Most of the resumes I come across could use more focus, better organization, and sharper wording. While professional services are ideal to add these qualities and make your resume more persuasive and polished, it may not be an option at the time. You could spend time making your resume look more eye-catching and unique (e.g. crafting a career summary or even adding a bar graph showing growth in personal sales), but these as...
Whether you are writing a book, article, thesis, letter, or a resume, the same basic rule applies: Write for your audience (in this case, recruiters, hiring managers and your future boss). In the world of resume writing, that translates to two things. First, make your resume easy to read. If it is sloppy, crowded, bare or confusing, you need to take a step back and think about what your perfect employee’s resume would look...
I have written resumes for many clients who were not moving companies and some who weren’t even moving departments! They were simply asked to present an updated resume to apply for a higher-tiered position within their company. And what was even more surprising was that they felt blindsided at this request from management! If you are thinking of applying for a higher position in your company, be prepared to present a new,...
These days, the professional cover letter has taken a backseat to its much more popular cousin, the resume. Although it is often seen as stuffy, antiquated, and even frivolous, the cover letter actually has the power to establish the all-important first impression. And what you put in that letter could be the catalyst that sets you apart and gets you an interview. Though many people underestimate the importance of a cover l...
In most cases, before your resume even gets to a hiring manager’s desk, it is passed through a screen-out process that is designed to immediately eliminate candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements. This makes it a lot more efficient for companies to fill positions, but I can also leave qualified candidates out in the cold if their resumes do not display those clearly defined requirements. If you are wondering wh...
While doing what you love is important, bringing home a paycheck often forces people to make a decision between pursuing their dreams and putting food on the table. Plus, the changes in the economy are driving many workers to make a choice right now to change careers paths. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, nor is it impossible to find an equivalent job in a different industry. You just need to rewrite your resume to...
Many job seekers focus solely on the “how” of contacting potential employers, but the “when” can be crucial to getting noticed as well. Contacting them when they are more likely to be alert and responsive (and not tired, hungry, or stressed) is all about timing. That includes planning the optimal time and day to contact HR (to either initiate contact, follow up after sending a resume, or follow up post-interview). According...