Three Common Resume Questions Answered

Free Resume Samples Articles : Three Common Resume Questions Answered by Heather Eagar

How many times have you found yourself in the midst of writing your resume when you realized that there were some questions you simply had to have answered before you could move forward? Everyone has probably been in this predicament at least once during a resume-writing experience.

Of course, there are some questions that are more frequently asked than others. So before you put your fingers back on the keyboard, let's take a moment to explore some of the more commonly asked questions regarding resumes.

How Do I Write a Great Objective?

For many, the objective is the most abstract and challenging portion of the resume to write. You may find yourself asking questions like "what does the employer want to know?" and "how can I describe myself in just one sentence?" during the process. But don't let these issues deter you from continuing on, because in actuality, it is not hard to create a succinct objective that will entice the employer to read on.

First, take note that objectives can be more than one sentence long. Depending on your level of experience, you may want to include up to three sentences describing who you are and what career plans you have that fall neatly in line with the employer's goals. Within the 1-3 sentences, you want to express your strengths, abilities and qualifications in your field, and how they match the specific employer's goals. However, try to avoid using the word "I" in this section as it creates a self-centered image, something that can quickly result in your resume hitting the bottom of the stack.

What if I Haven't Worked in a While?

If you haven't worked for several years, or even several months, you may feel a little bit nervous about explaining your employment gap. But don't worry; if you truly feel you're qualified for the job, you can express this in a number of ways.

One is by using a functional resume style (as opposed to chronological) that focuses less on timelines and more on skills. Also, you can roll up all of your non-work experience, including volunteering, community involvement, consulting, or even your continuing education, to highlight the skills you've acquired over the years. If your gaps are a little smaller, you can make them less obvious by not noting months on your resume. In the end, you want to showcase your knowledge of industry trends, so be creative in explaining how this knowledge can enhance the position you're applying for.

Should I Include References?

Typically, the rule for references is this: if they don't ask for them, don't provide them. However, if they do it's a good idea to create a separate sheet just for them. On that sheet, you can include the references' names, phone numbers, and their locations, as well as your personal/professional relationships. But before you add references be sure to contact them so they are prepared to offer information about you.

Writing a resume can be an exciting process if you remember that your hard work can result in a great job. So take the time to ask more questions about the writing process. You'll find that the more you ask, the more likely you are to create a standout resume that may just secure the job you want.

About the Author
Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Compare the top resume writing services in the industry at http://www.resumelines.com

Source: Free resume samples, Free resume template, Job resume examples information at goarticles.com

How to prepare a winning Resume / CV

Free Resume Samples Articles : How to prepare a winning Resume / CV... by Richard Penfold

How to prepare a winning Resume / CV... A few good habits starting NOW will hold you in good stead for the rest of your career...
Preparation is critical; the best builder in the world would not build a house without a blueprint and Land survey, not if he wanted to stay in business.

Your Resume is a vital career building document that done well will give you the chance to secure a better career and earn many thousands of dollars a year more in salary than you would If you take a half heated approach.

The intention of this article is to give you the Resume preparation blueprint that you will use and develop throughout your career. This is not going to require any deep thinking or use of technology.

To use the house building analogy this will give you the understanding of the required components and materials required to build a basic dwelling to a block of luxury apartments.

In resume terms the ability and resource to quickly tailor your resume information to suit?

Whatever role you want to apply for successfully. You may think that you will skip resume writing completely and simply hire a pro resume writer to do it for you.

But you will still need to provide them the basic information, from which they can Weave their magic.

So let's get this organized, once it's done you will continue to add information into it, but basically it's done FOREVER.

What you want to do is build a simple folder and file structure on your PC, if you don't have a PC borrow a friend's and keep you folder on a disk.

Step 1 create a folder and name it My Resume or CV or whatever reminds you.

Step 2 Then add a page for each of the headings listed below * Address and preferred contact details (phone and email).

* Personal Information, gender, nationality, driver license, marriage status

* Education / Qualification

* Training and certification details.

* Career history covering the companies, roles / title, dates and roles and responsibilities, achievements.

* Any other areas of responsibility, for example voluntary work, or team captain, head boy or girl at university or college.

* Any thought leadership examples, articles published, public speaking.

