Dynamic Web Resume » Resume Tutorials

Multiple Pages on your Paper Resume

Donny Grover — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 20:36:20 +0000

Ok, so we are going to kill two myths with one stone here. First off, believe it or not, we at Dynamic Web Resume do still believe in having a paper resume. Your Web Resume and paper resume should work together. A paper resume is so traditional and is the current norm so you cannot 100% trade your old paper resume in for your shiny new Dynamic Web Resume.

The second myth has to do with the length of your paper resume. People always say keep it short and all on one page. I get resumes in everyday where people go down to 8 point font to try and fit everything into one page. Do you really want to make a potential employer squint their old eyes trying to read your resume?

The main reason why 1 page on a resume is the rule of thumb is because people usually put too much fluff on their resumes. Take a recent college graduate for example, they were in chess club, have volunteer activities, lifeguard certifications, and even CPR!!!! The list of fluff goes on and on. Yes, that inexperienced and unemployed person should keep it simple and down to one page. But, what about the young professional with about 5 years experience? Can they fit all their accomplishments and experience into one page of a resume… I hope not. After being in the workforce for 5 or so years I hope that you have built up enough responsibilities and experiences that you are spilling over to the second page.

When developing a two page resume I would separate the two pages out distinctly. One page should be dedicated to showing your education, personal characteristics, accomplishments, and all the warm fuzzy stuff that you think people want to see. (Again this is where you put some of the fluff… I can’t stop people from adding fluff to their resume so I am just starting to accept the fact that there is going to be some.)

The other page is going to be your power page. If you are a professional that is building your first two page resume then you most likely hold an authoritative position in a company where you may manage a couple people and are kicking ass. That is why you are pulling together a new resume because you want to move into a position with a TITLE. Your power page should show how much you are dominating at your current position.

Take a couple days and keep a journal of your day-to-day activities. If you really are dominating and lining yourself up to climb the latter then the content to put on your power page will be right there. If not… keep your resume to one page because you are not ready for two.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them below or contact us at Donny@DynamicWebResume.com.

Written by Donny Grover

Web Resume Advice: Update and Revise

Donny Grover — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:28:53 +0000

Keeping your web resume up to date makes you climb the latter instead of doing the horizontal shuffle. In the U.S. today we are experiencing a ridiculous 9.5% unemployment rate. The employment turnover these days is out of control. College educated people are now accepting jobs managing McDonald’s. So, when they get offered your job for half the price they are going to take it and your back in the applicant pool with an upsetting severance package.

A deeper look into the statistics of employment will show you how important it is to keep an up to date resume. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that baby boomers help an average of 10.8 jobs between the ages of 18-42. Having a strong and up to date web resume will help you make these 10 job changes all in the right direction, up and with more money!

Employees from the age of 18-22 experience the highest job turn-over rate. 72% of jobs will be over within a year and 94% within 5 years. These results are startling! Most people especially in this age range apply to their next job with the same resume as the first. How do you expect to move up in the business world without compounding your experience and education?

Yes, the above example deals with a very volatile age group. However, the statistics do not get much better. By 35 people expect to have security and a steady job, but the numbers are not looking to secure. The age group of 38-42 shows high employment turnover as well. 31% of jobs last less than a year and 65% are over within 5 years. Who do you want to be? The 38 year old getting a new job because he is moving up the latter to more money and power or the 38 year old moving horizontally with stagnant wages.

My solution to this problem is to first off get your web resume from Dynamic Web Resume. Then, keep it up to date! Set an appointment in your datebook every 3-6 months. Spend an hour revising and updating your resume. You never know when you are going to need your resume. Think about your mindset during a tough time. Your 40 years old 3 years into a great job and you’re axed due to cutbacks because of the economy. Every emotion in the world is flowing through your head… Car bills, children’s tuition, and a mortgage. How are you going to be able to sit down and express the great work you have done over the past 3 years? Keeping your resume up to date will help you turn setbacks into unexpected surprises!

For more information please visit Dynamic Web Resume. For great resume examples please visit our web resume examples page. Any more information related to this article can be directed to Don Grover at Donny@DynamicWebResume.com.

More than Resume Advice… Finding A Job!

Donny Grover — Fri, 28 May 2010 19:35:05 +0000

HELP WANTED….Finding a Job

I saw an ad in the newspaper for jobs in corporate finance. I faxed my resume to the 800-number listed and got a call from a woman who said her company works with businesses to find employees to fill their positions. She said the service would cost me $495, but the fee was fully refundable if I was dissatisfied or found a job on my own. She guaranteed me interview opportunities and told me that if I found a job through her company, there was a good chance my new employer would reimburse me for the fee. I never got any interviews, let alone a refund, and now I can’t even get the company to return my calls.
— paraphrased from a sample complaint letter to the FTC.

