Executive Resume Master

The Best Ways a Job Searcher Can Identify Available Jobs

Joanna — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:36:45 +0000

Job searchers have a lot of questions regarding the process of job search. Job searchers questions range from “What is the length of a job resume?” “What is the purpose of a resume cover letter?” “How do I write a proper resume cover letter and what mistakes should I avoid in my resume cover letter?” “Do I need to avail the services of a professional resume writer or is it okay to write my own job resume?” “What are the common mistakes I should avoid in a job search interview?” “What is the proper dress code for a job search interview?” “What should I do after the job search interview?

Here are two more common job search questions that a lot of job searchers ask: How do I find the available jobs especially around my area? And what are the best ways a job searcher like me can find these available jobs?

Of course, most if not all job searchers would like to find a job close to their home. Convenience is an important consideration that job searchers need to factor in whenever they are on a job search. So to answer that question, when a job searcher needs to find a job close to home, it’s best to utilize the job search sites that focus on local jobs in your area. Let’s discuss these job search ways further.

Job Search Method #1: Job Search through the Internet

The World Wide Web is indeed a great source of information and because we now live in a modern world where technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, a job searcher can use the Internet again to his advantage when on a job search mission.

There are thousands, if not millions of websites that can be found in the online world nowadays and they each cater to different market segments. Job search sites both State and Local job search sites are one of the Websites you can now visit in the Internet. There are also job search engines that a job searcher can put to good use and even niche job search sites.

State Job Search Sites

There are job search web sites that specifically target the state jobs market. A job searcher can check these websites’ job boards for job opening and even search the state job search sites by keyword and city to find the available jobs. Check our links for state and government jobs.

Jobs at Companies in Your Area

A job searcher can also make use of a program like LinkUp which does job searches that are posted on different company web sites. Use the Advanced Search Option to do a job search within a radius of a city.

Job Search Engines

Another online tool a job searcher can do when on a job search is to make use of job search engine sites that allow users to do a job search on major job sites, company sites, associations and other online job sites by keyword and location. A job searcher can do his job search by city or by state for his preferred location job search.

Local Job Search Sites

A job searcher can also try his luck by visiting local job search sites such as Craigslist, Geebo, and Jobing which allows the job searcher to focus his job search on jobs listed for specific geographic locations. Job searchers can check the above suggested websites and the likes to find job search listings that may not be posted on national job search boards.

Niche Job Sites

If there are job search websites online that allows job searchers to do their job search based on specific locations, there are also the niche job search sites. When a job searcher visits these niche job search sites, they will find that these niche job search sites contain job search listings for a specific career field or industry. Job searchers can use them use these niche job sites to find jobs in their area in their field(s) of interest.

State Employment Resources

Aside from the Internet, job searcher can also access state job banks, phone and web directories, and other resources for job searchers. Find local One-Stop Career Centers, Senior Centers, and Job Corp Centers.

When you’re a job searcher conducting a job search, keep in mind that it’s always important to have criteria to focus your job search on such as a specific location where you want to work. Make sure to list the city and state.

Mistakes to Avoid on Job Resume Cover Letters

Joanna — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:43:34 +0000

Your job resume cover letter shows employers how well you express yourself as a job searcher. It can also demonstrate that you are savvy in the ways of marketing yourself and selling your best qualifications in a job resume cover letter. A good job resume cover letter can entice a prospective employer to review your job resume. A bad job resume cover letter, on the other hand, can nip your chances in the bud. Here are 10 mistakes that contribute to bad job resume cover letters. To ensure that your job resume cover letter is effective, avoid these mistakes:

Resume Cover Letter Mistake #1: Sending your job resume without a resume cover letter. Not all employers give much value to resume cover letters but since you don’t know whether the employer you’re writing to reads and values resume cover letters or not, it’s better to include a resume cover letter.

Resume Cover Letter Mistake #2: Failing to address the resume cover letter to the specific name of the recipient. Addressing the resume cover letter to “Dear Personnel Director/HR Director,” “To Whom It May Concern,” and the likes instead of a named individual give employers that you as a job searcher is not concerned enough to find out the name of the person with the hiring power.

Usually, you can just call the company and ask who the hiring manager is for a given position. Try to do all that is in your power to get the name of the employer.

