Uncertain times and major layoffs - how to previal

There are a few things you can do today to get the edge when it comes to your employment. A recent article written in Fortune Magazine has concluded that for every 1 job opening there are 100 people who apply. However, I am not writing this to deliver the dreadful news on the economy; I'll save that for the major television networks. With the right attitude followed by the correct actions you will be well on your way to improving your job situation.

Be a positive thinker. Thinking about your daily tasks in a positive light will give you more energy and drive to see them through. Try to think about all the positive aspects of your life and what you have accomplished. I bet you will be amazed at what you’ve done. Personally, I like to start my day off with positive affirmations and a little meditation, doing that really empowers me through the day. It may take a little extra effort but its well worth it.

If you are currently employed, there are a few important actions you may want to be taking today to ensure your own job security. Start off by taking a look at your work history with your employer; make a list of some of the most important things you have achieved and projects you have made a positive impact on. This list will come in handy if you ever have to defend your job relevancy. Keeping track of these things, including ways you saved your company money and programs you have implemented, will be useful when the time comes to begin the quest for a new job.

If you are in the process of looking for a new career, consider researching jobs that will be in high demand in the future. For example, everyone will need health care at one time or another. As the population ages there will be more and more opportunities available.

The military is another flourishing industry in tough economic times. It's not for everyone but with the military having such a huge presence here it's something to think about. The military will help pay for your college education and if you've ever thought about joining now is a good time.

It looks like “green jobs” may be in for some colossal growth as well. With Obama stressing new environmental energy in America’s future, there is sure to be many new openings to fill.

Make sure you have a professional resume. Submitting a "lights out" resume will ensure that you will be on the very top of the pile. Chargers fans, you know what I'm talking about. Recruiters on average spend just 10 to 30 seconds looking at each resume they receive. Of course recruiter’s are looking at more resumes than ever before. To stand out above other applicants you must have a well written resume that showcases your skills and achievements. A well designed resume in equally important. Just a little color and personality goes a long way. A small investment such as having your resume professionally written and designed will make a big impact in your job search.

Networking is another important avenue to consider. The more people you meet the more opportunities you will have. A lot of people stress the need for networking but many don't know how to accomplish this. It's not difficult and doesn't have to become a chore. A good resource to utilize is craigslist.com. There you will find networking groups with like-minded people who might have ideas you never thought of.
It might seem impossible but you really can find your dream job today and improve your current job situation. It might take a little more effort and time but with the right mindset and actions it can be done.

Some important things to remember(job history and computer skills)...

Resume’s that go too far back into the job seeker’s job history. This is another easy thing to overlook. No matter how unfair it may be society and employers value youth as an important factor when hiring someone. You should not help them by listing all of your many jobs you have had. Don’t list any jobs you may have had 15 years ago. If you graduated from college over 10 years ago don’t include the date of graduation.

A Resume that buries important skills, especially computer skills, at the bottom. You should list your skills at the top of your resume (after the “summary of qualifications” or “Profile”). Your skills are one of the most important factors when choosing a good match for a job, a lot of people put these at the bottom as an afterthought. Not a good idea.

Remember these 2 important tips if you want to have the highest impact possible. The recruiter will only look at your particular resume for around 30 seconds, make sure you have the right information in the right place.

The resume format and checklist....

Having your resume in the correct format is crucial. Today recruiters are looking for a quick snapshot of what you the employee have to offer. The faster you can relay this information to the recruiter the better chance you will get called for the interview. Here is a quick reference on how your resume should be formatted.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Put your contact information at the top of your resume. It should include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS/PROFILE: Powerful opening statement/paragraph of qualifications and profile.

EXPERIENCE: List your most recent experience first and do not overlook internships,Volunteer positions and part-time employment. Use action verbs to highlight accomplishments and skills.