If you’re looking for a job, you may come across ads for firms that promise results. Although many of these firms may be legitimate and helpful, others may misrepresent their services, promote out-dated or fictitious job offerings, or charge high up-front fees for services that may not lead to a job. Some ads may direct you to call a toll-free 800-number. Once you’re connected, you may be switched to a pay-per-call 900-number without your knowledge, or you may be asked to call a 900-number without a proper fee disclosure. Both practices are against the law.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sues businesses that fraudulently advertise employment openings and guarantee job placement. Consumers who respond to these ads think they’re contacting a bona fide placement service that’s seeking candidates to fill specific jobs. Instead, they’re reaching a business that rarely helps consumers get employment through its “services.” To make matters worse, these businesses invariably charge advance fees — ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars — for their “services,” typically imposing the fees without consumer approval, or promising — falsely — that most or all of the fees ultimately will be refunded.

Types of Employment Service Firms

When you’re looking for help in finding a job, it’s important to understand the differences among employment services. Many terms, such as employment agency, personnel placement service, executive search firm, or executive counseling service are used interchangeably. Find out what services a firm offers, how much the services cost, and who pays. If you’re required to pay the fee, find out what you’ll owe if the employment service fails to find you a job or any leads.

Six basic types of service companies/agencies offer consumers help in finding a job. They include: public employment services; employment agencies; executive search services; temporary help services; executive counseling services; and job listing services.

• The federally-funded and state-operated Public Employment Service, also known as the Job Service, operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The Employment Service provides Internet access to America’s Job Bank (AJB). On any given day, this national resource lists hundreds of thousands of job opportunities. It also provides links to numerous employment and training programs in each state, including programs for people with disabilities, minorities, older workers, veterans, welfare recipients, and young people. There are some 2,300 points of service nationwide; about 1,700 of them are full-time, full-service offices. The Employment Service provides its services free to both employers and job seekers. Openings range from entry level to technical and professional positions. Visit www.ajb.dni.us for more information.

• Employment agencies or personnel placement services work to fill specific positions available within companies. Their purpose is to bring applicants and employers together. Often, the hiring company pays the placement fee, but when state law permits, you and the employer may share the fee or the fee may be billed to you after you’ve been hired. Employment agencies usually are licensed in the state where they do business.

• Executive search firms or executive recruiters are hired by businesses to find the “right” person for a particular job within an organization. Recruiters sometimes are referred to as “headhunters.” The executive who is hired doesn’t pay the fee; it’s part of the agreement between the hiring business and the search firm. Executive search firms usually subscribe to a code of ethics established by industry members; some firms are licensed by the states where they do business, as required by state law.

• Temporary help services supply workers to businesses on a temporary or as-need basis. Businesses pay an agreed-upon wage to the temporary service for work performed by the employees. The temporary service firm pays the workers, not the temporary employer.

• Executive counseling services or career counseling services help job seekers with career directions and decisions more than with job placement. They may offer services like skill identification and self evaluation, resume preparation and letter writing, and general information about companies or organizations in a particular location or job field. Fees can be as high as $4,000, and payment often is required before services are provided. You’ll probably have to pay this fee even if you don’t find a job. Placement is not guaranteed. State law dictates whether executive counseling firms are licensed

Job listing services or advisory services sell information about getting a job in the U.S. or abroad. They often use pay-per-call 900-numbers to do this. They do not provide actual job placement. Information may include lists of job openings, general tips on conducting a successful job search or interview, and broad guidance in resume writing. These advisory firms often require an up-front fee for their listings.

Protecting Yourself

Before you spend any money responding to job ads or completing job placement contracts, the FTC suggests that you:

• Be suspicious of any employment-service firm that promises to get you a job.

• Be skeptical of any employment-service firm that charges up-front fees, even if it guarantees refunds to dissatisfied customers.

• Don’t give out your credit card or bank account information on the phone unless you’re familiar with the company and agree to pay for something. Anyone who has your account information can use it to commit financial fraud against you.

• Get a copy of the firm’s contract and review it carefully before you pay any money. Understand the terms and conditions of the firm’s refund policy. Make sure you understand what services will be provided by the firm and what you’ll be responsible for. If oral promises are made that don’t also appear in the contract, think twice about doing business with the firm.

• Take your time reviewing the contract. Don’t be rushed into paying for services. Avoid high-pressure sales pitches that require you to pay now or risk losing out on the opportunity.

• Be cautious about purchasing from a firm that’s reluctant to answer your questions or gives you evasive answers.

• Be aware that some listing services and “consultants” may place ads that seem to offer jobs when, in fact, they’re selling employment information.

• Follow up with the offices of any company or organization listed in an ad by an employment service, to find out if the company’s really hiring.

• Be wary of firms promoting “previously undisclosed” federal government jobs. All federal positions are announced to the public.

• Check with your local consumer protection agency, state Attorney General’s Office, and the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed about a company with which you intend to do business.
In addition, federal law prohibits the use of a toll-free number for pay-per-call 900-number services. This means that anyone calling a toll-free number cannot be charged simply for completing the call, and that a toll-free number call cannot be transferred, or connected to, a pay-per-call 900-number service. Federal law also prohibits any telephone message that solicits calls to a pay-per-call 900-number service from failing to disclose the cost of the call.

