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In the world of social networking, job hunters can have a difficult time maintaining a professional online presence that still effectively markets their personal brands. Today, having a traditional resume with a nice layout, extensive job experience, and a master’s degree might not be enough to get your name to potential employers. For networking and other job-hunting activities, LinkedIn can be a career professional’s best resource. (more…)
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Practical Resume Tips
Today we are going to write about a pleasant experience we had not long ago when we could help out one of our readers.
MyOnlineCareerSpace.com was contacted by an avid job seeker who was not sure how to format his resume and if it in fact was up to scratch. As we’ve written before, having a resume that stands out from the bunch is extremely important. Yet there is a delicate balance to be struck with standing out and still remaining professional.
This was exactly the problem our reader was having so he asked us to have a look. We made a few notes and remarks along the way which we would like to share with you today.
The first problem we ran into was the most serious: we could not open the file he sent us. It was in a file format so obsolete by today’s standards that even a Google search returned mixed results about how to open it or what to do with it. So even if we wanted to, we could not open it. This is something that recruiters will never do. If they can’t open your resume, you won’t get the position. It’s as simple as that.
Luckily this can easily be avoided by always sending resumes in file formats that are considered standards: .doc files are usually accepted as are .pdfs. Some prefer PDF files for their ability to preserve formatting exactly as intended. An excellent article on this matter can be found here.
After we received a file we could actually open, we gave our reader this advice:
1) The formatting of the resume was off. Our reader was an IT professional and as such employers have higher expectations as far as the formatting of the resume goes. It is considered an indication of the job seekers level of professionalism and should not be taken lightly. The formatting has to be constant and easily recognizable for the reader.
2) We recommended a stronger specialization statement. At http://www.ItsNotYouItsYourResume.com there is a free specialization workbook that will help you to clarify this statement and we recommend that you work through this ebook as the opening section of your resume is the most read portion of the resume and it needs to SCREAM what you do and who you do it for. Remember, more resumes have a limited amount of time to make an impression: typically between 20-30 seconds and this objective/specialization statement is key.
3) We advised, especially considering his target position, that you have a professional website that speaks to your specific talents. More and more, employers and recruiters are going online to find their ideal candidates and they are doing more than just checking resumes to find their ideal candidates, rather, they are doing Google searches for your name.
You should take control of that online persona and create a website that you can put on your cover letter and resume that employers and recruiters can click on to find out more about you: your special talents, testimonials and references and what you bring to the table.
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 101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know |
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 10 Biggest Interview Mistakes |
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![Higher Learning Leads to Higher Earnings, Especially for Men [InfoGraphic]](../../4022/4340939642_374fbff6e3_m.jpg "Higher Learning Leads to Higher Earnings, Especially for Men [InfoGraphic]") Higher Learning Leads to Higher Earnings, Especially for Men [InfoGraphic |
 How to Ace the Interview BEFORE it Starts |
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When starting off with a resume, the thing to keep in mind is that resumes are read from top to bottom. And when recruiters are looking through a stack of resumes, they always scan the top of the page when looking for someone.
So although it is a good idea to play around with your resume a little bit, to make it stand out of the Microsoft template bunch, always, ALWAYS start with your name and contact information: address, e-mail, phone number. Although some people claim that in this day and age when everything is online and e-mail is most commonly used to contact people, that addresses have become obsolete on the resume. We say that if you are not short on space, just keep it there. No harm in that, but some recruiters might be put off by not seeing your address on your resume.
The most important ‘real estate’ of the resume is at the top of the resume. The first quarter of the resume is what most reviewers will read and it is the best place for you to make an impression. Don’t blow it! Here are a few tips for you to consider:
Everything else should come next. This kind of a resume is called a combination resume, because you list your skills and achievements that are applicable to the position you are applying for, first. Like in a functional resume. And then you add your work history, education and so on, like in a chronological resume. So in a combination resume, you get the benefits of both: you can point out your strong sides to the recruiter first and they can check and make sure you don’t have any gaps in your resume or anything else that might raise any flags later.
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101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know |
The Ultimate Online Job Seekers eBook |
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 This makes us laugh… every time we see it |
 The First Step to a Job You Love |
 Palestinian Traffic Cop Loves His Job |
 Beef up your email signature |
 Questions every job seeker should be prepared for BEFORE the interview |
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We did a presentation a few months back called the ‘job search commandments.’ We uploaded it on SlideShare and since then every week we get one email from the Slideshare teams saying it’s hot on some platform. We think it’s about time we shared it here too. As of now the slideshow has received more than 18,000 views, 30+ embeds and 50 favorites. We are sure you will find these job search commandments helpful. We have included both the slideshow and the text version. If you would like to add to the commandments feel free to do so through your comments.
