Tip Tuesday

Simple guidelines for writing a stellar résumé

Your résumé should communicate vital information to a potential employer, but how do you know if yours is up to par and will compete with other résumés?
In their new book, “Expert Résumés for Managers and Executives,” authors Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark explain that strict rules for writing résumés don’t really exist, but job seekers should consider some simple standards that most employers have come to expect. Here are some of Enelow and Kursmark’s tips:
Content standards

• Writing style: Always write in the active, not passive, voice.
• Phrases to avoid: Do not use “responsible for” or “duties included,” which are passive.
• Résumé style: Organize your résumé chronologically, functionally or both.
• Résumé formats: Use paragraphs, bullets or both.
• Email address and URL: Include your email address and URL at the top of your résumé.

Presentation standards

• Font: Use a clean, conservative, easy-to-read font. Some suggestions include Tahoma, Arial, Krone, Soutane, CG Omega, Century Gothic or Gill Sans.
• Type size: Ten- to 12-point fonts are generally easy to read.
• Page length: One to two pages is usually enough.
• Paper color: Use white, ivory or gray paper.
• Graphics: Entry-level or midlevel job seekers may use graphics to enhance their résumés; senior or executive job seekers should avoid them.
• White space: Leave plenty of white space to ensure readability.

Accuracy and perfection

• “Your résumé must be well-written, visually pleasing and free of any errors, typographical mistakes, misspellings and the like,” Enelow and Kursmark say. “Carefully proofread your résumé a minimum of three times, and then have two or three other people also proofread it.”

“Consider your résumé an example of the quality of work you will produce on a company’s behalf,” say Enelow and Kursmark say. “Take the time to make sure that your résumé is perfect in all the details that make a difference to those who read it.”

To view the original article CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

101 Job Tips To Land Your Dream Job (Part 5 of 5)

Are you looking for a better job? A better Career? Recently laid off? No matter what the reason for your job search there are plenty of traditional—and not so traditional ways to find a new job. Here is part five (five part series) of 101 of the hottest job tips in town. There will be 20 new tips released every Tuesday for the next couple of weeks. Take time each Tuesday and read the twenty tips given. No matter how common they sound, a little tweaking always goes a long way.

81. Be nice to everyone you talk to: Be especially nice to the “gatekeepers”, those people whose job it is to protect the higher ups from unsolicited calls. They have the power to put your call through, or dump you to voice-mail.

82. Be prepared for delays: Don’t schedule an interview just before a doctor’s appointment, jury duty, or school car pool time. You will be too antsy to leave to be able to concentrate on the interview. Interviews before yours can run overtime—or yours could run long.

83. Show up early: Leave your house a bit before you need to and make sure to arrive on time.

84. Have a lunch interview? Brush up on your table manners—and pass on the alcohol, even if your host takes a drink. Order something that is easy to eat is a good idea as well—a job interview is not the best time for a messy burger and chili fries.

85. Have a second interview? If you did a great job on your first go–round, take the time to do some more in–depth research—the questions may be a little harder for this round.

86. Send a thank you note: After you have had an interview, follow up with a brief “thank you” note. Not many applicants do and it will keep you at the front of the pack of applicants.

87. Expect more than one interview: Companies have many applicants to weed through and you may need to interview with more than one person before securing a new position. Don’t be surprised if you need to meet with several people, on several different occasions before the offer comes in.

88. Offer references—and check them in advance! Ask someone if they are willing to be a reference for you before adding them to your resume.

89. Make sure your references will represent you well: A reference that gives you a “so–so” review will hurt your chances of getting that great new job!

90. Research pay rates for the job you want: Search online to get an idea what others in your field make. You should have an idea of what to expect, so you will know if an offer is a good one or not.

91. Read the materials you have been given: If you have been given information about the companies benefits program, or other job details, read through them after the interview.

92. Review benefits packages: A good benefits package can add thousands in value to your compensation package—and a poor one can cost you in the long run.

93. Labor Union: If you are in a skilled trade, look to your local group for job support. You may be able to get advanced notice of job openings and even get some apprenticeship or job training.

94. Waiting for the right offer? Consider freelancing while you wait. You will earn some extra money—and freelance jobs can easily convert to regular, fulltime positions!

95. Teach what you know: Colleges often hire “adjunct professors”, people who are experts in their chosen fields, or who excel in a particular area. You do not need a teaching degree to work as an adjunct and doing so can allow you to earn some extra money while increasing your networking potential.

96. Look in to a “recession proof” job: Certain positions are not affected by a recession—teachers, security people, police officers, IT and legal support teams are in demand even during a recession.

