Down with Generic Resumes!
One popular strategy for job hunting is to build a nice generic resume (or have some resume agency build it for you), then blast it out to all the employers that you can find. If you think about it for a moment, you’ll realize that this is about the worst strategy you could adopt. Think about it:
- the hiring manager has a particular job in mind
- that job needs a particular skill set
- he or she gets 10-20 resumes per day for the job
- they’re all generic resumes that sort of address his job, but not well
- why should he choose yours over any of the others?
Instead, try building a semi-custom resume that has the boilerplate stuff like your work experience and education in place, but leaves blank the “career highlights” section. Now, read each job description carefully and ask yourself,
“What problem is the hiring manager trying to solve with this requisition, and how can I make myself look like the perfect person for that job?”
Try to think like the hiring manager and try to imagine the resume that would make him or her sit up and say, “At last! I’ve found a 10-for-10 match!” Now you know what to write in the rest of your resume and in your cover letter. Believe me, this will get your resume to the top of the manager’s stack and make all the other generic resumes fade into obscurity.
So stop thinking that one size fits all when it comes to resumes and become efficient at writing resumes that are custom-tailored to fit the job you’re applying for. Trust me on this, it’ll work much better than blasting out your luke-warm generic resume.
About the Author
Bruce Taylor is the Owner and Principle of Unison Coaching, and provides corporate and executive coaching to a wide variety of businesses including engineering, human resource, consulting, and recruiting firms. Mr Taylor has extensive background in Psychology, Human Resources, and Software Engineering. He holds a Masters degree in Computer Science from Duke University, a Masters in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, and a Certificate in Job Stress and Healthy Workplace Design from the University of Massachusetts. He can be reached at http://www.unisoncoaching.com or bruce_taylor@unisoncoaching.com
Tags: hiring, job, job description, job search, manager, recruiter, recruiting, resumeWhat is a Career Change Resume and Who Needs One
If you’re just finishing up a new career course program or you find yourself in the middle of a corporate downsizing, or just want to try something different after several years in the same job, you’ll be putting together a career change resume designed to help you make a career change. Building a great resume is hard enough when you’re seeking a job in a field where you have a lot of experience - if you’re pursuing a new career direction; it’s even more difficult to convince employers to give you a shot.
One mistake job seekers make is to use their same old resumes to apply for new jobs. A career change resume should be retooled to emphasize the qualities potential employers will be seeking. So first, you’ll want to research the career field that you hope to enter, and find what qualities hiring manager seek, so that you can play up those qualities on your own resume. A search of online career-builder websites where employers post job listings is a good start. It’s also a good idea to talk to people already working in your new field of choice - if you can, use networking opportunities to pick their brains about what HR people want to see on a resume.
Take a hard look on what skills you’ve learned in your current job and ask yourself why a new employer might choose you. There will probably be a lot of areas where you have no experience, but you might be surprised at the skills you have from things you do in your leisure time, volunteer activities and schooling that will translate to your new career. Get a pad of paper and jot down your related qualifications - these should be highlighted on your new career change resume.
Next, figure out what sort of career change resume style is best for your new career goal. The chronological resume is often ideal for those making a career change that have skills that apply to their new career. Lead off your chronological-style career change resume with a summary of your qualifications, emphasizing your new education or the skills most strongly applicable to the field you hope to enter. When writing your work history, focus on the tasks, and accomplishments that will be most attractive to potential employers.
An alternate option if you’re changing careers is to skip the resume entirely and send a cover letter instead. Stress how passionate you are about the field you hope to enter, and emphasize any special raining or experience you’ve had that could translate to your new job. Tell the hiring manager how your motivation and enthusiasm would make you an ideal candidate for their company. You’ll still need to have a standard career change resume to send them if they ask for it - but the letter will pique the interest of a potential employer, and could get you an interview.
© GradResumes.com - specializes in writing graduate resumes and college admission documents. With dozens of professional resume writers and education specialists, and some of the finest editing staff in the industry, GradResumes.com has effectively helped thousands of clients launch their post-graduate careers and successfully gain admission to their schools of choice. Any reproduction or reprint of this article must include this information.
