4 Steps To A Perfect Resume

Looking for feedback on my work, I sent the exact same resume to 2 trusted recruiters and got the following 2 gut reactions:

"Great format but the writing could be more salesy." "Compelling content but the format is bland."

The take home message: You can't please everyone. That said, you can still win interviews from hiring managers whose resume preferences differ from your own. Just make sure you cover these "bases" within the first third of page one:

1. Be explicitly clear about the job you're seeking. This necessarily doesn't mean include the words "Objective: Blah Blah Blah." There are plenty of other more tactful and contemporary ways of achieving this.

2. Include personality traits and work skills that convey to the hiring manager your ability to meet the job requirements. This can be accomplished in just a handful of carefully chosen words or bullet points. This piece can also help to address the keyword/scanning software issue.

3. List at least 2 or 3 tangible accomplishments early that make you look like a hot shot *and* directly relate to your target job. You can add these into a career summary or go with a shorter summary and get to "Job Experience" bullet points more quickly.

4. Do steps 1-3 in very clear and concise manner. When picking a format, think about directing the reader's eye. Like a billboard, an effective resume should tell the reader what to read first, second, and third by the way it uses font size, boldface, rule lines, indenting, etc. Be deliberate about your format; it's not just about picking a pretty template.

If you follow these guidelines and perfect your grammar, even the busiest, most opinionated, most critical hiring manager will keep reading your resume. They may disagree with your style but they'll immediately ascertain your goal(s), personality fit, and value proposition.

In giving the hiring manager this information within 10-15 seconds, you are satisfying their need to make a preliminary decision quickly. They'll thank you for it by continuing to read (and continuing to get to know you, if only on paper).

Stay on the BrightSide.

Writing a Resume Objective

A resume objective can make or break your resume. For some "seasoned" HR employees they simply skip over the resume objective since people put so much "fluff" in them they have lost all their meaning.

For others the resume objective is read and "fluff" or not ... they know what kind of resume they have based on what's been written!

Regardless of WHO reads it or HOW its read the resume objective for most resume templates is at the top of the page! So it's often the 1st section of a resume that's "seen" if not read.

Since you have NO idea if the person you have sent your resume to views the resume objective as important or not it's important to assume they do and write a resume objective that stands out!

The resume objective should, generally speaking, be a sentence or two long and basically answer the question of "why are you the best candidate for the job".

For this reason every resume you submit should have a unique resume objective targeting the specific position you are applying for!

In each position you apply for you should have a fairly extensive job description describing the position and the key qualities they are looking for. This is your "cliff notes" to EXACTLY what you need to put into the resume objective.

For example ... here is a typical job description for the role of a "Supervisor" (specific references to the employer have been removed).

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Primary Job Requirements: Develop the team by conducting regular training, meetings, coaching and monthly/bi-annual employee assessments. Motivate, coach and reward Representatives for improved performance in areas such as: Resolution, Satisfaction, Quality, Productivity, Handle Time, Adherence, Availability, Attendance and Behaviors. Responsible for daily workflow, queue management and consistent reporting functions. Proactively work to identify problems and related solutions that may hinder employee performance. Maintain accurate and complete time keeping and employee records. Partner and handle department specific projects to improve workflow and enhance existing processes. Handle and facilitate individual development of direct reports, as well as, HR and performance related disciplinary actions in a timely manner, when appropriate. Conduct meetings and presentations on various topics, including training, policies and procedures. Support the hiring and training process by conducting interviews and making recommendations for hire. Responsible for resolving escalations and working directly with members, as necessary, to meet the overall team objectives.

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You can see from both the requirements some of the critical elements this employer is looking for are:

Employee coaching Work volume/queue management

Most of what the employer has asked for falls into these categories. So your resume objective should highlight these key elements! Do NOT forget that even though most companies try to emphasize the "soft skills" for management/supervisor positions you need to remember that it is also about the bottom line (i.e. increasing productivity and/or generating revenue)

A resume objective for the above position might read something like:

Objective - To use my 5+ years of exemplary supervisor experience and performance motivating and coaching a team of employees to increase productivity and maintain 100% work volume.

The key to writing a good resume objective is knowing what needs to be in the resume objective and what can been demonstrated in the resume itself.

ASCII Resumes: An Essential Ingredient to Today's Job Search

ASCII (pronounced ask-ee) stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. So what's that mean?

Computers can only read numbers. Technically speaking, ASCII is a numerical representation of the letters, digits, punctuation marks, and other symbols used in conversational English. It was created in 1968 to allow data processors to "talk" to each other and, although it's been upgraded, ASCII continues to be the "alphabet" almost all computers use to communicate.

