There are certain aspects of a candidate’s resume that can have the opposite effect than intended. Seemingly helpful information that is found in a “typical resume” can have a negative effect on certain job candidates, sending their resume straight to the trash. Here are a few examples of information you may want to leave out of your resume and why:Job history dates before 1990. Though it doesn’t seem like that long ago, li...
If you looked at hundreds of resumes a day like hiring managers and recruiters sometimes do, they all begin to look alike. With that in mind, how should one avoid presenting a resume that blends in with the competition? Here are some common resume mistakes that cause hiring managers' eyes to glaze over, leaving your resume lost in the sea of competition. Relying too much on personal branding. Though personal branding is a b...
Beyond the skills and experiences you list in your resume, the formatting and design you use says a lot about you. Recruiters and hiring managers can tell right away when they look at your resume whether you simply pulled a template off the internet and plugged in your information, or took the time to create a customized, up-to-date document that is a perfect representation of you. They know the current resume trends and pa...
Many of us have, even through no fault of our own, had a bumpy work history. This may be due to lay-offs, illnesses, temporary contractual work, staying home to raise children, career transitions, or a myriad of other situations. You may have perfectly legitimate reasons; however an employer may not understand why you have short tenures or gaps between jobs – they just want the best candidate for the job. But have no fear!...
Imagine you are vying for a great position against 50 other equally qualified applicants (not far-fetched in today's job market). Now imagine your resume is at the bottom of the stack, only to be given a recruiter's 10-second glance after hours of scanning resumes. Does your resume blend in with the rest or does it shout "READ ME"? To get noticed your resume must be brief yet illustrative, professional yet unique, interesti...
We have all had the feeling when applying for jobs online that our resume or application is headed for a black hole never to be seen by human eyes. Unfortunately, there is some reality to this. Large corporations have systems in place to analyze and categorize you before you even have a chance to make a first impression or talk to a person. However, there are some methods to utilize technology and old fashioned resourcefuln...
When you are job searching, you want to be prepared from all angles. Once you apply for a job, the microscope zooms in and you must be prepared to be examined. Putting your best foot forward when you are being so closely inspected involves more than presenting an error-free resume and wearing a nice smile. Here are the three pieces that fit together to shape how employers see you. Are you lacking in any of these areas? 1. O...
When I was searching for my first corporate job, I was called a few days after an interview and told, "Thank you for coming in, however we’ve decided to offer the position to someone else." I politely thanked her and let her know I appreciated the interview and follow-up call. The next day, I received a call from the same person with a job offer. I remember her words so vividly: "I’ll bet you weren’t expecting to hear from...
In this economy, it has become clear that companies are leery of hiring unemployed job seekers. Research has indicated that they are perceived as unproductive under-performers, which has created a major problem even for highly qualified and valuable individuals who may be laid off. Some contributors to the view that out-of-work professionals lack quality are actually within the job seeker’s control - poor job searching and...
For professionals who are out of work and looking for a job, the search becomes a job in and of itself. That is why it is so important to take it just a seriously as if you have a full-time job! When there is a substantial gap between jobs, it is easy to get discouraged and lose motivation, but there are some reliable ways to stay focused in the career game while you are out there searching. Organize your job search. Keep a...