On a resume budget?

Do you live or work in Manhattan or somewhere in the five boroughs of New York City?

Then you are in luck because Resume-Riter is a local brick-and-mortar service. We are famous for fast, excellent, thrifty resumes at rock-bottom prices. We format and professionally write top-notch resumes which are of superior quality and cost-effectively priced.

Many people mistake the term “thrifty resumes” to mean substandard, or they think if you don’t pay a lot you’re not getting someone’s best effort. 

Quite the contrary.

Paying a lot can mean you’re paying too much, or overpaying. 

Why have your resume done professionally?

How-to-books and generic software templates take longer to master and are not as effective. The smart decision is to have the writers who contributed to the programs and books put their knowledge to your benefit. They create a tailored, unique and cost-effective resume. It will make recruiters sit up and take notice and call you for an interview.

Think of it as custom-made, designer goods at outlet prices.

If you were recently downsized due to the economy and find yourself without a job as a result, you need to watch your money, we feel your pain. Take heart!  It’s not a problem. Our resumes will make you look awesome and get you the interview and then, if you play your cards right, a better-paying job, in record time. 

Over 25,000 job-seekers can’t be wrong.

That’s the number of customers (mostly from New York City) we’ve helped over the last 15 years alone by creating strong, accurate résumés that showcase skills effectively and inexpensively. Additionally, they keep coming back for updates to their resume as their careers progress. Some relocate out-of-state or overseas but even then they all contact us to help them. Their family and friends get a top-quality, thrifty resume for a really great price.  In some cases for instance, we’re seeing the second generation of a family, soon to be the third, for instance, offering them the same effective, inexpensive resumes with smart content and aesthetics.

Why our prices so affordable?

It’s simple!  

Firstly, we keep our overhead low.  
Secondly, we have been preparing top quality résumés for so long that we have perfected the way to do them efficiently.  
And, thirdly, we do such high volume — through good times and bad — because of extremely high word-of-mouth referrals that we are able to steeply discount the market rate and pass the savings along to you — our next valuable, very happy client. You can stay within your resume budget.

Moreover the formula is easy: More volume with less expense equals affordable resume prices.

Everyone loves a bargain!

New Yorkers are famous for sniffing out hidden treasures, like a bloodhound.  We all keep our eye on the stores for a good sale, or shop with coupons, or check out the newest outlet mall. Résumé-Riter is your bargain store for resumes.

Actually, we are the most under-priced in New York City. 

Don’t believe us? Check around!  

Most importantly, nobody has more affordable resumes and better quality in New York City.  In other words, it makes good business sense to give top value at a low price so you can stay within your resume budget.  This helps you to be successful in your job search and makes us successful, as well. 

In conclusion, remember Résumé-Riter for fast, quality, affordable résumés in New York City.

The post RESUME BUDGET appeared first on Professional Resume Writing Services in New York City, NY | Resume Riter.

The resume screening process is a long and arduous one. Years ago, recruiters sifted through stacks of résumés to separate those most qualified for a particular position. Now, resume screening is digital, scanned or online submission and computer algorithms do the initial sifting. Only the winning few that contain key words matching the required qualifications are passed along to the recruiter, hopefully resulting in the applicants being invited to interview.

Before going any further, it is important to emphasize – Never ever lie, because even the smallest, seemingly innocuous ones have a way of tripping you up. If discovered, you will be discredited because if you lie about one thing, nothing you say can be trusted and, worse still, on the job chances are you will be untrustworthy. 

For example, misleading with inflated work titles, responsibilities, accomplishments or lying about education are big no-no’s.

One candidate claimed to have a B.S. degree. In fact, while she completed all the requirements she had not actually received the degree because she owed the Bursar’s office a fee that had gone unpaid for a while. They would not release the sheepskin until she paid up. So, within the 90-day probation period, the Bank she had started working for discovered the “lie” and terminated her. It was a bit heavy-handed, but avoidable.

Functional qualifications aside, the following is a list of pitfalls that will cause a recruiter to exclude the candidate.

• Template format or complex layout/style with unnecessary cosmetics such as multiple typefaces/font, boxes, frames, tables, headers and footers, shadowing, excessive highlighting and underlining or colors for emphasis.
• Too many pages – résumés shouldn’t be more than 2-3 pages; CV’s can be 3-5 pages.
• Typos, misspelling, poor grammar and syntax;
• Using personal pronouns (I, me, mine, we, us, ours); not written in 1^st person.

Contact Info on Your Resume: 

• Person’s name in outlandishly large font;
• Listing home phone when cell phone will do; 
• Unprofessional email addresses – don’t use tacky wording such as “chickmagnet” or “beerdog”; do use professional conservative address such as Jane Doe2010@gmail.com
• Don’t use work email at employer’s address, such as JoeSmith@VanquishExterminators.com. Get a free personal account at MSN, Google, Yahoo, AOL, etc.
• Don’t list more than one email address or screen name. Publish only the one you use for the job search.
• Including pictures, graphics, or URL links that are byte heavy and will not be opened;
• Discrimination triggers – Photos can be age, race or gender indicators;

Objective on Your Resume: 

The heading “Objective” no longer used. Your job goal is embedded in Summary or Profile which gives reader a thumbnail sketch of who you are and what you want, based on what you can do.

• Make sure you don’t have an insignificant introduction that is cliché and doesn’t really say anything useful.
• Do not refer to long work history. Anything more than 15 years is too long (just say “comprehensively experienced,” or “well-qualified.”
• Do not make bland, generic statements that are obvious or selfish such as “seeking position with stable company.”

Credentials: 

• Important credentials/qualifications/skills should not be listed at end of résumé. Always place at the beginning;

Experience on Your Resume:

Partial, inaccurate or missing employment dates. Don’t try to cover gaps by inaccurately expanding employment dates. 

• Adding in personal information that is not relevant to work history to fill in employment gaps. For example, “Stopped working to have a baby.”
• When employer’s name gives no indication of product or industry, clarify by detailing next to position title. For example, ABC Company; Sales Manager – Cosmetics Manufacturer.
• Improper or unclear position title. For Example, GS7, instead of Administrative Manager (GS7). 

• Unqualified – Trying to twist content to fit a position for which candidate is not suited or has no experience. If you are a recent graduate with no practical experience, be forthright about it – refer to yourself as an early career entrant;
• If practical experience for position you are pursuing is several jobs ago, place your relevant experience under the heading “Related Experience” and under heading “Other Employment” place unrelated employment listing only company name, position and duration, without job description.
• Inappropriate use of functional versus chronological style;
• Don’t list employers’ street address, phone number, supervisor, etc. on a corporate resume. However, do include on a federal resume or CV.
• Task-oriented job description rather than achievement focused, that fails to explain how the candidate added value to their employers through accomplishment; preferably, accomplishments are demonstrated in dollar or percentage measurable; however, if those exact figures are not available you can use descriptives such as “double”, “tenfold”, “significantly”, “exceeding quota” or “several (hundred, thousand, million).”
• Start sentences with a verb. So don’t say “Responsible for verifying credentials” – say “Verify credentials.”
• Dense, narrative paragraphs instead of bullet points. While screening resume the recruiters like to skim through information, not read a book;
• Dates – Don’t go back too far. Ideally, only list experience for last 10-12 years. But definitely don’t list jobs further back than 15 years as they are age indicators. The only exception is if you are pursuing a job for which your experience goes back further than 15 years.

Education/Training on Your Resume: 

• Don’t list elementary, middle and high school education in addition to college/university. It is understood you would not have been accepted into college without having received a high school or equivalent diploma.
• Unless graduated in last 5 years, don’t list date of diploma/degree.
• Because a resume is only about what has happened or is happening, don’t list planned training or anticipated skills.
• Certificates, licenses, etc. resulting from training should be listed under “Credentials.”

Interests on Your Resume: 

• Use “Activities” as the heading;
• Only show community-beneficial activities. Listing clubs, interests, activities, etc. that are irrelevant or problematic just takes up space.
• Be careful about mentioning affiliations with religious, political, ethnic, cultural, or lifestyle-based organizations. This can work against you.
• Don’t list recreational or fun things such as “basketball,” unless it’s relevant to your objective, then “Basketball coach of Youth League” is a useful activity.
• If not a recent graduate, don’t list “Residence Monitor for Alpha Mu Fraternity House or Senator, Student Council.”
• List activities which show you have a community-minded side to your well-balanced life. So, Big Brother/Big Sister, Mentor to Homeless Kids, Pantry Worker at Soup Kitchen, etc. are good indicators of being engaged in social consciousness. It will all come up when screening resume.

