Resumes and Cover Letters

in a professional, tactful and understated way. B

Becoming an \"expert\" in your field of choice is great! It is better to let others know the value that you add when they become your colleague.

It is up to you to take the first steps to establish your expertise and build your professional reputation. Start marketing yourself by writing a blog, becoming a freelancer writer for the industry business journal, be recognized a fixture in an industry association and if possible, sit on an industry panel or, better yet, a speaker, at an industry function.

The more visible you become, opportunities will come across your plate frequently and in abundance.

Is right now!!!

This is not salesmanship. In brief, the reasons are:

1. Summer is usually slow because of summer vacations. Employers do not want to bring in new employees because the continuity of training new people is not available when staff is taking vacation time.

2. Now that the summer is almost over, people are back at their desks and the positions that are vacant need to be filled.

3. Most companies begin their annual budgeting process for calendar year budgets in September. If the position has been budgeted for but not filled, hiring managers may lose the opportunity to fill the position due to budget cuts.

Therefore, if you are looking for a new position, the time get the resume updated and start looking!

Beginning of the new year is also a great time to look because budgets are new and hiring managers are anxious to start the new year with a bang. However, take advantage of the spike in new job opportunities in the market - you will be glad that you did.

Read this article from Kevin Donlin of the Thesimplejobsearch.com - a great resource for job seekers.

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Start by visiting Craigslist.org to find your city or state. Then click on jobs, where you\'ll find listings ranging from Accounting, Engineering and Manufacturing, to Marketing, Software and Web Design.

\"You can browse job postings by headlines, but searching is more effective, especially in the busier communities. And it\'s best to search for skills rather than job titles,\" according to Jenna Lloyd author of the forthcoming book, \"Craiglist 4 Everyone\".

Example: If you want an administrative position, you could search for Secretary, Executive Assistant, Office Manager, etc., and still miss out on listings. But almost all administrative job postings mention typing or word processing, so searching for core skills like these can uncover a large number of relevant results, according to Lloyd.

Mark Chatham, from Ridgefield, NJ, found his current job on Craigslist in October 2006, when he was hired as a Managing Director for online retailer Big Joys Distribution.

\"I found their job posting on newjersey.craigslist.org, emailed my resume and was asked to interview a few days later,\" says Chatham.

Chatham must be doing something right -- he\'s landed four jobs on Craigslist. His advice is to position yourself as both qualified and memorable. His resume included the facts that he held a patent at age 18 and once appeared on the TV show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? \"Employers remembered me,\" he says.

Because employers receive an average of 51 replies for each job ad, according to Craigslist\'s own data you must work hard to stand out. Do this by writing a resume that connects with hiring managers, one that proves you understand their business and that you have the skills they want. \"I tweaked my resume each time to make it relevant to the job I was applying for,\" says Chatham.

One thing to keep in mind when using Craigslist is time management. You only have about 960 minutes per day to spend on a job search. So make sure you limit your time using online tools like Craigslist. Otherwise, you may find yourself wondering where another day went, and why you\'re no closer to finding a job.

Another issue is trust. A quick look through the job postings will turn up dozens of potential work-at-home scams and get-rich-quick schemes. In larger cities, there\'s a fee to post jobs on Craigslist, which weeds out most scammers, but this is not the case in smaller cities. So listen to
your instincts -- if a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If you\'re unsure about submitting personal information to an employer on Craigslist, don\'t. Simply send them a resume that masks your home address, names of your employers and other identifying data.

Also, it\'s important to follow directions when replying to a job posting on Craigslist (or anywhere). Pay close attention to what the employer asks for -- do they want you to email your resume as an attachment or paste it into the body of the email, for example. Because companies can afford to be picky, they may drop you from consideration if you botch instructions.

And don\'t forget the cover letter, even if it is only emailed. \"Take the time to write a message in your email that tells employers which ad on Craiglist you\'re responding to and where you saw it. Don\'t skip this last part!\" advises Lloyd.

A final note on Craigslist: To me, it\'s a throwback to the days of Usenet bulletin boards in the 1990s. You won\'t find any fancy graphics, audio or video here. But you will find the sort of DIY community spirit that helped build the Internet into what it\'s become. And that makes Craigslist worth a look if you\'re looking for work.

Focusing on your accomplishments rather than your specific responsibilities will help keep your resume concise. Resumes do not have to be long diatribes of details in order to be effective. I always stress to my clients that I want accomplishments (both numerical and quantitative) emphasized in the resume.

According to Lauren Mulligan of ResuMAYDay in Chicago, resumes are typically skimmed for a mere six to eight seconds. \"Make sure you\'re identifying the companies you worked for, how long you were there, and if you earned a promotion. Those are things that people look for immediately.\" Also, if your job title is long and vague, tighten it up so that people immediately understand what you\'ve done. For example, \"Marketing Manager\" is much more accessible than \"Global Identity Architect.\"

I agree with her, but be certain to make sure that the professional summary is strong and includes the key words related to your experience and the field of work you wish to pursue.

