(Employment service) How to Make Your Resume Stand Out
No commentsBy Ben Needles
Whether or not youre planning to look for a new job, you should always keep your resume updated. Get into the habit of updating your accomplishments and skills so that your resume is always ready.
Here are some tips:
1. Group your top skill sets into a summary.
2. Create a professional email address (using your name - no nicknames) to include with your contact information.
3. Use past tense - even when describing your current job.
4. If youre posting your resume online, dont encourage identity theft by including too much personal information.
5. Gear you resume towards the job you want, not the one you have now.
6. List your most recent job first.
7. Check spelling and grammar - dont depend on your spelling errors being caught by spell check.
Your resume should not include every task youve performed in every position; instead it should only include your strongest accomplishments. Though its tempting to add all the details about every job youve had, your resume is only a starting point. Use it to get your foot in the door so that you can get an interview. Once you have an opportunity to speak with the hiring manager, then you can go into more detail.
Since you have to catch the attention of the reader right away, stay away from passive-sounding words when describing your accomplishments and responsibilities. Passive sentences are indirect and dont make much of an impression.
Look at this example of a passive sentence: Participated on product development team. Compare that with this example of an active sentence: Created scripts and tested new product.
In addition to using active words and sentences in your descriptions, you also have to show results. Which description would appeal to you as a hiring manager?
Arranged new product development meetings, or Facilitated meetings for new product development team which led to cost savings due to reduced miscommunication between departments.
If you are a freelancer or temp worker, youll probably work for various companies and hold different positions. Even if you had different titles, the skills and accomplishments will show your versatility in different industries and company cultures.
Keep track of the projects youve worked on, articles and documentation youve written, etc. Set aside samples of your work so that you can include them with your resume, if requested.
When youre changing careers playing up your skills is very important. You may not have direct experience in the area youre changing to, but you can show how the skills youve acquired in the old career can be carried over to the new one. Pick accomplishments that show that you are versatile and can think out of the box. Play up training and learning experiences to show that you can adapt to new environments. The person reading your resume is focused on finding the right person for the job. They wont have the time to think about how to fit your skills into their requirements.
Not sure how to show that your skills can be transferred to a new profession? For instance, if youre a project manager and you want to become an event planner, you could play up your organization skills or your communications skills. You could also play up your ability to simultaneously manage different tasks. Look at the work youve done, then find ways to highlight your strongest accomplishments. The person reading your resume should see right away that you can perform the duties the position requires.
Of course if you know what type of job you want, itll be easier to create your resume. However, if youre not sure what you want to do next - or how to update your resume to reflect your varied skills - consider hiring a professional to help. These days you cant take a chance that your resume will be overlooked. If you present yourself to your best advantage, youll have a better chance of being hired for the job you want.
About the Author (text)
Deborah A. Bailey is a professional coach, writer and founder of Deb Bailey Coaching. She specializes in working with individuals as they move through transitions and experience a life beyond their expectations. Learn more now at http://www.dbaileycoach.com.
Your Network For Employment Opportunities Online
Public Relations Strategies For a Web 2.0 World: How to Maximize Media Exposure with Social Networking
By Nancy Marmolejo
Public relations strategies are evolving in the world of social networking and Web 2.0. Its still any business owners dream to be featured in a key media piece where their expertise and business are showcased. The free publicity and additional media queries alone can revolutionize your profits and position you favorably in front of prospects, clients, and colleagues. But what happens next? Do you sit by the phone and wait for the flood of calls that may or may not come in? Do you blast all your contacts with news of your good coverage?
Maximizing media exposure is key if you want to stretch a little media attention a long way. With the advent of social networking sites, a new way of maximizing your public relations is now underway. Social networking sites are pulling incredible amounts of traffic acting as their own media wires for savvy business owners. When done correctly, social networking can give new life to your media attention and position you in front of new prospects, referral partners, and media leads.
These public relations tips will help you expand your name recognition (and possibly invite more PR your way!) with social networking. Theyre simple, easy, and highly effective strategies.
1. Blog About It
Whenever you get media attention, be sure to mention it in your blog. Link over to the publication or whoever mentioned you and sing their praises. Use keywords that will attract new readers and identify your name with that topic. You can also talk casually on a blog about the emotional side of being featured in the media; share your excitement or behind the scenes observations (keep a positive spin!). This helps showcase your personality and highlight you as a good person for other media to call upon.
