Tuesday, November 25, 2008

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.

Monday, November 24, 2008

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!

Friday, November 21, 2008

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.

Monday, November 17, 2008

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.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

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!!