31 March 2008

How To Get The Sales Cover Letter Right Without Overselling Yourself

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Cover Letter Articles : How To Get The Sales Cover Letter Right Without Overselling Yourself by Mario Churchill

Let's face it: Competition in getting a sales job is fiercer than other jobs that people apply for. If you are an aspiring salesperson, especially in a formidable company, you have to learn the basic task of getting an interview. Getting an interview amidst a sea of applications can only come when you are able to concoct a striking, convincing and well-written resume cover letter.

Before you are able to sell for that company you aspire to be part of, you need to first sell yourself to them through your cover letter. Your cover letter needs to be written painstakingly well, since this will really be their measuring rod of your selling potential and ability. Those assigned to screen applicants are not often given the power to see applicants unless they have already been shortlisted or categorized according to their qualifications for the job. Your goal is to be part of the short list and not part of those discarded or placed inadvertently at the bottom of the pile of paperworks that they screen.

Make your cover letter top priority material by beefing it up, not with exaggerations but with really neat facts about you. You start with the introduction. Introduce yourself in a manner that is dignified and at the same time, very friendly to the reader. Strike as much positive emotion as possible. Make your first line catchy. Do not let the reader think that you are just another template copier. Make your cover letter as unique as your identity and personality as much as you can handle it.

After an effective introduction, proceed with light marketing of your skills and qualifications. Explain how you heard of the job opening and why you decided to send in your application details. Do not explicitly show that you are after the financial compensation. Instead, convince them that you are worth the high compensation for and that you are actually an asset to the company.

Having ample information about the company is of utmost importance. This is your best arsenal. The more you know, the more you will be able to convince them that you have what they need and that you have what it takes to contribute massively to the company. See their goals, and make sure that it is aligned with your career goals. If this is the case, you can confidently state that in your cover letter. This along with other qualities that will make you stand out among other applicants must be stated in a way that is non-threatening and positively assertive.

Do not overstuff your cover letter but do not leave any hanging sentences. Make sure you are able to explain your points as systematically and clearly as possible. Also, when you do wrap up your cover letter, make it a point to thank the reader for his time and express your enthusiasm and willingness to be interviewed. Give your contact number where you can be best reached. And encourage the reader to peruse other information from your resume, which must match the marketability of your cover letter. The cover letter is a way to encourage the reader to want to know more about you and will be most compelled to read all of your application details. Few employers would go through the rest of the details if they are not impressed enough with the cover letter.

About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on sales cover letter checkout his recommended websites.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=545809

Cover Letter Sending: Make It Worth Their Time And Yours!

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Cover Letter Articles : Cover Letter Sending: Make It Worth Their Time And Yours! by Mario Churchill

What is the use of sending out unproductive cover letters? In most companies, you are given one chance or you completely blow it. You definitely have to give it your best shot. Sending out an unedited cover letter sample is one big mortal sin in applying. You have to be able to do something significantly worth their time to your cover letter sample before you actually press the send button. If at all possible, create a separate cover letter modification for each company you apply in. If you are really serious about getting a job, you must take these considerations properly.

The cover letter sample is not to serve as something that you fill in the blanks for then send to as many possible companies Writing a cover letter is an art, and can be as personal as your own unique DNA if you allow it. In a sea of job opportunities, you cannot afford to lose the chance to stand out as a unique applicant for the job. Of course, this uniqueness must not compromise the standard quality being expected in the cover letter. While you can be very avantguarde in presenting yourself in your cover letter, you must not deviate to the point of missing important details such as formality, brevity and professionalism.

Customize, customize and customize! This is the very thing you need to do in order for you to get as much as you possibly and uniquely can in your cover letter sample. The first thing you modify is the address field. This address field must be filled out with a specific person in mind. You must know the persons who will be receiving your cover letter after you are done with it. If you fail to do this, you miss half the chance to stand out. The first thing to remember in making the cover letter is that is going to be read by another person, a stranger whom you must impress and convince that you have what they need and are qualified to do it consistently.

The body is the next important thing to modify. Make sure that you have pre-selected valuable information you could use for this portion. A good way to introduce yourself is to start with active adjectives. The words enthusiastic, fast learner and capable of working under pressure rings a bell to the company's ears. These adjectives must be backed up with truth. You must be able to support whatever claims you have made in your cover letter. You must be tasteful in selecting information and at the same time, truthful. You don't need to bluff to get a job, You just have to know your strengths and capitalize on them.

Your paper must be a single page only and nothing beyond that. Along with your cover letter, you may attach a resume which is coherent with your cover letter. Also, make sure that the end part of letter closes with thanks and an expression of readiness for interview. After a few days or weeks, it may be viable to make an equally impressive follow up letter for your cover letter so that the company will see that you are really intent in getting the job and is patiently plugging away to it. Make sure all the words are readable and that you are able to submit it in its most excellent condition.

About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on free sample resume cover letter checkout his recommended websites.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=543816

Tips for CV writing

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Articles : Tips for CV writing by Deepti S. Pawar

This article will explain you about how to write a CV to get a great exposure from employers. With CV i.e. Curriculum Vitae which is also known as Resume you will be able to endorse yourself to the prospective employer. While applying for a job in any industry CV is the first and most important fragment. So while writing a CV look at it from the employer’s perspective.

In today’s competitive world you only have few seconds to impress the employer and that is through well written CV. By following some basic rules you can maximize the chances of securing for an interview and stand out from other candidates. A successful CV is one which clearly explains the reader what you can do for them.

In different countries there are different principles about the length a CV should be, but according to general conformity it should be condensed into a single page (i.e. back to back). As Resume is estimated for a brief summary about the skills and key points of a person and not the full account of that person, it should get written in a way that is easy to read. You should also bear in mind that CV won't get you a job, but the entry for an interview.

As soon as you finish your education you should write the CV. After every six months it should be updated with latest achievements. Your Resume should be well-presented, it should contain relevant information with the help of which employer will put you through to the next stage. Following are some key points about what should get included in different sections of a CV.

The first section of a Resume refers to your personal information, i.e. Full Name, Local Address, Email Id (Standard method of contact) and Phone Number. Photos are not required for a job unless your visual appearance is essential for a job. Personal information should be limited to the primary contact details as employer cannot ask for the details like marital status, gender, age etc. So use valuable space on a resume to give job related information.

The second section should contain a professional declaration. This should be a short and concise statement informing the employer about what kind of position you are looking for. The type of position, role (administrative, contractor) should get included.

The next section comes about your education. List all your qualifications in this section with the most recent degree first. Encompass all your education including certifications from non-academic institutions.

Work experience comes next, and it should also get written with the most recent first. The Company Name, Duration of work, Responsibilities, Position held etc are the fundamental pieces of information. While listing this, also include what kind of job it was (i.e. full time, part time, internship etc). Even if the post was unpaid, voluntary, summer job you should mention it.

The fifth section concerns about your interests and activities. This is the most important part for those who have little or no work experience as they can emphasis on their skills in this section. Mention the activity you do in free time. Participating in student activities, Professional organization shows leadership qualities. Also include any additional achievement.

If you have references then put them in the next section of a CV. Include their personal information as well as job position. But before this ask people whether they are willing to serve as references.

Thus CV is the short and snappy content of your abilities. Questions can be asked on any of these fraction so always be careful to enter the true information. But also feel free to use fruitful terminology to boost the overall effect and selling potential. Good luck for your future.

About the Author
I am a post graduate. My hobbies are drawing and making paintings, surfing net. I am also a very good writer. I like to write on different themes. Email Id: pdeepti26@gmail.com

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=825341

29 March 2008

How Cover Letter Sales Samples Can Make Or Break You

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Cover Letter Articles : How Cover Letter Sales Samples Can Make Or Break You by Mario Churchill

Cover letter sales samples stands out in a class by itself. It is still a cover letter, but it is something that must generate a sale of yourself instead of a mere job opportunity. Just like other cover letter samples, a cover letter sales sample must be formal, catchy, brief and free of any grammatical or typographical errors. You can definitely expect a lot to come out as a result of your cover letter sales sample. That is also a big reason why it is widely being offered online and offline. Cover letter sales samples never cease to exist for as long as there are people looking for jobs and services to sell others.

