A Resume that's sure to get you
the interview
Copyright © 2001-2002
You
get tips on how to write
a resume that will get you the interview.
The
resume is your first introduction to any prospective employer, so
first impressions are the ones that count - your resume will get you short listed
for an interview or it won't.
Employers
don't have the time to spend reading every single word, they quickly skim
over it. So your goal is to sell yourself from the beginning.
Firstly though, you need to be able to prove you
have qualifications for your skills and for the position you are applying for. Does your resume lack certification? Take an ExpertRating Online
Skills Certification to get your certificates.
Next step is do an impressive resume. The easiest way to get started is to use resume
templates. If you have Microsoft Word, you will find some already there
for your use. However, if you're looking to have the edge on other
applicants, consider using Winway
Resume Deluxe software . You can access powerful job-winning phrases
and a selection off designs that will make your resume stand out.
A
covering letter is also required to accompany your resume, you can choose a
winning covering letter for your resume as well.
It
also has internet features that will allow you to search the web for jobs
instantly or you can make your own website to promote your resume.
Many
applicants get very excited about getting the interview and totally overlook
preparing for it. Being aware of questions that your interviewer could ask
is going to work to your advantage. Your interviewer will also be
impressed that you can answer quickly and sensibly. Get yourself a copy of
"101 Great answers to the toughest interview questions"
to do your homework or if you prefer, try this online course:
At
interviews, many applicants are given the opportunity to ask questions about the
company or the job. However, because applicants are "put on the
spot" and can't quickly think of any, they don't ask any. Learn
to ask the right questions that will impress your interviewer.
If you're more interested in taking a course online to
teach you how to write your resume that will win you the interview, there is a very economical online course available
If you do
not have suitable clothing to wear to the interview, check out "Dress
for Success", a not for profit organisation that will provide low
income women with a suit for the interview and one when you get the job.
Also see what their interview
tips are.
Here's a couple of great
articles written by Kevin Donlin, Managing Editor of 1 Day Resumes which
will help you.
About 150 years ago, Henry David Thoreau had two things to say that can help you write a better resume today. They are: "Simplify! Simplify!"
You've heard many times that you have only 15-30 seconds to impress readers of your resume. So, the simpler and easier-to-read you can make it, the better.
Here are three ways to do just that.
1. Begin with clarity.
I'm always amazed by the number of resumes that begin with no objective or summary statement. As a result, the employer is forced to start reading without knowing what the applicant can do.
Many resumes begin by listing education, for example. But even if your degree is in high demand, such as computer science, you're still leaving room for misinterpretation (Does this person want a job in network administration? Telephone support? Internal help desk?)
Instead, try opening with an objective such as this: "Position in network administration where my computer science degree and technical skills will add value."
If you want to be more flexible about the job you're after, you can say: "Position where my computer science degree, troubleshooting skills and customer service experience will add value."
2. Group information logically.
Hurried readers want to quickly scan through your resume. You can help them by breaking things down into logical groupings. Don't jumble things together, as in this example:
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows NT 4.0 Server, MS Exchange, DOS, Windows 95/98, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS Outlook.
Break longer lists into smaller bits and give them a clear heading, like this:
COMPUTER SKILLS
* Operating Systems - Windows NT 4.0 (Workstation and Server), Windows 95/98 and DOS.
* Applications - Microsoft Exchange, Word, Excel, Access and Outlook.
3. Focus on results.
To make it easier for your reader to picture you achieving results on the job for him/her, clearly show how you've done it for others. Be as specific as possible.
Avoid dry language, like this:
* Responsible for maintaining accurate inventory, acquisition and delivery of supplies.
Try saying this, instead:
* Vastly improved customer service while cutting costs 24% by accurately managing inventory, acquisitions and deliveries.
Simple is good. When you begin your resume with clarity, group your information logically and focus on results, you'll enjoy a simply wonderful job search.We'll be regularly featuring
Kevin's tips for resume writing, so bookmark this page now.
When you write a cover letter, does it hook employers and leave them no choice but to call you for a job interview?
If the answer is "No," you're not alone.
To succeed, every sentence in your cover letter must be compelling and must prove that you -- and nobody else -- are right for the job.
How do you achieve this?
Take the "So, what?" test. It can actually force you to write better cover letters than ever before.
It works like this. After reading every sentence in your next cover letter, ask yourself: "So, what?" Is that last sentence compelling, or fluff? Necessary? TRUE? If not, rewrite or remove it. Then ask yourself "So, what?" again.
Here are some real-world examples taken from cover letters I've seen this week.
BEFORE
"I am currently employed with Oxydyne Systems in Detroit in the Production Logistic Equipment Assembly Division as a Technical Support Manager. (SO, WHAT?) I am willing to take up any engineering post." SO, WHAT?
AFTER
I am applying for a position where my eight years of engineering and end-user training experience will add value to logistical operations for your clients.
In the AFTER example, the writer clearly states the type of job he's seeking, while promising to add value for the employer's clients. Much more powerful.
BEFORE
"The message you are now reading is not a typical cover letter with an attached resume. Please, do not be afraid to continue reading because this evolving communique describes what I can do for Stanley Publishing (SP), if I am chosen as its new Marketing Manager." SO WHAT?
Stop! Don't take forever to appeal to an employer's self interest. Often, you can find better opening paragraphs halfway down the page, as in this AFTER example:
AFTER
"I am energized by the opportunity to achieve significant things for your firm. Here's what I can give to Stanley Publishing:
* Five years of publication and marketing experience for Fortune 500 clientele, resulting in repeat business, 210% revenue growth and three industry awards."
This AFTER example came from the fifth and sixth paragraphs of the cover letter, but works much better as an opening.
