5 Resume Writing Tips

Tip 1 - Use Titles or Headings That Match The Jobs You Want
With employers receiving hundreds of resumes you must make sure that your resume hooks an employer's attention within a 5-second glance. A great way to do this is to use job titles and skill headings that relate to and match the jobs you want. For example, compare the headings Roger used in his before resume to the headings used in his after resume.

Tip 2 - Use Design That Grabs Attention
Employers make snap judgments when glancing at your resume. If they see unrelated job titles or skills the likelihood is very high that they will make an immediate assumption that you are not qualified for the job you want. Adding to this problem is the fact that employers don't have the time to read through each of your job descriptions to determine if you have the skills they need.
You Must Do That For Them! The design of your resume must highlight the most important information about your work experience, skills and education. At first glance this information forms the image that employers have of your skills and abilities.

Tip 3 - Create Content That Sells
Resume design should get attention but it's really the content of your resume, the descriptions you include of your skills and abilities, that determine how many interviews you generate--as well as the level of salary offers you receive. Compare the before and after statements from Roger's resume shown below:
Before Resume:Maintained records for accounts receivable and accounts payable accounts.

Tip 4 - Quantify and Use Power Words
As Roger's after statement demonstrates, using numbers to describe your achievements and responsibilities can greatly expand and elevate your image. Using numbers and quantifying creates vivid images in our mind when we read them, whereas general statements like the before examples are easy to skip over or forget. Typically the more specific you can be in describing your duties the better.
Another strategy that is extremely important in controlling the image that employers develop about you--is to use Power Words or verbs that match the level of position you want.
Power Words:Directed workflow, supervised and trained accounting staff performing posting to general ledger, accounts receivable and payable accounts.

Tip 5 - Analyze Ads and Job Descriptions to Identify Key Words
Learning how to analyze the key words that employers provide in help wanted ads and job descriptions is a key element in creating powerful resumes. For example, read the ad Roger found for an Accounts Receivable Manager below and see how many key words, phrases, or skill descriptions that it includes.
Accounts Receivable ManagerSeeking experienced A/R Manager to oversee accounts, manage billing and collections, train accounting and clerical staff, develop status reports for management and prepare monthly balance sheets. B.A. Degree or A.A. Degree with minimum of 2 years experience required.

5 Things to Do Before an Interview

5 Things to Do Before an Interview 

So you just found out that you have a job interview tomorrow and unfortunately procrastination is a weaknesses you haven’t yet conquered. Here are the down and dirty tips to pull it together at the last minute.

1. Look at the job posting you are applying for, and develop sound bites that address the needs of the employer. Think of examples where you demonstrated the skills that appear in the job posting and develop answers that clearly show an employer that you are the perfect candidate for this position. All sound bites should be 2-3 minutes in length.

2. Use the TODAY acronym to develop additional sound bites of your experiences. TODAY stands for Teamwork, Overcoming Obstacles, Duties of your past positions, Achievements, Your strengths and weaknesses. Remember to clearly describe exactly what you did in each situation. The employer is hiring you, not the other people in your story.

3. Research the company. Search the internet for any recent press releases and check out the company’s website. Know what they do, and develop some idea as to how the position you are hiring for fits within the company.

4. Think of questions to ask an interviewer. Look at the job posting and your research about the company and think of 3-5 questions you can ask during the interview. What are you curious about? Do they manufacture a product you are familiar with, or never even knew existed before you started to research the company? Where does this department fit in the grand scheme of the company? What projects is the department currently working on?

5. Lastly, prepare answers to the following questions: Tell me about yourself, Why did you leave your last position, or why are you looking for a new job, Why should I hire you, and The Salary Question. You know that these questions will be asked in one form or another, so there is no excuse to not have prepared an answer.

And that’s it. Interviewing is just that simple when it’s broken into it’s simplest components. Focus on preparing answers to all of the scenarios above, and you will be ahead of the game. Remember to clearly articulate in each and every sound bite exactly what you did. Practice with a tape recorder to critique yourself, or with a friend to repeat back to you exactly what you did in a situation to make sure you’re preparing correctly.

How to Answer the Hardest Interview Questions

How to Answer the Hardest Interview Questions

Job interviews can be intimidating. Interview anxiety is most commonly related to the fear that there might be difficult questions asked about one's career past, present, or future. The most effective way to overcome these feelings of intimidation is to prepare for what are commonly described as the hardest or most difficult interview questions.

Interview Questions About the Past
Interview questions about the past can be frightening for a job candidate when his or her employment history has been sparse or unpleasant. These uneasy feelings typically arise in situations where:
* The candidate's prior employment was terminated by the employer for poor performance.
* The candidate has had long gaps of unemployment.
* The candidate resigned from his or her prior position due to a bad relationship with his or her colleagues or boss.

