If you want a drink of water, do you hire a focus group or pick up the Yellow Pages? No. You go to the kitchen, fill a glass and drink. You take the shortest route to fill your need.The path is obvious, right?
Your job search is the same way. The formula for success can be obvious, if you take the time to look at how others have found employment before you. Here are three ways to find work faster by "being obvious."
Obvious Tip #1: Follow Up With Employers
You can't get hired if employers don't know you exist. So, if you're sending out resumes with no response, or going to interviews without getting job offers, you need to follow up better with employers. Because you may have fallen off their radar.
Know this: getting hired may be your #1 priority, but it may rank around #459 in the mind of a busy employer. That means you can't depend on them to call you back. It's up to you to take action.
You have to follow up.
But as many as 90% of job seekers FAIL to do so, according to my observations and those of hiring experts like Elizabeth Laukka, National Recruiter for Minneapolis-based Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. "It so rare to receive a thank-you note or follow-up phone call that these really stand out for me. I get them from around 10-20% of the people I interview," says Laukka.
And what if you don't have an address to send a thank-you letter to? "I would absolutely give my mailing address to candidates who wanted to drop something in the mail -- all they have to do is ask," says Laukka.
Obvious Tip #2: Don't Alienate People Who Can Help You
In this age of Palm Pilots, Day Planners and other organizational gizmos, there's no excuse for not staying on top of the details in your job search.
Example:
I agreed last month to write a resume free of charge for one local man. He replied once to the three emails I sent him. And he never did return my phone call. I figure he's either been hired (and no longer needs a resume) or can't keep track of his phone and email messages. In either case, he won't be getting my help.
Here's the reality: the people most able to help you find a job are busy. And they're mentally keeping score of how quickly and professionally you respond to their emails and phone calls.
So it behooves you to treat everyone you meet in your job search with courtesy. Respect their time. Return their phone calls. And they will champion you with hiring managers.
Obvious Tip #3: Ask For The Job
OK. I saved the best for last. That's because if I had put this tip first, I would have scared half of you away by now.
Let me explain.
Any successful job search all boils down to two simple facts. You must: 1. meet the right hiring authority, and 2. convince that person to hire you. It follows that, the more hiring authorities you can meet, the faster you'll find work.
So, why don't more people just introduce themselves to prospective employers and ask for a job? Is this method too obvious? Frightening? I don't know.
But I do know one thing. If you do this right, you will get hired. Fast.
Here's an example shared by Claire Nelligan, from the WorkForce Center in Minneapolis.
"I knew a job seeker who wanted work as a baker. We wrote his resume and was going to mail it. But I asked him to put on his business clothes and walk the resume in to his top three prospective employers," says Nelligan.
Nelligan told him: "Ask for the manager. Introduce yourself. Tell them you want to work there. Tell them that you appreciate they are busy, and quickly share what value you would bring to their organization. Give them the resume and tell them you will call to set up a convenient time to answer any questions they may have about how your skills could meet their needs."
What happened next?
"He was interviewed on the spot and left with a job offer," says Nelligan.
Now, can you expect to walk into Trump Tower, ask to meet The Donald and get a job offer as his next apprentice? Probably not. But you can tweak this method to match your personality and ask to meet almost any hiring authority you choose, so long as you're persistent and professional.
Now, go out and make your own luck!
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Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
-------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.gresumes.otiscollier.net
http://www.otiscollier.com
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
How to E-mail Your Cover Letter
Ever had trouble trying to email a cover letter with your resume?
At a recent career fair, I spoke with an HR professional who reads loads of resumes every day. He made this plea to me: "Please tell people that just because they're sending resumes by email doesn't mean they can get away with a poor cover letter, or no cover letter at all."
So don't cut corners. Here are five ways to make sure your email cover letters deliver a powerful impact when sent with your resume.
1) Avoid character assassination
Email is quirky. Bullets, underlines, bold or italic characters won't show up correctly when you paste them from a word processing document into an email message.
Avoid this problem by first saving your cover letter in plain text format (ASCII). Then replace special characters with ASCII-friendly ones, like these: dashes (-), asterisks (*) and arrows (>).
2) Caution! Wide load
If your cover letter is too wide, it may produce strange line breaks on the reader's screen, which can hurt readability.
Solution? Set the width of your cover letter to about 4-3/4", or less than 80 characters wide.
3) Follow the right order
When sending your cover letter and resume in an email message, your cover letter should come first and your resume second. For easier reading, include a line that clearly separates the two documents, like this:
==== END COVER LETTER ====
4) Get personal
If you know someone influential at your target company, say so! This can help establish a rapport between you and your reader.
Here's an example cover letter beginning that can do this:
"Dear Employer (insert name if known),
"George Best suggested I contact you regarding your possible need for ..."
5) Enthusiasm sells
Don't go overboard and tell readers that you're a stockholder, for instance. But do try to convey your desire to work for the company. If you feel strongly that the position you're after is a perfect match to your skills and experience, say so!
Following these five tips will help ensure that your email cover letters get the attention they deserve.
Best of luck to you!
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Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
-------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.gresumes.otiscollier.net
http://www.otiscollier.com
Monday, December 27, 2004
3 Keys to Career Success
Many clients come to me discouraged that they’re working in the wrong industry … or not working at all. But by being specific, persistent and flexible, you can get the job you want, with almost no competition. Here’s how.
First, you must be specific about your ideal job. Do you want to work in high-tech? International finance? Marketing? Start by identifying several job titles and career paths that appeal to you. If you can’t do that, at least list 3-4 skills that you’d be happy using every day.
Reason? You can’t hit a target you can’t see. By pinpointing a career, you can then pick companies that are the right fit for you. Even if those firms aren’t hiring, you can make inroads by being persistent.
Do research on the Internet or in your local library to learn about your target company, its problems and competitors. Then, devise a solution (or two or three) to present to them. Visit the company and ask to meet with a hiring manager (get their name ahead of time by calling a receptionist).
By approaching that company as a problem-solver who is motivated and resourceful enough to put together solutions without being paid, you will be miles ahead of your “competitors” who do no more than ask for a job. If a job isn’t available, one might be created for you.
But what if you need a job now, to pay the bills while you’re pursuing your dream career? You can still make headway by being flexible.
Consider taking a temp job at an agency that employs people in your field. Specify that you want to do work related to your career goal. Once hired, use your lunch hours to identify problems and solutions. Seek out managers who can hire you full-time and ask to present your solutions.
Eventually, you’ll end up doing what you want for a company that you’re happy with.
You must succeed if you follow these guidelines, because people who do more than what’s expected of them always do. Just remember to be specific, persistent and flexible.
Best of luck to you!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
-------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.gresumes.otiscollier.net
http://www.otiscollier.com
First, you must be specific about your ideal job. Do you want to work in high-tech? International finance? Marketing? Start by identifying several job titles and career paths that appeal to you. If you can’t do that, at least list 3-4 skills that you’d be happy using every day.
Reason? You can’t hit a target you can’t see. By pinpointing a career, you can then pick companies that are the right fit for you. Even if those firms aren’t hiring, you can make inroads by being persistent.
Do research on the Internet or in your local library to learn about your target company, its problems and competitors. Then, devise a solution (or two or three) to present to them. Visit the company and ask to meet with a hiring manager (get their name ahead of time by calling a receptionist).
By approaching that company as a problem-solver who is motivated and resourceful enough to put together solutions without being paid, you will be miles ahead of your “competitors” who do no more than ask for a job. If a job isn’t available, one might be created for you.
But what if you need a job now, to pay the bills while you’re pursuing your dream career? You can still make headway by being flexible.
Consider taking a temp job at an agency that employs people in your field. Specify that you want to do work related to your career goal. Once hired, use your lunch hours to identify problems and solutions. Seek out managers who can hire you full-time and ask to present your solutions.
Eventually, you’ll end up doing what you want for a company that you’re happy with.
You must succeed if you follow these guidelines, because people who do more than what’s expected of them always do. Just remember to be specific, persistent and flexible.
Best of luck to you!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
-------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.gresumes.otiscollier.net
http://www.otiscollier.com
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Answering questions of salary
Here’s an odd fact of life.
While everyone wants a handsome salary, almost nobody wants to discuss that salary before being hired. Few questions inspire as much dread among job seekers as: “So, what kind of salary are you looking for?”
Yet, there’s no escaping questions of salary. Here are tips to help you negotiate effectively, before and during the job interview.
When replying to want ads that ask for salary requirements or a salary history, I always advise my clients to NOT answer directly. Because any answer will hurt your chances.
Remember that a typical classified ad can produce hundreds of résumés. That’s a pretty big pile. And a fast way to make that pile smaller is to weed out applicants who are either too expensive (over-qualified) or too cheap (under-qualified).