That said, when a hiring manager asks for an ASCII or "text-only" version of your resume, all you really need to know is that they're looking for an unformatted, plain-text document.

ASCII documents do not contain underlining, boldface, italics, bullets, rule lines, graphics, font choices, or any of the formatting pizzazz you're used to with contemporary word processors. Because ASCII files are content-driven, they usually lack uniqueness and visual appeal.

So why would you want to deliver such a "bare bones" document to someone you're aiming to impress?

There are several reasons:

1. VERSATILITY --

ASCII documents are universally readable by any computer in the United States. Delivering your resume in ASCII prevents compatibility issues between applications. Here are a few situations to demonstrate how file-format incompatibilities can obstruct your candidacy.

Situation #1: You deliver your resume in Adobe FrameMaker or Acrobat format, but your target company only uses MS Word. Result: The target company cannot open your attachment and fails to view your resume.

Situation #2: Your resume uses features only available in the latest version of (say) MS Word, but your target company uses an earlier version. Result: The target company cannot open the file and your efforts are wasted.

Situation #3: You create a resume using a font that is not a standard part of the Windows or Macintosh operating systems, and your target company hasn't installed that same font. Result: The target company will, in this case, be able to open the file. However, your resume will not appear as you intended. Among other problems, characters unique to the font you used will be rendered as unintelligible symbols.

In all cases, it's unlikely that the company is going to ask you to resend your resume. They'll just move on to the next candidate.

2. EASE --

ASCII resumes can be "cut & pasted" directly into the body of an email message or web-based form, without compromising the resume's format. If you tried the same trick straight from word-processing applications such as Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, or Adobe FrameMaker, you'd sacrifice most of your resume formatting as well as introduce ugly line breaks and non-standard characters, making your credentials substantially harder to discern.

3. SPEED --

Because ASCII resumes can be embedded in an email message, you can avoid sending email attachments, which saves the hiring manager the time and effort of downloading and opening your file.

4. SAFETY --

Email attachments can carry viruses. Wary recipients may delete your email and its attachment altogether to avoid crashing their system. This really happens, especially in HR departments! By sending your resume embedded in email, you eliminate this possibility.

5. CONVERTIBILITY --

ASCII resumes are easily transplanted from the body of an email message into an employer's database, so your resume is searchable immediately.

6. SCANNABILITY --

Busy companies often use scanning software or Electronic Applicant Tracking Systems (EATS) such as Resumix or ResTrac to wade through their candidate pool. ASCII resumes are ideal, and therefore preferred, for scanning since they do not contain unusual bullets, fonts, or graphics that computers often have a hard time deciphering.

7. MOBILITY --

ASCII resumes embedded in email are simple to pass around the office. A Human Resources representative simply forwards your message and the recipient can begin examining your credentials within seconds without having to open a separate program.

8. MARKETABILITY --

Sending along an ASCII resume, especially one that's been edited and laid out carefully, proves you are technologically adept and, in the event that your target company requests such a resume, a good listener.

9. VISIBILITY --

Job boards are a great way to get your resume seen by hundreds, even thousands, of employers. These sites almost always require an ASCII version of your resume.

If you choose to use job boards, you may want to protect yourself by eliminating your street address and personal phone number(s) from your resume. Also, dating the resume is a good idea, since it will inevitably circulate the web for several months.

Perhaps you're still unconvinced that you need an ASCII resume. Chances are (especially if you're applying to a larger corporation) that your beautifully formatted non-ASCII resume will be converted into a plain text file so that it can be scanned more easily by the recipient's computer system. So why bother to duplicate their effort?

Our answer: To improve your chances of being noticed.

In converting a non-ASCII document, such as an MS Word file, to ASCII, all of the character formatting (font selection, point size, style) as well as the non-character formatting (margin settings, soft line breaks, section breaks, tab settings, graphics, tables) disappear. Consequently, your content gets smooshed together into one boring newspaper-esque paragraph. Crucial information gets buried. Job titles, statistics, company names, and dates all drown in a sea of undifferentiated text.

Although search engines can navigate such a messy document, many hiring managers can't (or give up quickly after they start). All else being equal, a resume that's hard to read (whether it's your fault or not) results in fewer interviews.

To avoid becoming a casualty of corporate resume-processing technology, plan ahead. Convert your resume before they do, so you can correct all of the formatting inconsistencies and beautify the layout as much as possible before the hiring managers see it.

Like a fine wine is to a five-star dinner, an ASCII resume is the perfect complement to your formatted resume. It shows you're aware of how resumes are processed and that you are committed to making your credentials stand out from the crowd.

You'll impress the hiring team with your technological aptitude and preparedness, and show them that you not only have excellent communication and presentation skills, but that you respect and value their time.