Tags: curriculum vitae, CV, employment, interview skills, job, job application, job interview, resumeResumix Resume Do you have the Right Resume to Apply for some Government Jobs
Understanding the Federal Resume Process
Many federal and civil service employers now require that resumes be formatted for submission to a job database program, with the Resumix resume being one that used extensively throughout the federal government. An automated staffing solution that helps employers identify the most qualified candidates for open positions, Resumix resumes automate many of the hiring steps that have been traditionally handled by Human Resource personnel, through image processing, knowledge-based software, and database technologies.
Applicants are required to submit hard copy resumes of up to five pages in length to a person, office or address provided in the job listing. The resume is scanned into the computer, then Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software and the system extracts information like the name, address, phone number, work history, years of experience, education, and skills. The resume is saved and can be stored for later, so that when vacancies occur with qualifications that match the applicants’ skills, those people will be considered for employment.
There are resume-building tools available on the Internet to help with creating a resumix resume. One, at http://www.donhr.navy.mil, is designed for those applying for Navy jobs, but there are others online as well. Once created, your resumix resume can be scanned into a computer system and kept on file for up to a year, and can be updated whenever you like.
While this system is great for employers, it also negates many of the considerations that job seekers have had to wrestle with for generations. It doesn’t matter what kind of paper you use, or the font or layout style, either. The computer also doesn’t care how well you wrote the descriptions of your past work history - it’s just looking for specific words and phrases.
Because of this, you should use action words and concrete descriptions on a Resumix resume - don’t be vague. rather than vague descriptions. Use simple verbs and nouns - “directs work,” “hires employees,” “trains new hires” are good example. Be specific - don’t write “adept at publishing applications,” instead write “used Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.” Also avoid acronyms or slang terms - they might confuse the computer!
If your resume will be scanned, make sure you provide a freshly printed copy, preferably from a laser printer, not a second or third generation document. The crisper the printing, the easier the computer can read and understand the language. For best results, use 1-inch margins, and standard 10 or 12 point fonts such as Courier or Times New Roman. Don’t use italics, underlining, and shadows, and don’t condense spacing between letters. Make sure your name a Social Security number are on each page. And then keep your fingers crossed!
© Federal-Resume-Writers.com - specializes in writing federal, military and SES resumes including OPM approved, Resumix, KSA and ECQ documents. With certified federal resume writers on staff and government application specialists, and some of the finest editing staff in the industry, Federal-Resume-Writers.com has effectively helped thousands of clients break into a career in the federal government or obtain a promotion from within the US government. Any reproduction or reprint of this article must include this information.
Tags: air force, army, federal job, government, job, posting, resume, resumix, vacancyWhat is a Federal Resume and How To Write One
The federal resume is one of three documents required for official applications for jobs within the federal government. The other two are the OF-612 and the traditional SF-171 - and it’s hard sometimes to figure out which agency wants what document, because some offices prefer one over the other So your best bet is to submit a federal resume - it’s considered the most current type of resume for government employment and, even if the department in question would prefer a different style, you’ll still look like you know what you’re doing!
A federal resume should be developed in the “chronological” resume format, listing your work history in reverse order of when you were employed. It must also include some additional information that’s not usually requested by civilian employers. You’ll need to include:
Job Information (job/listing number, title, series and grade of job)
Personal Information (full name and address, day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, veteran’s preference, reinstatement eligibility, highest federal civilian grade held)
Education (high school, including name, city, and state, date of diploma or GED, colleges or universities, including name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received)
Work Experience (job title, duties and accomplishments, employer’s name and address, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates, hours per week, salary, references)
Additional Qualifications (job-related training courses, skills, certificates and licenses, honors, awards and special accomplishments; for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking and performance awards)
It may seem odd to provide so much information before you even get an interview, but keep in mind that applying for government jobs is very different than applying for private ones. The purpose of the federal resume in the private sector is to get an interview, after which an employer will ask for more information. In the government, the purpose of the resume is to present your qualifications, proving that you meet eligibility requirements, so that you can be approved by the Human Resources office. Your federal resume, therefore, needs to include similar language to that in the job announcement, because the HR specialist will be looking for applicants with experience that meets the requirements of the open position.
Your federal resume should cover about ten years of employment, with details describing your accomplishments. Focus on highlighting skills that are compatible with the the position for which you are applying. The resume should be no more than three to five pages long, plus pages outlining your knowledge, skills and, where applicable, performance ratings. Start with three pages as a goal. If you don’t have the work experiences to fill three pages, that’s okay - just make your on to two pages the best they can be.
