Robin's Resumes® : resumes

Posts tagged ‘resumes’

April 14th, 2012

Is a Resume Necessary?

Some companies have been organizing their online application forms around what school teachers call “essay questions.” Instead of asking about recent employment, these applications ask, “What is your ideal dream job?” and “Why are you interested in our company?” Questions like these used to be saved for the interview, but with so many people hunting for employment, companies are trying to strengthen their weeding-out process.

Other companies have begun asking for links to Twitter and Facebook pages or even personal websites.

However, resumes are still a requirement for all companies, even those with the quirkiest application process. Somewhere along the line, every company wants to know your work history, what you have achieved in previous jobs and what skills you have acquired. A great resume not only boosts your self-confidence, it also gives you a strong basis for answering questions like “What job did you enjoy the most in your career?”

As a professional resume writer and career coach, I create resumes that fit into your entire presentation, and I can help ensure that your online presence is consistent with your resume and with the job you want. Call or email me today.

January 15th, 2012

Adaptive Skills: What Do They Add to a Resume?

For job hunters, adaptive skills are those general skills necessary to transition to, acquire, keep and succeed at any job. They might include dependability, familiarity with technology, ability to work independently and ability to work with others.

These skills are valuable to employers but it is not enough to state that you have them. The best way to highlight your adaptive skills is to show how you used them in your previous jobs and volunteer positions.

In periods of full employment, employers know they may not find someone with the exact technical, mechanical or scientific skills they want. They are more likely to select folks who have strong adaptive skills, which allow the company to train the employee for the position. In a period of high unemployment (such as now), companies feel their most economical solution is to wait for the perfect employee who doesn’t need training. However, companies still want but employees with the adaptive skills to fit the company culture and contribute to the company’s bottom line.

Thus, it is always important to mention your adaptive skills in the context of your achievements. Your resume should assure a company that they are hiring someone who not only has the specific skills the company needs now but also has the adaptive skills to grow in the future.

You may need career coaching to identify and recognize your adaptive skill set. You may need help in translating that knowledge into a strong resume. Contact Robin’s Resumes today and we can begin working on a stronger resume for you.

March 20th, 2011

Resumes and Keywords

More and more often, employers and recruiters use computer programs to look through resumes for keywords and then discard the resumes that do not contain those words.

What are keywords? A keyword is a single word or a phrase describing a specific skill or achievement that the employer considers to be critical for the job. It could be the name of a software program (Excel, MySQL), a specific license or college degree (MBA), a job title (Manager, CEO) or an industry-specific term (profit and loss statement, fractionation). Sometimes the computer program searches for one set of words but the resume uses another set to describe the same thing. For example, the program searches for “profit and loss” but the resume refers to “P&L.” When that happens, a resume might be discarded even though the applicant has the required skill.

How do you know which keywords to use? Keywords can be found in the job description in a company’s advertisement or online posting. If a word or phrase appears frequently in similar job postings by other companies, it is probably a critical keyword for that industry.

How many keywords should you put in your resume? One estimate says that for federal jobs a resume must contain 95% of the keywords for that job. Estimates for keywords in corporate resumes vary widely (I’ve seen recommendations for from 4 to 25 or more keywords). As important as keywords are, you must be honest in using them. If you don’t have the skill, degree or license that a keyword describes, you don’t have it.

How can you create a keyword-rich resume? As a professional resume writer, I know how to work important keywords into your resume and still create a readable document. I can also advise you on which keywords are likely to become the focus of a search. If you fear that your resume is being unfairly discarded because it lacks the right keywords, give me a call today at Robin’s Resumes®.

February 20th, 2011

Robin’s Resumes: Our Specialty Is Your Resume

One of the questions customers often ask me is: What is your specialty—which industry and which job positions? Have you ever written a resume for someone like me before?

For over a decade, I have written resumes for everyone from recent graduates to armed forces generals and CEOs of major corporations. Before then I worked as a process engineer and as a project manager at a large plant. I have interfaced with Human Resources personnel and recruiters in several states.

I help job seekers transition from the corporate world to federal jobs, from military careers to corporate careers, from college to their first job and from small companies to large—and back again. If you have a gap in your employment history, if you are concerned about your age, if you are not sure about the value of your experience or if you face any other difficulty with your resume, please call me.

I can assure you that I have indeed written a resume for someone like you. And I would be honored to write yours.

December 5th, 2010

The Internet and Your Resume

Paper resumes are still with us, but more and more job hunters are posting resumes online at social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook and at sites like VirtualCV that specialize in publishing resumes. They know that more and more recruiters are searching online for job candidates.

If you are a member of LinkedIn, you can include the address for your LinkedIn profile on your resume—but you should first make sure your LinkedIn profile is professional. If you employ a professional resume writer to write your resume, ask the same person to write your LinkedIn profile. You gain several advantages: consistency, reinforcement of the main points in your resume, and an opportunity to elaborate on details. You will also want some strong recommendations on your LinkedIn profile.