So, in your cover letter, I would just say: “My salary requirements are negotiable.” This shows you’ve read the want ad carefully, but are choosing to dodge the issue. Most HR professionals and hiring managers I’ve talked to won’t take offense. On the contrary, it gives them one LESS reason NOT to call you.
What about salary questions in the interview? These require some advance planning.
You can say: “Well, I’d like to make as much as other employees with my qualifications.” (Here you can repeat 2-3 of your most valuable skills or achievements, just to remind them how qualified you are.) Then add: “And what is a typical salary for this position?”
Another strategy is to avoid a specific salary … and name a pay range instead. Say: “I was thinking of a salary in the $25,000 to $35,000 range,” (with $25,000 being the lowest amount you’d accept). That way, you can name a higher figure, if they try to pin you down, yet still be able to retreat to a point that satisfies you.
Finally, information is power here. If you can back your salary request with a list of average salaries that you’ve obtained from the Internet or from your own phone calls, you’ll enjoy greater leverage in your negotiations.
While everyone wants a handsome salary, almost nobody wants to discuss that salary before being hired. Few questions inspire as much dread among job seekers as: “So, what kind of salary are you looking for?”
Yet, there’s no escaping questions of salary. Here are tips to help you negotiate effectively, before and during the job interview.
When replying to want ads that ask for salary requirements or a salary history, I always advise my clients to NOT answer directly. Because any answer will hurt your chances.
Remember that a typical classified ad can produce hundreds of résumés. That’s a pretty big pile. And a fast way to make that pile smaller is to weed out applicants who are either too expensive (over-qualified) or too cheap (under-qualified).
So, in your cover letter, I would just say: “My salary requirements are negotiable.” This shows you’ve read the want ad carefully, but are choosing to dodge the issue. Most HR professionals and hiring managers I’ve talked to won’t take offense. On the contrary, it gives them one LESS reason NOT to call you.
What about salary questions in the interview? These require some advance planning.
You can say: “Well, I’d like to make as much as other employees with my qualifications.” (Here you can repeat 2-3 of your most valuable skills or achievements, just to remind them how qualified you are.) Then add: “And what is a typical salary for this position?”
Another strategy is to avoid a specific salary … and name a pay range instead. Say: “I was thinking of a salary in the $25,000 to $35,000 range,” (with $25,000 being the lowest amount you’d accept). That way, you can name a higher figure, if they try to pin you down, yet still be able to retreat to a point that satisfies you.
Finally, information is power here. If you can back your salary request with a list of average salaries that you’ve obtained from the Internet or from your own phone calls, you’ll enjoy greater leverage in your negotiations.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
-------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.gresumes.otiscollier.net
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Simplify your resume
About 150 years ago, Henry David Thoreau had two things to say that can help you write a better resume today. They are: "Simplify! Simplify!"
You've heard many times that you have only 15-30 seconds to impress readers of your resume. So, the simpler and easier-to-read you can make it, the better.
Here are three ways to do just that.
1. Begin with clarity
I'm always amazed by the number of resumes that begin with no objective or summary statement. As a result, the employer is forced to start reading without knowing what the applicant can do.
Many resumes begin by listing education, for example. But even if your degree is in high demand, such as computer science, you're still leaving room for misinterpretation. (Does this person want a job in network administration? Telephone support? Internal help desk?)
Instead, try opening with an objective such as this: "Position in network administration where my computer science degree and technical skills will add value."
If you want to be more flexible about the job you're after, you can say: "Position where my computer science degree, troubleshooting skills and customer service experience will add value."
2. Group information logically
Hurried readers want to quickly scan through your resume. You can help them by breaking things down into logical groupings. Don't jumble things together, as in this example:
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows NT 4.0 Server, MS Exchange, DOS, Windows 95/98, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS Outlook.
Break longer lists into smaller bits and give them a clear heading, like this:
COMPUTER SKILLS* Operating Systems - Windows NT 4.0 (Workstation and Server), Windows 95/98 and DOS.* Applications - Microsoft Exchange, Word, Excel, Access and Outlook.
3. Focus on results
To make it easier for your reader to picture you achieving results on the job for him/her, clearly show how you've done it for others. Be as specific as possible.
Avoid dry language, like this:
- Responsible for maintaining accurate inventory, acquisition and delivery of supplies.
Try saying this, instead:
- Vastly improved customer service while cutting costs 24% by accurately managing inventory, acquisitions and deliveries.
Simple is good. When you begin your resume with clarity, group your information logically and focus on results, you'll enjoy a simply wonderful job search.
Best of luck to you!
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Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others. Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
You've heard many times that you have only 15-30 seconds to impress readers of your resume. So, the simpler and easier-to-read you can make it, the better.
Here are three ways to do just that.
1. Begin with clarity
I'm always amazed by the number of resumes that begin with no objective or summary statement. As a result, the employer is forced to start reading without knowing what the applicant can do.
Many resumes begin by listing education, for example. But even if your degree is in high demand, such as computer science, you're still leaving room for misinterpretation. (Does this person want a job in network administration? Telephone support? Internal help desk?)
Instead, try opening with an objective such as this: "Position in network administration where my computer science degree and technical skills will add value."
If you want to be more flexible about the job you're after, you can say: "Position where my computer science degree, troubleshooting skills and customer service experience will add value."
2. Group information logically
Hurried readers want to quickly scan through your resume. You can help them by breaking things down into logical groupings. Don't jumble things together, as in this example:
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows NT 4.0 Server, MS Exchange, DOS, Windows 95/98, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS Outlook.
Break longer lists into smaller bits and give them a clear heading, like this:
COMPUTER SKILLS* Operating Systems - Windows NT 4.0 (Workstation and Server), Windows 95/98 and DOS.* Applications - Microsoft Exchange, Word, Excel, Access and Outlook.
3. Focus on results
To make it easier for your reader to picture you achieving results on the job for him/her, clearly show how you've done it for others. Be as specific as possible.
Avoid dry language, like this:
- Responsible for maintaining accurate inventory, acquisition and delivery of supplies.
Try saying this, instead:
- Vastly improved customer service while cutting costs 24% by accurately managing inventory, acquisitions and deliveries.
Simple is good. When you begin your resume with clarity, group your information logically and focus on results, you'll enjoy a simply wonderful job search.
Best of luck to you!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others. Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
What To Do When Nothing Happens
What do you do when you've created and sent out the "perfect" resume and nothing happens? No calls for an interview. No form letters in the mail. No feedback of any kind.
If nothing is happening in your job search, remember the three "Re-s" and do the following:
If nothing is happening in your job search, remember the three "Re-s" and do the following:
- re-post your resume online
- re-examine and revise your resume
- redouble your overall efforts
Let's take a look at each of these in detail.
- Re-post your resume online
If you've posted your resume on an employment site, you may notice a drop in the number of employers contacting you after two or three weeks.
For best results, re-post or update your resume every 30 days. Why? When your resume is "freshly posted," you appear as a candidate who's actively pursuing a new job, which makes you more attractive to employers.
- Re-examine and revise your resume
If employers aren't beating a path to your door, re-examine your resume with a critical eye. Ask yourself these questions:
"Does my resume focus on a specific job or career path?" (You can't hit a target you don't aim at. Revise or remove anything that doesn't prove you're the best choice for the exact job you want.)
"Does my resume contain errors in grammar, spelling, etc.?" (When in doubt, show your resume to at least two friends for proofreading.)
"Is my resume concise and to-the-point?" (You won't bore anyone into hiring you. Limit yourself to two pages of tightly focused text.)
When you re-examine your resume and revise accordingly, you can remove limitations that may have kept the phone from ringing.
- Redouble your efforts
Try to talk to at least three people every day about your job search, and ask them to pass your name along to anyone who might be able to help. This is incredibly powerful.
Here's why. Let's assume every person on earth knows at least 100 people (this is a conservative guess). By talking to 90 people this month, you'll expand your network of contacts to 9,000 pairs of eyes and ears ... or more. If that doesn't shorten your job search, nothing will!
Finally, remember that anything worth having is worth working for. If you keep the three "Re-s" in mind, you can make a fresh start today and jumpstart your job search.
Best of luck to you!
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Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others. Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Monday, December 20, 2004
How NOT to Write a Resume
You can learn a lot about how to do something right by first learning what NOT to do.
Take resumes, for example.
I review about 200-300 a month, and most have at least 2-3 mistakes. Yet, all those hundreds of mistakes can be grouped into just a handful of categories, which you would do well to avoid.
Read on and learn how to write a better resume by avoiding the mistakes of others, some of them unintentionally hilarious ...
Mistake #1: "Golden Retriever Syndrome"
Never talk about yourself in terms that could also describe a hunting dog, like the following language, which appears in far too many resumes I see:
"Hard-working, self-motivated and dependable individual."