Honors/Awards on Your Resume: 

• Don’t list awards from high school such as “Good attendance Award” or “valedictorian.”
• If out of college for more than 5 years, don’t list awards from college. Exception is “graduated magna cum laude or summa cum laude,” “Dean’s List,” “Honor Society for your Major,”or “Recipient, Four-Year Scholarship”

Memberships on Your Resume: 

• Only list professional affiliations, not those associated with college…unless it is an organization that has a life span after college, such as an Alumni Association or Fraternity/Sorority with community-based activities that continue beyond graduation.

References on Your Resume: 

• Don’t list references on the résumé (they belong on a separate sheet) or use the worthless tag line “References available upon request.” .. Would you refuse to produce them if asked at the resume screening? 

Finally, when emailing document don’t transmit as PDF, TIF, JPEG or zip file instead of Microsoft Word attachment.

The post The Resume Screening Process appeared first on Professional Resume Writing Services in New York City, NY | Resume Riter.

Just remember during the job search, recruiters are looking for someone who is bright, tenacious, people-friendly. Has stamina, can multi-task and has a willing attitude, for instance. 

Leading human resource recruiters agree that the key caveats of an applicant process are:

Resume

Simple format – no fancy fonts or borders.  Even if you are trying out for a graphic arts job, your style pizazz should show in your portfolio, not on your resume, for instance. This is a case of less is more when in process of the job search.

• Do not use nicknames or unprofessional e-mail addresses.
• Moreover, no outlandish statements of any kind, like “I am the best in my field,” even if it’s true.
• Check for typos or grammatical errors.
• Never lie about employment, experience, education or dates.

A level of sophistication revealing or alluding to education and polish.  An excellent vocabulary is not something to be ashamed of.  Don’t dumb it down during the job search.

Straightforward and explanatory–no obfuscating, convoluted or vague language which will baffle recruiter.

Appropriate qualifications to do the job for which you are applying.  If light on background, don’t discount any experience, there are redeeming qualities in almost all experience.

Cover Letter

Should reflect ability to communicate effectively and convey individual qualities which make you a valuable addition to staff.  It should not be merely perfunctory. It should be compelling, inducing the recruiter to read the résumé and then call you in for an interview.

Interview

Above all, after skills, the most important quality is attitude.  Whether you’re interviewing for a position as a manager or a lower position, be positive and convey the feeling that you will give a good day’s work for a day’s pay.  First jobs are an important stepping stone and should be treated with respect.

A recruiter’s nightmare is the individual who thinks they are too good to do anything. They deem beneath their dignity, has a poor work attitude. Is rigid in their expectations and thinks the employer owes them something … no matter how well qualified otherwise. It is the recruiter’s job to weed those people out.

Be forthright, sincere and enthusiastic, without whining, grovelling or ingratiating yourself.  Don’t be superficial, gratuitous and transparent in flattery.  Be prepared–know something about the company, its history, accomplishments, objectives, and how you can contribute to its goals.  Ask questions showing an interest in the company’s mission and philosophy.

• Don’t dominate the conversation. 
• Do not ramble. 
• Don’t engage in nervous chit-chat to delay recruiter’s probing questions. 
• Listen, then answer succinctly.  
• Never lie or embellish the truth.

Most importantly, there’s no shame in admitting you don’t know the answer to a question. However, you can turn that around to your advantage by asking the recruiter to elaborate and that may turn the interview in a more favorable direction, for instance.

Non-entertainment corporate jobs

Dress simply, modestly/conservatively.  No leather or sequins, no see-through or tube tops, mini-skirts, bare midriff, low-rider, hip-hugging or camel-toe clothes. No visible piercing, tattoos, exotic hairstyles, makeup or mandarin-length nail wraps, and no excessive jewelry.  First impressions count, and if you make the wrong one you won’t get the job.  There’s a lot of tasteful style latitude between male stripper and monk or dominatrix and nun.  And don’t play dumb, you do know the difference.

Entertainment-related jobs

In conclusion, you can be a little more style trendy but not over the top because all entertainment jobs have a corporate connection.

The post THE JOB SEARCH appeared first on Professional Resume Writing Services in New York City, NY | Resume Riter.

• You never get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression!
• There are no do-overs with the same employer!
• Learn from your mistakes, and don’t repeat them the next time!

RÉSUMÉ

When job hunting, leading human resource recruiters agree they are looking for someone bright, tenacious, people-friendly, has stamina, can multi-task, and has a willing attitude.

Your résumé must be action/accomplishment-oriented and answer: 

• Where – Company name, division, department
• When – Dates of duration
• What – Job title (functional) 
• Why – you took action or responsibility 
• Worth – what it was worth to the employer
• How – you can repeat the accomplishment for the next employer

The résumé should not be a job description so much as a synopsis of what you can bring to the new employer in the position. The résumé is a sales flyer during job hunting, and you are the product, so list accomplishments that translate to saving the company money or making the company money. No matter how creative the field, it is still a business that has a bottom line. You have to tell the recruiter why you are more valuable than the last applicant they saw before you or the one they will see after you. You want the job search to stop with you. When they read your résumé, you want them to call you in for an interview, and when they shake your hand at the end of the interview, you want them to convey a sense of “Eureka! I found the right person for the job. This person will be an asset to my company.”

Résumé must be neat, balanced, easy on the eyes, and have a logical progression that is easy to follow.

Pick one typeface and font – keep bold and italics to a reasonable minimum; no visual gimmicks to distract their attention from the content. Don’t be vague and wishy-washy. Be articulate, direct, confident, and exact in your language. Because we live in a digital age, résumés are customarily emailed to recruiters. So a simple layout will avoid misalignment regardless of the computer to which it is downloaded.

Of course, for job hunting, you should always bring a hard copy to an interview for two purposes. First, you have your résumé in front of you and refer to it as the recruiter discusses it with you. If the recruiter cannot lay their hands on your résumé, you can offer them your hardcopy to copy. For the printout, stick to white or ivory bond – don’t use parchment, confetti, or crazy colors.

• Simple format – no fancy fonts or borders. Even if you are trying out for a graphic arts job, your style pizzaz should show in your portfolio, not on your résumé. This is a case of less is more.No cutesy nicknames like “Billy Bob” or email addresses like “Baby Doll” or “Stud.”
• There are no outlandish statements like “I am the best in my field,” even if it’s true.
• No typos or grammatical errors.
• A level of sophistication revealing or alluding to education and polish. An excellent vocabulary is not something to be ashamed of. Don’t dumb it down.
• Straightforward and explanatory–no confusing, convoluted, or vague language which will baffle the recruiter.
• No trendy jargon, idioms, vernacular, acronyms, or industry abbreviations.
• Appropriate qualifications to do the job for which you are applying. Don’t be vague and generic – be specific. Don’t write a procedure manual for your job title. Highlight a few achievements you accomplished while in that position.
• If the background light, don’t discount any experience, there are redeeming qualities in almost all experience.

COVER LETTER

Your cover letter, when job hunting, It should reflect an ability to communicate effectively and convey individual qualities, making you a valuable addition to the staff. It should not be merely superficial. It should be compelling, inducing the recruiter to read the résumé and then call you in for an interview.

INTERVIEW

After skills, the essential quality is attitude. Whether you’re interviewing for a position as a manager or just a McJob, be positive and convey the feeling that you will give a good day’s work for a day’s pay. First jobs are an important stepping stone and should be treated with respect.

A recruiter’s nightmare is the individual who thinks they are too good to do anything they deem beneath their dignity, has a poor work attitude, is rigid in their expectations, and believes the employer owes them something … no matter how well qualified, otherwise. It is the recruiter’s job to weed those people out.

Be forthright, sincere, and enthusiastic without whining, groveling, or ingratiating yourself. Don’t be superficial, gratuitous, and transparent in flattery. Be prepared–know something about the company, its history, accomplishments, objectives, and how you can contribute to its goals. Ask constructive questions that show an interest in the company’s mission and philosophy.

Don’t dominate the conversation. Don’t ramble. Don’t engage in nervous chit-chat to delay the recruiter’s probing questions. Listen, then answer succinctly. Don’t lie or embellish the truth. There’s no shame in admitting you don’t know the answer to a question, but turn that around to your advantage by asking the recruiter to elaborate, and that may turn the interview in a more favorable direction. 