If you are looking for additional information on federal resumes, KSA and ECQ documents, and Resumix applications, check the other articles we have published here.
© Federal-Resume-Writers.com - specializes in writing federal, military and SES resumes including OPM approved, Resumix, KSA and ECQ documents. With certified federal resume writers on staff and government application specialists, and some of the finest editing staff in the industry, Federal-Resume-Writers.com has effectively helped thousands of clients break into a career in the federal government or obtain a promotion from within the US government. Any reproduction or reprint of this article must include this information.
Tags: air force, army, ECQ, federal job, government, job, KSA, posting, resume, resumix, SES, vacancyGet The Job! Improving Your Resume in 4 Easy Steps
Your resume is the key ingredients in your find-a-job soup. A resume can make or break your chances for an interview, so take steps to make sure your resume is top notch and points out your qualifications for the position. Here are a few resume tips to help you find your dream job.
1. State your objective.
If you don’t state an objective a sentence that states what position or role you are looking to fill, quite frankly the potential employer won’t know what you want without a clear cut objective. Once you determine your objective, you can tailor you resume based on your skills as they pertain to the company’s needs.
2. The employer’s needs come first.
Remember that you need to cater to the needs of the position, not vice versa. Therefore, your resume should reflect that you have the ability to adapt to what the company is looking for.
3. Find the perfect resume style.
A resume is not a one style fits all document, so make sure you adjust your resume to the style that world make your qualifications stand out the most. Whether it is chronological, functional, or a combination of both, your resume should be suited to it’s content.
4. Proofread.
Don’t rely on a spell checker to correct your resume. The spell checker can determine spelling errors in words it recognizes, but depending solely on it can get your resume thrown away. You don’t want to gamble on having a typographical errors or misspelled name, so keep a dictionary nearby and have someone else read over it before you submit it. Two sets of eyes are always better than one.
Tags: application, interview, job, job hunting, objective, resumeImportance of Your Resume
To get a good job, you have to take effective steps, which fully utilize your hidden talents. Along with improving your knowledge and communication skill, contacting and accessing your employers, you must give stress on improving your personality and resume. Resumes cover all required information about you, so it essential to make it in a very elegant way to impress your potential employer and get your dreamed job. Companies or employers require resumes as they do not have time to interview every applicant, who is involved in job search. Therefore, they adopt different shortcut methods of selection. Here comes the need of resume.
Why to have a resume
Resume is the best way to pass the employer’s selection process. Employers want to know some general information about you. The common information is the academic qualification, any type of professional qualification and number of years of your experience. They also want to know about your background and it also covers the contact information like your address and a telephone number for further contact.
Resume reflects your personality. Through this, you show yourself as a professional person who has high standard and excellent skills. There are many things in resume which help in defining you in front of employer. Resume should be clear, well-ordered, well-written and designed. Printing and paper should be of highest grade. For the people, who are in the profession of art, advertisement, marketing, or writing profession, the resume acts as a model of their talent.
Resume is the first thing you give to your potential employers. Resume covers your job searching contacts and professional references.
Resume acts as a covering piece or as another form of job application. It is similar to a part of a grant or contract proposal.
Through resume, you come in contact with the employer, if he does recruitment in future.
Resume helps you in defining your directions, qualifications, and strengths. It enhances your confidence and let you start the procedure of job search. Why to write a convincing resume.
You should not give any false information on your resume, but put emphasis on your strong points. Not only the presence of a resume is important, but it has to be impressive so that employer call you for an interview. Writing a convincing resume is very essential due to following reasons.
Resume is the first impression
You must have heard the lines “First impression is the last impression”. It is absolutely true I case of resume. Resume is the first communication between you and your potential employer. So, it is very important and easy to impress your employer with a resume. If your resume succeeds in pleasing your employer, then it opens the path for your job. Whether you want to be remembered as crumpled and unorganized or you want to be seen as neat and structured. You must make an exact and appealing resume.
Resumes speaks of you
Resume contains all the information about you and therefore, they tell an employer a great deal about you. Resume tell your employer, where you have been, where you are standing and what is your aim? But, it should be mentioned clearly and in brief. There is very less time for you to convince your employer. You must know that your resume deserves further attention before it is being thrown.
Your resume must tell your employer that you are the right applicant. If your resume is able to convince your employer for the advertised position, it may that your potential employer is motivated to give you the job.