Career Coach Answers Top Resume Questions

As a career coach there are resume questions that I'm asked by nearly every client. If you are a job seeker you've probably struggled with these same issues. Below are answers to many of the most frequently asked resume questions.

Q: How many pages should my resume be?

A: It depends on your level of experience and how complex the position you are applying for. While a one-page resume is appropriate for recent college grads, two or three pages is better for persons with several years professional experience. Readability is a very important factor. Never try to squeeze text unto a page to make it fit. Resume screener seldom read tightly packed text.

Q: How many years should my resume cover?

A: The key is relevance. You do not need to include every job you've held since high school. Only go back as far as is relevant and supports your current career objective.

Q: Why are key words important?

A: Key words are essential in our age of electronic resume tracking. Most often resumes are stored in a data base. Recruiters use key words to retrieve resumes of qualified candidates. If your resume is missing the appropriate key words it will be ignored no matter how qualified you are. Job postings are a great source for identifying relevant key words.

Q: How do I sell my skills in my resume?

A: With today's level of competition, this is the most important resume issue. Your resume must SELL you as the top candidate. If your resume focuses only on your qualifications, what makes you stand out over several hundred applicants with identical qualifications? The solution is accomplishments. Pepper your resume with accomplishments to illustrate your skills. Your accomplishments should demonstrate how you have saved time, increased efficiency, cut costs, improved performance etc. Every employer is looking for individuals who can help achieve bottom-line initiatives. First make sure you know what skills employers are looking for.

Q: What do I do about blanks in my work history?

A: Many people take time out from work for various reasons: caring for elderly parents, health problems, raising children, going back to school or extended period of time searching for employment. Every year should be accounted for in your resume to avoid suspicion by resume screeners, because they will always assume the worse. A simple one or two line entry should suffice, such as:

Student, Washington State University, 2003-2005 Took time out to pursue MBA. Focused studies on Finance and Accounting. Obtained honors for top 2% of graduating class.

Don't forget to include volunteer positions as a way of maintaining professional skills. All relevant experience counts on your resume.

Q: Do I always need dates?

A: Yes. Always. With one exception, it is sometimes appropriate to leave dates off education to avoid dating yourself. Opinion is divided on this however, so it is best to include educational dates unless you feel strongly that you'll be discriminated against.

Q: How do I compensate for little experience?

A: Use accomplishments that show how you: * learned a new skill, * went beyond the call of duty, * improved a procedure or process. Every employer is looking for candidates who show initiative. Remember, a little personal drive goes a long way toward convincing an employer that you are the best candidate for the job.

Q: How do I avoid seeming over qualified?

A: First, include only the education level stated as required in the job posting. Do not include a doctorate degree if the position requires a BA. Second, if the position doesn't include management responsibilities focus your resume on your individual contributions and leave out team leadership information. Without the right resume, it is harder to climb down the corporate ladder than up.

Hopefully these answers provide insight to your own resume dilemma. In today's tough job market an effective resume is the number on tool for gaining interviews and getting hired. Good luck!

Writing a Research Paper

If you are a college or university student studying for one or another professional or academic qualification, chances are that you will have to undertake a research project as part of your course - and write a research paper out of it.

Many people view the task of writing a research paper as a difficult one; which it need not be if you go about it in the right way. Incidentally, most of the people who come to experience difficulties when writing their research papers tend to be those who opt to do it at the very last moment (when the deadline is fast approaching), which more often than not leads to not only the perception that research paper writing is a difficult undertaking, but also in mediocre results. Therefore, the first step towards easy research paper writing is making adequate time for the task, and ideally starting on it as soon as you are given the assignment; rather than waiting for the deadline to draw near before getting started. Research-paper writing is usually preceded by the identification of a research topic. The way this is done varies from school to school, and even from course to course. In some schools, the instructors walk with the students through the process of research topic identification; whereas in some schools, it is upon the students to work out a research topic for themselves- and then submit it to their instructors for approval (or rejection).

Research topic identification done away with, the next step towards research paper writing is undertaking the research itself; and recording (in raw form) the findings that are later to go into the research paper. Depending on the subject of study at hand, the methods used for the research might be anything from simply going into the library and reading what various authors have to say on the research topic, getting into a laboratory and conducting laboratory research on the topic given and the various things that appertain to it, or yet still going out into the community, conducting interviews and surveys, and putting the data revealed on the surveys together in the research paper.

When it finally gets to putting down your research findings onto paper (in writing the research paper), the task of research-paper writing has to start with the creation of a title page for the whole document (though some schools, especially those using MLM style of writing) might not insist on the need for the use of the title page. The title page is followed by a table of contents - though this might be a bit superfluous for the smallest of research papers. Still, it is best to include a table of content to make the work more professional-looking. The table of contents is typically followed by an introduction, which is in turn followed by the body of research paper (describing the research and its findings).