2. Use RSS Feeds to Share Your Message With a Wider Audience
Connect your blogs RSS feed to social networking sites so other people can start reading about your media appearances and other PR. The beauty of an RSS feed is that it does the work of cross posting for you! So if you share good news about a media mention, more people will learn about it. The impact of RSS feeds is exponential- check out the various sites for information on how to activate this powerful tool. Consider it your automated public relations department.
3. Create A Podcast Or Vlog (Video Blog) To Spotlight Your Media Exposure.
Script out a 1-2 minute blurb giving tips and information related to your area of expertise. Then casually add in These are the same tips I shared in the latest issue of Blah-Blah Magazine. Pick up the latest issue and let me know what you think by commenting on this blog! You dont want to make it an outright commercial, but rather a subtle nod to the great PR. If you were featured in a print publication, hold it up in the video; it will make a nice prop.
4. Let Your Database Know
There is nothing wrong with celebrating! Sometimes we just want people to see us in the spotlight. Write up a humble yet compelling note to your friends and invite them to check out your great PR. Link over to the site or to your blog where you talk about the experience.
Getting great PR is a wonderful gift but it doesnt stop there. Give your media exposure new life by sharing about it on social networking sites. Remember, youre not making a sales pitch, but rather a subtle nod to your great public relations.
Nancy Marmolejo is the Official Public Relations Expert for Self Growth Online. As a Public Relations, Media, and Social Networking strategist, Nancy specializes in helping women entrepreneurs position themselves as sought after, recognized experts. Her clients have been featured in major TV and radio markets, national publications, and Web 2.0. Pick up Nancys free audio course by visiting her website, www.VivaVisibility.com
Creating Your Own Online Tutoring Service
By Chris Simpson
In today’s unstable economy many people have cut down their travel and overall expenses through the use of online instant messaging, email, social networking sites, forums, video conferencing, etc. Why not take advantage of these new trends and apply them to work at home with an online tutoring business?
Tutoring is not a new concept but the ability to do it online is a trend that is quickly gaining momentum. A growing number of students are online these days and are turning to the internet as an effective learning tool. Whether it is continued education, or just test and exam prep, there is a market for every subject and grade level. If you enjoy teaching and have a flexible schedule then an online work-at-home tutoring business may be perfect for you.
Many parents seek out online tutoring because it is generally cheaper, more convenient and more private. It also gives parents a chance to learn along side their child. With increasing amounts of homework and constant changes to the curriculum many parents feel just as intimidated as the students. They seek to find a solution that can help them both benefit from some help outside of school.
For parents, the increasing pressure of driving kids from one program to the next, making dinner, doing laundry, making lunches, and preparing for the week ahead leaves little time to give their kids the extra help they need. Online tutoring gives parents greater choice in picking a tutor as well. Instead of having to choose from the tutors that are available within their own area, they can have a pick of many different tutors with many different skills. Parents can gather information and compare the quality, experience and value that will be gained from a variety of online tutors.
Today’s students are more involved in extra-curricular activities, such as sports teams, music lessons, and homework. Their time is limited and over-stimulation can cause problems with concentration. Tired kids don’t want to be dragged to a stranger’s house for help with their homework. Online anonymity creates a great atmosphere where students don’t have to worry about peer approval. They will be more motivated because they won’t feel vulnerable about their deficiencies.
As a tutor, you could utilize voice over internet and instant messaging systems to answer questions and guide students through your step-by-step learning procedures. If you have experience with Microsoft office applications you could create visually stimulating presentations to engage the students and make learning more fun for them. You can create your own customized learning programs and schedules.
Tutoring in your area may require certification, or accreditation with a particular regulating body. Make sure that you check the regional standards. It may be worthwhile to complete tutoring programs that they offer, as some institutions will advertise for accredited tutors that have gained certification through their association. It’s a great source of reliable advertising for your new business.
As tutoring rates vary depending on the subject and the intensity. Be sure that you properly evaluate a pay rate that is affordable for both yourself and the parents. Parents are looking for an affordable and convenient alternative so don’t expect to draw more customers by charging the same rates as an offline tutor.
With the ability to offer innovative ideas, concepts and learning strategies to students all over the globe, you’ll never run out of interesting and rewarding online work at home.
Chris Simpson is dedicated to helping people find honest and legitimate work from home and home based business opportunities. Find legitimate work at home jobs today and learn to make money online at: http://www.HomeNetPro.com
Friday, July 25th, 2008 at 5:55 pm and is filed under Your network for employment opportunities online. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