Tired phrases like that mean nothing to employers, because they could apply to almost anyone ... or almost anyone’s dog.
Instead, dump the empty assertions and back up the claims in your resume with facts, like this:
"Proven sales skills. Ranked in top three among 78 reps for five straight years, exceeding sales quotas for 18 of 20 quarters."
See the difference?
Mistake #2: A Verbal Jungle
To improve your resume (or anything you write), read it out loud. Since writing is just words on paper, reading it aloud will help you write as you would speak.
Here’s an example of language so dense, you’ll need a machete to find any meaning:
"Directed assembly of elements from business units in engineering, development, program management, distribution, and legal to effect market research, proposal responses, and contract management into comprehensive, virtual, successful teams ... "
After reading that three times, I’m still baffled.
Worse, do you think employers have time to read a resume three times to figure it out? No. As a result, that job seeker is still looking for work, I’ll wager.
Solution: Read your resume out loud before sending it out.
If you find yourself gasping for breath halfway through a sentence, stick a period or dash in there and break it in two.
And if anything you write sounds less than 100% clear when you read it aloud, revise until it would make sense to your mother. Doing so will ensure that your resume resonates with readers at all levels, from HR managers to your future boss.
Mistake #3: Negative Nuance
Just one stray word can derail a whole sentence. You know that. But in a resume, the wrong choice of words can brand you as unprofessional or careless in the eyes of employers.
Here’s an example of resume wording that gives off the wrong nuance, even though the facts are clear enough:
"Spearheaded use of resources in Vietnam in spite of resistance from senior management ..."
I don’t know about you, but "Spearheaded," "Vietnam" and "resistance" in the same sentence make me think of a John Wayne movie. Which detracts from what the job seeker is trying to say.
Before sending your resume to employers, send it to at least 2-3 friends whose judgment you trust. Ask them to read it for grammar and punctuation, but also for unintended meanings. Revise as needed.
Mistake #4: Jumbles of Jargon
Some resumes pile on the buzzwords in a vain effort to impress. Like this:
"New-media pioneer working with technical and business professionals to create new ways of presenting content and impactful tools for producing content and organizing workflow."
We’ll pass on "impactful" for now -- what does a "new-media pioneer" do, exactly? I’ve got a picture in my head of covered wagons and HD-TV, but I don’t think that’s right ...
Again, you can nip most crud in the bud by reading your resume out loud and then sending it to a friend for honest input. Because friends don’t let friends embarrass themselves.
Here’s hoping that exposing these four common resume gaffes will help you avoid making them!
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Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others. Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Take resumes, for example.
I review about 200-300 a month, and most have at least 2-3 mistakes. Yet, all those hundreds of mistakes can be grouped into just a handful of categories, which you would do well to avoid.
Read on and learn how to write a better resume by avoiding the mistakes of others, some of them unintentionally hilarious ...
Mistake #1: "Golden Retriever Syndrome"
Never talk about yourself in terms that could also describe a hunting dog, like the following language, which appears in far too many resumes I see:
"Hard-working, self-motivated and dependable individual."
Tired phrases like that mean nothing to employers, because they could apply to almost anyone ... or almost anyone’s dog.
Instead, dump the empty assertions and back up the claims in your resume with facts, like this:
"Proven sales skills. Ranked in top three among 78 reps for five straight years, exceeding sales quotas for 18 of 20 quarters."
See the difference?
Mistake #2: A Verbal Jungle
To improve your resume (or anything you write), read it out loud. Since writing is just words on paper, reading it aloud will help you write as you would speak.
Here’s an example of language so dense, you’ll need a machete to find any meaning:
"Directed assembly of elements from business units in engineering, development, program management, distribution, and legal to effect market research, proposal responses, and contract management into comprehensive, virtual, successful teams ... "
After reading that three times, I’m still baffled.
Worse, do you think employers have time to read a resume three times to figure it out? No. As a result, that job seeker is still looking for work, I’ll wager.
Solution: Read your resume out loud before sending it out.
If you find yourself gasping for breath halfway through a sentence, stick a period or dash in there and break it in two.
And if anything you write sounds less than 100% clear when you read it aloud, revise until it would make sense to your mother. Doing so will ensure that your resume resonates with readers at all levels, from HR managers to your future boss.
Mistake #3: Negative Nuance
Just one stray word can derail a whole sentence. You know that. But in a resume, the wrong choice of words can brand you as unprofessional or careless in the eyes of employers.
Here’s an example of resume wording that gives off the wrong nuance, even though the facts are clear enough:
"Spearheaded use of resources in Vietnam in spite of resistance from senior management ..."
I don’t know about you, but "Spearheaded," "Vietnam" and "resistance" in the same sentence make me think of a John Wayne movie. Which detracts from what the job seeker is trying to say.
Before sending your resume to employers, send it to at least 2-3 friends whose judgment you trust. Ask them to read it for grammar and punctuation, but also for unintended meanings. Revise as needed.
Mistake #4: Jumbles of Jargon
Some resumes pile on the buzzwords in a vain effort to impress. Like this:
"New-media pioneer working with technical and business professionals to create new ways of presenting content and impactful tools for producing content and organizing workflow."
We’ll pass on "impactful" for now -- what does a "new-media pioneer" do, exactly? I’ve got a picture in my head of covered wagons and HD-TV, but I don’t think that’s right ...
Again, you can nip most crud in the bud by reading your resume out loud and then sending it to a friend for honest input. Because friends don’t let friends embarrass themselves.
Here’s hoping that exposing these four common resume gaffes will help you avoid making them!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others. Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Thursday, December 16, 2004
One Page Or Two
After "What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt?" the second-most asked question in the English-speaking world could be "How long should my resume be -- one page or two?"
It's a question I'm asked almost daily by clients and prospects. At the risk of sounding coy, my answer is this: Your resume should be as long as it needs to be -- and no longer.
There's no law against two-page resumes, especially for folks with 10 or more years of experience, or those in highly technical careers. I've done two-page resumes for recent college grads who had to list computer languages, certifications and other details.
But if your resume is two pages long, it must be compelling to read. Remember: the purpose of your resume is to get an interview, not to tell your life story.
Put your most important selling points near the top of page one. Depending on your field, those points might include your degree, certifications and work experience. Summarize where possible and remember that you can always elaborate during a job interview.
A one-page resume works for most people and it's the length I usually aim for when writing for clients. I'd say 65-75% of my resumes are one page long.
If you have trouble getting your resume down to one page, there are lots of ways to make room for more information. You can:
· reduce the size of your name and address at the top of the resume· decrease the font size for your body copy from 12 to 11 points
· reduce your top and bottom margins -- but try not to go any smaller than 0.5"
· reduce the size of your headings
Keep your resume lean and mean using the "So, what" test. After reading each sentence in your resume, ask yourself: "So, what?" Is that last sentence compelling or fluff? If the words don't move you, rewrite or remove them. Then ask yourself: "So, what?" again.
So, don't get your kilt in a twist. Follow these tips and you'll write a resume that works, whether it's one page or two.
Best of luck to you!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
It's a question I'm asked almost daily by clients and prospects. At the risk of sounding coy, my answer is this: Your resume should be as long as it needs to be -- and no longer.
There's no law against two-page resumes, especially for folks with 10 or more years of experience, or those in highly technical careers. I've done two-page resumes for recent college grads who had to list computer languages, certifications and other details.
But if your resume is two pages long, it must be compelling to read. Remember: the purpose of your resume is to get an interview, not to tell your life story.
Put your most important selling points near the top of page one. Depending on your field, those points might include your degree, certifications and work experience. Summarize where possible and remember that you can always elaborate during a job interview.
A one-page resume works for most people and it's the length I usually aim for when writing for clients. I'd say 65-75% of my resumes are one page long.
If you have trouble getting your resume down to one page, there are lots of ways to make room for more information. You can:
· reduce the size of your name and address at the top of the resume· decrease the font size for your body copy from 12 to 11 points
· reduce your top and bottom margins -- but try not to go any smaller than 0.5"
· reduce the size of your headings
Keep your resume lean and mean using the "So, what" test. After reading each sentence in your resume, ask yourself: "So, what?" Is that last sentence compelling or fluff? If the words don't move you, rewrite or remove them. Then ask yourself: "So, what?" again.
So, don't get your kilt in a twist. Follow these tips and you'll write a resume that works, whether it's one page or two.
Best of luck to you!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
4 "Weird" Ways to Find a Job
It was gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson who said: "When the going gets tough, the weird turn pro."
When it comes to your job search in this economy, you might try this advice: When the going gets tough, the tough get weird.
In other words, be daring. Different. Zig when other job seekers are zagging.
Here are four ways to get "weird" -- and more importantly, get hired -- by being unconventional in your job search ...