For More Information

A variety of free and low-cost resources are available to help you in your job search.

• Job Service offices post vacancies and offer counseling and referrals to other job resources.

• Local and county human resources offices provide some placement assistance. They can give you the names of other groups that may be helpful, such as labor unions or federally-funded vocational programs.

• University, college and community college career service offices usually limit their help to students and alumni, but some may let you look at their current job listings.

Local libraries can direct you to information on writing a resume, interviewing, or compiling a list of companies and organizations to contact about job openings.

• The Internet, through major online services and electronic bulletin boards, has information and options to help you, including classified ads and resume postings.

Where to Complain

If you have a problem with an employment-service firm, contact your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, the appropriate state licensing board, or your state Attorney General. If you have problems with charges on your phone bill for 900-number calls to fraudulent businesses, contact your telephone company immediately. No phone company is obligated to delete the charges, but you should ask. Call your carrier or the Federal Communications Commission for policy information.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1‑877‑382‑4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

SOURCE: The Federal Trade Commission

Writing a Teacher’s Resume – Resume Mechanics

Donny Grover — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:40:01 +0000

A resume is an important communication tool from you to principals. It lets them know, in a brief written form, about your qualifications and why they should pursue you as a candidate. A resume should be more than just a listing of personal data and work experiences. It should be a sales brochure which markets you as a great teacher!

There is no one right way to write a resume. Each resume is as individual as the person who writes it. There are, however, generally accepted ways of getting information across to potential employers. Use the following information as a guideline to draft your teacher’s resume. Then you can have your resume reviewed and receive feedback.

Required Elements of a Resume

Identification: Include your name, address, phone, and email address (your email address should be professional, not cute). If you have a current and permanent address, list both. Your name should be in the biggest print on the page, three or four times bigger than the other print.

Certification: List your certification and any endorsements, and the date. “Illinois Initial Elementary Certificate, expected July 2001. Endorsement expected in Middle Grade Language Arts.”

Education: List your college degree(s) in reverse chronological order, including school name, city, major(s), minor(s), and date(s) of graduation. If you haven’t yet graduated, list the date you plan to graduate. If it’s more than a year from now, indicate that the degree is “anticipated June 2001.” If your G.P.A. is over 3.0, you may want to include that as well.

Teaching Experience: This is the most important part! This is the place where you can really sell yourself to potential employers as the next great teacher at their school! Use the list of action verbs located in this packet. Write down everything which could help sell you as a teacher. Include job title, where you did this activity, and when (Student Teacher, Sam Houston High School, Spring 2001.)

Related Experience: This is where you list paid or unpaid work which gave you experiences which will help you be a better teacher, camp counselor, tutor, etc.

Optional Elements

The rest of your resume can include any of the following elements. Again, choose those which sell you as a
teacher the best.

Work Experience: This element is optional because your teaching experience is what interests principals and other hiring authorities the most. List these jobs in reverse chronological order. Highlight those aspects of the job which are teaching related. (Training other employees is of more interest to principals than sales.)

Honors and Activities: If you have some impressive honors (Dean’s list, Phi Delta Kappa, any scholarships or achievement awards), or activities which relate to teaching, you can list them.

Special Skills: Fluency or proficiency in foreign languages, using computers to enhance instruction, etc.

Professional Preparation: Special workshops, seminars, etc. you’ve participated in, especially those which can be quantified (e.g., “Trained Great Books Leader”).

Professional Memberships: List those professional associations to which you belong. Include any leadership positions or committee memberships. (e.g., National Council of Teachers of English) Any other achievements, training or skills which help sell your qualifications. If you’re not sure about something, ask yourself, “If I were a principal, what skill or experience would I want to read about?” Do not use passive sentences (e.g., “I was responsible for…”). Start each line with an action verb (“incorporated math learning centers into curriculum”). Do not use personal pronouns. Be concise, but make space to list most of your teaching related experience, especially if you are a beginning teacher.

Resume Mechanics

Your resume should look great. It communicates as much about you as the clothing you wear to an interview. Take the time and money to make a first class presentation.

Using a computer and a laser printer is highly recommended. You get top quality printing and can adapt your resume and cover letter quickly and easily for each employer.
Stick to one page unless you have several years of teaching experience. Even if you have many years in the work force, condense to one page, focusing on teaching.
Use a good paper stock. Nothing too flashy: white, ivory, or light gray. Get extra paper for matching cover letters. Consider using an 8 1/2″ x 11″ envelope so your resume reaches the employer in immaculate condition.
Use bolding, underlining, or italicizing to highlight those words or phases you want to stand out. Don’t overdo it, though.
Use perfect grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Make good use of action verbs (list is attached). Have several people proofread your resume.
Make it visually attractive: white space for the eye to rest; no marks, erasures, etc. Use a font which is easy to read.

source: Teacher Resume

Resume Writing Tips – The Do’s and Don’ts

Donny Grover — Sat, 22 May 2010 01:34:23 +0000

Resume Writing Tips – The Do’s and Don’ts

The Do’s of Resume Writing

Use a chronological format, which lists your work experience starting with your most recent experience, unless you have significant gaps in your work history or are changing careers.

