Discover the Secrets to Writing a Good Resume

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Once you have decided that you are ready to take the time and effort it takes to make a rewarding career change, you will want to work on polishing your resume. A resume is more than just a sheet of paper with your qualifications. It is the first impression you make on potential employers, which is why it’s so important to learn vital tips for effective resume writing.

While you may have the most sparkly of personalities, a human resources employee won’t know this unless you make it show in your resume. One of the key tips in effective resume writing is to make sure that your resume is targeted specifically for each and every job for which you are applying.This means tweaking it a little bit to show how you are the best candidate for each position.

Here’s how:

* The title of your document is important. If you’re sending this resume to a large corporation, the HR rep is going to need to know what position to which you are applying or you’ll be eliminated from the applicant pool.

* If you’re seeking a job as an Operations Manager, you will want to note that in your resume title.

* Avoid using a vague statement such as “I am looking for an administrative position” in your summary. Use specific and targeted language that demonstrates your key strengths.

* Realize that a human resources staff member is going to want you to answer the question with your resume, “Why should we hire you?” This should be apparent in every aspect of the resume.

* Don’t riddle your resume with extraneous language. * And, when listing your previous work experience, take care that it goes beyond simply a list of duties to include how you benefited that company.

* If you have any clear accomplishments, don’t be shy. Include them on the resume, such as raising profits or gaining promotions. Any awards should also always be mentioned.

If you don’t have a wealth of experience in the industry you are interested in, you should craft the language in your resume to show that how you will excel in the new position. This will be something you will most likely be asked to discuss at the interview, but to even get to that step you’ll have to think about these tips and effective resume writing.

With so many candidates for the most minor of positions, there is no room for a mediocre resume. Make it stand out from the pack.

About the Author

Patricia Erickson is a certified professional resume writer and career coach who helps clients focus on making great impressions, getting interviews, and finding dream jobs. Want to achieve amazing results? Get an interview winning resume – guaranteed. Sign up for SmartJOB Tracker at http://www.avitacareermanagement.com/resume_writing_services.html

(ArticlesBase SC #1767374)

Topics : Free Resume Samples, Free Job Resume Examples, Resume Templates, Writing Resume. Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Discover the Secrets to Writing a Good Resume

How to Make an Impressive Resume

Your resume is your key to getting that interview. It's the first test. Here are a few tips on how to make an impressive resume. A good resume does not only contain your demographic details: age and gender etc. It must also include information about you that will encourage people to actually take interest. It should package your qualifications and strengths in a way that would not seem too aggressive or boastful. However, it should be assertive and should show initiative. In writing your qualifications summary, do not bombard it with all the glorious details. Make it short and concise. Remember K-I-S-S? Keep it short and simple. The person reading your resume will have had read a lot of resumes before he came to yours. He already has a headache. Make it easier for him to see if you are right for the job. Voiceville Communications, Inc. The place where great minds gather. Find a career with us. Grow in excellence. In writing about your experiences, do not only include your position, name of company and the number of years rendered. Add more color. Use actions words or verbs to tell what tasks you handled or projects you headed. Make it short though. When you are done with all the necessary information, think of the lay-out. This is like the cherry on top of your ice cream. This is your final packaging but this is the first thing that is noticed. Do not use too small font size: font size 11-12 will do. Do not use bright font colors. They irritate and hurt the eye. Remember to give your lines enough space that you would not seem to be running out of paper or e-space. These are just a few things you should bear in mind when making your resume. Just remember, you are packaging yourself; so do it in a way that will make them want to choose you.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/resumes-articles/how-to-make-an-impressive-resume-1782840.html

About the AuthorThe author is an SME for an account in Voiceville Communications, Inc. We are a full service Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) provider that provides world class, cost-effective and highly productive outsourcing services through understanding customer needs and specific product advantages, with strategic technology and workforce partnerships.

Guidelines in Writing a Good Resume

Sunday, January 17, 2010

A resume is an overview of one's qualifications and credentials. It is one of the most important documents needed when looking for a job. Effectively written resumes are most likely catch the attention of the HR personnel and increase your chances of getting hired.