1) Seek The Path Less Followed
Everyone advises you to post your resume on leading sites like Monster.com and HotJobs.com. And there's nothing wrong with that -- my clients have been hired using both.
But don't forget the growing number of job postings found on niche Web sites that cater to specific industries, associations and other affinity groups.
This tactic worked for one of my clients Carla S., from Marshall, Minnesota.
"I interviewed for and got offered a great job this week after applying to openings on sites from my industry, like www.jobsinlogistics.com and www.careersinfood.com," says Carla.
If you follow Carla's lead and focus your search on sites that appeal to a narrow audience, you'll likely find you have less competition for jobs that are closely matched to your qualifications. That's a win-win scenario, don't you think?
Find niche job boards at sites like www.nicheboards.com and by doing searches for keywords ("YOUR INDUSTRY + jobs") at search engines like www.google.com, www.yahoo.com, www.teoma.com and www.kartoo.com.
2) Network Backwards
One client, Jeff R. from Prior Lake, Minnesota, hit pay dirt in February by networking among contacts most people would never consider calling -- potential employers from his LAST job search.
"I emailed a manager I had interviewed with two years ago, before my latest job. He had moved to a different part of the company, but he referred me to the right decision maker. That new person interviewed me and offered me a job," says Jeff.
So don't forget to look both ways when you network - forward and back, all the way back to your college career office and internships, no matter how long ago you graduated.
3) Reject Rejection
Your response to a letter of rejection may, incredibly, get you the job, according to California-based James Adams, a career expert and former job-search consultant to the U.S. government.
"I was consulted by a woman who interviewed very well for a position, but still got a letter of rejection after applying. Most people would have torn up the letter and gone on to other things," says Adams.
Instead, Adams told her to write a gracious reply, thanking the company for their time and reaffirming her strong desire to work for them.
Did it work?
"The top contender for the position had to relocate on short notice. The hiring panel remembered the letter they got from the really eager and pleasant woman who replied to their rejection letter. She got the job," says Adams.
4) Networking Begins At Home
When networking and sending out resumes, most folks tend to search far and wide for job leads. But don't overlook your own family as a potential gold mine of employment information.
One client of mine, Paul W. from Columbia Heights, Minnesota, found a job this way in accounting and financial management:
"I emailed over 100 resumes to employers and was networking seriously, eventually getting 8-10 good interviews. But it was my wife who helped me find my new job," says Paul.
His wife told her friend, who told her boss about Paul's qualifications. That wife's friend's boss offered Paul an interview, and eventually, a job. It's proof that you should leave no stone unturned in your networking efforts, even under your own roof!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
When it comes to your job search in this economy, you might try this advice: When the going gets tough, the tough get weird.
In other words, be daring. Different. Zig when other job seekers are zagging.
Here are four ways to get "weird" -- and more importantly, get hired -- by being unconventional in your job search ...
1) Seek The Path Less Followed
Everyone advises you to post your resume on leading sites like Monster.com and HotJobs.com. And there's nothing wrong with that -- my clients have been hired using both.
But don't forget the growing number of job postings found on niche Web sites that cater to specific industries, associations and other affinity groups.
This tactic worked for one of my clients Carla S., from Marshall, Minnesota.
"I interviewed for and got offered a great job this week after applying to openings on sites from my industry, like www.jobsinlogistics.com and www.careersinfood.com," says Carla.
If you follow Carla's lead and focus your search on sites that appeal to a narrow audience, you'll likely find you have less competition for jobs that are closely matched to your qualifications. That's a win-win scenario, don't you think?
Find niche job boards at sites like www.nicheboards.com and by doing searches for keywords ("YOUR INDUSTRY + jobs") at search engines like www.google.com, www.yahoo.com, www.teoma.com and www.kartoo.com.
2) Network Backwards
One client, Jeff R. from Prior Lake, Minnesota, hit pay dirt in February by networking among contacts most people would never consider calling -- potential employers from his LAST job search.
"I emailed a manager I had interviewed with two years ago, before my latest job. He had moved to a different part of the company, but he referred me to the right decision maker. That new person interviewed me and offered me a job," says Jeff.
So don't forget to look both ways when you network - forward and back, all the way back to your college career office and internships, no matter how long ago you graduated.
3) Reject Rejection
Your response to a letter of rejection may, incredibly, get you the job, according to California-based James Adams, a career expert and former job-search consultant to the U.S. government.
"I was consulted by a woman who interviewed very well for a position, but still got a letter of rejection after applying. Most people would have torn up the letter and gone on to other things," says Adams.
Instead, Adams told her to write a gracious reply, thanking the company for their time and reaffirming her strong desire to work for them.
Did it work?
"The top contender for the position had to relocate on short notice. The hiring panel remembered the letter they got from the really eager and pleasant woman who replied to their rejection letter. She got the job," says Adams.
4) Networking Begins At Home
When networking and sending out resumes, most folks tend to search far and wide for job leads. But don't overlook your own family as a potential gold mine of employment information.
One client of mine, Paul W. from Columbia Heights, Minnesota, found a job this way in accounting and financial management:
"I emailed over 100 resumes to employers and was networking seriously, eventually getting 8-10 good interviews. But it was my wife who helped me find my new job," says Paul.
His wife told her friend, who told her boss about Paul's qualifications. That wife's friend's boss offered Paul an interview, and eventually, a job. It's proof that you should leave no stone unturned in your networking efforts, even under your own roof!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Monday, December 13, 2004
How To Find Work With A Recruiter
Want to access the hidden job market and find a job faster?
Working with a recruiter may be just the ticket.
But how do you locate one? What should you look for? And what should you expect?
To find out, I interviewed two experienced recruiters: Rick Fox, Branch Manager at the Minneapolis office of MRI (www.mrimpls.com) and Pat Riley, principal of Houston-based, 10 Abbott Street, a national search firm (www.10abbottstreet.com).
Where do you start looking for a recruiter?
An excellent ways to locate a recruiter is the same way you’d look for a barber or dentist -- ask around, according to Pat Riley. "I suggest using the ‘friend network’ first by asking friends and family if they know any good recruiters," he says.
Other avenues include the Yellow Pages (look under Employment Agencies) and the Internet (visit www.google.com and search for "recruiter" plus any industry or geographic terms that apply to you; example: "recruiter retail Chicago").
"Look for a recruiter who specializes in the industry you’re in and want to stay in. Recruiters really can’t help those who want to change industries or careers -- this is a common misconception," advises Rick Fox.
What are the benefits of working with a recruiter?
A good recruiter can introduce you to good jobs before they’re ever advertised.
"If an opportunity is available in your industry, you may get a call from a recruiter with information that very few people are going to know about," says Fox.
A recruiter may offer tips on interviewing, too. "The headhunter will probably know at least a couple of questions the hiring manager is going to ask you. They should never put words in your mouth, but they can at least tell you what to expect," says Riley.
How much, if any, should you pay a recruiter?
"Not one red cent," says Riley. "The hiring company should pay the recruiter to fill the position. This is known as a contingency search, and it forces the recruiter to find the right person more quickly and work harder for you."
Fox concurs. "If you’re a candidate going to a search firm, you should never pay a fee."
Is it OK to work with more than one recruiter?
In a word, yes. "I view recruiters as strong horses that you hitch to your wagon -- you want to have as many pulling as you can," says Riley.
Every recruiter understands that you want a job and that you’ll work with whoever can help, so don’t worry about hurting their feelings.
BUT … if a recruiter takes you to market and starts shopping your resume around heavily to companies, it’s wise to stay loyal. "They may feel cheated if you use someone else," according to Fox.
How can job seekers get the most from working with a recruiter? It may help to call and offer to sit down face-to-face with a recruiter.
"Only 5-10% of job seekers do this. I respect the initiative of those who come and see me, and I tend to work a bit harder for them," says Riley.
You can research your way to better results, too. "If you call up and say, 'I’ve prepared a list of 15 companies I should be working for -- companies that need me -- and here’s why,' that recruiter will be all over you, because you’ve just made their job really easy,” says Fox. You can do corporate research and find target companies at both www.hoovers.com and www.referenceusa.com.
So there you have it -- tips from the trenches on how you can find and work effectively with a recruiter. There’s one for almost every career and level of experience, so why not hook up with one this week? Like a dentist or an auto mechanic, you may find it best to have a relationship in place with a recruiter before you need their help.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Working with a recruiter may be just the ticket.
But how do you locate one? What should you look for? And what should you expect?
To find out, I interviewed two experienced recruiters: Rick Fox, Branch Manager at the Minneapolis office of MRI (www.mrimpls.com) and Pat Riley, principal of Houston-based, 10 Abbott Street, a national search firm (www.10abbottstreet.com).
Where do you start looking for a recruiter?
An excellent ways to locate a recruiter is the same way you’d look for a barber or dentist -- ask around, according to Pat Riley. "I suggest using the ‘friend network’ first by asking friends and family if they know any good recruiters," he says.