Resume Cover Letter Mistake #3: Telling the employer what the company can do for you instead of what you can do for the company. This resume cover letter mistake is particularly common among new college graduates and other inexperienced job-seekers. Employers look for job searchers who can be an asset to their company so this is what you should include in your job resume cover letter. Tell the employer how you can meet his or her needs and contribute to the company.

Resume Cover Letter Mistake #4: Leaving the ball in the employer’s court. Too many job resume cover letters end with a line like this: “I look forward to hearing from you.” Proactive job resume cover letters, in which the job-searcher requests an interview and promises to follow up with a phone call, are far more effective. Don’t be vague about your desire to be interviewed. Come right out and ask for an interview. Then, take your specific action a step farther and tell the recipient that you will contact him or her in a specified period of time to arrange an interview appointment.

Here’s a sample closing paragraph requesting specific action and describing the writer’s planned follow-up to put in your job resume cover letter:

I would like to be considered for a sales position in which someone of my background could make a contribution. I will contact you soon to arrange for an interview. Should you require any additional information, I can be contacted at the phone numbers listed above.

Resume Cover Letter Mistake #5: Being boring and formulaic. Don’t waste your job resume cover letter’s first paragraph by writing a boring introduction. Use the first paragraph of job resume cover letter to grab the employer’s attention. Tell the employer why you are writing and summarize the reasons you are qualified for the position, expanding on your qualifications in later paragraphs. The point is to write a job resume cover letter that will make the employer want to get to know you better.

Resume Cover Letter Mistake #6: Allowing typos, misspellings, or incorrect grammar/punctuation into your job resume cover letter. Your job resume cover letter reflects your ability to write and communicate so be sure your document is letter-perfect before sending it out. Proofread your job resume cover letter. Put it down and proof it again a few hours later with a fresh eye. Then enlist a friend to review it for errors.

Resume Cover Letter Mistake #7: Rehashing your job resume. You can use your job resume cover letter to highlight the aspects of your job resume that are relevant to the position, but you’re wasting precious space — and the potential employer’s time — if you simply repeat your job resume.

Resume Cover Letter Mistake #8: Failing to specifically tailor your resume cover letter to the job you’re applying for. If you’re answering an ad or online job posting, the specifics of your job resume cover letter should be tied as closely as possible to the actual wording of the ad you’re responding to.

A particularly effective way to deploy the specifics of a want ad to your advantage is to use a two-column resume cover letter format in which you quote in the left-hand column specific qualifications that come right from the employer’s want ad and in the right-hand column, your attributes that meet those qualifications. The two-column job resume cover letter format is extremely effective when you possess all the qualifications for a job, but it can even sell you when you are lacking one or more qualification. The format so clearly demonstrates that you are qualified in so many areas that the employer may overlook the areas in which you lack the exact qualifications.

Resume Cover Letter Mistake #9: Rambling on too long and telling the story of your life/career. Keep your job resume cover letter as brief as possible. Never more than one page. Keeping to four or five paragraphs of no more than three sentences each is a good guideline to take note of with resume cover letters. Using bullet points in the job resume cover letter is a good way to break up blocks of text and interest the reader. Some job searchers tend to use their job resume cover letters to provide a narrative of their life or career. That’s not what the job resume cover letter is all about; it’s a marketing tool that should focus on the qualifications that will sell you to the employer. Your job resume cover letter should answer the question that the employer will be asking while reading the words you’ve written: “Why should I hire this person?” Answer with your Unique Selling Proposition. Use simple language and uncomplicated sentence structure. Ruthlessly eliminate all unnecessary words.

Resume Cover Letter Mistake #10: Using wimpy language. Avoid such phrases as “I feel” and “I believe.” Your statements will be much stronger without them. It’s best to either leave off the qualifier or use a stronger qualifier, such as “I am confident,” I am convinced,” or “I am positive.”

Job Resume Length: How Long is Too Long?

Joanna — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 09:41:22 +0000

There’s one age old question that every job searcher seeks an answer to: How long is too long for a job resume length? Is there a required number of pages for a job resume? And if there is, how many pages is the acceptable for a job resume to be considered a good length for a job resume? Newly College graduates and experienced executives alike who are in a job search mission are plagued by these questions about a job resume’s length. After all, a well written job resume with a job resume cover letter holds the key to a job searcher’s chance to get a job search interview with a prospective employer.

Whether you just have so much to write in your job resume or not so much at all, you’ll be able to decide the length of your job resume with the help of our job resume guidelines.