Open with a summary statement highlighting your work functions, areas of expertise, and key skills.
If you have a technical background, you should have a technical summary: hardware, software, operating systems, etc.
Include a key word section of your competencies and areas of expertise.
Emphasize accomplishments, not just responsibilities. Start each statement with an Action Verb.
Emphasize the end results. Include quantifiable data if possible.
Have a short (2 or 3 sentence) job description after job title, but use “bullets” to list accomplishments.
Education – include anything beyond high school even if you did not finish or only took 1 or 2 courses.
Include corporate & state sponsored training and certifications that are relevant.
Proofread! Have a least 3 different pairs of eyes read your resume
Awards should be listed under the title where you earned them as an accomplishment.

The Don’ts of Resume Writing

Don’t exceed two pages in length unless you have publications or patents that extent the content of the resume.
Don’t include total number of years work experience, such as “Over 20 years in _ _ _ _”
Don’t slap a resume together for the sake of getting it done. You cannot take it back once it has been distributed.
Don’t use personal pronouns like I, me, they, or their. Start sentences with a verb.
Don’t include dates under Education or training unless you have completed your degree recently.
Don’t include references or say “References Available Upon Request” at the end of resume.
Don’t use a personal e-mail address with nicknames or other phrases that may cause a bias. Have a separate email address if possible.
Don’t include hobbies or other personal information such as height, weight, and marital or familial status.
End resume with Community Affiliations or Professional Associations section
Don’t include months of employment only years unless your agency requires months.
Don’t include a salary history on resume.

General Resume Writing Guidelines

Donny Grover — Sat, 22 May 2010 01:32:05 +0000

General Resume Writing Guidelines

Every worker should have an up to date resume to market skills to potential employers. The information below can help write a successful and land your next job.

General Resume Writing Guidelines

Your resume should be 1 or 2 pages long.
Work on a computer. The computer will set margins and spacing for you. Use 10-12 point font size.
Your resume should be free of errors.
Use white, beige or gray bonded paper. Your envelope and cover letter paper should match your resume paper.
Use skills statements with examples to show you are qualified for the job.
Describe your skills accurately.
Use work experience, volunteer experience, commendations and awards, formal training, education, internships, licenses or certifications to document your skills.
Have a separate reference sheet.

Content and Organization

Your resume needs to include your skills and work experience. There are a number of ways to organize that information and we’ve highlighted two of the most popular styles here.

Functional Skills-based Resume

Functional resumes (also called skills-based résumés) focus on the skills you have that apply to the job you are seeking.

This style is best for:

People who want to change careers;
People with have academic or technical training, but little or no work history; and
People who are returning to the workforce or who have held many different jobs.

Chronological Resume

Chronological resumes list your work history from your current or most recent job back to your first job. This style highlights continued growth in a particular field.

This style is best for:

People who are seeking work in their current field; and
People seeking promotions or a position with more responsiblity.

Special Situations on Your Resume

Donny Grover — Sat, 22 May 2010 01:29:44 +0000

Special Situations on Your Resume by Mass DoWD

This section examines areas of resume writing that are potentially challenging. The goal is to provide you with ideas, suggestions, and advice on how to handle these special issues.

Displaying Career Changers on Your Resume

Employers admit to being picky and giving preference to the applicantwhose experience and expertise are in the same industry or who has workexperience in a company that is similar to theirs. Entering a new career ornew industry is not impossible, it just requires planning, researching, and perseverance.

First, you need to identify the skills that can be transferred into the new in-dustry, field, or company. Then you must identify specific employers withinthe new industry that need someone with your skills, qualifications and accomplishments. If you live in an area where there is a demand for your spe-cific skills, employers will be less hesitant about calling you in for aninterview, even though you do not have prior experience working in a similar company.

Once you have identified specific employers, you must research the company to learn about the types of employees they hire, work environment character-istics, company financial picture, and general company/culture information. To the extent that this information is similar to your work experiences, it canbe woven into your employment history and accomplishment statements.

If you would like more information on researching companies, attend a NET-WORKING workshop or if you would like more information on choosing anew career, sign up for the CAREER EXPLORATION workshop. These andother workshops are being offered at many Career Centers.

A suggested resume format for career changers is the reverse chronological resume. This format is useful when the job you are applying for requires different skills than what you have or simply the same skills but with a different emphasis. The reverse chronological resume starts with a qualifications statement , then the education section, and ends with the employment history. This format allows you to market your transferable skills in the qualifications statement.