If you belong to Facebook, Twitter, or other social media groups, now is the time to take down any photos, tweets, or personal information that you would never bring up at a job interview. Social networking sites do not belong on a resume; but recruiters and interviewers know how to find them, whether you want them to or not. You may want to mention a Facebook business site on your resume if that is relevant.

Recruiters are also looking at resumes created on resume publishing sites or with WordPress or similar software. Some online resume tools allow you to choose among privacy settings; incorporate the online resume in Facebook and LinkedIn; and add audio or video. Be careful of overwhelming your resume with gimmicks, however. Your accomplishments, achievements and work history should still be paramount.

Again, a consistent approach is vital among all your paper and electronic resumes. I can help you with a resume package that makes your resume stand out, no matter where recruiters find it.

November 7th, 2010

A Round of Applause for You

You have just been chosen “Employee of the Month”–but everyone seems to be chosen sooner or later. You came in second among eight salespeople for total yearly sales–but you weren’t first. Your boss asked you to be a member of a committee–but no one important served on it. At one job you were selected to lead a training session–but that was years ago. Are any of these “honors” worth mentioning on a resume? Absolutely!

Rewards, above average achievements and selection by a superior help you stand out from the crowd of other applicants. Recruiters like to know you were appreciated at a previous job, that you strive for excellence and that your employers respected you enough to single you out. No matter how old the honor is, you earned it. As long as it is relevant to your work history, it should appear on your resume.

Honors that come from volunteer work are also important. If you ever served as an officer for a nonprofit, received recognition or contributed your time and expertise in any way, mention your service, Many companies encourage giving back to the community and will be pleased that you are already on board with their policy. In addition, volunteering shows initiative and the ability to work toward a common goal, both highly respected qualities in an employee.

At Robin’s Resumes®, we help people understand the value of their achievements and communicate them to potential employers. While your resume is opening doors to employment, it should also remind you of all the reasons you have to be proud. That confidence will show in your interviews. So give yourself a round of applause and make sure recruiters know what an exceptional employee you are.

October 31st, 2010

Advice from Your Next Boss

What do companies look for when they read a resume? Recently I asked that question on an online business site. Replies came from 18 hiring and department managers working in colleges, electronics companies, banks, sales, engineering and human resources among others.

Overwhelmingly (11 out of 18), they first checked the resume to make sure the skills and experience met their needs as outlined in the job description. No one wants to hire a brain surgeon without a medical degree or a chef who’s never worked in a kitchen. Often, the responders defined “experience” as number of years in the field.

Does this mean you can submit a laundry list of skills and job titles and get hired? No.

After that first glance, most of the people responding looked for accomplishments or achievements. Your resume has to explain what you did with your skills. How did the company benefit?

Did you develop a new report, increase sales, interact well with your peers and managers, lead a team, volunteer in the community, meet deadlines, streamline a process, help make a project successful, complete a class, give a presentation, serve on a committee, receive praise from customers or earn a promotion? The way you used your skills to benefit your old company tells your new company what to expect. They know whether you’ll be a valuable addition to their team.

You may find it hard to boast about—or even recognize—your own accomplishments. If you need help, call or email Robin’s Resumes. Together, we can make sure the marketplace knows just how valuable you are.

October 25th, 2010

The Great Debate: What Type of Resume Works Best?

The two main types of resumes are functional and chronological. A functional resume concentrates on your accomplishments and experience, with only the briefest reference to your job history. A chronological resume details your jobs in reverse chronological order, the most recent position first. Which do I favor? Neither one!

The best modern resumes are a combination of functional and chronological. They start with a paragraph or list summarizing your main areas of accomplishment and your most valuable skills. Under that comes a detailed job listing, with information on your achievements in each position, in reverse chronological order.

A straight functional resume is often viewed by recruiters as a warning that you have something to hide: a large gap in employment, a history of moving from job to job, or an inability to hold onto any one job for very long. A straight chronological resume may force the recruiter to hunt for relevant experience and skills. The combination resume tells recruiters at a glance that you have the right skills and a stable, solid work history.

October 1st, 2010

Just an Ordinary Everyday Person

Recently, I spoke with a woman returning to the job market after years of raising her family. “I haven’t done anything for 10 years,” she said. Coincidentally, I had a similar conversation with an executive just a few weeks later. “I don’t give enough back to the community,” he said. And soon after that a college graduate complained that she lacked enough experience to get the website design job she wanted.

In a short while, I discovered that the woman had held leadership positions in three nonprofits over the years; the executive participated in at least one community event every month, including speaking before high school students; and the college grad had developed websites for two family members (“but they’re family members,” she objected).

The problem is that we all undervalue our contributions and experience. The achievement that you dismiss as nothing special may be exactly what your next employer is looking for.

A professional resume writer can help you discover those talents and abilities you take for granted—and then describe them so that potential employers recognize their value. We cannot be truly objective about ourselves.