If every sentence passes the "So, what?" test, your cover letters will be concise, hard-hitting and irresistible to employers. So there!
Best of luck to you!
Kevin is also author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back.
This do-it-yourself manual makes writing your own resume and cover letter a breeze ... even for someone who's never written them
before!
Trial
it for 30 days now.
The following tip came
from CareerOne News - "Quality
Assurance for Resumes" by Max Eggert, Interim Chief Psychologist,
which we'll share with you..
Max Eggert, passes on his quality assurance tool for winning
resumes. Check your resume against Max's ten tips to ensure you land a job interview.
When it comes to responding to advertisements, you can rest assure your resume will probably
be one of two hundred or more to land on the desk of a recruiter.
Use the following ten questions as your quality assurance tool to ensure you are among those short-listed for an
interview.
Does it look visually attractive in terms of layout, spacing?
If your resume is ugly, no one will want to read it.
Is it user friendly? Can it be skimmed easily?
Resumes are not read but skimmed. Make sure your resume is easy to absorb to ensure it goes into the pile of
"possibles" - not the PTD or Polite Turn Down pile.
Is there something that the employer wants or could use on each and every page?
You cannot have a selling document that does not sell.
Is it under four pages?
If your resume is too long, it will be treated as hard work and passed over.
Is it perfect in spelling and grammar, style and syntax?
When you only have three to four pages to write about yourself, a couple of mistakes can be devastating to your chances.
Is every word as powerful as possible with no waffle, jargon or obscure abbreviations?
Waffle might have got you through your exams but it won't get you to the interview.
Are all the features of your achievements quantified and a benefit statement made where possible?
Employers, like the rest of us, look for benefits and not just features.
Does the resume reflect you as a person, does it "fit" you?
The resume sets up an expectation in the mind of the reader and if you cannot match it at the interview, then it is unlikely that you'll get the job.
Can you talk at length to everything that you have disclosed on your resume?
Interviews eat what you feed them. If it is on your resume, expect to be challenged on the information.
Have you rank ordered the information in line with the required competencies for the job?
What is read and seen first has the greatest impact, so give them the good stuff first.
Be successful!
CareerOne
Max Eggert is Chief Psychologist with career consultants and coaching firm, Interim.
See below the type of information you can access
right here:
What does the Role of a
Secretary entail
The Secretarial role is not for everyone even though it is challenging and
changing. See if you have the desired qualities.
Learn how to use Tips and Tricks
in your Secretarial role
Working with tips and tricks could make all the difference in making you number
one in your profession. See what time saving and other techniques you can
use in your daily routine.
Is there such a thing as
Secretarial Ethics?
Secretaries throughout the world would certainly work using a code of Ethics -
see how the ethics we have developed can assist you in becoming a valuable
member in the workforce and could even assist you in climbing the corporate
ladder.
Books written specifically for
the Secretarial profession
Books are still an invaluable learning aid used by the Secretary and great for
continual reference. You will be surprised how just one piece of advice
will be used over and over in the office and as times continue to change you
will have the need to reference these books time and time again.
Does the one resume suit all the
Secretarial jobs you apply for?
You need to know what to include, what not to, and most importantly how to adapt
your resume to the job you are applying for.
Have your say when you visit the
Secretarial Forum
A forum is available for you to share or seek information, comments or advice.
Please feel free to post your questions.
Free Office Tutorials
in the following are available
Telephone Etiquette - Do
you answer the telephone correctly? Are you friendly and let the caller
know you're listening and interested? If not, don't distress, we have a
lesson for you that will make your Company proud.
Making Appointments -
you will learn how to make appointments and what information your Manager needs
so he has all the facts and is prepared. Only then will the meeting will be
successful.
Writing Correspondence -
Step by step instructions on how to lay out your office correspondence with all
the relevant information. You will even learn how to write your letter so
the message is conveyed to the recipient successfully.
All about Meetings - There
are many aspects to be aware of to make a meeting run smoothly. If you are
the key person responsible for setting up meetings from preparing meeting
notices and agendas, to taking minutes of the meeting, you are in the right
place. You can choose formats and tools that will make your job easier.
Useful Links for any Secretary
Check out the links we've made available for you to be kept informed, save time,
and awareness of training available.
Need training to master the advance or basic techniques
The training offered on this site is focused to assist you in your day to day
duties whether you need to learn the basics first before proceeding to the more
advanced lessons. You make the choice.
A Secretarial Newsletter
What better way to keep informed then signing on to receive a copy of the www.secretarialsite.com
newsletter. It's totally FREE.
What
is MOUS Certification?
Find out more about this certification. You can even take the exam and
receive your MOUS certificate. If you're not quite ready, take the courses
that you need to enable you to become certified.
Executary Seminars
The Secretarial Site has up to date news on various seminars focused towards
Secretaries, Office Professionals, executive Secretaries, Administrative
Assistants, and Personal Assistants, in locations that may suit you.
Recommended
Employment Agencies
Employment agencies are listed in selected countries to save you time.
Can you touch type, or,
do you know your typing speed?
You can quickly and easily take a typing test to check your speed. You can
learn to increase your speed and best of all you will learn how to touch type.
Need to
translate this website into another language?
Go now to the website that will make translation easy. All you need to do is
copy and paste this URL http://www.secretarialsite.com
into the window on the website.
When is Administrative
Professional's Day/Secretaries Day
Administrative Professional's Day is always the last Wednesday in the last full
week of the month of April and this full week is dedicated to Administrative
Professionals. Mark it now in your diary so you and your fellow workers
can celebrate. Better still, spread the word and enter it into your
Manager's diary so he/she is made aware of it.
But what happened to Secretaries Day? It has been
renamed to Administrative Professional's Day! Did you know the National
Secretaries Association, now known as IAAP, began this special recognition. Read
more
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