Looking for a Jobin a New Industry

Getting a job in a new industry is not as difficult as changing careers completely. Through research, informational interviewing and networking, you can develop a strong foundation to change industries. Employers have said it is easier to change between industries if you are in the following occupations:

manager
educator
marketing
fundraiser
accountant
sales
administrative support
MIS
finance

Depending on the types of skills you have, it may be possible to gain experience in a new industry through short term contract work. This provides you with the opportunity to learn more about the industry while simultaneously creating networking contacts.

If you are in an industry that is hit hard by a recession, sometimes there are more opportunities for you in another industry.

When writing your resume and cover letter for the employer in a new field, focus on the skills that are easily transferred from your prior job. You mustfirst analyze what you did in your former position and the skills that you utilized. Then you can realize how those are the same skills necessary to do the job you are seeking.

In some cases you will have to acquire new skills through training, either onthe job or through a training course. In changing industries, you may be using a combination of old skills that you already have brought with you to the new job and new skills that you will need to learn.

In researching a new industry, be aware of the skills that are needed and the ones that you have. Then focus on this common link and be sure to emphasize it in your resume and cover letter. You will write a better resume andstand a better chance at getting an interview if you can demonstrate theemployer’s need for you! Whenever possible, highlight previous skills and experience in accomplishment statements that are relevant to the new industry and/or occupation. Make a connection between your past work experiences and the new position you are seeking. Talk about aspects of your previous employment that match the necessary skills needed in the occupational area that you are pursuing.

Handing Employment Gaps on Your Resume

There is no real simple solution to the problem of gaps in employment andresume writing. Employers themselves express conflicting viewpoints on how to address periods of unemployment. Statistics show that most adults have either experienced unemployment themselves or have close family or friends who have. Therefore, some employers have an understanding of employment gaps due to job seeking and tend to be more comfortable with these gaps.

Employers naturally scrutinize resumes for gaps and become suspicious when they find them. They do not agree on the best way of handling gaps in employment nor could they provide an example of a resume that successfully treated gaps.

Most employers prefer to see an explanation of employment gaps in thecover letter. Some suggested that job seekers incorporate a two or three sentence explanation in the body of the resume. However, very few of them had ever received resumes offering this type of information. Employers did comment that most job seekers do not address gaps in employment in the cover letter or the resume.

Employers did say that if your skills are in demand and/or you have quality networking contacts then gaps in employment become less significant. Also, they look at the length and number of your employment gaps. The more gaps you have and the longer they are, the more of a disadvantage it is to you. Employers have a tendency to view gaps in employment for women withless suspicion because they assume it was for child care purposes.

Keep in mind that your goal is to get an interview. Employers generally grant interviews based on their perception of your skills and qualifications andwhat you can do for their company or organization. Therefore, you want employers to focus on your skills and accomplishments. In the interview, be prepared to explain your gaps in employment in a positive light.

Handling Job Hopping on Your Resume

There are some professions where it is acceptable to have numerous employers or many short term jobs. Construction and temporary employment are two examples. In most cases, however, having numerous jobs in a short amount of time will be detrimental to your job search. It is a serious issue for employers because of the cost of training you and then replacing you. Employers may label you a job hopper if you only stay with a company for a short time.

If there has been a particular reason why you held many different jobs, mention this in your cover letter. One example is “hot and cold” industries such as politics or construction. Additionally, if you have been laid off due to alack of work and that is why you have held several different jobs, be sure to mention this in your cover letter as well.

Emphasize why you are committed to working long term in the job you are applying for. Highlight a common set of skills that you have utilized and that the company is seeking. Also, highlight what your former employers liked most about you.

Use a combination or a functional resume format. If you held more than one job in a year, list only the job that is relevant to the position you are applying for, when possible. If you have held similar jobs, summarize them under one period of time in your employment history. This would be possible only if your work was contractual or you were working for a temporary agency.

Older Workers and Resumes

Recently, mature workers have found the labor market tough to enter or re-enter. Some employers tend to hire a college graduate and train rather than hire an already trained worker. There is considerable savings in payroll at the expense of experience and expertise. Mature workers must focus on how they are going to benefit the company. How will you save the company money? Time? Resources?

The most critical component of the job search is not to get discouraged! Persevere!! Always remember that if you feel an employer has discriminated against you because of your age, do you really want to work for that person?

Networking should be a top priority to the older worker. Be sure to place alot of time and energy in developing and following up with networking contacts. Never mention your age in your resume or cover letter. Also, leave out dates of graduation from high school and college if you feel that this will enable someone to determine your age at a glance. However, never leave dates of employment out because this creates suspicion on the part of the employer.

College Graduate’s Resumes

College graduates are being recruited by major companies and the resume is the tool for getting the first interview. College graduates must tailor their resume to the desired position. Any experience which used the hard and/or soft skills necessary to do the job you are applying for should be incorporated into your resume.