Cover letter sales samples are quite special since this is not just an usher for your resume, but also an initial test of your selling skills. Imagine that your cover letter sales sample is something that will help you sell yourself to your employer. Now is not the time to be candid. You definitely ought to have an aggressive and assertive approach in order for you to get leverage for these kinds of job openings. While the competition in most industries are already stiff, consider the application to this position to be a notch higher than most service-oriented companies.

A good cover letter sales sample has ample but not too many revealing information. The competition in the arena of cover letter sales is very fierce and stiff. A lot of people would want to engage in the business in sales because that's where the biggest commissions are. And usually, the people who apply with this kind of cover letter sample are those who are hustlers in the area of selling and are most likely to be doing a lot of self-marketing in their letters to be picked. If you want to succeed in getting a sales position, you must be able to rise above or at least be at par with the highly qualified people who file their cover letters.

Believe it or not, there are cover letter sales samples that can break your chances. An ill-fitted sales sample, for example, will eradicate your chances of bagging the position. You must be able to estimate effectively what kind of cover letter sales sample will work best for the specific sales job you have in mind. While it is extremely easy to just rely on the cover letter sales sample, it is still so much better to come up with your own means and devices.

If ever you will be using cover letter sales samples, you must still be willing to modify them and make them more personalized for your needs. If you are able to do this effectively, then you will not have missed the opportunity to be original with your approach. This will certainly get the attention of your potential employer. Take into account your unique blend of characteristics that can add flavor to an otherwise bland cover letter sales sample: your experiences, the things you are capable of doing and the potential you have to grow if you are given this position. Concocting them together to form your cover letter will definitely up your chances of being interviewed and getting that job. The fact that you are applying for a sales job means you inherently have that ability to sell yourself. All you have to do is unleash that confidence as early as in constructing your cover letter and you will not get lost.

About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on cover letter sales sample checkout his recommended websites.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=543380

What To Look For In A Resume And Cover Letter Sample

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Cover Letter Articles : What To Look For In A Resume And Cover Letter Sample by Mario Churchill

If you are looking for a job, chances are, you are probably looking out also for ways to amplify your cover letter and resume. One of the popular ways of doing this is by looking for a resume and cover letter sample to guide you with it. There are many types of resume and cover letter samples in the Internet, but there are certain characteristics that make it a real winner. You will have to be the only judge to determine which resume and cover letter sample is the best for you.

The resume and cover letter sample you should obtain should be free of grammar errors, sophisticated in its layout, formal and at the same time, engaging to the eye. The sample must be catchy, unique and tailored to suit your specific needs. It would also be preferable if you are able to land yourself a cover letter and resume sample that will really help you.

Certain resume and cover letter samples are targeted to fit your needs. If for example, you are applying for a writing job, you will need a sample of a writer's resume and not a spin off from an unrelated field. Different jobs have different needs. If at all possible, you can also do research on the company you are applying for and detect what type of resume and cover letters clicks with them. This may be some information that is difficult to obtain but well worth all the sacrifice and hassles.

Your chosen resume and cover letter sample must be flexible and something that you can easily customize to suit your needs. This is one of the best ways to ensure that your final submission will not just be the usual resume that do not get past the screening and shortlisting of applicants. You have to make sure that you will not copy that resume and cover letter sample word for word. You cannot expect your application details to stand out if you are just a chip off the familiar block. You still have to mull it over, strive and make use of the resume and cover letter sample as a guide and not an ultimate means to your end.

Ultimately, the resume and cover letter samples should be synchronized and not appear as if it were disjointed from each other. Coherence in the cover letter and resume sample is very vital since the cover letter somewhat acts like an usher to your resume. Your cover letter should not be too flashy or it will overshadow the details of your resume. On the other hand, you must not deprive your cover letter of vital information that will give you the good attention that you deserve.

If at all possible, you must try your best not to rely on resume and cover letter samples no matter how good they are. You will have to express yourself individually when it comes to these things. Even if a cover letter and resume sample claims to be competent enough in itself, a little bit of brain work to make sure you maximize the opportunity to express and introduce yourself in the most creative ways is also something that can spell the difference between getting a job and not getting past the screening processes.

About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on resume and cover letter sample checkout his recommended websites.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=542742

Your Writing Resumes Questions Answered

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Examples Articles : Your Writing Resumes Questions Answered by Mike Selvon

Writing resumes is often a subject that strikes fear in many people's hearts. Perhaps it is the idea of writing period that has people up in arms. It really is not as difficult as one might think. After all, it is simply a list of your experience, skills, education and work history. The problem may be the proper type of curriculum vitae for your job skills.

It may also be that it needs to be in a proper format with the correct fonts and indentions. Whatever the reason, many people panic when it comes time to send out a new one or simply update an older curriculum vitae. There is really nothing to fear once you know the basics. If all else fails you can always hire someone to write your resume for you.

In this article we will cover some of the basics of writing a curriculum vitae as well as the types of styles resumes come in and when you should use a certain type of resume for your work experience.

What style should I use for my resume?

That depends on your experience, job history and type of employment you are seeking. If you are looking to remain in your current job field you may want to consider a Chronological curriculum vitae.

If you are simply updating a resume and not looking to change jobs, a Combination resume or Functional resume works best. In the case of learning new job skills or gaining education you will want to use the Functional resume style.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a brief look into why you want the position and why you think you are best suited among all the applicants for the position. It shows that you have done your homework and know about the company. You should put the name of the position you are seeking and the name of the person doing the hiring.

This is not the time to give your life story. Keep the cover letter limited to relevant facts and limited to one page. It will go along with your curriculum vitae on top and be paper clipped all together.

Can I hire someone to write my resume?

If you find that you just cannot write your own curriculum vitae, for whatever reasons, you can hire someone to write one for you. You will have to provide them with your work history and your salary history. You will also have to explain to them your exact job duties, skills, education and any relevant information.

You will also have to pay them to keep it updated unless you are shown how to do this yourself. You may want to hire someone to show you how to keep it updated or show you how to write your own curriculum vitae because it will pay off in the long run.

How much does a resume writing service charge?

That is a tricky question. Some people charge too little and some charge way too much for writing one. Be wary of both types. The average resume should only cost you around thirty dollars.

If you are having an executive curriculum vitae created on professional paper including a cover letter it can run a bit higher. No resume should cost more than one hundred dollars or cost less than twenty dollars. After all, you get what you pay for. You should also get a copy of it when you make your payment.

If I wanted to write resumes for other people, where should I advertise or look for jobs?

You can advertise in a variety of places. Some people advertise on freelance writing boards. Others will place ads in local newspapers or on Craigslist.org. One under utilized location for resumes is the local university. Many college students need resumes typed up and are unfamiliar with how to write one. Consider these types of places when creating an ad.

When you write an ad be prepared to know how much to charge for different types of resumes and cover letters. Also know how to write a resume that is free of errors. Costing someone a job opportunity is not the way to receive referrals and repeat customers.

About the Author
A whole world of information about writing resumes mistakes can be at your fingertips from Mike Selvon portal where a free gift awaits you. Drop us a note at our resume writing tips blog.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=800851

27 March 2008

In Search Of A Sample Cover Letter For An Employment?

Resume Cover Letters

Resume Cover Letter Articles : In Search Of A Sample Cover Letter For An Employment? by Mario Churchill

Thanks to the Internet, job seekers have easier access for a sample cover letter which they can use when they are composing one for a possible employment. They believe that if they can change a few wordings here and there, they will be able to have a cover letter of their own. Not really.

Not only is this lazy, it is also not proper. Think of cover letter as the first impression the company has on you as a possible employee. Therefore, your cover letter must indicate your own experiences, your own skills and your own achievement. It also helps that you mention more about the company than yourself. This gives the employer the impression that you have done your research and are clearly interested in working for the company.

