By Julius Morales

References are known as the last part of a resume. Oftentimes, applicants unconsciously inscribe the clause “references available upon request” which may give the wrong impression that he/she cannot put any reference. You do not need to write the references in the resume. Just be ready with your list.

Although good references may be hard to get, be reminded that human resource managers really take time to investigate the applicant. So don’t put names of politicians (who may not know their names are used) or relatives (because obviously they’ll be biased) as your references.

Instead, a good choice of references will be the dean or any faculty member from your previous school, a leader of the community or perhaps a former employer. Remember the criteria: the person should know the applicant well—that is, his or her professional background and work attitude.

In listing down your references, do not forget the following: one, complete name of the reference; two, business address or residence of such reference; and three, telephone of such reference, preferably a landline.

As you hope that you get hired sooner or later, get yourself ready to be scrutinized.

By Priscilla Smith
ResumeProWriters
May 21, 2007

You advertise with your resume…nothing more, nothing less.
Begin with an objective statement that greatly underscores your qualifications and goals, including how you meet employer needs. Be a bit cautious when adding more objective statements, although you might need to do so. Remember: you only have 10 to 20 seconds to impress readers.

It will be good to ask yourself: What are your most important qualifications, expertise, and strengths? Position(s) applied for? career goals and objectives? preferred organizational setup?

Focusing on the message of your “ad”, position yourself in such a way that you spell a big difference, while others are indirectly treated as second rate.

The layout of your resume must appear specially inviting, too. Working out on the layout means that you are also fusing a fitting format for your paper!

CHRONOLOGICAL FORMAT

A chronological resume format emphasizes employment history. This traditional format also underlines your job titles, places, and dates of employment. To many employers, the chronological resume is the ideal format. But the functional resume is a valuable substitute if the former becomes unsuitable to you.

FUNCTIONAL FORMAT

Your experience, labeled “skills” or “areas of expertise” is shown in the functional resume. The list of work history here is more concise and is separated from your achievements.
All the best in choosing which of the two basic resume formats will work for you! Your resume, your ad, largely depends on this choice.

Resume is the most important tool in job hunting. It is a jobseeker’s ‘brochure’ and ‘initial point of sales material’. Therefore, you should be extra careful—and more importantly, factual—when writing your resume. You must take into consideration that hiring managers receive a hundred of resumes every day and that they only scan and ‘judge’ your resume in three to five seconds. If your resume fails to catch their attention in such a short span, you can kiss your hiring chances—or your career—good bye! It is best that before sending it to your prospective employers, you must check—and double check—every thing that is written in your resume.

How then do hiring managers assess your resume at a glance? What do they look for in a resume for it to easily land in the trash can? Here is the list:

1. Poor grammar, typographical and spelling errors
2. Focus on job descriptions rather than accomplishments
3. Inaccuracy of dates, or missing dates
4. Missing contact info, or inaccurate or unprofessional email addresses
5. Poor formatting
6. Functional resumes
7. Long resumes
8. Long, dense paragraphs; no bullet points
9. Candidate applying for position he/she is not qualified for
10. Include personal information not related to the job
11. No employer information
12. Lying, misleading, especially about educational attainment, dates and inflated titles
13. Meaningless introductions or objectives
14. Poor font choice
15. Resumes sent in formats other than “word”, faxed, web page resumes and mailed resumes
16. Existence of pictures, graphics or URL links
17. No easy-to-follow summary
18. Resumes written in first or third person
19. Gaps in employment
20. Bury important information in the resume

If you want to have the best resume, you may want to consider hiring a professional resume writer to avoid being in the list. Remember your resume can make or break your career. Why should you care about spending money? After all, resume is your ticket to the bright future awaiting you.
Hiring a professional writer to do your resume will definitely improve your chances of receiving invitation for interview. They are knowledgeable that they spend quality time in constructing your resume. Resume writing is an art. They have mastered this art to help you land up with a plum job.

Today’s job market is increasingly competitive that a jobseeker should display aggressiveness in his overall job search campaign. How is that possible? Present the best resume. But what is the definition of a best resume? Really, the answers are endless, but one fact still remains—resume is your career-marketing document that you should try developing in its highest standard possible.