There are several reference guides specifically designed to help applicants create a very well-written resume and gain favorable results in their job hunt. These reading materials are collections of comprehensive guidelines or sets of rules used primarily as a pattern in resume writing.

One of the most essential parts when writing a resume is to create a summary section. This part likely attracts the attention of the employer in a glance. This is due to the fact that employers usually receive a lot of resumes in which they don't have enough time to spend in reading all the information indicated in the resume. So if you have a summary section, the employer can immediately identify your credentials which help them weigh quickly if they will schedule you for an initial interview.

The most basic thing to consider in writing a good summary is to make sure all your prominent characteristics and credentials are seen there. Avoid using overused words or phrases that employers are tired of reading. Be unique and phrase your sentences well. Always give the employer something new to read on.

It is also important that the summary contains relevant information which can be supported by your resume. Such information will provide the employer an idea on your work attitude and credentials without having to use those overly used phrases.

There is no standard format. It can be in three to five paragraphs containing the most important achievements. It is also ideal to use bulleted sentences to make it more readable and interesting. The length of the summary section depends on your work history and credentials.

Sometimes it is necessary to use an extended summary section which usually contains more detailed information. This is very helpful especially when you have quite a lot to enlist.

Another point to consider is to organize each of your work experience with different categories if you happen to hold several positions in the past. This will provide the reader a clear understanding on what skills you posses.

A resume is a formal document so choose your words wisely, be concise, direct to the point, and employ a respectful tone. Avoid using decorative font types. The most ideal fonts are either Arial or Times New Roman. These are standard fonts used for business purposes. It is also important to use the proper font size which is either 10 or 12 points. Using these standards will make your resume look professional and impressive.

Your resume should not contain any graphs, photographs or charts because this will only clutter the page. If you are in the field of designing, you may include your own website or print samples of your work in order to show it during interviews. Remember to keep your resume neat and clean.

Lastly, do not forget to proofread for any misspelling and wrong grammar. Be very careful with all the errors which you might have missed before submitting to a prospect employer. You should create a good impression at once.

If you follow these resume reference guides, you will surely create a clear and effective resume which may lead to a good employment.

Resume reference guides can help you to create an excellent resume. It could lead to a successful job hunt.

About the Author

For more information on Reference Guides and Resume Reference Guides.Please visit our website.

Source: Good Resume, Free Resume Samples, Resume templates at goarticles.com

Resume Writing: Tips to Choose the Right Format

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The reality is, however that resumes can be created in several different formats. Some formats focus the reader's attention on the applicant's history. Other formats simply showcase the applicant's skills. In order to select the format that works is best for your situation you should take the time to understand each of the formats.

* Chronological Format - The chronological format is, by far, the most traditional format. In essence, the chronological format requires applicants to list their previous employers, as well as any achievements earned while working for that employer, based upon the date you help that position. Even students who have only held part-time positions should include their work history in their information. Be sure to list the dates you help each position, your job title, and your achievements in that position.

You would list your most recently-held position first and continue listing positions until you have listed each relevant position. A good rule of thumb is to include your work history for the last fifteen years or so, but you may need to reach a little further into the past if you've been with the same employer for ten or more years.

* Functional Format - Applicants who have a gap in their work history may find that the functional format is better-suited for their resume writing. The functional format requires that the applicant list the skills he offers grouped by their category. Managerial skills, computer systems skills, and communications skills are common categories found in this format.

* Combination Format - Some applicants will opt to use a format that combines the best of each of the above-mentioned formats. The combination format for resume writing encourages job seekers to list each position they have held, as well as the skills that they developed while they were in that position. This style of format is especially useful for applicants who have a substantial work history but are attempting to break into a new field or industry. They are able to emphasize the skills they learned in their previous positions that can be carried over to their new career.

Resume writing doesn't have to be a daunting task if you know how to simplify the process. There are plenty of templates and samples available to make selecting a format relatively simple. Word processing programs like Microsoft's Word make physically creating your resume a breeze. The real key, however, is to gather the appropriate information ahead of time.