Other avenues include the Yellow Pages (look under Employment Agencies) and the Internet (visit www.google.com and search for "recruiter" plus any industry or geographic terms that apply to you; example: "recruiter retail Chicago").
"Look for a recruiter who specializes in the industry you’re in and want to stay in. Recruiters really can’t help those who want to change industries or careers -- this is a common misconception," advises Rick Fox.
What are the benefits of working with a recruiter?
A good recruiter can introduce you to good jobs before they’re ever advertised.
"If an opportunity is available in your industry, you may get a call from a recruiter with information that very few people are going to know about," says Fox.
A recruiter may offer tips on interviewing, too. "The headhunter will probably know at least a couple of questions the hiring manager is going to ask you. They should never put words in your mouth, but they can at least tell you what to expect," says Riley.
How much, if any, should you pay a recruiter?
"Not one red cent," says Riley. "The hiring company should pay the recruiter to fill the position. This is known as a contingency search, and it forces the recruiter to find the right person more quickly and work harder for you."
Fox concurs. "If you’re a candidate going to a search firm, you should never pay a fee."
Is it OK to work with more than one recruiter?
In a word, yes. "I view recruiters as strong horses that you hitch to your wagon -- you want to have as many pulling as you can," says Riley.
Every recruiter understands that you want a job and that you’ll work with whoever can help, so don’t worry about hurting their feelings.
BUT … if a recruiter takes you to market and starts shopping your resume around heavily to companies, it’s wise to stay loyal. "They may feel cheated if you use someone else," according to Fox.
How can job seekers get the most from working with a recruiter? It may help to call and offer to sit down face-to-face with a recruiter.
"Only 5-10% of job seekers do this. I respect the initiative of those who come and see me, and I tend to work a bit harder for them," says Riley.
You can research your way to better results, too. "If you call up and say, 'I’ve prepared a list of 15 companies I should be working for -- companies that need me -- and here’s why,' that recruiter will be all over you, because you’ve just made their job really easy,” says Fox. You can do corporate research and find target companies at both www.hoovers.com and www.referenceusa.com.
So there you have it -- tips from the trenches on how you can find and work effectively with a recruiter. There’s one for almost every career and level of experience, so why not hook up with one this week? Like a dentist or an auto mechanic, you may find it best to have a relationship in place with a recruiter before you need their help.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Your Resume Makeover
Here's a fast, easy way to make a dramatic improvement in your resume.
How? Focus it entirely on the employer and his or her needs. Put your desires for career advancement, higher pay, increased job satisfaction, etc., a distant second.
Because, to get hired in this economy, the underlying message of your resume must be this: "Here's how I can help you, Mr./Ms. Employer." This will set you apart from 90-95% of your competition, whose resumes say, in effect: "Give me a job!"
See the difference?
It's a subtle mind-shift that builds immediate rapport with the reader of your resume. And it can pay off big for you.
Here are some "before" and "after" examples from actual resumes.
Example Objective - Before
To obtain a Mid-Level Management position with a stable organization.
Well, who wants to work for an "unstable" organization? Why make demands of readers in the first sentence? Watch it -- every word counts, and the wrong ones can get your resume off on the wrong foot!
Example Objective -- After
Position where five years of management and banking experience will add value.
Here, we clearly state how many years of experience you're offering the employer, while also including your knowledge of banking. And we end by saying that you want to add value. Who wouldn't want to hire -- or at least meet -- someone like that?
Here's another example, this time of a typical sentence from the body of a resume.
Example Sentence -- Before
"Worked with staff and vendors to eliminate slow-moving products."
This is an empty statement. There's no benefit. What happened when you did your job well? Was money made or saved? If so, say so!
To improve almost every area of your resume, keep this phrase in mind as you recall your on-the-job duties: "AS A RESULT." Stick those words on the end of everything you've done and see what you come up with.
Example Sentence -- After
"Worked with staff and vendors to eliminate slow-moving products. As a result, increased product turnover 15% and sales $23,000 in five months."
Big difference!
Specific results excite employers. When they see that you've done good things for others, they'll want you on their team.
So, be sure your resume is aimed at solving an employer's problems and is chock full of results. As a result of doing that, you'll get more calls for interviews, in any economy.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
How? Focus it entirely on the employer and his or her needs. Put your desires for career advancement, higher pay, increased job satisfaction, etc., a distant second.
Because, to get hired in this economy, the underlying message of your resume must be this: "Here's how I can help you, Mr./Ms. Employer." This will set you apart from 90-95% of your competition, whose resumes say, in effect: "Give me a job!"
See the difference?
It's a subtle mind-shift that builds immediate rapport with the reader of your resume. And it can pay off big for you.
Here are some "before" and "after" examples from actual resumes.
Example Objective - Before
To obtain a Mid-Level Management position with a stable organization.
Well, who wants to work for an "unstable" organization? Why make demands of readers in the first sentence? Watch it -- every word counts, and the wrong ones can get your resume off on the wrong foot!
Example Objective -- After
Position where five years of management and banking experience will add value.
Here, we clearly state how many years of experience you're offering the employer, while also including your knowledge of banking. And we end by saying that you want to add value. Who wouldn't want to hire -- or at least meet -- someone like that?
Here's another example, this time of a typical sentence from the body of a resume.
Example Sentence -- Before
"Worked with staff and vendors to eliminate slow-moving products."
This is an empty statement. There's no benefit. What happened when you did your job well? Was money made or saved? If so, say so!
To improve almost every area of your resume, keep this phrase in mind as you recall your on-the-job duties: "AS A RESULT." Stick those words on the end of everything you've done and see what you come up with.
Example Sentence -- After
"Worked with staff and vendors to eliminate slow-moving products. As a result, increased product turnover 15% and sales $23,000 in five months."
Big difference!
Specific results excite employers. When they see that you've done good things for others, they'll want you on their team.
So, be sure your resume is aimed at solving an employer's problems and is chock full of results. As a result of doing that, you'll get more calls for interviews, in any economy.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Thursday, December 09, 2004
The Resume Hall of Shame
Make no mistake -- in a successful resume, content is king. It's the words that sell your abilities and make employers want to call you for interviews.
But the package is nearly as important as the contents.
Just as you wouldn't expect to receive a bank statement on purple paper, there are rules to follow and mistakes to avoid if you want to be taken seriously by employers reading your resume.
Here are some of the most common formatting errors I've found in the nearly 5,000 resumes people have sent me to review since 1995.
The "ransom note" effect
I've seen resumes with five or more different fonts and sizes, making them look as though they'd been pasted together with letters cut from a magazine. To avoid distracting readers, limit yourself to two fonts -- three at most.
Tiny type
If you need miniscule letters to fit the text of your resume onto one or two pages, you're hurting your own cause. A font smaller than 11 points will cause most readers to do one of three things: squint, look for a magnifying glass, or (most likely) put your resume in the "read next week" pile.
I normally use 12-point Times Roman or Garamond for the body copy of the resumes I write - nothing much smaller than that.
Pictures
Unless you're applying for a modeling job or live in Asia (where it's expected), don't include a picture on your resume, no matter how attractive you are.
Over-italics and All capital letters
Use italics sparingly to set off special data or short explanations in your resume. Never use italics for entire paragraphs, as it's guaranteed to make your resume harder to read.
LIKEWISE, ALL CAPITAL LETTERS ARE PROVEN BY YEARS OF RESEARCH TO BE HARDER TO READ THAN STANDARD CAPITALIZATION. WHY HANDICAP YOURSELF?
Day-glow paper
Print your resume on stationery in a professional-looking color, such as ivory, gray or light blue. Unless you're applying to clown school, avoid pink, yellow or other garish shades, all of which I've actually seen.
Follow these guidelines and you'll avoid the pain and suffering that comes from mangling an otherwise-effective resume. When in doubt, run your resume by at least three friends for their honest input.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
But the package is nearly as important as the contents.
Just as you wouldn't expect to receive a bank statement on purple paper, there are rules to follow and mistakes to avoid if you want to be taken seriously by employers reading your resume.
Here are some of the most common formatting errors I've found in the nearly 5,000 resumes people have sent me to review since 1995.
The "ransom note" effect
I've seen resumes with five or more different fonts and sizes, making them look as though they'd been pasted together with letters cut from a magazine. To avoid distracting readers, limit yourself to two fonts -- three at most.
Tiny type
If you need miniscule letters to fit the text of your resume onto one or two pages, you're hurting your own cause. A font smaller than 11 points will cause most readers to do one of three things: squint, look for a magnifying glass, or (most likely) put your resume in the "read next week" pile.
I normally use 12-point Times Roman or Garamond for the body copy of the resumes I write - nothing much smaller than that.