A cover letter is a tool to attract attention and sell yourself to the hiring managers. Remember that employers are drowning in paperwork. They are most probably buried underneath thousands or cover letters, resumes and emails from those who are also interested in the position you are applying for. Why should your resume be the one that is cast aside?

Basically, cover letters separate the candidates. Just by reading the cover letter, employers already have an idea whether the applicant is right or wrong for their company. Therefore, when composing your cover letter, you should do your homework. Remember to stand out in any way possible.

Those who want to stand out do so by composing cover letters that already reflect a side of them. This gives the employer an idea of what kind of person they are. By merely copying a sample letter online, the applicant loses the possibility of making himself known. The cover letter must be something that lets the applicant be out there for the employer to see. Therefore, the cover letter must be original and communicating. Show that you are motivated and creative. The more interest you have in the company, the higher the chances you have of being hired.

Another key in writing an effective cover letter is by putting yourself in the shoes of the employer. What exactly do you want to read in a cover letter? Imagine spending the day reading thousands of cover letters - most of which are the same. You need something that will grab your attention. You need something creative, earnest and genuine. Usually, Hiring Managers focus on how well the cover letter communicates. It must direct and specific. The more straightforward, the better.

It also helps to have a "passion paragraph." Now, this is the part of the cover letter where the employer explains what the company will benefit once they decide to hire him. Most importantly, it convinces the employer why you should get that coveted interview schedule.

The contents of this particular paragraph vary from one applicant to the other. It also depends on the position they are applying for. This reason alone clearly shows that one cannot merely depend on a sample cover letter that is available online.

Cover letters are personal. They may be used professionally but whatever you write there must still have "you" spelled all over it. This does not mean that you'll be casual in phrasing your words. This is still professional paperwork so you have to be professional with your choice of words.

About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on sample cover letter for employment checkout his recommended websites.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=540370

Writing A Cover Letter On A Step-By-Step Basis

Resume Cover Letters

Resume Cover Letter Articles : Writing A Cover Letter On A Step-By-Step Basis by Mario Churchill

You need to do everything by the number. How true can this line ever be? If you're inclined in mathematics just like the accountants you could have agreed with that line. Being a fresh graduate who's not inclined with writing, then writing an accounting cover letter may be that hard for you. So we'll write your accounting cover letter in a step by step process. I am pretty sure that you are familiar with the term marketing? Well in business this means the presentation made for a certain product in order for it to be patronized in the market.

In reality the purpose of accounting cover letter is somewhat similar to marketing, wherein the letter serves as the presentation. But the only difference was that in an accounting cover letter you don't present a product but yourself. If you see advertisements those are forms of marketing strategies, you may have noticed that they tend to exaggerate things; they use bright colors and famous celebrities just to catch the attention of the audience. Obviously you can't apply those in accounting cover letters because the only thing that you can use is the power of words. Yet you just can't underestimate words because if mastered it can be of good help for you in grabbing the attention of your possible employer.

You can actually select from a wide array of strategies that you can use in snatching the interest of your hiring manager. One of the most effective techniques which are often used in accounting cover letters is the proper understanding of the position that you would want to have. It's not showing off when you start through your accounting cover letter to lay your cards. But just make sure that what you are giving out are related to the position you want, because if not you'd only end up being laughed at by the ones who'd read your letter.

Another technique is persistence; let your eagerness to get an interview be seen through your accounting cover letter. Since this is your aim after all, why not make the most out of it. Be firm with what you want and you will most likely get it.

Secrets to a remarkable accounting cover letter

It is but normal for accounting related professionals to have a bit of a hard time in expressing themselves since it isn't largely considered in their field. That's why they end up writing mere babbles which lead to the land of nowhere. Trust me if you're the employer, it's very much understandable that you would immediately dump a confusing letter without even considering taking a peek on the resume.

The lesson here is very simple, write in such a way that you would be easily understood. Try to draw away from superfluous words that normal readers don't understand, this should be observed for two reasons. One is that you aren't writing for a literary competition and the other is that conciseness would be very much appreciated by your prospective employer. So just shelve your deep vocabulary and master using just a conversational language.

It is also important that you maintain a good tone and pacing in your accounting cover letter. Don't let them feel the boredom of computing interests and other formulas. Let them enjoy what your accounting cover letter by adding some hints of excitement.

About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on accounting cover letter sample checkout his recommended websites.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=540340

26 March 2008

Look At Me! Some Tips On Cv Writing, Guaranteed To Grab Attention

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Examples Articles : Look At Me! Some Tips On Cv Writing, Guaranteed To Grab Attention by Gail Kenny


A recent statistic I read stated that employers spend an average of 10-15 seconds on each Curriculum Vitae before making their decision over whether to take the application further. I'm not sure if it's quite as bleak as that, but for the purposes of someone applying for a job, this is not a bad assumption to make. If you assume that your CV is going to be looked at for 10-15 seconds, you can start making plans to ensure it makes the most of this limited eye-time. In an ideal world, they'll spend a lot longer staring at your delightful prose, but it really does no harm ensuring your CV is ideal however long they spend looking at it.

It's important to realize that the Curriculum Vitae stage is not about giving them a good knowledge of who you are - it's simply about being placed in their "yes" pile, rather than their "no" section. You'll have plenty of time to prove how personable, friendly and enthusiastic you are at the interview stage. At this point you need to keep it brief, factual and promotional Here's some advice and CV writing tips to give you the edge:

Keep your CV short, simple and to the point

The most important piece of CV advice I can give is this: keep it brief. If you're working on having 10 seconds to be seen in, you can't waste time with verbosity. Get to the point quickly and outline your achievements, past roles and skills clearly. Pass the first test of having the skills, and the rest may be (depending on how much time they devote to this stage) immaterial. The CV should be no more than two pages, and the really important stuff should be on the front page (to ensure even the really lazy HR staff can't miss it!).

It goes without saying too, that your contact information should be clear, correct and up to date. It's no good you making it into their 'yes' pile if they have no way of contacting you to take the application further.

Outline your key achievements early

At the very start you can make a useful summary of who you are to ensure you get your positives known from the very start. Your main achievements should be backed up with evidence to support them, and a short career history will give them a clue of the kind of experience you can provide. My advice: the CV should show your main selling points right away, so make it stand out at the top.

Tailor it to the job you want

A generic Curriculum Vitae is a great starting point - after all, your skills and experience will always be the same - but to really stand out, a good CV writing tip is to tailor each version for each job. Take a look at the advert and try to match your skills to the ones required. It really is simple, but your CV is not worth the paper it's written on if you discuss skills relating to sales for an IT job, yet the skills may be transferable - you just have to prove it.

Avoid samey, empty descriptions of yourself

A favorite CV tip of mine is to not be scared of being unique. Think about it: if you want to stand out, you have to make yourself different than the others. Almost every applicant I've ever seen describes themselves as dynamic, creative or enthusiastic in their CV - it all becomes white noise. Stick to the facts, let your achievements do the talking and you should be given opportunity to prove all these personality traits exist at the interview.

Proofread, proofread and proofread again!

If there's one thing you should take away from this it's that HR people can be brutal, and it won't take much for them to cross you off the list. The fact they're looking to narrow down the candidates as much as possible, so make yourself hard to rule out. One obvious thing that will make your CV a prime candidate for removal from the pile is poor spelling and grammar. If they're spotting mistakes from a 15 second assessment, then something is seriously wrong! My CV writing tip here is to spell check it, proof read it, and get someone else to take a look - just make sure you don't seem careless come decision time.

Don't be Cheap

Cutting corners on a job application is never a good idea, and although this shouldn't make a difference, we're all guilty of judging on appearance from time to time - so don't give them the ammunition. Using cheap paper won't impress your interviewer much; likewise a shoddy photocopy suggests you're sending the CV to anyone with a postal address. Spend the little extra on some good quality paper to make sure the rest of your effort doesn't go to waste.

When it comes to writing a Curriculum Vitae, you really should ensure that everything is perfect. I hope this advice on how to write a CV that stands out is helpful: Don't cut corners, get to the point quickly and stand out as the star you undoubtedly are, and your applications to interview ratio should dramatically increase.