There are several rules out there about job resume writing, some of them you definitely must not break, such as lying on your job resume because your prospective employer will do background checks and if ever you get hired for the position out of all the other job searchers out there, the lie you put on your job resume will catch up to you soon and your employer will find out, having typographical errors or misspellings and providing negative information in your job resume. But other rules of job resume writing can be broken. One of these rules is the length of job resumes. As a job searcher, you probably have read a lot of guides telling you that your job resume length should be just one page. This is generally not true for most job search applications.

There are accepted ideal job resume lengths for different kinds of job search applications which may help you decide on how long your job resume should be. Let’s enumerate them:

Ideal Length of a Job Resume for Entry level applicants or New Graduates – The length of a job resume for new graduates would ideally be one page long. Majority of new graduates conform to this one page rule of job resumes. This is so because not much experience or accomplishment are available to be placed on their job resumes, so focusing more on skills would be much more advantageous for new graduates. Two page job resumes are also okay for those newly graduate job searchers who had a lot of relevant internships, extracurricular activities, summer-jobs or other experiences that can justify a two page job resume.

Ideal Length of Job Resume for Above Entry Level but Below Executive – Majority of job searchers would mostly belong to this category, those who have had previous experience but did not hold executive positions. People writing job resumes that are at this level often have difficulty limiting themselves to one or two pages job resume length. A good average job resume length for the above entry level job searcher would be two to three pages long, but again if you choose to write more than two pages in your job resume, make sure that the content justifies the extra pages.

Ideal Length of Job Resume for Executives, CEOs, COOs and other “C” level positions – For the elite people holding these positions, the length of a job resume becomes irrelevant. Basically the rule of job resume lengths does not apply. Major companies would want to know everything about an executive job searcher before they hire them. Their job resumes could be as long as five pages or more and might also include separate portfolios and other documents. Hiring a job searcher for an executive position is a pretty big risk and making the wrong decision would spell doom for any company.

The most important thing to consider when deciding the length of a resume is to make sure that the content is relevant and compelling. Don’t ever sacrifice content of your job resume for length, if you think an item needs to be in your job resume then go ahead and place it there. As long as what you are typing in justifies the length of your job resume then don’t let length job resume restrictions stop you. It also recommended that you place the most relevant items on the top part of the first page on your job resume. Just remember to be accurate when you summarize, and only include key, relevant contents in your job resume.

A Job Searcher’s Guide to Following up after the Job Search Interview

Joanna — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 09:39:39 +0000

A job search interviewing process is long, complicated and complex. The job search interview is the last part that a job searcher must undertake before he or she can be given the job. Basically, when a job searcher has gone on a job search interview because he or she is being considered for the job position, there are several aspects that a job searcher should keep in mind when each job search interview round is over and also after the entire job search process is completed. Job searchers should note that the job search interview is not just for formality sakes. There’s still a chance that a job searcher may not get the job after attending the job search interview.

Checking status after the job search interview:

What a job searcher should expect when waiting for a phone call after the job search interview: The job search interview process is not completed unless and until the job searcher has joined a company. Until then, job searchers should keep on going through the entire job search process: job resume writing, job resume cover letter writing, job resumes with job resume cover letters submissions and attending job search interviews.

This article suggests what a job searcher should do after he or she has attended a job search interview and some other things to do after the job search interview.

Things to do after your job search interview

Job search should continue

Firstly, continue your job search. The quote “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is appropriate here – your odds are not 100% clear because you’re not the only job searcher the employer is considering for the open position. So it’s only logical that you should not put a freeze on your job search efforts, submitting job resumes and job resume cover letters here and there until the moment you sign the job contract.

In addition, once the job search interview is over and you have left the job search interview location, you should re-evaluate how the job search interview went and how you as a job searcher could improve the job search interview experience.

Quite frankly, the first ten minutes of a job search interview is enough for the interviewer as well as the job search interviewee to get a gut feeling whether they will hire the person who is on a job search. After going through your job search interview, you should try to remember some of the replies that you gave or some replies that the interviewer gave during the job search interview. A job searcher should gauge whether he or she would be considered for the next job search interviewing process or not.

To sum up, this is the right time to evaluate your job search interviewing performance as a job searcher. With your new gained experience, you have the necessary tools to prepare yourself for the next job search interview.

After a job search interview, send a thank you email/letter

Networking is one of the things a job searcher should keep in mind after the job search interview. After the job search interview, the job searcher should send a thoughtful thank you letter or email. Sending a thank you note or an email will only emphasize your professionalism and will serve in making a good impression as a job searcher on the interviewer and the other people involved.

