I couldn’t agree more with these tips from Terry Alleman at OccupationalZen. 7 Elements of an Exceptional Resume Part I and Part II.
Just for kicks, can you spot the misused semicolon in the excerpt below? To find out more about proper use of commas and semicolons, Click Here for my article on the subject.
Phil Rosenberg gives a run-down of hiring factors, many of which are unpredictable even by the hiring manager. Here are just some of the things that might affect whether or not you get the job. Why Didn’t I Get the Job Offer?
This article highlights 20 aspects of LinkedIn that are essential for job seekers. If you are a job seeker, read this article beginning to end, and use it in conjunction with my new e-Book, LinkedIn Power Tune-Up. The combination will set you up powerfully on LinkedIn to succeed in your job search. Job Seekers – 20 Ways to Brand Yourself on LinkedIn
Straight from the horse’s mouth, folks! If you want your resume to make it past the eagle eyes of a recruiter, make sure to read this brutal yet honest article. It takes the mystery out of question, “Why aren’t they calling me?” What do you think… would your resume make the grade? How Recruiters Read Resumes in 10 Seconds or Less
Did you think the biggest controversies in resumes were how many pages and whether to write an objective statement? Here’s a truly controversial resume topic if I ever heard one! Susan Ireland has some guts in taking this one on. Do you think you might be losing interview opportunities due to your name? If so, or if you’re just interested in issues of racial profiling in the job hunt, be sure to take a look at this article and its comments. Should Mohammad Use a Different Name on His Resume?
I recently read two good articles on the topic of how long your resume should be. The first, How Long Should My Resume Be? is from Great Resumes Fast. The other, Resumes for Executive Jobs – Tips on Length, Formatting and Style was written by Matthew Rothenberg of TheLadders and posted today on EmploymentDigest.net.
My guideline is that if you are a new graduate, your resume should be one page if at all possible. If you have 10 years of work experience, it will probably be two pages. I recommend always having a one-page resume at the ready if you are expecting to work with recruiters.
I disagree a bit with the formatting advice from TheLadders. I do not like underlining or changes in font size as a formatting tool. I much prefer the option of “Small Caps” which you will find under the font menu. It’s a great way to create emphasis.
Remember, even though you probably won’t include graphics in your resume (other than perhaps some nice lines and tasteful shading), your resume is a work of art. Print it out and make sure it looks professional! It’s likely that if you used underlines and multiple font sizes you will change your mind quickly about your artistic choice when you look at the document in hard copy.
Objective statements, in the past, were about what you wanted to get out of a job. Now they’re all about what you offer an employer. The words “Objective Statement” or even “Summary of Qualifications” should not even appear on your resume. Instead, write the title of the position you want in BIG BOLD LETTERS and then sell yourself. Here are some tips on how to do that, from Great Resumes Fast. Do I Need an Objective Statement on My Resume?
I came across this article in my travels, and in case any of you encounter the same advice, I want to warn you now NOT to follow it. I strongly discourage anyone to include a quotation in a cover letter, unless that quotation comes from a client or supervisor (even then, I tend to omit them and let the employer call the references so they can sing your praises).
The fact that you like a quotation does not mean you will live up to it. In your cover letter, give inspiring examples of what you have done and then say you will live up to your own examples. Hard facts always speak louder than flowery language.
When I was a hiring manager I never received a cover letter containing a quotation, but if I had I would have mistrusted it immediately. Anyone can do a google search for inspiring quotations. Not very many people truly meet the high standards set by those words.
Here’s the advice NOT to follow: “Season” Your Cover Letter with a Great Quote!
Angela Astley shares the actual steps she took in networking for a job through LinkedIn. They work! 9 Steps to LinkedIn Networking for a Job
I couldn’t agree more with this plug by Dawn Rasmussen for the importance of writing a great cover letter. I would go so far as to say your cover letter is the chocolate mousse filling in your triple layer cake. Yum! If you are applying for jobs and your cover letter can use a boost in richness and depth, consider a Cover Letter Package from The Essay Expert. You can read the article here: Cover Letters – Icing on the Cake
