10 Tips to Bullet Proof Your Resume<

Posted on :

16-08-2008

Tip 1 - Use Titles or Headings That Match The Jobs You Want

With employers receiving hundreds of resumes you must make sure that your resume hooks an employer's attention within a 5-second glance. A great way to do this is to use job titles and skill headings that relate to and match the jobs you want. For example, compare the headings Roger used in his before resume to the headings used in his after resume.

Before Resume:
Accounting / Recordkeeping
Administrative
Computer Skills

After Resume:
Management of A/R and A/P Accounts
Computerized Accounting Applications
Departmental Administration / Recordkeeping

Which set of headings are the strongest for an Accounts Payable / Receivable Manager position?

Even though Roger's title was Accounting Assistant, he actually managed over 1,000 A/R and A/P accounts. Using skill headings that market the true nature of Roger's job duties will generate him more interviews and higher salary offers. For more examples, like this one and the ones discussed below, click on 60 Free Online Resume and Job Search Workshops at ProvenResumes.com.

Tip 2 - Use Design That Grabs Attention

Employers make snap judgments when glancing at your resume. If they see unrelated job titles or skills the likelihood is very high that they will make an immediate assumption that you are not qualified for the job you want. Adding to this problem is the fact that employers don't have the time to read through each of your job descriptions to determine if you have the skills they need.

You Must Do That For Them! The design of your resume must highlight the most important information about your work experience, skills and education. At first glance this information forms the image that employers have of your skills and abilities.

Tip 3 - Create Content That Sells

Resume design should get attention but it's really the content of your resume, the descriptions you include of your skills and abilities, that determine how many interviews you generate--as well as the level of salary offers you receive. Compare the before and after statements from Roger's resume shown below:

Before Resume:
Maintained records for accounts receivable and accounts payable accounts.

After Resume:
Managed over 1,000 accounts receivable and payable accounts working directly with the Chief Financial Officer.

Which of these examples presents Roger as being more qualified, having higher skills and worth a higher salary? As this example illustrates, our image of Roger is changed and elevated when we read the after example. For more examples of how to create powerful content click on 60 Free Online Resume and Job Search Workshops.

Tip 4 - Quantify and Use Power Words

As Roger's after statement demonstrates, using numbers to describe your achievements and responsibilities can greatly expand and elevate your image. Using numbers and quantifying creates vivid images in our mind when we read them, whereas general statements like the before examples are easy to skip over or forget. Typically the more specific you can be in describing your duties the better.

Another strategy that is extremely important in controlling the image that employers develop about you--is to use Power Words or verbs that match the level of position you want. For example, Roger wants to use the experience he's gained to move into a management position. To strengthen his image he should use as many "management oriented" words as possible. Which example below do you think is the strongest?

Typical Verbs:
Gave work assignments to staff of entry level accounting clerks.

Power Words:
Directed workflow, supervised and trained accounting staff performing posting to general ledger, accounts receivable and payable accounts.

Tip 5 - Analyze Ads and Job Descriptions to Identify Key Words

Learning how to analyze the key words that employers provide in help wanted ads and job descriptions is a key element in creating powerful resumes. For example, read the ad Roger found for an Accounts Receivable Manager below and see how many key words, phrases, or skill descriptions that it includes.

Accounts Receivable Manager
Seeking experienced A/R Manager to oversee accounts, manage billing and collections, train accounting and clerical staff, develop status reports for management and prepare monthly balance sheets. B.A. Degree or A.A. Degree with minimum of 2 years experience required.

Even though this ad is small it contains 12-13 key words or phrases that should be addressed in Roger's resume. Roger can also key words from an ad like this to create headings for his resume such as:

Key Word Skill Headings
Management of A/R Accounts
Billing and Collections
Supervision of Accounting and Administrative Staff
Balance Sheet and Management Status Reports

Tip 6 - Identify and Solve Employer's Hidden Needs

In addition to the skills or needs listed in the ad shown above, the employer will have many more needs that Roger should identify and address in his resume and cover letter. For example, this employer will need someone who can deal effectively with other departments, research accounting issues and records to solve problems. To beat today's heavy competition for jobs, it's important that you identify and anticipate the full range of needs each employer faces and show how you can solve those needs.