Non-entertainment corporate jobs:  When job hunting, dress modestly/conservatively. Leave the Goth or Club wardrobe at home. For gals, no leather or sequins, see-through or tube tops, mini-skirts, bare midriff, low-rider, hip-hugging or camel-toe outfits nor exotic hairstyles, makeup, or mandarin-length nail wraps. For fellas, conservative business attire or casual business wardrobe consisting of shirt, tie, classic fit Slax with a belt, jacket, socks with shoes (no sneakers), no sports jerseys, sweat pants, or workout clothes. For both, no visible body art such as piercings and tattoos, no headgear, and no excessive jewelry. First impressions count, and if you make the wrong one, you won’t get the job. There’s a lot of tasteful style latitude between male stripper and monk or pole-dancer and nun. And don’t play dumb; you do know the difference. It pays to err on the side of caution, and once you join the firm, you will get a sense of what’s acceptable and what’s not.

Entertainment-related jobs: You can be a little more style trendy but not over the top because all entertainment jobs have a corporate connection. You want to fit in with their culture but not be too out there or look like you’re trying too hard to fit in.

Rules to Follow:

• Dress down rather than up (simple, classic in Black, Navy, or Grey) whether a suit, dress, or shoes.
• Jewelry “bling” at a minimum; 1 or 2 rings; watch, tie clasp; simple bracelet, earrings, and necklace
• Err on the side of conservative and properly fitting; not fussy but not stuffy; not tight or slouchy.
• Keep hairstyle and makeup daytime simple; nail length short; polish tasteful and straightforward.
• BE PUNCTUAL – Nothing is more disrespectful than showing up late and nonchalant. 
• Don’t bring a coffee cup in; don’t chew gum.
• Turn off the cell phone, beeper, pager, etc.
• Maintain an air of decorum. Keep behavior and speech professionally courteous. Don’t be stiff but not too folksy. No high fives, no “Hey, dude, wassup?” “Hey, girlfriend, those threads are phat.” Never address the recruiter by their first name unless invited to.
• Look the recruiter in the eye, be alert but relaxed, don’t initiate a handshake unless they extend their hand first, don’t sit down until invited to do so. Don’t act like you’re doing them a favor. Communicate by your body language that you are qualified and would like the job. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be there.

Don’t ask self-serving questions, such as:

• What’s my salary? Benefits?
• What are my hours?
• How soon do I qualify for time off?
• How much vacation do I get?
• When can I expect a promotion?
• How soon do I qualify for unemployment?
• Can I work from home?
• Do I get an assistant?
• Will you pay for my Master’s?
• How many single men/women work here?

Do your homework before the interview. Educate yourself about their company and prepare an intelligent list of questions you can ask them that reflect your interest and preparedness. You want to give the impression that you are not just looking for a job, but with a career investment, you are enthusiastic about being associated with a firm that mirrors your goals and values. You also want them to believe that you are not just accepting every interview offer that comes along but is selecting a prospective employer as much as they are choosing you. Part of the selection process is that it is a mutually beneficial “good fit.” So apart from telling you about the job, they must sell you on wanting to work there. You both want to feel that you are proud to be associated with each other.

Finally, Always send a thank you note within a day after an interview to reinforce their impression of you.

The post THE JOB HUNTING PROCESS appeared first on Professional Resume Writing Services in New York City, NY | Resume Riter.

Your resume will result in being passed over by the recruiter, at the very least. It can leave a bad impression which lingers in their memory, at the very worst.  

Remember, you only have one opportunity to make a first impression. We make sure it is your best. 

Your resume should never be guilty of the followings.

• Illogical, unfocused, sloppy or silly formats on your résumé.  Formats should be orderly, standardized, practical and symmetrical.
• Formats which are too artistic with multiple fonts, borders, boxes, graphics, and other fluff, often used to hide lack of experience.  It is ill-advised to think that a fancy looking résumé will camouflage absence of professional wording and content. 
• Byte-heavy embedded pictures, photographs or URL links.
• Spelling errors, typos and poor grammar, syntax and punctuation.
• Laughably trying too hard to sound sophisticated by using words improperly and aggrandizing job titles and descriptions.
• Outright lying and deception with phony dates, claiming diplomas, degrees and other education on your résumé but not actually possessed, inflating importance of job through misleading titles, and fictitious employment.
• Objectives which are too general and therefore tell the reader nothing. 
• Introductions which are meaningless and just serve to fill space on your résumé.
• Not listing credentials, licenses, etc. specific to the objective.
• Too many pages because of repetitious job descriptions.
• Inaccurate or missing contact information on your résumé.

• Dense paragraphs which are too long, redundant and rambling; no bullet-points.
• Functional résumés improperly used when chronological style is more appropriate and vice versa.
• Use of personal pronouns and predicate adjectives such as I, me, we, mine, our. 
• Important information hidden too far down on your résumé rather than listed at the beginning.
• Including personal information that is not relevant to job or sounds sophomoric.
• Unexplainable gaps in employment or listing every single job even if only two weeks in duration.
• Employment history longer than 10-12 years.  
• Dates which are inaccurate, missing or too broad.
• Omitting names of employers and type of industry, product or service experience.  Substituting industry for actual name of employer.
• Unprofessional e-mail addresses on your résumé.
• Electronic transmission sent as PDF files and zip files, rather than Word Doc attachments.

The post BLUNDERS ON YOUR RESUME appeared first on Professional Resume Writing Services in New York City, NY | Resume Riter.

Best Resume Writing Service in NYC

Looking for the best resume writing service in NYC to update your resume and cover letter? Well, you found us!

Give us a call, if you are worried that your existing resume is letting your dream career slip away and if you’ve never had a resume that truly reflects your personality, concrete accomplishments and unique skill set.

With today’s highly competitive job market, having a perfectly crafted resume is more important than ever.

As professional resume writers, we are not just writing résumés, we do understand your background. We are experienced, knowledgeable, and have a track record in the entire job search process. We will work with you.

We create your career resume on time, and within your budget.

Our services are provided by professional resume writers experienced preparing resumes for a vast array of industries, sectors and career areas. Your new resume will be targeted to meet the needs of today’s employers.

We understand that not everyone is familiar with the process of writing resumes and cover letters. That’s why we take the time to explain everything to our clients so they know how to prepare and what to expect. We want our clients to be happy with their resume and cover letter – and we think you will be!

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The job market is somewhat paradoxical. Employers, whether corporate, nonprofit, quasi-governmental or academic, share much in common. Except for extremely technocratic or executive level jobs the following tenets holds true. Essentially, they want the most for the least; but in another sense they want younger, dumber, and cheaper. They want wisdom and maturity but they want new blood and the malleability of youth. Also, younger is more impressed by titles and non-essential perks, and generally healthier. On the one hand, they don’t want to spend big training bucks, but on the other they want to mold you in their personal corporate image. Don’t come with too many preconceived notions of how it should be done; so, too experienced or educated can mean too independent and a free thinker, therefore you won’t follow the company line. While they want education, quality experience is given more weight because classroom learning cannot replace hands-on. Too much experience, however, may render a candidate too old and/or too rigid and that is bad because the person commands or expects a higher salary, and could be heading towards declining health and retirement, which also translates to more expensive. Of course, these are generalities, but historically they are accurate in their broadest sense.

In the strictest sense, for the employer it’s a balancing act of ‘not this without that’ or you can’t have it all. Let me paraphrase that because it is equally applicable to the job seeker. You cannot have everything you want…there is no ideal job…you will have to compromise and take some of the bad to get the good. The job of the résumé, then, is to slant the odds in your favor and put you in the best bargaining position to get more of the good than the bad.

Of course, certain professions revere age and wisdom. They don’t generally look for an American-style résumé, but rather a European-style curriculum vitae (CV), and that is subject matter for a different article. Suffice it to say, it largely applies to positions of preponderant erudition such as advanced academes (Ph.D.), published writers, religious leaders and prelates, diplomats, politicians, scientists, doctors, lawyers, exhibiting and performing artists, and the like. For our purposes here, we will be dealing with the job seeker in their early to middle years of experience with moderate education.

While education is important and necessary, experience is preferable and weighs more heavily in the job market. Therefore, we will choose formats in the order of how much hands-on experience one has.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

So, you need to get a job and searching the job market! Well, pertinent skills aside, there are only two things you need to have: presentation and tenacity.

