Your resume summary is the first—and may be the only—part of your resume that hiring managers and recruiters read. To write a summary that makes them want to continue reading, you must gather information from job postings and advertisements in your field and on the sites of the companies you are interested in. Search for key skills and experience that the companies are looking for; these are the keywords that should appear in your summary. Your summary should: Use a… Read More
Creating a Brag Book for Your Resume
Why do you need a brag book for your resume? A resume is more than a list of tasks that you accomplish every day. It describes your accomplishments—what you achieved with your skills, education, and experience. A brag book is a place to record achievements so that you do not forget them when it comes time to write your resume. Many people dislike bragging or talking about themselves or feel they have nothing in their career to brag about anyway…. Read More
Certifications on Your Resume
Certifications can be very important to a career. Certifications let recruiters and hiring managers know that you have appropriate skills, as certified by an independent organization, and have completed required courses and/or tests. Certifications can help move your career ahead in both current and future roles. Gaining certifications can cost a lot of time and money. However, they also help break through the limitations for growth in your current role or company. According to a survey by Global Knowledge, 52%… Read More
Resume Horror Stories
Every year, in honor of Halloween, I post a few resume horror stories. Here is this year’s crop of horror stories: Resume Horror Story #1: Forgetting ATS A marketing writer produced a gorgeous resume in the form of an infographic. It was clear, creative, carefully designed, and informative. Unfortunately, it failed to pass through the automated Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which rejected the resume outright. He would have been better served by having two resumes: one traditional for the ATS… Read More
Resume Q&A: Going from Remote to Onsite Employee
Q. I have worked remotely in direct mail marketing for a long time now, mostly for one company. I like working from home and I like the company but I am ready to become an onsite full-time employee and there are no onsite positions open in my current company. I miss the comradeship, opportunities for advancement, and even the politics and gossip of office life! How can I convince hiring managers and recruiters that I am ready to make the… Read More