About the Author
Gail Kenny is the managing director of Puregenie, an online travel recruitment agency specialising in online travel jobs. The site caters exclusively to talented individuals with skills and experience to succeed in the online environment, and businesses looking to increase their online presence. Although the site is mainly travel focussed, it also displays vacancies in the hospitality and leisure industries.


Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=800594

How To Write A Good Cover Letter

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Cover Letter Articles : How To Write A Good Cover Letter by Mario Churchill

We struggle with so many things in life. Writing good cover letters does not have to be one. For most individuals, writing good cover letters was not a subject they had in college or even in high school. This is quite sad because the average person should know the fundamental steps in writing cover letters because these are tools in getting them the job that they want.

When starting in their career, one needs a cover letter to present along with his resume. Cover letters serve as first impressions of the employer. Therefore, there is the need to educate people in composing attention-grabbing cover letters so they won't be frustrated in their job hunts.

Tip # 1: The minute you master the basic concepts and principles needed in writing cover letters, you will be able to write one pretty fast. The first rule is quite simple. Your main agenda in writing a cover letter is to let the company give you a job interview. Therefore, you should do what you can go get their attention.

Treat yourself as if you were a product and you have to sell YOU in the very first sentence. Seize the opportunity of bagging that interview. Your cover letter is the first step through the company door. This is the very reason why learning how to write good cover letters is crucial in job searching.

Remember to specifically address the person who is reading the letter. He or she may be the head of the department you are applying for or the head of the Human Resources. Whatever the case, you have to make sure that the name you put is the right person. "Dear Sir/Madam" will get the person hooked in your letter.

Tip #2: You have to start strong and continue building it up. The opening sentence must already attract the attention of the person reading your letter. By keeping the energy up, you will let him read further.

The second paragraph must explain why you are right for the job. Mention your skills and experiences in relation to the position that you are applying for. It also helps to mention some details about the company. This will give the reader the impression that you conducted your research and that you are really interested in working for and with them.

You can sell yourself further by having a "passion paragraph". This single paragraph shows what you love to do and the commitment and passion you can offer and provide to your potential employer.

The last paragraph has your contact person. Give your email address or your phone number. This must be clear and direct. Make it easy for the reader to contact you. Now that you have done the essential part, you can end it with a bang.

Tip # 3: Debaters often use "in a nutshell" to wrap up their argument. You can wrap up your cover letter by writing PS or post-script. This is the last step of the crucial part in job hiring. Here is the summary of what you wrote in the letter. You also have to indicate here the position that you are requesting to be interviewed for.

Now that is how you end a cover letter in the most effective manner. Once you have been able to concretize these ideas and concepts, expect company doors opening for you.

Look at the rewards you get just by learning how to write a good cover letter.

About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on how to write a good cover letter checkout his recommended websites.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=539762

Now You Can Learn How To Make A Cover Letter That Shines

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Cover Letter Articles : Now You Can Learn How To Make A Cover Letter That Shines by Mario Churchill

Nowadays, finding a job is a lot similar to selling. People need to sell themselves to earn the appropriate attention they need from their future employers. With so many people applying for a job, the selection process usually become tedious and stressful that employers need to see eye-catching resumes and cover letters.

Generally, job applicants need resume in order to sell their good points. However, even if your qualifications look good, so does the other job applicants. Hence, it can be quite a work to really identify the person fit for the job. This is where the cover letter becomes very useful.

Cover letters are, at any point, the forefront of a job application. A good resume will be useless if not presented or established by a good cover letter.

The idea is to catch your potential employer immediately. With thousands, if not millions, of people applying for a job, resumes will all look the same -- and so does the cover letters. This is specifically true for those who fail to make their cover letters shine above the rest and create write-ups that can instantly catch the reader's interest.

If in sales it is important to include "what's-in-it-for-me" factor whenever a copywriter creates copies for ads, cover letters should do the same. Rarely does an employer notice a bland resume without any spice to liven up and make everything palatable to digest.

So the point here is to come up with a cover letter that shines. Here's how:

1. State your purpose

In all aspects, communication is the number factor that employers look into in job applications. Applicants should know how to communicate well, verbally or in print, and express the main reasons why they are applying for the job.

In order to make a cover letter that shines, you should learn how to express the purpose of your action. Why are you sending them resume anyway? Tell them exactly what you want and why you are taking such actions. For instance, you can state at the beginning of your cover letter the position you are applying for, the reason for your application, in what way have you found about the job, etc.

2. Sell your way to success

Just like in the interview, cover letters will serve as your ticket to success. Cover letters should state your needs, your aspirations, or your objectives. At some point, you are already selling yourself to your future employer. You need good cover letters to create an impression that you are the right person for the job.

3. Flawless

Typographical and grammatical errors are big no-no. Keep in mind that you are trying to impress your potential employer. Giving them grammatically and technically wrong cover letters will really whip your letters into the trash.

The look of a well-polished, absolutely error-free cover letters will definitely create an impression that you are a professional and can provide their employers with the skills that they need.

4. Teaser

Like teasers in a television show, cover letters should lure their readers to read the next section of your resume. The key point is to appear motivating and interesting. It should also promote the upcoming information they are bound to discover.

Moreover, cover letters, in order to shine apart from the rest, should not be generalized. Many people are scared of making their own cover letters thinking that they will not do good on the construction itself. It is acceptable to use them as a guide but to rewrite the whole cover letter and replace the items that need to be changed is definitely a nix.

Boiled down, learning how to make a cover letter that shines is not so much on the glamour of writing but more on the information that you put in and make it more interesting through your own writing style.

About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on make a cover letter checkout his recommended websites.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=538393

Resume Writing Tips for Computer Software Jobs

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Examples Articles : Resume Writing Tips for Computer Software Jobs by Free4Resume

Below is ten tips for resume writing for computer jobs.

1. If possible, try to limit you resume in one page. Just show your highlight story you have done in the past.

2. Select the type of resume layout that suitable with your skills and working experience. Some success job may be emphasized.

3. Your resume has to show information related to position to which you are applying, such as computer engineer, software engineer, programmer, or system analyst.

4. Fragmented sentences can be used in your resume, such as “Working for ABC Company in Java programming for 5 years.” Or “Implemented successfully 3 Oracle ERP projects in manufacturing industry.” Or “Designed SOA framework for marketing business processes”.

5. Explain briefly about the companies that you are working or worked for, such as “ABC Company, one of the software development firms in Australia, specializing in Java and .NET Technology”. Or “XYZ Corporation, an Indian company, providing database professional services, covering design, installation, migration, performance tuning, and onsite support for IBM DB2 Database and Oracle Database software”.

6. Underline results you have done, such as “Achieved selling quota for $10 million in Business Intelligence (BI) software in year 2007”. Or “Completed two Oracle Database Migration projects in banking industry”.

7. Your resume should be short and clear. Do not use of confusing words, except computer or software technical terms, such “Business Intelligence Software”, “Enterprise Content Management” or software technology vendors, for examples: IBM, SAS, Oracle, Web Service, J2EE, Java, or Microsoft.

8. Some new abbreviations should be defined in your resume, such as BI (Business Intelligence), FPM (Financial Performance Management), or SaaS (Software as a Services), or SOA (Service Oriented Architecture).

9. Referrers can be informed if request. However, the well-known person in the computer industry will provide benefits and credits.

10. Utilize free resume samples and templates in computer software position. Review and modify the free resume examples based on your personal information, skills and working experience in computer industry.

About the Author

Free Resume Examples website, http://free4resume.blogspot.com, provides free resume samples, resume templates, and resume articles in variety of computer job positions, including computer engineer, computer software, and database administrator.

25 March 2008

How to Write a Resume

Resume Cover Letters


How to Write a Resume


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Want to make your resume shine? Here's how to put together a resume that'll impress any employer.