The window of opportunity opens in as little as 10 seconds, yet no matter how short the given time is for your resume to spark the readers’ attention, you should grab the chance given to you by portraying your expertise and overall value offered.
Forget about tasked-based resume with an inventory of a position’s responsibilities that is coupled with a standard (and boring list of personal aptitudes. What is in nowadays, especially to the hiring managers, is an achievement/accomplishment driven resume that tells you are a pro-active candidate that demands results and demonstrates the significant value on offer to the organization.
So what are the strategies to come up with the best resume that would promote your overall value and portrays you as a passionate contributor the ongoing success of the company that demands an employment interview? Here’s some of the unending list:

• Include a brief career profile that summarizes your skills and highlights your accomplishments. This tells the reader what you can deliver—rather than what you want.
• Use industry-related key words as well as action words that will surely grab the reader’s attention. For instance: orchestrated, devised, instructed, spearheaded, maximized, led, directed, streamlined, oversaw, managed, motivated, controlled, delegated, consolidated, generated, implemented, proposed, specified, etc.
• Specify the challenges you overcame; the action or solution you undertook to alleviate the challenge; and the (quantifiable) result, and script into a powerfully written statement.
• Be consistent in your resume formatting. Make sure your overall document is well structured (plenty of white space), and attractive.
• Generally, include only the positions you had the last five to 10 years (if the position being applied for is relevant to what you have been doing), with a maximum of about 15 years.
• Edit. Edit. Edit.

What to Include in Your Résumé

Looking for a job—or looking for a better one?

Great way to start is to write a résumé—comprehensive at that. The résumé is where your future with work lies. Why? It gives employers the first impression of how fit you are on the job you are applying for.

Some job applicants, to be 100% sure of creating a sure-job résumé, hire professional résumé writers because they have the technical know-how. It means they have the precise format, pattern or design that will make you—or your résumé —attractive to the eye of the employer. Most importantly, they are sure of their grammar. Correct English grammar can make or break your application. But you must remember, you still have the responsibility of providing them accurate and complete information.

Before or after hiring a writer, here is a checklist of information necessary for inclusion in your résumé:

• Your Name
• Current Address
• Phone Number
• Fax Number
• Email Address (include also your alternative email address, if you have one)
• Job Objective
• Educational Attainment
• Work History
• Computer Skills
• Organizations, Seminars or Lectures Attended
• Personal Data

Keep in mind also these seven useful tips:

1. First and foremost, be honest of the information you’ve given them. Do not embellish your résumé. It might put you into embarrassment later.
2. It may be the job of the resume writer to edit the data written, it is still your responsibility to have an initial proofreading. Remember, not every thing is known or familiar to the writer.
3. Do not provide them your complete biography. Some personal data are unnecessary for your application. Keep it to a minimum.
4. Include only organizations, seminars or lectures attended that would be of value to the job you are applying for.
5. Do not include references. Give them only when asked.
6. Do not include your expected salary.
7. Lastly, brief is best. Some employers only look at the facts essential to the job application. Do not crowd your resume with unnecessary data.

At last, you are finally given the chance for the interview. Ready to go? Not yet. Aside from putting your self to a good night rest, you must be prepared for the interview. How? Here are some tips:

Review your resume.
It may sound ironic, but yes, you have to review your own resume. If at one time you are asked by the interviewer something that is already written and you have forgotten about it, they may presume that you are not what you have written. It can be the reason why you will not be called for a next interview.

Know the company and the job you are applying for.
o What if you’ll be asked: “What do you know about our company?” It is helpful if you already researched about the company you are applying to. They will surely be glad to know that you are familiar with their company. The interviewer will think that you are familiar with what you are applying for.

Prepare questions that might be asked during the interview.
Jot down questions that you feel will be asked and practice answering them. In some questions, it is necessary to provide evidence of your success. It is a great way to promote your candidacy.

Be sure to be on time.
Remember the date and time of the interview to avoid being late. If possible, arrive ahead of time.

Look your best.
Make sure that what you are wearing is neat, tidy and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with.

Bring a nice portfolio.
Along with your resume, bring a portfolio that might be of great help to the job you are applying for. Include also pen and paper.

Prepare to be calm.
Trying to relax and staying calm will make it possible for you to pay attention to the interviewer. It will also let you maintain eye contact with the interviewer. With that, you are saving yourself from possible embarrassment.