Follow up phone call after a job search interview

Another aspect a job searcher should remember is to continue with the right type of job search networking and contacting. Calling up the concerned people on a regular basis is very much advisable for job searchers to do. A job searcher who follows up after a job search interview gives employers the impression that you as a job searcher is truly interested in the job. Also keep in mind that following up job search interviews in a hurried tone may give the impression that the job searcher is desperate.

During a job search interview, you as a job searcher could ask the interviewer when job searchers like you can expect a call or ask when would be the right time to call to follow up the status of your job search application.

Inform your references

Nowadays, most job search interviews require references to be given at the very beginning of the job search interview, if you have given references to the interviewer, make sure that you call up the reference people and inform them that you have given their names and contact details as job search references. You may also direct your references as to what to say when asked. This depends on the closeness of your relationship.

Top 10 Job Search Interview Mistakes a Job Searcher Must Avoid

Joanna — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:38:32 +0000

A job search is a process. Sending out professional job resumes with resume cover letters is the first step to landing the job. A professional job resume with a well structured resume cover can only get you as far as an employer’s under consideration list. Once your job search hard work of submitting job resumes with resume cover letters here and there has finally paid off, the next step a job searcher must get through is the job search interview.

On the day of your job search interview, to be nervous is understandable but you can reduce your stress level by knowing some common mistakes that job search interviewees make — and avoiding them.

Here are 10 of the most common mistakes job searchers make on job search interviews:

Job Search Interview Mistake #1: Not taking the job search interview seriously. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the job search interview is just a formality. Even if all of the preliminaries have gone well, don’t be cavalier and start imagining how you’ll start spending your new salary. The biggest error job searchers make is to assume that, because they’ve gotten this far, the job is in the bag.

Job Search Interview Mistake #2: Dressing down during a job search interview. How you as a job searcher present yourself during your initial meeting with a potential employer is very important. First impressions last. Always err on the side of conservative and show up in neat, professional clothing; a business suit is a job searcher’s best and safest bet.

Job Search Interview Mistake #3: Not showing why you’re the best choice among the rest of the job searchers. Be familiar with the job description of the position for which you’re interviewing so that you as a job searcher can illustrate how your experience, abilities, and strengths are in line with the company’s needs. Many potential employers want to know why they should hire a specific job searcher. Make it clear to them.

Job Search Interview Mistake #4: Being too modest during a job search interview. A job search interview is not the time to be humble rather it is the time for a job searcher to toot his own horn. Don’t be afraid to talk up everything that you’ve accomplished, whether in school or in previous companies. After all, the point is to show why you’re the best out of the rest of job searchers.

Job Search Interview Mistake #5: Talking too much during a job search interview. A job search interview should be a two-way conversation, and many job search interviewees cover up their nervousness by blathering. Sit calmly, listen carefully, and answer questions thoughtfully during your job search interview.

Job Search Interview Mistake #6: Focusing on the funds. Don’t talk money too soon into the job search interview. While the topic of salary will certainly come up during a job search interview, follow the interviewer’s lead. He or she may be saving that topic for a later conversation.

Job Search Interview Mistake #7: Trash talking. No matter how much you hated your old company or felt you’ve been treated unfairly, a job search interview is no place to talk bad about it. A good job searcher should know that the challenge is to be able to come up with a good explanation that puts a positive spin on the circumstances during the job search interview especially if you were laid off or fired from a previous position.

Job Search Interview Mistake #8: Failing to ask questions during a job search interview. Your job resumé may be impressive on paper, but employers also appreciate a job searcher who can ask several intelligent questions during a job search interview. Prepare at least 3 or 4 questions in advance to ask the interviewer during your job search interview. Job search interviews are an exchange of information, and not having questions to ask can reveal a lack of preparation.

Job Search Interview Mistake #9: Lack of enthusiasm. A job search interview is a job searcher’s first and sometimes only chance to showcase his personality. Don’t walk in announcing your bad day. Be polite and upbeat. Show your enthusiasm for both the job and the opportunity to interview for it. And don’t forget to thank the person at the end of the job search interview!

Job Search Interview Mistake #10: Forgetting the follow-up after a job search interview. Make sure to send a handwritten thank-you note or polite email to the interviewer expressing gratitude for his or her time and consideration after your job search interview. And while you don’t want to call the company every day, a phone call to check in a week after the job search interview is perfectly acceptable.