This has to be written as per the rules of academic writing (in terms of the tone, proper citation and so on). The rules of academic writing have, of course, to be employed in keeping with the general rules of good writing, including use of short clear sentences, avoidance of ambiguities, use of logical paragraphs and so on. At the end of it research paper is a conclusion section, simply made of the conclusions made from the research, followed by glossaries of abbreviations (and other things that might need special explanations) used in the document; followed by a bibliography, where all literature cited in the research paper is credited.

Ten Tips for Job Search Interviews

Your job search begins with the hope of finding a job you'll love and ends when you find that job after obtaining an interview. Often, job seekers become so involved in their job search, especially in filling out numerous applications and following up on jobs with little results, that they are at a loss for what to do next when finally they are contacted by a potential employer for an interview. Use these ten tips to help you stay prepared for that interview phone call during your job search.
1 Get Yourself an Interview
If no one is contacting you or if you are interested in a particular company, follow up and get yourself an interview with the hiring manager. Once you obtain an interview, follow the steps just the same and prepare to bring your job search to an end.

2 Be Available
Whether you followed up many times or were invited to interview with a company, be available to interview as soon as possible and try to make it at the hiring manager's convenience. If you currently hold another job, make arrangements around the days or the hours you work. You want a potential employer to know you are interested in meeting with them and are grateful for the opportunity.

3 Be Ready to Go
Many job seekers claim to be available to start immediately. Employers are busy people and like potential employees to be available at their convenience. Make all necessary arrangements beforehand so that you may begin working soon after your interview. For example, if you have small children now would be the time to find childcare for them.

4 Research the Company
Visit their website and explore their mission statements, specific job descriptions, and history. The interviewer will be impressed by your knowledge and you will have a foundation for forming questions of your own.

5 Get Familiar with Interview Questions of all Kinds
Gone are the days of typical, non-thought provoking job interview questions. Employers are thinking big and getting creative with their questions today. Search the Internet for job interview questions of all kinds so you won't be caught off guard.

6 Rehearse with a Friend
Print out the job interview questions you found most difficult to answer and rehearse answering them with a friend. Have your friend give you honest input on your best answers and the ones you should work on.

7 Have References in Order
Alert anyone you named as reference for your interview; this will allow them to make themselves available to chat with your potential employer, if need be.

8 Have Your Résumé Ready
Make sure your resume is updated and relevant to the job. Carry a few copies with you just in case.

9 Dress to Impress and for Success
Shop for the perfect interview wardrobe during your job search so you aren't out looking for something to wear the day you have an interview scheduled.

10 Write a Thank You Letter Beforehand
Write a job-specific thank you letter to mail out immediately after your interview and drop it in the mail box whether or not you think it went well.

Being prepared throughout your job search for the interviews you will eventually land shows employers you are serious about getting a job and you'll be interviewing and working in no time.

Dressing for Interview Success

Making snap judgements about people is human nature, and a lot of interviewers believe that a candidate's dress code says a lot about him or her. Make the right impression on the interviewers by thinking carefully about what to wear on the big day.

Not that long ago, interviewers expected all candidates to turn up in suits. Now, an increasing number of organisations have relaxed their dress codes, and it has become impossible to prescribe how to dress for just about any interview.

Always call ahead and ask about the dress code. Or, if you are at all uncertain, then go on a scouting trip and watch the flow of people as they go in and out of the building where you are to be interviewed. However, even if the majority of the staff seem to dress casually, do be careful as many interviewers may dress smartly specifically for interviews.

Wearing a suit may not always be your best option. For example, people in creative roles in industries such as fashion, advertising, and media often talk scathingly about suits - people in (what they see as) boring roles such as finance, operations, and human resources. No matter what, be sure to think about your clothes.

If in doubt, go smart. Being slightly overdressed is always better than being underdressed (you can always take off your tie and undo a top button). For men, this means the following:

Wear a dark suit: Navy blue and grey are the most acceptable colours. Black can come across as a bit fune-real. And buy a classic cut with a two- or three-button jacket rather than trying to follow the latest fashion.

Wear a plain: long-sleeved shirt: Pick a pale colour such as light blue or white. If you suffer from sweating, then wear a white t-shirt underneath to prevent wet patches from showing.