Accomplishment-driven resumes are much more productive than detail-oriented resumes that appear to be re-purposed job descriptions. She adds, \"If you are loaded up on peripheral stuff, it\'s too hard for a hiring manager to find your story.\"

Resumes with accomplishments will shorten your search cycle, position you in a better light and ultimately enable you to command higher compensation.

Abridged from Yahoo! Hotjobs

Do not ignore your cover letter. While resumes are the most important part of your package, you need to send a cover letter with each resume you email / fax /mail to each hiring manager. Your cover letter may make the difference between obtaining a job interview and sitting on the sidelines. Even if an employer doesn\'t request a cover letter, it\'s helpful to send one.

Personalize your letter. If you can, take five (5) minutes and find out the name of the hiring manager. Access you network, use the Internet or even make a phone call to find out who the hiring manager is. This is important and should not be comprised.

Your work DOESN\'T have to define you. It\'s possible to make a decent living without having to miss all your daughter\'s soccer games or go incommunicado with your buddies. Next time you get the urge to gripe about your life-absorbing job, redirect that energy towards improving your situation. Keep your eye on the prize, and in a few years\' time you could be juggling work and personal responsibilities like a pro. So what are you waiting for? Get started today by finding the career development program for you!

Source: Yahoo!

The rise of online networking sites has made it easier to connect with colleagues and learn about job openings. It\'s also part of a much larger trend in which more information about you may be available to anyone who\'s interested - including hiring managers, who often perform Internet searches on job candidates.

If you want to advance in your career, you need to make sure that both your online networking efforts and your overall Web presence are working for - not against - you. A good way to do so is by treating all of your online activity as part of a public relations campaign that presents a professional image for potential employers and colleagues alike. Use networking sites with care.

Professional networking sites make it easy to expand your web of business contacts, an essential element of any successful IT career. Valuable professional connections can also come from more socially oriented sites such as Facebook and MySpace. And remember, online networks aren\'t just job search tools; they can also help you stay up to date on industry trends and find mentors who can offer valuable career advice. Also, they can alert you to upcoming events and educational opportunities.

Source - ComputerWorld

Learn more about the business of the employer you work - or want to work - with. Understand the challenges and goals in a specific field so you can tailor your skills to help solve industry-specific problems in any position. For instance, the healthcare field has specific laws, processes, and limitations, and knowing these can help you use your time and capabilities in a way that specifically serves your employer. If you work with an employer that relies on sales, learn about sales and customer methodology so your efforts can directly, rather than generally, support the sales teams.

Are you taking a break from your job search and surrendering to the lazy days of summer? The conventional wisdom is that almost everyone is in vacation mode from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Consequently, many postpone job searching until September. Is this a mistake? Could you be missing opportunities if you take the summer off? We asked the career experts to find out.

\"I often hear job seekers say that they want to take the summer off,\" says Wendy Terwelp, career coach and president of Wisconsin-based career management firm Opportunity Knocks. Terwelp says that by the time the summer ends, job seekers who took the summer off will be competing against even more job seekers who have followed the same strategy.

Anne-Marie Ditta, president of First Impression Career Services, agrees. \"A fair number of job seekers think that recruiters and hiring managers are unavailable during the summer,\" Ditta says. Therefore, many believe it\'s a waste of time to job search from June through August. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Source - Monster Resume Expert

The Summary Statement is the bread and butter of your actual resume document. The summary serves as an introduction to you and the skills/talents/achievements that you offer the hiring manager. The Summary Statement sets the tone and is the first piece read by the hiring manager. Pay attention to what you say, and how you say it.

The Summary Statement is very different from the objective statement. I do not write Objective Statements on any resume with the exception for student resumes. After all, the objective is obvious - you want to get a job! Most writers and all templates that I have come across use Objective Statements. If you have been in the workforce for more than two (2) years, Objective Statements provide very little, if any value. If you feel the need to state an objective, do so in the cover letter.

The Summary Statement is always found above the scroll line. It is the single most important element in your resume. DO NOT WASTE this value \"real estate\" with some fu-fu Objective Statement such as \"I am seeking a position where I can enhance my skills and become a valued employee\". Makes me sick just writing that statement.

Ok - I am sure you get the point!

A personal network used to mean some friends from work, from church, and from the neighborhood. Before the Web was spun, our contacts were usually fairly narrow. Ideally, you already keep in touch with an assortment of former co-workers, colleagues and industry peers who will notify you about job leads before they go public. More important than what you know is who \"knows what you know\". Make sure you\'re on the radar of people who have access to the kind of job leads you want.

If you\'re looking to work for a specific company, the key is to connect with a current employee. That might mean asking contacts in your network. An easy way to accomplish this online is through online networking sites, where you can essentially connect with your friends\' friends. First, ask for an introduction. Then, if you\'re at a lower level, the social etiquette is to say you want an informational interview. If you\'re at a high level, say you want to talk about the market and where the industry is going.

after all, the resume is a marketing tool. You have worked hard and the resume is designed to enable you to tell hiring managers why you are the right person for the job you are seeking.

Go ahead - give yourself credit. Toot your own horn and tell them what you think you could really bring to the table. State your accomplishments. Explain how your work led to increases in revenue, decreases in expenses or better processes and protocols. But promote yourself in a professional manner, not like a boxer who is fighting for the world championship or football player who just scored his first touchdown.