Two to four seconds is all it takes for employers to scan your cover letter. If they are not able to see what they are looking for, your document—meaning your cover letter and your résumé—will be put to waste. Hurt? But that is the way it is. Cover letter makes—or breaks—your chance for interview.

So, how do you write attention-getting cover letter? Here are the ways:

Be concise. Avoid writing a two-page cover letter. One full page is enough to do it. Three to four paragraphs are already ideal, with lots of spaces around the margin. Bear in mind that the reader is of time constraint and is scanning hundreds of cover letters and résumés a day.

Be direct. You are not writing about your life, you are writing a cover letter, so go straight to the point. On your first paragraph, let them know why you are writing them, indicating your intended position. On your second paragraph, let them know why you fit the job. On your last paragraph, mention that you have attached your résumé and that you are requesting for an interview.

Do your own cover letter. Companies reading hundreds upon hundreds of résumés a day are becoming familiar with cover letters submitted to them that they can easily identify which cover letters are available in the computer or who are the applicants who preferred templates and did not bother to write their own. That is the risk an applicant would be taking if he uses one, as his application may be neglected.

Carefully spot the errors. Before printing your cover letter, do not forget to double check it for grammatical, punctuation and typographical errors. If hiring managers find too many of them, they will come into conclusion that you have problem with your communication and writing skills. Save yourself by looking professional.

Use ‘I’ to a minimum. You will normally use the word ‘I’ in your cover letter but avoid utilizing it many times. They may mistake you for being self-centered.

Write with a heart. A cover letter well-written is the one done with a heart. The employer will mirror your willingness and effort in your cover letter.

By Dawn Warnaar
dwarnaar@warnaarwriting.com
September 15, 2007

Change your font. Most resumes use the Times New Roman or Arial font. An easy way to make your resume stand out is by trying different fonts that are still professional. Tahoma, Verdana or Century Gothic are good alternative fonts.

Fix the flaws. Check and double-check for typos, spelling and grammar errors. Either use periods or don’t—pick one way and go with it throughout the entire resume.

Don’t include a picture. Trust me, just don’t! Some employers won’t even consider a resume with a picture due to Equal Opportunity and discrimination laws.

Specific is terrific. General statements like “Implemented new programs to cut costs” are boring to read. Get specific to highlight your accomplishments by rephrasing the statement to read: “Implemented an employee referral program to cut recruitment costs by over 30%.”

Customize. Does the help wanted ad include information on what they’re looking for? Match the job requirements to your qualifications. (For example, state their requirement and then explain how your qualifications meet that requirement).

Add action words. Here are a few suggestions: streamlined, implemented, planned, led, organized, managed, created, developed…you get the idea. Instead of saying “Responsible for leading an action team to address employee concerns,” say “Led an action team to attack employee satisfaction concerns, reported feedback to management and suggested solutions to improve employee morale.” See how the first one is very passive and the second one gives a very descriptive picture of the task?

Delete unnecessary info. It’s great that you enjoy working out in your free time and that you’re active in your church, but it’s not really relevant to your career. Stick to naming activities and accomplishments that are significant to the job requirements or highlight your qualifications. Ensure you’re providing accurate information. Falsification of information on your application is a good way to get fired before you’re actually hired! It’s good to “brag” about your experience and achievements but don’t lie.

Try to keep it to two pages. One page resumes are a bit unrealistic unless you use a tiny font, but most hiring managers won’t read past two.

Hiring managers are the ones tasked by companies to employ workers. They are the ones who have the duty of choosing who to call for initial interview. Picking a job applicant depends on first impression alone. First impression comes in the form of a résumé that’s why it pays to make sure of doing it right and striking the first time.

Some résumés, if not all, are not thoroughly read by the hiring managers. Though it took you hours or even days to write, fact is, only a glance is given to your hard-earned résumé. They just scan it—spending less than a minute reviewing it. It will surely deserve a second glance—or catch their full attention—only if they found something that is of value to their company or to the job you are applying for.

Here are ways to boost your résumé:

1. Do not forget your cover letter.
Cover letters are so vital to the application process that most of the employers automatically snub résumés which are submitted without them. Specify in the cover letter the job you are seeking in the company. Write confidently about your qualifications. Entice them but do not exaggerate nor lie.