The Purpose of a Resume Cover Letter

Joanna — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:36:49 +0000

Almost every day, employers often receive hundreds if not thousands of job resumes from job searchers who are looking to get hired for a certain job position opening. So the challenge job searchers face is how to get their job resume noticed by the employer among the many job resumes in his or her desk? How do you as a job searcher ensure that your job resume doesn’t end up in the trash can along with the other discarded job resumes from other hopeful job searchers?

A well written resume cover letter can do the trick. A targeted, employer-specific and effective resume cover letter can be a powerful tool that differentiates your job resume from the rest of the job searchers’ job resumes. A professionally written resume cover letter can help ensure that your job resume doesn’t end up in the pile of other job resumes in the trash can.

Resume cover letters are letters of introduction, working in combination with your job resume and other documents in the application. Resume cover letters can also give prospective employers an indication of your qualifications and experience as a job searcher in relation to the position. Your job resume cover letter is usually the first point of interaction between you, the job searcher and the prospective employer, which is why it is essential that job searchers’ resume cover letters are written with careful consideration. In many cases, the order in which the employer reads the applications is resume cover letter, job resume and other supporting documents. So, if the resume cover letter does not impress him, he may not even bother to look further, even if your job resume is stellar.

Features of a Resume Cover Letter

An effective resume cover letter should be engaging, employer- or position-specific and well-written. An effective resume cover letter should describe why you, the job searcher, are interested in the position and what qualifications or experience makes you a good fit. Your resume cover letter should also outline your relevant experience or education as well as reflect your enthusiasm and willingness to learn. You can also take the opportunity to highlight a special skill or quality you possess that would be an asset for a candidate in that position in your resume cover letter. A resume cover letter is also where you can sometimes make up for lack of experience or education, by explaining how you would still be a good choice because of other strengths. If the employer requires you to provide a suitable date for an interview, or your salary expectations, a resume cover letter gives you the opportunity to mention those details.

Benefits of a Resume Cover Letter

When there is a pile of job resumes from thousands of job searchers on a prospective employer’s desk, a personalized, tailored resume cover letter is more likely to get his attention. Since the resume cover letter summarizes your experiences, qualifications and interests and points out what specific skills make you the right pick for the job, it makes the employer’s job easier. Job resumes follow a more rigid structure and a specific format, so resume cover letters can do what your job resume may not be able to, which is, reflect your personality, motivations and attitude. You could express your eagerness to learn or take on challenges. You could mention a particular example from an earlier employment where you exceeded goals. These are the highlights in your career that may not pop out from your job resume, but they will be easily visible in your resume cover letter. The employer also gets an idea of your information organization and written communication skills, your attention to detail and your confidence.

Considerations for a Resume Cover Letter

If possible, find out the name of the person in charge of the position and address the resume cover letter to her. If this is not possible, then use the title of the person. “Creative Director” or “Web Editor” which is better than “Hiring Manager” or “To whom it may concern.” Make sure there are no typos, spelling or grammatical errors in your resume cover letter. You could also mention the best times and the best ways to contact you.

The quickest way to land your job resume in the waste basket is to disregard instructions. Do not make the resume cover letter too wordy or long. It should be a brief summary of your experience and qualifications highlighting your key strengths or achievements that apply to the particular position. Although a resume cover letter is an opportunity to express your strengths, goals and motivations, be sure to choose your language carefully and keep the cover letter professional.

There are times when the use of resume cover letter is not preferred by employers. There are also some employers who have specific formats in which the resume cover letters should be written. So before submitting your job resume with a resume cover letter be sure to check and read application instructions carefully.

Job Search Interview: How a Job Searcher Must Dress for Success

Joanna — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:34:38 +0000

After the first two rigorous process of the job search is done, the job resume writing and job resume cover letter writing, when the job searcher’s job search efforts have finally paid off, the next part of the job search process a job searcher must go through is the job search interview. The job search interview is the last part of the job search, the one last thing that will determine whether all your job searching hard work as a job searcher will finally land you the job or not. The job search interview is a very important part of the job search process and as a job searcher, you don’t want to blow the job search interview off by not making the right first impression.