The foregoing may sound overly simplistic, but if you are reading this article it is axiomatic that you have prerequisite functional skills in the career of your choice, or are in the scholarly pursuit of same and have basic job hunting know-how. If not, get yourself to a bookstore or library to bone up on interviewing skills or other job search topics.

The sole purpose of this article is to comprehensively provide you with the rudiments of preparing a résumé designed to make the employer sit up and take notice when you are searching the job market.

Having said that, we reiterate our first two caveats:

* Presentation — You have only one initial opportunity to unlock the employer’s door and impress him with your potential value and that is achieved by your résumé. Once the door is unlocked, it will swing open incrementally by how well prepared, logical and encompassing the information. The more enticing the content, the more eager they will be to meet you.

* Tenacity — Looking for a job is a job in itself. Treat it with the same discipline and fervor you would put into performing the actual position you are seeking. Sitting on your duff waiting for the perfect job to miraculously drop in your lap is not going to do it. Be proactive and relentless. The race goes to the swiftest. And make no mistake about it, looking for a job is a race in which you are trying to outrun a densely-packed field of competitors. Of course, be focused and selective in your search. Don’t wallpaper your city with 1,000 résumés. You will dilute your effectiveness. Mass mailing and form letters are akin to sending flyers addressed to “Occupant.”

Remember, résumés are an appetizer best served hot. Prepare a delectable appetizer and you make them hungry to meet you. The sole purpose of a résumé is to present oneself in a flattering light, enticing enough to pique the prospective employer’s attention and motivate them to call you for an interview. In other words, it is a succinct promotional flyer with an air of sophistication and erudition showcasing your particular talents in a focused fashion. It should employ economy of words, making each one count and respond to the underlying imperative Sell! Sell! Sell!

Put yourself in the shoes of the employer and sell yourself to him. Keep critically asking yourself as you read what you have written, “Would I hire myself based on this résumé? Answer honestly. Own up to your deficits and rework.

No doubt you have heard the saying, ‘the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.’ Well, the same is true of résumés. You don’t want to take a circuitous route to tell the employer who you are and what you can do for him. Why take ten words to say what two words will accomplish equally well, and in shorter time.

While a strong vocabulary is a plus, alternatively the task can be accomplished using clear, concise language which, after meaningful content, is grammatically correct with absolutely no syntax, spelling or punctuation errors. Again, you are counting on first impressions to carry you over the wave of other competitors who are sliding their résumé in front of the employer. Keep the content succinct, focused and positive.

Think about it, the current job market is glutted with applicants!

If the firm is old school dealing with hardcopy, the employer must glean through hundreds upon hundreds of résumés for each position they seek to fill. This translates to mind-numbing hours of reading. After the first hour of any employer’s day, they are seeing spots before their eyes, their neck is stiff, and they are only glancing at the résumé, at best. Cut through the blur by getting to the point.

If they are computerized with a scan-driven database, the computer only picks those keywords which meet the basic search parameters and prints the resulting select few résumés for human review. We’ll pause for you to reread this paragraph and let it sink in.

Either way, they are certainly not hanging on every word as if it were a mystery novel. In fact, don’t make your résumé a mystery or a novel. What you do should not be clouded in obscurity of fact or language and it better not be a work of fiction since it is verifiable and may well be checked against the signed application you fill out, if you get that far.

If you lie on a résumé, it will be assumed by the employer that you are liar. If you lie about one thing, even if it’s a white lie, you probably tend to lie about other things. Moreover, liars and thieves are generally lumped in the same category. Not a winning attribute for a job seeker in any field, whether you will be handling cash, secrets or paperclips. Better you should err on the side of caution and be truthful. And never, never resort to superfluous hyperbole. Obvious exaggeration looks childish, subtle exaggeration is akin to lying.

In keeping with that thought, this segues nicely into the topic of language and content which is a multi-edged sword. You don’t want to be too elementary or you will sound undereducated. You don’t want to sound as though you are using words you don’t understand in an effort to sound impressive. You don’t want a choppy awkward flow. The language should be a comfortable fit and read mellifluously. If read aloud, it should roll on the tongue like vintage wine and be equally tantalizing.

That is not to say you shouldn’t elevate your vocabulary by a degree or two. It is laudable and certainly beneficial to use language that rises above your current station in education and employment. There is an old personnel adage which roughly goes “Dress for the position to which you aspire, not the one you currently hold.” This is also true of behavior, speech, and writing. If you were not afforded the advantage of advanced schooling, you needn’t feel relegated to monosyllabic responses. Incorporate better words in your job descriptions but be absolutely sure they are correctly used and that you know their definitions. It could prove embarrassing on an interview to not understand what is written in your own résumé. Make the dictionary and thesaurus your friends. They will give you ample definitions and lists of alternative words meaning the same thing.

The flip side of aiming for a higher language plane, however, is that you run the risk of having it seem contrived. In my office, I have a framed quotation which over the years I have frequently pointed to. It reads: “Basic events require simple language. For example, to the question “What did you have for breakfast” which answer is preferable…the upper part of a hog’s hind leg with two oval bodies encased in a shell laid by a female bird…or ham and eggs?”

David Belasco, the great American theatrical producer once said, “If you can’t put your idea on the back of my calling card, you don’t have a clear idea.” And that is the essence of a résumé: Keep It Simple and Straightforward. This acronym KISS is the mantra of all sales successes and your resume is a sales tool.

GETTING DOWN TO BRASS TACKS!

While we can’t give you a crash course in professional writing, this article culled and adapted from the instructions handed out to clients visiting our office should be a good first step. It will walk you through the necessary steps to properly pick a format, correctly name topics and logically sequence information. It has saved us both unnecessary time which would have been wasted on one-on-one coaching to elicit the necessary information verbally.

In marketing, one is told to mention the product three times as a means to make it stick in the reader’s mind. In that vane, you will see us reinforce certain advice by repeating it throughout the article. This may seem contrary to our warning not to be redundant. In this case, however, for the sake of reinforcement it is necessary.

In the following pages we will give you targeted recommendations and follow through with suggestions for succinct wording and formatting, all designed to capture the reader’s attention, focus on your qualifications and get you that all important invitation for an interview. After that, it’s up to you!

We will be discussing format, layout, and styling as it affects appearance and practicality, components and headings as determined by résumé type, and finally content with regard to absolute veracity versus allowable spins on the truth, also known as “Is the cup half empty or half full?”

FORMAT, LAYOUT, STYLING

Formats should be simple, straightforward and follow in logical order depending on the focus you have chosen. That focus may be strictly functional or chronological or a hybrid.

Once you’ve determined the focus, the best format is one which leads the reader’s eye from category to category easily, since recruiters usually speed read or skim

over the résumé. The average time they take to review a résumé on the first pass is 10 to 15 seconds—longer, if something catches their eye and warrants further attention.

In the 21^st century e-mail and scan-oriented computer age, it is not a good idea to use fancy borders, shadowing, shading, extensive graphics or logos; never photographs and moderate use of bolding and italics. Character sets vary between software, so a bullet or fancy arrow in one software might not be available in another and can be misinterpreted in the electronic conversion process.

Ideally, to save time, money and labor you want to have one dual-purpose résumé which can be used for aesthetic presentation for human appreciation when printed, and scanner friendly for the computer to “look” at. This is almost impossible to achieve. So, alternatively you create the master résumé in a visually appealing format for human consumption and then create a spin-off which contains the same content but in an extremely simplistic unadorned e-mail/scanner friendly format. This format will be flush left, without bolding, italics, diacriticals, or graphics. It’s a bland format but the computer doesn’t care. Some government agencies will tell you in their vacancy releases to send the simplistic version.

The computer database doesn’t equate information in terms of pages, therefore you needn’t cut out important information to save space. The information is absorbed by the computer through optical character recognition (OCR) which is spread out as a stream of data. The most important factor to a computer is completeness of content. When you are called for an interview, bring along the more attractive version.

If possible, the aesthetic version should be kept to one standard letter-sized page and is achieved through the magic of typesetting which allows you to compress a gallon of information into a quart container (the single page). This is accomplished by a combination of font and leading. More than one page is permissible but only if the extra space is not due to redundant information or excessive spacing.