5. Watch your attitude. Now is not the time to complain constantly. If you have constructive ways to make the workplace better, present them in a professional manner. Do not whine or complain excessively. A reputation as a morale-killer can lose you your job.

If the time has come for you to pursue a new and better opportunity, you should take stock about where you are in your career, where you want to go for your next step and what skills and accomplishments you can build on.

A new web publisher provides a free career testing service that helps you prepare and best position your talents for the job market. To access this test (about 10 - 15 minutes tops), visit http://www.hireaspirationsusa.com. Take the test and let me know your thoughts.

Many organizations like to put candidates in one room and have 3 - 5 associates \"grill\" them with questions. Not my favorite method but it is becoming more and more popular. You may wish to read this enlightening article by Joann Lubin in today\'s Wall Street Journal.

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Anxious about meeting a key hiring manager? Your job-search jitters may soon intensify when you confront the ultimate stress test: a panel of interviewers.

Group grilling has long been popular among academics, government agencies and nonprofit organizations -- sectors that prefer decisions by a consensus of constituencies. As the job market becomes more competitive for people at every level, this practice is spreading to law firms, management consultancies and high-tech businesses. Employers, who now have the luxury of being picky with candidates, see selection committees as an efficient way to measure applicants\' mettle under fire.

To read the rest of the article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121244844150939511.html?mod=todays_us_nonsub_pj

When you search for a new opportunity, remember that manners and courtesy are just as important as your qualifications. Don\'t kid yourself - people lose out on great opportunities because they leave proper etiquette at the door.

Keep the following in mind (sounds obvious but I have encountered many screw-ups during my years interviewing people for positions at all levels):

1) Write thank-you notes to interviewers after you had the interview. Recap your desire for the position and your key qualifications.

2) Address correspondence to the correct parties. \"To Whom It May Concern\" lands in the circular file.

3) Use a firm handshake. Crushing to see who\'s the strongest is a no-no and the \"limp fish\" lacks enthusiasm.

4) Wear clean, pressed, well-fitting, appropriate clothing to your interview.

5) If you\'re on a lunch interview, wait until the interviewer orders so that you order something comparable. Don\'t order messy foods or finger foods. And do not order a beer, wine or cocktail!!!

A hybrid resume is a combination of the chronological and functional formats. The format works for professionals who have built a record of successes in one field but wish to explore opportunities in another field. Strong hybrid resumes list both skills and the chronological work history that recruiters are looking for.

Make no mistake, staying on top of the news and trends of your industry are an integral part your job search. In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by Beta Research Corporation, on behalf of The New York Times Job Market, the majority of employers (85%) surveyed agree that keeping up-to-date in a candidates field of expertise is a very important tool for conducting a successful job search.

So, whether you\'re looking to move up or to move on, reading business and trade publications can definitely help you move right in to the job of your dreams! For starters, being fluent on the latest trends in your profession can be invaluable while networking or interviewing. These magazines keep you sharp, well informed, articulate and in-demand!

Put these \"Seven Secrets\" of a \'Short and Sweet\' Cover Letter into practice and get your phone ringing next week:

1. Write a cover letter that fits on one page - MAX - three paragraphs total!

2. Give your letter plenty of \'white space\' by creating generous margins and double spacing between paragraphs.

3. Use bullets and numbered lists when appropriate. This allows for easy scanning.

4. Start the first sentence of each paragraph with bold-faced type to draw in the reader.

5. Create paragraphs with three to four well-written sentences each. Convey your passion and enthusiasm to be interviewed for the position being offered.

6. Print out the completed letter and scan it for that \'easy on the eyes\' appearance. Remember, less is more.

7. Clearly and directly ask for the opportunity to be interviewed!

(courtesy of Jimmy Sweeney, President of Career Jimmy)

Go beyond your expectations. Look for ways to go beyond what you\'ve been told to do. Volunteer for additional tasks. But be careful! Don\'t volunteer for more than you can handle. You want to be known as a go-getter who gets the job done well.

You should do some research on the companies you are applying to. These days, it\'s so easy to do that - almost every company has a web site. It doesn\'t take long to check out a web site and read some information.

You should look and see what kind of feeling it gives you about the company. Check out their mission and values statement. Does it fit in with your values, and your long-term career goals?

Source: J. Givler Consulting

Sal Iannuzzi, CEO for Monster Worldwide, was featured in today\'s Wall Street Journal. As part of the interview, Sal provided five tips for today\'s job seekers. His tips are fundamental and make sense.

• Stay focused on what you want to do and the type of position you are looking for.
• Seek jobs that are relevant and build onto your long-term goals.
• Cast a wide net; your dream job may be hiding in a company or industry you never considered before.
• Be diverse, as jobs with different responsibilities provide valuable experiences.
• Keep building on those experiences. Eventually, you\'ll be able to apply what you\'ve learned to just about anything and be successful.

Divide your time. If you\'re focusing most of your efforts on searching job listings and sending out resumes, incorporate more networking into your routine. Spend at least half your time establishing new contacts. The people you meet could provide you with job-search advice or clue you in to new opportunities.