Resumes tell you about you Resumes tell a great deal about you. There are many people, who do not know what they are doing for a getting a job. Mostly people underestimate their importance in the usual success of company. While writing resume, you make an analysis of yourself and can define yourself. Gradually, you will have confidence. It gives you a feeling to become something in life and work as an inspiration in achieving your goals.
Resume is the aim of giving interview
The main reason of making a convincing resume is to take you up to interview. It should be so much impressive that employers should eager to know something more about you. A good resume is similar to your friend, which leads you to the path of success. If your resume is not appropriate, you will loose the chance of getting ahead. You must use your resume as a path leader.
Writing a good resume
Now, you know the importance of resume and also the importance of a convincing resume. As your resume reflects you and your abilities, you must know how to write a good resume. Resume is similar to a masterpiece, which must be prepared with substantial care and attention.
Contents of resume
The layout of resume differs from profession to profession. A good suggestion to follow the format of resume is to keep all your important information in single typed page. The use of white paper is recommended, as it gives the impression of carefulness and organization. Before getting it finalized, read the content carefully. Any types of carelessness, on your part in your resume are intolerable. Overwriting and misspelled words take the chance of joining a good job.
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Tags: employer, job, resumeA Resume Secret You Simply Must Know
Resumes are an essential part of our work lives. We hate writing them, but we know we need them. What is so remarkable is that they are not that difficult to write. Yet, we procrastinate putting our credentials down on paper. Why? Is it perhaps because we are afraid it will be time consuming?
If you want a professional resume, you have to make the time to write it.
The resume secret you simply must know?
Use a proven guideline to lead you through the process so that you don’t waste time floundering about wondering what you should list on your resume. One of the best guidelines you can use is shown below. It will show you, step by step, how to create a professional resume.
Follow this resume guideline and make the whole process easier and less time-consuming. You know you need a resume. Do it right.
The first part of a resume is the HEADING. It tells the employer who you are and where to contact you. List your name, address, phone number(s) and email address if you want to be contacted that way. Make sure all of the information is 100% accurate.
The next section is the job objective. While some experts say this section isn’t necessary, you stand a much better chance of getting the job you are seeking if you tell the employer exactly what position interests you. Otherwise, the employer is left wondering what you might be best suited for. Sure the cover letter will mention what you are looking for, but what if the cover letter gets separated from the resume? Right, so use a resume objective and make life a little easier for everyone.
You can either put your work experience or your education in the next section. If you list your education next, be sure to include the name and location of the institution, your course of study, graduation dates (or dates of attendance) and your GPA if it’s good.
Work experience is fairly easy with one exception: the dates of employment. That is what usually drives people the craziest. In this section, write out the name of the employer, your title, the dates you were employed and your work-related responsibilites and accomplishments. Consider that anything which relates to your new job should be at the top of your list so the employer reads that first. If you write that you opened the mail when you also supervised 6 people, you have it backwards.
Activities/Honors and the like should have a section of their own and should be listed toward the bottom of the page. Again, if it fits with your job objective, list it. If it doesn’t, but it looks good, use it if you have space.
Other possible sections could include foreign languages, computer experience, volunteer work and professional affiliations. If they apply, use them.
References don’t even need to be mentioned. Everyone knows that if you are asked for references, you can provide them. Don’t waste resume space on something that adds nothing to your credentials.
So, now you have everything you need to write your resume. Ok, so you have a great guideline for writing your resume. The rest is up to you, your memory and whatever time it takes to get it all in print.
Yes, it’s a bother to have to write a resume, but you have to do it, right? Just get it done. You can do it!
Author: Carla Vaughan, Owner of Professional-Resume-Example.com
To read more about resumes, follow this link: Resume Related Articles These articles are designed to help you better understand the resume-writing process.
My goal in creating Professional-Resume-Example.com has always been to help job seekers put their credentials down on paper in a way that appeals to employers.
There is no cost for any of the information on the site. It’s all free.
Tags: job, professional resume, resume, resume guideline, resume secret, write a resume, write your resume5 Resume Mistakes Telecommuters Often Make
Finding a legit telecommute job can be difficult. Telecommute jobs are in high demand and hundreds if not thousands of other people are competing for the same position.