EDUCATION: List your degrees in chronological order with the most recent degree first. You may also include relevant coursework to highlight specific skills and knowledge. If your GPA is above the norm, go ahead and list it in this section.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This section may stand alone under the “Additional Information” heading and highlight relevant information that may include Honors/ Awards, computer and language skills, professional associations, university and
community activities (including any offices held). As a style issue, if you choose to break these out as separate headings that’s perfectly acceptable. What is not acceptable is personal information such as age, marital status or religion.

REFERENCES: Do not put references on your resume. When you go to an interview have a prepared list of 2-4 references on a separate sheet of paper that matches you’re resume with your contact information at the top.

Use this as quick guide to see if your resume matches – if not just adjust until it’s correct and matches the above format.

Resume Checklist-
-My resume is clear, concise and makes a positive impression in 20 seconds or less.
-There are no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors.
-My resume presents skills and accomplishments that match employer requirements.
-My resume accurately summarizes my qualifications.
-Accomplishment statements on the resume start with action verbs.
-The resume is organized, easy to read and has a balance between content and white space.
-The font size on the resume is 11 or 12 point.

The ASCII resume format - Why it's a must have.

Along, with your Word resume you should have a resume called the ASCII text resume. It’s really nothing more than a very simplified version of your resume in text format. This is typically used when applying to jobs that specifically ask for this format. It’s used to help filter through resumes and to help find “keywords”.

Here are some tips on how to create the ASCII resume format. I suggest you use the program notepad. CLICK HERE to download notepad. CLICK HERE to download an example of an ASCII resume.

• Line length should not exceed 80 characters
• Do not use word wrap -- use hard returns instead
• You cannot use bullets in ASCII format -- instead use hyphens (dashes)
• Use a fixed width font, i.e. 10 point Courier
• Use spaces to line up your text
• Use left justification, and use spaces to center text

We have all the tools necessary to help you land your dream job. CLICK HERE to see how we can help you achieve your goals.

You need a resume that uses keywords.

Job-hunting today increasingly revolves around the mysterious world of keywords. Inundated by resumes from job-seekers, employers have increasingly relied on digitizing job-seeker resumes, placing those resumes in keyword-searchable databases, and using software to search those databases for specific keywords that relate to job vacancies. Most Fortune 500 companies, in fact, and many smaller companies now use these technologies. In addition, many employers search the databases of third-party job-posting and resume-posting boards on the Internet.

The first step in choosing the keywords that will get your resume noticed is to examine the job posting for the position you’re applying for. Note the key phrases that appear in the posting, and then make sure as many of those phrases as possible are included in your resume.

Doing this will greatly affect your chance of getting the interview. See how can help you achieve your career goals.

Some examples of STRONG Profiles and Summaries...

Here are some examples of some well written Summaries that WILL capture attention and position you as the perfect employee..

Some examples of well written Profile/Summaries:

- Highly motivated, creative and versatile real estate executive with seven years of experience in property acquisition, development and construction, as well as the management of large apartment complexes. Especially skilled at building effective, productive working relationships with clients and staff. Excellent management, negotiation and public relations skills. Seeking a challenging management position in the real estate field that offers extensive contact with the public.

- Over 10 years as an organizational catalyst/training design consultant with a track record of producing extraordinary results for more than 20 national and community based organizations. A commitment to human development and community service. Energetic self-starter with excellent analytical, organizational, and creative skills.

- Financial Management Executive with nearly ten years of experience in banking and international trade, finance, investments and economic policy. Innovative in structuring credit enhancement for corporate and municipal financing. Skilled negotiator with strong management, sales and marketing background. Areas of expertise include (a bulleted list would follow this paragraph.)

- Health Care Professional experienced in management, program development and policy making in the United States as well as in several developing countries. Expertise in emergency medical services. A talent for analyzing problems, developing and simplifying procedures, and finding innovative solutions. Proven ability to motivate and work effectively with persons from other cultures and all walks of life. Skilled in working within a foreign environment with limited resources.

See how we can help with your resume needs. Visit http://www.rightfootresume.com today!

