Archive for Resume
Six things you need to organize your job search
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You’ve heard it before – looking for a job is a job in itself! If you’re starting a job search, you must have tracking methods to keep tabs on your action steps and progress.
The following are some essentials you’ll need to know what you’ve done, who you’ve seen, and what you need to do next in your job search:
- Computer and a printer for emailing your resume and cover letter to prospective employers.
- Quality resume paper, matching blank resume paper, matching envelopes, and stamps for snail mailing your resume to prospective employers.
- Computerized or paper calendar to track the date you mailed a resume as well as the date you need to call to follow-up.
- Computerized calendar or paper appointment book with times for scheduling interviews.
- Professional message on your voicemail to take messages from prospective employers when you’re not available to answer the phone.
- An agreement with your family, roommates, and friends as to privacy and the times they can or cannot interrupt you during your job search.
With the essential tools, self-discipline, an optimistic outlook, patience, and persistence, you will be on your way to your ideal next job!
Terry Wynne
Certified Career Coach
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Are resumes becoming obsolete?
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Career coaching clients often ask me, what do I think of resumes and cover letters, are they still necessary or are they becoming obsolete? And what about online resumes or webpages to showcase your skills?
Resumes and cover letters are still a must. I think over time they will be delivered or provided in a different format. (Think LinkedIn or online resumes). But they’re not going anywhere. They are still a must. If the company says do not provide one or the other, follow their instructions. Both are still very important though.
Including a cover letter is important because 1) it shows your writing skills and how well you communicate and 2) it demonstrates you care enough about the position to write one and you are able to speak about your skills related to the position confidently. So even if they don’t ask for a cover letter, provide one. As an attachment – not in the body of the email. Err on the side of more formal and professional unless your field calls for something else more creative or different (marketing or advertising for ex).
Online resumes are becoming more popular. I think it’s nice to have one. It’s not a must but it depends on your industry. If you’re in technology, go for it. If you’re in a more traditional field you can get away without one, but consider it as a way to stand out from the crowd. Here’s a website I like for online resume examples: http://www.opresume.com/examples
You’ve read about people who created YouTube videos for job applications as well. These days it can seem like anything goes but that is not entirely the case. Consider these two things when you are deciding what to create for yourself:
1) What’s appropriate for your industry but will still help you stand out.
2) Ensure whatever you do is professional, tasteful and well done.
Creating a video or online resume just for the heck of it, and only doing a halfway decent job, doesn’t cut it. It’s better to skip it altogether.
Hallie Crawford
Job Coach
P.S. Are you in the ideal career for you? Find out if you’re in the right career with our Ideal Career Quiz.
5 tips to help you with job applications
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clients often ask me why they have sent out so many resumes but rarely, and sometimes never, hear back from the employer. There are so many possible reasons that it’s hard to pinpoint one.
One of my career coaching clients recently asked me this very question the other day.For over a year before working with me he’s applied for jobs and never heard back. When I looked at his resume and cover letter I realized why. His cover letter was dense and way too long. A full page of text, that’s very dense and not easy to read isn’t going to be read by many employers. He needed to cut it back; we set to work doing just that.
Here are the top 5 reasons you might not be hearing back about your job application:
1. Your resume isn’t tailored to the position. An employer can tell if it isn’t. If you don’t take the time to revise your resume for each job you’re applying for, you won’t look qualified and it will go into the recycle bin.
2. Your resume doesn’t have relevant keywords for the position, and companies that use computers to review resumes to determine which ones to review by hand tosses it out.
3. You didn’t follow their application instructions to the letter. That is an automatic disqualification. Always follow their instructions. If they say don’t contact them to follow up, don’t.
4. The job has been posted for weeks, and you are just now applying. Sometimes you can be way too late to apply. Stay on top of job boards and postings to apply right away.
5. Your resume is in a format that is hard to read and scan quickly. If they can’t tell if you are qualified right away, or can’t quickly review and identify your qualifications, it goes into the trash.
Remember, there are many possible reasons you’re not getting calls back. There’s no way to know exactly why. You have to try to get it right as often as possible, so that your chances are increased.
Hallie Crawford
Ideal Career Coach
P.S. Are you frustrated with your job search? Check out our FREE REPORT: ”Take Control of Your Career Transition: Uncover Hidden Opportunities”.
