111 books about resume writing – video review!
expert-resume-writing.net Best Book With Resume Writing Tips. Expert Resume Writing – Next Step of Resume Writing Tips. ———————– List of Reviewed books ———————– “101 Best Resumes for Grads” by Jay A. Block and Michael Betrus “101 Best Resumes to Sell Yourself” by Jay A. Block “101 Best Resumes” by Jay A. Block and Michael Betrus “202 Great Resumes” by Jay A. Block “30…
Resume Writing Process
Our resume writing process is designed to produce a targeted, well-optimized resume.
A well-optimized resume should:
- Place your skills, experience, and other attributes in the best light possible
- Rank high in job board search engines and employer applicant tracking systems
- Pass 10-second gatekeeper screens
- Be optimized for offline, in-person networking
- Serve as an effective roadmap during interviews and telephone screens
Here’s an outline of our process:
About Us
Professional Resume Writing provides mid-level and senior professionals with effective resumes, cover letters and job tools they need to achieve their job search objectives.
We have served on both sides of the employment market, working as resume writers and job search advisers while helping a wide variety of employers hire qualified employees. Since 1999, we have recruited, counseled professionals across North America, Europe, and Australasia while helping them connect with desirable job opportunities. During our careers, each of our resume writers has reviewed well over 100,000 resumes and candidate profiles. We are intimately familiar with what works and what fails.
All of our resume writing is done in-house; we outsource nothing. We believe that sending work to unaccountable contract writers works counter to our clients’ interests.
If you would like to get hired faster, send us your resume then call us to get the process started.
How to get a job : writing a cover letter for a resume
A cover letter is a quick description about why one resume is better for a particular job position than all the other resumes, so having specific job position details in it is very important. Write a cover letter specific to each job application by usingthese tips from a career adviser in this free video on job guidance. Expert: Pat Goodwin Contact: Bio: Pat Goodwin is…
How to make a resume pt.2- 4 formats & when to use plus a 3-step process to create targeted resumes
Wanna learn how to make a resume that has employers calling you for interviews? If so, then this video is essential viewing… Learn about the 4 resume formats and when to use them….whether you’re a career professional or a career changer or applying for your first job, one of these resume formats will work for you…. After that, I reveal a simple 3-step process for quickly creating a resume th…
Free resume samples and templates – how to write a resume
Resume Samples and Templates TOTALLY FREE for over 200 different Professions. Visit BlueResume.com Today! NO catch or sample image files….. you get the the over 200 editable resumes for FREE! Visit us today @
Be Certifiable! The Basics of MCSE and MCP
It is not always who you know, but what you know. That is why obtaining Microsoft certification can be a valuable asset to your career. Of course, it does depend on what career path you want to take as to whether you want to get either MCSE training or MCP training or anything else for that matter. So what do those abbreviations MCSE and MCP stand for anyway?
MCP stands for Microsoft Certified Professional and MCSE is an abbreviation for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. What exactly does having a Microsoft certification mean anyway? We know that it looks good on a resume and opens new doors in your career. Did you know that being certifiable – in Microsoft anyway – sometimes will also boost your pay? Experience counts for a lot, but having a Microsoft certification or two does not hurt either!
So what does it take to be and MCP or MCSE? Lots of studying! The MCP courses and MCP exams are geared toward a more rounded technical professional. Candidates for MCP must pass one current certification test from Microsoft. Passing one of the exams demonstrates that the candidate has a consistent level of technical expertise.
With the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer path, there are MCSE boot camps that help prepare candidates for the MCSE exams. These MCSE boot camps are intense classes often packed into a full two week period instead of the traditional weekly MCSE training classes in preparation for the MCSE exams. This path is more involved. MCSE certification is standard in the IT field and prepares you for anything from the design of a system’s infrastructure to analyzing the company’s needs before implementing a design.
Unlike those individuals who take the MCP training to prepare for MCP exams, students of MCSE have a course of study that is more intense. Instead of one test to prepare for, they have seven tests that they are required to pass to get their Microsoft certification. Yikes! Seven! They have five main exams to take as well as two electives. The five required MCSE exams are broken down into four operating system exams and one design exam. The two electives typically deal with other issues in design and implementation not covered in the five core tests.
After learning a few basics, it is easy to see that the MCP or Microsoft Certified Professional is really just a stepping stone to bigger and greater things in the world of Microsoft certification. The individuals who go for the MCP have a leg up on those peers who have no technical experience. They will have a better grasp on technical issues and usually stay a step ahead of trends. The MCSE is more specialized and appeals to the techno geek with a penchant for design and implementation. They like knowing how stuff works. So market yourself and become certifiable!
Article Source: http://www.articlesauce.com
Alistair Wilson, Microsoft Certified Professional and MCSE Certification Online advisor – focusing on MCSE Courses Online and Boot Camp MCSE
Can You Really Afford To Write Your Resume?
