The role of a resume has always been subjective. It depends on the owner. Some serves as an identity of the candidate, some serves as the credibility certificate and most, as the communication skills of job seekers finds new low, as the only source of information on the jobseekers.
What is a resume by the way? Originally spelled as résumé, Merriam Webster dictionary defines it as a summary of a set of accomplishments. Answer.com says it is “a brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications, often submitted with an employment application”.
It’s time to take another look as one thing is for certain, resume is not your business card to be stored away by employers for future reference, and a resume is your personal assistant that should work for you!
Indeed, it is a summary of you and your qualifications, a tool and a marketing brochure of you and your career. It is true and it is persuasive in its approach and not just a mere template.
Its purpose is simple: to get you an interview!
Your readers
Yes, you have a reader, whether or not you realise it. A writer craves recognition from his or her readers. A sports columnists throws his views and opinions that should intrigue and trigger response to sports enthusiasts, while a political journalist would comment on the current state of the nation to the amusement or the dismay of newspaper readers with a nose for armchair politics.
Likewise, a resume is basically a piece of literature, albeit non-fiction of yours, that should pique the interest of your readers.
Who are your resume readers then?
Well, there are actually two stages of readers. On the first stage occupies human resource (HR) executives and HR Managers. The second stage would see readers such as the hiring managers (big corporations), department heads followed by general managers, managing directors and chief executive officers.
In short, it’s no ordinary bunch of readers you have there…and it shows how much the content of your resume is worth.
Most writers write with readers in their mind. A typical reader would appreciate this and that content; expect this and that issue, can digest this and that conclusion. It is no different with your resume.
The difference here is you have two set of readers. Here the first stage readers (remember, the HR execs and managers) would do a skim-scan, meaning they have no time to delve into details, just quick to the point on whether or not to shortlist you. This is where brevity matters.
Readers Objectives
Their main objective is two:
1. To disqualify as many candidates as possible
2. To shortlist listing candidates
The first objective certainly sounds nasty, but someone has to do it and an ineffective resume, i.e. totally unreadable and messy resume, no matter how great the experience and qualification is, may not appeal to these eyes.
Once cleared, your resume moves on to the second stage where the decision makers reside. Here, they know that the first stage had shortlisted the best possible candidates and their job has become simpler. They simply have to look at the qualification and match experience with requirements and specific needs, and find Best Possible Fit.
So bear that in mind. Your readers come first when it comes to sitting down and drafting that darned resume of yours. It takes a lot of courage to be honest and honesty is what selling many writers out there and there are no reasons why you resume should be different.
Showing posts with label Resume. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resume. Show all posts
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Friday, September 18, 2009
Clean Resume
It is important to keep your job application free from typo or grammatical errors. You may ask what is the big deal anyway with keeping your resumé error-free?
By not bothering to keep your resumé "clean", you are telling the person who reads your resumé that you could not be bothered to make extra efforts to check your spelling and grammar, hence you would be seen as "not being interested enough" in your job application.
A faultless job application will give no reason for the prospective employer to mull over petty mistakes that could have been easily avoided by clicking on the spell-check button.
By dotting all your I's and crossing all your T's, the recruiter will be focused only on your cover letter and resumé, allowing your application to be given due consideration.
Always make sure that you get your addresses right.
Get the proper address, i.e. the title of the recipient in your cover letter. Find out who will be the recipient of your job application. If you only know that your application should be sent to the Senior Manager or the Human Resource Manager, go the extra mile and find out who that person is. Call the company up or surf their website for more information. Personal touches never fail to touch, literally.
However, never ever spell the title wrongly or worse, to misspell the name.
A Ms Elisa Jon will not be amused if you spell her name: Mr Eliza John. If you want to do things right, do it right the first time. Never think that it does not matter. All the small things will add up to a lot and a job application tattered with minor errors all over will be regarded as messy and disorganised, jeopardising your chances of getting the interview.
Get the mailing address right too. The last thing you want is for the application to be sent back to you. Even if your application gets to the recruiter, getting the address wrong or misspelling some words in the address underlines the fact that you are careless and could not even copy a simple address onto the envelop and your cover letter.
Also avoid simple grammatical mistakes. By writing `I are' instead of `I am' you are only exposing your poor command of English. Get your subject and verb agreement correct too. Relearn the basic grammar that you learnt way back in primary school and avoid the mistakes when writing your cover letter or resumé.
Remember, some extra efforts to ensure that your resumé is "clean" will not guarantee you the job but will help to increase your chances of being shortlisted.
By not bothering to keep your resumé "clean", you are telling the person who reads your resumé that you could not be bothered to make extra efforts to check your spelling and grammar, hence you would be seen as "not being interested enough" in your job application.
A faultless job application will give no reason for the prospective employer to mull over petty mistakes that could have been easily avoided by clicking on the spell-check button.