The first impression you as a job searcher make on a potential employer is the most important one. The first judgment an interviewer makes is going to be based on how you, the job searcher, looks and what you are wearing as soon as you, the job searcher, comes through the door so it’s important that a job searcher dresses professionally for a job search interview, even if the work environment is casual. Should you, the job searcher, be judged by what you wear? Perhaps not, but the reality is, you are judged during your job search interview. Throughout the entire job searching process employers use short-cuts to save time. With job resume cover letters, it’s the opening paragraph and a quick scan of your qualifications. With job resumes, it is a quick scan of your accomplishments. With the job search interview, it’s how you, the job searcher is dressed that sets the tone of the interview.

What’s the appropriate dress code for a job search interview? You’ll want that first impression of you, the job searcher, to be not just a good one, but, a great one. It’s probably one of the most overused phrases in job searching, but also one of the most underutilized by job-searchers: dress for success. The job search candidate dressed in a suit and tie is going to make a much better impression than the job search candidate dressed in scruffy jeans and a t-shirt.

So here’s a job searcher’s guide on how to dress properly for a job search interview:

Men’s Job Search Interview Attire

The following attires are suitable options for a male job searcher to wear for a job search interview:

• Suit in solid color (navy or dark grey)

• Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)

• Belt

• Tie

• Dark socks, conservative leather shoes

• Little or no jewelry

• Neat, professional hairstyle

• Limit the aftershave

• Neatly trimmed nails

• Portfolio or briefcase

Women’s Job Search Interview Attire

The following attires are suitable options for a male job searcher to wear for a job search interview:

• Suit (Navy, black or dark grey)

• The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably

• Coordinated blouse

• Conservative shoes

• Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)

• No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry

• Professional hairstyle

• Neutral pantyhose

• Light make-up and perfume

• Neatly manicured clean nails

• Portfolio or briefcase

What Not to Bring to the Job Search Interview

• Gum

• Cell phone

• Ipod

• Coffee or soda

• If you have lots of piercings, leave some of your rings at home (earrings only, is a good rule)

• Cover tattoos

Job Search Interview Attire Tips

Job Search Interview Attire Tip #1: Before you, the job searcher, even think about going on a job search interview, make sure you have appropriate job search interview attire and everything fits correctly.

Job Search Interview Attire Tip #2: Get your job search interview clothes ready the night before, so you don’t have to spend time getting them ready on the day of the job search interview.

Job Search Interview Attire Tip #3: If your job search interview clothes are dry clean only, take them to the cleaners after a job search interview, so that your job search interview clothes are ready for next time you have to attend another job search interview.

Job Search Interview Attire Tip #4: Polish your shoes.

Job Search Interview Attire Tip #5: Bring a breath mint and use it before you enter the building and go to your job search interview.

Job Search Interview Attire Tip #6: Finally, check your job search interview attire in the rest room just before your job search interview for a final check of your appearance — to make sure your tie is straight, your hair is combed, etc.

What Every Job Searcher’s Goal Should Be During a Job Search Interview

Joanna — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:32:24 +0000

The job search process that every job searcher goes through is actually a three step process. The first part of the job search process that a job searcher goes through is the job resume writing. On this part of the job search process, a job searcher must be able to write a proper job resume that best befits his or her status as a job searcher i.e. Newly graduate or Experienced Employee. On this part of the job search, a job searcher must be able to know the ideal length of a job resume, the do’s and don’ts of job resume writing as well as how to write a good resume cover letter that will help the job searcher in his or her job search application specifically getting his or her job resume read by the prospective employer and landing a job search interview NOT in the wastebasket together with other job search applicants’ job resumes.

The second part of the job search is the submission of job resumes to target employers. Again the job searcher’s job resume holds the key to a job searcher’s job search success which equals to a job search interview appointment. Now once a job searcher’s submission of job resumes with resume cover letters is done and has resulted in a job search interview, the last part a job searcher now must go through is the job search interview.

Some job searchers think that a job search interview is just a formality process of the job search application. But the truth of the matter is, prospective employers take the time to screen out job searchers to see who among the qualified job searchers will stand out from the rest and who the best candidate for the open job position is.

In every job search interview, a job searcher must have goals to tell his prospective employer during the job search interview. Why is it important that you as a job searcher know your goals? This is to create a perception within the mind of the person interviewing you for the position. Before you speak a word during your job search interview, they’ll likely note the clothing and jewellery you’re wearing. Dress conservatively. Also, research the company before you arrive for your job search interview. Your ability to speak intelligently about the business presents you as a knowledgeable candidate. If you present yourself in the right manner, you can build an image that will help ensure that you land the job.