You\'ve prepared for your next job interview by researching the company, brushing up on your sales pitch and pressing your suit. But one key task remains: Figuring out what to expect as compensation. While the belt may be tightening, you can still negotiate yourself a nice raise and compensation package if you leverage your unique skills.

Keep in mind the demand for someone with your skill set and what your contribution can be to the firm. Make sure your resume is ladened with your successes. Research other positions with similar titles and see what the pay range is (see www.salary.com).

If you due your homework and come more prepared than the hiring manager, you will get the compensation package you desire.

We are all adults, but nothing wrong with a little homework.

This spring, 1.5 million university graduates will enter the worst job market in years, thanks to an economy on the brink of recession. But appearances can be deceiving, and the sinking economy may not translate into a poor market for these grads. That\'s not to say it\'ll be a cinch for every graduate to find a job. Some industries are hot; others have gone cold. And each person\'s job search depends on everything, from education to effort.

The U.S. economy is shedding jobs, retail sales are down, and consumer confidence has plummeted -- all signs of a downturn that keeps getting worse. New college grads always offer one advantage: They cost less. Regardless of whether we\'re in a recession or not companies are not cutting back on their new hires because they tend to be less expensive. Even with that, the National Association of Colleges and Employers predicts an average starting salary of US$49,300 a year, up 4% from a year ago.

There\'s also the perennial corporate goal of plucking the best employees from each graduating class. That\'s particularly important now as millions of Baby Boomers rapidly approach retirement. There\'s a demographic shift going on, and by 2011 there\'ll be wholesale retirements,\" said John Challenger, chief executive of Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., a Chicago outplacement firm. \"So you better keep the pipeline filled. Workforce planning specialists feel they can\'t let a single hiring season go by.\"

Reprinted from www.financialpost.com

Improve your skill set. Are your skills obsolete? Take extra classes to brush up the latest skills. If career improvement seminars are offered at work, attend them. You want to show your employer that you are still viable in the workplace, and that you have the necessary training to continue doing a good job.

Source: JobJournal.com

Boost your visibility. You want to be noticed in a positive way. Make sure you are on time to work, and that you limit your vacation time. Also, if you are making solid contributions, make sure that they are noticed. You don't have to be obnoxious about it, but you should make sure that your boss is aware of what you add to the company. You want to be known. The first people fired are those with a negative impression. The next to go are those that are unnoticed and therefore expendable.

CareerBuilder.com created CBsalary.com to offer its users a free salary calculator. CBsalary.com is an easy tool with which to search salaries for thousands of jobs. This is a good tool to use when preparing to launch your search.

CBsalary.com is easy-to-use and provides great value. Fast and intuitive, it is worth your time to incorporate into your strategy.

The Wall Street Journal is a favorite of mine. This act is in today's Journal.

If you've been in the same industry for decades, changing careers might seem daunting. But, for many recovering executives, nonprofits, career coaching or making a clean break are all real options.

To access the rest, please view the following URL:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120767069301298203.html?mod=CarJMain_topmiddle

While a recession may not be inevitable, the economy is showing slowed growth, and this could mean that some companies consider downsizing. Worries about a U.S. recession have many also worrying about their jobs.

You want to make sure that you can keep your job if times get tougher. Below are five things you can do to improve your chances of being kept on.

1. Come up with ways to cut costs. See areas of waste at your company? Point out practical ways to improve efficiency and cut costs in the workplace. Obviously, now is not the time to ask for a raise. Bonus: If you can see a potential new revenue stream that requires a low (or better yet, no) cost investment, get that going. Someone who is innovative at stretching resources is more valuable than someone who does nothing more than consume them.


Courtesy of AllBusiness.com

There is a lot of hoopla over the recession. Or coming recession. But the truth is that the job market is just fine, according to Penelope Trunk who writes the Brazen Careerist blog. The health of today's job market is not so much a function of economic indicators as it is a function of demographic trends.

Employers are also receiving fewer hours of work per person from post-Boomers because of their focus on family (Gen X) and entrepreneurship (Gen Y). Due to these factors, the employee shortage is increasing. Employees will be in high demand for the next decade and demand will continue to be strong. Polls conducted by Robert Half show that most companies will continue to ramp up hiring.

So listen to talk of recession, but don't let it get you down. There are a few precautions you should take in case you get laid off or downsized. But really, don't decrease your expectations for your job just because housing prices are tanking and hedge-fund managers are suffering. Keep your chin up, and your expectations for your employment up as well. This might just be a surprisingly great time for your career.

Source: JobJournal.com

Take stock of your finances. Identify and prioritize your bills and debt. An immediate need for cash flow may require you to take a temporary assignment. It can give you a sense of productivity and give you some good experience.

Do not let your ego get in the way of your search. Picking up a side job is a good thing for your morale, ego, family and pocketbook. I have a friend who has let his ego get in the way of practicality and his ill-advised decision may cost him his family, friends, not to mention his career.

Stay productive and gain a new perspective. It is a good thing - healthy for the mind and soul.

Make a list of contacts from your friends, family, colleges, former companies, charities and volunteer organizations. Reach out and tell them what kind of position you would like. Find a contact who can introduce you to a decision maker at companies where you want to work.

