Cover
Letters & Resumes
What
are Resume Keywords?
What's all this talk about keywords? We're told they're essential to
a job search -- we should use them in our resume and cover letters and
use them when searching for job openings. But what are they really,
and how do you know you're using the right ones?
When
Your Skills Aren't a Perfect Match
In the course of a job search, it's very common for job seekers to locate
openings that closely match their skills and experience but are not
a perfect fit. So what do you do when the description fits you to a
tee but your skills fall just a little short? Overwhelmingly, experts
say that you should not be discouraged and should apply for the job.
Consider these dos and don'ts for getting noticed for the skills you
do have instead of those you lack.
The
Resume-Interview Connection
Back in the 1950's, a Time magazine reporter interviewed a world-famous
pianist about his work. The reporter asked: "What's most challenging
about playing the piano?" The pianist thought for a moment and
replied: "I do OK with the notes, but the spaces between the notes
give me lots of trouble."
Seven
Signs It's Time to Toss Your Resume
They've reviewed millions of résumés and seen it all.
From the candidate whose stated objective was to "seek a high-paying,
relaxing job" to the software developer who included a photo of
himself bare-chested, cavorting in the surf.
Is
Your Résumé a Lie?
A résumé is a marketing tool - it should showcase your
experience and qualifications in the most succinct and relevant way
possible. And that often means being selective in the kind of information
that you include or crafty in your wording.
Cover
Letter Dos and Don'ts
Most people are familiar with the importance of a well-constructed resume,
and put a fair amount of time into creating one. But just as important
is the cover letter that accompanies and introduces your resume.
15
Tips for Writing Winning Resumes
The thought of writing a resume intimidates almost anyone. It's difficult
to know where to start or what to include. It can seem like an insurmountable
task. Here are 15 tips to help you not only tackle the task, but also
write a winning resume.
Covering
Your Bases: Make Your Cover Letter Count
Is a well-prepared resume enough to convince potential employers that
you should be called in for an interview? Don't be too sure. Not including
a cover letter with your resume?even when you submitted it online?is
passing up a key opportunity to sell your skills. A recent nationwide
survey by Accountemps found that 60 percent of executives believe the
cover letter is either as important as or more critical than the resume.
Deciphering
Resume Types
Creating a resume is the very best way to document your career and accomplishments.
If you build and maintain one as you move along your career path, you'll
be able to capture key achievements and results while they are still
fresh in your mind.
Ten
Ways to Botch Your Resume
More often than not, the company's first impression of you comes in
the form of a resume, a simple piece of paper that includes your entire
work and educational history, typically on one to two pages. With such
limited space to convey such important information, it pays to make
sure you get it right the first time.
Simple
Steps to Shape Up Your Résumé
Writing a résumé is a lot like hitting the gym: It requires
initiative, energy and dedication, and, at times, it can be daunting.
In the long run, however, the hard work pays off and allows you to put
your best foot forward with prospective employers.
What
Employers Think When They Read Your Résumé
If you're like most job seekers, the hiring process can sometimes make
you scratch your head in confusion. For example, how many times have
you come across the "perfect" position, quickly submitted
your résumé and eagerly anticipated the hiring manager's
call... only to hear nothing from the company?
Keeping
Your Résumé Out of the "No" Pile
The last time you applied for a job and didn't get an interview, was
your résumé tossed on the "no" pile after someone
skimmed it for only a few seconds, or did the employer read it carefully
and you just missed making the cut?
Eight
Ways to Maximize Your Cover Letter's Power
Like peanut butter and jelly or bacon and eggs, résumés
and cover letters go hand-in-hand. Although both pieces are valuable
on their own, they pack the most punch when served together. But while
all job seekers know the importance of a well-organized résumé,
many don't understand the power of a strong cover letter.
Seven
Things to Know Before Writing Your First Résumé
There are many rites of passage in every young person's life. Getting
your driver's license, graduation day and turning 21 are just a few.
But another rite of passage can be even more important to your future
-- writing your first résumé.
Your
Résumé: The Key to Getting an Interview
The waiting -- endless waiting -- for the phone to ring with the hope
that, maybe, just maybe, one of the résumés you sent out
this week will get through to the right person... and he'll like what
he sees.