Job Search Interview Goal Setting Step 1

Consider your career goals and write them down. If you have never thought about where you will be in 5 years, this could be very difficult. If you are a planner by nature, this may take you only a few minutes. Devote as much time as you need to develop clear goals before your job search interview.

Job Search Interview Goal Setting Step 2

A job searcher must be able to shape his plan into a long-term goal chart. Organize it by year over the next 5 years. Each step should move you forward in your career.

Job Search Interview Goal Setting Step 3

Work backward if you are having trouble creating the road map for your long-term goals. Start with your grand 5-year goal at the top of your chart, and your current position at the bottom. Fill in the blanks with logical steps that will help you reach your goal.

Convey Your Plan Properly During a Job Search Interview

Step 1

During a job search interview, share your long-term goals with a potential employer when appropriate. Chances are, they will ask you about this during your job search interview.

Step 2

Keep your answers clear and concise. Employers want to know that a job searcher applicant has a solid plan. They don’t want to hear rambling about areas of the industry you are interested in that don’t lead to an ultimate goal. Use eye contact when you answer these job search questions, and show enthusiasm for your goal.

Step 3

If you haven’t been able to determine your goals for the future even when you as a job searcher has already taken the time to think things through, during the job search interview, then be creative if you aren’t sure of your long-term goals. Explain that you are currently building on your short-term goals to focus your long-term plans over time.

Step 4

If reaching any of the steps in your plan will require additional training, explain how you intend to continue your education while maintaining your position with the firm during the job search interview.

Great Ideas to Include in Your Job Resume

Joanna — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 08:29:40 +0000

A job searcher’s job resume is the first step to landing the dream job. The trick is to know how to write job resumes that will get the employer’s attention. Some job searchers do this by seeking resume writing help from professional resume writing services but there are also some job searchers who prefer to write job resumes on their own. If you belong to the latter category, then it’s important that you know the right kind of job resume that will make yours stand out from the pile of job resumes.

Here are some great ideas to include your job resume:

Job Resume Writing Idea #1. Know the purpose of your resume
Some people write a job resume as if the purpose of the job resume was to land a job. As a result they end up with a really long and boring piece that makes them look like desperate job searchers. The job resume’s objective is to land an interview, and the interview will land you the job (hopefully!).
Job Resume Writing Idea #2: Back up your qualities and strengths
Instead of creating a long (and boring) list with all your qualities (e.g., disciplined, creative, problem solver) try to connect them with real life and work experiences. In other words, you need to back these qualities and strengths up, or else employers might find that the job searcher is just trying to inflate things.
Job Resume Writing Idea #3: Make sure to use the right keywords
Most companies (even smaller ones) are already using digital databases to search for job search candidates. This means that the HR department will run job search queries based on specific keywords. Guess what, if your job resume doesn’t have the keywords related to the job you are applying for, you will be out even before the game starts.
These keywords will usually be nouns. Check the job description and related job ads for a clue on what the employer might be looking for.
Job Resume Writing Idea #4: Use effective titles
Like it or not, employers will usually make a judgment about your job resume in five seconds. Under this time frame the most important aspect will be the titles that you listed on the job resume, so make sure they grab the attention. Try to be as descriptive as possible, giving the employer a good idea about the nature of your past work experiences. For example:
Bad title: Accounting
Good title: Management of A/R and A/P and Recordkeeping
Job Resume Writing Idea #5: Proofread it twice
It would be difficult to emphasize the importance of proofreading your job resume. One small typo and your chances of getting hired could slip because you didn’t take the time to review your job resume. Proofreading it once is not enough, so do it twice, three times or as many as necessary. Also ask help from a friend in reviewing your job resume as you may miss some things because you’ve been too familiar with your job resume already.
Job Resume Writing Idea #6: Put the most important information first
This point is valid both to the overall order of your job resume, as well as to the individual sections of your job resume. Most of the time your previous work experience will be the most important part of the job resume, so put it at the top. When describing your experiences or skills, list the most important ones first.
Job Resume Writing Idea #7: Make the design flow with white space
Do not jam your job resume with text. When we say make your job resume as short and concise as possible, that refers to the overall amount of information in your job resume and not to how much text you can pack in a single sheet of paper. White space between the words, lines and paragraphs can improve the legibility of your job resume. Also avoid fancy job resume designs. This might just get your job resume thrown out instead of getting you an interview. Keep this resume format in mind when you are doing your own resume writing.
Job Resume Writing Idea #8: Use action verbs
A very common advice to job searchers is to use action verbs in their job resume writing. Action verbs are basically verbs that will get noticed more easily, and that will clearly communicate what your experience or achievement were. Examples include managed, coached, enforced and planned.
Job Resume Writing Idea #9: Lists all your positions
If you have worked a long time for the same company (over 10 years) it could be a good idea to list all the different positions and roles that you had during this time separately on your job resume. You probably had different responsibilities and developed different skills on each role, so the employer will like to know about it. But if you’ve worked for over twenty years already, scrap out the older job positions from your job resume already to avoid having a cluttered resume format.
Job Resume Writing Idea #10: Update your job resume regularly
It is a good idea to update your job resume on a regular basis. Add all the new information that you think is relevant in your job resume, as well as courses, training programs and other academic qualifications that you might receive along the way. This is the best way to keep track of everything and to make sure that you will not end up sending an obsolete job resume to the employer.