This is the fundamentals of networking. Take this seriously because in the end, networking is always the best way to find a job.

From: Job Seeker Weekly

Now that you have "detoxed" from the last experience, the time has come to update the resume and get the ball rolling. The resume is your marketing tool to the hiring managers.
The resume represents a brand - YOU. Make sure your resume targets the position you want, your key accomplishments and measurable results of those accomplishments (IMPORTANT). Be certain that the key words are prominently displayed on the resume. Post your resume on the Internet at general and industry specific job boards, as well as, social networking sites like LinkedIn. Utilize your network (MOST IMPORTANT) and professional associations (GREAT RESOURCE) whenever possible. Make sure it gets in the hands of executive recruiters as well. You don't want to leave any stone unturned.

Partial Credit to Jobseekerweekly.com

In order to best plan your search, you will need to assess your value. Conduct research using websites, recruiters, career coaches and others in similar positions to the one you're seeking to determine what salary and benefits you can request. Make a checklist of your skills and identify those that are transferable to other industries that are in a growth mode.

Salary.com is a great website for you to start your research. Your research should not take more than 30 minutes so please, do not be fearful - this is time well spent.

You need to get your ducks in a row and plan your job search strategy. Despite the need to mobilize a quick job search, you need to think it through. Take some time to step back and create a thoughtful and measured approach to your job hunt. Carefully pick your channels (i.e. - networking, Internet, trade associations, magazines, newspapers, job fairs, recruiters). Be specific about the position you want and target 10 - 15 companies where you want to work.

The more calculating you are, the better the results,

This week, I will be writing about actions you need to take when you unexpectedly lose your job.

First - do not dwell on why the company closed or had unannounced layoffs. Once you understand the issues, move forward with the experience of what happened. You can learn from the experience and use this background to your advantage in your next position. But to sit with family, friends and colleagues and perpetually speak about the issues and people involved is not a productive use of your time.

To begin, identify and prioritze your bills and debt. An immediate need for cash flow may require you to take a temporary assignment. It can give you a sense of productivity and give you some good experience.

Tomorrow - Building your job search strategy!

Suppose you're already out of work. Take advantage of it. The old thinking was that workers could only gain and expand skills at a regular job. The new thinking is that there's plenty of growth to be found elsewhere, and a traditional job can even prove stifling. Generation Y-ers are driving this new concept of success.

This line of thinking can be success across all generations. Instead of holding on to rigid ideas of what work should be, open up to new ways of thinking. A new outlook and approach like this will help you hold on to your current job, or pave the way to your new career.

From the Jobseekerweekly.com Newsletter

The most effective job hunts are team efforts. Ask people about the companies they know and where you'd fit. Ask people to recommend managers who will teach you a lot. Ask people for advice on positioning yourself in your resume. Ask people to introduce you to their friends. Most people will help you if you ask -- we all want to feel useful.

From Yahoo!

Someone recently asked me about using percentages in a resume and whether or not it was the right thing to do.

My answer - ABSOLUTELY!!! If a percentages helps you deal the story about a revenue increase or expense decrease, use the percentage. It is acceptable and encouraged as part of your marketing strategy in the resume. We are all evaluated by the results we produce. Percentages help us understand the results and by all means should be included where beneficial.

If your resume isn't generating the responses you want, perhaps it is because you are sending the document to the your party or a generic email address. As a matter of fact, emailing your resume addressed to the actual decision maker almost always guarantees that your resume makes it to that person's desk, without getting lost in email.

I suggest that you take a few minutes and conduct some due diligence on the company and learn the name of the hiring manager and his/her email address. It may take some ingenuity to get past the gatekeeper, but that is all part of the game. Usually getting the name is easy but the email address is harder.

Try this - if the gatekeeper will not provide an email address, ask them if they will forward the resume for you. At that point, they most likely will give you their email address. As long as you have the name of the hiring manager, you should be able to figure out their email address by the structure of the gatekeeper's email address.

A bit tricky, but sometimes you have to think outside the box to get what you want.

You can also try faxing the resume. Just ask for the departmental fax number. Address the cover sheet properly and the resume will get to the hiring manager.

Good Luck!

From Resume Writer Julie Ghatan:

It is very common and advisable in certain cases to remove very brief (1 - 9 months) positions from the resume to avoid the appearance that the candidate is a job hopper. Often, a hiring manager may wonder what happened in such a short period of time to make the applicant decide to abandon his position. The job of a resume writer is to make the client as marketable as possible and place the client in the best light possible without deceiving the hiring manager.

When you decide to look for a new job it's typically for one of two reasons.

1) You don't like your current job
2) You lost your job

Our first inclination is to get another job doing the same exact thing, as quickly as possible. Take some time to think. Do you like your career? Do you like the field you work in? What might make you happier? The earlier you do this in your career the better.

One lament I hear from more experienced job seekers is that they feel trapped. Because they are senior and because they've only worked in one area, every new job needs to be in the same exact industry and job title. That doesn't necessarily have to be the case. And now that you're changing jobs, reassess your priorities and make sure you're not just blindly jumping into the next job.