Tip 7 - Sell the Benefits of Your Skills

Most resumes provide a list of duties that each applicant has been responsible for--without explaining the benefit of those skills to employers. For example, a secretary's resume might state she can type 80 wpm and is extremely accurate. This statement lacks an explanation of how her typing speed and accuracy benefit an employer's bottom line. The real benefit is that the employee can produce more work and ultimately save the employer money. A better statement for this person's resume would be:

Selling The Benefits of Skills
· Achieved top production volume by maintaining high degree of accuracy with typing speed at 80 wpm.
· Cut labor expense over $6,000 annually by eliminating the need for part-time wordprocessing staff.

Tip 8 - Create An Image That Matches The Salary You Want

As you write your resume, keep in mind the level of job and salary you want. Be sure to create an image that presents you at the appropriate level. For example, language used in a resume for an $8 an hour position is much different than the language used for a $16 an hour position. I recently met Lynn, who had held a Health Insurance Claims Management position making $42,000 per year. She had retrained for the accounting field and hadn't yet gained any "direct accounting experience" although she had prepared monthly accounting reports as a Department Manager.

I was appalled when she shared the resume she had been counseled to create. It began with this statement:

Seeking an entry level position in the accounting field.

Now what pay rate do you think this statement would motivate employers to offer Lynn? A much better statement would be:

Seek an Accounting position utilizing my experience:

· Managing a department and accounting for up to $250,000 in monthly claims.

My goal is to help people either stay at their current salary level or move up--not go backwards. As you can see, the last statement greatly elevates Lynn's image and will be much more likely to generate salary offers comparable to her last pay rate.

Tip 9 - Prioritize the Content of Your Resume

Another big mistake that job seekers make is to list very important data in the lower sections of their job descriptions. As you compile statements for your resume, prioritize them by importance, impressiveness and relevance to the job you want. Remember that a strong statement which uses power words and quantifies will affect every statement under it. Read the two examples below. Which one has the most impact?

Unprioritized
Maintained records control, filing, office supply purchasing and equipment maintenance.
Managed front office functions to support the President, Vice President and staff of 20 Sales Representatives.

Prioritized
Managed front office functions to support the President, Vice President and staff of 20 Sales Representatives. Maintained records control, filing, office supply purchasing and equipment maintenance.

Tip 10 - Tweak and Target Your Resumes and Cover Letters

You will generate many more interviews by tweaking your resume and cover letter so that they address the specific skills each employer requests. For example, Sally originally wanted a customer service position, then found an ad for a Retail Management opening. How well qualified do the headings in the left hand column present her for the Retail Management position? Do you think the headings in the right hand column will generate more and better interviews for Retail Management positions?

Customer Service
Cash Accountability
Computer Skills

Retail Management / Customer Service
Cash Accountability / Supervision of Retail Stations
Retail Accounting Applications

Sally's actual title had been Lead Cashier, even though she managed her own retail cashiering station in addition to 6 other cashiers and stations. Once Sally had created her original resume, it only took about 5 minutes to tweak and relabel her skill descriptions to fit Retail Management positions. This "relabeling" is entirely truthful and is extremely important in landing more interviews because it allows job seekers to apply for, and look qualified for, a wider range of jobs.

Interview Tips

Posted on :

11-09-2008

Pre-interview tips

Find out some basic company information before you go, check out their website or call them and ask them to send you some company information
Make sure you have the name and job title of the person you are meeting
Dress appropriately, first impressions count!
Give yourself time to arrive early and to allow for traffic or getting lost
Be punctual, arrive 10 minutes early and let the receptionist know you have arrived
Take a spare copy of your CV and read it through again in case you get asked about it

Typical interview questions

Why do you want to or why did you leave your current or previous employer?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What ambitions do you have for the future?
What have been your greatest achievements?
What skills can you bring to this role?
What do you know about the company?
Tell me a little about yourself

Questions you may want to ask

What is my potential career path within the organisation?
What training is given?
What will I be doing on a day-to-day basis?
What resources would be available to me?
Can you tell me about the organisational structure?
To whom would I report?
Who would be reporting to me?