Fonts are comprised of typeface (style of lettering) and size measured in points (how large or small). Some typeface designs are more space consuming than others because the characters are wider. So two different typefaces both in the same point size may consume slightly different amounts of space.

Typeface is an aesthetic issue. There are two styles.  Serif are curvy ornate styles and plain, straight, unadorned styles are known as sans serif (which means without curves). Generally, sans serif fonts are best for technical résumés in the fields of engineering, information technology, science and the like. The most popular are Universal, Helvetica and Ariel. A little bit more curvy, soft style is used for all others. The serif style is most commonly seen in Times derivatives, Times Roman, Times Omega, etc.

In addition to font size, compression allows you to put more information on a page by squashing the space between the lines (leading). If full single spacing is valued at 1.0 or 100%, you can reduce to 90% (.9) or 80% (.8). The danger to going lower than that is the lines will nest on each other and can prove illegible or migraine-inducing to a human being and confusing to the OCR scanner. The danger with the latter is that characters will be misread. So it’s a delicate balance of small font and degree of compression.

RÉSUMÉ COMPONENTS TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE JOB MARKET

It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the key parts of a useful résumé. The following is a list of the various components in no particular order and in some cases somewhat interchangeable, but with finer shadings of definition. Except for the heading, logical progression depends largely on the type of position you are looking for.

• Personal Information Header
• Profile/Summary (contains Objective)
• Key Qualifications/Skills/Strengths
• Expertise/Erudition
• Credentials (Licenses & Certificates)
• Experience/Employment/Work History
• Accomplishments/Distinctions
• Education/Training/Development
• Internship/Externship
• Professional Memberships/Affiliations
• Community Activities/Volunteerism
• Honors/Awards
• Publications
• Immigration Status
• Military Experience
• References and Salary History are listed on a separate page

Some or all of the foregoing categories, which may share commonality, can be used depending on whether they apply-to the direction you are taking and whether you possess the required information for that category. Perhaps you will only need as few as four or as many as ten to flesh out your background.

DON’T PROCRASTINATE ON THE JOB MARKET!

Schedule an appointment with yourself by blocking out an hour or two of uninterrupted time when you are most rested and hassle free with a clear head.

You will need a lined pad, pencil with eraser, red pen for editing, dictionary, thesaurus or antonym/synonym guide, old job descriptions from a co-worker’s résumé or given to you when you started in the position. Later on, when you’re ready to keyboard the résumé, you will need access to a PC with word processing software such as MS Word or WordPerfect.

Your workspace has to be conducive to thought and reflection. Not too hot or cold. No distracting noise or activity. Either total quiet or soothing background music, if you find total silence a distraction in itself. Choose a comfortable chair and table or desk with ample space to spread out your resources. Alternatively, a stiff lapboard in an easy chair next to a side table for your materials will suffice.

Don’t pick the day when you’re exhausted, hungry or have a head cold to prepare your résumé on the fly, in a hot noisy room with kids running about and the stereo

or television blaring.

Now you’re almost ready to get started, but…

WHERE ARE YOU GOING ON THE JOB MARKET?

Before you begin, sit back and contemplate the big picture. No doubt you have been thinking about your work situation for a little while now, and have been mulling it over in your mind. Now is the time to marshal your thoughts together and begin to construct an outline.

OBJECTIVE

The first question you must ask yourself is what is this résumé intended for? What are you looking for? This is called the objective.

The following are some options which cover everything from recent graduate, experienced worker, returning homemaker, to retiree looking for part-time employment:

• You’re uncertain. You just want a new job and it can be in any of the areas where you have experience.
• You are a trainee needing to be totally trained.
• Your experience is supervisory, or mid to senior management such as AVP or CEO.
• You are a recent graduate of college or technical training, no formal experience, or slight experience from internship, seeking entry-level.
• You are seeking a vertical promotion within the same company.
• You would like a lateral promotion to another unit, similar position, same company.
• You desire a transfer or relocation in the same company with same or related status.
• You are pursuing a new job in the same field at another company.
• You are planning a career change into an altogether new industry that shares nothing in common with previous positions.
• You are segueing or making a transition into a related field which has some commonality to your previous position.
• You are doing an about face and changing back to a position/field previously held.

This may seem obvious, but be patient because you will soon see how what you are seeking affects the logical order and focus of the résumé.

WHICH KIND OF RÉSUMÉ WILL WORK BEST FOR YOU?

Your objective will dictate the kind of résumé you need: functional or chronological.

A chronological résumé lists employers/job titles in reverse date order with job descriptions under each job title. A functional résumé isolates the targeted function, and ignores irrelevant job descriptions. In some cases, a hybrid style combining the two is indicated.

Functional

If your objective is in keeping with currently and previously held experience, where you have been repetitiously doing the same thing, you will want to follow a functional format. A wise human resource recruiter once said, “Someone with 14 years in similar positions may only have one year’s diverse experience repeated 14 times.” In terms of résumés, why keep repeating the same body of experience ad infinitum? In the interest of economizing on words (hence, space), outline it thoroughly once and then list the places where you’ve performed that job.

If your objective reflects divergence from previously held jobs but has some commonality, you would extrapolate those functions and skills pertinent to the job you are seeking to show the prospective employer that you are qualified to get the job done.

If you are only recently graduating college or completing a training program, with no commensurate hands-on employment, your body of acquired knowledge or erudition

is the functional component. It allows you to draw attention to your best skills and away from your experience.

Chronological

This category applies if:

• Your objective is open, and you are just looking for any job for which you have experience;
• You have been in a similar industry with progressively more responsible and dynamic positions;
• You are too young to be claiming a “body of knowledge” and you’re just happy to be able to prove that you can hold a job;
• You have held the same job title but in different industries, therefore different responsibilities indigenous to varied industries; i.e. all administrative assistants may answer phones, schedule appointments and type, but vastly different responsibilities are attributed to a medical or legal assistant;

Hybrid

This category is a combination of the best of both. It allows for more flexibility because you can use a profile of skills and strengths and still have a chronological listing of experience.

WHEN ON THE JOB MARKET A BRIEF PAUSE TO CONSIDER TOP DOs & DON’Ts

Now, you know what kind of job you want (objective) which has helped you determine the kind of résumé to use (functional, chronological or hybrid).

Shortly, you will be starting your template and outlining the rudimentary information, to be fleshed out later. The outline doesn’t have to be artful – just factual and brief, conveying the gist of what you do or did. In this early stage, a laundry list of responsibilities and tasks for job descriptions will suffice.

Take a minute to store the following tidbits in the back of your mind.

1. For the aesthetic printable version, don’t create poster art with too many fonts, shading, frames, boxes, etc. Don’t use a point smaller than 9. Bolding, underlining and italics should be used conservatively. Since we live in a digital world, when the document is translated to a database through downloading/ scanning, etc. you want less chance for the GIGO syndrome (garbage in-garbage out). In other words, if the software misinterprets your cosmetic attributes important information on the résumé will be garbled and deemed “garbage” and cast aside.

2. You should always use specifics. Don’t be vague or obtuse, thinking you are baffling the recruiter by hiding the ugly truth. They want to “see” you warts and all. Of course, nobody said you couldn’t use some camouflage or concealer to de-emphasize your bad or weak points.

3. You need only give an employment history for the last 10 or 12 years searching the job market. We are in an age-oriented market and if your history goes back too far you’re telling the employer roughly how old you are. If you’re very young go back to the first job after high school or college. Additionally, if you can go back ten years what you did in year ten is more important than what occurred in year one.

List your employment in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent first.

Indicate months and years in dates, e.g. either 2/2018 or February 2018. Do not precede single digit months with a 0; it is not necessary to use double digits such as 01 for January, etc. Never indicate day of month. And try to avoid using just the year.

Employers are suspect of years without the months because they cannot tell if you worked two days, two weeks or several months in that year. If you can’t remember the exact month, jolt your memory by reminiscing whether it was winter, summer, etc. Once you home in on the season, zero in on the month by remembering what else you were doing around that time. If you are slightly off, it is better than not showing the month at all. It all goes to credibility from the recruiter’s perspective.

4. On a corporate or non-profit résumé, don’t provide street addresses and zip codes for employers on the job market. A résumé only requires the city and state of employment. When you fill out an application you will be required to give full information. Don’t provide telephone numbers and supervisors’ names. It’s not necessary on a résumé. Again, when you fill out an application you will be required to give full information. However, a federal resume is a combination of résumé and application, so you’ll need to supply not only street addresses and zip codes, but also supervisor’s names and telephone numbers.

