Good Morning!
Recently, I had a question sent to me about including "other interests" on a resume. Should that section of the resume be included or excluded? The information was as follows:
Other Interests: Family, coaching youth sports, golf, fishing and hiking.
This is what I suggested he do:
The "Other Interests" portion of a resume is not necessary. In fact, it is the only aspect of your resume that I think someone might find something to nit-pick about. Why? Some people might worry that since you listed "Family" that you might be more focused on your family than your job. I admire that and I agree that you have your priorities straight if that's the case, however, some employers expect you to put the job first. You can put your family first without having to "warn" the employer that you are doing so. If a need arises that you have to make a choice between your family and your job, then you should get to make that choice, but don't let the prospective employer make it for you before you ever get a chance to interview for the job.
Does that make sense?
The other items don't need to be there either simply because they are possible reasons to exclude you more than they are possible reasons to include you. How can that be? What if the person screening your resume tried to play youth sports and failed miserably - or their father wasn't around for them? What if the resume screener went on a fishing trip once and fell out of the boat into deep water and it scared him/her so bad that fishing is now considered a hated hobby?
Don't give the prospective employer any reason to eliminate you. These things DO happen. It's crazy, but it's true.
So, now you know the answers, too. Don't give the employer a reason to exclude you. If you have this section on your resume, consider removing it. There is no sense in getting yourself taken out of contention for a job simply because someone else has a bias.
For more information about the Resume Outline (which tells you the basic necessities of a resume: Resume Outline
Have a great day!
Rabu, 23 April 2008
Senin, 21 April 2008
Length of Your Resume
The length of your resume is less important than its substance. Remember when you were told, especially as a child, that it wasn't what you wore on the outside, but what kind of person you were on the inside? Well, to some extent, that is exactly the same with your resume.
What you write on your resume is more important than how long it is.
How long should your resume be? The length of your resume should be in direct proportion to your success in reaching your career goals and in pursuing related educational objectives. What does that mean?
Well, it means:
Don't pad your resume
Be honest
Only list what applies to the position you are seeking
Add enough white space to allow natural breaks in reading
Never use two words when one will do
Do not list references
Target your resume to the job and the company
Use action keywords
Write your resume in such a way that the reader knows exactly what you want and your credentials support that goal. Anything more becomes tedious and takes away from the impact of your true purpose. Anything less and your goal become unsubstantiated by your past experience and education.
Most experts suggest you keep your resume to two pages. If you can fit your skills and accomplishments on one page, that is even better. If you are a professional or executive, three pages may be required to tell the whole story, but be sure you are using only what best supports your career goals.
The resume cover page is in addition to the resume. It is not counted in the suggested resume length above.
The goal of the resume is to get the interest of the prospective employer to the extent that you are sought out for an interview. If your resume does that, then the length of your resume will not be an issue. Write what matters.
Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com
Have a great day!
What you write on your resume is more important than how long it is.
How long should your resume be? The length of your resume should be in direct proportion to your success in reaching your career goals and in pursuing related educational objectives. What does that mean?
Well, it means:
Don't pad your resume
Be honest
Only list what applies to the position you are seeking
Add enough white space to allow natural breaks in reading
Never use two words when one will do
Do not list references
Target your resume to the job and the company
Use action keywords
Write your resume in such a way that the reader knows exactly what you want and your credentials support that goal. Anything more becomes tedious and takes away from the impact of your true purpose. Anything less and your goal become unsubstantiated by your past experience and education.
Most experts suggest you keep your resume to two pages. If you can fit your skills and accomplishments on one page, that is even better. If you are a professional or executive, three pages may be required to tell the whole story, but be sure you are using only what best supports your career goals.
The resume cover page is in addition to the resume. It is not counted in the suggested resume length above.
The goal of the resume is to get the interest of the prospective employer to the extent that you are sought out for an interview. If your resume does that, then the length of your resume will not be an issue. Write what matters.
Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com
Have a great day!
Kamis, 17 April 2008
An Outstanding Cover Letter
There is nothing that can compare to an outstanding cover letter. If you want to get an employer's attention, you will need cover letter that demands their attention.
The cover letter is the first thing that an employer is going to read. It is the precursor to the resume. If the cover letter doesn’t command the attention of the reader right away, then you only have the resume left to do so. Sure, the resume will outline your educational and experiential background, but it doesn't afford the flexibility of a cover letter.
An outstanding cover letter gives you an opportunity to tailor your credentials in a way that the resume does not. You are able to explain situations so that the employer understands why, for instance, you have a 2 year gap in your employment dates. You can expound on a specific skill set. You can outline a situation that shows the employer how accomplished you are. There is so much more that an outstanding cover letter can do.
Do not underestimate the importance of an outstanding cover letter.
Remember that a cover letter is short and to the point. If at all possible, keep the cover letter to one page. Keep it professional, but be sure to sell yourself, too.