Pictures
Unless you're applying for a modeling job or live in Asia (where it's expected), don't include a picture on your resume, no matter how attractive you are.
Over-italics and All capital letters
Use italics sparingly to set off special data or short explanations in your resume. Never use italics for entire paragraphs, as it's guaranteed to make your resume harder to read.
LIKEWISE, ALL CAPITAL LETTERS ARE PROVEN BY YEARS OF RESEARCH TO BE HARDER TO READ THAN STANDARD CAPITALIZATION. WHY HANDICAP YOURSELF?
Day-glow paper
Print your resume on stationery in a professional-looking color, such as ivory, gray or light blue. Unless you're applying to clown school, avoid pink, yellow or other garish shades, all of which I've actually seen.
Follow these guidelines and you'll avoid the pain and suffering that comes from mangling an otherwise-effective resume. When in doubt, run your resume by at least three friends for their honest input.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Focus your resume to hit the target
When writing your next resume, remember this: You must tell employers exactly what you can do for them. Don't force them to figure it out for themselves.
The best way to do this is to start your resume with a clear objective or summary statement. Of these two choices, an objective with a job title is the better way to begin. It shows that you know exactly what job the employer is trying to fill.
Example:
OBJECTIVE
Restaurant Manager where more than 10 years of food service and management experience will contribute to efficient operations.
If you don't know the job title, you can start your resume with a summary. This will focus the reader on your relevant skills, while giving you a bit more flexibility to apply for different jobs.
Example:
SUMMARY
Seeking a position where more than 12 years of sales, management and operations experience will add value.
Whether or not to use an objective or summary is a sticking point for some people, who want to be considered for all jobs.
This is a mistake.
A focused resume is a powerful resume. A resume that tries to be all things to all people ends up being nothing at all. If need be, you can always write a second or third resume to give yourself more options.
Throughout the body of your resume, continue to focus, this time on achievements -- good things you've done for prior employers or while in school. By contrast, most resumes focus on job duties and responsibilities, which forces the employer to read between the lines and guess at your true value.
Be specific, using dollars and numbers whenever possible.
Example:
"Created and managed Client Solutions Division in 1998. Led sales, support and hardware teams to penetrate computer market. In one year, gained 80% of market share against IBM, while meeting sales goal of $5 million."
When you focus your resume on the job you want and the good things you've done, you make it easier for employers to envision the good things you can do for them. And that will make the phone ring.
Best of luck to you!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
The best way to do this is to start your resume with a clear objective or summary statement. Of these two choices, an objective with a job title is the better way to begin. It shows that you know exactly what job the employer is trying to fill.
Example:
OBJECTIVE
Restaurant Manager where more than 10 years of food service and management experience will contribute to efficient operations.
If you don't know the job title, you can start your resume with a summary. This will focus the reader on your relevant skills, while giving you a bit more flexibility to apply for different jobs.
Example:
SUMMARY
Seeking a position where more than 12 years of sales, management and operations experience will add value.
Whether or not to use an objective or summary is a sticking point for some people, who want to be considered for all jobs.
This is a mistake.
A focused resume is a powerful resume. A resume that tries to be all things to all people ends up being nothing at all. If need be, you can always write a second or third resume to give yourself more options.
Throughout the body of your resume, continue to focus, this time on achievements -- good things you've done for prior employers or while in school. By contrast, most resumes focus on job duties and responsibilities, which forces the employer to read between the lines and guess at your true value.
Be specific, using dollars and numbers whenever possible.
Example:
"Created and managed Client Solutions Division in 1998. Led sales, support and hardware teams to penetrate computer market. In one year, gained 80% of market share against IBM, while meeting sales goal of $5 million."
When you focus your resume on the job you want and the good things you've done, you make it easier for employers to envision the good things you can do for them. And that will make the phone ring.
Best of luck to you!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Two power networking tips
Here are two powerful ways to network your way to a new position -- job fairs and job clubs. You'll see advertisements for job fairs in almost every Sunday paper. They're often held at local hotels or convention centers. Even if you don't see an ad for a job you seek, if an employer you'd like to work for will be at a job fair, go there with your résumé and start meeting people.
Chat with potential employers to discuss what you'd like to be doing for them -- they might offer to create a position just for you to take advantage of your skills. Or at least agree to let you interview. You'll never know what good things might happen unless you go and find out!
In addition to meeting employers, try to exchange business cards with at least five other job seekers. Why? They might be leaving a company that's looking for someone just like you. At the very least, you'll be practicing your networking skills, which can help you in a job club.
Job clubs -- what are they and how can they help you? Here's the inside scoop.
Because the vast majority of jobs are filled through personal contacts, a job club can be very effective in your job search. And you'll find them all around you. Contact your local library, church, community groups and state employment agency for help in contacting one or more that suit your needs.
If your city publishes a free employment weekly newspaper, be sure to check the announcements section to find job clubs. You may also find them listed in the phone book.
In a good job club, you'll meet regularly with 10-30 other people to share leads, provide support and practice such skills as interviewing and negotiating for salary. Job clubs are often free, so don't worry about high membership costs.
I highly recommend you consider adding job fairs and job clubs to your arsenal of job search weapons.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995,
his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search
assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal,
Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among
others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment
Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly,
the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Chat with potential employers to discuss what you'd like to be doing for them -- they might offer to create a position just for you to take advantage of your skills. Or at least agree to let you interview. You'll never know what good things might happen unless you go and find out!
In addition to meeting employers, try to exchange business cards with at least five other job seekers. Why? They might be leaving a company that's looking for someone just like you. At the very least, you'll be practicing your networking skills, which can help you in a job club.
Job clubs -- what are they and how can they help you? Here's the inside scoop.
Because the vast majority of jobs are filled through personal contacts, a job club can be very effective in your job search. And you'll find them all around you. Contact your local library, church, community groups and state employment agency for help in contacting one or more that suit your needs.
If your city publishes a free employment weekly newspaper, be sure to check the announcements section to find job clubs. You may also find them listed in the phone book.
In a good job club, you'll meet regularly with 10-30 other people to share leads, provide support and practice such skills as interviewing and negotiating for salary. Job clubs are often free, so don't worry about high membership costs.
I highly recommend you consider adding job fairs and job clubs to your arsenal of job search weapons.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995,
his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search
assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal,
Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among
others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment
Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly,
the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Monday, December 06, 2004
How to follow up after applying online
The Web is a great place to find and apply for jobs. You can send your résumé to a dozen companies in just minutes. But what comes next? Is it just a waiting game, or are there follow-up methods you can use to increase your response rate?
Steve Kobs, a human resources manager at Hanley-Wood Custom Publishing, a Minneapolis-based marketing communications firm, offers this advice: "If you'd like to follow up with a company after submitting your résumé, one week later is a reasonable time to do it," he says.
And the best way to follow up?
"I prefer e-mail," says Kobs. "If you call me on the phone and ask if we've made a hiring decision, you put me in an awkward position if I have to tell you bad news ... or if I've forgotten who you are. Candidates who follow up by e-mail show respect for my time, which I appreciate," he says.
Andrea Hoover, CEO of JobLynx Online (www.joblynx.com), offers additional ways to set yourself apart when applying for jobs online.
"First, when submitting résumés online, be sure to use a professional-looking e-mail address, not the one at work or a cutesy one like ilikebowling@gutterballs.com."
Her follow-up methods, which are more aggressive than what an HR professional might suggest, include the following:
· The day after you submit your resume to a company, e-mail them a quick note asking if they received and were able to read your resume, or if they require a different format for their database.
· The day after that, print and send a stationery version of your resume by US Mail to the hiring authority, along with a copy to any other company contacts, for review and filing for future opportunities.
· One week after your initial contact, send an e-mail to the hiring authority inquiring if you can supply any further information not included in your original resume.
· Finally, around 10 days after your online application, send another e-mail asking for the phone number of the hiring authority, since you are considering several other offers. Attach your resume to this e-mail so they won't need to hunt for it. And ask for a convenient time to contact them for a brief phone interview.
Whatever method you use, your goal in following up aggressively is to sell your abilities and experience. Push for the face-to-face interview as soon as possible. And get that job!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Steve Kobs, a human resources manager at Hanley-Wood Custom Publishing, a Minneapolis-based marketing communications firm, offers this advice: "If you'd like to follow up with a company after submitting your résumé, one week later is a reasonable time to do it," he says.
And the best way to follow up?
"I prefer e-mail," says Kobs. "If you call me on the phone and ask if we've made a hiring decision, you put me in an awkward position if I have to tell you bad news ... or if I've forgotten who you are. Candidates who follow up by e-mail show respect for my time, which I appreciate," he says.
Andrea Hoover, CEO of JobLynx Online (www.joblynx.com), offers additional ways to set yourself apart when applying for jobs online.