And here is the text version.
There is a saying you’ve heard, that you say and apply quite often - don’t cry over spilled milk. Job loss can be quite a blow to one’s esteem and financial situation but pondering day in and out isn’t going to help either. Get yourself recharged and head out in full gear for the next lucky employer who will think you are a steal.
Business cards and handshakes are much needed but tweets and linkedin connections can’t be ignored. The job search landscape has changed with emerging social media platforms. Utilize them. Interaction offline is critical, but in this day and age it’s not sufficient. Reach out to others, both online and offline.
And you better be loyal. Job search in itself is a job and whether you like it or not someone has to do it. Unfortunately, this might be you. If you are searching for job think of it as a job itself. Dedicate yourself towards the goal of finding a job. Make it a religion until you can land a job and once you get the job you want, switch your religion to the job itself rather than the job search. keep worshiping.
Everyone wants everybody specialized in a particular field, no doubt about that. But a handyman who can fix plumbing and then nail the shingles on my roof always gets my business over the plumber. Diversify your job search. Don’t always rely on what you know, but think of how that reliance can help you apply your skills towards other things.
Numbers. Usually higher the number the better but not in this case. If you recently lost your job you tend to see more people who recently lost theirs as well. This does nothing but causes depression. I am sure it has happened to you, you buy a new car and all of a sudden you see the same model all over the road. Exactly. It has always been there, you just didn’t notice. Ignore the fact that your friend, uncle, aunt and even mother in law is unemployed. It’s about you.
Do you find yourself buried under negative feelings? Well, get over it. Negative attitude gives birth to negative outcomes. Positive outcomes are the results of positive attitude. It propels you to do better. It pushes you further. Think positive. You might not have found a job today but what’s the guarantee tomorrow will be the same as today? There isn’t. Think positive.
I have said it before that you should think of job search as a job itself. When I was out hunting for jobs, I had a calendar marked with what I was going to do on a particular day. As weird and crazy that might sound, it really helps to organize your job search schedule. Anything on a piece of paper (google calendar or whatever) is much better to follow than to simply pull it off of your mind. Create a schedule, a mind map and go with it. it will help you focus and execute much better.
I have heard a few people say that there will be a time when there won’t be a need for a resume. All I have to say to them is - you’re wrong! When it comes to employment, there is only one thing that can give a peak into the potential candidate’s skills and experience. Create a resume, dust it off every once in a while. Make sure your resume doesn’t just stay in paper and ink form. Use networking sites such as LinkedIn where you can use your profile as an online resume. Resume will exist, forever. The only thing I can’t guarantee is the paper and ink form. Get on the web and build one out as soon as possible if you haven’t already.
Think of a pipe that hasn’t had water flowing through it for couple years. You turn it on and all you can see is rust coming out. That’s you if you don’t brush your skills. Let’s be honest here, sometimes luck does have a big play in our job search. If for some reason you don’t get a job when you expected you would, there is a high probability that you might lose a few golden touches that you had in your field. Keep them brushed. Shine them every once in a while. Your skill is what sells you, can’t let it rust. No way!..
Yes you can!
Be confident.
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| Visit Our Bookstore for Great Values! |
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101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know |
The Ultimate Online Job Seekers eBook |
10 Biggest Interview Mistakes |
10 Biggest Resume Mistakes |
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Higher Learning Leads to Higher Earnings, Especially for Men [InfoGraphic |
How to Ace the Interview BEFORE it Starts |
Video Resume – May Work Wonders, But Not for Everybody |
How to Develop All Star Job References |
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Give your interviewer the chance to meet the real you.
When answering questions, be aware the employer is looking not only for the content of your answers but also for the subtext beneath them, the part that reveals who you are and how you respond to different situations.
Once you understand this, you can control how you are perceived by crafting your answers appropriately.
Consider the following six example questions now:
1. Problem Solving
Describe a situation in which you used good judgment to solve a problem quickly.
2. Leadership
Explain steps you’ve taken to get cooperation from others who disagreed with your ideas.
3. Motivation
Describe a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty to get the job done well.
4. Communication
Explain steps you’ve taken to successfully communicate with an individual who did not like you (or vice versa).
5. Interpersonal Skills
Describe a situation where you had to defend an unpopular decision to your team and how you handled it.
6. Planning and Organization
How do you prioritize your day? Do you address interruptions or focus on the task at hand no matter what?
Answering these six questions is an excellent way to get prepared for your next interview and get comfortable with the types of skills employers look for during an interview.
Be sure to practice this response as it may not be in your ‘normal’ conversational pattern.
