By Ruth Anderson
VANTAGE POINT Coaching & Consulting

Your perspective on resumes – what they are and how they function – will doubtless influence how well you can write your own. To create an outstanding resume, begin by questioning and replacing some of the commonly held assumptions about resume writing.

ASSUMPTION: “A resume is a personal history, and prospective employers will read it primarily to learn about past jobs and accomplishments.”

Replace with: A resume is best thought of as a proposal, rather than a history.

Although a resume does primarily include information about your personal history, its chief aim should be to convey this information in a way that is highly relevant to the job in question. Thus, the key question to address is: How are you uniquely qualified to do well in the position for which you are applying? Writing to answer this question can turn a dry personal history into an attractive employment proposal.

ASSUMPTION: “My resume probably won’t be that important anyway – it’s connections and luck that will get me a job.”

Replace with: Revising and improving your resume can play a central role in landing your next job.

No reasonable person would deny that connections and luck help. Nevertheless, not everyone has or finds the right connections, and not everyone wants to wait on luck. Take the initiative, instead, to craft a strong job-search strategy, and include revising your resume as a central piece of this process.

Doing so, at a minimum, will accomplish three things:

1) you will gain clarity on your strengths and all that you have to offer in your next job

2) you will have an important vehicle for introducing yourself to potential employers

3) you will have a springboard for a strong interview

ASSUMPTION: “The previous version of my resume was good enough, and probably needs very little done to it.”

Replace with: Just about any resume, even one used with success before, can benefit from careful scrutiny and periodic revision.

Your resume should evolve as you do. In addition to acquiring new skills, experiences, and accomplishments, you may have shifted in your professional focus or interests. Perhaps you have gained insights into what employers are really looking for in your line of work.

Above all, your resume should be revised so that it is tailored to the employer who will receive it. Even if you have little to add in the way of content, you can always improve your resume by refocusing it on the specifics of the position you are seeking, and by strengthening its wording and overall appearance.
THE BOTTOM LINE (A Winning Perspective):

Take on the task of writing or revising your resume with the conviction that any resume can be made stronger, that you have an important employment proposal to bring to the eyes of potential employers, and that doing so can be the avenue for landing the job you want. It is with this perspective that you will produce a resume good enough to open doors!

About the Author

This article is excerpted from the eBook “WRITE RESUMES WITH CONFIDENCE: How to Create Outstanding Resumes and Have the Confidence to Use Them with Success.” Learn more about this book and about Ruth Anderson’s coaching and consulting services — including the INTRODUCTION TO COACHING and JOB SEARCH TUNE-UP programs at–http://www.vantagepointcoaching.com or write mailto:ruth@vantagepointcoaching.com
 
 

By Jennifer Anthony, Resume Expert

Jobseekers often ask me what the difference is between a standard resume and a telecommute resume. So I have compiled this short article to explain those differences.

1. Telecommute resumes have to stand out.

Recruiters and hiring mangers are flooded with resumes when they post a telecommute job. I spoke to a recruiter that stated he gets between 750 and 1,000 resumes, each day, every time he posts a project. It starts to taper off a little after the third day. So after just three days, he could easily have more than 2,000 resumes to sort through.

Because of this, you absolutely have to have a resume that stands apart from the crowd. I don’t mean that you should add all kinds of clipart and colorful graphics - so don’t go crazy. You should take time to make sure your information is presented in an easy to read and eye-pleasing format. You will need to emphasize your skills, particularly your ability to work independently, and your time management skills.

2. Telecommute resumes are highly scrutinized.

You are competing with people all over the country instead of just local applicants. The telecommuting employer has the “cream of the crop” to choose from. They are going to analyze and make judgments on what they find in your resume.

You have to pay extra attention to spelling and grammar errors. Make sure you aren’t using the word, “I” anywhere on your resume. Pay attention to where you place commas, and remember to end your sentences with a period.

