|
Note
from Kim
 How
well are you navigating the job search jungle?
Have you developed a plan of attack for your job
search, or are you casually perusing jobs in the
newspaper or on Monster.com?
While passive job seekers can be very attractive
to employers, especially if the candidate is in
a high-demand field, a more aggressive approach
to the job search can be very effective. It's
all about building relationships -- use every
opportunity to network and help others who may
need you. You never know when someone you assisted
will be there for you.
Take advantage of social networking sites online
to build relationships. A great site is LinkedIn.
If you haven't done so, go there and create a
profile, and then search for professionals to
add to your network.
Best wishes for a successful job search, and
keep me posted on your progress.
To your success,
Ask
the Resume Expert
Jordan Lewis from CA asks: “Should a resume
targeting recruiters be different than a resume
targeting employers?
Great question, Jordan. Regardless of your resume’s
target audience (companies or recruiters), it
must convey your key strengths and representative
accomplishments powerfully and succinctly. While
concise writing is important to both of these
audiences, this element is essential
to recruiters, who may receive hundreds or thousands
of resumes (many unsolicited) every week.
When targeting companies, 2-3 pages works for
professionals with significant career accomplishments.
Even though your resume most likely will not be
read word-for-word in the initial applicant-screening
phase, it will be given a thorough
review once you make it to the interview cut.
In order to get there, you must provide enough
information to warrant closer review.
But when targeting recruiters, a maximum resume
length of two pages is a better strategy. And,
if you can get your document down to a single
page (while still providing enough compelling
details to spur further interest), even better.
Most job seekers planning an aggressive job search
will be well served by creating two different
versions of their resume:
A detailed, keyword-rich, and accomplishments-packed
document for employers; and
A hard-hitting, abbreviated version for recruiters.
For the latter version, you will need to be brutal
in your editing. Pair down or eliminate your opening
profile, cut your “Expertise” section,
minimize your job descriptions, and combine your
top accomplishments into three or four bullets
for your most recent experience. You can group
older experience into an “Early Career”
section, providing just a few key details to save
space.
This
Month's Feature: How to Maximize Keyword Density
on Your Resume
Keywords are industry- or job-function-specific
terms, jargon, acronyms, or buzzwords. (Examples
include “MBA,” “Six Sigma,”
“Consultative Sales,” “CNA,”
and “Turnaround Management.”)
Keywords are used as search terms to narrow down
the field of candidates for any given position.
The more appropriate keywords your resume has,
the higher the number of “hits” your
document will receive.
You can maximize keyword density in your resume
by conducting online research. Visit major job
boards (such as Monster.com)
and scour through position announcements matching
your career target. Take note of terms used repeatedly
in these ads. Where you have like skills/qualifications,
incorporate these keywords somewhere in your resume
(either in your opening executive profile, in
a bulleted “Areas of Expertise” list,
or embedded into your “Professional Experience”
section).
Expert
Tip: Using Bullets Effectively
Two common problems seen often in resumes today
are either an overuse or an absence of bullets.
Bullets (small circles, squares, or other symbols)
directly precede indented text on a resume. Their
purpose is to signal to the reader, “Stop!
Take note! Key point to follow!” Bullets
are also a great way to break up long blocks of
text to make your resume more reader-friendly.
When used strategically, bullets are very effective
in calling attention to major points that you
want to emphasize. An “Areas of Expertise”
list, opening executive profile summary, and inventory
of “Key Accomplishments” are all good
choices to pop in a bullet. But if you bullet
almost every single word, phrase, or sentence
in your resume, the desired effect is lost.
Conversely, if you don’t make use of bullets
at all on your resume, you miss out on a great
way to hit home your key points, guide readers’
eyes through your document, and facilitate quick
skimming. By using bullets judiciously, you’ll
improve the appearance and lasting impact of your
resume.
|
Did You Know?
You may be able to deduct resume writing services on your
taxes! Check with your tax advisor for details. 
Ask the Resume Expert: Should a resume targeting recruiters be different than a resume targeting employers?