September 13th, 2010

References: “Works Well with Others”

Good references are important to any job search; but you need to know when and how to offer them.

In the United States, references do not belong on a resume. First, you want to protect the privacy of your references; resumes go out to the world. Second, you want time to alert your references to the call or email they may receive. If your references are listed on your resume, you lose control.

Employers assume you can give them references if they ask. So your resume should not include the phrase “References available upon request.” It is not necessary and it takes up valuable space on a resume better used to show your accomplishments.

That said, as part of your preparation, create a list of references to have ready when needed. The list should include each reference’s name, title, company name, address, phone number(s) and email. In addition to professional references, you may need a few personal references. Contact all your references to make sure they are willing to speak well of you and to alert them to your job search. Your references need to know they will be receiving a legitimate request for information by a company you’re interested in.

You can ask a company not to contact your most recent employer. Companies realize you may want to keep your job search confidential until you have a definite offer. Besides, current employers are often limited in the information they are allowed to share.

Make sure you have some references who will gladly speak well of you! One of the most damaging references you can get is, “I’d rather not say.”

August 29th, 2010

What Not to Say in a Resume

Some resume mistakes are easy to find: you typed “manger” instead of “manager” or you transposed the numbers on your zip code. But what about this job description on the fourth page of a resume: “Kept books for our company for 5 years before it went out of business due to poor economy.” That one sentence is guilty of several mistakes:

  • Using the first person word (I, me, my, we, us, our) in a resume. The first person is fine in a cover letter—not in resume. Don’t say our, say the company’s.
  • Making apologies. Always stress the positive. If your company went out of business, focus on how you helped to keep it healthy for so long.
  • Resume too long. For most professions in the civilian sector, a 1 to 2 page resume is sufficient (technical professions such as IT, Engineering, Science, Medicine and College Professor are exceptions). In this case, a bookkeeper rarely requires 4 pages.
  • Listing your job duties alone. Your accomplishments are much more important. Every bookkeeper keeps the books. Did you develop new reports or participate in management’s five-year planning committee?
  • Giving up. If you don’t get results from your resume, seek out a professional. A professional resume writer will help you stress the value you bring to potential employers. In addition, most professionals offer advice on job searches, including methods for networking. Go to www.robinsresumes.com to see the services a professional resume writer can offer you.

August 23rd, 2010

Taking Your Job Hunt Online

Paper resumes are still a valuable job hunting tool. Almost all of the current generation of Human Resource managers grew up in the era of paper and still prefer it. But you need to consider posting an online resume also. It widens your job hunting reach, and it gives you a professional presence on the Internet. Many companies will research you online even after receiving your paper resume.

When posting an online resume, make sure:

  • The online information is consistent with the resume you have sent to the company. If a professional resume writer is helping to write your resume, you may want to hire the same person to write your online profile.
  • Any comments or referrals on your online resume are positive and bolster your image.

Is the fear of identity theft keeping you from posting details on line? If you search for your name online, you may be surprised to find out how much information is already available. In all probability, your contact information is widely known, especially if you’re listed in the phone book and have shopped online. However, if you want to hide your real address but still show your local availability, you could rent a mailbox at a UPS store or other mailbox service. Unlike Post Office boxes, commercial mailboxes offer a real street address.

Stay away from resume-distribution sites that request your date of birth, marital status, picture or social security number. That’s where the possibility of identity theft is strongest.
Technology, comfort levels and employment law still have a way to go before all resumes are online. But you want to take advantage of every resource available to you. Do you have a success story to share about your online resume?

August 23rd, 2010

Resume Style

A graphic designer asked an online forum if she should highlight her skills by creating a unique design for her resume. Every hiring manager who responded answered, “No!” They wanted a resume formatted for easy reading, scanning and printing. If a professional graphic designer has to reign in her artistic talent, you should, too. That means:

  • Using a standard font like Arial, Times New Roman or Helvetica If you wander away from standard fonts, the computer that receives your resume may not have that font. Suddenly, your resume file is unreadable.
  • Being careful with clip art, color or other ornamentation. Black-and-white printers/copiers reduce every color scheme to grey. Some scanners turn ornate designs into a mess. Besides, you never know how a hiring manager will react to a resume bordered by flowers, in green ink, on baby blue paper. It is OK to be creative if you are in a creative field and using a paper resume to hand to a person you know; however, even then, you will need to also provide a standard resume which is able to be scanned.
  • Avoiding templates. Some Word templates cause receiving computers and scanners to choke. In addition, if you use a Word template, your resume will look exactly like the hundreds of other applicants using the same template.
  • Making the resume easy on the eyes. Somewhere along the line, a human being will read your resume. Save bolding, italics or capitalization for your most important points; use it consistently and sparingly. Chose a font size of at least 11 pt for Times New Roman or 10 pt for Arial or Helvetica.

With resumes, content always counts more than style. Make sure your style lets your content stand out.