At the interview

Be enthusiastic and show you are reasonably informed about the organisation and the role.
Take the interview seriously, your attitude is every bit as important as your qualifications.
Listen when the interviewer is talking but by all means ask intelligent and/or searching questions.
Be honest, but also ensure you actively promote your skills and potential.
Avoid one word answers, especially “no”.
If you do not know the answer to a question, say so, or if you do not understand the question always ask for clarification.
If you have any doubts about the vacancy or the company you should keep them to yourself during the interview.
Don't criticise previous employers.
As the interview draws to a close ask how you have done, if the interviewer seems evasive or negative ask them to explain their reservations in order for you to positively respond outlining your strengths.

At the end of the interview ask questions such as:

What is the next stage of the selection process? Is there a second interview, if so, who will be attending and when will this be arranged.
How many people are left to be interviewed and how do you compare to the other candidates?
When will a decision be made and by whom?

After the interview

Following the interview always call the agency or email us with your feedback so we can progress the opportunity with the client.

HOW TO MAKE A GOOD RESUME

Posted on :

11-09-2008

Fast and Easy way!

Making a good resume is not hard at all. What you want to do is put the right information in the right places. A good resume needs to be at least one page long. If it's not, then you will need to make it one page long. Stretch it out by adding some additional information. With that said, here are some tips on how to create an easy and good resume:

1) First of all, you will need to put your complete contact information on top. That includes: full name, full address, phone number, and e-mail.

2) Open your resume with your education. Include all the schools that you have visited and your GPA. Do not put anything below middle high-school.

3) After education, list all your previous job experiences and military information (if you have any).

4) Then list all the volunteer experience that you had and any special awards or honor rolls.

5) If you have more than one page, make sure you put your full name on every page at the top.

6) And finally, list all the available references. If you do not wish to put them, list it as, "References available upon request."

7) Also, don't forget to put your resume on %100 resume paper. It will look and feel better.

With all these steps, you should be ready to make your great resume. It should not take you very long because this is a fast and easy way to make a resume.

Interview tips for jobseekers

Posted on :

11-09-2008

Interview tips

Top Tips for Interview Practice

Almost all companies have their own website. Learn something about the company before you attend an interview.
List on paper, all the questions you think an interviewer might ask you. Use your experience and your friends. Then prepare sample answers and write these down as well. Writing down the questions and answers will help you remember them. Practice answering these questions with a friend
Think about your weaknesses in case you are asked and list the positive aspect to that weakness. One weakness may be that you are very thorough. This may be more time consuming but it also means less time wasted on viewing mistakes
Go over your CV and plan how you will address any \'time gaps\'. For instance, if you had a couple of months between leaving one job and taking up the next make sure you have a legitimate explanation
Make sure your past academic and work history is achievement-driven. So, be prepared to talk about specific achievements rather than your job description. Explain how you feel / felt about a success or failure. Feelings are important

Questions to ask in a job interview

Avoid questions that push the interviewer for a commitment - unless you are interviewing for a sales job. Good points to raise are:
- \"Can you tell me a little about the people who work in the team?\"
- \"How have other people progressed in the organisation?\"
- \"What is the decision process and time frame for selecting someone for this position?\"
Use the third person, not \'I\', when talking about the job, to avoid sounding as though you assume the job is yours. Don\'t ask: \"What would be my salary in a year\'s time?\" Instead: \"What would the position pay in approximately one year?\"
Find something positive from the company website that you think the interviewer will know about and feed them the opportunity to talk (proudly) about it e.g. an achievement, award or progression
If you are not exactly sure where the location of the interview is, do a test run or allow lots of time to arrive. A late arrival is usually viewed as your fault and a negative no matter how genuine your reason. If you can take a mobile phone you can at least warn the interviewer of your delay, should your train / bus / car be stuck in traffic