By dotting all your I's and crossing all your T's, the recruiter will be focused only on your cover letter and resumé, allowing your application to be given due consideration.
Always make sure that you get your addresses right.
Get the proper address, i.e. the title of the recipient in your cover letter. Find out who will be the recipient of your job application. If you only know that your application should be sent to the Senior Manager or the Human Resource Manager, go the extra mile and find out who that person is. Call the company up or surf their website for more information. Personal touches never fail to touch, literally.
However, never ever spell the title wrongly or worse, to misspell the name.
A Ms Elisa Jon will not be amused if you spell her name: Mr Eliza John. If you want to do things right, do it right the first time. Never think that it does not matter. All the small things will add up to a lot and a job application tattered with minor errors all over will be regarded as messy and disorganised, jeopardising your chances of getting the interview.
Get the mailing address right too. The last thing you want is for the application to be sent back to you. Even if your application gets to the recruiter, getting the address wrong or misspelling some words in the address underlines the fact that you are careless and could not even copy a simple address onto the envelop and your cover letter.
Also avoid simple grammatical mistakes. By writing `I are' instead of `I am' you are only exposing your poor command of English. Get your subject and verb agreement correct too. Relearn the basic grammar that you learnt way back in primary school and avoid the mistakes when writing your cover letter or resumé.
Remember, some extra efforts to ensure that your resumé is "clean" will not guarantee you the job but will help to increase your chances of being shortlisted.
Friday, September 11, 2009
7 Tips and Resources for Using Social Media - to Make Your Resume Stand Out
Normally 1 job vacancy can attract a lot job seekers apply, the HR department or related Head of department may not have time 1 by 1 go through the entire resume. And using the traditional way to apply job and submit resume and cover letter, the problem is you need to wait for the reply. Wait and wait and wait.
So how to make your resume stand out from other is very important.
Best use the social media, it will added value for your resume. If you build your social media resume properly, you’ll have more job opportunities increases. People cross by your social media site, if they find you are suitable candidate, they will contact you directly. Not necessary must be job vacancy, it can be some freelance works too (can earn some extra income).
By the way, don’t make me wrong, I’m not meant the traditional way is not good. It will be good if combine with the social media; it will make your resume more stand out from crowd.
The Social Media Resume: Making Your Mark in a Web 2.0 World
Very clear explain what social media resume is.
Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job
For those who are not familiar with LinkedIn, this is good for you.
HOW TO: Build the Ultimate Social Media Resume
This useful article is written by Dan Schawbel. Dan Schawbel is the author of Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success.
10 Social Media Job Search Tips
Tips for finding a job using Twitter, Blogs, Facebook, YouTube and Search Engine Marketing.
Using Your Blog as a Job Search Tool
Tips for how to use blog to find job.
Social Media + Job Search = Good For You
Useful guideline for how to build social media resume.
Using Social Media Tools to Enhance Your Job Search Strategy
So how to make your resume stand out from other is very important.
Best use the social media, it will added value for your resume. If you build your social media resume properly, you’ll have more job opportunities increases. People cross by your social media site, if they find you are suitable candidate, they will contact you directly. Not necessary must be job vacancy, it can be some freelance works too (can earn some extra income).
By the way, don’t make me wrong, I’m not meant the traditional way is not good. It will be good if combine with the social media; it will make your resume more stand out from crowd.
The Social Media Resume: Making Your Mark in a Web 2.0 World
Very clear explain what social media resume is.
Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job
For those who are not familiar with LinkedIn, this is good for you.
HOW TO: Build the Ultimate Social Media Resume
This useful article is written by Dan Schawbel. Dan Schawbel is the author of Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success.
10 Social Media Job Search Tips
Tips for finding a job using Twitter, Blogs, Facebook, YouTube and Search Engine Marketing.
Using Your Blog as a Job Search Tool
Tips for how to use blog to find job.
Social Media + Job Search = Good For You
Useful guideline for how to build social media resume.
Using Social Media Tools to Enhance Your Job Search Strategy
Monday, September 7, 2009
Share Your Resume Online and Tweet your Resume
Still using traditional way to post your resume and search for jobs? Thanks for the Internet and Web2.0 era. Now job seekers can build their resume online, with more creative and interactive way.
ResumeSocial
ResumeSocial is the first social resume community where you can post your resume online and get real feedback from others just like you!
With ResumeSocial, you give your resume access to years of collective knowledge and insight about what it takes to make a great resume. You can also help others by leaving feedback and sharing your experience on what has worked for you.
Click here to create your social resume
ResumePark
ResumePark is a resume hosting and discovery service. It allows you to easily publish your resume online and get your own custom URL (eg. www.resumepark.com/resume/yourname), for free.
Upload your resume (support format: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt). After upload, you can share with friends and contacts via. social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, etc) or your personal blog.