How much information do you need? The amount of information required can vary from person to person. A person who has held five job positions will have to pull together more details than the person who has just graduated from college. Regardless of your situation, certain pieces of information are required from everyone.

* Awards and Commendations - If you have had the honor of receiving any awards or commendations in your field, you should definitely include them in your resume writing. Each listing should show the name of the award, the presenting organization, and the year or date of the award. Your resume is the optimal place to crow a little about your achievements.

* Professional Memberships and Certifications - A fund raising executive might be a member of the association for fund raising professionals; a lawyer will be a member of his state's bar association. Whatever professional organization you belong to, be sure to list that membership in your application. Don't forget to include any certifications the association has given you.

When you have chosen your format, be sure to use powerful resume words and accomplishment statements on your resume.

Some people tend to think that resume writing follows a very distinct formula. For instance, the resume format should be educational background placed in one specific section of a resume and work experience in another. Then, finally, awards and commendations should be placed at the end. Add your contact information, and your resume is complete.

About the Author

Holly Wright has ten years of resume experience. She is a contributor to the resume writing. resource: ResumeDictionary.com where you will find resume words that get you interviews.

Source: Choosing the Right Resume, Resume Templates, Free Resume Samples at goarticles.com

Could Your Executive Resume Actually Be Too Short?

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Fast forward to the rapid-fire job market of today, and you'll find that things have changed considerably.

Not only have many executives jumped ship amid volatile corporate changes, but numerous mergers, downsizing efforts, and layoffs have cluttered the employment landscape. The results? Job seekers have more information than ever before to incorporate into an executive resume.

However, it seems that plenty of executives still sell themselves--and their resumes--short.

Consider the case of Richard* (fictitious name), an executive with a long tenure in the financial services industry.

He wanted to go after sales positions both inside and outside his industry, and possessed a solid history of wealth management experience, sales awards, and business-to-business relationship-building skills.

Yet, for all his experience, Richard was still cramming more than 20 years of sales proficiency and executive history into a single page. His resume didn't even do him the honor of providing metrics on his revenue performance, nor did it spell out how his career progression was tied to his ultimate goal, which was Vice President of Sales.

Naturally, we worked together to extract some impressive numbers (4 years in President's Club, leadership for a 10-person team, multimillion-dollar revenue growth, etc.). In the process, we discovered that his core strength (building strategic alliances) actually accounted for up to a THIRD of his department's revenue, making this skill a central theme.

Incorporating and assembling these facts made it easy for his resume to stretch out and breathe--giving space to shout his value proposition and clearly tell a story of success. In the end, his resume pushed past the single-page mark, making it much easier for the reader to digest.

If this situation sounds familiar, it's time to break out of your comfort zone and advance your resume into the 2-page arena. Keep in mind that a clean, easy-to-read design surrounded by plenty of white space can showcase your achievements, and that employers appreciate being able to quickly scan a resume for relevant information.

Here are 3 tips to jumpstart your resume-building process--and incorporate your strongest points into a powerful document worthy of your stature:

1 - Start by asking colleague to comment on your value proposition.

You'll find that, as your career has progressed throughout different positions and companies, your brand value has remained intact. Often, you'll see major themes emerge when looking at your work history from an aerial viewpoint.

For example, natural leaders usually find that they are drawn to work environments where the team needs a strong focal point. Problem-solvers inevitably end up at companies where there are operational or process improvement issues to overcome.

Whatever your unique strengths, showcasing them on your resume--even if you typically would wait until the interview to discuss these qualities--allows employers to see how your work will have an impact on their success.

Not sure how to approach colleagues? Consider what alliance partners, vendors, or suppliers have noted about your performance.

Of course, you'll want to ensure that these qualities and capabilities take center stage on your executive resume.

2 - Write dollar-driven specifics that back up your value proposition.

Figures are the best way to demonstrate proof of your capabilities, as they provide eye-catching points that hit home for hiring managers.