Steps


  1. Make notes of all your previous job responsibilities. Note what is already on your current resume and what you might want to add to past jobs. If this is your first resume, this is a great time to start putting the proper amount of detail into your resume. That way, you don't have to revisit those portions year after year.
  2. Tailor your resume to the position you're applying for (this may require a bit of research). You may end up with many different versions of your resume, each one emphasizing a different set of skills.
  3. State your objective. Again, keep this short and to the point. Personalize it to the position. Make sure your objective doesn't contradict the position you are applying for.
  4. Highlight your work experience. Again, keep in mind that you should tailor your qualifications to the the position you are seeking. Whenever possible, list your experience in terms of accomplishments and achievements rather than tasks and responsibilities. Show your success.
  5. Add information about your educational background.
  6. Mind the look and feel of your resume. It should have clean lines and be easy to read. Make it 1-2 pages max - if you have more to share, save it for the interview. The font should be 8-13, no smaller, no bigger, but you should be able to read it well when you print it out. Black and white is best, but occasional color is okay if not overdone.
  7. Keep the format neat and organized. Include relevant information only. Don't list every little job you've ever held if it isn't relevant. Decide between listing by experience or chronologically (use whichever one works best for your resume).
  8. Include an address, phone number and email address. But, do not include an email that shows you shouldn't be taken seriously, like beerandboys@email.com. Don't use your current employer's name, number or email, either. If necessary, get an extra email address with a professional name that you can use for job searches.
  9. Proofread, proofread and proofread again. Have a friend proofread. Have an enemy proofread. Have a stranger proofread. Then proof again! Don't boast about verbal communication skills with a typo.
  10. Toot your own horn, but be careful. There is a fine line between arrogance and confidence. Try not to cross that line.
  11. Follow directions. This is a huge indicator of responsibility to a hiring manager. If the ad says "no calls please," then don't call! If the job description asks you to provide your salary history, then include that information in your resume.


Tips


  • Be consistent! Format each entry in your resume in the same way.
  • You might not need to list your whole name if it takes up two full lines (James Michael Allan Hoffman III; James Hoffman is fine or even Jim Hoffman if that's the way you like to be addressed.
  • Don't over qualify yourself for a position. Give enough information for interest and save the "wow" factor for the interview. Write the resume for the position you are applying for without altering the truth.
  • Don't attach 6 letters of recommendation, your diploma, your birth certificate, and your CPR and fitness certifications. Indicate your current certifications and be prepared to give references upon request. Do not waste space on your resume by saying "References available".
  • Put your educational details in before your employment details, with the most recent first on both of them.
  • Another approach is to lead with your strong suit, whether it be education, skills, work or volunteer experience. The idea is to showcase your strengths and hide any weaknesses.
  • Detail your duties within each position but don't go overboard.
  • Highlight your expertise in software programs and/or any other particular skills that will impress the interviewer.
  • Listing personal hobbies is optional, but make sure they are sending the right impression. In other words, you might want to mention your stamp collection if you're applying for a job at a delivery company, but don't include Monday night football at Hooters.
  • Be careful about listing volunteer activities. When you start listing things that tie you to political and other emotionally charged organizations, you might get put in a bucket of preconceived notions. It's not right, but everyone has biases and it is better to avoid them if possible.
  • Quantify your accomplishments, if possible, by applying specific numbers to your successes. For instance, if you streamlined the flow of work for your department, define how much time it saved the company over a period of, say, 4 months. Time is money.
  • Most people are somewhat shy and modest about what they have done on the job. Don't be! Think hard about what you've done and what you've accomplished. For instance, instead of saying "answered phones," say "answered multi-line phone and routed calls for an office of 43 people." The example here shows the prospective employer the volume of work you've handled and the complexity of the equipment.
  • Try to keep your resume to one page, and two at most.
  • Get a friend or business adviser to check it for mistakes. It is easy to miss typing errors and grammatical mistakes in your haste to produce the perfect resume.
  • Print your resume on good quality paper, such as 20 pound bond white paper. Fancy papers are nice, but it's the content of your resume that employers care about.
  • If possible, keep the resume for a day or two before reading it again. You may think of something else you want to add before submitting it to prospective employers.
  • Write a cover letter that is short, sweet and to the point (and specifically written for the job you're applying for). If at all possible, do not write more than a page-long cover letter (make sure, though, that you include everything the employer asks for). Try and remember that the person reading it is probably looking at hundreds of resumes. Address logical questions in your cover letter. If you're applying for a position in California but your resume has a New York address, explain why. If you don't, the reader will probably trash the resume (unless the company is ready and willing to pay for a relocation package).
  • If you do have to use two pages, make sure that the second page is at least half filled. If not, go back and re-work the formatting to see if you can fit it on one page. You can also review all the information you have and make sure it is all necessary and relevant. Remove the "fluff".
  • Use no more than three different fonts.
  • Always backup your resume on a floppy (yes, a floppy), flash USB drive or even print it out.
  • Use white space effectively. The resume layout should be professional, crisp and well-defined. If you have too much information on the page, feel free to leave out what you feel is not 100% necessary, such as that fast food job you had in high school, if you have other more relevant experience to draw from.
  • Do not pad your resume. This may be illegal in some instances, and is quite likely to make you look like a fool.
  • Do not include irrelevant personal information. If you make inappropriate personal disclosures on your resumes, employers may perceive you as having poor judgment. They may also, intentionally or unintentionally, discriminate against you.
  • Although in some cultures, it's customary to list your age, marital status, and family status, it isn't common in the United States. If you think age is important, you can allude to it with the year you graduated college or high school. Otherwise, these dates aren't necessary. Beware that, depending on the industry, you may face age discrimination if you graduated many years ago. For example, in creative industries, having graduated more than a few years ago may disqualify you from getting an interview for a junior position.
  • In some countries (like Germany) you have to include a photograph with your application. In others, like the US and Canada, including a photo will immediately disqualify you with many employers. This just goes to show how important it is to research the local culture if you apply for a job in another country.
  • Many word processors, including Microsoft Word, have "fill-in-the-blank" style resumes. Check for one with an appropriate style and then follow their guiding. It can give you help on how to start.
  • Make a lot of drafts!
  • Remember, the resume lands you the interview and the interview gets you the job!


Related wikiHows





Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Write a Resume. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

24 March 2008

Resume or Curriculum Vitae - Start Now to Get Ahead of Your Competitors

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Examples Articles : Resume or Curriculum Vitae - Start Now to Get Ahead of Your Competitors by Michael Harrison

The first time you do almost anything it's difficult, and so it is with your first resume. Also the first attempt usually can be improved upon. Doing the first resume is a bind because it's so difficult to get over concisely in writing all that you have achieved.

You have to represent your educational background and qualifications plus your career experience whilst bringing out something of what you are going to be able to contribute in a new job.

The spur to do a resume for most people is when they get fed up and start looking for an alternative job. Sometimes this can be when facing unemployment and having to make a fresh start. Usually they see an advertisement and only then do they consider doing a resume.

This can mean that the resume is done under some form of time constraint. I remember well my first resume taking the whole of one weekend.

That was at a time when we did not have personal computers and word processing capability. So my first resume was hand written and a neighbour kindly typed it up for me. Things are so different now.

We can draught out a resume, edit it and change it at will to suit a particular situation or job application and develop and update the resume as we progress through our career. Vitally we can tailor the resume to the new job application, emphasizing particular points that should make the application particularly attractive to the potential new employer.

This means that when you have got that first resume in the can, with faults and all you can easily and speedily develop and improve your presentation so that you increase your chances of getting to interview. Getting you to interview is the sole purpose of the resume.

So I guess there are no excuses get your resume in the can and be ready. If you are daunted you can get more help here. You won't regret it and think of it like this, you will already be one step ahead of most of your competitors.

Resource Box:

Article by Michael Harrison, Author, Publisher and Business Consultant. If you have found these tips helpful you can find more at http://www.how-to-do-a-resume.com/

**Attn: Ezine Editors / Site Owners / Webmasters / everyone** Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site as long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above. You can use other articles similarly from http://www.be-your-own-business-expert.com/Article.html OR subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter. Each issue is packed with motivational, business and personal development material.