Map out the information you want to place in each section, then go back through and fine tune it. Don't try to write brilliantly from the salutation to the signature in the first draft. Revise it each time you go through it.
An outstanding cover letter is also tailored to the employer's needs. If the ad you read states that the employer is looking for someone with three years of managerial experience, then you need to include something in your cover letter that states you have managerial experience. If you do not have that much experience, show the employer how much you have learned and how quickly you learned it. Let the employer know that you are determined to be successful. This is especially important if you are still in school or have recently graduated from school.
Once you think you have everything the way you want it in your cover letter, proofread it. You can say everything an employer wants to hear, but if your cover letter is loaded with spelling and grammar errors, you will not get anywhere. Making sure your cover letter is error-free is definitely one step in the right direction.
An outstanding cover letter requires some time and thought up front, but if it correctly guides the employer to your resume and the employer likes what is there, you stand a great chance of receiving a phone call for an interview.
Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com
Have a great day!
The cover letter is the first thing that an employer is going to read. It is the precursor to the resume. If the cover letter doesn’t command the attention of the reader right away, then you only have the resume left to do so. Sure, the resume will outline your educational and experiential background, but it doesn't afford the flexibility of a cover letter.
An outstanding cover letter gives you an opportunity to tailor your credentials in a way that the resume does not. You are able to explain situations so that the employer understands why, for instance, you have a 2 year gap in your employment dates. You can expound on a specific skill set. You can outline a situation that shows the employer how accomplished you are. There is so much more that an outstanding cover letter can do.
Do not underestimate the importance of an outstanding cover letter.
Remember that a cover letter is short and to the point. If at all possible, keep the cover letter to one page. Keep it professional, but be sure to sell yourself, too.
Map out the information you want to place in each section, then go back through and fine tune it. Don't try to write brilliantly from the salutation to the signature in the first draft. Revise it each time you go through it.
An outstanding cover letter is also tailored to the employer's needs. If the ad you read states that the employer is looking for someone with three years of managerial experience, then you need to include something in your cover letter that states you have managerial experience. If you do not have that much experience, show the employer how much you have learned and how quickly you learned it. Let the employer know that you are determined to be successful. This is especially important if you are still in school or have recently graduated from school.
Once you think you have everything the way you want it in your cover letter, proofread it. You can say everything an employer wants to hear, but if your cover letter is loaded with spelling and grammar errors, you will not get anywhere. Making sure your cover letter is error-free is definitely one step in the right direction.
An outstanding cover letter requires some time and thought up front, but if it correctly guides the employer to your resume and the employer likes what is there, you stand a great chance of receiving a phone call for an interview.
Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com
Have a great day!
Senin, 14 April 2008
A Resume Guideline Makes Writing a Resume Easier and Faster
Resumes are an essential part of our work lives. We do not enjoy writing them, but we know we need them if we are going to succeed in our careers. Many times, we put off writing one until we are desperately in need of one, then we are more likely to leave things off and make unnecessary mistakes because we are pressed for time.
You are so much better off writing your resume BEFORE you need it.
Use a proven guideline to lead you through the process so that you don't waste time 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.
The information is based on a chronologically formatted resume, but it can be tailored to any format you choose.
The guideline:
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. Proofread this carefully to ensure all of the information is completely accurate.
Job Objective. While some experts say this section isnst necessary, you stand a much better chance of getting the job you are seeking if you tell the employer exactly what position interests you. Sure the cover letter will mention what you are looking for, but what if the cover letter gets separated from the resume? Focus your job objective on the company’s goals and the job position, not your needs and wants.
Education. If you list your education next (you can list your work experience if you think it makes a better impact), 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 itss good.
Work Experience. This 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 responsibilities 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. These goodies 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. There are other possible sections you might want to add to your resume. They could include foreign languages, computer experience, volunteer work and professional affiliations. If they apply, use them.
References donst even need to be mentioned. Everyone knows that if you are asked for references, you can provide them.
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, itss a bother to have to write a resume, but you have to do it, right? Just get it done. You can do it!
Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com
Professional-Resume-Example.com is a web site devoted to assisting candidates in the job-search process. Carla holds a B.S. in Business from Southern Illinois University and has authored several books. She is currently working on her Master's Degree in Education at Texas A&M University.
You are so much better off writing your resume BEFORE you need it.
Use a proven guideline to lead you through the process so that you don't waste time 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.
The information is based on a chronologically formatted resume, but it can be tailored to any format you choose.
The guideline:
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. Proofread this carefully to ensure all of the information is completely accurate.
Job Objective. While some experts say this section isnst necessary, you stand a much better chance of getting the job you are seeking if you tell the employer exactly what position interests you. Sure the cover letter will mention what you are looking for, but what if the cover letter gets separated from the resume? Focus your job objective on the company’s goals and the job position, not your needs and wants.
Education. If you list your education next (you can list your work experience if you think it makes a better impact), 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 itss good.
