The following rules are important when considering references for your job search: Always ask a person for permission before you use them as a reference. You want to be sure the person you ask is not surprised by a call and that they are willing to give you a positive report. According to a survey by Accountemps, 34% of job candidates are removed from consideration for a job after their references are checked. Do not list your references (or “references… Read More
When Verbs Lead Your Resume Astray
Verbs are a very important part of a resume. Interesting, strong verbs emphasize your accomplishments: manage a team of 10 professionals; drive revenue; created new procedures; ranked #2 out of 150 sales reps. Weak verbs (is responsible for, was engaged in the process of) weaken your accomplishments and generally take up valuable space. See the difference here: Responsible for the reorganization of two departments. Reorganized two departments. Past and present verb tense can easily become a problem. The only place… Read More
Resume Q&A: How Do I Handle Many Short-Term Jobs?
Q. I have bounced around a lot from job to job during my career, and now I am looking again. Part of the problem is that I get bored easily, sometimes I got laid off, but also I am in a career where people just do not stay long at any one company. How do I write my resume so that I do not come off as a flake or someone who gets fired from one company after another? A…. Read More
Resumes for Sales Reps
In some ways, sales representatives have an easier job quantifying their skills than many people in other positions. If you come in at or over sales goals; if you bring in hundreds or thousands of dollars of new business; if you have a high closing rate, you are already well on the way to convincing a company to hire you in a sales position. If your measurable skills are confidential, give percentages or ranges (for example, “reached 130% over sales… Read More
Resume Advice 101 for College Graduates
Most college graduates have already begun to send out resumes, and a few may even have job offers pending. If your resume is not drawing in interviews and seems to have vanished into a deep well, here are a few strategies for re-energizing your job search. Get a second opinion. Do you know anyone in the field you are trying to enter? Ask if they would take a look at your resume. Often, college graduates send out a resume that… Read More