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| Visit Our Bookstore for Great Values! |
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101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know |
The Ultimate Online Job Seekers eBook |
10 Biggest Interview Mistakes |
10 Biggest Resume Mistakes |
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| Check out these hot articles! |
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|
This makes us laugh… every time we see it |
The First Step to a Job You Love |
Palestinian Traffic Cop Loves His Job |
Beef up your email signature |
Questions every job seeker should be prepared for BEFORE the interview |
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Check your email signature and online presence.
You’re on the hunt for your dream job, you’re making progress, and you’re doing most of it on the Internet…
…But are you taking advantage of your e-mail signature?
If you’re looking for a new job, chances are you’re sending lots of emails – to prospective employers, recruiters, contacts, and acquaintances – and every email you send is a golden opportunity to get yourself noticed.
In addition to providing basic information like your full name, title, and contact information, your email signature is the perfect place to distinguish yourself among the pack of jobseekers and promote your unique attributes.
- Do you have a slogan or tagline that expresses your value to an employer? Make one up.
- Do you have a professional website or online resume and portfolio? Be sure to include the link.
Here is a good example of what your email signature might look like:
John Q. Public
Senior Marketing Manager
“Linking Real Results with Cost-Cutting Marketing Strategies for Upstart Companies”
[email protected]
415-555-5079
www.MyOnlineCareerSpace.com/johnqpublic
The goal here is to make it ridiculously easy for people to learn about you. Often, making this simple change to how you conduct your online job search will boost the # of responses you receive, so don’t be shy…
Use your email signature to sell yourself and you’ll be happy you did!
This is just one of the 100′s of tips, techniques and how-to’s in a new eBook called “The Ultimate Online Job Search eBook”. For more about the job search and career development process, including mistakes to avoid on resumes, the most important interview questions, appropriate interview attire and creating your online presence head over to the store and get The Ultimate Online Job Search eBook today!
Related articles:
First Impressions Are Important
Simple Steps to Quality References
On Unprepared References, Lies
Five Tips on How to Ask For More Salary
The internet, being an extremely popular source, makes competition for getting that job highly competitive. Get started with your My Online Career Space and let that prospective employer know you are the primary candidate for them. With your own personalized career space you will rise above the rest of the job seekers on the internet.
At our website we offer:
If you would like to get up-to-date information, join us on Twitter or on Facebook .
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You don’t have to take the bait on that 12-month, 0% APR credit card offer cluttering your mailbox to appreciate the value of junk mail. That’s because a lot of those letters from insurance companies and coupon brochures to water park resorts have something every job hunter really does want: writing that sells.
So if you want to keep your resume and cover letter out of the circular file, you may want to incorporate some of these golden junk mail tactics to prepare killer resumes and cover letters.
It shouldn’t take long for a job recruiter to get the message of who you are and why you would be valuable. If you apply by email, condense your single biggest selling point into the subject line (example: award-winning graphic designer w/ 5-years experience seeks Sr. Design position). And in the first paragraph of either format, sell your key qualities as you express your intent to apply. Don’t just inform them you want the job, make them want to hire you.
Good direct mail wastes no words; neither should your cover letter or resume. Make your sentences short and your points clear. You need to convey confidence and excitement with substance, not flowery verbiage. A recruiter sifting through a stack of applications can see a time-waster a mile away. Get your point across fast and get thanked with an interview.
Good direct mail would never be mistaken for a personal letter—except that junk mail actually designed to trick you into thinking it’s real mail. Annoying, isn’t it? Don’t get too cute and familiar, especially if you’re sending an email. Save the emoticons and LOL’s for your friends. This is especially important on your resume, which should look polished, appealing, and easy to read.
You are still a person. Emotion, connectedness, and shared experience will always have a place in business, and, with the right balance, they can work wonders for your job search. Your cover letter is the ideal place to relate to the reader on a personal (but still professional) level. It’s also an excellent opportunity to reference any colleagues or connections you have to the company.
Most job applicants list all their qualifications, just rambling on about themselves. The most compelling junk mail pieces, however, don’t just list the features of a product or service—they show how those features will benefit the user. Don’t just say you’re experienced. Tell them your familiarity with their procedures will eliminate the need for training and boost efficiency from day one. Don’t talk about you—talk about what you will do for them.
Don’t use your cover letter to repeat everything on your resume, but do draw attention to the key points (especially if you can show how your ‘features’ will turn to benefits). By asking them to refer to specific points on your resume, you are driving them to further action and engagement with your profile rather than turning to the next candidate.
Don’t print a coupon on your cover letter (unless you really are that desperate for ideas). But do make it easy to respond. Instead of just saying you look forward to their response, direct them to the best way to reach you. It’s a small touch to repeat your contact information, but you want to close the deal. At the very least, make sure your contact information appears on both your cover letter (or email) and your resume.