Courtesy of JobSeeker Weekly

If you are asked your salary requirements early in the hiring process the company is using this question as a pre-screening tool. Be careful! If you answer too high you may disqualify yourself from the running and if you answer too low you may be depriving yourself of a much higher salary once hired.

Consider the following responses:
1. Negotiable
2. Depends on the benefits package
3. Share the salary range you have researched

Try the following approach:
"That's a great question that I will be able to answer later in the interview process once I know more about the position and its challenges, I should be able to accurately answer your question. Still, I have done research on www.salary.com, so I'd be looking for a position within the $k-$k base salary range. Clearly, you will want to be confident that I'm the right person for this position, as well, before discussing salary and benefit information with me...am I correct in assuming that?"

Excerpt from Salary.com

Interesting question. Easy answer.

If you want someone to read the resume, then you have to give them the best chance to read it. What do I mean? Well, when you come in the office and check your morning email, I bet that you find you have "email overload" from senders who email during off-hours. Many times, I bet you do not have the time to read all of the email. Well, hiring managers have this issue as well. Many people send their resumes from home in the evening. This resumes get caught in all the email clutter.

If at all possible, find a way to stay away from the clutter. Try emailing, if possible, between 10am and 3pm M- F. This way, the reader will likely be at his/her desk and the clutter of last night's email will be minimized. This theory applies for regular business email as well.

Give this theory a try. Let me know if it works for you.

Sandy Vandiver, a client of mine, just shared an interesting bit of information. If you send your resume via a Craigslist posting and the file is more than 150kb, the message will not be delivered. This will occur only when you are sending the resume in a .PDF file. Therefore, I suggest that when you are sending your credentials via an ad on CL, send the MS Word document and not a .PDF. A .PDF is usually 3x larger than the MS Word document and apparently this is a new problem that all job seekers must be cognizant of throughout their search.

Here are five mistakes job seekers should avoid:

1) Fire ... ready, aim. Don't waste your time shooting out resumes before you've aimed for your ideal job. Think before you send.

2) Assuming you're on a first-name basis. Never call your interviewer by his or her first name, including interviewers younger than you, says career expert Sally Haver. Until you hear, "You can call me Fred," or the equivalent, address the interviewer formally.

3) Your life's an open book. Keep your private life private by making your social profiles closed to the public.

4) Winging it. "One of the biggest turn-offs for a hiring manager is when a candidate they are interviewing has not done the research necessary to understand both the position and the company they are applying for," says Kip Hollister of Hollister Inc., a New England staffing firm.

5) Neglecting your appearance. Don't dress too sexy, too casual or wear too much jewelry. Instead, dress for the position you want to have.

Courtesy of CareerBuilder

Hiring managers search for keywords that are related to the job they are attempting to fill when they read resumes, whether they be online, via email or in print. Therefore, your resume needs to have keywords that are easily recognizable to the reader. Having the correct keywords in the content will help separate you from the masses who you are competing against for the the position. This is a fundamental of resume writing that I strongly recommend you do not ignore.

When you attend the interview, you will need to bring a printed version of the resume.

1. Use white or light-colored 8 1/2 x 11 paper, printed on one side only. Provide a laser printed original if possible. A typewritten original or a high quality photocopy is OK. Avoid dot matrix printouts and low quality copies.

2. Do not fold or staple.

3. Use standard typefaces such as Helvetica, Futura, Optima, Universe, Times, Palatino, New Century Schoolbook, and Courier.

4. Use a font size of 10 to 12 points.

5. Don't condense spacing between letters.

6. Use boldface and/or all capital letters for section headings as long as the letters don't touch each other.
Avoid fancy treatments underline, shadows, and reverse (white letters on black background).

In general, your cover letters allow you to expand upon and emphasize particular aspects of your resume -- based upon the requirements of the particular position you're seeking. Therefore, consider what the specific organization needs and address your letter to those needs. Many recruiters can spot form letters and don't take them as seriously as letters adapted to their specific company, so write a carefully adapted letter rather than a generic one that you send to every company to get your foot in the door for an interview.

There are several important factors and strategies within your control that need your attention in order to maximize your job search efforts. Consider the following questions to determine if you might be undermining your own success. By focusing on these questions, you might reverse your pattern and realize your goal.

1. Do you present yourself in a professional way? Appear well groomed and you may get a second interview.

2. Are your resume and cover letter tailored to the specific job and skill requirements? Tweek your resume & cover letter for each you you apply to.

3. Do you consistently follow through? A thank you note can be a determining factor in getting a second interview.

4. Is your job search strategy diversified? Looking for jobs online is convenient, but it shouldn't be your only strategy.

5. Do you indulge in negative thinking? Stay positive and be open to support from others.

The new year in beginning and with the flip of the calendar, hiring season is in full bloom. Here are some cover letter tips for your campaign.

Subject - Networking with colleagues and friends.

* Always read a one page letter!
* Always remind the recipient how you are acquainted
* List your abilities and strengths.
* Always include one significant accomplishment
* Ask for job leads and referrals (this is what networking is about).
* Always ask if you can send along a copy of your resume - do not attach at copy (you, not the recipient, is conducting the job search)
* Send a thank you note to those who respond.