The candidate was otherwise unsuccessful in his or her prior position.
Employers typically uncover these unsavory situations by asking one question: "Why did you leave your last job?" While it may be tempting to divulge every detail, it is important to note that doing so could negatively impact the hiring manager's decision. Job candidates should, instead, focus on answering this question by being truthful and maintaining a positive attitude. To answer this question truthfully, positively, and successfully, one must:
Never make negative comments about former companies or bosses.
Talk about the positive aspects of the job and the former supervisor’s strengths
Speak clearly about the prior position in context of its role as a stepping stone to greater opportunities.

Job Search Tips for the Interviewing Process

Job Search Tips for the Interviewing Process

Today’s job market is highly competitive, and for every posted vacancy, there are often hundreds of qualified applicants. Moreover, if an applicant is selected for an interview, it’s no guarantee he or she will be offered the job. On the other hand, there are steps jobseekers can take that will greatly increase the odds of their having a successful interview and, subsequently, receiving that offer.

Understand the Purpose of the Interview

According to Kenneth Zimmer, Professor Emeritus of the School of Business and Economics at California State University, and Sue C. Camp, Associate Professor of Business Administration at Gardner-Webb College, the goal of an interview is twofold. On one hand, it’s an opportunity for applicants to sell themselves, but on the other, it’s an opportunity for applicants to learn whether or not the job actually corresponds with their qualifications and career goals.

Research the Prospective Employer

In order to ensure a successful interview, applicants should know something in advance about a potential employer. This information will benefit them in two ways:
Help them decide whether or not they really care to work for the company.
Help them be prepared to respond without hesitation when asked why they want to work for that particular company.

Prepare Interview Questions in Advance

Invariably, applicants are asked if they have any questions, and it’s far better to respond with a few intelligent, well-thought-out questions than to ask pointless questions or have none at all. What types of questions should applicants ask? Here are a few suggestions:
What opportunities for advancement does the company offer?
What benefits does the company provide, for example, health insurance, sick leave, vacation time, retirement plan, stock options, etc?
Does the company provide training programs or reimburse employees for educational expenses?

Checks Before Attending an Interview.

Checks Before Attending an Interview For The Beginners. 

When you are called for an interview you have to confirm about the date, time, and location of the interview.
* Be on time, you have to plan to be earlier than half an hour before the interview schedule time.

*  And if you are going to be late, then best option is call them.
* You have to wear professional dress. Get your hair cut and styled, No gum, cigarette smell, heavy scents.
* Concentrate on the interview at the interview
* On arrival ensure that receptionist knows you are present.
* Your interview letter must be with you.
* If you are asked to bring certificates, references etc, get them ready before the day of interview.
* Always keep in mind that you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
* Collect sample questions on job interview.
* You can sign up to do a mock interview with a career counselor.
* Get a good night's sleep before your interview so you'll be as psychologically physically and emotionally ready for interview as possible.
* Carry additional resumes for distribution to department heads, search committees, and others you may meet who have not seen your resume.
* Employers typically require references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references
* If you have to do a formal presentation, be well prepared.
* PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, In front of a mirror or with an audience of friends or colleagues

IMPORTANCE OF PLACEMENTS

The Importance of placements
The School of Service Management believes that taking a Placement is one of the most important decisions you can make in your university career. Not only will you benefit from building personal confidence during your placement year but you will also establish contacts in your chosen sector which may prove invaluable for graduate opportunity.
The Placement team
Because we place such emphasis on the importance of taking a placement we have invested heavily in our placement provision. Our current placement team consists of a placement co-ordinator and four academic placement tutors, each with specialist knowledge relevant to the degree courses you under their supervision are studying. These tutors advise and support you throughout your preparation for placement, continuing their individual support through email and telephone contact, as well as personal visits throughout the duration of the placement, and aim to visit every student at least once, with many receiving a second visit.
Support before the placement
During the preparation for your placement year, you are supported by a series of academic and skills-based workshops specifically designed to prepare you for the world of work both in the UK and overseas. The placement co-ordinator’s role during this time is to offer advice and assistance to you during your search for suitable placements, arranging for employers to recruit students, on campus, throughout the year. The placement co-ordinator also offers assistance on a range of subjects including job applications, working visas, insurance, travel arrangements and so on.
Support after the placement
On return to your final year of university, you attend a series of reflective practice workshops which support you through the process of reflecting on the learning which has taken place during the Placement. Throughout this time, the academic placement tutors continue to guide and supervise you towards successful completion of your final year placement project. This project forms a unique opportunity for you to relate the Honours element of your degree to your placement experience, thus enabling you to demonstrate to future employers the true extent of your knowledge and appreciation of your chosen sector.
In line with all UK universities, students taking a Placement with the support of the School of Service Management pay a reduced tuition fee for Placement year.