How to "target" a specifc job using your resume.

A resume that is too general will kill your chances for that dream job you want. I see this very often. You must have a resume that is created and focused on the very job you are applying for. You risk not getting noticed or called for that interview if you do not. It only takes a little extra effort on your part but the reward is worth it.

Employers only take from 2.5 to 20 seconds to review a particular resume, so you don’t have time to waste. You must get your point across very quickly. Employers want resumes to show a clear match between the applicant and a particular job's requirements. A "general" resume that is not focused on a specific job's requirements is not seen as competitive and will be tossed aside. A customized resume has a much better chance of getting looked at seriously.

Start by using words and descriptions that the job posting asks for in the "summary" and "skills" sections of your resume. That will give you the best chance at getting the interview. This will help the recruiter/employer see that you ARE a good match for the position at hand.

Follow this advice and you will be one step ahead of the other applying for the job.

The dreaded generic "Objective" statement.

The dreaded generic “Objective” statement. Here is another mistake that is commonly made. Every employer already knows that you want the job, that’s why you sent your resume, right?? There is no need to state in your resume “Objective – I am looking for a job in ________ field….”. Sounds simple but almost everyone does this. I would suggest getting rid of the “Objective” statement all together.
In place of the “Objective” try putting a section called “Summary of Qualifications” or “Profile”. This section should be in the top third of your resume, if not the very first thing you write.
This can be a powerful opening statement that really grabs the reader’s attention, and should highlight some of your strengths. You can customize your Profile/Summary section to position yourself for each job you target by tweaking the wording to fit each type of position. I STRONGLY recommend doing this – the top half of your resume is really the most important, it’s the first thing a recruiter sees. Here’s a good example of how to construct your “Profile/Summary”
o A short phrase describing your profession
o Followed by a statement of broad or specialized expertise
o Followed by two or three additional statements related to any of the following:
- breadth or depth of skills
- unique mix of skills
- range of environments in which you have experience
- a special or well-documented accomplishment
- a history of awards, promotions, or superior performance commendations
o One or more professional or appropriate personal characteristics
o A sentence describing professional objective or interest.

This is a must for today's savvy job seeker.

The World's Toughest Job Interview Question's and what to do about them...

Great questions to ask early in a job interview: "What are you most hoping to find in the person you hire?" and "What would be my first priorities on the job?" The earlier you can ask these questions, the sooner you can start tailoring your answers to the employer's priorities. At the end of the interview, ask, "Based on what we've talked about today, I feel good about the position. Do you have any concerns about my ability to do the job?" Often, that gives you a chance to counter any objections.

Know What You Offer

Prepare answers for open-ended questions, like, "Tell me about yourself," by making a list of your skills and traits that match the employer's requirements. The closer your skills and traits are to the job description, the better chance you have of landing the job. You should leave the interviewer with a clear picture of what you have to offer.

If you prepare and do these things you will be very far ahead of the competition.

If you are having trouble with confidence practice with a friend or in front of a mirror. This will help you when your nerves start acting up because you will know that you are prepared for the interview.

If you need resume help and are not getting the interviews you desire then visit Right Foot Resume for help. We help people get their DREAM job no matter what the economy is doing!!

What recruiters look for in a resume design...

A Resume that uses a cookie-cutter design based on an overused resume template. One of the most important factors in getting your resume noticed is a great design. Don’t let your resume go unnoticed because you use a generic template.

You MUST be able to show your personality with your resume. At Right Foot Resume we take this concept one step further and create a “Personal Identity” for our clients. We design a “logo” for them along with matching professional business cards. My clients have had great success using these techniques.

Click here for free resume examples!


Now, I’m not saying you should go all out and get crazy with your design – just the opposite in fact. When I design a client’s resume I think about these 3 questions: How can I give this resume an identity? Is this resume easy to read? How can I draw the reader in and grab their attention?