Budget amounts, sales revenue, cost savings, productivity gains, and other metrics are all useful information for an executive resume.

What if your previous employer won't allow you to disclose these amounts? Consider using percentages to indicate improvements in revenue, market share, or profits that drive home the same point on your brand.

3 - Add judicious use of white space and text effects.

An understated, yet powerful presentation is a hallmark of the most effective executive resumes.

While many people opt to use a built-in Word template, doing so can reflect poorly on your leadership strengths. Formatting and visual design are key elements of an effective resume, and can require some creative thinking on your part.

Executive resume samples are readily available on the Internet, and while copying text is not recommended, looking closely at different formats will give you an idea of the best presentation for your materials.

For a clear brand message, add white space around the title of your resume, plus the section headings and individual jobs. Be sure to use boldface text to set off areas of particular emphasis.

In summary, you'll find that expanding your executive resume to 2 pages can inspire hiring authorities to take a second look.

These steps will help you to easily expand your resume with relevant information--leaving you with a strong brand message in a just-right amount of space.

Most job hunters remember the days of single-page resumes, when hiring professionals warned them that any document daring to breach this "rule" would be quickly eliminated from consideration.

About the Author

Award-winning executive resume writer Laura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CIC is a former recruiter who partners with executives to open doors to prime opportunities at Fortune-ranked corporations. The Executive Director of An Expert Resume (http://www.anexpertresume.com), she is a certified resume expert and job search coach whose work has been published in numerous career bestsellers.

Source: Executive Resume, Free Resume Samples at goarticles.com

Resume Writer - How To Pick A Good Resume Writer

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The answer may be yes, if your resume is going to be fighting for attention in an extremely competitive field, or if your work history or job qualifications are difficult for you to express in a promotional and unbiased manner. But how to pick a good resume writer? At a minimum, insist on these three things.

1 - Your Resume Writer Should Offer Samples

If you're considering the services of a professional resume writer, see if he (or she) has an online presence - a website. If so, he'll likely have samples of resumes he's written for past clients (hopefully with the names changed). Look over these samples. If you don't like the samples, you won't like your resume. If your writer lacks an online presence (an increasingly rare animal these days) he should still be able to offer hard-copy samples for you to look over.

Online or not, if a resume writer you're considering doesn't have samples available for viewing, that's your cue to exit.

2 - Your Resume Writer Should Conduct A Telephone Interview

Practically every resume writer is going to request that you fill out a questionnaire, either online or in their office. That's fine - for starters. A questionnaire gives them the nitty gritty scoop necessary for any resume: contact information, employment dates and details, education particulars.

But no questionnaire, regardless of how probing the questions, can give the resume writer a true sense of his client. The questionnaire delivers a flat, one dimensional side of you, and frankly it's only as good as your written answers to the standardized questions. In order to flesh out the real person and keep the resume from becoming just another assembly-line product, the resume writer will need to interview you.

Most often conducted by phone, the interview needn't take up much time. It's really just an opportunity for the resume writer to ask some probing questions and develop a greater insight into your accomplishments and workplace value. All of which translates to a better, more competitive resume. So many resumes today have a cookie-cutter feel to them. That can be avoided - to a large extent - by making sure the resume writer you choose will be conducting a telephone interview.

3 - Your Resume Writer Should Guarantee Your Satisfaction

The Internet has opened up a world of online services; some good, some bad. Today, anybody with a computer and an internet connection can call himself a resume writer, but that doesn't mean he's any good at it. Here's one thing that helps separate the pros from the hacks: a guarantee. Now, there are different kinds of guarantees, so you have to be careful and study the wording. At a bare minimum, you should expect to be offered a guarantee of satisfaction. Typically that means that if the first draft doesn't meet your approval, the writer will polish it further or re-write all or parts of it until you're happy.

Better yet is a resume writer who offers to revise and edit your resume at no charge if - after a set time - it's just not working in the marketplace. Meaning, it's not generating call backs or interviews. For example, one online company offers to re-write your resume free of charge if you haven't gotten any interviews after 30 days (after applying for openings that meet your qualifications). And they'll continue to re-write until you get those results. Hard to argue that this group isn't confident in their services.