Interview Technique

As you pursue your job search, a set of polished interview skills will prove to be priceless in brokering your talents, experience and credentials. Your interview is the most critical event in the process of landing a job offer; it is also the most subjective

The First Impression

To begin with, the adage that cleanliness is next to godliness is appropriate for your interview because the first impression is the lasting impression.
Hair should be well groomed; faces should be clean shaven; makeup, cologne and perfume should be minimal and conservative.
Invest in professionally dry cleaning your interview clothes.
Accessories, including folders and handbags, should also be minimal and conservative.
Respect business values and conventions.
It is usually advisable to be conservative in dress. This means avoiding the latest look and for women means looking tailored rather than feminine

Be ON TIME

While employers will not hesitate to keep you waiting, they disapprove of lateness in an applicant
There may be sound reasons for your tardiness, such as an obscure office location or traffic jam, but none of these will help your cause
One suggestion is to arrive 15 minutes before the interview and wait out the time near, but not at, the interview location
Enter the office 5 minutes early, note the tempo of the office and attune yourself accordingly
If you do anticipate being late, show some courtesy and make a phone call to either the person you will be meeting or the agency(if applicable)

Maintain your Self-Confidence

When you introduce yourself, offer a firm handshake, call the interviewer by name, smile and maintain eye contract without glaring
Those who do not are often regarded, albeit unjustly, as deceptive, evasive and lacking in self-confidence
Be on guard for any nervous mannerisms. For example, if you tap your feet or twirl your hair, keep your feet flat and your hands crossed.
DO NOT SMOKE, even if the interviewer does, as this may show nervousness
Be polite to the recruiter and do not ramble in your conversation
Be pleasant with everyone you meet; sometimes receptionists may be asked for their opinion of you

Practice Answers to the Most Likely Questions

Perhaps the easiest, and therefore, the most neglected, aspect is the question and answer sequence
Believe that what you say is important; but how you say it is of equal importance
The characteristics you want to convey with your responses are self-confidence and fluency of expression
Self-confident individuals impress the interviewer as someone who would be a good spokesperson for their company
Skilled applicants are prepared to discuss their weaknesses as well as their strengths
A clear and concise expression will sell better than a rambling explanation
The sharpest candidate will have prepared answers to the most frequently asked questions
Though rehearsed, their responses are delivered with tact and sincerity to represent themselves truthfully

Be Enthusiastic & Positive

It is usual for a portion of your interview to focus on your work experience
Your experience will give you something to talk about, it should help you package yourself more attractively
Sell your experience e.g., rather than just stating that you won an award, sell it: \"Mr Johnson, last year I was honoured with the Gold Seal Award for the highest sales achievement during the summer - I am very proud of this accomplishment\"
Be yourself; but be your most charming, polite, concise and confident self

Topics to Avoid

In marketing yourself, try to think from the employer\'s perspective
Rather than talking about compensation during your first interview, dazzle the recruiter with what you can do for his organisation; benefits are best left for discussion in subsequent interviews
Talk opportunity, not security, your contribution, not retirement

Control the Close of the Interview

As the interview winds down, it is time to try to uncover the interviewer\'s thoughts about your suitability for the position: \"Mr Johnson, based upon the information you have about me so far, do you believe that I am a good candidate for this position?\"
If yes, then be pro-active: \"Fine, what is the next step in the interview process - would I meet with you again, or would I meet with someone else in the company?\"
If you are not a match, ask why: \"Mr Johnson, I appreciate that. Would you mind letting me know which areas I was weaker in?\"
Uncover the recruiter\'s objections and answer them immediately
If you are not considered a candidate you will not have another opportunity to sell yourself.
Make a last stand to answer objections and to close on getting a second interview

Don\'t Let Being Turned Down Get You Down

Accept the fact that, regardless of your interviewing skills, you still may not get some job offers for reasons that have very little to do with your qualifications or interviewing skills.
Feedback from interviews where you have been turned down will be invaluable.
Uncover what they felt you lacked and what they were looking for

