Keeping It Real On Your R�sum�

A word to the wise on stretching the truth on r�sum�s: Don't.

Many professionals -- especially those who are just starting their careers -- are tempted to pad their r�sum�s in an attempt to look more impressive to potential employers. The frustration of a long job search has also caused more than a few applicants to embellish their r�sum�s.

But being dishonest about previous positions, qualifications or degrees can quickly land you in hot water. It calls into question your integrity and will quickly eliminate you from consideration.

Many companies perform background and reference checks on prospective employees, and just a small white lie is enough to disqualify someone. It takes only one quick call to a previous boss or a university  office of the registrar to uncover a falsehood -- putting an end to your chances of securing the job. If an overstatement is initially overlooked, it could still come back to haunt you, even once you're employed.

So keep your r�sum� real. Tailor it and your cover letter to the position you seek, clearly explaining how your skill set and previous experience align with the job requirements. Following are some additional tips to help you create an impressive r�sum� that speaks the truth:

Stick to the facts
Including keywords that match phrases from the job description in your r�sum� and cover letter is one way to help you catch a hiring manager's eye. For example, if you are applying for an entry-level Web design job that requires "advanced Photoshop skills," include "Photoshop" in your r�sum� and highlight projects you've worked on that entailed extensive use of this application. Just be sure the keywords you include accurately reflect your background.

Make the connection
Many job candidates assume that if their r�sum� generates only tepid interest from employers, it must be because their qualifications fall short of the company's requirements. But in many cases, the bigger problem is how their experience is presented. A r�sum� isn't just a list of facts -- it should paint a portrait of who you are and what you can do for an employer.

Perhaps the most common r�sum� mistake is not being specific enough about your previous duties and accomplishments. For example, if you are a database administrator, noting that you "manage the company's databases" doesn't tell an employer exactly what you did. Did you troubleshoot problems? Make key business decisions related to the database? Supervise employees?

Put yourself in the employer's shoes. He or she is trying to develop the clearest possible sense of how you can contribute to the business. For every position you've held, list several specific achievements and explain how each benefited the company.

Don't sell yourself short
Every job candidate has weaknesses. But there are ways to turn perceived weaknesses into strengths. If you have only a few years of experience, for example, use your cover letter to highlight how your enthusiasm and ability to learn quickly can be assets.

Your attitude also can have an effect on your job search. If you've become convinced that no one will hire you, you may inadvertently be conveying this pessimism in your cover letter, making it a self-fulfilling prophecy. Demonstrating confidence gives you an immediate edge on the competition.

A truly successful job search isn't about doing whatever it takes to land a job. It's about showing employers who you are and what you can contribute. In doing so, you give yourself the best chance of getting a foot in the door.

 

 

 

 

Source: careerbuilder

Your R�sum�: How to Resurrect Outdated Experience

Many job seekers fail to score interviews, even though their skills and experience qualify them for the positions they want. This can occur when a job seeker's work history sounds archaic to the person screening his or her r�sum�, according to Susan Britton Whitcomb, one of the nation's most renowned career coaches and professional r�sum� writers.

Fortunately, there are some simple solutions to such a dilemma, which Whitcomb unveils in her recently released book "R�sum� Magic, Fourth Edition."

"The present progressive and past progressive tenses, such as 'I am managing' or 'I was managing,' equip you with a tool for blurring the dates of your experience," Whitcomb says. "Because r�sum� speak calls for dropping pronouns, like 'I,' and helping verbs, like 'am' or 'was,' before the verb, you start the sentence with the main action verb, which makes it possible to give older experience a feeling of real time," Whitcomb says.
People sometimes question this strategy based on the notion that experience should always be written in past tense. Whitcomb debunks this assumption and says job seekers have more leeway than they may expect.

"There are very few hard-and-fast rules in r�sum� development other than to include your contact information, provide some measure of your candidacy and to be honest. That's why it's 'legal' to use progressive tenses if you need to make outdated experience sound fresh and contemporary. The only caveat is that you must be consistent in your usages throughout the r�sum�."