Why would someone pay a professional resume writer to write their resume when they have a computer, can use resume templates, and can find resume samples online and in books to get ideas on setting up and composing their own resume?
The answer lies in what type of position they are targeting and their level of resume writing skills. Whether basic or complex, a resume must be attractive, focused, and interesting to read. Failing to achieve these objectives means failing to make a good first impression. Many things need to be taken into consideration in order to accomplish these goals. Here are five things to consider:
1. You must understand the technical aspects of resume development. This includes resume design (what fonts to use and spacing), use of industry specific key words, career synopsis and company profiles, appropriate resume style and formats (reverse chronological, functional and combination), and page length.
2. You must have good word processing skills!
3. You must understand what the hiring manager is looking for and what you’ve done so you can make a match between their needs and your qualifications.
4. You must have grammatically correct, creative writing skills to communicate what you have done in the positions you have held using a reasonable amount of detail.
5. You must avoid wasting the reader’s time by listing too much irrelevant information or going back too far if the position does not warrant it.
Some positions such as waitress, car wash attendant, and cashier might not require a resume. If they do, it would be a general resume with a traditional objective statement and chronological listing of jobs held with a sentence or two under each to indicate responsibilities, along with job-specific skills, and education.
In a word: simple. However, sometimes a resume needs to be strategically developed to emphasize the value you offer a company, especially if the position is very competitive and you need to stand out from the rest of the potential candidates.
Often, a job seeker finds himself or herself in a pickle because they have held many different positions over the years and do not know how to keep the resume focused for a particular position. Maybe you are returning to the workplace after raising your children and are concerned the gap will put you at a disadvantage.
Maybe you are just starting out in your career and do not think you have enough to offer a company. Or, maybe you are ready for a career change and do not know how to create a presentation that will position you for a new field.
If you have done your homework (which we believe you have since you are reading this article!), you know that a resume is often referred to as a “marketing tool.” No different than a commercial advertisement, your resume needs to entice the reader to buy the product (you) by grabbing their attention, listing the product’s benefits (your qualifications), and compel the reader to make a move – in this case, to invite you to an interview.
As you know, time is money. The more time that passes after sending your resume out, the more money you lose if it is not generating responses. If you cannot afford to be out of work for several months, you should make the decision to have your resume professionally prepared. Here is a quick quiz to help you put things into perspective:
Client A: wanted to save money, so she prepared her own resume. She faxed and mailed her resume to over 50 companies over a period of six weeks, but nothing happened. While she kept her fingers crossed, she depleted half of her savings. She eventually landed an interview in the seventh week through someone she knew.
Client B: understood that having her resume professionally developed was a good investment. Without one, she knew she could not launch her career in the right direction. She faxed and mailed her professionally prepared resume out to ten companies over a two-week period. By the end of week two, she landed a great interview that resulted in a fabulous job.
Quick Quiz: who came out financially ahead in the long run?
If you answered the job seeker that invested wisely in consulting with a professional resume writer, you are 100 percent correct! So, in summary, the question is not whether or not you can afford to write your own resume. The question is whether or not you can afford not to have it done properly.
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Career and Employment Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com
Using Phone References and Recommendation Letters
Topic: career
By: Ford R. Myers
Title: Using Phone References and Recommendation Letters
BODY:
Most people already know that they need a list of Professional References. But you might be asking, “Why do I need Letters of Recommendation at this point in my career?”
The answer is simple. You don’t NEED them … but you should WANT them. Why? Because when you find yourself in a competitive interviewing situation (and what interviewing situation is NOT competitive?), the letters of recommendation can really “give you an edge.”
In other words, when two or more candidates are equally qualified, the one who provides strong letters of recommendation at the later stages of the interview process will get the offer! So why not have this “extra ammunition” in your arsenal?
The recommended number of “phone reference people” is between 4 and 6; and you should secure at least 3 or 4 solid Letters of Recommendation.
Here’s how to get your “Phone Reference People” on board and generate your Letters of Recommendation.
1. Make a list of all the people you want to ask for help.
2. Separate them into two categories – one group to write Letters of Recommendation; the other to serve as phone references.
3. Call and ask them all for their help, stating exactly what you want them to do, and soliciting their participation.
4. Send them each a packet, including these four items: Cover Letter, Professional Biography, Resume and List of Targeted Companies. Your cover letter will include a bullet list of the specific attributes or experiences you want them to focus on in their letter or phone call. NOTE: the cover letter you send to the “letter writers” will be slightly different from the letter you send to the “phone reference people.”
5. Follow-up to be sure they received everything and that they fully understand your documents.
6. Tell the “phone reference people” to inform you immediately when they receive any calls from prospective employers. (This information will be very valuable to you!)
7. Tell the “letter writers” that you want to review their “rough drafts” and “check them for accuracy.” Later, instruct them to print-out the final letters on company letterhead (after you have edited the text, as needed).
