Finding the Dream Job by Having a solid Resume
Resumes are a necessary, yet often overlooked and neglected part of the job hunt. Resumes can speak for you and give you an edge in today’s competitive job market, but only if you really push yourself to get everything right.
The best way to ensure that your resume is solid is by making it flawless — following these five easy steps will ensure that your resume makes a lasting impression on any hiring manager.
1. Edit Your Work History
This is a no-brainer. If you don’t want to get ignored, it’s important to ensure that your resume is tailored specifically to the job you are applying for. Spend some time highlighting the best aspects of your work history and avoid mentioning any negative attributes. For example, steer away from specifics like how much time you spent in a particular department at your last job because these are not as important as the skills or knowledge that you acquired during your tenure in a particular department or position.
2. Include Your Education
If possible, include all of your educational details on your resume including high school, college, post-graduate degree or certification programs (if applicable). If you are currently in school, include the name of your school and any relevant information about your program or specialization. Also, ensure that all dates of attendance are clearly marked.
3. Include Your Interests and Hobbies
This is a great place to show off those transferable skills, so if you are looking to move into a new field or just want to look appealing, include your hobbies on your resume. Make sure that they paint you in a positive light as well – don’t include anything controversial. Be creative if necessary – such as mentioning how much time you volunteer at the local animal shelter if that interests you on a personal level.
4. In a Nutshell
If you’re looking for a job in the arts, include relevant information like whether or not you hold a black belt in karate or if your work has been published — and if so, include the names of any magazines or publications where your work has been featured. You can also mention anything else that you feel might give you an edge over other applicants. For example, it might be good to mention to a potential employer that you have studied abroad or have taken online courses from programs like Harvard Extension School . And remember, don’t go overboard – just ensure that all of your resume details are relevant to the position for which you are applying.
5. Check Your Spelling and Grammar
The process of writing a resume is one that takes time. If you’re in the process of going through a job hunt, you might not be able to invest a lot of time into working on your resume initially. In this case, it’s best to write it out quickly and then find some time to go back and double check for spelling and grammar errors as well as typos. You can also ask someone else to have a look at your resume — if you think that it might be too subjective, ask them their opinion. With any luck, you will find a few minor errors that will help you get a better look from your prospective employer. By the way, I hope that this article motivates all of my readers to take their resume seriously — if nothing else, it can help you get noticed when applying for jobs.
Last Updated: 10/25/09
Title: When to Include Photos With Your Resume
By: Michael Sprague
In today’s job market, it’s important to stand out from your competition. Of course, selecting the right resume and cover letter are two ways to do so; however, one overlooked opportunity is the inclusion of photos with your resume.
The traditional expectation of a resume is for a concise, concise, concise and concise piece of paper. With that said, the inclusion of pictures can take it to the next level. There are many reasons why photos should be included with your resume:
It immediately gives off a personal touch . It shows that you’re in touch with yourself and your personality.
. It shows that you’re in touch with yourself and your personality. It distinguishes you from the competition . If you want to stand out from other job seekers, add some unique photos to your resume.
. If you want to stand out from other job seekers, add some unique photos to your resume.