97. Look for “special interest” help: Are you a Veteran, or do you fall into a special interest category? If you do, there may be help available to you via your local employment commission or Veteran’s Affairs office. Be sure to check these avenues if you qualify.

98. Create your own job: Consider starting your own business. With your own business, the next time you use a job search engine you may be looking for employees of your own!

99. Consider a seasonal position: Some seasonal jobs convert to fulltime positions as well, so keep your eyes open for year round openings with your seasonal employer.

100. Don’t give up: It may take a while to find the right job—but the perfect job for you is out there and you will find it.

101. Don’t get discouraged and don’t stop trying to find the right position for you.

To view original article CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

101 Job Tips To Land Your Dream Job (Part 4 of 5)

Are you looking for a better job? A better Career? Recently laid off? No matter what the reason for your job search there are plenty of traditional—and not so traditional ways to find a new job. Here is part four (five part series) of 101 of the hottest job tips in town. There will be 20 new tips released every Tuesday for the next couple of weeks. Take time each Tuesday and read the twenty tips given. No matter how common they sound, a little tweaking always goes a long way.

61. Go to a job fair: Any time you see a job fair advertised, make sure you show up with resumes in hand, and ready to interview. You may be able to secure a position or a solid lead on the spot.

62. Do some research on the hottest new job fields: Find jobs that are in the highest demand—and see if your skill set is a good match. If they do, apply.

63. Make sure your certifications are up to date: Be sure to list any relevant information on your resume. Potential employers may be looking for particular professional affiliations or achievements.

64. Keep a record: When you send out a resume or an application, make sure you keep a record of where you sent it and to whom it was addressed. When you get a phone call for an interview, you will be able to refer back to your records and see exactly what resume and cover letter version you sent.

65. Follow up on your resume or application: When you send in a resume, make sure you follow up by phone in about a week. Sometimes a phone call can lead to a conversation—which can lead to an interview.

66. Brush up on your interview skills: Take the time to work on your interview skills before you are in front of a prospective employer. Even just thinking about some of the things you want to discuss will help you prepare.

67. Role Play the Interview: Do some role playing with a partner prior to your interview on questions that may be asked.

68. Turn the tables on your interviewer: You can be sure the person interviewing you will research you online—and you should do the same for them. If you know the name of the person you are interviewing with, you can do a quick search to get a sense of what they are about.

69. Be confident: If you have had a string of “no responses” to your resumes—or outright rejections, it is easy to lose confidence. Make sure you approach every application and interview as a new, fresh opportunity. Don’t be afraid to let your confidence and enthusiasm show.

70. Be prepared for common interview questions: Interviewers seem to ask the same sort of questions, so be prepared for the most common ones. Queries like “Where do you see yourself in five years” or “What are your strengths and weaknesses” come up pretty often—so be prepared with answers.

71. Be prepared when you answer the phone: If you have caller i.d., you will be able to tell when a potential employer is on the line. If you don’t, make sure you answer your phone in a professional manner and be prepared to talk. The interview starts the second you pick up the phone.

72. Turn the cell phone off: Never have your cell phone on during an interview.

73. Make a list of questions: Come up with a list of questions you would like to ask about the company.

74. Have a skeleton in your closet? Be prepared to talk about the 6 month gap in your resume, or the reason you left your last position. Being prepared in advance allows you to focus on the new skills you acquired as a result of your time off…and not the reason for your dismissal.

75. Be positive: Even if your last boss was an absolute ogre, say something nice. Even “It was a wonderful learning experience” will work. Prospective employers don’t want to hear how horrible your last job was—save that info for your friends and family to laugh over later.

76. Be truthful: Don’t claim to have degrees or experience you don’t. Getting caught in a fib can cause you to lose out on a great position—or to lose a job once you have been hired. Presenting your experiences in the best light possible is okay—outright lying is not.

77. Dress for success: Make sure you dress for the job you want to have. Presenting well can make the difference in whether or not you are hired—or even the salary you are offered.

78. Use professional language: Even if you feel a connection with your interviewer, don’t slip into slang, or use coarse language. You are still being evaluated by the person doing the interviewing, no matter how casual the environment.

79. Find a mentor: A mentor can not only help you navigate the professional waters with ease, he or she may be able to steer you in the right direction career–wise. Most mentors are established professionals that have great contacts. If you don’t have a mentor now, start searching for one today!

80. Remember your interviewers’ names: Commit your interviewers’ name to memory—forgetting someone’s name is bad…calling them by the wrong name is worse!