"First, when submitting résumés online, be sure to use a professional-looking e-mail address, not the one at work or a cutesy one like ilikebowling@gutterballs.com."
Her follow-up methods, which are more aggressive than what an HR professional might suggest, include the following:
· The day after you submit your resume to a company, e-mail them a quick note asking if they received and were able to read your resume, or if they require a different format for their database.
· The day after that, print and send a stationery version of your resume by US Mail to the hiring authority, along with a copy to any other company contacts, for review and filing for future opportunities.
· One week after your initial contact, send an e-mail to the hiring authority inquiring if you can supply any further information not included in your original resume.
· Finally, around 10 days after your online application, send another e-mail asking for the phone number of the hiring authority, since you are considering several other offers. Attach your resume to this e-mail so they won't need to hunt for it. And ask for a convenient time to contact them for a brief phone interview.
Whatever method you use, your goal in following up aggressively is to sell your abilities and experience. Push for the face-to-face interview as soon as possible. And get that job!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Three Ways to Find a Job by Doing the Opposite
Want to get hired faster? You can almost always shave days, weeks -- even months -- off your job search if you stop following the herd.
In my eight years of helping people find work, I've watched too many job seekers take too long to get hired because they do the same things as everyone else. This is especially true for recent college grads.
So start doing a few things differently in your job search. And start getting called for more interviews.
Here are three ways ...
1. Look where others don't
When you began your job hunt, where's the first place you looked for openings? I'll bet my next house payment it was either the classified ads or the online job boards. That's where EVERYBODY starts their job search. And that's where you have the MOST competition for openings, like fishing off the same pier with 10,000 other people.
Change your approach.
Where's the last place most people look for job openings? Their network of contacts. Specifically, current and past employers. You know, the people who've signed your paychecks.
Think about it: if someone thought highly enough of your skills to pay you a salary every two weeks, do you think they MIGHT be willing to share job leads with you, or at least pass your name on to someone they know who's hiring?
So today -- right now -- make a list of at least 5 current or former managers you are on good terms with and whom you can contact for job leads. Then call or email them to let them know what you're looking for. Today!
2. Write a very different cover letter
Sorry, but there's no nice way to say this -- most cover letters stink like a high school gym locker.
And, without seeing yours, I can predict with 95% certainty that it has one major flaw -- it's focused too much on you and your needs.
Specifically, I'll wager the last cover letter you sent out was rife with language like this: "I am applying for a job with potential for advancement, where my skills will be utilized and where I will be challenged ..." or something similar.
This is how almost everyone writes cover letters. I know, because I've read almost 10,000 of them since 1996.
Stop it. Now.
Instead, do this: replace every "I" and "my" in your next cover letter with the word "YOU."
This will force you to shift the focus from "me, me, me -- gimme a job" to "you, you, you -- how can I help you, Mr./Ms. Employer?"
Your cover letters will be dramatically more effective. And you'll start getting more interviews as a result.
3. Follow up differently
Most folks fail to follow up effectively after sending out their resumes and cover letters -- when they follow up at all.
Instead of calling employers every week and asking, "Did you get my resume?" or "Did you make a hiring decision yet?" try to add value each time you follow up.
Examples: research the competition and write up a quick report, then send it to the hiring manager. Or share a success story from your past that's relevant to the employer's situation.
In short, try to give employers another reason to hire you every time you contact them. Nobody else is doing this, which is a screaming opportunity for you to get noticed -- and get hired.
Now. These three tips are predicted on a simple idea: why be ordinary?
You can break out of the herd -- and find a job faster -- if you do just a few things differently in your job search. Why not start today?
Now go out and make your own luck!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
In my eight years of helping people find work, I've watched too many job seekers take too long to get hired because they do the same things as everyone else. This is especially true for recent college grads.
So start doing a few things differently in your job search. And start getting called for more interviews.
Here are three ways ...
1. Look where others don't
When you began your job hunt, where's the first place you looked for openings? I'll bet my next house payment it was either the classified ads or the online job boards. That's where EVERYBODY starts their job search. And that's where you have the MOST competition for openings, like fishing off the same pier with 10,000 other people.
Change your approach.
Where's the last place most people look for job openings? Their network of contacts. Specifically, current and past employers. You know, the people who've signed your paychecks.
Think about it: if someone thought highly enough of your skills to pay you a salary every two weeks, do you think they MIGHT be willing to share job leads with you, or at least pass your name on to someone they know who's hiring?
So today -- right now -- make a list of at least 5 current or former managers you are on good terms with and whom you can contact for job leads. Then call or email them to let them know what you're looking for. Today!
2. Write a very different cover letter
Sorry, but there's no nice way to say this -- most cover letters stink like a high school gym locker.
And, without seeing yours, I can predict with 95% certainty that it has one major flaw -- it's focused too much on you and your needs.
Specifically, I'll wager the last cover letter you sent out was rife with language like this: "I am applying for a job with potential for advancement, where my skills will be utilized and where I will be challenged ..." or something similar.
This is how almost everyone writes cover letters. I know, because I've read almost 10,000 of them since 1996.
Stop it. Now.
Instead, do this: replace every "I" and "my" in your next cover letter with the word "YOU."
This will force you to shift the focus from "me, me, me -- gimme a job" to "you, you, you -- how can I help you, Mr./Ms. Employer?"
Your cover letters will be dramatically more effective. And you'll start getting more interviews as a result.
3. Follow up differently
Most folks fail to follow up effectively after sending out their resumes and cover letters -- when they follow up at all.
Instead of calling employers every week and asking, "Did you get my resume?" or "Did you make a hiring decision yet?" try to add value each time you follow up.
Examples: research the competition and write up a quick report, then send it to the hiring manager. Or share a success story from your past that's relevant to the employer's situation.
In short, try to give employers another reason to hire you every time you contact them. Nobody else is doing this, which is a screaming opportunity for you to get noticed -- and get hired.
Now. These three tips are predicted on a simple idea: why be ordinary?
You can break out of the herd -- and find a job faster -- if you do just a few things differently in your job search. Why not start today?
Now go out and make your own luck!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Why You Need Three Resumes
Would you go golfing with only one club? Of course not.
You need a driver to get off the tee, an iron for the fairway, a putter, etc. In short, one club won't work in all situations.
It's the same with your job search.
To compete in today's high-tech job market, you need more than one "club," in this case, a resume.
In fact, you need no fewer than three versions of your resume: one for humans, a second for computer scanners and a third for use on the Internet.
Read on to discover why you need three different resumes and how to create them ...
1. Traditional Format - For Humans
This is the version you're most familiar with.
It's the one- or two-page resume you print on nice stationery (ivory is my suggested color) and either hand-deliver or mail to hiring managers. It should appeal to the eye and be easy to read.
But, to be safe, you also need a ...
2. Scannable Format - For Computers
Since there aren't enough hours in the day for humans to read them all, most larger companies use optical character recognition (OCR) software to scan resumes into computerized databases. Once scanned, hiring managers can search thousands of resumes with a few mouse clicks, to match applicants with jobs.
Trouble is, your traditional resume may not scan clearly. The underlining, fancy fonts and other word processing tricks can befuddle the computer. Because computers are dumb.
So, create a scannable resume.
First, change the typeface on your traditional resume to a sans serif font, such as Arial, for more accurate reading by the scanner. (Serif fonts, such as Times Roman, are harder to scan.) Use one font size throughout -- I recommend 10 or 11-point type.
Next, eliminate all underlining, bolding, bullet points, italics, etc., to make your resume easy to scan.
After that, create a keyword section to match your target job. Keywords are the nouns employers use to search a database of scanned resumes. If your scannable resume is rich in matching keywords, it's more likely to get noticed. And you'll be called for more interviews.
IMPORTANT: mail or hand-deliver your scannable resume (printed on white paper) TOGETHER with your traditional resume (on nice stationery). This way, you're 100% certain that your credentials will appeal to both human and electronic eyes. Because you never know where your resumes will end up.
But don't stop there. You've heard of the Internet, right? If you want to use it your job search, you need a third resume ...
3. ASCII Format - For E-mail And Web Sites
ASCII stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. An ASCII resume is a plain text file, without any special formatting, so it can be read by any computer -- Windows, Mac, whatever.
Like a Quonset hut, this thing is ugly, but very useful.
To create an ASCII version of your resume, do the following:
a) open your original resume in your word processing program;b) from the File menu choose Save As and then Plain Text;c) close the document.
Congratulations. You've just created an ASCII resume.
For best results, make sure include plenty of KEYWORDS, which describe your skills, job titles, education and experience.
Employers search resume databases using keywords to find candidates. If your ASCII resume has the right keywords, it can jump to the top of the pile. If not, it won't.
Ready? Open your ASCII resume using Notepad or a similar text editor -- do NOT use your word processing program, which could mess up the plain text format.