A Job Searcher’s Guide to Following Up After Submitting a Job Resume

Joanna — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:28:00 +0000

There isn’t an easy answer to the question of whether a job searcher should follow up after submitting a job resume. Job searchers are often left wondering about this part of the job search process. To follow up or not to follow up after submitting your job resume?

The majority of employers say that they actually invite for a job search interview more job searchers who follow up after submitting a job resume than those who do not. Following up can put your name at the front of the employer’s mind among all the other hopeful job searchers while also stressing your interest as a job searcher in the position. Remember, employers receive hundreds if not thousands of job resumes a day, some well written job resumes with equally well written job resume cover letters and some not, so it’s important that you as a job searcher have a differential advantage among all the other job searchers.

Here’s a how to guide job searchers can follow in knowing how to follow up their job search application status after submitting their job resume.

Job Resume Submission Follow Up Step 1

After you submitted your job resume, wait between seven to ten business days from the date you mailed your job resume before you follow up your job search application status specifically if your job resume was received, with the company. This allows time for the job resume to arrive, make its way to the human resources desk and be read.

Job Resume Submission Follow Up Step 2

So you’ve finally submitted your job resume in and had taken the time to wait between seven to ten days to follow up the status of your job search application specifically if your job resume was received. So now it’s time to place a call in to your potential employer or company contact person to know the status of your job search application. It is unlikely that the person you are trying to contact will answer the phone when you’ve finally gotten on the phone to follow up your job search application, so you need to be prepared. Sound authoritative and purposeful when you call to follow up your job search application. Ask for the person you are calling by name and be honest if asked what the call is regarding.

Job Resume Submission Follow Up Step 3

When you’ve finally gotten to calling to follow up the status of your job search application specifically if your job resume was received but was asked to leave a message instead of being able to talk to your contact person, ask for voice mail. Do not leave a message with the secretary or receptionist if at all possible when you’re trying to follow up your job search application status. By taking the voice mail approach you can leave a message that is more specific and communicates your interest as a hopeful job searcher in the position.

Job Resume Submission Follow Up Step 4

Plan what you are going to say ahead of time before you pick up the phone to follow up your job search application status specifically if your job resume was received whether you leave a message or talk to your target person. State your name clearly and say that you are following up to make sure your job resume was received. Hit a couple highlights from your job resume relating to the position and ask when interviews will take place.

Job Resume Submission Follow Up Step 5

When you finally get on the phone to ask about your job search application status specifically whether or not your job resume was received, inquire as well to when you can expect a call about job search interviews (if you are unable to schedule a job search interview at this time) and ask if you can follow up your job search application status again at a later date.

The Follow Up Letter After Resume Submission

Usually, a well written job resume, as well as job resume cover letter, is considered to be the most important factor that helps an individual in gaining an interview. However, nowadays as employers receive a number of job resumes for just one advertised position, there are chances that some may get lost in the pile and not all may be able to entertain follow up phone calls. Here, the follow up letter after sending job resume comes to one’s rescue. Though many people are against the concept of sending a follow up letter after submitting the job resume, some say that such a letter reflects the job searcher’s interest and seriousness about a particular job. The follow up letter should be short and to the point. In the first line of the letter you have to explain the purpose of the letter. You can also mention your qualifications and experiences as a job searcher related to the position you have applied for. At the end of the letter you can mention your telephone number and do not forget to attach a copy of your job resume so that the person does not have to waste time searching for your job resume.