The specialized job boards are far more effective than the broad-based boards (i.e. - Hotjobs; Monsters). Joel on Software -- that's a great one if you are a programmer. But if you're a generalist, don't think a generalist job board will help. Fewer than 10 percent of all jobs are filled via those big boards. Your best bet is always networking. Trade Magazines and Industry Associations are another great resource for finding new opportunities.

Keywords are vital for online resumes for two reasons:

1. Resumes are read on the monitor and need to be formatted with keywords at the top of the page.

2. Corporate recruiters and search firms are using software packages that scan resumes for pre-selected keywords. Therefore be sure to include words that are common in your industry. And remember, always spell out the acroymns!!!

Show your interest in the company by asking the interviewer specific questions. It shows you've done your research and it makes the interview more of a conversation. It also shows how you think--that you reviewed the information and you want to know more.

Hiring Manager know two things about their budgets:

1. If they have a position in their budget that they have not filled, they need to or they lose the funding.

2. They know what is in their approved budget for next year and are ready to start interviewing for a January 2 hire.

Most hiring managers prefer to hire through networking or referrals. Candidates through these channels are pre-qualified, saving the hiring manager time and energy looking for top candidates. It also savings on advertising or headhunter expenses. Plus, if they hire a candidate for a January 2 start date, then they are ready to begin the new year on the right track - producing results faster and more efficiently.

So, what are you waiting for. Get a jump start and begin your job search today! Get your resume in line and start networking. This is solid advice and those who follow it will be pleased with the result.

Career Objective versus Professional Profile

Question I am asked often - Should I list a Objective or a Professional Summary on my resume? While an interviewer may be slightly interested in what you want to do with your future, he/she will be much more interested in what you can do and what skills you have amassed.

The Professional Summary should be the first section of your resume. In most cases, the summary the single most important part of the resume. Always appearing at the top of the resume, the summary is a concise, one paragraph description of your tangible and intangible skills. The summary is your marketing statement. It must be strong and pop off the monitor (for my new readers, resumes should be written for reading on a monitor). If the summary lacks depth and excitement, then most likely you will not get called into the interview.

This is the new gospel. Summary > Objectives. Take that to the vault - it is the truth.

Unless an ad states that "only submissions including salary requirements will be considered," your best option is to address the question without actually answering it, by using a statement such as: “Salary is fully negotiable,” or “Salary is negotiable, dependent upon the responsibilities of the position.” If your skills and background are an obvious fit for the position being targeted, this will probably be sufficient. It also shows your reader that you did recognize the question and didn't simply ignore the answer. You'll place this statement toward the end of your cover letter.
(from www.1st-writer.com)

Personality can be just as important as your skills. If the hiring manager as read the resume, the will already believe that you have the necessary track record and skill set. At this point, they it is just as important to make sure your personality is a "fit". Smile and be yourself. Make eye contact. And speak frankly during the meeting. Fabricated answers come across more easily that you realize. Do not let the interview think you are "stiff". Keep small talk to a minimum and let your professionalism and personality stand up - you will be happy you did.

No, not who's your daddy? Who is your boss - enquiring minds want to know.

If you have reported to someone important such as a vice president or department manager, say so in your resume. This indicates that you know how to deal with people across all levels of an organization. Communication skills are important, especially in big companies. Make sure you add information to the resume and cover letter that will position you as a communicator.

Frank Guidice, a noted job guidance consultant, published this datapoint recently. Without question, this is a line item you should consider when building your resume.

"78% of all hiring managers prefer a chronological resume, a resume organized by dates of previous work experience."

Functional resumes do serve a purpose (ie career change) and I do write some functional resumes on occasion. However, I advocated Mr. Guidice's stance - chronological resumes are the standard and when searching for work, always error on the side of being conservative when it comes to your formatting (except - graphic designers). You should use formats that are clean, easy to read and do not have the template or "boxy" look (pre-formatted).

If you are applying to tons of openings and not getting them, think about whether your resume stands out enough to get a job in the field you're pursuing. If you are working hard to find a job and are not getting calls for an interview, it's safe to say that you need to change what you're doing.

Call a professional and ask them to critique your resume and your career objective. Good resume writers will provide career advice when a resume is obviously not up to speed.

Yes, you might think this is self-servicing, but keep and open perspective and you will understand what I am writing.

In this business, you pay for what you get. Nice cliche, but it is true. When you hire a writer who tells you that they will write a resume and cover letter for you, all for the grand total of $99 - BEWARE. Why the cause for concern? Well, for $99 - you will receive a template resume and cover letter, mostly likely a Microsoft template, that looks horrible in the monitor and on paper. It exhibits LAZINESS.

I think of templates and I cring. You can hire a professional writer who will create a customized document that is professional in look and feel, ladened with keywords and positions you for the interview and the chance at a new position and a raise. Sending the hiring manager a template is a mistake. Sending the hiring manager a customized, professional product is the best practice you can incorporate into your search campaign.

Employers typically spend 5 to 10 seconds reviewing your resume, so applicants must find ways to quickly and effectively tell the hiring manager about their experience and skill set.

