Resumes critically must “show clearly how your skills & qualifications meet the SPECIFIC JOB description” and “if you’re not a perfect fit on paper for a particular job, you need to look for creative ways to get the hiring manager’s attention.” This is according to Rebecca Anderson (VP Queens University quoted on charlotteobserver.com) who has apparently seen so many resumes she’s lost count. She talks about how to be creative by mentioning an applicant who said that on first reading of her resume she may not seem a great fit for the position “but give me a chance to let you know why I think my skills are transferable”. I get the impression Anderson gave her an interview.

Anderson goes on to say that another critical issue is “a nice fit for the organization” and for the individual applying as well and links this judgment to the level of preparation candidates demonstrate at the interview.

There is an online ‘editable’ example resume, so you can adjust for job descriptions here: resume example

Remember… to even have your resume read you will need to ensure it has some/all of the keywords the advertiser is looking for so you must answer the job specs in your resume.

Hope you find the article and resume examples helpful and best of luck in your job search. Persistence pays and being positive is the only way to succeed.

Please note that if you use the original resume example you can send me a backup just in case you lose your original resume. So far over 5000 resume writers have done so.

1. Other than going for a job are there any other reasons to do a resume?

A resume can be quite helpful in many ways. It can:

•    help you remember important details when talking over the phone or in an interview
•    be used as a networking tool on a “just in case something comes up basis” etc
•    used as a reference sheet when filling in application forms
•    let you see what you have to offer employers either now or in the future
•    remind you of he personal development issues you should address
•    writing or updating your resume at least once a years is a great way to assess your progress from a career or commercial point of view

2. Why can’t the information be part of an application/cover letter?

A cover letter needs get to the point (preferably in the first ten words) and its main purpose is to sell you and that you’re an exciting prospect who’s resume is worth reading.

3. Is it better to have a typed, or handwritten resume?

Today for most of us there is access to a computer and it will always be preferable to have a ‘typed’ resume. If you do need to do a handwritten resume remember “neatness and presentation counts”.

4. Should I sign my resume?

No it is better not to sign your resume, its mainly because it is just not and ‘accepted’ practice

5. How long should a resume be?

This an argument that goes on and on, from what I have seen one to three pages are best. A the temptation to use very small fonts in an attempt cram in more information. Blank spaces appropriately used are from a presentation point of view more appealing than a crammed ‘mess’.

6. Should you change your resume to suit a particular job?

Yes always yes yes yes. All resumes need to reflect the skills and competencies that the employer is looking for. see my many other blog posts on this topic. If you write a “master”  or sample resume you can adjust it with each application’s job requirements. don’t however get a bit lazy and send out one that is just your generic sample resume.

If you have any other questions regarding resumes please ask them in the comments section and I’ll do my best to answer them.

Here is a link to my Sample Resume | Resume Template page where you can practice writing your resume. Yes its free!

The “orglearn” site in addition to career success, management, leadership and teamwork articles provides information on how to write job resumes to match different employer requirements, resume templates and resume statement examples for you to use to when setting out your skills and competencies. This approach has been take as a one off sample resume can be too restrictive and because resumes and cover letters need to be tailored to each employers specific requirements. There are also some sample phrases that can of creating a section on the scope of the positions you have held in the past.

Hope you find the new resume information valuable.

By the way you may wish to visit the original Sample Resume | Resume Blank | Resume Form | Resume Examples | Resume Sample page to fill in the free online blank resume form (even if you’re not actively looking for a job), which is designed as a handy self-analysis to evaluate the commercial realities of what you have to offer current or potential employers.

1.   Saying something like “wow it took me two and a half hours to get here.”
2.   “I had a problem finding your business premises.”
3.   “Of course I’ll take the job.  How much does it pay?”
4.   Answering a cell phone during an interview.
5.   Placing your hands behind your head during an interview.
6.   Folding your arms during an interview.
7.   Turning up in dirty shoes or an un-ironed shirt.
8.   Getting too “familiar” during the interview is a no no.
9.   Getting carried away with detailing every magnificent moment in your previous work.
10. Not rehearsing how to explain a personal area of weakness and being able to sell what you are doing about it.

According to BNET hiring managers say the most common and detrimental mistakes candidates have made during an interview are:

51 percent; dressing inappropriately
49 percent; speaking negatively about a current or previous employer
48 percent; appearing disinterested ranked
44 percent; appearing arrogant
30 percent; not providing specific answers
29 percent; not asking good questions

Having interviewed many individuals I would like to add, deferring interview appointments, being late, smelling badly of body odor and a wet or limp handshake. When you are going for and interview leave time to have a quick freshen up in the company’s bathroom so you can look fresh and ready. It is also best if your stand while you wait rather than lounging in reception. A polite smile when you are greeted can’t hurt either. Oh yes… please… no perfume or aftershave.

**Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

While you’re here take a look at the free blank resume form!

Finally… a resume may get you the interview however many times I have said and will say it again here… you must research the company you are applying to and at least have a rudimentary knowledge about what they do when you get to the job interview otherwise it is likely you will mess it up.

These are questions asked by Phil Rosenberg of “reCareered” sometime back, the answers are however probably even more pertinent in today’s business climate. I receive many resumes on my free resume form page and I am astounded by the lack of understanding that most resume writers have about the purpose of their resume and how a resume needs to be presented.

Phil’s main points:

FACT: ‘IF your resume gets seen by human eyes (97% get pre-screened by a database search), you have an average 15 seconds to capture the reader’s attention.’

So how do you grab your reader’s attention? Write about what is important to them. [You need to read the advertisement and match what you offer to what the ad and employer are seeking!]