5. For education, unless recent (less than five years), omit dates. Once again, you red flag your age.

6. Try not to have gaps between employment dates of more than a few months, unless explained by education or parenthood. Big gaps create big questions. The recruiter could jump to the wrong conclusion such as prison or long illness as the explanation for no work for such a long period. By the way don’t write “stay-at-home mother” or anything similar on the résumé. If it is a big sticking point, mention it in your cover letter. And be careful! Everyone has families but employers don’t like to think your family comes first. Strange but true for the job market!!

Avoid listing too many short-term jobs of a month or two. Certainly, omit anything of a couple of days or weeks. You appear to the recruiter as though you are a “jumper” which could mean short attention span and easily bored, fired for cause frequently, or general instability. If it was a summer job state that parenthetically under the dates.

7. Don’t include salary information or list references on the résumé when scanning the job market. Those belong on separate pages called a Salary History and a Reference List.

8. Don’t use abbreviations when on the job market. You may know what it means in your industry but a recruiter may not. If you use an acronym such as CNA it could stand for Certified Nursing Assistant or Certified Networking Assistant, so put the full name in parenthesis: CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). The exception to this rule would be if spelling it out would look silly because the acronym is in such common usage. For example: IBM (International Business Machines) or 3M (Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing).

9. Try not to use industry-specific jargon. In law, putting facts in chronological order is often referred to by a shortened version called “chroning.” The recruiter not familiar with legal jargon wouldn’t have a clue what you mean. Exceptions to the rule would be words in common usage such as fax (facsimile machine), phone (telephone).

10. In literary pieces numbers or numerical values from 1 -10 are written out (one, two, etc.). However, for the sake of drawing the eye to numbers in a résumé such as “decreased shrinkage by 10%” or “supervised as staff of 9” it is allowable to use Arabic designation.

11. Don’t use diacriticals on foreign language letters such as umlaut, grave, circumflex, tilde, etc. (e.g. José, über, Moreño, etc.for the job market). In scanning, this will be totally misinterpreted and consequently the name or word will be misspelled.

12. The understanding of a résumé is that it is written in first person with the “I” never written. So you would not say “I prepared invoices for accounts receivable department” but rather “Prepared invoices etc.” It is not written in third person, e.g. (he) provides. Use verbs in present tense for current jobs and past tense for previous jobs. Don’t use verb forms ending in -ing to start sentence, e.g. preparing, providing. Start the bulleted sentence with the verb in the proper tense and end the sentence with a period. It is not acceptable when searching the job market to leave a sentence without the proper punctuation at the end and résumé sentences end with periods, not question marks or exclamation points. If you are listing true phrases then you may separate them with semicolons.

13. You needn’t write a procedure manual for each job description with tons of minutiae when searching the job market. Just touch upon the overall responsibility and most important tasks and accomplishments achieved in performing that task. But be sure to include key words which the recruiter and computer will pick up on in the electronic version, when searching for the qualified candidate. If it doesn’t see the right key words for the position to be filled, your résumé will be passed over.

14. Proofread thoroughly using your eyes. Spelling and grammar checking software is great, but there are certain errors it will not discern—only you can do that. Employers tend to discard résumés they find with errors. Their logic is if you are that cavalier about such an important document, how meticulous will you be with their work.

15. No personal information such as health, age, marital status, religion, political affiliation, gender orientation, etc.

16. The approach you should take is serious but not dour, meticulous but not obsessive when searching the job market.

The post GETTING STARTED ON THE JOB MARKET appeared first on Professional Resume Writing Services in New York City, NY | Resume Riter.

Prepare for your interview as though it were a casting call because the next part of the process is an audition for the most important part you will ever have to play to ace the role, making or breaking your immediate career future. Are you thoroughly psyched or freaked out? Well, relax, take a deep breath and memorize the following list of missteps you don’t want to take in the interview dance. Obviously, some of the following tips are made tongue in cheek, but while you’re laughing at the outlandish suggestions, remember they are collected from the real-life experiences of recruiters who said, “you can’t make this stuff up” and “facts can be stranger than fiction.”

Essential Interview Bloopers to Avoid 

* Don’t be too casual or too formal. You want to appear relaxed and confident without being impolite. It is dangerous to assume that being laid back will give you an air of being secure in who you are. It can make you look indifferent, or worse–rude.

On the other hand, being stiff and ultra-conservative can be a turn-off and misinterpreted as being ill-at-ease. As far as the recruiter is concerned, this could be an indicator of trouble down the road because you may not be comfortable in the office landscape. 

* Don’t be too nervous or too relaxed. Get a handle on your nerves. There is nothing more off-putting than speaking to someone who is having gastrointestinal discomfort and bolts out of the room to spare themselves embarrassment, or worse–doesn’t escape in time. You know yourself best…if you have traditionally had pre-test jitters during school, you probably freak out under stress. That being the case, prepare for the interview by having a friend help you rehearse through role-playing at mock interviews.

Another technique is to go to a couple of interviews for jobs that are not your dream job, so if you don’t get the all-important job offer, you won’t be crushed, but the practice will set you at ease for the “big one.” It is not as disingenuous as it seems. Sad to say, but there are recruiters, who comply with company policy to interview a certain number of candidates for each position, may invite you for an interview even though they have already made up their mind to hire an earlier applicant. Moreover, you may be pleasantly surprised and recognize that the second choice job has tremendous potential. 

However, if you’re so relaxed you nod off or zone out on the recruiter, you won’t be highly thought of, either. So, ix nay on having a drink or a toke to relax. Alcohol or drugs are not proper components for interview preparation. Trust us, it won’t make you more eloquent or funny…just dopey. And, worst-case scenario, if they offer you the job contingent on a same-day drug test, you’ll be skewered.

* Don’t let your hubris show by being an egotistical jerk who is cocky and self-absorbed, but don’t be shy, introverted, scaredy-cat, afraid to speak up for yourself. If you are too arrogant and overconfident, you come off as obnoxious, and if too insecure, you will leave the impression that you cannot lead.

* Inappropriate humor versus being dour. Telling over-the-top jokes focusing on politically incorrect humor and using foul language as a means to breaking the ice or showing that you are a “fun” person are all significant blunders. Instead, you come across as an insensitive, offensive clod. Indeed, it is a positive attribute to laugh at your own mistakes; the recruiter is impressed by someone who takes the job seriously but doesn’t take themselves too seriously. On the other hand, doing your stand-up comedy routine when you’re interviewing for an important corporate position is not wise. However, being a wet blanket who doesn’t crack a smile does not bode well as a future employee. A corporate environment is a social structure. Being anti-social inhibits that structure and doesn’t make for a good community fit.

* Inappropriate behavior – too loose or too stodgy. You shouldn’t flirt with the recruiter, tell inappropriate jokes to break the ice, bore the recruiter with pictures of your pets and kids, bring coffee and donuts to the interview, recline in the chair or put your feet on the furniture. The only physical contact should be a simple handshake, firm but not crushing. No reaching to embrace, stroke, pat, or otherwise engage in touchy-feely moments. On the other hand, don’t sit ramrod straight on the last two inches of the chair, as though you were in the mess hall of a military academy, or shrink away from a handshake as though you were a germaphobe. Also, if you shake hands, don’t apply “jaws of death” pressure and break bones in the other person’s hand. Be respectful, don’t call a recruiter by their first name, “sister,” “girlfriend,” or “dude.” It is ill-advised to get too friendly with someone you only just met, even if they are contemporary. You want to have just enough air of professionalism without being cold, appear easy-going, well adjusted, and comfortable in your own skin. If this is a tall order, practice in front of a mirror. Ask friends to critique your outside behavior when you meet new people.

* Being too chummy, overly talkative, and sharing too much information is a similar mistake. Remember the whole time you are at an interview, your every move is being evaluated as an indicator of future behavior and how it will reflect on how you fit into the corporate environment, the risk you present as an employee, and how your personality will be a detriment or a valuable asset. Don’t be too quick to share, taking a total stranger into your confidence. No matter how well you get along, it’s too early to bond. If you are too forward, become too personal, invading the interviewer’s privacy, or spill your guts sharing embarrassing details about yourself, you may be deemed immature or a time-waster who will fritter time away chatting with co-workers and gossiping. On the other hand, if you answer questions in monosyllables and the interviewer has to drag information out of you with a pry bar, you will be viewed as equally unsuitable for a whole other set of reasons.