Cover yourself in your cover letter
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These days I have career coaching clients that ask me frequently if a cover letter is still necessary. I say absolutely, unless the employer specifically tells you not to include one. It shows your ability to communicate and that you’re interested enough in the position to write one. Include it even if you’re uncertain if it’s necessary. Err on the side of providing it.
Also, you need to be sure you cover yourself in your cover letter. Sometimes people use a standard or template resume or cover letter to apply for all the jobs they’re considering. It’s okay to use a template, but remember, always tailor each resume and cover letter to each job. Don’t use the same one for the same position even if you think it’s a similar job. Take the time to make sure that yours speaks to the position, and to what the company is looking for.
One thing that you should always do is back up the claims that are in your cover letter, on your resume as well. Your cover letter and resume should go hand in hand. Don’t treat them as separate items. If you say you possess a specific skill, or have experience in an area or industry relevant to the job, make sure you back that up in your resume. Be careful though, because you don’t want your cover letter to be a carbon copy of your resume. Make sure you refine the information in your resume and explain in greater detail how your experience or skill set brings value to the position at the company you’re applying for.
If you’d like more help with your cover letter or resume, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
P.S. How do you know if your resume is good? Take this Resume Quiz to find out how to keep your resume out of the trash can.
Do your work projects bring value to your career?
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I was excited to be featured in this recent career article on the Work Reimagined website, How To Pick Projects That Will Boost Your Career. I wanted to share a couple of additional thoughts with you:
1) Diving into something new to boost your talent in your career, or beef up your skills, is also a good way to network. You can meet new people in the firm that you may not have, or clients you’re working with who you haven’t interacted with before. This can increase your list of networking contacts in this new area of skill for you.
2) Remember to mention what you accomplished on new projects in your resume and on your LinkedIn profile. We often don’t update our resume for years if we’ve been in the same position for a long time. Keep your resume fresh. Make a task to update it every 6 months so you don’t forget anything. Updating your resume doesn’t mean that you want to leave your job. You can also use these stories or examples in a performance review. It helps you remember to keep track of your performance.
3) Be willing to say “No” as well. If a project isn’t going to directly boost your career and may end up being a drain on your time, say no and be confident with that decision! Realize your time is valuable and that you want to spend it on productive activities.
If you’d like more help with your resume, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
P.S. How do you know if your resume is good? Take this Resume Quiz to find out how to keep your resume out of the trash can.
Make your first impression count with your resume
Posted by: | CommentsWatch my latest video where I discuss how a resume is your first impression with a prospective employer or a networking contact. You need to make it count! There are many forms of resume services out there. In this video I share why I believe our resume services stand out for 3 reasons.
Holiday Resume Sale
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Our resume writer Jasmine Marchong offers a very affordable resume review at just $75 and receives outstanding reviews from her clients:
“I hired Jasmine to write my resume about a year ago. I must say she GREATLY exceeded my already high expectations! The resume and cover letter that I received was top notch and has lead to great success in the job search market.” ~ Jared Burniac, MBA
“Before I met Jasmine I took it upon myself to produce my own resume, needless to say I was not getting the results that I desired….Jasmine is very detailed and creative with her work. She tailors your work history to market you for success. She produces quality resume writing that does not look basic. Jasmine is very professional and very knowledgeable about what I need in a resume.” ~ Tana Wilson
Hallie Crawford
Ideal Career Coach
P.S. How do you know if your resume is good? Take this Resume Quiz to find out how to keep your resume out of the trash can.
Everything but the kitchen sink in your resume
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Many people want to include everything they have done on their resume. Whether it’s their first job, details of every position they’ve had, or even where they attended high school. This can be overkill. You only want to highlight relevant experience because you may lose the recruiter or the employer who is looking at your resume.
Don’t get lost in the shuffle. It isn’t important to go back to what high school you attended (unless you are a recent high school graduate). Include things that you feel are most important for an employer to see. Sometimes things that are important may not be a traditional job. My career coaching client, Scott, is in financial sales and would like to get into medical device sales. He listed his time volunteering in a hospital on his resume, even though it wasn’t a job, because it is somewhat relevant experience and shows passion for the industry.
Put yourself in the employer’s shoes, what do you need to see in a candidate?
Hallie Crawford
Career Path Coach
P.S. If you aren’t sure what is relevant, speak to our resume writer. You can learn more here.