Summer/Part-Time/Youth Employment on Your Resume

If you are re-entering the work force or just coming out of college, you may have to include summer or part-time work. This is effective provided that the experience relates to the job you want. It is important to demonstrate through accomplishment statements that you have the skills, abilities, and qualifications to do the job. If you were working part-time for more than two years list these jobs in the chronological sequence. Use the cover letter to explain part-time work situations or indicate that it was part-time work on the resume by putting “part-time” in parentheses after the employer’s name.

Young people with little or no work history should review their work experience and emphasize part-time employment, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities, such as clubs, team sports and elected positions. Stress your accomplishments and highlight areas or activities that demonstrate positive and motivational attitudes that are important to employers. Employers are looking for people who are flexible and adaptable Demonstrate your ability to solve problems, think through a situation, complete tasks, and to be solution oriented. Stress that you are self-directed and will require minimal supervision. Most of all convey to the employer that you are reliable, dependable, and have strong basic work habits.

Military Experience on Your Resume

Concerning military experience, the National Business Employment Weekly(NBEW) states that the most common resume writing challenge for veterans is converting their military experience into marketable skills for the civilian work force. It may be difficult for veterans to choose experiences that exemplify their particular skills because a lot of veterans have had varied military backgrounds. It is important to select and match the skills and qualifications to the skills and qualifications that are necessary to do the job for which you are applying. If you are a veteran, be sure to seek out the Veterans Specialist at a One-Stop Career Center.

Homemaker Experience on Resumes

Employers do not expect you to give an account of your years unemployed while bringing up your family. It is to your advantage to identify other types of activities you were involved in and the type of skills, qualifications, and accomplishments you have to offer. Consider the employer and the position and then try to bridge your skills with the needs of the employer. It is important to keep the employer focused on how you will specifically contribute to the organization. Emphasize your skills that are directly related to your workplace qualifications.

When you have little full-time work experience, or have been unemployed along time, part-time and volunteer work should be emphasized. Additionally, any training courses or education programs you have attended should also be highlighted.

Incarceration on Your Resume

Many people are concerned about how to answer the question “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?”. The answer that many ex-offenders choose to use is “Yes, will discuss at interview”. This method gives you the opportunity to respond truthfully and prompt the employer into meeting with you personally so you may explain your circumstances and address any concerns the employer may have. Leaving this question unanswered is not recommended because it alerts the employer and can create unnecessary suspicion.

Lying is never recommended because it will more than likely be discovered at some point and then the employer will have grounds for dismissal.

Lying on either a resume or an application is grounds for dismissal. If you were recently incarcerated, and you furthered your education and/or upgraded your skills during this period, be sure to include this information in your resume.

Physically Challenged

Always remember that the purpose of the resume is to get the interview. Your disability is not important; how well you can do the job and contribute to the company is what must be emphasized. Stress and focus your resume on your most positive skills, experiences, level of responsibilities and accomplishments. Remember, the employer grants interviews based on the candidate who appears to be the most qualified. It is your job to help the employer focus on your skills, abilities, and accomplishments. In the interview, be prepared to discuss your disability if it relates to the position you are applying for. Be sure to address this issue in a positive manner. (It is not recommended that a special physically challenged resume be used.)

Portraying Self Employment on Your Resume

List your consulting jobs chronologically. Employers respond favorably to consulting and contract experience. Be sure to show your enthusiasm and commitment to the work in your cover letter and only highlight those jobs that are relevant to the needs of the employer.

Resume: More than One Job from the Same Company

Donny Grover — Sat, 22 May 2010 01:18:01 +0000

Resume With More Than One Position From the Same Company by Mass DoWD

Creating Your Resume with Multiple Positions

You now have a list of duties and functions you have performed, skills you have utilized, and a sense of your accomplishments. Let’s create some powerful accomplishment statements utilizing the PAR MODEL. PAR stands for Problem-Action-Results and is made up of two processes.

First is the thought process. Think of a problem you had at work, an area where you knew things could be done better. Write this down. Then recall what action you took to solve that problem and what skills you utilized. Write them down. Then write down the results of your action.

Example for your Resume

The problem was that the files were disorganized and unworkable.

The action I took was to rearrange the files using the numeric filing system. The result was I could find files much faster, saving time, thus, saving the company money.

The second process is the written process that enables you to develop accomplishment statements that will be used in your resume. You write down the results first, then the action. The result is actually your “success on the job” which an employer sees as a benefit to him or her. In describing results, think in mea-surable terms: money saved, profits increased, numerical effects, and the impact your action had on people, places and things in the workplace. On a resume, you never write down the problem. Instead, write down the result or outcome of your action.

Example for your Resume

Reduced time searching for files by implementing a numeric filing system.

Using the P+A+R Model for your Resume

Problem: Harry works as a Personnel Administrator in a large company which has been having trouble recruiting additional help through regular hiring methods.
Action:

Identified and analyzed specific hiring needs with key staff.
Selected colleges to target.
Set up new computer tracking system.
Helped develop new follow-up system to extend recruitment effort beyond an-nual visits.