Wear a plain silk tie: Patterns can be distracting. Let your words rather than your tie entertain the interviewers.  Wear black shoes: Opt for plain lace-ups without fancy buckles. Polish your shoes. One school of thought amongst interviewers says that unpolished shoes are the sign of a disorganised mind. Understanding the guidelines

How To Get A Job - Prioritize Or Die

Look, saying your job search will die if you can't prioritize are strong words. Of course, people find jobs every day without having a plan ... or even knowing what the word "prioritize" even means.

But unless you want to depend mostly on luck, you need to have a plan, you need to prioritize that plan, and you need to work that plan.

So, how do you prioritize your job search?

1. Set Goals

Without knowing where you're going, you'll never even know if you get there. The first step is to define what you're looking for in the job you seek. What is important to you? What does that job look like?

But your goal should not be limited to just your ultimate goal, that of getting a job. You should have monthly, weekly, and daily goals as well. For instance, maybe your daily goal is to find 2, or 3, or 10 new leads. Or a certain number of new networking sources. Or a certain number of companies hiring. Or a certain number of interviews scheduled. Smaller goals help you stay on track, give you small successes, and help you stay motivated whereas a large goal can sometimes be overwhelming.

2. Develop A Routine

Believe me, structure helps. Rather than having to re-plan every day, over and over again, when you have a set structure you just do what you do everyday. Saves time. Saves energy.

Your structure might be determined by the day of the week, or by certain hours of each day. Setup your structure based on efficiency. For instance, most people (not all) seem to have the most "brain power" first thing in the morning. So, when setting up your daily structure, try to do things that require the most thought, creativity or brain power for that time of the day. Some people schedule things they like the least first, knowing that once they get those things over with they can move on to more enjoyable tasks.

3. Avoid The "Time Thieves"

Probably the biggest complaint I hear from job seekers is that they never really get to the important things because of all the little issues and problems that arise during the day. If you have kids, you know what I'm talking about.

It is critical that your structure predetermines what happens during the times you schedule as far as interruptions. It is best to set up some rules ... during certain time slots such as: You don't take ANY phone calls. You are NOT interrupted for any reason. And you totally focus on the task at hand, you do NOT multitask.

Obviously, if your kitchen catches on fire or some other real emergency arises your rules can be broken. But unless you really enforce your rules the time thieves will insidiously eat at your resolve until they're constantly interrupting the important things you need to be doing.

7 Travel Job Search Tips

Looking for your ideal job? Maybe you're looking for a part time job or a completely new lifestyle. We would all prefer 'easy money' jobs over hard labor jobs. The job that everyone is after involves less demanding work, good pay and wonderful perks. Travel jobs have those qualities and gives you the opportunity to experience the world and have one of a kind adventures.

If you are currently unemployed, you must understand that you still have a job. Your job is to find a job! And it is a full-time job until you find one! But with all the motivation and desperation, finding the best travel job can be quite difficult.

Here are seven sure fire tips that you can definitely take advantage of:

1.Cast a wide net

The old but sound advice of narrowing your job search based on your preferences and career goals may be a bit outdated. Don't get me wrong; on a case to case basis, it could still work. But we are now in a tight economy and it is better to broaden your scope. Be less idealistic.

Don't get too choosy. After all, you still have other tools in your toolbox, right? Expand your possibilities.

2.Having a job doesn't mean you're working for some else

Be your own boss. Finding travel jobs does not mean finding an employer to hire you as a unit of their workforce.

If you have special skills, like for example, in photography or in writing, you can always freelance and sell your work. On line assistants can work from anywhere in the world. Get hired for freelance work from organizations and create partnerships.

This may lead to being offered a more full time position with a company and if you want it you should take it.

3.Networking and Referrals: the vehicles that will take you to your job

See every encounter as a potential job opportunity. Talk to former classmates, distant relatives, your gym buddies; if everybody around you know about your availability. Sometimes the job will come to you. This is the power of networking.

If prospects become unsuccessful, it won't hurt to ask for referrals. Sometimes, you are given more than one. Referrals are new prospects. If still a failure, just continue asking for referrals. Eventually, you will get to that 'YES!' moment!

4.On line attack

Search travel jobs on the net. Register to all online job search sites you can find. Spread your resume. Create a professional sounding email and send applications.

5.Update you resume

Always keep your resumes up-to-date. Try to customize your resumes suitable to the criteria of the travel job you wish to get.

6.Every failure is a step to success

It sounds like something Confucius might have said. But in your quest to find the travel job you want, it is entirely true.

Always consider that unsuccessful interviews have lessons in them you should be able to pick up. Determine what employers want from their potential workers. There will surely be patterns and you can use the knowledge on your future interviews.

7.Volunteer

Volunteering can open doors. It expands your network and you learn new things. Its a great way to get in on the ground floor of an organization and you'd be surprised what kind of connections you can make.