* Don’t play hard to get (aloof and snooty) or be too eager (needy and desperate). If you are too distant, you will be perceived as aloof or snooty. Snobs are not a welcome addition to the team. As a rule, recruiters don’t warm up to people who exude disdain or come across as being elitist. Conversely, cloying puppies and clinging vines don’t generally make good workers either.

* Be neither too candid nor too secretive. Don’t volunteer too much or share information of an intensely personal nature with a total stranger. Simultaneously, if you are not forthcoming with information to reasonable questions, you will be thought of as paranoid or having something to hide. This will naturally slant the recruiter’s curiosity in the wrong direction. We often tell people there should be no employment gaps or unexplainable anomalies in a person’s background. Nervousness can cause people to gush or dry up. So, be prepared to answer the obvious questions, which will naturally be asked in an honest, inoffensive, non-defensive way. Practice a pleasant, relaxed tone of voice. When asked a question, carefully listen and consider it deserves, then answer it in a measured, concise and truthful manner. 

* Improper attire–Victoria’s Secret versus Victorian Prude. First impressions count heavily in the interview. You may be the best candidate with the most qualifications, but you can shoot yourself in the foot with poor wardrobe choices. When in doubt, make a dry run to a similar office and sit in their reception area briefly to observe how the employees are dressed. Even the most creative jobs have a dress code and require varying degrees of decorum. Remember, no matter how relaxed the environment, dress for the position to which you aspire. If you want to be a manager, dress like one. Proper attire is essential if you wish to be taken seriously and not give out the wrong signals. It is dangerous to be looked upon as the office clown or the party girl or unequal to mixing with sophisticated clients because you dress like a Duffus. This can cause you to lose out on essential opportunities or be passed over for promotion. Additionally, men and women need to be aware of appropriate gender-based shoes, hosiery, jewelry, hairstyles, makeup, manicures, and perfume/cologne. Here, a good rule is “Less is more.” It’s okay to wear flip-flops on the subway but change to proper business shoes before you enter the office where your interview is being held. Until you get used to the unofficial office dres’ code, err on the side of caution: shoes require socks/stockings, men’s shirts require ties, pants require belts and jackets, ladies’ tops require bras. Ladies should eschew belly blouses, low-riders slacks, short tee-shirts, spike heels, fishnet stockings, or any other suggestive getups. Men and women should leave non-traditional body piercing jewelry, which shows, at home. Not everyone thinks as highly of eyebrow, nose, and lip rings as you do, and while single pierced earrings are accepted, the image of multiply perforated ear rims can be problematic. Dial it down…and make your fashion statement after the interview. Remember, most human resource managers are older and view anything outlandish by their standards as unprofessional and noncorporate. To them, your Goth look is an Addams Family knock-off from a Halloween costume party, and your body art, whether guy or gal, are tough guy gang-imitating tats, or worse yet, prison inspired.

When we said treat an interview like an audition, we didn’t mean you were trying out for a television sitcom, spoofing real life. So practice discretion and caution. Think carefully about what kind of impression you wish to project and the consequences of imprudent action in speech, behavior, or attire. Any questions? You can always speak with one of our staff for guidance.

Things to Never Say During An Interview

• Before an interview, do your homework, research the company’s bio, and know its vision and mission statement. Memorize a few of their achievements that impressed you and be able to recite them. Be prepared to make a favorable impression by knowing about the company when asked, “Why do you wish to work for us?” It is better to say, “I admire your philosophy and believe I will feel rewarded in helping you achieve your goals” rather than “It seems like a nice place to work and the pay is good” or “I need a job, and you’re hiring.”

• Don’t start an interview by asking, “How much does the job pay?” “What are the benefits like?” Those issues will be discussed down the line.

• Don’t come across as self-absorbed with “How long until I qualify for vacation/ promotion/raise.”

• When asked, “What are your weaknesses?” Don’t be egotistical and say, “I don’t have any.” Instead, mention a work-related weakness and how you strive to correct it.

• Don’t lie about abilities. Be truthful about your qualifications. They may catch in a lie, and that’s a deal-breaker. If asked, “Do you know MS Office?” Don’t say: “Yes, all five” if you only know Word. They may ask you to show how you would prepare an Excel spreadsheet or PowerPoint slide.

• If asked a question, don’t respond with “I don’t know” or “That’s a good question.” Pause to think about the question and rephrase to gain clarification. Respond with, “I have to give that more thought. May I get back to you on it?”

• If asked, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” don’t be cute and say, “On a beach in Maui” or sarcastic with “I want your job,” or unrealistic with “I want to be head of the company.” Be practical, reasonable, and profound…” I would like to have received merit-based recognition for my contribution to the company and be on a supervisory or managerial track” or “I would like to have risen to a regional field position,” etc.

• A good rule of thumb is to be your authentic self. Don’t assume a persona you think the recruiter wants to see. You can put on an act for only so long. Eventually, you will have to be yourself, and the two personalities, when juxtaposed, everyone will see through your action.

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When well written, it is an appealing appetizer or amuse-bouche that will sufficiently whet the recruiter’s interest, so they contact you to learn more. The main ingredients are: first, specific functions that they are looking for with enough spice that you don’t seem bland or boring; and second, articulated accomplishments achieved while performing in your title that brings your presence and value to life. Since a résumé is not poster art, the content should capture their interest more than the format. An essential element is specific keywords that match the potential position’s desired functions. The recruiter must be impressed with your suitability for the vacancy. You want them to believe you have the drive and expertise to get the job done and have what it takes for future growth and promotability. When they read your résumé, you want them to think, “Wow, I have to meet this candidate.”

The word “résumé” is defined as being a brief written synopsis of one’s personal, educational, and vocational qualifications and Experience, seldom longer than two pages for a corporate version or three pages for a non-profit version. A lengthier, more in-depth biographical account of one’s life primarily utilized outside the U.S. is known as a curriculum vitae (CV) and can run three to five pages. An American version of the CV can be favored for professionals in the academic and scientific arenas containing lengthy lists of research projects, presentations, publications, and professional affiliations. However, for the majority of positions, whether corporate or non-profit, a résumé is preferred. A combination of American résumé and CV version is used for government jobs, particularly for federal agencies.

Resume Formats and Styles

Résumés come in four predominant formats according to the arrangement of the information:

• Chronological – All employment listed in reverse chronological order containing job descriptions under each employer.
• Functional – The body of Experience common to all jobs is presented first. It is followed by a chronological listing of employment showing only the name of employer, title, and period of employment to validate where the Experience was acquired. When the person has done the same type or types of work throughout their career, the functional format eliminates redundant job tasks.
• Hybrid – A combination of the chronological and functional is used when the job seeker wants to isolate a particular function out of the many in their skillset and bring it to the recruiter’s attention early instead of being buried in the employment narrative.
• Federal/NGO – These lengthy formats are similar to that of a CV, as mentioned above. 

Depending on who develops the document, styles can encompass symmetrical, asymmetrical, plain, or fancy in serif or sans serif fonts with various embellishments. Before recruiters relied on the Internet, job applicants were inclined to create artistic documents on fancy stationery, which they submitted by mail or in person. Decorative effects, typefaces, and multiple fonts were often employed as distractions to cover inadequacies in an individual’s background. Most résumés are electronically uploaded into a computerized database, at which point an algorithm is applied that searches for specific keywords. The computer is not impressed by cosmetic attributes. If the proper terms are located, the résumé migrates through the screening process. If not, it is cast aside. Only if the résumé reaches the final stage is it viewed in person by a recruiter. At that point, it needs to be easy to read and visually appealing. Therefore, we recommend a simple, visually balanced style with minimal embellishment that is both databases friendly and aesthetically appealing to the human eye, emphasizing meaningful content.

Resume Headings

The primary headings are:

• Summary of Qualifications
• Experience and Work History (depending on format)

 It is worth noting here that Experience encompasses employment, internships, and volunteer activities related to your profession.

• Education

 Even if a degree was not acquired, the collective knowledge is still valuable, and the major should be mentioned, with cumulative completed credits, if possible. 

Additional headings which may apply to your needs are:

• Select Accomplishments
• Distinctions, Awards/Honors
• Publications/Presentations
• Research and Special Projects
• Training/Development
• Seminars/Workshops
• Community Activities
• Affiliations/Memberships

The sequence of the headings will vary according to your objective and on what aspect you wish to focus the recruiter’s attention. For example, a recent graduate would put their education ahead of their Experience. 