What do you think? Do you agree that there is a ‘junk mail tactic’ that we can apply to write killer resumes and cover letters?
This is just one of the 100′s of tips, techniques and how-to’s in a new eBook called “The Ultimate Online Job Search eBook”. For more about the job search and career development process, including mistakes to avoid on resumes, the most important interview questions, appropriate interview attire and creating your online presence head over to the store and get The Ultimate Online Job Search eBook today!
Related articles:
First Impressions Are Important
Simple Steps to Quality References
On Unprepared References, Lies
Five Tips on How to Ask For More Salary
The internet, being an extremely popular source, makes competition for getting that job highly competitive. Get started with your My Online Career Space and let that prospective employer know you are the primary candidate for them. With your own personalized career space you will rise above the rest of the job seekers on the internet.
At our website we offer:
If you would like to get up-to-date information, join us on Twitter or on Facebook .
Trying to pinch pennies when it comes to your career? Think again.
How much does a bad resume cost you? Let’s crunch some numbers.
Over 60 million Americans are either under or unemployed today. Many of these unemployed buy resume books or scour the internet for resume samples so they can write a resume themselves. The problem is, there is no pre-set resume formula out there for writing a great resume. Each resume is a unique marketing tool that describes your professional motivations clearly and concisely. Job seekers often underestimate the power of a resume and how greatly one document can affect the progress of their career. A bad resume can cost more than time, it can cost potential earnings. Even if you get a job with a lack luster resume, you can be costing yourself long term earnings and promotions due to starting yourself below that what you should be doing and earning!
How much time do you spend on your resume?
Many people spend from 20 hours to even months writing a resume. Unfortunately, time spent working does not always equal a quality resume that will get a job. On average, a professional resume writer spends 48-72 hours to develop a job-winning resume. Their time involves conducting research on your industry, your personality and goals, your past work experience and achievements and interviewing you, gathering additional information, traveling, plus formatting your resume.
How much time have you spent building your resume?
If you are a new professional, you’ve probably spent 2-3 years in work experience plus 2-8 years in college education. If you’re a seasoned professional, you’ve spent 2-8 years in school and up to 35 years building your resume. Don’t let a terrible resume destroy all that you’ve worked so hard for.
Unfortunately, a resume does not always highlight the best achievements of a person’s career. Oftentimes, professionals can be timid in ‘bragging’ about themselves and their body of work. Other times, professionals don’t know how to make their work experience sound relevant and valuable to an employer. It takes an excellent resume writer/career coach to coax the best out of a client and remind them of how great they actually are - instilling much needed and essecntial confidence in the job search.
How much time does it take for a HR rep to look at a resume and then throw it out?
When I was in real estate, the general rule was that a customer could imagine themselves living in a home in less than 30 seconds. And sometimes, it took as fast as one look at the front yard to make the first and final decision. An HR rep spends less than 15-30 seconds to scan your resume before deciding whether or not to spend more time on you. Additionally, it takes about 1 second to throw away or delete a bad resume. Does your resume stand the 30 second test?
How much does it cost to have a resume done?
Full resume service can cost anywhere from $150 to $500 professional resume writing service. The average is about $200. I charge $99 for a resume review to $275 for a comprehensive resume service. Resume services for college grads and professionals with less than three years work experience cost $200.
How much more value do you get from a professional resume writer?
A professional resume writer not only can give you a stellar resume, but through your conversations, he or she will get you focused on your career - keeping you on track for what you’re looking for. This person can give you advice for job searching, interviewing, and networking. I know I’ve helped many a client explain their resume and and work history to future employers. The added confidence is free!
What is the percentage related to the income you could potentially earn?
My clients post graduate clients (as a single earner) on average begin earning $35k a year and experienced professionals with at least 5 years experience in their field earn on average (as a single earner) $65,000 per year.’ $250/$35000 = .007 That’s a TINY fraction of what you could be earning! Make the invest on yourself! The return is definitely in your favor!
When it comes to your resume, it does not pay to be penny wise and dollar foolish! Choose a seasoned writer who can not only write an amazing resume, but can get you motivated, confident, and focused on your job search.
For related articles about resume and job search, review these articles:
Make Yourself (and Your Resume) Relevant
Job Specialization – Take a Second Look Before Taking Your First Step in Job Search
The internet, being an extremely popular source, makes competition for getting that job highly competitive. Get started with your My Online Career Space and let that prospective employer know you are the primary candidate for them. With your own personalized career space you will rise above the rest of the job seekers on the internet.
If you would like to get up-to-date information, join us on Twitter, Digg, StumbleUpon, Facebook and MySpace.
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