If you want to avoid being passed over for an interview, stay away from the dozens of "boilerplate" phrases littering thousands of resumes. Recruiters and H.R. reps are likely to move on to the next candidate's resume after spotting a couple of terms like "results-oriented" and "go-to person." Replace these tired clichés with more original, authentic-sounding wording that demonstrates who you are, and why you are qualified for the job. And although it is important to show that you know your field, keep in mind that the first person to read your resume may not be familiar with industry terms. Make your resume layperson-friendly by using only universally recognized acronyms. It's said that potential employers form an impression of you after 10 seconds of reading your resume, so make those seconds count.
"Proven track record of success"
This phrase does nothing in the way of showing off your achievements. In fact, it may look as if you are trying to cover a lack of success, so show tangible proof of a job well done. Your accomplishments will speak for themselves.
If you are in sales, accounting, or any other field in which results are measured in numbers, listing your achievements should be any easy task. In other industries where results are less tangible, such as customer service or creative lines of work, think of how your success was determined. Did you win awards, or help gain new business? In your reviews, what did your boss mention as reasons for giving you a raise? Can these be translated into quantifiable assets?
"Strong communication skills"
Unfortunately, using this phrase may make it seem as if you lack these very skills. The quality you're trying to convey should come across in your resume without being explicitly stated. If you are unable to back up this claim in any demonstrable way, just omit it from your resume instead of replacing it with a similar phrase. A well-written, nicely structured resume that effectively explains why you are a good fit for the job will make the case for your communication skills.
"Team player"
This phrase may replace its predecessor, "people person," as a common resume gaffe. While this is a quality most employers desire in employees, it is important to demonstrate your social and team-building skills. Since anyone can call herself a team player, show that you truly are one by citing an example of a time when you achieved results as a part of a team.
Be sure to give credit to the team as well as yourself, demonstrating that you aren't only interested in leading a team, but enjoy the experience of working with others to benefit your employer.
"Out-of-the-box thinker"
Using this, one of the most dated phrases on the list, will make you seem like anything but an unconventional thinker. If everyone else is using it, it's hardly new or original. Despite the fact that this term may very well describe you, using it gives the impression that you lack the imagination to come up with a substitute. Instead, give examples of how your creativity has helped on the job.
Mention that you found a new way of eliminating waste that saved "x" amount of dollars. Or demonstrate how you changed an old way of doing things, like changing call flow in a call center. Give measurable evidence of your innovation's effectiveness; for example, include the amount of time that it shaved from call handle time.
Acronyms and Technical Terms
Be sure to use acronyms sparingly if you work in a highly technical field. Try to only use acronyms that those working outside your field will understand, or spell out what each letter stands for in parentheses. The same goes for technical specifics. For example, if you were a mechanic in the military and are transitioning to a civilian job, avoid mentioning specific equipment you repaired. Sometimes, even those working in other branches of the armed forces may not know what you mean.
The most important thing to remember when composing your resume is to convey the traits that make you a desirable candidate for a specific position. Don't say it; show it. You may find it helpful to create a list beforehand of past accomplishments. Analyze their appropriateness for the job at hand. Make them want to hire you -- not by trotting out a list of worn-out, eye-roll-inducing phrases, but by demonstrating specifically what you have to offer.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Get The Edge - Personalize Your Resume For Each Job
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Get The Edge - Personalize Your Resume For Each Job
By Cathy Eng
Cathy Eng
Level: Basic
Cathy Eng is a Certified Advanced Resume Writer and owner of Resume Rocketeer, Inc. She specializes in helping clients leverage their best skills and experiences ...
Article Word Count: 406 [View Summary] Comments (0)
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In this competitive job market, there are scores of applicants who are perfect for every job, and are willing to spend extra time tailoring their resume and cover letter to each job to which they apply. If you are serious about your job search, it is essential that you do the same.
Why? That's because hiring managers know the difference between a blind applicant and someone who took the time to individualize their resume to the experience and skills required for the job. The best way to do that is to use the job description to match with the skills you have to offer.