Getting Started Writing Your Resume

Take stock of yourself and be honest. Don’t sell yourself short but don’t go on an ego trip either. At one end of the spectrum, you may be exceptionally well educated with extensive specific Experience and a clear sense of your professional path. Or, you may be the individual who thinks their background is ordinary and is just looking for a job to pay the bills. Most of us fall in the middle with various education and Experience, looking to improve our circumstances and find the most rewarding career. Regardless of your perspective, you need to showcase your abilities in the best light.

The first step is to put together an autobiographical outline detailing any and all Experience, special skills, awards, honors, or other distinctions obtained in school, from job training, in the home or community, and on the job. In addition to your recollection, where possible, refer to descriptions of your position in job vacancy notices, annual evaluations, or human resource manuals that categorize the responsibilities of each position in the company. It will be shaved down to the most important and relevant details as the résumé-preparation process evolves. 

Since a résumé is based on facts, it should not be a work of fiction. The days of being able to prevaricate about your history and get away with it are long gone. With the advent of the Internet, we entered the age of transparency and background checks. However, that being said, there are still ways to diminish negative factors such as many short-term jobs, lack of a college degree, or long gaps between jobs, so don’t resort to lying or distorting the truth. Employers conduct rigorous due diligence in vetting potential employees. If you lie, you will be found out. It might not be right away…it could be in the first 90 days of employment, traditionally known as the probation period, at which point you will be fired. Depending on the industry, this is a stain that can follow you around. And even if you only tell a small lie in one part of the résumé, a lie is a lie. You may think, as long as you get hired and say the truth on the application, you’ll be okay. Not necessarily. Employers compare résumés and applications and may assume that you can’t be trusted if you lie about one thing because you probably lie about other things.

When listing your education, if you have had college or university (even partial attendance), you don’t mention primary or secondary schooling (elementary, intermediate, or high school). It is understood you would not have been accepted in an undergraduate institution had you not obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent. If you are basing your job search on a recent degree/diploma or certificate program, you will need to list introductory courses and your GPA, if 3.8 or higher. Anything lower, and you run the risk of being judged against someone with a higher GPA. You should also list any incidental training, certification, or professional licenses and the agency that conferred those credentials—for example, CPR, American Heart Association.

When detailing your job experience, an essential factor to keep in mind is that you are not writing a manual on doing a particular job. Instead, you need to prove to the recruiter how you added value to your current or former employer’s bottom line. To do this, you want to mention achievements that are credited to your special or collaborative efforts. These are usually indicated in concrete dollar or percentage figures. So you might say, “Expanded book of business by $5 million” or “Reduced overtime 15% by better allocation of resources.”

Also, remember that accomplishment and Experience can also be obtained in activities outside a formal employment setting. Community and volunteer work can afford essential skills that translate to future job value. Caring for family (children and seniors) can be an education in itself. The accumulated years of commitment translate to comprehensive experiential skills in organization, time management, and administrative coordination, to name a few. Finally, incidental information not necessarily related to your job or profession can also be necessary, such as computer programs and foreign languages you are reasonably proficient in.

Moving On

Now you need to decide what type of position and industry you are pursuing:

• Career Change
• Recent Graduate – Entry Level
• Promotion in the same field with the same company
• Similar job with a new employer
• Same profession with next logical, progressive position with the new employer
• Refocusing on an everyday or particular aspect of prior jobs 

Then you need to select the format which best suits your job search.

You may want to have more than one résumé, each focusing on a different objective. Both will share some factors, but the focus of each will differ with attention to the experiential skills inherent in that particular objective. For example, you may have worked in several department stores with Experience in sales/customer service, merchandising, and operations. One résumé might focus solely on being a retail sales associate and another on progressing to management in any industry listing all your supervisory/managerial functions. 

Setting Up the Draft and Taking the Next Step 

You will need to distribute the information from your biographical outline under the proper headings. Because it is a draft, it doesn’t have to be well written, but it should be clear enough to convey what your responsibilities and achievements were with complete information. The next step is to review in your mind whether you are comfortable with perfecting the draft.

At this point, if you are not confident about your writing ability or computer skills, you should consult a professional résumé writing and preparation service. The advantage is that they will have the expertise to polish your draft’s content, improve vocabulary, correct grammar, and showcase your talents in the best light. Additionally, it would be best if you considered having them create a companion cover letter that will complement the résumé and address the particular position you are seeking. As part of the preparation service, they will be able to tailor your material in the best format and style, rather than to use a pro forma template, and typeset the content in commercially acceptable software such as Microsoft Word so that you can email it to recruiters.

Even if you are prepared to finalize your draft, you would be well advised to submit your finished document to a professional résumé writing service for their objective review and critique. A subjective individual can inadvertently overlook critical details and nuances that will be noticed by the trained and observant eye of an experienced writer. 

Going Forward

Ideally, you should update your résumé every six months, but certainly once a year. You never know when the perfect opportunity presents itself, and time is of the essence to apply for the position. If your résumé is up to date, you can act immediately. Remember, good fortune smiles on those who are well prepared.

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Here’s the bad news: once you learn how to use the best job search engines, you will never have to go through that. You see, those so-called “job hunting” websites are nothing but scams. They prey upon the unsuspecting job seekers with unsolicited advertisements in hopes of getting them to drop their resumes and submit them to their websites. Many people fall for this ruse, quickly looking at the vast numbers of websites present on the internet. It’s hard to tell which websites are legit and which ones are not.

How do you find the best job search websites?

By taking a closer look at the site offers. A good resume site offers visitors to its website free tools and resources to help you find jobs, and these tools and resources should be freely available. Most of the best job search websites out there today even offer a comprehensive database that will allow you to sort your resumes by location, industry, skill.

Most job sites also offer job-hunting help guides. The best job search sites, rated highly, will have detailed information about approaching different companies. Besides, most of them provide forums and discussion groups for the top job hunting sites, allowing you to connect with other entry-level job seekers.

Many people tend to overlook the importance of social networking when searching for their dream job. Unfortunately, many dream jobs don’t end up in reality. However, top job sites understand this and continue to work hard to bring you the best job search results. They’ve done the research and worked hard to gain the best rankings from search engines and other websites; they are always on top of the first pages.

One of the ways they accomplish this is by using professional resume services. These services offer many valuable tools, including Google resume writing software. These programs enable you to create a professional-looking resume featuring your contact information, education, experience, and skills. You can also submit your resume to dozens of job boards, including Monster, Indeed, CareerBuilder, and Career Link.

Benefits of These Job Search Websites

One of the best features of these services is that they will distribute your resume to as many job searches as possible. With so many positions available, it’s essential to be noticed! Using a service like Google Resume, you can gain valuable exposure by building relationships with the best job search sites. You’ll never be on the first page, but getting ranked in the top five may be doable if you have good content and a well-written resume. Creating a targeted curriculum vitae using the Google app can also help you land that dream position if you do your homework.

To get started, take a look at the free Google Apps job search engine. This website allows you to run a free account and upload your resume to be seen by employers. Many websites offer a similar service, but the quality of these websites is questionable. The best websites include Monster, LinkedIn, and Career Builder.

On the job search sites, make sure your resume is keyword-rich. It is improbable that you will land the position you seek through an ad in a newspaper or classifieds online, so focus your attention on high-ranking websites like Monster, Careerbuilder, and Career Link. These three job boards rank the top on the general job boards, providing excellent support for job seekers.

The final piece of the puzzle for being found on the best job search sites and the most efficient way to submit a resume to multiple employers is to have an app on Google Play. Google has an excellent app store and offers thousands of apps, including Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Keep, Google+ Business, Google Maps, Google+, and many others. The app store contains several gems, including the Google PR Odyssey. The PR Odyssey provides access to a resume writing wizard, resume builder, and search optimization tool. These features are beneficial for job seekers who need a little help with their job search. Also, the PR Odyssey has a feature that allows applicants to post their application on the recruitment app’s front page, which increases their chances of being noticed by recruiters.

Every job seeker should use all three of the best job search sites and the top three portals listed above, but what if you don’t have an internet connection at home? Don’t worry because most of these websites offer mobile apps that allow you to search for jobs even when on the go. The mobile apps are beneficial because they are so convenient to take with you regardless of your location.

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