* Any honors or achievements.

* Hobbies and interests

* Positive personality and behavioral traits you have get friends, family or colleagues to help if needed.

* Membership / Associations

* Testimonials

Note: You may feel that you will never need a page for Other Responsibilities, Awards, published Article or Testimonials, but I urge you to keep them, because if you get the chance to add content to any of these pages it WILL set you apart from your competitors.

I would particularly draw your attention to testimonials.

It's very easy to get a testimonial form somebody you have done a good job for. Clearly you must have done a better than average job for them.

Confirm with them that they liked your work and ask them to drop you an email or letter to that effect.

This is a great habit to get into.

A short testimonial embedded within your resume or cover letter used sparingly (1-3 max within a resume) will increase your chances massively.

Obviously don't make them up yourself they may check them out!

Also get used to recording your work history in "business" terms. What I mean here is that whatever role you had was in some way vital to the business, no matter how junior. They would not have employed you otherwise.

Therefore record your work experience in terms of the objectives of the role and how these objectives supported the overall business strategy, any measurements used, what skills you used to perform your role, what you learnt and achieved. Try and use tangible precise values if possible.

For example if you worked in a store part-time express your performance in terms of how you over-performed in sales revenue (averaged over $500 sales a week - the highest performing assistant), 100% attendance and commendation for customer service (great moment to slip in a testimonial from your then boss!).

If you can convey through your resume that whatever role you undertake you never loose sight of the overall business objective of the company, no matter how minor your role, you will be in a very, very small percentage.

Embed these good habits now, and I promise you, you will never look back.

Good Luck!



About the Author
Richard has been working in the recruitment industry for 11 years and specialises in Risk Management and Business Continuity.

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Source: Free Resume Samples, Free Resume Template, Job Resume Examples information at goarticles.com

Tips on How to Write A Good Cover Letter

Job Resume Cover Letter Articles : Tips on How to Write A Good Cover Letter by Robert Watson

In the usual scenario, the resume is the first element of any job search. Considerable time and effort is taken to develop a solid resume, and once that is complete, most people move directly into the job search. It is only after a position is selected, that the last element, the cover letter, is quickly devised to respond to the job posting. In the "rush to get it done" mentality that surrounds this task, many candidates fail to give cover letters the attention they deserve.
Cover letters are important not only for the obvious reason that they are your first contact with a prospective employer, but also because in an economy where there may be hundreds of applicants, bad cover letters can get your resume on the discard pile even before the recruiters see it. Many consider cover letters to be the most overlooked aspect of a job search, simply because they are the last element of the job search process.

It's difficult to write a good cover letter. Care must be taken to provide enough information to introduce your self and your background, without giving out so much detail that you confuse the reader or give the recruiter something that will allow them to eliminate you from selection. Alternatively, saying too little makes it look as if the candidate is hiding something, another pitfall that should be avoided.

We think the best cover letters contain the following elements:

1) Declare your intention, by indicating the position for which you are applying in the first line of the letter. This allows the clerical person who is doing the "first cut" on the resume pile the chance to easily know the job you are interested in.

2) A short paragraph that briefly explains why you are qualified. This information clearly and quickly indicates why you applied for the job in question. Mention as many of the experience and background attributes from the ad itself as you can here, simply because these are the elements the prospective employer is seeking.

3) An additional brief paragraphy that expands on the "why I am qualified" theme, but mentions those attributes of your background that you want to display, that were not mentioned in the ad. In this way, you bring out those aspects of your experience of which may uniquely qualify you, separating you from the other applicants.

4) A closing line that either says your resume is attached (for e-mails), or your resume is included (in the envelope or with the FAX), for their review.

With some practice, you can include the experience and background elements from the employers' ad, and those personal attributes you want to advertise, into simple template that will allow you to quickly respond to jobs as they appear.

Take the time to develop a good cover letter, and the time spent will pay off when you get the job you deserve.



About the Author
Robert Watson, author of Job Hunter's Handbook has been involved in business consulting and headhunting for most of his professional career. His new book covers the job search process, from resume writing and writing a cover letter to job interviewing tactics and more.

Source: Cover Letter samples, Job resume cover letter templates, cover letter examples information at goarticles.com