Don’t rely on MS Word to teach you proper grammar, those little green lines look intimidating, but you can make them go away (see below). Instead, refer to a manual such as the Gregg Reference Manual or some online manual.

3. Telecommute resumes have to take the place of you.

The hiring manager is not going to be able to meet you. They may call you for a phone interview, but they will make most of their hiring decision based on your resume alone. You want to make sure to cover everything you think is applicable, and leave off information that isn’t. Read over your resume and think about what impression you will make.

In addition, if you have taken any online certification tests, (offered at Brainbench.com) be sure to add that information. If you belong to professional associations, (like the International Virtual Assistants Association) be sure to note that on your resume. Going the extra mile might make the difference between a regretful e-mail, and “you’re hired.”
———-

How to make those green squiggly lines go away:

In Word 2002, go to the “Tools” menu and scroll down to “Options.” When you click on “Options” a new window will open up that has several tabs to choose from. Select the “Spelling and Grammar.” Look for the check box that says, “hide grammatical errors in this document.” Check the box and hit the “OK” button. Voila! All of the little misleading lines have vanished.

Jennifer Anthony is the Director of ResumeASAP, offering professional and affordable resume writing services. If you have comments about this article, or if you are interested in learning more about professional resume writing, please contact Jennifer Anthony by e-mail.

Article Source: http://greatarticlesformoms.com
 

By: Heather Eager

When it comes to writing a great resume, there are no hard and fast rules or specific formats that you should adhere to; however, your resume should be targeted to each specific job that you are applying to. In addition, it must be concise, clear, command attention and stand out from the pack.

Include a Title for the Job You Want

Use a professional title for the position that you want. An improper job title will only serve to position you at a level far below the responsibility or salary level you are seeking to achieve. Including a job title can greatly increase the number of interview calls that you get for higher positions and improve your chances of clinching a higher salary – and when you start at a higher salary, your career growth is also accelerated.

Include an Executive Summary (what you can do for them) - Not an Objective (Me-focused)

An executive summary should be clear and well defined, consisting of a short paragraph or four to five bulleted points. It should focus on how your skills can benefit the employer, not on what the employer can do for you. Using action words will help to convey you as an intelligent and active individual capable of making contributions to accomplish company goals. Highlight your strengths and achievements clearly and quickly. Recruiters and hiring managers want to see information that is to the point, and hardly have time to dig for buried nuggets of information hidden in your resume.

Include Relevant Information

Let’s state the obvious - your resume is targeted at landing interviews. In effect, you are advertising your capabilities and experience. Therefore, you need to provide precise, accurate and relevant information. Your resume should be able to convey relevant information, but at the same time, the resume should also convey a message that if the hiring manager buys this product (YOU) it will lead to positive and direct benefits in specific areas where their needs exist (the job).

Brag - With PROOF!

When it comes to your resume, you can forget modesty. Brag if you have irrefutable proof that establishes you as an outstanding performer (notice I didn’t say exaggerate or lie). Give your resume an accomplishment-driven profile. Accomplishments are results you produce by resolving problems, or when you overcome a real or perceived obstacle. Mention any project that you spearheaded that served to heighten employee morale, revenues or company savings. Formulate ‘Problem-Action-Result’ (PAR) statements to convey your ability for producing similar or better results in your future employment.

Highlight Achievements - NOT Responsibilities

Although important, listing responsibilities should not form the focus of your resume. Responsibilities are passive - achievements project you as an active, dynamic individual. When you are seeking a higher position, your achievements rather than your responsibilities acquire crucial importance – so don’t clump the two together. Write a paragraph giving an overview of your responsibilities and then highlight your achievements with bullets. When you want to sell something, you must make it stand out.

Having a well-written resume is crucial when it comes to getting interview calls. Following the 5 tips above will ensure that you maximize your chances.

Recognized as a leading expert in the employment search industry, Heather Eagar is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. If you need to hire a resume writing service. Heather offers reviews of the top companies in the industry at www.ResumeLines.com

Article Source: http://greatarticlesformoms.com