About the Author
Michael Harrison is an author, publisher and business consultant specialising in helping business owners and individuals to realise and release the full potential of their situation. He has helped many people to improve their business situations and advised and supported individuals to embark on new directions in their careers.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=769378

Video Resume - Now enact your Curriculum Vitae

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Examples Articles : Video Resume - Now enact your Curriculum Vitae by Aditya Kumar

The resume, which has become one of the most important accessories for job search, has seen a lot of changes over time. Before typewriters and printers became popular, job applicants would carry a handwritten copy of their resume with them. Typewritten copies of resumes were in style until now. Now there has been a major change in fashion in resumes once again. Video resumes are all the rage today.

A video resume promises to be interesting, unlike the boring piece of document that the old printed resume was. The job applicant shoots himself on video answering to certain selected questions. And every time there's a career opportunity in sight, the video is made available to the employer.

Thanks to the increased access to video cameras, now creating a video resume is really easy. If you cannot afford a high priced digital video camera, nor do you want to engage a professional agency for the purpose, use your cell phone instead.

Preparation is the key to an effective video resume. Just as we would want our printed resume to be impeccable, giving the best to the shooting will be necessary. Dress immaculately, just as you would on the D-day. Practice the regular questions about your qualifications, experience, career etc. The introduction and the conclusion to the resume must be well rehearsed. Precise introductions, explaining well your purpose of calling are acceptable. The closing must force the employer to action. Career discussions can significantly help in this preparation.

For jobseekers who are applying from out of town, video resumes can be a ticket to winning job search. The prospective employer gets to know better of you, than a paper resume would have revealed. So when you receive a call from the employer, you know that you have already made a mark on the employer.

When shooting a video resume, keep in mind that you have a very small attention span of the employer. So try to emphasize and prioritize your most important skills in the shortest possible time. Also include visuals such as you leading a seminar, getting an award etc.

However, video resumes haven't altogether substituted the paper resumes. They still need to be attached for more objective information on the applicant.

Also ensure that there are adequate arrangements for playing the CD or DVD carrying your video resume. In case the CD doesn't play, don't panic. Give your best shot in person and I bet that you will come out with flying colours.

About the Author
Aditya Kumar is a career consultant with Yellojobs.com India (Pvt.) Ltd. (in.yellojobs.com) and believes in sharing views on new and old phenomenon in the world of recruitment. He blogs about career related issues to spread awareness amongst the jobseekers.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=665518

The Amazing Secret Cold Cover Letter

Resume Cover Letters

Resume Cover Letter Articles : The Amazing Secret Cold Cover Letter by Mario Churchill

In sales, when people talk about cold calling, they are actually trying to get hold of a potential client that has not yet decided for such interaction. The client is not aware of such calls or has not purposely requested the salesperson to call him or her, hence, the term "cold."

Similarly, cold cover letters can provide you the opportunity of contacting a hiring manager and inquire for any possibilities of employment in their company. In most cases, there had been no apparent announcements or advertisements regarding the position applicants wish to apply.

With cold cover letters, job applicants are trying to spontaneously get hold of a job offer that has not been specifically declared. That is why cold cover letters are sometimes known as unsolicited cover letters.

In reality, people may see that using cold cover letters is just a waste of time. Most people think that the possibilities of getting a job is almost zero whenever applicants have to opt for cold cover letters.

What these people do not know is that companies will always be hiring people. People come and go and there are times that the resignation becomes so abrupt that the process of hiring another person will take time to get published and be known to the public.

However, if people will use cold cover letters, they might be tapping on a hidden job application that is yet to be disclosed. For instance, an employee just resigned from his position today and at the same time, a resume with a cold cover letter attached to it has just arrived. Perfect timing as you may call it, but this can really happen.

In the end, employers may even consider such applications and may no longer need to advertise the position if the applicant is already appropriate for the job. This would mean less competition and greater chances of getting hired.

Cold cover letters vs. Regular cover letters

There are some small discrepancies between cold cover letters and the regular cover letters. Although they both have the same goal, which is to land an interview and eventually get a job offer, the construction of cold cover letters is slightly different from the regular cover letters.

Here's why:

1. More interesting

Cold cover letters should be more interesting. If regular cover letters should be made in such a way that it attracts a potential employer, cold cover letters should be able to keep the reader on the hook. This means that the cover letter should contain more weight and should create an impression that the possibility of hiring a particular applicant for the job could be an advantage.

It is best to state the value of the person's application. Keep in mind that there are no specific jobs advertised, hence, coming up with ideas that will tell the potential employer that you could be the right person for some jobs for the organization could just be your ticket to success.

The thing is, there might not be some existing need for such positions but the problem is already there. And so, when the employer sees you as a potential solution to the problem, he might just consider you for a possible position.

2. Request for interview

Even though regular cover letters also aim in getting an interview, cold cover letters should have a strong need for such appointment. It is best if you could emphasize on discussing the matters with your potential employer.

Boiled down, cold cover letters should have greater attention-grabbing power. The ability to attract a potential employer to read your cover letter is one thing, but keeping the employer on the hook and continues to read the cover letter even if there are no available positions yet is the ultimate value of cold cover letters.

About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on cold cover letter checkout his recommended websites.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=536565

Create A Strong Cover Letter To Make Your Employment Strategy Sizzle

Resume Cover Letters

Resume Cover Letter Articles : Create A Strong Cover Letter To Make Your Employment Strategy Sizzle by Mario Churchill

When the job market is this tough and getting tougher by the day, you need to step up to the plate in order to compete. Think about it: for every job that is available out there, there are hundreds of applicants vying for it. Imagine just 10% of that figure as the ones who are truly qualified, that should leave you with a couple of hundred rivals for the same job. Scary, isn't it?

Why you need a strategy In order for you to get hired, you need to get noticed, something you might have trouble with if you do not have a good employment strategy that will blow the competition out of the way. It's a tough way of putting it, but if you truly want something, you'll have to be strong enough to go after it. Unfortunately, that's the same sentiment that goes on in the minds of the couple of hundred of your competitors.

However, if you have a strategy, you could turn your employment chances to your favor and believe it or not, much of that will ride on a single piece of paper: your employment cover letter.

- How a good employment cover letter strategy can add sizzle to your professional life A cover letter is more than your introduction to a potential employer. It also contains the information your employer needs to decide whether or not they should give you the time of day. Your cover letter is more than just a summary of your resume - it is your ticket to gain your potential employer's confidence that yes, you might just be the right person for the job.

- Strategies you can use for an employment cover letter There are certain things that you should keep in mind when you start writing your cover letter. More than anything, this one document will show your potential employer what your best points are and why of all the applicants who vie for the same job, you are the one person they should talk to. Here are some strategies you should include in your employment arsenal:

Targeted Employers appreciate it very much if you've done a good job researching about their company. They don't want to feel that they are just one of the many in your long list of potential bosses. It makes them feel insignificant and makes you look like a desperate job hunter.

Write a targeted employment cover letter as your strategy. Design a cover letter that will show your potential employer you fit perfectly in their organization. Show the matches and emphasize your selling points, qualifications you have that are badly needed by their company. If they see your relevance, they will realize that their organization truly has a need for someone like you.

Professional A professionally written cover letter is not something you can achieve overnight. Sometimes you'll even need someone's help in order to do it. Nevertheless, as an employment strategy, your cover letter should be direct, polite and complete.

It should follow the standards required of a good cover letter and have the right elements to help you come across as someone to be taken seriously. It should be well written, free from any grammatical and spelling errors of any kind and should flow logically.

Confident As part of your employment strategy, a cover letter should convey the message that you are a person who knows exactly who he is and what he has to offer. State your achievements and qualifications matter-of-factly to let your potential employer know that you have what it takes to fill that job vacancy. Tell them what you have done and what you can do without bragging.

Employment strategies should not only look good on paper, they should also deliver. When you write your cover letter, include elements that make you special, anything in your past work experience and training that will tell your potential employer that you're the best person for the job. If you can let your employer see you in that light, you'd have captured your dream job.