Your resume is your personal brand and brands need to have a great first impression. The professional summary is the first thing the reader sees. Therefore, it makes sense to be certain that this element is powerful. The professional summary must be ladened with keywords and jump off the monitor screen. The professional summary tells hiring managers why they must consider you for the position.

Therefore, make sure that your professional summary is strong. Make certain the summary is well-written and clear in its intent. The better the professional summary, the more interviews you will take in.

Before building your resume, write down a list of 10 - 15 keywords that best describe your current position or the industry the you are working in. Be certain to include this keywords in the Professional Summary and, at the minimum, your two most recent positions. And yes, it is OK to put them into bold face or italics print to help them stand out.

It is ok to be professional aggressive and make your keywords standout.

A pristine credit report can provide an edge in seeking employment, and a bad report can cost you your dream job.

More and more employers are using credit reports to screen employees. The use of credit checks has increased 55 percent since 2000, according to a 2006 national survey conducted by Harris Interactive for Spherion Corp., a leading recruiting and hiring firm. The survey found more than a third of companies were checking credit reports in 2004.

Employers can ask to see your credit report if you are a job applicant or being evaluated for a promotion, reassignment or retention, according to the Federal Trade Commission. However, the employer must have your written permission.
Employers left with a bad impression have to notify you of this and provide you with a copy of your report as well as a summary of your rights. If they've chosen someone else for the job or taken an adverse action, such as a dismissal and the report influenced the decision, they will have to notify you and provide contact information for getting a free credit report. The report is free for 60 days.

When you are in the interview, please be certain that your answers to specific questions parallel line items on your resume. If, for example, discuss your experiences as a marketer, experiences that qualify for a particular position or certification, tie it into your narrative, e.g., "When I managed multiple direct mail initatives, I learned that ..." Build on your resume, but don't refer directly to it (assuming the interviewer has it in his or her possession); make sure the connections are there, but do it subtly.

If your job hunting includes email - 95% of all seekers do use email, then you need to use email the correct way.

I suggest:

1. Do not copy and paste your cover letter or resume into the email client unless the hiring manager specifically requests that you do so. (Honestly, if they request this, then they have a problem with their virus software - but that is another discussion)

2. Create an email signature for yourself. Here is mine as an example:

Allan J. Brown
MARKETING AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
TRADITIONAL AND ONLINE PUBLISHING

San Francisco, CA 94123 USA
415.292.4754
allan.brown@pacbell.net
www.allan-brown.com
SKYPE - allancall

3. Create a short 1 - 2 line blurb that serves as an introduction and purpose statement. Make the line unique from your cover letter.

Here is an example:

Amy,

In reference to your posting on ___________, I have attached a copy of my resume and cover letter for review by you and your colleagues.

I have been afforded the opportunities in my career to build a track record of successes as a marketer in the fields of magazine publishing and online marketing. I am looking to secure a challenging opportunity where I can make a contribution that will meet, if not exceed, the standards of the management team. Any assistance that you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to speaking directly with you in the near term.


Sincerely,

First Name, Last Name

This small strategy will help improve your results.

I have written about this issue in the past but I believe it needs to be brought up again since I am receiving an
inordinate amounts of requests for resumes for professionals looking to change careers (I know that working for employers of any size is hard, but the amount of disgruntled employees seems to be growing rapidly - this is for another blog entry).

For those who do not know the difference between chronological and functional resumes, including the scenarios of when to utilize a specific format, please read below.

The Chronological format is widely preferred by employers, and works well if you're staying in the same field (especially if you've been upwardly-mobile). Only use a Functional format if you're changing fields, and you're sure a skills-oriented format would show off your transferable skills to better advantage; and be sure to include a clear chronological work history!

This is a test.

Golden rule in resume writing (and all writing for that matter):

When using numbers, also spell out 1 - 9 as a word and not a numeral. Any number over 10 can be kept in numerical form.

Right - Managed eight accountants.
Wrong - Increased sales by 7 accounts in first month.

Right - Oversaw 12 retail stores.
Wrong - Ran 7 delivery routes.

it is time to reemphasis this issue, especially for departmental managers, directors, sales people, marketers as well as anyone with a numerical goals (customer service/call center) or budgetary responsibility.

Whenever feasible, utilize numbers, percentages, financial figures (budgets and revenue) These line items will stand out in your resume, especially if the resume is Internet ready. Don't be shy, the more quality figures the better.

Examples:
- Managed a department of 10 with a budget of $1,000,000.
- Increased sales by 25% in a 15-state territory.
- Exceeded sales quota by 166% in FY2006.
- Decreased operating expenses by $42K in first quarter through more efficient and effective utilization of existing resources
- Contributions to the launch of the new software packages resulted in an increase in revenue of $325K in just one month.

Get the picture. Numbers and figures work. No need to be humble, utilizing them will increases your chances for landing the interview.

In the body of your resume, use bullets with short sentences rather than lengthy paragraphs. Resumes are read quickly. This bulleted sentence format makes it easier for someone to quickly scan your resume and still absorb it. Infact, it is ok to use bold face print to highlight key words in the bullet.