To view original article CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

101 Job Tips To Land Your Dream Job (Part 3 of 5)

Are you looking for a better job? A better Career? Recently laid off? No matter what the reason for your job search there are plenty of traditional—and not so traditional ways to find a new job. Here is part three (five part series) of 101 of the hottest job tips in town. There will be 20 new tips released every Tuesday for the next couple of weeks. Take time each Tuesday and read the twenty tips given. No matter how common they sound, a little tweaking always goes a long way.

41. Be old fashioned: Social media, twitter and related technologies are great—but sometimes simply submitting your application and following up by phone is the best approach. Do your homework and find the job online, then mail in a hard copy resume—you will stand out as someone who took the time to do it right.

42. Apply for jobs that may not exist: Even if you don’t see a want ad or job posting, consider sending your resume to any company that hires workers in your field. You may get lucky and find an opening that simply is not being advertised.

43. Apply at unconventional places: You may think your local hospital doesn’t have any jobs for you if you aren’t a doctor, nurse, or health-care worker. You would be wrong! A large organization, like a hospital, has a full staff of marketing, PR, IT and administrative positions. The same is true for other large employers that may seem like they are not a good match for your skills.

44. Apply for jobs that are beneath your current level: If you are out of work, or desperate to make a change, consider applying for a job that is a small step down from your current position, as long as there is some improvement to your current situation. A new position that is closer to home or has fewer hours or better benefits can make it worth taking a small cut in pay or title.

45. Apply for jobs that are above your current level: Don’t feel limited by the most recent job you have had! If you see a job that would be a bit of a promotion for you, apply for it—you may be more ready than you think!

46. Apply for jobs that are listed as part-time: A part time job can sometimes extend into a full-time position over time. If you secure a part time job, you will also be on hand to apply for any in–house job openings that come up as well.

47. Create an “elevator speech” about yourself: An elevator speech is a quick one or two sentence spiel about who you are and what you do. If you have one prepared in advance, you won’t stumble around the next time someone asks what you do for a living.

48. Use your social contacts to find work: If you are on one of the large social media sites, make sure you let everyone know you are looking for a job.

49. Share your contacts with other job seekers: If you know others who are seeking work, share your resources. You will both expand your horizons if you share.

50. Target organizations you would like to work for: Do some research online. Visit their sites and look for employment information—you may find jobs listed that don’t appear in search engine listings.

51. Think locally: While many large employers utilize the internet to find employees, many small businesses do not. Use your local paper to keep an eye out for jobs with businesses in your hometown.

52. Join your local business association: Join the Chamber of Commerce or any other local business group you can. The contacts you make may be able to point you in the right direction for your next job—and you may hear of openings before they are even advertised in the paper.

53. Don’t overlook the government: The government is a huge employer, encompassing federal, state, local and civilian jobs with the military.

54. Use your local resources: Even if you aren’t a college student, you may be able to use the college library to research jobs or even work on your resume. No college access? Use your local town library instead.

55. Go back to college: Check in with your Alma Mater to see if they offer any type of alumni job placement services—a number of them do.

56. Belong to a church or house of worship? Let your fellow friends know that you are looking. They may know of a job opening, or be able to give you a personal referral.

57. Take some classes: Brush up on your skills, especially if you have been in the same job for a long time. Taking a semester of night classes in the latest computer technologies, or getting a new certification may give you an edge over the competition.

58. Subscribe to your alumni newsletter: Many colleges offer an alumni newsletter or magazine and they often have job listings with local companies looking for specific degrees or skills. If you don’t receive the publication, you won’t get these leads.

59. Join a professional trade organization: If your field has a trade group, make sure you become a member. Check the trade group’s website and newsletter for targeted job leads.

60. Become known as an expert in your field: Contribute to trade journals, speak at conferences and post to relevant websites and blogs. The more people who know you and your work, the more chances you have to make a new contact when you are seeking a job.

To view original article CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

101 Job Tips To Land Your Dream Job (Part 1 of 5)

Are you looking for a better job? A better Career? Recently laid off? No matter what the reason for your job search there are plenty of traditional—and not so traditional ways to find a new job. Here is part one (five part series) of 101 of the hottest job tips in town. There will be 20 new tips released every Tuesday for the next 5 weeks. Take time each Tuesday and read the twenty tips given. No matter how common they sound, a little tweaking always goes a long way.

1. Proofread your resume: Have some trusted friends read over your resume and give you some feedback. Someone else may pick up mistakes you missed—and an error on your resume can prevent you from getting that important first interview.

2. Make a list of your skills: Make a list at the things you are good at and the things you enjoy doing. Chances are there is some crossover between the lists. Use these lists to help identify the types of jobs and industries you are most interested and suited to working for.

3. Buy quality paper and envelopes: Invest in good quality, heavy weight resume paper—and don’t skimp on the envelopes! Spend a little extra to make your resume stand out from the crowd.