Pulling keywords and key phrases from the job posting is a great way to use a job description to match your skills with those required. Often, hiring managers are looking for these exact words and phrases when they are scanning through resumes, and if you can at least present most of them, you are on the right track.
Here is an example of a way to do that. You find a great job posting that requires at least five years of experience in a comprehensive customer service supervisory role and a proven ability to cut costs.
Your resume current says: In charge of customer service activities for call center.
You resume should say something more like: More than eight years of high-impact customer service experience, having served in multiple supervisory capacities throughout call center environment and delivered bottom-line savings through process streamlining.
It may look a bit wordy to you at first but the hiring manager will be on the lookout for several words and phrases in that sentence, which will send that resume to the top of the stack.
A word to the wise though: Never make up skills to fit a job description! It will eventually come out that you don't have those skills, whether hard skills (i.e. computer software) or soft skills (i.e. sales savvy). If the job requires a skill you do not possess, either take the time to learn or look elsewhere. This is not a situation where you should try to "fake it 'til you make it".
You don't need to rewrite your entire resume to personalize it to a job you want; you just need to modify your current document to shine among your dull competitors. Using information directly from job descriptions, specifically keywords and phrases, is a great way to stand out!
Cathy Eng is a Certified Advanced Resume Writer and owner of Resume Rocketeer, Inc. She specializes in helping clients leverage skills and experience to create a powerful, effective resume and cover letter. Visit http://www.resumerocketeer.com for a free resume analysis.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cathy_Eng
Cathy Eng - EzineArticles Expert Author
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MLA Style Citation:
Eng, Cathy "Get The Edge - Personalize Your Resume For Each Job." Get The Edge - Personalize Your Resume For Each Job. 16 Sep. 2010 EzineArticles.com. 13 Oct. 2010.
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Eng, C. (2010, September 16). Get The Edge - Personalize Your Resume For Each Job. Retrieved October 13, 2010, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Get-The-Edge---Personalize-Your-Resume-For-Each-Job&id=5045749
Chicago Style Citation:
Eng, Cathy "Get The Edge - Personalize Your Resume For Each Job." Get The Edge - Personalize Your Resume For Each Job EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?Get-The-Edge---Personalize-Your-Resume-For-Each-Job&id=5045749
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Get The Edge - Personalize Your Resume For Each Job
By Cathy Eng
Cathy Eng
Level: Basic
Cathy Eng is a Certified Advanced Resume Writer and owner of Resume Rocketeer, Inc. She specializes in helping clients leverage their best skills and experiences ...
Article Word Count: 406 [View Summary] Comments (0)
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In this competitive job market, there are scores of applicants who are perfect for every job, and are willing to spend extra time tailoring their resume and cover letter to each job to which they apply. If you are serious about your job search, it is essential that you do the same.
Why? That's because hiring managers know the difference between a blind applicant and someone who took the time to individualize their resume to the experience and skills required for the job. The best way to do that is to use the job description to match with the skills you have to offer.
Pulling keywords and key phrases from the job posting is a great way to use a job description to match your skills with those required. Often, hiring managers are looking for these exact words and phrases when they are scanning through resumes, and if you can at least present most of them, you are on the right track.
Here is an example of a way to do that. You find a great job posting that requires at least five years of experience in a comprehensive customer service supervisory role and a proven ability to cut costs.
Your resume current says: In charge of customer service activities for call center.
You resume should say something more like: More than eight years of high-impact customer service experience, having served in multiple supervisory capacities throughout call center environment and delivered bottom-line savings through process streamlining.
It may look a bit wordy to you at first but the hiring manager will be on the lookout for several words and phrases in that sentence, which will send that resume to the top of the stack.
A word to the wise though: Never make up skills to fit a job description! It will eventually come out that you don't have those skills, whether hard skills (i.e. computer software) or soft skills (i.e. sales savvy). If the job requires a skill you do not possess, either take the time to learn or look elsewhere. This is not a situation where you should try to "fake it 'til you make it".
You don't need to rewrite your entire resume to personalize it to a job you want; you just need to modify your current document to shine among your dull competitors. Using information directly from job descriptions, specifically keywords and phrases, is a great way to stand out!