Plan for the Follow-Up

As the interview closes, thank your interviewer for their time and ask for their business card. This gives you the address for a follow-up letter
Whether or not the position appeals to you on the first impression, trial-close the interviewer to maximise your chances for a second interview: \"Mr Johnson, I very much enjoyed meeting you today. Johnson & Associates is a great company and I am keen to meet with you again. I can really picture myself being a part of this organisation.\" Whether or not you feel this way is not the issue!
The point is that you want at least to have the luxury of turning down his offer

Questions you may be asked:

Tell me about yourself
What is it you want to do?
Why do you want to work in this field (job, company)?
What do you know about our company?
Why did you study ... ... ... at University?
What was your favourite course? Why?
What is more important to you, the salary or the job itself?
Which two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
What contributions could you make to this job (department, company?)
How have you handled a major crisis or problem?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Are you flexible to move?
Why did you go to ... ... ... University?
Tell me about your best teacher?
Who else are you interviewing with?
What are your salary expectations?
How did you like your last jobs and why did you leave?
If you had the last 10 years of your life to live over again, what would you do differently?
What are your career aspirations?
What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses? If we make an offer, how long do you plan to stay with the company?
Are you interested in promotional opportunities?
How do you work with others?
Are you a leader or a follower?
What is your ideal position and career path?
Is there anything you would like to say to close the interview?

Questions to ask the Interviewer:

What are the unique opportunities in this job?
To whom would I report?
Who are the key people I would work with?
How long has the position been open? Why is it open?
How will I be evaluated? On what criteria?
How is the company doing?
What are the organisation\'s greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Interview Mistakes:

Poor personal appearance, poor grooming or hygiene, inappropriate attire
Egotistical, \'know it all\' attitude, arrogant or rude
Asking no questions about the job
Deficient social skills: lack of interest, tact or courtesy
Inability to express self clearly, poor language.
Poor scholastic record
Lack of knowledge of the company or industry
Mention of salary and benefits too soon
Unprepared for the interview.
Lateness or failure to show up.
Poor eye contact, lack of confidence
Dishonesty
Shallow, inappropriate questions / answers
Lack of experience, education or skills
Unrealistic goals or expectations.
Lethargic or overly aggressive
No elaboration on qualifications
Lack of professionalism

for employers - Selection of candidate

Posted on :

11-09-2008

Info for employers - Selection of the right candidate

We suggest that you plan recruitment early in the year. Most Employers have difficulty with forward planning due to the unpredictable nature and short-term workloads associated with our industry.

However, where possible, the month of April might be considered as a good starting point. This will allow some opportunity for you to speak with local schools about prospective candidates and obtain references before the summer holiday break.

Early planning is a factor that contributes towards the successful selection, recruitment and retention of an Apprentice.

Structured Interviews

Interviews are a necessary part of the recruitment process, taken together with reference checks, you will improve the likelihood of a successful appointment of an apprentice. The more preparation you do for the interview, the easier it will be for both you and the candidate.

Plan the questions

Use information from the candidate's application form or CV to prepare a set of questions.
Look for any gaps in education or employment, or things that don't seem to add up.
Beware of possible discrimination in the questions you ask, which could mean you miss the best candidate and may be unlawful.
Know the job description and person specification really well so that your questions help you compare candidates.
If two or more people are interviewing, decide who will deal with what topics.
Think about what information candidates may want about the job and your organisation.

Headhunter Tips

Posted on :

11-09-2008

Headhunter Tips

A headhunter, or a Recruiter or an Executive search specialist, is not an employment agent. He's a recruiter hired by companies to seek out candidates for high-level positions or specialized jobs.

He finds people through research, networking and discreet telephone calls.

Job Hunting Tips

Posted on :

11-09-2008

Job Hunting Tips

Tons of teenagers and young adults are looking for jobs at the moment. Unfortunately, many are coming up empty handed. The hardest part about getting your first, and even your second job is lack of experience. Here are a few tips on how to get the edge over other young people competing for positions..