4. Send your resume via priority mail: Or use Fed Ex or UPS. Those brightly colored envelopes just scream “I am important! Open me first!”. You can send your resume in a flat rate priority mailer for about $4.00, a small price to pay for guaranteed attention.

5. Don’t try too hard to stand out: Having an attention getting resume and application is great—having a sparkly, over the top one is not. Hot pink stationery with bunnies on it will attract attention, but it won’t land you an executive position.

6. Put a P.S. on your cover letter: Our marketing friends must be onto something—just about every good sales letter ends with a P.S. If any part of your letter gets read, it will be the postscript at the end.

7. Include a resume with every application: Even if a position requires you to fill out an application, attach your resume as well—it gives you a chance to stand out from the crowd and present yourself in the best light possible.

8. Consider a video resume if you are in a technical field: A powerpoint presentation or short video of your skills sounds over the top—and for some jobs, it is. For others, a video resume may be just what you need to get your foot in the door.

9. Customize your resume: Once you find a job you are interested in, take the time to customize your resume to better match the job description. If you are applying for a managerial description, for example, make sure your resume reflects all of the management duties you have performed, and highlights your achievements in that area.

10. Search for a job using unconventional spellings and terms: If you are an engineer, search for “Engineer”, but also check out “Engeneer” and “Engineering”—either a misspelling or different phrasing can pop up different listings (not all employers can spell well!).

11. Be willing to drive a bit: If you currently work five minutes from home, consider expanding your search to the next town, or the closest large city. Driving a little further each day may be a good trade off for a higher paying position.

12. Focus your search: If you are looking for a job in a large field, try focusing your search a bit to eliminate results you can’t use. If you search “Sales” you will pull up plenty of jobs that won’t suit your needs if what you really looking for is “Pharmaceutical Sales”…and the jobs you do want may get buried in the massive amount of listings.

13. Use the newspaper: Use the classified listings in your local paper and search online for other papers you may not receive. Most have an online classified section you can refer to, complete with a help wanted section.

14. Brainstorm to find other jobs you can do: If you are a teacher, apply for teaching jobs, but don’t overlook coaching, tutoring, and administrative jobs in the education system either.

15. Consider all of your skills: If you are great at selling cars, you may also be great at selling office equipment, medications, or business services. Don’t limit yourself to the field you are currently in if you have skills that can be applied elsewhere.

16. Use a Search Consultant: Job search firms aren’t just for top level executives anymore. Talented people of all levels are in demand, so register with a job service. Just make sure the prospective employer is footing the bill.

17. Don’t fall for scams: There are a lot of unscrupulous people out there waiting to take advantage of the unwary. Make sure you don’t fall for any of the common scams—everything from “work at home” to “pay for a list of available jobs”. You shouldn’t have to pay to find a job, or a legitimate lead.

18. Write some articles about your field: If you can, do some writing for a trade journal or other organization. If you don’t know of any, write about your field for an online article site like ezinearticles.com. Doing so will help build your reputation, give you published credits to refer to on your resume and help to establish you as an expert in your field.

19. Send your resume to a person: Instead of addressing your cover letter to a company, or worse to “whom it may concern”, take the time to find the name of the person actually doing the hiring, and send your resume to that person directly.

20. Make sure your online profiles are accurate: Check networking sites like LinkedIn to be sure that the information there is accurate and up to date. Don’t have a networking profile yet? Take the time to make one. Web–savvy employers will check you out via Google and other outlets!

To view original article CLICK HERE

Tip Tuesday

How to Format a Cover Letter

How you format your cover letter, both from a content (the information you include) and a presentation (what your cover letter looks like) perspective is important. Even when applying online or via email, your cover letter needs to be properly formatted, readable, and without any mistakes.

Cover Letter Content

First of all, your cover letter needs to include your contact information (name, address, phone, email) so prospective employers can get in touch with you.

Your cover letter should include at least three paragraphs:
1. What you are applying for and where you found the job posting - First Paragraph
2. What you have to offer - Middle Paragraph(s)
3. How you will follow-up - Final Paragraph
In the first paragraph, if you are writing in response to a job posting, indicate where you learned of the position and the title of the position. More importantly, express your enthusiasm and the likely match between your credentials and the position's qualifications.

The second paragraph of your cover letter should refer specifically to the qualifications listed in the job posting and illustrate how your particular abilities and experiences relate to the position for which you are applying.

The final paragraph of your letter should reiterate your interest in the job and let the employer know how they can reach you and include your phone number and email address.