About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on employment cover letter checkout his recommended websites.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=532260

23 March 2008

Expanding Your Resume: The Curriculum Vitae

Resume Cover Letters

Resume Articles : Expanding Your Resume: The Curriculum Vitae by Michael Fleischner

By their very definition, resumes are supposed to be brief summaries of your skills and abilities: short, but attention-grabbing. A great resume uses keywords and catch phrases to highlight your accomplishments and abilities and if done well, is your ticket to getting you at least as far as an interview.

On a resume, personal details are a big no-no, and anything much longer than two pages isn't the standard in most cases. Your resume is simply a launch pad into the Human Resources office and once there, your interview is your opportunity to share all the details of your education, work history, and experience.

So, with all the emphasis on the "right" resume, is there ever a time when it's appropriate to share a bit more about yourself as part of the job search process before the interview? Absolutely!

Enter the Curriculum Vitae

From the Latin for "vital," vitae means a short description of one's life and a Curriculum Vitae, or CV for short, is pretty much that -- a sort of Extended Play version of your resume, if you will. More biographical in nature, a CV often includes personal information and may run several pages long. Accomplishments are detailed, rather than highlighted.

It may seem hard to believe that people actually require CVs, given all the focus on how writing a great resume is the crucial key in landing a job interview. In most cases, this still holds true...a great resume is still the key to getting your foot in the door. But if you ever decide to seek a job in academia, apply for a fellowship, or apply for work overseas, then developing your CV is necessary.

Over Here, Over There

In the U.S., the most likely time you'll need to submit a CV is if you apply for an academic, education, scientific, or research position. You may need to submit one if you're applying for fellowships or grants as well. Have a list of accomplishments that includes publications and presentations? A CV is absolutely essential, especially in the academic and research fields. If you're seeking work out of the country, submitting a CV is the norm in British Commonwealth and European countries, as well as the Middle East, Africa, and Asia (which pretty much covers most of the rest of the world). Although not necessarily expected in the United States, all that information you've been taught to keep off of your resume will probably need to go on your CV for an out-of-country employer, since many of them expect to see more personal details about you, including where you were born, your date of birth, and marital status. In some countries, you may even need to include a photo!

Nitty-Gritty Details

So what exactly does a CV entail? For starters, expect it to be more than two pages long, because you'll be providing a lot more detail about your background and skills, including your work history, educational and academic background, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations, and any other pertinent information, including samples of your work, if appropriate. If you've been in the workforce for awhile, it's not unheard of for a CV to be 10 to 15 pages long...or more!

You may need to develop more than one CV, just as you might have more than one version of your resume. It depends on what you're applying for and what you want to have front and center on your CV. A CV for an academic position stateside will need to look different than a CV you might submit to an international oil company for an executive position halfway around the world.

Chances are, if you're a researcher or a scholar, you probably know all about CVs, but if you don't, not to worry! Job postings will (hopefully) specify what they need in terms of a resume or CV. If you're not sure, a simply inquiry with the people doing the hiring will get you the answer you need.

ResumeEdge.com is one of the nations leading resume writing service providers, offering professional resume writing, editing, and guidance. For additional resume writing resources, including free sample resumes, visit http://www.resumeedge.com/ today!

About the Author
ResumeEdge.com is one of the nations leading resume writing service providers, offering professional resume writing, editing, and guidance. For additional resume writing resources, including free sample resumes, visit http://www.resumeedge.com/ today!

Curriculum Vitae Writing Tips

Resume Cover Letters

Free Resume Articles : Curriculum Vitae Writing Tips by Will Barnard

Students, professionals, academics and anyone who is actually planning on applying for a new job can benefit from curriculum vitae writing tips. A typical curriculum vita, which is often referred to as CV, differs slightly from a standard resume because it contains substantially more information than just your education and prior job experience. A CV should also include any other information about you that is relevant to the job that you are applying for. A CV offers so much more personal information about you and your abilities and has become a primary aspect of writing a resumes these days.

The first difference between a curriculum vitae and a traditional resume is how long it is. Professionals will quickly advise you that resumes should fill up one or if it is really needed two pages. A CV, though, can be longer if has to be. It is not uncommon for curriculum vitae to be at least three, or as many as 10 pages long if you want. Some people just really need that much space to write their qualifications.

The next aspect of the curriculum vitae is to include, in detail, any special licenses or awards that you have been given. If you have published books or articles, have taught courses at a university, or if you are affiliated with any academic or professional groups or organizations, they should also be included on the curriculum vitae. The CV is your chance to show every bit of your personality and life and your achievements. What this means is that this is the time for you to brag your guts out. There is no such thing as tooting your own horn too much with a CV because that is what this is for.

The best of the curriculum vitae tips might be to remember that the term curriculum vitae is derived from the Latin meaning of course of life. A CV is meant to be a written depiction of the course that your life has taken to this point and your entire volunteering etc. is going to be put in here. Whereas in a traditional resume you need to be concise, a CV is an opportunity to further explain your many achievements in whatever depth you see fit.

Writing your CV is a lot of fun for many people because it is just a great opportunity to talk about yourself. Most of the people that write a resume are not even aware of the fact that a CV can often be better than a cover letter which is only meant to express your interest in a job and give brief accounts of what is to be expected in the resume. Your CV can often be the final deal maker in your getting a job so you really want to think of writing yours today!

About the Author
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Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=132772

22 March 2008

Writing Good Resume Objective

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Free Resume Examples Articles : Writing Good Resume Objective

A good resume objective is one which is a powerful, strong and concise statement that can show the potential employer that you understand the needs of their business. It must show that you can bring added value to their business. The objective should relate the position that you are applying for, and it should try and persuade the employer into reading the rest of your resume in a positive light.

When to use a resume objective statement
Resume objective statements should always be included on resumes of students who are applying for their first jobs after graduating, and it should also be included on those who are seeking university admissions. Also, people who don't have much work experience, or do not have relevant work experience to the job they are applying for should also include an objective.

When not to use a resume objective
Although resume objective statements are a great way to draw the employer's eyes to your application, it may not always be the best way do to this. Using a resume objective in situations such as general applications in places like careers expositions or careers websites may not be the best idea. It also is not recommended to place objectives on resumes when you are applying for several positions in the same organization at the same time.

It is also not recommended for people who have had several years of solid work experience on them as it does not highlight their skills to be the best of their advantage. A better way of improving your chances of getting a job when you have much experience is to have a profile at the top of your resume. A profile can include your best areas of expertise, your principal skills, your personal qualities and an outline of your career ambition. The profile has the same key idea behind it - to get the potential employer to look at your resume in a more positive light - but does it in a way to more benefit your skills and experience.

Developing a statement
As said earlier, a good resume objective is one which is powerful, strong and to the point. You must also remember that you should modify your objective for each position you are applying for depending on the organization you are applying for and also the position. A minor modification in your objective can change the way your entire resume looks and reads.

For more tips on how to write a good resume objective, please look at resume objective page.

Example resume objectives
A person seeking a HR management role after three years of work experience may write:
"A human resources expert, with three years experience looking to apply knowledge and social skills into a management role."

A person who is looking for a career change needs to find a way to express why they are seeking a career change and also show previous skills. For example: "Astute businessman with vast training, high motivation and well educated seeking to excel in a new career teaching the future generation."

A recent university graduate who is seeking a graduate position in a large organization could write as an objective: "A commercially minded recent business graduate with experience with a sales internship is seeking a career in management of sales in a large organization"

Source: http://www.aroj.com/writing-good-resume-objectives.html

Resume Writing Tips

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Free Resume Examples Articles : Resume Writing Tips

Your resume is your way into getting your next job, so you must make it to the best of your ability. In the paragraphs following below there are many good tips to make your resume a winning resume.

FOCUSED. Keep your resume focused. This means keeping it specific and relating to the job at hand. Also don't try and be smart or cute, and keep it simple and business like. When employers are looking at your resume, they are looking to see if you have what's needed for the position, and won't take too kindly to someone being smart with them.