So how do you stand apart from everyone else? Your r
Tags: certified resume writers, certified writer, job, resume services, resumes, service, writing servicesCombination Resume Format - What Can It Do For YOU
In a combination resume you have the option of highlighting your skills and abilities, who you worked for, or your educational background.
This is a good style to use if you like to have the flexibility to put your information in a format that suits your background, your tastes and your style. It is also a good resume if you like to have the ability to tweak things easier for certain employment situations.
No two jobs are created alike, so no two resumes will likely be the same, either. Be sure to target your resume to the specific position you are seeking, too. State your job intent clearly in the Objective section, then follow through with every statement on the resume geared toward the position you are seeking.
Choosing the style of your resume is certainly important. As with any resume format, you have to make the best first impression possible. Just be sure it allows for you to accomplish what you need to.
You get - maybe - 30 seconds to make a good impression with your resume, right?. If you do not capture the attention of the reader FAST, you won’t catch it at all. A first impression is made very quickly.
Using the combination format, you have the ability to disguise certain parts of your personal history that you don’t want highlighted. You have a multitude of options to place the focus where you want it or shift the focus away from something that isn’t quite as vital (but still needs to be listed on the resume).
When designing your resume, be sure to clearly identify what each section is in regards to so that the hiring manager can identify pertinent information readily. He or she will want to hone in on information that is applicable to the particular position they have open.
Typically, most people who use this format detail their skills and achievements first, and then list their employment history and education in reverse chronological order.
Just be sure that you are speaking to the employer’s needs and not your own. How does your resume convey your desire to work hard and succeed? You have to use Keywords to stand out and show that you are a person of ACTION.
Give employers what they want: Results in a format that is easy to read and makes an impact.
Good luck!
Carla Vaughan
Owner/Webmaster
Professional-Resume-Example.com
To learn more about this resume format, click here: Combination Resume Format
Carla Vaughan is the owner of Professional-Resume-Example.com, a web site devoted to assisting candidates in the job-search process. She holds a B.S. in Business from Southern Illinois University and has authored several books.
Tags: career, combination, combination resume, education, employment, format, job, keywords, professional, resumeThe Purpose of a Resume To Win an Interview
Your resume must be better than anything your competitors have to offer if you are going to get an interview. A well-written resume generates phone calls. Those phone calls are from prospective employers who want to interview you for a job. If you are not getting phone calls and you are sending out resumes, then you need to take a closer look at your resume.
Any resume can list employment dates and job position titles, but only the best resumes speak the language employers want to hear.
THE LANGUANGE OF RESULTS
If you just list the job duties you performed and hope the prospective employer makes the leap that you are a good employee, you are probably going to be in for a big surprise. You see, they don’t have time to read your job responsibilities and then ponder how you managed to accomplish all that you did. Hiring managers simply do not have that kind of time. They are scanning a resume for the words that show results.
MAKE IT EASY FOR EMPLOYERS.
You have to show them that you are a cut above the rest of the crowd by providing concrete examples of your successes. Do the thinking for the employer and give them what they are looking for.
First, use action-oriented keywords that reflect your ability to solve problems, take initiative, are performance-driven and goal-based.
Second, quantify your statements with numbers that define your desire to affect the bottom line. Give examples of how you saved the company money or time (relates to money) or how you earned money for the company. Numbers have meaning and are easy to latch on to. Employers love to read quantifiable statements (that are truthful) as it paints a picture that SHOWS what you accomplished rather than the dubious joy of your words telling them what you did.
Resumes can work FOR you or they can work AGAINST you. When you list the information employers want to see, then you will have a great deal of success. You will be one of the ones to get a coveted phone call for an interview. If you don’t take the time to prepare a resume in a way that grabs a hiring manager’s attention, it is actually working against you.
Take the time to write an excellent resume. It may take a little longer to think of the right words to use, but in the end, when you are enjoying the benefits of an excellent career, you will be SO GLAD you did.
Best of Luck!
Carla Vaughan
http://www.professional-resume-example.com
Carla Vaughan is the owner of http://www.Professional-Resume-Example.com, a web site devoted to assisting candidates in the job-search process. She holds a B.S. in Business from Southern Illinois University and has authored a book titled, “The Do-It-Yourself Resume Kit” soon to be available on her site.
Tags: employer, employment, example, hiring, interview, job, quantify, results, resume, resumes, searchNext Page »