Cover Letter Format

Cover letter presentation matters as much as what you include. When writing cover letters it's important to use a basic font that is easy to read. Depending on the hiring process your cover letter may be viewed in an applicant tracking system or other online hiring system. Those systems work best reading simple text rather than fancy formatting.

It's also important for the hiring manager to be able to easily read your resume. Using a basic 12 point font will ensure that your cover letter is easy to read. Basic fonts like Arial, Verdana, and Times New Roman work well. Don't forget to leave space between paragraphs and to proof your letter before you send or upload it. Do remember that your cover letter fonts should match your resume.

To view more information CLICK HERE

Fun Fact Friday

Job Search Blunders, Bloopers and Bungles

A client recently asked me to read over her resume for her and about half way down the page I spotted a typo. She was of course aghast and commented that it must have been there for six months! Whenever you write a resume or cover letter triple check it, then read it backwards from the bottom of the page to the top.
This can help you from making one of the classic mistakes that HR professionals and hiring managers see all the time during the recruiting process. And they love to share their favourites:

Resumes Blunders:
◦ Instrumental in ruining an entire operation for a Midwest chain operation.
(It’s amazing what one letter can do to a word? Spell checking wouldn’t catch this. Ask someone objective to read your documents. Also, this accomplishment is missing the action step, in other words, how did you achieve the result.)
◦ I’m a rabid typist.
(Not only is this a typo, but you don’t need to use ‘I’ in a resume; ‘I’ is assumed.)
◦ Develop and recommend an annual operating expense fudget.
(Kind of a fun play on words actually)
◦ Work experience: Dealing with customers’ conflicts that arouse.
(What about the ones that weren’t so stimulating?)
◦ Education: College, August 1880- May 1984.
(How old are you? Plus, you needn’t mention the months you attended school or the start year, the graduation year is sufficient)
◦ Under personal interests: Donating blood, 14 gallons so far.
(This sounds a little creepy, stick to reading, gardening, travel and volunteer work.)
◦ I was proud to win the Gregg Typting Award.
(I wonder how the losers made out)
◦ Here are my qualifications to overlook.
(Consider it done)
◦ Qualifications: I am a man filled with passion and integrity, and I can act on short notice. I’m a class act and don’t come cheap.
(The qualities in the first sentence are not congruent with one another – passion and acting on short notice should be two separate points ; I won’t dignify the second sentence with a comment.)

Cover Letter Bloopers◦ I am extremely loyal to my present firm, so please don’t let them know of my immediate availability.
(Mention your availability in the interview, not the cover letter. Oh, and look up the word ‘loyal’ in the dictionary.)
◦ I intentionally omitted my salary history. I’ve made money and lost money. I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. I prefer being rich.
(When addressing the salary issue in a cover letter, mention your salary is negotiable or that you expect the industry standard. If you feel you have to mention a figure, give a range and mention if it includes benefits in or not.)
◦ Note: Please don’t misconstrue my 14 jobs as ‘job-hopping.’ I have never quit a job.
(That’s good news, phew! Getting fired is sooo much better. It is only necessary to list jobs that go back 10-15 years maximum.)
◦ While I am open to the initial nature of an assignment, I am decidedly disposed that it be so oriented as to at least partially incorporate the experience enjoyed therefore and that it be configured so as to ultimately lead to the application of more rarefied facets of financial management as the major sphere of responsibility.
(If you wouldn’t – or couldn’t possibly – say this out loud, don’t write it on paper.)

Interview Bungles: Reasons for leaving the last job
◦ Responsibility makes me nervous.
(You might not want to mention that as a weakness either.)
◦ They insisted that all employees get to work by 8:45 every morning. Couldn’t work under those conditions.
(That’s inhumane! We’ll be happy to support your sleeping in, by not hiring you. If it is flex time that you need or time in lieu, present what you want, not what you don’t want.)
◦ I’ve been working for my mom and she decided to leave the company. (So, you left too? Would we also be obliged to hire your mom to get you to work here?)
◦ They didn’t allow me to surf the web as often as I’d like to. They weren’t very nice about it either.
(A company computer is a tool in which to execute ones’ work, it is not a personal toy. You have to work within the policies of your employer – or go someplace else.)
◦ The company made me a scapegoat, just like my three previous employers.
(Do not mention anything negative about a previous employer, whether or not you think they were in the wrong. Plus when you’re the ’scapegoat’ for four jobs in a row, it suggests a pattern where you might actually be the problem.)

The job search process puts you out there in front of people with the written word, voice mail or face to face in an interview. You have lots of chances to slip up along the way, so take your time, triple check your work, think before you answer questions and get other peoples’ help reviewing your work as often as you can.

To view original article CLICK HERE