Here is a BAD example:

Bad design/layout-

 Boring design, very cookie cutter template.
 Does nothing to sell the job seeker, no action words.
 No personal identity or personality.
 Bad use of margins/space.
 Education on top.
 Skills hidden on the bottom.
 No key words.
 Does not match job posting – generic.
 This resume is GUARANTEED to get tossed aside – avoid at all costs!!


Here is a GOOD example:

Good design/layout-

 Nice interesting design, NOT a generic template, good use of color.
 Sells the job seeker well, plenty of action words.
 Creates a personal identity and personality.
 Nice use of space – draws the reader in with good use of white space.
 Achievements and skills on top.
 Key words through-out.
 Matches job posting exactly.
 This resume GUARANTEED to get noticed – Yours should look like this!!


See how Right Foot Resume can help with your resume design and resume writing needs!!

Common resume mistakes....

It is very important to avoid these common pitfalls when crafting your resume.

1. It is a common mistake to think of your resume as a history of your past, as a personal statement or as some sort of self expression. Sure, most of the content of any resume is focused on your job history. But make sure to write from the intention to create interest (Think of any highly successful advertisement campaign, they create new and exciting ways to CONNECT buyers emotionally to their product, you must do the same.), to persuade the employer to call you. If you write with that in mind, your final product will be very different than if you write to inform or catalog your job history.

2. A Resume that is duties-driven instead of accomplishments-driven. I see this in almost every resume that gets sent to us. It’s an easy mistake to make; almost no one has ever taken a proper resume writing class – because there is none.

Don’t use words or phrases like “duties include” or “responsible for”. Those will simply not cut it; an employer wants to see that you can go above and beyond basic job duties. You need to show your achievements and skills. Explain how you are different and how you set yourself apart at each job.

How did you overcome a problem? What were the results? How have you helped your employers:

make money
save money
save time
make work easier
solve a specific problem
be more competitive
build relationships
expand the business
attract new customers
retain existing customers

These are the issues you must be able to get across in an effective and creative way.

How you can get recruiter's to notice you!

It's hard to get a recruiter's attention these days, with more and more resumes being sent for each job posting. So let's see if we can come up with some ways for YOU to stand out from the crowd!

First things first, we need to define what a resume is and the difference between the good, the bad and the ugly.

Definition: A resume is a written document that lists your work experience, skills, and educational background. It is used as a marketing tool for job seekers.

The resume is a tool with one specific purpose: to win an interview. A resume is an advertisement, nothing more, nothing less. It sells you for the job at hand and if you can do that successfully you are on your way to the interview.

The definition of a resume and what it is used for is well known and is probably nothing new to you. But over the years the basic resume has changed, the days of being able to submit a basic text resume that lists your skills in chronological order is no longer acceptable. Rest assured you will get lost in the shuffle unless you understand how to create a resume that IS different than the rest.

The job recruiter gets many, many resumes for every job opening (recent studies have shown for every one job opening 100 to 1000 resumes are sent). The competition is fierce. That’s the bad news – the good news is that, with a little extra effort, you can create a resume that makes you stand out as the best candidate for a job you are seeking. So, even though you face great competition, with a well written/designed resume you should be invited to interview more often than many people more qualified than you. This is a KEY point; most resumes that are sent out to get reviewed are so average and boring that they stand almost no chance of getting called for the interview.

You MUST be able to show your personality with your resume. At Right Foot Resume we take this concept one step further and create a “Personal Identity” for our clients. We design a “logo” for them along with matching professional business cards. My clients have had great success using these techniques. Visit http://www.rightfootresume.com/resume_examples.html for examples of what we can do for you!

A great resume doesn't just tell them what you have done but makes the same assertion that all good ads do: If you buy this product, you will get these specific, direct benefits. It convinces the employer that you have what it takes to be successful in this new position or career.

It is so pleasing to the eye that the reader is enticed to pick it up and read it. It invites the prospective employer to pick up the phone and ask you to come in for an interview. That is the end result of a great resume – and with the help of this guide you will soon be on your way!