2. Give your résumé a professional look.
Okay, you want your résumé to stand out. But do you ever think that going for too much color will surely give your résumé an unprofessional look? Stick to the standard white, black type and common fonts like Times New Roman.

3. Be brief.
Put only information that is necessary for your job application. As it is said, hiring managers initially scan résumés on the company file. If yours is too long, it may cause boredom to the reader and your résumé may not be appreciated.

4. Focus on your accomplishments, not on duties.
Duties are works done for the company, while accomplishments are contributions given to the company. Accomplishments without any doubt strike attention to the employer.

5. Do not indicate the reason you left your previous company.
This is where ‘first impression lasts’ comes in. Do not deprive yourself of the opportunity to have an initial interview by giving impression that you are an incompetent employee by indicating “I was fired” in your résumé.

6. Proofread. Proofread. Proofread.
Do not assume that spell- and grammar-check are sufficient. It is the résumé writers’ duty to edit their work, but always bear in mind that they will not be able to spot all typographical or grammatical errors. Proofread your résumé many times then have someone to finally review it. Grammatically error résumés, more often than not, are thrown away by the employers.

7. Use action words.
Words like “achieved,” “managed,” and “implemented” will surely make your résumé more interesting and relevant to the eye of the employer.

8. Avoid being redundant.
Do not use a word too many times in your document. Let a thesaurus help you find ways to say the same thing.

9. Use keywords or phrases.
These are very important for the company’s applicant tracking software. These words are not the verbs written in your résumé but nouns, such as job title.

10. Send your résumé to the specific individual responsible for hiring.
Lastly, be sure to address your résumé to the person who has the hand in picking an applicant. This is the first, surefire step to catch his attention.

By Priscilla Smith
priscilla.smith@resumeprowriters.com
December 04, 2007

Though allowing a professional writer to compose your own resume could be an advantage, learning the basics would let anyone draft their own like a professional. The difference between the two works could be considered between being simply “satisfactory” or excellently “competent.”

1. Format and Presentation

On the interview schedule, applicants arrive on time, and wear their most professional-looking suits. However, interviewers not only look on the appearance of the applicant(s), but also on their resume(s). A resume reflects its owner. It acts like a forerunner for the applicant by providing the employers a preview of their prospective employees. If the format and presentation of the resume is professional, the applicant is also considered as such. Make sure your resume is ready for its appointment, and dress it with a professional suit, rather than just shirt and jeans.

Choose the format based on where you want to focus the interviewer’s attention. A chronological resume would be most appropriate when continuing your current career path. A functional resume would emphasize your skills and is best used when changing career paths.

2. Accomplishments and responsibilities

Responsibility is the set of things that you are required to accomplish. On the other hand, accomplishments are those that you have already achieved. Accomplishments might be part of your responsibilities, or those that are beyond your job description, as long as you produced valuable results.

Examples of accomplishments are those that improve the productivity and efficiency of the company, such as those where you assisted in introducing new products and services; resolved customer problems; or exceeded accepted standards.

3. Common Errors

There are common errors committed by applicants. The most usual is the use of pronouns such as “I”, “me” or “my,” which could be eliminated to produce a “telegraphic” method and is more preferred because it makes the sentence sound more active. Instead of “I lead the grievance committee,” write “Lead the grievance committee.” Similarly, also avoid phrases such as “duties included” and “responsible for.”

Also, personal information such as age, health condition, ethnicity, marriage and family status, should not be included. It would be asked for in the personal information sheet from the employers or during the interview. Request for these sets of information to be included in the resume might indicate discrimination. Likewise, resumes don’t need to have pictures, unless the person is applying for post that needs physical appearance such as modeling or artistic positions.

Resumes are not the venue for explanations on reasons for leaving the applicant’s previous employment or employment gap. This could be discussed during the interview process, or written in the application form provided by the company. This is same with the salary information. On the other hand, attachments such as letters of recommendation, certificates, work samples or list of references could be provided upon the interviewer’s or the company’s request.

Following these suggestions would help the applicant compose an impressive resume. It would not bore the interviewer to scan or dismiss it due to poor construction. A positively striking resume would help the employer have an optimistic impression on the applicant.