Resume Help Blog

Posts Tagged ‘resume writing’

I know that parts of this aretilce are so basic that it will appear to some of you as third grade curriculum. To others who may not have been in the work force for awhile it will be necessary reading. So with that said let’s begin.

What exactly is a resume and the purpose?

Simply put a resume is a review of your work history. This article is about “How To Write a Resume.”  It only explains the purpose of having one. If you have never written one then you need to do it right. Consider hiring a professional service to get you started.  Resumesplanet can provide you with a professional, entry level resume, for a very reasonable price.

If you have a long work history going back 20+ years it’s not necessary to review your whole life. Just the last four to five jobs you have held, the position, responsibilities, acknowledgments etc. It should be well written (we will show you how to do that further down). The purpose – is to get an interview! Like anything, you have about 15 – 20 seconds to grab the readers attention. Fail to do that and your resume goes in the trash.

Who needs a resume?

Anyone who needs a job, whether it is to change careers, or stay within the same type of job needs a resume. If you are new to the work force, whether just out of college or a stay at home mom/dad this gives you the opportunity to display your abilities and skills. Even if you are going to an interview through the referral of a friend you need a well written resume. If it is well written it will answer many questions the interviewer may have. Now if the position is making hamburgers at McDonalds or tacos at Taco Bell this won’t necessarily apply. For any other type of employment (manufacturing etc.) it is an absolute necessity, and it must be done right!

Can I write it myself or is it complex?

Anyone can write a resume themselves but will the person you want to impress read it? Well, that’s another story. Our goal is to offer help with this to make sure you have the best chance of gaining the interview. Even a first time job seeker needs the best resume they can have, and we don’t mean on fancy, watermarked paper. If your content doesn’t grab their attention your fancy paper won’t either.

Why might I need to have my resume professionally written?

If the job you are applying for pays minimum wage, then you don’t need to spend a lot of money for this service. A quality Resume Template is what you need. However, that doesn’t mean that you can sit down and in 15 minutes crank one out. The idea that you can successfully do this is a myth.

Over the years the type of resume required to obtain a quality job has changed. If you have never written a resume then you do need guidance in what the corporate world is looking for. You will only have 15 to 20 seconds to get the readers attention so quality counts.

Are there resume templates available if I choose to write it myself?

Let me recommend another additional source to you. These are resume e-books that allow you to make a quality looking resume. They will hold you by the hand and lead you step by step through the process. These will have everything you need to get the look and appearance you need without breaking the bank. HOWEVER it wouldn’t be fair to leave it at that when I know better. What I said was true except that these e-books will give you a resume that will look like it came from a text book and yours will look like everyone else’s.

What you really need to be competitive is one professionally written (they aren’t that expensive) and are worth every penny. A professionally written resume will make you stand out because these writers know how to highlight your strengths.

Leslie Kearney is the owner of a site committed to helping you get the perfect job. We offer resume writing tips, links to the best professional resume writers, job links and more! Visit our sites today — you need a job; we can help!

Visit our other sites for more help:

http://www.1-800BadCredit.com — AND —  http://www.ResumeOnaBudget.com

I was reading a recent article on Reuters news site that said the following:  “Single spelling mistake can derail job application.”  Wow! That sucks!

The article went on to say that a recent survey revealed that 1/5th of Canadian employers stated they would not interview someone if they had just ONE spelling error on their resume! That percentage probably grows if the overall writing quality is poor.  The survey was conducted by AccountTemps.

So what’s the point of this post? The point is that there is no shame in admitting that you are a bad speller, or that you have trouble writing a decent sentence. It’s better to swallow your pride and ask for help than it is to lose opportunity after opportunity because your resume gives off the impression that you are sloppy or don’t pay attention to details. 

There’s a couple of things you can do to double-check your resume and make sure that it doesn’t have spelling or sentence errors. 

The cheapest one is to find a friend that you know is a good writer, or has an eye for detail, and ask them to honestly read through your resume and locate spelling or sentence errors.  And while this sounds easiest, and the least expensive, it also entails a little bit of humility.

Don’t be so personally invested in exactly how a resume is written. If your friend thinks a sentence would read better, don’t get defensive. Listen to what they recommend and make the change if the sentence honestly sounds stronger. Nobody wants to help you if their opinions are met with abrasiveness or argument. And pride can lose you that job opportunity!