How To Get A Job - The Daily Secret To Success

So, you need to find a job. Hopefully one you enjoy, and one that pays you enough for all your needs. You're committed to your job search. Now it's time to proceed.

But wait. Answer this question: "what is the single most important thing you need to do to find success with your job search?"

It's called Planning and Prioritizing.

(Okay, that's two things ... but I'm lumping them together into the one most important thing you need to do. Obviously, while we're being so transparent here, you can plan and prioritize 'til you're blue in the face and it won't get you a new job ... there are other things you need to do. But without Planning and Prioritizing, everything else you do will be hit or miss. That's why I say this is the most important "secret" to finding the dream job you want.)

Weekly Planning and Prioritizing.

Commit to spending at least 30 minutes a week (I think Sunday is the best day for this), and another 10 minutes at the beginning of each day (or the night before) writing down a job search to-do list, and then prioritizing that list. Do this consistently until it's a habit, one you do without fail.

Why?

Because otherwise your efforts will be all over the place. You will constantly only deal with daily living issues that come up, you will be distracted by all the little things that always are trying to steal your time.

You need to be totally FOCUSED on your job search, at least during certain periods of time while you accomplish everything you have on your to-do list for the day.

To-Do List

For your to-do list, I prefer to make a "macro" list for the week on Sunday. I'm usually relaxed on Sunday, and can think about my list without being so rushed. I list everything I can think of. I use three columns:

1. Immediate Things-To-Do 2. Most Important Things-To-Do 3. Other Things-To-Do

Prioritize

This is where most people have issues. What is most important? Is it better to do a bunch of little, faster items or to work on one big thing to do? Should you dig up new leads? Expand your network? Cultivate the leads you already have?

The Answer Is "Balance"

Ideally, on a typical day, you should work on all components of your job search. This would include:

1. Generating New Leads 2. Following Up On Previous Leads 3. Arranging Interviews 4. Preparing For Interviews

If something important comes up, say an important interview, it's okay to temporarily set aside other things on your to-do list to focus on that opportunity. But, overall, try to spend time in each of the 4 areas mentioned above on a consistent basis.

How to Create an Award Winning Resume in 3 Steps

Step #1: The Heading

It only takes 3 meaningful steps to create an award winning resume that gets noticed by recruiters, HR professionals or hiring managers, and it has to be value-based. Meaning it has to show a prospective employer how you can contribute to their bottom line, solve their problems, and meet their needs. It has to show that value quickly and up front where it counts. You have 15-20 seconds to make an impression, so why leave important details that are specific to the job you are applying for at the end?

Think of the hiring professional as your customer, and your resume as the product you are marketing or trying to sell. A good salesman sells a product to a prospective customer based on product benefits, and how that product will add more value to the purchaser's lifestyle. Consumers, especially now with the downturn of the economy, buy products based on value, not merely based on price.

Now back to your resume. When your resume is what Certified Professional Resume Writers such as myself, call "value-based," it communicates the benefits you will bring to the prospective employer if you are hired, and it answers the question, "Why should I hire you?" While your long or short work history is important, your education, and your skills, employers look for the value you will bring to their organization when reading your resume, and you have 15-20 seconds or less in which to do that.

Thinking a little differently about your resume huh? Well you should! Always write your resume from an employers view, not your view because the employer is your audience. You're not going out there to hire yourself!

There are only 3 important sections of your resume that will make it a value-based one, the heading, the showcase, and the evidence.

Heading: This is your 1st step and the easiest to do. The heading includes the basic contact information for the hiring employer to reach you. It generally includes your name, street address, city or town, state, zip code, a telephone number to reach you at (home and/or cell phone), and your email address. It's okay to put the name that people call you by, for example most people who have the 1st name of William, are often called Bill, depending on the job you are applying for. If the job is a highly conservative one, you may want to use William instead. As far as your address I wouldn't use a PO Box, and your email should be a professional one.

Step #2: The Showcase

Here's where you are going to show your value to a prospective employer, so it's the most crucial part of your resume. It has to answer the question "Why should I hire you?" This may be the most difficult part to create. It has to be hard-hitting, impactful and clearly communicate your value, so you need to take some time when creating this part.

Sit down and write everything about yourself that makes you unique with each position you had from the current to the previous. Ask your friends and colleagues what they like most about you. Remember employers want to know how you can make a difference in their organization and enhance their bottom line. Your intentions are to spark enough interest in the reader to read the rest of your resume in 2-5 short phrases using a creative format. This format will serve as your billboard. For examples on how a typical billboard will look, just ask me and I can send them to you.