Below is an example of how she was able to make a client's outdated experience sound fresher and more contemporary on his r�sum�.

Before:Responsibilities� Directed display, merchandising, promotions, advertising and in-store sales strategies.
� Managed receiving, pricing, markdowns, inventory and stock transfers.
� Used consultative and suggestive sales techniques to maximize add-on sales.
Results� Created promotional vehicles to generate sales increase of 20% annually.
� Maintained lowest inventory costs among company's four stores.
� Earned Top Salesman honors among sales team of 30+.
After:Responsibilities� Directing display, merchandising, promotions, advertising and in-store sales strategies.
� Managing receiving, pricing, markdowns, inventory and stock transfers.
� Using consultative and suggestive sales techniques to maximize add-on sales.
Results� Creating promotional vehicles to generate sales increase of 20% annually.
� Maintaining lowest inventory costs among company's four stores.
� Earning Top Salesman honors among sales team of 30+.
Job seekers needing to reference professional experience that is several decades old, however, will have to work beyond this quick fix.
Generally, most career coaches advise individuals to list only the last 10 to 15 years of work history on their r�sum�s. Career changers and people wanting to return to an occupation or industry they once worked in may need to mention older experience to prove they possess knowledge and skills that would be desirable to the employer.
To troubleshoot this dilemma, Whitcomb suggests using a brief summary description, such as:
            Eight years prior background in production environments, gaining hands-on-experience as          expediter, Cardex clerk, production scheduler and manufacturing analyst.
 or:
            Prior background in production environments, gaining hands-on-experience as    expediter, Cardex clerk, production scheduler and manufacturing analyst.
"Enumerate dates only when the dates don't go back too far, with too far being defined as approximately 25 years of total experience. Dates that take you back more than three decades might as well be emergency flares -- they'll attract as much attention," Whitcomb says.





Source: careerbuilder

Showcase Marketable Skills in Your Resume Skills Section

Have you thought about the skills you're listing in your resume's Skills section? If you treat this section as an afterthought, you could be missing an opportunity to show employers you've got the right skills for the job.
When completing the Skills section, consider the skills that would be important to the job you're seeking.

The best way to get started is to search job titles on Monster and review several postings for your target job. Look at the ideal requirements in the ads and write a list of frequently repeated skills. Next, create a list of your matching skills that you can incorporate in your resume.

Keep in mind you develop skills in everything from work experience to education and training, hobbies, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and even self-study:

Three Types of Skills

• Job-Related: These are relevant to a specific job. For example, an accountant's job-related skills might include financial planning, budgeting and financial reporting.
   
• Transferable: Skills learned in one field or job that are applicable to different ones are transferable. These skills can reflect how you deal with things (assembly, machine operation), data (research, synthesize information) and people (instruct, manage and negotiate).
   
• Adaptive: These skills are the hardest to substantiate as they include personality traits and characteristics that determine your work style. Adaptive skills include reliability, ability to get along with colleagues, honesty and productivity.  

Adding Your Skills to Your Resume

Job-related and transferable skills are the most desirable to list on your resume. For each skill, indicate your skill level and years of experience. It's important to be honest when describing your skill level. While it's tempting to deem yourself an expert, once you get the interview or job, you may need to prove your claim. But this is not the place for modesty either; call yourself an expert if you are truly at that level.
Here's a guideline for rating your skill level:

• Beginner: A novice understanding of the skill. You have exposure to the skill and understand its basic concepts but lack experience.
   
• Intermediate: Between a beginner and an expert. You have experience with and can carry out the skill but don't understand its advanced concepts.
   
• Expert: A highly developed skill level. You have solid experience and training with the skill and understand advanced concepts. You demonstrate proficiency and superior skill level.

How Many Skills to List?

Employers quickly scan resumes, so long lists are not likely to get read. Instead, select 10 to 15 of your strongest, most desirable skills. A short, targeted skills list will be more effective than one that's long and overwhelming.





Source: Monster