Seven Habits of Highly Successful Job Seekers

Seven Habits of Highly Successful Job Seekers

In the job search craze, there are those who land a job right away and those who struggle through the process of finding one for a long time. ‘Luck’ is usually the response one hears from disenfranchised job seekers when they find out that their neighbor down the street was offered a position after only a two-week search. With many job seekers vying for only a few open positions, the truth is that ‘luck’ rarely has anything to do with it.

Realizing that their job search campaign doesn’t have to be a never-ending struggle, successful job seekers approach the process with patience and persistence. If you want to be among the highly successful job seekers follow the seven steps outlined below.

1. Search with purpose
Instead of trying to fit into a mould set by a hiring organization, target companies that match your goals and career values; doing this will allows you to focus your energy into searching for a position that is a natural fit.

After all, you don’t want to find yourself embarking on another search within a year’s time because you made a decision in haste.

2. Always be prepared
Be ready for your day’s activities by 9 am. Opportunities rarely land on your lap and you have to be prepared for the surprises that may come up during the day. You don’t want to be caught sleeping when someone calls to discuss an employment opportunity.

If you find yourself answering the phone like this: "hello? . . . well . . . um . . . well, like I was kinda sleeping. . . how long is this gonna take? . . . who are you again? . . . like I, um, contacted so many places, cuz, you know, like, I can't like find a job . . ." then it is time to reprioritize your needs.

Waiting until your unemployment insurance is about to end before you begin aggressively looking for a position can be a costly mistake. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you are running low on resources and desperation is about to set in. This is when mistakes are made and your job search may begin to suffer.

3. Develop a job search plan
Organize your job search, map out a strategy, set priorities, and establish goals. Begin your search with a clear focus and a plan. Participate in a number of activities including answering classified ads, posting your resume on the Internet, and going on informational interviews.

4. Bypass Human Resources
A human resources representative is also known as a “screener.” The screener’s job is to review resumes and match your experience with a checklist of requirements set forth by the hiring manager. If there are enough matches, the human resources representative forwards the resume to the decision maker.

Unfortunately, not much is left to the screener’s interpretation. This is why most opportunities are lost – because the screener doesn’t have the luxury of making a decision based on instinct; he or she is instructed to follow the lead of the hiring manager.

Since the decision makers (e.g., VP of Sales, Director of Marketing, or CEO) are the ones who determine who is ultimately hired, it is advisable that you apply directly to them.

5. Write follow-up letters
Well-written follow up letters can make a difference as to whether you get hired. A follow-up letter is more than a simple note thanking the interviewer for his or her time. It should be a sophisticated letter that either re-affirms your interest in the position, serves as an opportunity to mention an important point you neglected to bring up, and/or provides an opportunity to offer new insight on a topic that was discussed during the interview.

6. Avoid toxic job seekers
Job clubs are a great way to generate ideas and for networking purposes. However, some are also a breeding ground for negativity. These support groups can inadvertently affect your job search. Take inventory of the job seekers in attendance. Do they offer words of encouragement? Are they supportive of your efforts, or do they feed into your insecurities?

If after such meetings you feel emotionally drained and start to believe your chances of landing a job are bleak, then it’s time to search for a new support team.

7. Be good to yourself
There are two types of job seekers. One, that has a laid back approach, and the other that always feels "there aren’t enough hours in the day" and compulsively searches for a job without taking a breather.

Following in the footsteps of the latter is the fastest way to reaching burn out and when careless mistakes are often made. Though your job search should be your primary activity, don’t allow it to consume your every waking moment.

Every so often take a mini vacation; spend time with people who support you, listen to music and participate in activities you enjoy. Clearing your mind replenishes your energy and will allow you to continue searching for a job with a fresh outlook.

Telephone Interview

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

Prepare for a phone interview just as you would for a regular interview. Compile a list of answers to typical interview questions as well as your strengths and weaknesses, your background and skills.Have a pen and paper handy for note taking.

Turn call waiting off so your call isn’t interrupted.
Clear the room from where you are attending telephone interview, don’t keep your children’s and pets near by. Turn off your stereo and television, close the door, ensure fresh air enter into the room.
If the time isn’t convenient, ask the interviewer if he can call any other time and suggest some alternative interview timings. Don’t ask him to call in odd hours.

Incase if you are not sure your cell phone service is not perfect. Consider using landline rather than you cell phone to avoid a dropped call.

