Tuesday, January 18th, 2011
It’s the student resume season at ResumeEdge.com, and I often get asked what makes for a winning student resume? The kind that will entice admissions directors to seriously consider the student for the college or university of his/her choice.
Although resumes are as varied as candidates, effective student resumes have certain things in common:
1. The resume is professional in appearance and content. Now isn’t the time to save a few dollars by doing it yourself. If you have no idea how to construct an attractive/compelling resume, leave it to the experts.
2. The document is as long as it needs to be within the guidelines of the school you’re targeting. The first thing any applicant should consider are the college’s or university’s guidelines in terms of length. If the targeted school insists on one page, then you must adhere to that rule. If there is no set page length, then the resume is as long as it needs to be, provided it contains only that information that will enhance your candidacy (nothing extraneous).
3. The data must show why you would be an asset to the school or its programs. This isn’t only about your aspirations, it’s about giving a seat to someone who deserves it. Schools and teachers don’t want to waste their time with an individual who isn’t there to learn and to enhance the school’s reputation.
4. It should give a glimpse into the kind of person you are. Unlike a resume used to obtain a job, a student resume should give the admissions committee an idea about who you are. Therefore, volunteer work and interests are often included in this type of resume.
As with any other resume, a student resume should show you to your best advantage, making certain to be accomplishment-focused with data that’s relevant to the school program you’re seeking.
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010
Many times, I’ve encountered clients that insist an objective statement is necessary on their resumes.
“If I don’t use one, the hiring manager or recruiter won’t know what I want,” they often claim. Or, they state, “How else will I get the job I deserve?”
For anyone who wants a job, whether it’s the one they’ve dreamed about or a way to make a living, including an objective statement in your resume isn’t the way to get it.
Why?
Because an objective statement is telling the hiring manager what you want. Your dreams, your needs, your desires.
And guess what? They couldn’t care less. They don’t have the time to consider an applicant’s aspirations. They want to know – within seven seconds or less – what you can do for their company. Mainly: How are you going to make it money? How are you going to save it money?
That’s all that matters in the modern economy.
In your resume, you need to convey that you’re the perfect candidate for the position. You do that not by having an objective statement of what you want, but by including a strong opening summary that dovetails what you know and can do to the employers’ needs.
It’s as simple as that.
Remember, when you’re competing against dozens, perhaps hundreds of other, equally qualified candidates, it’s essential that you get your message across quickly. And that message isn’t: I want this or that.
It’s – what can I do for you?
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
Unlike other disciplines, such as medicine, car repair, plumbing, electrical work, etc., when it comes to writing a resume, many believe they are experts. After all, they’ve spent years learning correct grammar and punctuation in school. They reason since they write well, they can therefore create a dynamite resume.
Using that thinking, one can say that since they drive a car, they should know how to repair one. Or because they can turn water on in the faucet, repairing the pipes should be an easy matter.
We all know that’s not true.
So, why do you need a resume writing expert or professional resume writing service?
1. They know the industry and what hiring managers expect. In the not too distant past, all one needed to do was list their work and academic experience on a piece of paper, make certain there were no glaring errors, then submit the document for review. Because jobs were plentiful, this approach often resulted in a call back. That’s not true today. A modern resume must target the industry (and, at time, the employer), dovetail past academic/professional experience to the needs of the job and offer superb organization of data, providing the hiring manager with all that s/he needs to know about you within seven seconds - or less.
2. The job market is exceedingly tight. Today, each candidate is competing against dozens, perhaps hundreds of other, equally-qualified applicants, for the same position. What does that mean to the hiring manager? Having to shift through a stack of papers to find the perfect hire. A resume writer knows how to market the client in order for that individual’s background to stand out from the rest.
3. Hiring managers and recruiters know what they don’t want in a new hire. Do you? Are you aware of how your resume might promote age discrimination against you? Or how your interests could work to your detriment? Or how extraneous material could limit your chances of being called in to interview? A resume writing expert knows this and will do all that s/he can to avoid making these mistakes.
4. Like all of us, hiring managers and recruiters will take the course of least resistance…if it’s offered to them. Did you know that forcing the hiring authority to locate information on your resume will only make them toss it in the trash? They don’t want to be challenged. They want the information provided in a quick, easy-to-read format. With hundreds of other candidates to consider, they won’t ponder how you will fit into the scheme of things. They’ll select the candidate whose resume clearly tells them s/he is the ideal choice.
While it may seem extravagant to spend several hundred dollars on a resume writing expert when you believe you can do a good job, consider this: by doing it yourself, you’re taking precious time away from the job search. By doing it yourself, you’re providing an amateur, not an expert product. By doing it yourself, you may be adding months to your unemployment or transition to a new job.
Is that really what you want?
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
You’ve heard the hype. The economy is bad. There aren’t any jobs to be had. Things are tough all over, kid. But since when do you listen to the naysayers?
Sure, you’re not going to step out of college and into a CFO position. But you’re also not stepping into a part-time job selling hot dogs on the side of the road. Being realistic about your opportunities goes both ways, and the most fatal mistake job seekers make is selling themselves short.
Be Confident
Congratulations, you have a college degree! Maybe you weren’t in the top of your class with a full academic scholarship, but you have a higher education and that means something to hiring managers. What it means exactly is that you have the latest information about your field of study. You’ve most likely worked with cutting-edge technology. And you’re not so set in your ways that you can’t be trained. This gives you a distinct advantage over people who aren’t fresh out of school. When you go to interviews, remember this.
Be Enthusiastic
College graduates have something many other job applicants don’t have. Enthusiasm! All things being equal, someone with a positive attitude will get the job over someone who is jaded, indifferent, or world weary. It’s not all about what you know. It’s also about who you are. Show hiring managers that you’re someone other people would want to work with.
Be Strategic
Employers are looking for long term investments and are hopeful that you will be loyal to their company. When they ask you what your five year plan is, don’t tell them that you hope to be traveling in Europe. Nor should you point to the company president and say, “I want to be there.” Consider your audience.
Be Persistent
Don’t be so confident that you think everyone should want you. Always tailor your resume and cover letter for each position. Follow up with a phone call. If you don’t hear from the employer in 4 weeks, send another letter with another resume. Call again. Don’t give up until you’ve heard a definitive answer. If it’s a “no” send a thank you letter anyway to ask that they keep you in mind for any future positions. Repeat for each job search. If you want an employer to see you’re willing to go the extra mile, show them up front.
Being a realist when it comes to job searching is hard work. Sure, it takes work to get work. But landing a job and putting yourself on the road to a successful career is worth it.