Step #3: The Evidence

This last section is simply going to include the rest of your resume such as employment history, education, any certifications, awards, recognitions, or affiliates not included in the showcase section, and it has to back up what you stated in the showcase section, that's why it's called "the evidence". If you included a Career Summary and a Professional Strengths section, then a hiring manager better see the evidence here.

When listing your work history, don't just list job duties, and try to stay away from the phrase "Responsible for". Accomplishments or achievements get you hired, not job responsibilities. The hiring manager already knows the responsibilities of the position they are trying to fill. Can you see why I said previously in Step #2, write your resume from an employer's point of view, not yours, because it's the employer that is your audience. It makes sense to do so.

If I'm looking to hire an administrative assistant, I already know what they do. All administrative assistants basically do the same thing. So, what's going to separate you from the other 200 administrative assistants that sent me their resumes? You really need to think about that. Refer back to the list of things you wrote about you in Step #2, and incorporate it into your work history.

An employer wants to see the results of your work, not just your job duties and responsibilities. But, only those things that brought sustained results to the company. You're not going to list everything that you did. You're going to list only those things that brought the greatest rewards or results to your employer. I can't write that for you, you have to know these things about yourself. Only you know you! Make sense? Anywhere you can use quantitative measurements, use them, especially in a sales position. Numbers speak louder than words.

Overall a 1-2 page resume depending to your work history is just fine. But remember it has to be reader friendly, visually pleasing to read, and filled with those action verbs that are emotionally charging. Now you can see how important this marketing tool is, and the impact it will have on your success. Creating a value-based resume will make your resume an award winning one that gets you job interviews! Now, go forth and be successful!

Exceptional Resumes = Interviews!

Is Your Resume Generating the Interviews You Deserve? Research results indicate that:

• Only one interview is granted for every 50 to 100 resumes received by the average employer.
• Initially your resume will be perused quickly (about 15 seconds worth) rather than read thoroughly.
• The decision to interview a prospective candidate is usually based on an overall first impression of the document.
• The top 50% of the first page of your resume will either win you an interview or lead to the circular file.
• A superior resume can position you for a 10% to 30% or more gain in your starting salary.

That's the reason it's so important to capture the reader's interest immediately. Picture yourself as a hiring decision-maker who is searching for a candidate with specific qualifications. To present yourself as the truly exceptional candidate, your resume has to appeal directly to the employer's needs.

So, think of your resume as an advertisement - a well-written ad designed to get the reader to call you for an interview. To write an effective resume, you have to be able to write powerful yet subtle ad copy. Then, you must know how to sell a product in which you are personally invested. That product is you.

If you are like most people, you have underestimated your value in the employment market and do not enjoy the thought of selling anything, let alone yourself. And, like most people, you may not fully realize the depth of skills, accomplishments and expertise you have to offer. Choosing the best format for your particular background and situation is yet another important factor to be considered. What seems appropriate for one person may not necessarily present you in the best light, depending upon your particular employment history.

Does Your Resume Reveal Any Potential Liabilities?

Review your resume to determine the overall impact it may have on the reader. Does it present any of the following potential obstacles toward serious consideration? If so, make sure to minimize those factors to present your best advantage on paper.

• Your experience is unrelated to your stated goal.
• Your education is unrelated to your stated goal.
• Your job titles are not progressive or similar to the type of position you are seeking.
• You have been unemployed for several years.
• Your experience history dates back 20 or more years.
• You have held a series of positions in only a few years.
• Your work history shows gaps.
• You appear to be short on achievements or appear to have none at all.
• Your experience is too narrow, too generalized or too specialized.
• Your experience is in other industries or in only one industry.
• Your career appears to be moving laterally.
• You have not been promoted.
• You lack sufficient education or training.
• You lack a needed requirement.
• You have held one position/title throughout your employment history.

To increase your career opportunities at the best possible compensation package, present a peerless resume. Remember, you only have one chance to make the right first impression. Isn't your career worth it?

3 Reasons Never to Include Your Street Address on Your Resume

1. Personal Safety

If you post your resume online, you're opening yourself to security risk. Most of us wouldn't include our home address on Facebook posts, personal Web pages, or tweets but we never think twice about putting it on our online resumes for the entire world to see.

We want employers to contact us, right? Sure, but what about unsavory sorts like identity thieves? They could use your street address to gain access to your personal financial information. And let's not even discuss all of the other sordid people out their cruising the information highway. The odds of falling victim to scams or other acts of foul play are slim but, as I explain below, why not eliminate risk completely while gaining a competitive advantage at the same time.

2. Rejection Letters

Eliminating your street address can actually pay dividends. Without a street address, companies cannot send you a form rejection letter after interviewing you. Instead, reputable employers will be bound by professional courtesy to give you a rejection phone call. What's the advantage, you might ask? With a phone call you have dialogue and one more opportunity to sell your value.