ResumePark will track how often your resume is viewed online plus other useful stats. This data is great for determining which companies are viewing your resume. ResumePark allows visitors to comment on your resume and provide recommendations. Personal recommendations will help you stand out to potential employers / recruiters.
Click here to create your 1st online resume
TwitRes
TwitRes lets you share resume/cv on Twitter. With using Twitres, you can publish your resume on twitter in seconds. Log-in with your Twitter account, upload your resume and tweet your resume link.
Click here to tweet your resume
ResumeSocial
ResumeSocial is the first social resume community where you can post your resume online and get real feedback from others just like you!
With ResumeSocial, you give your resume access to years of collective knowledge and insight about what it takes to make a great resume. You can also help others by leaving feedback and sharing your experience on what has worked for you.
Click here to create your social resume
ResumePark
ResumePark is a resume hosting and discovery service. It allows you to easily publish your resume online and get your own custom URL (eg. www.resumepark.com/resume/yourname), for free.
Upload your resume (support format: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt). After upload, you can share with friends and contacts via. social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, etc) or your personal blog.
ResumePark will track how often your resume is viewed online plus other useful stats. This data is great for determining which companies are viewing your resume. ResumePark allows visitors to comment on your resume and provide recommendations. Personal recommendations will help you stand out to potential employers / recruiters.
Click here to create your 1st online resume
TwitRes
TwitRes lets you share resume/cv on Twitter. With using Twitres, you can publish your resume on twitter in seconds. Log-in with your Twitter account, upload your resume and tweet your resume link.
Click here to tweet your resume
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
9 Tips for Better Online Job Hunting
Job hunt - a "task" that influence your future and life goes without saying that the Internet has drastically changed the way people today hunt for jobs. It's probably been a few years since you've submitted a resume via mail or fax. But even most professionals turn to the Internet for help locating a new position, not all understand the finer points of a Web-based job search.
Following are some tips to keep in mind the next time you look online.
1) Top Job sites
It's prudent to start your job search by visiting top job sites such as JobsDB.com because of the sheer number of listings offered. In addition, employers of all scales and industries are apt to list their job openings on sites with strong brand recognition. If you're at a crossroads in your career or willing to relocate, the big boards offer the widest view of what jobs are currently available.
2) Submit your online resume or ready-made resume
Resume and cover letter are the marketing tools to sell yourself to the employers. Employers will judge you based on your resume. You must ensure that the submitted resume is great and containing the essential details. You may spend some time to fill in your online resume step-by-step. Or, to save your time, you may make use of the resume upload function to upload your ready-made resume to the recruitment site if you have it on hand. The advantages of a full online resume over a ready-made resume is that it guides you through developing a good resume without missing out the important details that all employers would like to know about the candidates. But be mindful of your spelling and grammar when typing information directly onto online forms.
3) Essential of Resume Update regularly
Always get your resume prepared with updated information to tackle every opportunity when great openings present. In order to maximize the opportunity of getting hired, you should regularly update your resume with relevant accomplishments, new job duties, recently achieved certifications, and other similar achievements.
4) Get jobs come to you, Job Alert Subscription
In addition to search the large boards, you may get the jobs come to you by subscribing to service offered by recruitment site - Job Alert! The service allows the job seeker to specialize your preferred job function and suit to your field. Besides, it always keeps you up-to-date on opening or position offered by employers. All you need to do is check your email daily to get the job alert, you may apply directly when suitable job found. Subscribe now to Job Alert!
5) Appropriately utilise quick apply
Most job sites enable users to apply for a position with a simple click of the mouse. But don't blindly apply. Recruitment managers seek tailored resumes that directly tie a job seeker's unique skills and abilities to the requirements of the position. Take the extra time and effort to customize your application materials to each specific opportunity.
6) Be an expert in job hunting
Make yourself full with knowledge of job hunting especially for newcomers to the job market. Guides to write great resume and cover letter, negotiating your salary, tips of attending interview, asking the right question in the interview and so on are the precious intellectual treasures for your career hunting. You may subscribe to e-Newsletter where you can receive lots of useful tips on job hunting. Sometimes, you may find some special messages or special recruitment messages from the employers. So, don't miss them, it is vital! They may change your life. Let's subscribe to e-Newsletter now.
7) Let the resume be searchable
Always keep your resume "open" for searching! A searchable resume will open the door to be head hunted by the potential employers. You don't know when the employers will knock on your door unexpectedly to offer you a job opportunity. Probably you will receive some resume request from employers which are unexpected or you may not be interested on the positions offered. But you can still send a resume and cover letter to the company to widen the opportunity, as anything can happen in future.