Of course the best way to ensure you have a resume that will open doors instead of shut them is to look at using a professional resume writing service.  A professional resume writer will take time with you, go over your goals, job experience, etc. and completely rewrite your resume. The nice thing is that the services will guarantee you that you will get interviews or they offer to help you further with no cost. So it’s definitely worth exploring.

Resume Corner is a great professional resume writing service! Resume Corner says that if you don’t get an interview within 30 days they will rewrite your resume for free. That’s huge! They have professionals that know how to write a targeted resume based on your level of experience – from a student fresh out of college to executive level. They even have specialists for IT people, since the language on these resume’s needs to be more specific and technical.

Bottom line. Swallow that pride and make sure your resume is the best it can be! No typo’s and no bad grammar! You’ll be glad that you did when you trot off to work while many other people are still job hunting.

We have all heard the Boy Scout motto Be prepared. That is a good motto for all of us, it’s also great career advice. You never know when the perfect career opportunity will present itself. If a recruiter called you today with your dream job, would you be prepared to send out an up-to-date resume right away?

There are four times that it critical to update your resume:

Update Your Resume Every Year

This is where many people fall short. You may not think you will change jobs soon and put it off but then that recruiter calls with the perfect job, you may suddenly find your resume is years out of date, and you’ll have to scramble to catch up. Keep it up to date; don’t put it off.

While things are fresh in your mind, keep your resume current by including your best accomplishments each year. It’s easier to write things down as they occur by keeping a diary. You are very likely to overlook critical achievements and contributions.

Update Your Resume When Your Career Focus Changes

Anytime you want to change your career path you also need to change your resume. There are several ways to shift the focus toward your new career.

By focusing on the skills that will be useful in your new career, you can position yourself as a stronger candidate for the job. Highlight those transferable skills in your new resume. By bringing them front and center you have the advantage.

In addition to highlighting your transferable skills also make a list of accomplishments that will support those skills. Accomplishment statements give you credibility to prove your ability to cross industry or occupational lines. If you do this well it will make a big difference in whether you win the interview or are passed over.

Do You Anticipate A Layoff? If You Have Reason To Believe This A Possibility Then It Is Time To Update And Be Ready

Corporate downsizing is a harsh reality of today’s economy. Layoffs and losses are becoming more and more common. But you can be prepared by keeping your resume up-to-date.

Don’t make the mistake of being overly optimistic. Remember we started this article with the motto Be Prepared. It’s safer to assume that you are on the “out” list. You may think you are  indispensable to your employers. Get your resume ready as soon as you see any indications that downsizing is on the way.

Don’t mistake company loyalty for a fear of change. Many people would rather take their chances with a potential layoff than make proactive steps toward finding a new job. Once they’re laid off, it’s already too late. Remember, as a candidate, you are always more marketable while still employed. Avoid this by starting your job search early with self-marketing tools (resume and cover letter) that are up-to-date and top quality.

Update Your Resume When You Are Dissatisfied With Your Current Position

I have been there and I know that job dissatisfaction leads to feelings of frustration, worthlessness, and often hopelessness. But there is no reason to stay in a job you hate. However with the unemployment rate as high as it currently is being prepared with an updated resume can help you feel better in your current job. By having your resume updated you can respond to job opportunities with confidence. If you will Take proactive steps toward a new career it will give you back your optimism and feeling of self worth.

If it’s time for you to update your resume, first decide whether your resume requires a simple update or a complete rewrite. If you have been using the same resume format for several years  it’s possible that you have outgrown the old look. Resume formats are like automobiles they change. And if you’ve simply been “tacking on” to your old resume, it may start to resemble a house with too many additions, with little sense or direction.

Get a professional resume critique. This can help you decide exactly what you need to move forward. A well-written professional resume can make an incredible difference in:

• The length of time it takes to make your career move
• The quality of your next position
• The income potential of your next position

Your resume is your best sales tool in finding a new job, and it deserves the investment of your time and commitment. With the high number of layoffs we are facing the best investment you can make in yourself is a professionally written resume. That will prepare you for anything that comes your way – and be well on the path to your next great job.

Ref: Alpha Advantage