FACT: “Most resumes don’t address an employers’ problems? Most are written for the job seekers own pride or ego.” [My own research unfortunately bears this out, even when the advice on my free blank resume form specifically states what bad practice it is.]

Phil then asks: “Do you think it matters much to your audience what you are most proud of? Will your reader care enough to read your resume in detail to get an idea of who you are and what you can do? Or does your audience care more about rapid solutions to their problems?”

If you want even half a chance at getting an interview you will need to heed Phil’s advice.

So: WRITE FOR YOUR AUDIENCE – the hiring manager.

What’s important to hiring managers? Hiring “people who can solve their problems without much ramp-up time or training.”

The full original article is at:

http://www.recareered.blogspot.com/2008/02/your-resumes-audience-cheers-or-silence.html

ONE MORE TIME “Please for your own sake remember if you ‘write your resume to solve an employer’s problems you’re likely to get interviews. Discuss how you can an solve employer’s problems in an interview, and you may even receive a job offer’

ps from Yahoo hotjobs: (http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles)

What to leave off your resume:

The Unquantifiable Accomplishment

e.g. “I am the most talented employee my company has ever had.”

The Not-So-Notable Accomplishment

e.g. “I get along with coworkers.”

Offbeat Accomplishment are also a waste of space:

e.g. “Set record for eating 45 eggs in two minutes.”

“Make sure any accomplishments you place on your resume will impress a potential employer. Your ability to do average work or fulfill the most basic requirements of a job does not warrant special mention.”

Ric (orglearn) **Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

While you’re here and this post is fresh in your mind take a look at the free blank resume form and perhaps start to build yourself a better resume!

Applying for a job, resume sin number 1. Not including a cover letter with your resume. Obvious really!

Resume sin number 2. Including an objective statement. “Point blank objectives are bad form.”

Sin number 3. “Use headings like profile and career summary versus a powerful sales pitch.” Well I think the writer means the content needs to be a “powerful sales pitch”

Number 4. ‘Leaving out industry specific keywords’. A deadly sin indeed!

and finally… resume sin number 5. Small (big?) mistakes or grammatical errors. ‘Have someone [intelligent] review your resume’.

Read the full article at:

http://www.careerrocketeer.com/2009/09/5-best-ways-to-land-your-resume-in.html

Ric (orglearn) **Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

While you’re here take a look at the free blank resume form!

To quote the writer:

“As organisations (or organizations if you prefer) become more sophisticated, they start using CV reading software and web sites that filter us out long before a human even reads the CV. We need to learn these techniques to give us an edge over other candidates. This is a little like getting a website Google friendly. This means using key words. For example, using “competency” in your CV as a description is fine but if the software is looking for “competencies” your CV will be rejected. Software is stupid. It can only look for what it has been told to look for. Another good example of this is “training and development” and “learning and development”; a human looking at these will know that in many organisations these mean the same thing – software does not. carefully look through job adverts and look for the current appropriate language to use and include.”

Now this was the really good resume or CV (if your not in the USA) writing tip:

“The most successful candidates now include a list of keywords on the resume / CV. This can be a small section at the end of the resume / CV. Your keywords section should contain the types of words that recruiters might be looking for in your industry. This way if you do not cover all the bases in the main resume / CV the keyword list will contain them. Also, in the same way search engines look for key words and word density, some software looks for key word frequency – so having this helps your resume / CV to be seen.”

http://rapidbi.com/management/2009/09/the-perfect-resume-cv-to-get-you-through-to-interview/

Whether you use the term “resume” or “curriculum vitae” (depending on your local traditions) I think you must always include a section on keywords. Read the rest of the blog this is not the only good advice the writer gives, this is however a great resume form or format tip.

Ric (orglearn) While you’re here take a look at the free blank resume form!

* Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

Six keys to winning during change.

Acknowledge that things continually change. Simple and obvious however many will delude themselves into believing life is stable, secure and constant. (Maybe not so much anymore!)

Accept that now is the only time you ever really have and live in the present rather than sitting around relishing the past.

Understand that worrying about the future is useless. If you don’t believe me… what where you worried about on the same day last year?

Realize that the best way to cope with change is to approach it as inevitable and use it as an opportunity to satisfy the priorities and desires we have set and pro-actively seek out opportunities to do so.

Insert yourself in the change process so you can influence to the outcome, don’t wait find out what is going on and get involved.

Commit yourself productively to others who are trying to solve problems or capitalise on new opportunities, associate yourself with those leading the new direction and find a way to help.

“MAY YOU LIVE IN INTERESTING TIMES” (ACTUALY NOT REALLY AN OLD CHINESE CURSE)

…and do your resume just in case… resume form

One issue that seems to be overlooked by many is their email address. Now for personal correspondence your email address, or the style of your email address, is probably relatively immaterial. This is not the case I suggest for those seeking employment. Strange or frivolous email addresses can leave the recruiter wondering about the seriousness  or maturity of the owners. On this website there is a free blank resume form with the option to send the document to me for backup and I receive between eight to fifteen resumes a day. Here are some of the email address examples (slightly changed to protect the owners) to give you some examples.

sillyoneme, igotitall, bigboy, godwoman, thedawg, footballfan, clumbsy

As I say the names have been slightly changed to protect the innocent (guilty) however they were all listed as contact addresses on resumes. Can I suggest that if you are seriously seeking employment for something other than a comedian you take a look at your email address and if it is not appropriate set up one that is.

I mean would you consider hiring into your serious business someone known as “iwantmoney@….”