In sum, the best professional resume writers will stand behind their work. As a prospective client, make sure you pick one that does.

Want to know what's really sinking your job prospects? It's most likely your resume. If your resume has been out there a while and you're not getting the response you need, now is a good time to take a second look. And coincidentally, now is also a good time to ask yourself, "should I have a pro do this?"

About the Author

Former recruiter David Alan Carter can be found at the website BestResumeServices.org, where he evaluates and ranks the web's most popular Online Resume Builders, as well as some of the better Professional Resume Writers.

Source: Resume Writers, Free Resume Samples at goarticles.com

Should I List Hobbies and Interests on my Resume?

Monday, January 4, 2010

The functional resume style is recommended for college students seeking internships or their first jobs out of college, for those with no professional experience, those who have not worked for some time, or for career changers. This resume style allows you to reference your hobbies and interests in a way that apply to your career objective only; listing hobbies and interests outside of your career objective is not recommended as it doesn't promote you as a professional in any way.

Any time you are composing a resume, it is important to keep in mind your career objective. You want to present yourself in a best possible light to your potential employer. Thus, the information on your resume has to answer one question: Why are you the best candidate for the job?

The biggest mistake people make on their resumes is including information that is not related to their professional experience. Facts pertaining to your volunteer positions, community work, interests and hobbies that disclose your race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or any personal descriptors that do not directly impact your professional performance must be excluded from your resume. The functional resume does not require you to list names or organizations you have worked or volunteered for; thus, you can list the experience you have acquired there without potentially disclosing any demographic information. Additionally, don't create a separate section on your resume for hobbies and interests. This is typically seen as amateur, and gives your resume less credibility.

Listing hobbies and interests as they apply to the position you are applying for should be done under specific functional sections. For example, if you are seeking a position in graphic design, and have samples of work that you have done as a hobby, indicate this fact on your resume or in your cover letter. If your hobbies are related to the type of work you are seeking utilize them to your advantage. If you have read books or completed seminars at the community center that are applicable to your job, make a mention of them. Any employer will welcome the opportunity to have you demonstrate the qualifications that make you a perfect candidate for the job.

As a final step, have a friend review your resume, or if you are a college student, seek assistance from a career center at your school. Having another person review your resume will help uncover any items that may raise questions about your experience or education, as well as address if the inclusion of your hobbies and interests works to support your career objective. Perfecting your resume will assure that you show your potential employer that you are the best candidate for the job.

There are two types of resumes: chronological and functional. As its name implies, a chronological resume is one that lists your experience and education in order, starting with the most recent jobs or achievements. This type of resume is sometimes also referred to as reverse chronological resume, because the order of the listing starts with your current employment. Functional resumes focus on your qualifications, not your career timeline. This style of the resume highlights what skills you have, rather than where and when you acquired or utilize them. In other words, instead of listing your experiences by your job titles, your resume will contained sections titled by your skills such as verbal and written communication, customer satisfaction, project management, etc.

About the Author

Find tips about poodle training, rat terrier chihuahua and other information at the Small Breed Dogs website.

Source: goarticles.com

Free Resume Writing Examples and Samples

Saturday, January 2, 2010

On a piece of scratch paper, write down all of your contact information. This includes your full name, your current address, your home telephone number, your cell phone number, and your e-mail address. If you are a student and your current address isn't your permanent address (i.e. you are in a dorm for the semester but will be moving back to your parents' home soon), then also include your permanent address. All of this information should be completely accurate so that a potential employer can contact you.

Since many people use their cell phone as their primary phone nowadays, if you wish to only be contacted at that number, it is acceptable to leave out your home phone number. This is especially true for students who don't have a home phone number while in the dorms. Also, it's important to note that the e-mail address you include should be professional. An address with your name or initials is appropriate; iamsexy@hotmail.com is not.

