Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
by Vicel Meyer, ResumeEdge.com Editor
Are you sending out dozens of resumes each week, but getting no response? Do you feel discouraged about a tough job market and your competition?
In your efforts to get noticed, you should keep one thing in mind: Put yourself in the hiring manager’s place. Ask yourself, “What would the employer think of my resume in the initial few seconds she takes to read it?” Even if you’re exactly right for the job, you may never be asked to interview unless you make the proper first impression with a well-written resume and cover letter.
The content and format of your resume are very important. A resume that employs a tiny font and has too much information will be quickly passed over by a hiring manager in favor of a clean, easy to read, well-spaced document. Use bullet points and even-spaced margins. Don’t make the mistake of including every single thing you did at a previous job. Instead, list key accomplishments and major, progressive responsibilities that highlight your skills. You can then expand on your previous responsibilities in a cover letter and during the first interview.
Does the content of your resume reflect transferable skills related to the position for which you’re applying? Hiring managers often glance at a resume looking for key phrases and buzz words that they want in their ideal next employee. Take the time to tailor your resume specifically to a job description. These key phrases may get you past the employers’ Web-based application filter as well as generate enough interest for a first interview.
A basic, yet overlooked, detail is keeping your resume free of spelling and grammatical errors. You want to convey that you are professional, detail-oriented, can write well, and take your work seriously. One glance at a resume with spelling and grammatical errors might cause an employer to think: “sloppy, makes mistakes, and is wasting my time.” Take the time to proofread your resume. Then, have someone you trust review it for you.
Your cover letter should always express your interest in the specific job. Does it give you an opportunity to expand your skill set? Is the company dynamic and progressive? Clearly convey your strong interest in the company and position, and then explain why you’re the ideal candidate. This shows you have done your homework on the company and truly want to work there.
Putting the employer first by having a tailored cover letter and well-written resume will ensure you have sent out the best possible representation of yourself. It will also bring you a step closer to getting that interview and job offer.
Vicel received her Bachelor’s Degree from San Francisco State in Psychology, and has over 12 years of Human Resources experience in varied industries, including finance, staffing, insurance, outplacement and shipping industries. She specializes in recruiting from administrative to Executive-level positions. Her resume writing experience has been for clients with backgrounds in I.T., Real Estate, Finance, Automotive and Senior management. You can request Vicel for your resume or cover letter service when ordering.
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME
Due to changes in staffing in the IT field, which include outsourcing and downsizing, jobseekers should be fully prepared to showcase their skills and talents during that small timeframe allotted to them by the hiring authority.
Unlike the last decade when IT skills were at a premium, now candidates must prove their worth. This can be done by following these tips:
1. Bring your resume and a list of completed projects to the interview:
Be certain to have enough copies to go around. Your past projects should include these components:
A. Project goals (i.e. Was the project initiated to resolve a problem or to grow business?)
B. Challenges faced in reaching said goals.
C. Results directly related to your work on the project.
2. Be prepared to be tested:
With so many applicants and so few positions, management may very well decide to pose a sample project and ask you to provide a solution. . .within the time allotted during the interview process.
Preparing beforehand for such an eventuality is obviously crucial. By taking the time to fully understand the requirements of the job (as listed in the posting) and researching the company online, you’ll get a feel for where it’s going and what its future IT needs will be.
3. Propose solutions:
Even if you’re asked to resolve problems in a sample project, use what you’ve learned about the company online and through the job posting to propose innovative solutions for:
A. Growing the business
B. Improving service
C. Going to the next level in the technology race.
By following the above three steps, you will significantly enhance your candidacy and will stand out in an increasing crowded field.
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
by Lou Huskey, ResumeEdge.com Editor, CPRW
Aside from having an effective resume prepared, one of the most important aspects of your job search will be knowing how to get ready for a face-to-face interview. There are several tips that will help you maximize your communications skills and leave the hiring authority ready to make you a job offer.
1. First of all, usually a telephone interview will be arranged by either the company representative or your personnel recruiter. You will want to be in top form on the phone, listening intently and giving enough information regarding your background to entice the hiring authority to bring you in and learn more about what you have to contribute.