Skills:

Communication
Creativity
Management (ability to take project and “run with it”)
Complete follow-up

Results:

Increased new hires by 35% by designing and implementing a creative new college recruitment program.

Listed below are other examples of the PAR model for writing accomplishment statements.

Increased sales 30% by creating new markets.
Reduced staff turnover by designing new benefit program for employees.
Saved the organization sixty thousand dollars by automating the payroll department.

Notice that each accomplishment statement says just enough to get the employer’s attention. The statements intentionally leave out information to tantalize the employer enough so he/she calls you in for an interview. Also notice in each accom-plishment statement, the result is connected to the action by the word “by”. Try to develop at least three accomplishment statements for each position you held. Remember that in order for accomplishment statements to be effective, they must be relevant to the qualities the employer is looking for.

Your accomplishment statements will be more powerful if you use action words to begin each statement. Action words are the verbs which describe the skill you used to accomplish a task. Review accomplishment statements to evaluate the effectiveness of the words you have used. Be dynamic! Use action words like: implemented, designed, created; not passive words like: responsible for and duties were. Always be consistent with the tense your resume is written in. Choose either past or present tense and be consistent. However, if you are writing about a current job, use the present tense.

Employer Viewpoint. . .”When competing with other job seekers, it is important to make your experience count. I pay attention to resumes that are well written. In particular, I’m impressed with job descriptions that show accomplishments. It gives me a better idea about how the applicant will make a contribution to my company.”

Rick Fox, Director of Human Resources , West Lynn Creamery

List your education and professional training. Include places attended, dates, certifi-cates and diplomas received. Highlight any specific areas of study or training which are relevant to the job you are applying for. Only those organizations and professional affiliations that relate and are relevant to the position you are applying for should appear on your resume. (Hobbies, personal information, marital status, and age do not belong on today’s resume.) Do not include education information in your work experience section.

Finally, writing REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST is optional. This is a matter of your personal preference, employers assume that if it is not written on your resume that you will give them your references during the interview.

Employer Viewpoint. . .”When I read the work history, I want to see what you did without a lot of extra ver-biage. I like to see title and dates first, then company and job description. The work experience has to match what I’m looking for. When I have to work to find information, I tend to get annoyed with the applicant.”

Judith Hayes, Director of Human Resources, Pilgrim Health Care

Creating Your Resume: Think Like an Employer!

Donny Grover — Sat, 22 May 2010 00:57:31 +0000

Creating Your Resume: Think Like an Employer!

When Creating Your Resume – Start Thinking Like an Employer

As a job seeker, you will be successful if you take on the role of a salesperson. Your task is to know as much as possible about the product you are selling (your skills and abilities) and the markets you are trying to reach (specific industries and employers). This means developing a marketing strategy. To do this, begin with a self assessment. You must identify what you have to offer and then package it for employers. Once you have identified your skills, abilities, and accomplishments, you must identify the industries you are interested in and target specific employers within those industries.

Examples of Identifying Industries for your Resume

Industry: Electrical	Industry: Technical
Position: Assembler	Position: Assembler
Employers: ABC Company Profit Corp.	Employers: Bopre & Sons Tools Inc.

Resumes that are tailored to specific industries, employers, and job announce-ments are the most effective. In targeting your resume and cover letter to a particular company and job opening, your format and language need to be tailored to match what the employer is looking for. Employers will be more likely to call you for an interview if your resume has language that is familiar to them and lists the qualifications for which they are looking. You can ensure this by paying close attention to adjectives and phrases (buzz words) used in job postings and advertisements.

Tailoring your resume allows you to make a stronger presentation of your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments by selecting those work experiences that are relevant to the employer who is reading your resume. An employer reading a resume that has been tailored to his or her industry/ company/ position, feels a familiarity with the resume and the person who sent it because it looks and reads like those of people who currently work in that company.

Employer Viewpoint . . .”In our business, we look at the resume for the following things in this order: relevant experience and education, truth in advertising, and personal qualities (to the extent that we can judge from the resume), such as competence, maturity, enthusiasm, positive attitude, and likability.”

Dr. Jerrold Shapiro, Ophthalmology Program Manager,Candella Laser Corporation

Self Assessment: Defining the Market Product

This section will help you begin the process of identifying your skills andabilities that you will market to employers. After completing this step by step self assessment, you will have enough information to include in the resume format of your choice.

The self assessment process is designed to assist you in identifying skills, abilities, and accomplishments. You will conduct a complete review of your experience by listing your work history, identifying your accomplishments, and defining your skills.

1. List your places of employment, military experience, and major volunteer work. Include names and addresses of each organization beginning and ending dates, and positions held.

If you worked in the same company and held more than one position, it is not necessary to repeat this step for each position.

2. State your duties and functions by writing down your major responsibilities and how you spent your time. Consider the skills you used, knowledge you needed, equipment utilized, etc. Write down your biggest accomplishments, projects, and assignments.