25
Words That Can Hurt Your Résumé
Often, when job seekers try to sell themselves to potential employers,
they load their résumés with vague claims that are transparent
to hiring managers, according to Scott Bennett, author of "The
Elements of Résumé Style" (AMACOM). By contrast,
the most successful job seekers avoid these vague phrases on their résumés
in favor of accomplishments.
Making
Your Résumé E-Friendly: 10 Steps
It is important to provide a short, clear and concise electronic résumé!
Some scanning systems and databases stop reading résumés
after a certain number of lines, often after about one and a half pages,
so be sure that your most important information appears early in the
résumé.
Five
Ways to Transform Your Resume From Ho-hum to Wow
There's no question that your resume is a vital tool in any job search.
Unfortunately, some job seekers' run-of-the-mill resumes actually hurt
their chances of finding the right job. If you have had the same resume
for a long time and just are not getting the response you had hoped
for, it might be time for a "resume makeover." Here are five
resume makeover tips that might put you back on the right path.
Five
Reasons You Should Post Your Resume
Which is the best online approach for finding a better job? Posting
a resume? Or searching and applying online? The answer is, "BOTH!"
You need to be doing both.
Hook
'Em With Your Application
When you're ready for a new job, you buy the thickest job search book
at Borders, find a cover letter and resume that look good to you, tailor
them to your personal information, and, voila, you're ready to start
your job search. Your cover letter sounds professional, there are no
typos in your resume and you have all the skills required for the position.
But you're not getting any interviews.
Resume
Distribution Secrets
Just because you've completed your resume doesn?t guarantee anyone will
see it! We've gathered some helpful tips for effective resume distribution
to ensure you get your resume into the hands of the right recruiters
and human resource departments.
Do's
and Don'ts of Proofreading
A job candidate recently applied for a clerk's position at a newspaper.
In addition to her letter of application she was asked to fill out a
standard employment application. The form provided room for her to write
the other skills she possessed that she would bring to the job. Her
answer was, "I proofread good." Well, well. Suffice it to
say, she wasn't seriously considered for this or any other job that
had anything to do with written words!
10
New Resume Secrets
You're fooling yourself if you think you're going to get a job by copying
a resume out of a book. A
majority of job seekers will simply buy a resume book, find the one
that best fits them and plug in their information. Voila! Done! Those
are most likely the people who don't understand why interviews are few
and far between.
Posting
Multiple Resumes
You can post up to 5 resumes on CareerBuilder. Here are a few reasons
you might want to take advantage of this feature. In many cases, you
can use the same resume over and over again, just by changing a few
details. Willing to relocate? Would you like a change of scenery or
climate? Perhaps you've been away from family too long.
Cover
Letters Close Gaps in Employment
Remember the first day of the new school year? Your first assignment
was always writing about what you did over the summer break. This usually
involved the activities or camps you participated in, trips you went
on, and books you read.
Making
Your Resume Work FOR You
You're looking for a better job, right? You're working your tail off,
doing research, conducting online searches, visiting company sites,
knocking on doors and calling friends. Hopefully your resume is working
as hard as you are. If not, here are four new ways to make sure your
resume puts in a full day's work.
Lying
On Your Resume
Eager to win that coveted position, job seekers are sometimes tempted
to be "creative" when writing their resumes. Butthat doesn't
surprise Edward C. Andler.
21
Ways to Improve Your Online Résumé
Today's job market requires a highly effective résumé
to capture the employer's attention. Based on a national survey I conducted
of 600 Hiring Managers, here are 21 ways to help you improve your online
résumé.
Top
Secrets of Resume Writing
These days, job hunters downplay their resume as a piece of paper that
usually doesn't work. Maybe you're one of those who believes, "My
resume isn't perfect, but I'll explain myself in the interview."
Your
Resume - It's Really an Ad!
You hear it all the time, "Your resume is a marketing tool."
So why is it that no one ever asks a professional copywriter for advise
when writing the most important ad of all time... the one that could
land you an interview? I'll tell you from experience, as a copywriter
I've landed many an interview based on the successful resumes I've written.
Now I'd like to show you the tricks of the advertising trade that make
all the difference when promoting yourself.
Getting
the Word Out! A Quick Guide to Marketing Your Resume
You've spent hours fine-tuning your resume, and the ink is barely dry
on your final print copy, when it suddenly hits you -- What do I do
now?" Answer: start marketing.
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