For this example, the applicant's name is going to be Jane Smith. Address: 123 Street Road, City, State 98765. Phone number: 555 - 345-9876. Cell number: 555 - 321 - 2288. E-mail address: jane.smith@email.com

Next, list all of your previous education. Write down the name of the school you attended, the degree you earned, and the year you graduated. If you are currently in school, list "in progress" next to the degree instead of a graduation date. You may also want to list your G.P.A., provided that it is good; do not list your G.P.A. if it is below a 3.0. Low numbers may misrepresent your abilities. If you don't list your GPA and employers want to know it, they will ask, but often by then you will already have impressed them.

Note that if you have graduated from a college or university, it is no longer appropriate to list high school education on your resume.

For this example, the applicant's education is as follows: State University (2000 - 2004) Degree in Business (B.S.) GPA =3.5.

After your education, list all of your previous work experiences. This includes both paid and unpaid jobs. Write down the name of your employer, your responsibilities at that job, and the dates you worked there. If you have multiple positions at one job, write down each position separately.

For this example, Jane Smith has worked at Corporate Business from 2004-2009 as a Business Manager. She helped streamline operations, boosted employee output and efficiency, increased revenues by 5%, and trained new employees.

Next, list all of your activities. This includes any organizations you are a part of for recreation and any honors societies you may have been in while in school.

For this example, Jane Smith was a member of the Honors Society and the Fundraising Chair of her sorority, Alpha Beta Gamma.

Finally, list any skills you have separate from your work experience. This may include computer skills, speaking a second language, technical skills such as welding, or anything useful for a job. It does not include "good communication" or "team player". Those types of faux "skills" are things that an employer expects you to have, and listing them on a resume will not make you stand out from the crowd. Other skills will give you an edge, though.

For this example, Jane Smith has knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and Powerpoint) and speaks Spanish as a second language.

Once you've collected all of this information, the only thing left to do is assemble it in a manner that is easy to read. For samples of how this is done, please see the following downloadable resumes. They are created using the sample information mentioned in this blog post.

In this exercise, we are going to go through step-by-step instructions on how to create a resume. At the end of the post, you will find sample resumes available for download.

About the Author

Allan Tan is the co-founder of Free Resume Examples.He provides more helpful information onWrite Good Resumeand Free Downloadable Resume Template that you can read up in the comfort of your home on his website.

Source: Free Resume Samples, Resume Templates at goarticles.com

How Can Resume Writing Software Help You?

Friday, January 1, 2010

Free Resume Samples articles : How Can Resume Writing Software Help You? by Gabriel Stan


How Can Resume Writing Software Help You? Is like "to be or not to be" in having a successful story when it comes to get a job. Job positions that are getting more and more competitive and wanted since the world crisis stroke us. As we all know it is very hard, sometimes (even you have enough experience), to write down a resume. There are lot of things you have to consider when thinking of writing it or ad a cover letter. Some are having hard times trying to fill in just one single page. That is why a resume software can do the job for you. What is the secret hidden in those resumes? I will only reveal couple. First of all is the possibility to brows a huge resume samples database. This way you can get yourself inspired when finding the appropriate position. You will just replace your personal contacts, dates and you are done. Other important feature is the possibility of having a resume writing wizard that will guide you through. Few steps and you are done. The design templates can always save important time so that you only have to fill in the required fields in order to finish your cover letter or resume. It is very important to have as many features as possible and to have a nice easy installation process. All major resume softwares are teaching you very important things such us: how to write a resume how to write a cover letter how to use a resume creator interview tips salary negotiationtechnical resume writing understand cool resumes concept where to find online resume services resume samples software utilisation how to have resume experts on your PChow to use a resume software manager If you want to impress as fast as possible and get an interview and a huge bonus comparing to the competition, it is time for you to, at least, read more about a resume writing software!

About the Author
I am a glass business entrepreneur with a huge passion for Internet and communities. I have studied the resume secrets and attended to special career courses. I want to reveal and emphasize some of the things I have learned.

Source: Free Resume Samples, Resume Templates, Resume Examples articles at goarticles.com