More Power to Your Skills

There are two types of skills that employers look for: hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are those skills that are usually written on a resume, such as computer languages, word processing, years of management and tools utilized. Soft skills are those skills that are conveyed as a result of your accomplishments. Examples of this type of skill are communication and interpersonal skills. To be effective, soft skills should be tied into accomplishment statements.

The key to marketing your hard and soft skills successfully is developing effective accomplishment statements. Writing accomplishment statements can make people feel like they are bragging. However, writing them can be effective without turning the employer off by being boastful. Employers like to have skills and experience written in a straightforward manner, without exaggeration. It is important to select accomplishment statements that are relevant to the position you want. Tailor your accomplishment statements to match the qualifications that the employer wants. Every person who has held a position, whether paid or volunteer, has accomplishments. Even if your task was repetitive and routine, you have had accomplishments!Use specific examples when you describe your skills — ones that you are proficient in and are proud of. By doing so, you will be seen as confident and motivated.

Volunteer work can be utilized, when necessary, on a resume. It is important to remember that the work must be relevant to the job you are interested in. Be sure to develop accomplishment statements that reflect your skills and qualifications. In the cover letter you may mention that it is volunteer work or you may mention it in the resume by putting volunteer work in parentheses, after the employer name.

If your volunteer or community service work is extensive, be sure to include the scope of the project, your responsibilities, skills you utilized to implement the project and the result. List the experience in chronological format. It is usually not a good idea to list political or religious organizations in a resume unless you are applying for a job in this type of area.

Be sure to mention the “soft skills” that you have utilized. For example, dependability, energy level and punctuality. You can weave a personal motivation statement or desire to work statement into a cover letter. However, illustrating soft skills is most effective when they are tied into accomplishment statements.

Below are some questions that may assist you in developing effective accomplishment statements.

Did you introduce a new system? Procedure?
How did you save the organization money?
Did you increase production? Improve morale? By how much?
Did you develop new techniques for getting the job done faster?
Did you improve the quality of a product or service?
Did you enhance the life of an individual?
Did you increase someone’s daily living skills?

There are numerous positions where workers deal directly with and for people – teachers, social workers, nursing, etc. – and their accomplishments and/or results are often not quantifiably measurable.

Resume Advice from Massachusetts Employers

Donny Grover — Sat, 22 May 2010 00:51:59 +0000

Advice from Massachusetts Employers by Mass DoWD

Making the First Cut

Screening usually takes place in the Human Resource Department or the Personnel Department of the company.Employers use similar strategies during the first round of screening. Your resume is scanned for 9 to 30 seconds. During this process, the qualifications listed on your resume are compared with the qualifications listed in the job announcement. Specifically, the company is looking at how well your qualifications match the qualifications listed for the job. The company also looks at your employment record which should include the dates and previous positions. Some employers also review cover letters at this point.

Resumes that pass this initial screening are then sent to the appropriate department head for further review. Sometimes applicants are called for a telephone interview before the resumes are sent for departmental review. Primarily, the phone call is made to check salary re-quirements and to answer any questions not explained in the resume.

Employer Viewpoint. . .”In the health care industry, we have to be especially rigid about the qualifications requested in the want ad. If the ad says five years experience required, or if a license is needed, we can’t make exceptions. I usually look at employment dates and education first.”

Nancy Jolicoeur, Director of Human Services, Milford Regional Hospital

Mail Your Resume Early

Mail your resume as soon as you see or hear about an opening. Usually, human resource managers are under pressure to make recommendations for interviews. Since employers receive huge volumes of resumes after posting the opening, they are more likely to choose the best ten in the first batch of a hundred rather than wait two weeks to choose the best ten from the last hundred.

Should You By-Pass Human Resources?

Recent statistics show that most job seekers find employment through their personal contacts. If you have a personal contact in an organization, definitely use him or her! But also send your resume to the head of the human resource department!! Many human resource managers complained about job seekers who by-passed their department. Additionally, human resource managers may know of other opportunities in the company.

Networking Tips and Facts

Some companies get approximately 50% of their hires through referrals from within the company. Many companies prefer to interview applicants who have been referred to them from inside the company, so they encourage employees to make recommendations. They will compensate employees who make referrals that result in a hire. Internal recruiting is much less expensive than advertising. Additionally, employees generally will only refer people who will reflect positively on them; therefore, the quality of the candidate is enhanced through internal recruitment. The applicant also has an advantage of making a good presentation because he or she has had the opportunity to learn details about the company through personal contact.

Knocking on the Right Doors

Networking Pyramid

A

Contact

is anyone

who is able to:

*Offer you a job.

*Tell you of a job opening.

*Refer you to somebody who can

arrange an interview or read your resume.

*Give you the name of somebody who can do any of the above.

*Give you the name of somebody who can give you thename of someone else who can do any of the above.

If you are interested in learning more about how to create or expand your job search network, attend a networking workshop at your One-Stop Career Center.