SIZE. Your resume should ideally be one page, this especially applies for students, recent graduate students, or people with only a few years of work experience. If you have had many years of working experience, two pages of resume is more than enough, and sometimes too much.

SPELLCHECK. You must ensure that you have checked the grammar, spelling and punctuation of your resume - it must be perfect. Any obvious mistakes on your resume will hurt you in the selection process. Also try to keep the language used in the resume simple and clear as to keep the resume understandable - it's no good if the employer has to get out a thesaurus to find out what you're trying to say.

LOOKS. Try and make your resume look professional. This can be done using a crisp, clean and simple layout for the resume. This can quite often be done just using your word processing software and using tools such as lines or shading. It is also worth checking out resume templates.
RELEVANT. Show your most recent work experiences and education you have completed. If it is very old, it is probably not very relevant anymore to the job you are applying for. You can summarize older work experiences and education you have achieved so that it is still present on the resume. Employers don't really want to know what you were doing ten years ago, they would rather know what you were doing ten months ago.

HONESTY. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to resume writing. This includes putting lies on your resume or exaggerating skills. If you do not make your resume truthful, it is more likely that you will be caught out in the interview process or if employed, sometime during employment. And who wants to gain a job based on lies?

INSTRUCTIONS. Follow instructions given to you from the prospective employer. If you don't follow instructions when you aren't employed, it may seem that you may never follow instructions at all. So if the job advertisement says submit resumes via postal mail, send it via postal mail and not email.

Source: http://www.aroj.com/resume-writing-tips.html

How to write a resume

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Free Resume Examples Articles : How to write a resume

A resume consists of several key components, and to write a good resume you need to cover all these aspects. The main items that are required on a resume include your name, contact details (address, telephone and optionally email), your objective, education, previous work experience and references. You may also include other additional information that may be relevant to the job you are applying for such as special interests, computer knowledge, and if you are multilingual you may write down the languages that you speak.

Name and contact details
It is important to put your real name on your resume, and not a nickname. This is to show that you are serious about the position you are applying for. It is also best to give your permanent, residential address so that employers can see where you are located. It is a good idea to list both your home phone number, and your mobile/cell phone number incase you are not available at home when the prospective employer rings.

Objective
This is often the focus point on your resume, it outlines to the employer what type of work that you are after and why you are after it. The objective should be a simple sentence or two that is directly related to what work you wish to gain and your qualifications or accomplishments. For more information on this visit .

Education
This is often one of the most important areas when writing a resume. It is important to list all the education you have achieved so that you distinguish yourself from other applicants. If you have a degree, be sure to include the type of degree you achieved (Bachelor, Masters, etc.), your majors, the institution attended, graduation date and years attended. It may be worth providing your grade average, and also any special awards and achievements that you have.

Work Experience
Work experience is also another very highly important category when writing a resume. It shows employers if you have had relevant past experience to the job you are applying for. Ensure that you list the name of the organization, location of the organization, your position with them and the dates you worked with them. You should also describe the work you done with them, ensuring that you use strong and words relevant to the job at hand (for example, if the job you are applying for relies heavily on teamwork, focus on the teamwork aspects in previous jobs). You should list any forms of volunteer work or internships.

Additional Information
This is the area in which you can list anything else that may be relevant, or put you ahead of other applicants. This could be for example if you are multilingual, you could list the languages that you speak. You can also list computer knowledge that you have if computers will be used in the workplace.

References
It is almost essential to include a reference list when writing a resume. References are most often people you have previously worked for, or if you haven't had a job before you could list teachers or family friends. You must ask references if you can put them on your resume before including them. It is best to have at least two people, and include there name, phone number, what relation they had and organization they work for. If you do not wish to provide references when you first submit you resume, you can write "References available upon request" in which the potential employer will ask you for them when they are ready.

Source: http://www.aroj.com/how-to-write-a-resume.html

20 March 2008

Get That Perfect CV With These Resume Writing Tips

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Free Resume Examples Articles : Get That Perfect CV With These Resume Writing Tips by Mike Selvon

Unless you inherited your job or were offered a position through the courtesy of a friend or family member, chances are pretty high that at some point or another you had to write a curriculum vitae. If so, then you have probably had to seek out resume writing help from some source.

Perhaps it was from an instructor in school, or you took your advice and tips from online curriculum vitae resources. Resume writing tips are out there and most are easily understood. Once you know the differences between the types of documents, you will be on your way to resume distribution and the all-important interview.

There are a few different types of resumes from which to choose. The type you will use depends largely on your work experience and your education. First, there is the Chronological curriculum vitae. It is just as it sounds.

It is one that goes by dates and is best used when you are looking to showcase your dedication to your career. If you have had multiple jobs in the past, then this type is not for you. To write an effective resume, you must choose the best style for your circumstances.

Number two in the resume writing category is the Functional variety. Here are some resume writing tips for this form. You want to focus more on your skills. This is a curriculum vitae to use if you have had multiple jobs.

It is designed to focus more on the knowledge you have acquired over the years, along with applicable job skills. However, you will still need to write down the dates and duration of each job, along with your previous employers.

The final type of curriculum vitae is the Combination. It is exactly as it sounds. It is a combination of the Functional and Chronological resume. Use this style if you have been in one career and intend to keep pursuing jobs in this career path. It will list your past work experience and the skills you have acquired, along with detailed information about the typical day-to-day job duties you have performed.

Writing a curriculum vitae is not as difficult as you may think. Once you understand the differences between the three types, you can find plenty of resume writing tips on the internet or your local bookstore. If all else fails, then you may need to hire a curriculum vitae writer or find a friend who can help you with your task, or simply write it for you. Just gather your information and provide him or her with the details.

About the Author
A whole world of information about resume writing tips mistakes can be at your fingertips from Mike Selvon portal where a free gift awaits you. Drop us a note at our resume writing tips blog.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=795998

Making Use Of Resume Writing Services

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Free Resume Examples Articles : Making Use Of Resume Writing Services by Mike Selvon

Some people find that they do not know how to write a resume. They try, but they just don't seem to understand how one is put together or how it works. Thank goodness for resume writing services and for their valuable knowledge.

Sure it may cost a bit of money, but it is worth it when you land that job interview because they wrote you a stellar document. Once you provide the information, they will create a polished and professional document, written in the correct resume format.

Resume writers usually work on a freelance basis. You pay a set amount to have them work their magic with your information. They type away at it and suddenly it becomes an effective curriculum vitae you can hand into your potential employer with confidence.

Professional curriculum vitae writing companies rely on their employees to have a high standard to which their resumes must be held accountable. A poorly written curriculum vitae is useless and a direct reflection on the writer. A document, void of typos and poor grammar, is essential as the customer does not want to send substandard documents out to potential employers.

A resume writing service can be the difference between being stuck at a dead-end job and getting one filled with promise and advancement opportunities. Your curriculum vitae is the only thing holding you back. Curriculum vitae services can do the job, but you must do your part as well.

You provide the information about past employment and salary history, and they ask you for details on your job duties. You may have to explain how you ran the office and increased revenue by 30%, as well as any technical skills that are pertinent to the position you wish to secure.

If it has been said once, then it has been said a thousand times over the course of your life. Do not lie on your curriculum vitae. Do not embellish the facts and figures. If you elect to do so you will eventually be discovered and may lose your job.

You can also lose your credibility and the potential to find other jobs in that career field. Most employers now check the facts, so do not provide your resume writing services with incorrect information.

Using resume writing services is a great way to save hassle, time and money. You just provide them with the information and they write your document. You will need to know what style of curriculum vitae each company sends out along with what style works best for your work experience.

Some job fields require a particular type of curriculum vitae and cover letter. A good, effective resume is the proverbial foot-in-the-door to the job of your dreams. Make sure and put your best foot forward.

About the Author
A whole world of information about resume writing services mistakes can be at your fingertips from Mike Selvon portal where a free gift awaits you. Drop us a note at our resume writing tips blog.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=793176

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