Keep your resume on the top of your desk or in clear view, or tape it to the wall near the phone, so it will help you to answer questions at your fingertips, have a short list of your accomplishments available to review.

Keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth.
Smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice, Give short answers.

Remember your goal is to set-up a face-to-face interview, Thank the interviewer

Thing to Avoid During Phone Interview.
Don't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink during the interview time.
Speak slowly and clearly.
Don't interrupt the interviewer.
Use the person's title (Mr. or Ms. and their last name.) Only use a first name if they ask you to.
Take your time - it's perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts.

Things to do after telephone interview.
Take notes about what you were asked and how you answered to the interview questions.

Expand Your Network by Sending Thank You Letters

Expand Your Network by Sending Thank You Letters

Sending a thank you or follow-up letter within 24 hours of an interview is not a new idea, but it is still a good idea. A key reason to send a thank you letter is to nurture new and existing relationships. Plan to send a thank you letter to all the people that assist in your job search.
This group includes the people that you meet during an interview; your existing contacts that provide written recommendations, and any friend (or friends of friends) that offer career related leads or information.

Thank you is a good place to start relationships that will greatly contribute to your ability to secure the right job in record time! Unless you have a good reason for sending a card or a handwritten letter to your target reader, plan to send an e-mail that is easy to produce. Use the subject line to note "thank you for the interview". This action demonstrates a respect for their busy schedule and an understanding that they may want to read this e-mail after they have read all their urgent e-mails.

Start every thank you letter by expressing your appreciation for the interest and time that people have invested in your career. Then, when you highlight that you are still interested in securing a new challenge, take this opportunity to feature your most relevant skills. Forexample, "My interest in working for (the name of the company or organization) is stronger than ever, and based on your description of the position, I know that my previous experience in (specify) provides the expertise required to make immediate contributions to your team."

End your letter using the "opening the door" technique.
Your closing paragraph for a thank you letter related to an interview should clearly state when you will call to schedule a meeting time. For example, "I would like to meet with you again to discuss this position. If I do not hear from you within the next five days, I will call you to schedule a convenient time to meet. In the meantime, I will be happy to provide any other information you may need to assist in your decision."

When you are writing to someone that has already provided information, your "opening the door" approach will reflect an appreciation for the assistance provided. In this situation, focus on advising your contact that you will provide an update on the progress of your job search. Your update should detail how the information they provided contributed to your success.

SELF-PROMOTE USING A POWERFUL PITCH

SELF-PROMOTE USING A POWERFUL PITCH

You meet important job search contacts every day. The people you meet when you complete routine tasks, such as shopping or taking your children to the local ball field, may know the person you want to meet or they may have friends or family working in the industry you are targeting. Plan to use the first 30 seconds of every initial face to face meeting to deliver a brief “infomercial”. Start with a smile and make eye contact before you deliver the introduction you have prepared.

Don’t worry about looking too pushy. People generally like to talk about their jobs and most are more than willing to provide assistance to folks looking for opportunities in their field. In addition, since employers tend to hire qualified people that are recommended by their employees, by using this opportunity to advance your career, you have also provided an occasion for the person you are meeting to gain recognition in their workplace.

Prepare a 15-30 second sound bite that highlights your uniqueness in a pleasant, but persuasive, manner. You will grab the attention of more listeners when you prepare your introduction based on the question “What’s In It for me?” from the perspective of potential employers. For example, what have you done to improve revenues, increase production, or reduce costs at your present or past jobs, or through your association with any volunteer or leisure-related organizations?

Be concise, but make the first minute count by offering information that you have determined will interest the person you are meeting. Think of the benefits you offer your clients, customers, co-workers, and supervisor. If you are not sure, ask them, you will discover that they rightfully value actions that you take for granted.

A script is an extremely helpful tool to use when you are making calls, meeting peers at an industry tradeshow, or preparing for an interview. Verbal profile statements should communicate three key pieces of information: your name, your area of expertise and related accomplishments. For example,

I am OCCUPATION NAME OR JOB TITLE who is interested in finding employment with companies that specialize in SPECIFY. Having worked (or studied) for COMPANY OR SCHOOL NAME the past NUMBER of years, I have expertise in TWO OR THREE KEY AREAS.

Cold calling can be effective, but taking time to contact the people in your existing network may be less intimidating and can bring about the same results. Practice your speech with friends and family, or record it on your answering machine, and listen to it.

Plan to practice your introduction the next time you meet a new contact. Then, plan to tweak sections that you found too chatty or sentences that did not flow. In time, you will find using your power introduction effortless and the associated rewards beneficial as you manage your career advancement.