate for the job in the eyes of the hiring professional. It can also contain information that you may not realize could create a negative impression to a prospective employer. The heading on your resume displays critical information consisting […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-24
Professional Resume Writing – Keywords When writing your resume have you considered the importance of keywords? Do you know which keywords you should include in your resume? Prior to the perusal of your resume by a hiring professional or recruiter, it is very likely that scanning software will be used to scan it in search of specific […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-23
Professional Resume Writing – The Truth Whatever you decide to write in your resume be sure it is the truth! No fabrications, no inventions and as appealing as it may sound, don’t exaggerate! There are many examples of ruined reputations, lost jobs and interviews cut short for those who erred on the side of dishonesty or embellishment. Last […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-22
Professional Resume Writing – “Professional” Image If there is one word that would describe what a hiring manager or recruiter is seeking, it is “Professional“. What makes a resume professional? What makes a cover letter professional? How do you portray a professional image? Let’s start by listing some of the top pet peeves relayed by hiring managers and […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-21
Professional Resume Writing – Powerful Language When writing your resume it is imperative that you focus on what a Hiring Professional is looking for. The most powerful language you can use in your resume is the use of action verbs to describe your accomplishments. Take action and go beyond “assigned duties and responsibilities”. Highlight your detailed accomplishments […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-20
Professional Resume Writing – Sell! Sell, sell, sell! That is what you need to do in a resume; sell yourself. Unfortunately, it is not an easy thing for most people to do. In my experience as a Certified Professional Resume Writer, even the most successful sales person is still not skilled at selling themself. It is actually quite common that we […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-19
Professional Resume Writing – Who and what is reading it? The purpose of your resume is to entice the reader and inspire them to call you for an interview. Savvy job seekers will pay attention to who, as well as what, is reading their resume, understanding that there is a high probability that it will be […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-18
Professional Resume Writing – Time and Research How much time are you spending to research organizations prior to sending out your resume for a potential job? Noting specific details about the company in your cover letter could impress the reader and set you apart from your competition. However, noting incorrect details could be enough to eliminate you as a […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-17
Professional Resume Writing – Start Bragging! Every Hiring Professional or Recruiter is reviewing potentially hundreds of resumes and looking for that one resume – the one that stands out from the others. So be prepared to brag about yourself! In order to stand out from the competition it is not enough to list your job experience, you must show […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-16
Professional Resume Writing – Information NOT to include in your resume As important as the information is that you include in your resume, so too, is recognizing the information that you should NOT include in your resume. It must be completely obvious from the look of your resume that it is just that, a resume. In other words, there […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-15
Professional Resume Writing – Is Your Resume Ready for the Internet and Posted Online? The electronic world offers a number of practical ways to pursue your job hunt. In fact, with the vast number of avenues available today it is difficult to offer any one piece of advice to ensure your resume is ready for the Internet. But one […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-14
Professional Resume Writing – An Advertisement for a Job Interview! The basic principles of good advertising are: Grab attention Heighten interest Sell the product Promote action Your resume is an advertisement for a job interview. Have you followed these principals? At first glance, is your document professional in appearance, free of blank white space and errors? Will it […]
KISS – Keep It Simple S…..
K.I.S.S. is an acronym for “Keep it Short and Simple” or “Keep it Simple, Stupid”. The KISS principal has been supported through the ages by Albert Einstein, “everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler” and Leonardo Da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Yes, KISS is also a great band! As is Simple Plan. The KISS principal […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-13
Professional Resume Writing – Is Your Resume Computer-Friendly? The HR professional scanning your resume is more likely to be a PC or a Mac and not a mortal, which makes this a very critical question when writing your resume. Since computers look at things differently than we do, your resume needs to be attractive to digital eyes. […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-12
Professional Resume Writing – Look Outstanding! This advice is repetitive but necessary. Your resume must look outstanding! Before reading any words the simple layout of your resume will create an impression. If notable, it will either be positive or negative. In the real estate industry a key component to selling a home is “curb appeal”. If the house looks good and creates a positive impression, the potential […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-11
Professional Resume Writing – Time Gaps Most professional resume styles include a chronological list of jobs beginning with the most recent and progressing backwards over a reasonable number of years. Employment dates are prominent so it is important that there are no time gaps between positions. Some minor time gaps will not need to be addressed as you […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-10
Professional Resume Writing – General Principles Your Resume Should: Immediately impress the reader. Include a dynamic tag line. Be visually appealing and easy to read. Indicate ambition, career aspirations, goals. Focus on your value in relation to employers’ needs. Convey your job related abilities and patterns of performance. Stress your productivity and potential to solve employers’ problems. Validate accomplishments […]
Professional Resume Writing 101-9
Professional Resume Writing – 30 Seconds For Your Resume 30 seconds! Yes, that is all the time you have to present an impressive professional image with a “wow factor” that will motivate the reader to take action! Some surveys show HR professionals and recruiters allocating as little as 15 to 20 seconds to review a […]