Work Experience. This 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 responsibilities 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. These goodies 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. There are other possible sections you might want to add to your resume. They could include foreign languages, computer experience, volunteer work and professional affiliations. If they apply, use them.
References donst even need to be mentioned. Everyone knows that if you are asked for references, you can provide them.
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, itss a bother to have to write a resume, but you have to do it, right? Just get it done. You can do it!
Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com
Professional-Resume-Example.com is a web site devoted to assisting candidates in the job-search process. Carla holds a B.S. in Business from Southern Illinois University and has authored several books. She is currently working on her Master's Degree in Education at Texas A&M University.
Kamis, 10 April 2008
Resume Cover Letters are Essential for Job Search Success
Resume Cover Letters
If you are sending resumes to employers, you need to be sure you are also writing cover letters for those resumes. Writing cover letters for resumes is not difficult, but it is necessary if you intend to make a great impression on prospective employers.
Cover letters are a prelude to the resume. They explain parts of the resume that might need clarification. They start the selling of YOU before the employer even gets to read your actual qualifications. They build up your credentials so that the prospective employer is already interested in getting to know you better.
Some resume experts do not believe that writing cover letters for resumes is important, but there is one thing for certain. It will never work against you. If an employer likes to read cover letters before reading resumes, then you are ahead of the other candidates for the position. If the employer does not care one way or the other, then you have lost nothing by including one.
A cover letter is a great way to prepare and excite the employer about what they will find in the resume. Don't recite what is in the resume, but highlight certain elements of your character, your accomplishments and your background so that the employer is interested in knowing more about you.
There is one awesome thing about writing cover letters for resumes that makes them an essential part of your job search: you can target the job and the employer much better than by simply using a resume alone.
The cover letter should be personalized and directed to each company in which you are interested in working. Point out specific areas of the job that interest you. Explain why working for that particular company is of importance to you. When you add these elements into your cover letters, they will be read more thoroughly and you will be more likely to receive a phone call for a job interview.
There are some people who say that the resume gets read first, then the cover letter. Others say just the opposite. For you, it will not matter as your resume and cover letter will both be targeted to the position you are seeking. It does not matter which one gets read first. Employers like to have both, so you need to provide both.
Writing cover letters for resumes is what differentiates the best job candidates from the rest of the crowd. Yours should convince the employer to grant you an interview.
You can be the success you want to be by working hard and making the extra effort.
Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com
If you are sending resumes to employers, you need to be sure you are also writing cover letters for those resumes. Writing cover letters for resumes is not difficult, but it is necessary if you intend to make a great impression on prospective employers.
Cover letters are a prelude to the resume. They explain parts of the resume that might need clarification. They start the selling of YOU before the employer even gets to read your actual qualifications. They build up your credentials so that the prospective employer is already interested in getting to know you better.
Some resume experts do not believe that writing cover letters for resumes is important, but there is one thing for certain. It will never work against you. If an employer likes to read cover letters before reading resumes, then you are ahead of the other candidates for the position. If the employer does not care one way or the other, then you have lost nothing by including one.
A cover letter is a great way to prepare and excite the employer about what they will find in the resume. Don't recite what is in the resume, but highlight certain elements of your character, your accomplishments and your background so that the employer is interested in knowing more about you.
There is one awesome thing about writing cover letters for resumes that makes them an essential part of your job search: you can target the job and the employer much better than by simply using a resume alone.
The cover letter should be personalized and directed to each company in which you are interested in working. Point out specific areas of the job that interest you. Explain why working for that particular company is of importance to you. When you add these elements into your cover letters, they will be read more thoroughly and you will be more likely to receive a phone call for a job interview.
There are some people who say that the resume gets read first, then the cover letter. Others say just the opposite. For you, it will not matter as your resume and cover letter will both be targeted to the position you are seeking. It does not matter which one gets read first. Employers like to have both, so you need to provide both.
Writing cover letters for resumes is what differentiates the best job candidates from the rest of the crowd. Yours should convince the employer to grant you an interview.
You can be the success you want to be by working hard and making the extra effort.
Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com
Minggu, 06 April 2008
A Quick Way to get your resume on all the Job Sites
If you need help distributing your resume to the various career and job websites that accept resume submission, you should seriously consider ResumeRabbit. It saves a lot of time and effort. Instead of you having to create accounts at the 75+ websites, then post your resume in whatever format each particular site expects, ResumeRabbit does it for you. You upload your resume once and they do the rest of the work for you.
One-Stop Resume Posting to Over 75 Career Sites. Click Here
You owe it to yourself to at least take a look at what they have to offer. No cost for looking. It could save you a ton of time when you need it most - while you're starting your job search.
One-Stop Resume Posting to Over 75 Career Sites. Click Here
You owe it to yourself to at least take a look at what they have to offer. No cost for looking. It could save you a ton of time when you need it most - while you're starting your job search.
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