Cathy Eng is a Certified Advanced Resume Writer and owner of Resume Rocketeer, Inc. She specializes in helping clients leverage skills and experience to create a powerful, effective resume and cover letter. Visit http://www.resumerocketeer.com for a free resume analysis.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cathy_Eng
Cathy Eng - EzineArticles Expert Author
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APA Style Citation:
Eng, C. (2010, September 16). Get The Edge - Personalize Your Resume For Each Job. Retrieved October 13, 2010, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Get-The-Edge---Personalize-Your-Resume-For-Each-Job&id=5045749
Chicago Style Citation:
Eng, Cathy "Get The Edge - Personalize Your Resume For Each Job." Get The Edge - Personalize Your Resume For Each Job EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?Get-The-Edge---Personalize-Your-Resume-For-Each-Job&id=5045749
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Saturday, October 16, 2010
Resume Writing Tip - Aligning Your Resume With the Job Post Improves Your Chances
Resumes are one of those things that sit on the shelf and get dusty until you need them. Then, when you need them, you need them immediately! One of the most effective ways to update and improve your resume is to make sure your resume is aligned with each particular job post you respond to. This resume writing tip sounds elementary; yet is repeatedly glossed over.
Recent work with an "in transition" Human Resources Generalist provides the perfect example. Her resume and subsequent highlighted accomplishments, skills and abilities were remarkable. However, a keys component of the job description was an ability to recruit as well as develop a specific process for on-boarding at the call center.
Only after careful and repeated reading was it obvious she had this skill. It had been tucked in with every other KSA she had. So, one way we bettered her resume was by going line by line through the job post looking for these opportunities. We combed the job announcement identifying areas where she could better align her skills with the specific requirements of the job. Using this resume writing tip underscores particular successes the potential employer is seeking.
Another component to this resume writing tip is to demonstrate achievements through metrics. When writing your resume, consider what your audience wants and how you have been successful. For example, our HR Generalist has implemented policies resulting in a reduction in turnover at the call center. It moved from 80% to 65%. This 15% reduction can be translated into physical savings for the company,
In this age of computers we try to do some much on the screen. Use of this resume writing tip does not lend itself to this tactic. For greater effectiveness; print it, make notes on it, draw and scribble and highlight all over it. Having an actual copy of the post as you adjust your resume makes it somehow more familiar. Focus on specific key phrases required for successful job performance. Tie these to your skills, bringing focus to how you are a qualified candidate for this position.
Remember, you have a very narrow window for making a favorable impression. Don't make them hunt for or expect they will decipher the information. Incorporating the job post resume alignment resume writing tip will give an advantage in earning the interview.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Recent work with an "in transition" Human Resources Generalist provides the perfect example. Her resume and subsequent highlighted accomplishments, skills and abilities were remarkable. However, a keys component of the job description was an ability to recruit as well as develop a specific process for on-boarding at the call center.
Only after careful and repeated reading was it obvious she had this skill. It had been tucked in with every other KSA she had. So, one way we bettered her resume was by going line by line through the job post looking for these opportunities. We combed the job announcement identifying areas where she could better align her skills with the specific requirements of the job. Using this resume writing tip underscores particular successes the potential employer is seeking.
Another component to this resume writing tip is to demonstrate achievements through metrics. When writing your resume, consider what your audience wants and how you have been successful. For example, our HR Generalist has implemented policies resulting in a reduction in turnover at the call center. It moved from 80% to 65%. This 15% reduction can be translated into physical savings for the company,
In this age of computers we try to do some much on the screen. Use of this resume writing tip does not lend itself to this tactic. For greater effectiveness; print it, make notes on it, draw and scribble and highlight all over it. Having an actual copy of the post as you adjust your resume makes it somehow more familiar. Focus on specific key phrases required for successful job performance. Tie these to your skills, bringing focus to how you are a qualified candidate for this position.
Remember, you have a very narrow window for making a favorable impression. Don't make them hunt for or expect they will decipher the information. Incorporating the job post resume alignment resume writing tip will give an advantage in earning the interview.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
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