8) Scanning oldies for goodies
It is a big mistake to limit your search to positions posted in the last few days. Some positions posted one month ago might still available; especially hard-to-find skills are required. It will be advantageous to focus on oldies opening while most job seekers focusing on recent postings, you may be competing with fewer candidates.
9) Follow up
When job hunting is done online, it's critical that you follow up with prospective employers after applying for a position. If you've submitted your application and haven't heard back from the company, make a call or send an e-mail to verify that the resume was received and to reassert your interest in the position. But it should be done within two weeks of submitting application materials.
An online job hunt shouldn't be the only strategy you use to find a new position while the Internet has revolutionized the way job seekers connect with prospective employers. The best searches combine various approaches, including exploring the services offered by recruiting and staffing firms, touching base with members of your professional network, and participating in industry events where you can hobnob with hiring managers.
Following are some tips to keep in mind the next time you look online.
1) Top Job sites
It's prudent to start your job search by visiting top job sites such as JobsDB.com because of the sheer number of listings offered. In addition, employers of all scales and industries are apt to list their job openings on sites with strong brand recognition. If you're at a crossroads in your career or willing to relocate, the big boards offer the widest view of what jobs are currently available.
2) Submit your online resume or ready-made resume
Resume and cover letter are the marketing tools to sell yourself to the employers. Employers will judge you based on your resume. You must ensure that the submitted resume is great and containing the essential details. You may spend some time to fill in your online resume step-by-step. Or, to save your time, you may make use of the resume upload function to upload your ready-made resume to the recruitment site if you have it on hand. The advantages of a full online resume over a ready-made resume is that it guides you through developing a good resume without missing out the important details that all employers would like to know about the candidates. But be mindful of your spelling and grammar when typing information directly onto online forms.
3) Essential of Resume Update regularly
Always get your resume prepared with updated information to tackle every opportunity when great openings present. In order to maximize the opportunity of getting hired, you should regularly update your resume with relevant accomplishments, new job duties, recently achieved certifications, and other similar achievements.
4) Get jobs come to you, Job Alert Subscription
In addition to search the large boards, you may get the jobs come to you by subscribing to service offered by recruitment site - Job Alert! The service allows the job seeker to specialize your preferred job function and suit to your field. Besides, it always keeps you up-to-date on opening or position offered by employers. All you need to do is check your email daily to get the job alert, you may apply directly when suitable job found. Subscribe now to Job Alert!
5) Appropriately utilise quick apply
Most job sites enable users to apply for a position with a simple click of the mouse. But don't blindly apply. Recruitment managers seek tailored resumes that directly tie a job seeker's unique skills and abilities to the requirements of the position. Take the extra time and effort to customize your application materials to each specific opportunity.
6) Be an expert in job hunting
Make yourself full with knowledge of job hunting especially for newcomers to the job market. Guides to write great resume and cover letter, negotiating your salary, tips of attending interview, asking the right question in the interview and so on are the precious intellectual treasures for your career hunting. You may subscribe to e-Newsletter where you can receive lots of useful tips on job hunting. Sometimes, you may find some special messages or special recruitment messages from the employers. So, don't miss them, it is vital! They may change your life. Let's subscribe to e-Newsletter now.
7) Let the resume be searchable
Always keep your resume "open" for searching! A searchable resume will open the door to be head hunted by the potential employers. You don't know when the employers will knock on your door unexpectedly to offer you a job opportunity. Probably you will receive some resume request from employers which are unexpected or you may not be interested on the positions offered. But you can still send a resume and cover letter to the company to widen the opportunity, as anything can happen in future.
8) Scanning oldies for goodies
It is a big mistake to limit your search to positions posted in the last few days. Some positions posted one month ago might still available; especially hard-to-find skills are required. It will be advantageous to focus on oldies opening while most job seekers focusing on recent postings, you may be competing with fewer candidates.
9) Follow up
When job hunting is done online, it's critical that you follow up with prospective employers after applying for a position. If you've submitted your application and haven't heard back from the company, make a call or send an e-mail to verify that the resume was received and to reassert your interest in the position. But it should be done within two weeks of submitting application materials.
An online job hunt shouldn't be the only strategy you use to find a new position while the Internet has revolutionized the way job seekers connect with prospective employers. The best searches combine various approaches, including exploring the services offered by recruiting and staffing firms, touching base with members of your professional network, and participating in industry events where you can hobnob with hiring managers.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Create Your Own Online Resume Page
Through MyResumeOnline.org, you can have your own resume online: www.myresumeonline.org/yourname
Features:
Features:
- Your own resume online: myresumeonline.org/yourname
- Update your resume online anytime and anywhere
- You can add your "resume page address" into your email's signature
- You can also add it to your printed resume (or word/pdf document)
- Attach files (Certificates, Word documents, PDFs, databases...)
- Real-time statistics
- Add up to 5 different photos
- Very easy-to-use
- And it's Free
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