8. Offer to help each of these participants in a similar capacity, should the need ever arise in their own careers.
Letters of Recommendation: Guidelines for the Writer
Provide these instructions to your “letter writers:”
- Print the final letter on your company letterhead. If your employer does not permit you to write such letters on company letterhead, then please use your personal letterhead. NOTE: you could create a simple letterhead for them (name, address, phone, e-mail at top of the sheet).
- Do not date the letter, and do not include any salutation (there should be no “Dear _”). Also, do not write, “To Whom it May Concern,” or “Dear Sir/Madam.”
- Keep the letter fairly brief, and never more than one page.
Also give the following instructions to the people who will be writing your letters of recommendation (adapted to your own name/situation/ background):
1. The first paragraph should say something like:
“I am writing to you on behalf of my former colleague, Sally M. Smith. I had the privilege of working with her from 19XX to 20XX when she was the (title) of (company XYZ).” Use your own words.
2. In the 2nd paragraph, mention some specifics that you recall about me:
“As the (title/company), Sally directed the strategic planning process for our division and led the economic and market forecasting. Her forecasts were instrumental in a number of projects. She actively contributed to the composites industry by doing (A, B and C). Sally consistently demonstrated (words such as leadership, problem-solving, communication, follow-through, analysis, organization are good to use). Throughout her tenure with company XYZ, she proved herself to be _ and a _ team player.” (Or something along these lines. Focus your attention on my contributions to the company as much as possible). Again, use your own words.
3. For paragraph 3, you may wish to mention some personal traits/values of mine:
What was it like to work with me, how did I measure-up as a team member compared with others? What contributions was I known for? What was I particularly good at? What positive recollections of working with me do you have? Use whatever adjectives come to mind.
4. The last paragraph should reiterate how you feel about me as a professional:
“I feel strongly that Sally would bring A, B and C to any organization and prove to be a valuable, contributing member,” (or something similar). End with a sentence that says something like, “I would be happy to talk with you if you have any questions about Sally,” or “Please feel free to contact me directly if you would like to know more about Sally’s work.” Use your own words.
Telephone References: Whom to Ask and How to Ask
When you create your list of Professional References, be sure to include the following elements for each individual:
– Name
– Title
– Company
– Street Address
– Phone Number
– E-Mail Address
– The person’s relationship to you (Example: As the Senior Scientist in charge of all research projects, Terry can attest to my technical and analytical skills.)
Also, always use the prefixes Mr., Ms., or Dr. before each name on your list of Professional References.
Conclusion
You’ll need to go through the necessary steps to get these tools together – and it may take some time. But as a result, your “Job Search Portfolio” will be much stronger. When used properly, your Telephone References and Letters of Recommendation will distinguish you from the other candidates, and ensure that you’ll get more offers!
Copyright (c) 2008, Career Potential, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Information about the Author:
Career and Employment Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com
Career counseling for the right job
Getting a job is always a difficult task. Take it is a mission you wish you succeed as swiftly as possible in order to ensure that you have money for all your financial needs to have a secured life.
Changing jobs has to be one of the more difficult decisions any of us can make; staying in the work environment we are used to can often be easier than having to embrace insecurity and having to prove the professional qualifications and credibility in a new workplace. The decision for change becomes difficult if the new job you need means switching the career. While you will face a challenge in trying to get the job that meets the new career objectives, crafting the resume should not be one of them. On the web alone, there are numerous resources for career changers. From helping you decide which career path you feel suited for to providing helpful advice on how to find success in the new job, you will find an overwhelming amount of resources to help you in the new journey. While most of the resources you find will be helpful are careful about the sources you utilize in order to put together the most winning resume for the new career choice.
There are mainly two elements to successfully creating a resume for a career change: research and willingness to take on new skills. Most guys put a lot of thought into switching careers. They consider their families, their living and financial situations, their competitive advantage in the new field, etc. After you convince yourself that switching careers is the right thing to do, you will want to convince the potential employers that you are qualified for you the job you are seeking. To do so, you want to do the research. Demonstrate to the employer that you have an extensive knowledge of the industry, even if you don’t have the accompanying experience. Before you start the new career, make sure that you understand what professional paths are ready and willing for your skills and spunk, and determine what the ultimate goal is. This will help you form the career objective for the resume. Additionally, make sure to do the research on the company you are interested in, as well as their the competitors; if invited for an interview, you will need to appear very interested and knowledgeable and willing to learn more – not only about their company, but about the industry as a whole. You will want to convince the potential employer that you are the very the best person for the job, better than the candidates with experience and to do that, you want to showcase not only the enthusiasm for the opportunity, but the eagerness to learn and the knowledge about the field.
Make a list of all the professional experiences and the qualifications necessary for the job. Use a functional resume to assure most of the qualifications necessary for the new job are met in the resume.
In addition to the resume, use the cover letter or email to let the potential employer know why you are switching careers and that the new interest is not a passing one. Make sure that the resume reflects the new found interest in a genuine and professional manner, and you are sure to have a successful career change.
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Career and Employment Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com
