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Job Seeker News

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Newsletter Archives

Reality Check
What Gets You to Your New Job?

Dress to Impress
Dressing for Interview Success

Are You Ready . . .
For Your Job Winning Job Search?

Preparation for the Interview
Toughest Interview Questions

Resume Presentation
Tips to Look Good and Stand Out

Reinventing Your Workself
When Circumstances Change

Pep Yourself Up for the Interview
Getting Psyched for the Big Opportunity

Make the Most of the Interview
Interview Questions for You to Ask

Your Job Search Is Your New Job
Spending 8 Hours a Day on Your Job Search

Frequent Resume Missteps
What Does Your Resume Say About You?

Employment Testing & Assessments
How Do They Enhance the Interview Process?

Casual Interview Discussions & Informal Questions
Stay Conscious and Interview Focused

Handling Job Search Rejection
Another Networking Opportunity

Stay Positive During Your Job Search
“Best Practice” Tips for Remaining Optimistic

Salary Negotiations
Be Prepared, Positive and Open

Reference Checks
Detailed Assessments Are Now the Norm

Writing Thank You's
Make a Noteworthy Impression

Cover Letters
Make a Good First Impression

Working with Recruiters
What Recruiters Want You to Know

Common Resume Mistakes
Is Your Resume Promoting Your Talents?

Know the Company
Do Your Homework

Common Resume Mistakes

Is Your Resume Promoting Your Talents?

You have less than 10 seconds to make a good impression with your resume!

Think of your resume as your calling card. Since you have just a few seconds to make an impression, get to the facts and let them speak for you. We hear from hiring professionals all the time. What follows are some of their resume "pet peeves."

Career Summary vs. Employment Objective Statement

Company hiring professionals will tell you that "Employment Objective Statements" are more likely to talk your way out of an interview rather than landing the interview. Why? Writing your employment objectives can limit the types of companies that you may explore during the job search process. Instead write a "Career Summary" that overviews your career and the successes you have achieved. Recruiters prefer to read about what you have to offer, rather than what you want them to provide for you. Keep your Career Summary from 3 to 5 sentences.

1 or 2 Pages – Size Does Matter

If you have a career that reflects a full range of experience and accomplishments, then go ahead and write a two-page resume. If you are starting out in the work world, keep your resume to one-page. Two pages is the maximum. Stick with your major accomplishments and work experience. It is best not to reduce the type size to such a degree that your resume becomes difficult to read. Also when you send out your resume, don't include copies of transcripts, letters of recommendation or awards, unless specifically requested. Keep your submissions to a one-page cover letter and a one or two page resume.

Work Experience – What Matters Most

While it is certainly acceptable to have a two-page resume, don't list every single job you've ever held. Company recruiters are most interested in your WORK experience from the last 10 – 12 years, so focus on your most recent and most relevant career experience.

Truth Rules

It is important that you don't fudge dates or titles on your resume. Prospective employers will conduct a background check, and if they discover you mislead them on the resume, they will hire another very qualified candidate.

Spelling Mistakes = Resume Killer

Keep in mind that your computer's spell check function often will not catch errors especially if you used an incorrect word rather than misspelling the word. An example might be, "manger" versus "manager." We hear from hiring professionals that if there is even one misuse of a word or a misspelling, they reject the candidate. To help ensure that your resume finds its way to the interview pile and not the circular file, use your spell check and then ask some of your most brilliant friends and associates to read your resume. Don't let a "misspelling" take you out of the running for the perfect job.

No Transitional Statements

It is best not to list the reasons you are no longer working at the jobs listed on your resume. When you get the interview, you will have plenty of time to discuss your background and job transitions.

Salary Statements – Salary Talks Belong in the Interview

Salary requirements don't belong on a resume. Leave the salary discussions for the interview. The time to discuss your salary wishes is when they are ready to hire you.

Personal Is NOT Professional

The fact that you are married, love softball or volunteer at the local YMCA is not appropriate for a resume. Don't include information on your marital status, age, race, religion, family or hobbies. Keep your resume professional.

Your resume tells the prospective employer where you have been and predicts the future. If you are unsure about your what should appear on your resume we urge you to use the 1StopResume.com resume writing tutorial. The tutorial is free and will lead you through writing a job-winning resume.

 

We wish you great success in your job search!

1StopResume.com utilizes several sources to bring you revolutionary and fundamental job search wisdom. While we would like to acknowledge individually those websites, books and articles, authors, and masters, this list would be extensive. We thank these sources for their contributions.