2. When arriving for your interview, be sure to be on time, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. If you are late for your appointment, know that the prospective employer will see this as a sign that you will be late to work. Be sure to greet everyone you are introduced to with a smile and a firm handshake. Image is important, so dress professionally and remember that you get one chance to make a good first impression.
3. As the interview progresses, be attentive and ask questions in a manner that will keep the conversation balanced. The last thing you want to do is talk too long and go on about details the employer may not be interested in. Watch and listen to make sure you are holding their attention by offering answers that are brief and to the point. It is always an excellent idea to do research about the company ahead of time so that you can ask intelligent questions and make reference to information you have learned about your prospective employer. The interviewer needs to hear that you are impressed with their organization and the direction they are headed in the marketplace.
4. By searching on the internet, you will find possible questions that might be asked. This will give you a chance to think over how you will respond on the day of your interview. Study the job requirements and if there is something you are familiar with but not proficient in, you can search these topics as well to be sure you will have knowledge in these areas. By preparing yourself ahead of time, answers will come much easier and the conversation will flow without hesitation. Of course, you won’t know exactly what they will ask, but you can have a bit of a heads up on some things that might surface by doing a little reading before you meet with the company.
5. Before leaving, be sure to acquire business cards from the key people you interviewed with. It is crucial to have this contact information so that you can follow-up with a thank you letter when you return home.
Keep in mind that it may take several interviews before you find the right career opportunity that best suits your expertise and interests. When you do, be sure to let the hiring authority know you would like to have an offer and that you will prove to be an asset to their team.
Lou Huskey served over 25 years as a professional recruiter first with a private employment agency, then with Management Recruiters, and eventually as owner of her own recruiting and consulting firm. She is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and has prepared thousands of resumes for candidates at all levels over the span of her career. Lou has a solid understanding of exactly what prospective employers are looking for in a resume and how to “sell” an individual’s background by creating effective resumes, cover letters, follow-up and thank you letters for each of her clients. Request Lou for your ResumeEdge.com product by keying her last name only, no caps (Huskey) in the ‘request your editor field of the ResumeEdge.com online form. http://www.resumeedge.com/
Tuesday, February 12th, 2008
by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME
Because internal promotions and lateral moves involve individuals that are already known entities, the key is to come prepared with proof of past job performance and answers to any objections that might be made.
Of course, this process of rating one’s worth should begin the very first day on a new job and continue until a promotion is offered or a lateral move requested.
1. Keep Detailed Records of Your Job Performance to Justify a Promotion:
No matter how fair an employer tries to be, they don’t have the same vested interest as you in personal career progression. What’s more, they have many staff to consider, while your focus is understandably personal in nature.
Therefore, don’t assume that an employer will recall the good you’ve done for the company. Keep detailed records of past projects, ideas, and successes in which you were directly involved. Quantify all accomplishments with dollar figures or percentages and time periods. Specify what you’ve done to improve work performance, whether that involves continuing education or learning a new technology.
In other words, prove your worth on paper and be certain to provide copies to those involved in the interview process. Once the interview begins, be well prepared to speak about what you’ve already written down.
2. Create a Proposal of How You Can Contribute to the Company in a Lateral Move:
Whatever the reasons are for a lateral move (eg: a more personally rewarding position, moving to a more profitable division, a chance to get away from an intolerable manager or co-worker), you should be prepared to state how the move will benefit the company.
Detail in writing and verbally your transferable skills and what a good fit you would be with the new department. No company will move an employee from one area to another if major training or adjustments have to be made.
3. Overcoming kneejerk objections:
Few managers like change, especially when you’re a good fit within a certain part of the organization. Some of the objections you may have to overcome are from those who like things just as they are (eg: a manager who knows you’ll get the job done) or those who don’t want to rock the boat (management that is skeptical of how you can positively impact their division).
The key is to always be prepared, and be proactive about what you have done. Additionally, presentation is everything. When providing details about your accomplishments and qualifications, be certain that your work is flawless, easy to navigate, and showcases your talents.
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