Now, add a section of keywords. Think like an employer. What search terms would they use to find someone like you?
Example: if you’re a sales manager, your keyword section might look like this:
KEYWORDS
sales manager, sales management, sales trainer, team building, consultative sales, consultative selling, Director of Sales, BA: Marketing, Bachelor of Arts in marketing, sales/marketing, sales and marketing
... the list could go on. Put your keyword section near the top of the resume, which may cause some databases to give those keywords more relevance (the jury is still out on this, though).
There’s no limit to the number of keywords you can use, so long as they accurately describe you and your skills.
You can use your ASCII resume two ways: send it by email to employers, or copy and paste it into Web sites when applying for specific jobs.
Final tip re: ASCII resumes -- the width of the document should not exceed 60 characters. If yours is wider, the lines may wrap in some email programs or resume Web sites, which will wreck the format.
So, to slice some time off your job search, be sure to create and use traditional, scannable and ASCII versions of your resume. Because you really do need a whole bag of tricks to compete for the best jobs today.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
You need a driver to get off the tee, an iron for the fairway, a putter, etc. In short, one club won't work in all situations.
It's the same with your job search.
To compete in today's high-tech job market, you need more than one "club," in this case, a resume.
In fact, you need no fewer than three versions of your resume: one for humans, a second for computer scanners and a third for use on the Internet.
Read on to discover why you need three different resumes and how to create them ...
1. Traditional Format - For Humans
This is the version you're most familiar with.
It's the one- or two-page resume you print on nice stationery (ivory is my suggested color) and either hand-deliver or mail to hiring managers. It should appeal to the eye and be easy to read.
But, to be safe, you also need a ...
2. Scannable Format - For Computers
Since there aren't enough hours in the day for humans to read them all, most larger companies use optical character recognition (OCR) software to scan resumes into computerized databases. Once scanned, hiring managers can search thousands of resumes with a few mouse clicks, to match applicants with jobs.
Trouble is, your traditional resume may not scan clearly. The underlining, fancy fonts and other word processing tricks can befuddle the computer. Because computers are dumb.
So, create a scannable resume.
First, change the typeface on your traditional resume to a sans serif font, such as Arial, for more accurate reading by the scanner. (Serif fonts, such as Times Roman, are harder to scan.) Use one font size throughout -- I recommend 10 or 11-point type.
Next, eliminate all underlining, bolding, bullet points, italics, etc., to make your resume easy to scan.
After that, create a keyword section to match your target job. Keywords are the nouns employers use to search a database of scanned resumes. If your scannable resume is rich in matching keywords, it's more likely to get noticed. And you'll be called for more interviews.
IMPORTANT: mail or hand-deliver your scannable resume (printed on white paper) TOGETHER with your traditional resume (on nice stationery). This way, you're 100% certain that your credentials will appeal to both human and electronic eyes. Because you never know where your resumes will end up.
But don't stop there. You've heard of the Internet, right? If you want to use it your job search, you need a third resume ...
3. ASCII Format - For E-mail And Web Sites
ASCII stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. An ASCII resume is a plain text file, without any special formatting, so it can be read by any computer -- Windows, Mac, whatever.
Like a Quonset hut, this thing is ugly, but very useful.
To create an ASCII version of your resume, do the following:
a) open your original resume in your word processing program;b) from the File menu choose Save As and then Plain Text;c) close the document.
Congratulations. You've just created an ASCII resume.
For best results, make sure include plenty of KEYWORDS, which describe your skills, job titles, education and experience.
Employers search resume databases using keywords to find candidates. If your ASCII resume has the right keywords, it can jump to the top of the pile. If not, it won't.
Ready? Open your ASCII resume using Notepad or a similar text editor -- do NOT use your word processing program, which could mess up the plain text format.
Now, add a section of keywords. Think like an employer. What search terms would they use to find someone like you?
Example: if you’re a sales manager, your keyword section might look like this:
KEYWORDS
sales manager, sales management, sales trainer, team building, consultative sales, consultative selling, Director of Sales, BA: Marketing, Bachelor of Arts in marketing, sales/marketing, sales and marketing
... the list could go on. Put your keyword section near the top of the resume, which may cause some databases to give those keywords more relevance (the jury is still out on this, though).
There’s no limit to the number of keywords you can use, so long as they accurately describe you and your skills.
You can use your ASCII resume two ways: send it by email to employers, or copy and paste it into Web sites when applying for specific jobs.
Final tip re: ASCII resumes -- the width of the document should not exceed 60 characters. If yours is wider, the lines may wrap in some email programs or resume Web sites, which will wreck the format.
So, to slice some time off your job search, be sure to create and use traditional, scannable and ASCII versions of your resume. Because you really do need a whole bag of tricks to compete for the best jobs today.
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Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
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Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Scannable Resumes
Read any classified ads lately? If so, you've probably seen this phrase: "Send scannable resume and cover letter."
What's a scannable resume, you ask?
Today, to help manage a flood of paperwork, many larger companies use optical character recognition (OCR) software to scan resumes into computerized databases. Once scanned in, hiring managers and HR people search through these resumes for keywords to match applicants with jobs.
So, in many cases, a computer will see your resume before a human does. Which means you need to make and send a scannable resume when applying to large corporations. This article will show you how.
First, let's create your scannable resume.
Start by changing the typeface in your resume to a sans serif font, such as Arial, for more accurate reading by the scanning computer. (Serif fonts, such as Times Roman, may not scan as clearly.) Use a single typeface throughout and a single font size. I recommend 10 or 11-point type.
Next, eliminate all underlining, bolding and italics, which can make your resume harder to scan. After that, create a targeted keyword section to match your career goals. Keywords are the nouns an employer uses when searching a database of scanned resumes for candidates like you. If your scannable resume is rich in matching keywords, it's more likely that your resume will pop up in the search ... and you'll be called for an interview.
Try to think like the employer and anticipate the keywords they'll use. Then put those keywords in your resume. Example: a company looking to hire a C++ programmer will look for evidence of programming skills and education. The following keywords should go in your scannable resume (if they apply to you): C, C++, BS: Computer Science, program, programming, programmer, code, coding, software development, software developer.
Put your keyword section near the top of your resume, right after your opening objective or summary statement.
Print your scannable resume on plain white paper for best results … save the fancy stationery for your traditional resume.
Congratulations! You now have a scannable resume.
But what's the best way to use it? Here's a trick that will improve your results.
I tell my clients to send BOTH a scannable resume and a traditional resume (the one with an eye-pleasing layout, printed on nice stationery).
When you send both types of resumes, you prove your understanding of technology by providing one resume for people to read, and one for the computers. You make the employer's job a lot easier, which can go a long way toward producing a job for you.
Best of luck to you!
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About the author:
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries. Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site: Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
What's a scannable resume, you ask?
Today, to help manage a flood of paperwork, many larger companies use optical character recognition (OCR) software to scan resumes into computerized databases. Once scanned in, hiring managers and HR people search through these resumes for keywords to match applicants with jobs.
So, in many cases, a computer will see your resume before a human does. Which means you need to make and send a scannable resume when applying to large corporations. This article will show you how.
First, let's create your scannable resume.
Start by changing the typeface in your resume to a sans serif font, such as Arial, for more accurate reading by the scanning computer. (Serif fonts, such as Times Roman, may not scan as clearly.) Use a single typeface throughout and a single font size. I recommend 10 or 11-point type.
Next, eliminate all underlining, bolding and italics, which can make your resume harder to scan. After that, create a targeted keyword section to match your career goals. Keywords are the nouns an employer uses when searching a database of scanned resumes for candidates like you. If your scannable resume is rich in matching keywords, it's more likely that your resume will pop up in the search ... and you'll be called for an interview.
Try to think like the employer and anticipate the keywords they'll use. Then put those keywords in your resume. Example: a company looking to hire a C++ programmer will look for evidence of programming skills and education. The following keywords should go in your scannable resume (if they apply to you): C, C++, BS: Computer Science, program, programming, programmer, code, coding, software development, software developer.
Put your keyword section near the top of your resume, right after your opening objective or summary statement.
Print your scannable resume on plain white paper for best results … save the fancy stationery for your traditional resume.
Congratulations! You now have a scannable resume.
But what's the best way to use it? Here's a trick that will improve your results.
I tell my clients to send BOTH a scannable resume and a traditional resume (the one with an eye-pleasing layout, printed on nice stationery).
When you send both types of resumes, you prove your understanding of technology by providing one resume for people to read, and one for the computers. You make the employer's job a lot easier, which can go a long way toward producing a job for you.
Best of luck to you!
-------------------------------------------------------------
About the author:
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries. Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site: Guaranteed Resumes.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Find A Job Today is a blog sponsored by:
You Don't Know SQUAT About Job Hunting
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