Suppose the company has already selected another candidate, you now have an opportunity to ask about other openings in the company and to describe how you could be an asset to the company in another role. If the caller is familiar with you (perhaps he or she interviewed you), you could say, "I know I have a lot of value to offer the right company and I'd like to perform better on future interviews. Would you mind telling me what you thought my biggest strengths and weaknesses were from our interview?" Most likely, the person on the other end of the line will be more than happy to help you (it eases the guilt of having to deliver bad news).

And if the company has not made its final hiring decision, you just might make an impression over the phone that makes them reconsider your qualifications.

3. Economic Profiling

Here's where your street address can take a real chunk out of your wallet. The Internet age gives job seekers a wealth of resources for conducting job searches, but it provides just as many powerful tools for employers. And those tools can directly affect salary offers.

Include your street address and employers can use online search engines (think zillo.com) to determine the value of your property, the median income in your neighborhood or how much you paid for your home and develop a salary offer based on your current economic situation. If you live in a lower income area, companies can reliably assume that you will accept a lower salary offer. If you live in a super posh neighborhood, they might overlook you thinking they can't afford your salary requirements.

Several of my colleagues just conducted an impromptu survey of HR professionals and found that most agree your physical address is not essential information to provide on your resume. Several respondents posed a very interesting reason for not including your physical address, one that I had not considered when writing this article: some employers will look at your street address to determine how long your work commute would be. Some actually weed out good candidates simply because they feel the commute might be too long.

The bottom line is that you control your contact information, and you need to use that asset to your advantage. All they really need is your phone number, city, and state, and email address. I never include street addresses.

Acing The Interview - Getting the Job

Today the economy is struggling and people are looking for work-lots of people. Many of these job candidates are highly educated. This is probably the most educated workforce in all of history. So getting a job can be a real challenge. There is a lot of qualified competition out there. Even though you probably already know how to talk with people and even feel confident going into an interview, why not give yourself the competitive employment edge by studying up with an employment guide to interviews as you embark on your mission to find a job.

An employment resource guide to interviews can help you get the edge on your competition by properly preparing you in advance and coaching you so that you will leave a positive lasting impression when you get an interview. Here are some of the topics a good resource guide will provide to help you ace the interview and land the job you desire.

They say you only get one chance to make a first impression and this is never more true than in a job interview. If you fail on your first attempt, you probably won't get a second chance. So your appearance is very important. An effective resource guide will stress the importance of dressing like a professional-even to the point of overdressing to make a positive impression. It will also help you focus on details you might otherwise miss that all combine to leave a lasting, positive impression and increase your chance of getting the job.

Such a guide will also help you attend to the details that can make or break your interview. These may be little things you just don't think of in advance because you're stressed out about the interview. But it will help you refocus on them. For example, never chew gum at an interview. If possible, leave your cell phone in the car. And don't rush in at the last minute. Instead, prepare in advance and get there early. A good employment guide to interviews will stress all these points and more, because these are the little things that add up to an image of professionalism.

Another important tool that job seekers should be aware of from this employment resource guide to interviews is that you should go into an interview fully versed in the company that you are speaking with. This means you need to do some quick research to see what the company does, what the company history is and where you might fit in with the company culture and vision.

As you learn about the organization, that should also spur some questions of your own, and you should write them down and take them with you. At a certain point during the interview, you will usually be asked if you have questions, and this is the time for you to get answers. If you don't ask questions, it actually seems like you are ill prepared, uninterested, or have nothing to bring to the organization. So you'll need at least a few things to ask-either about the organization or the specific job-to show interest and initiative.

An employment guide to interviews explains in more depth why this is important, but essentially this helps differentiate you from other candidates, gives the interviewer more detailed information about you, and also makes you more memorable. That is, if your questions are well thought out and articulate, so be sure to ask good questions.

These are just a handful of the important tips, techniques and strategies that you can obtain from a full employment guide to interviews. If you remember all of the above, you will already have an edge over your competition. You will help yourself stand out, you will impress your interviewer and you will come off as completely professional and worthy of being hired. Use this employment resource guide to interviews to jumpstart your job seeking efforts and land the new gig you have been waiting for. With this competitive job market, there's never been a more important time to master these ideals.

Using an Employment Guide to Find a Job

As you can well imagine, looking for a job poses no real challenge at all, but it's actually finding a job that's the hard part. Once you embark on your mission to find employment, you may soon discover that an employment guide is worth its weight in gold. Not only can a good employment resource guide provide you with the necessary tools to ensure that interviews go smoothly, but it can also help you to navigate through the job market.

Pen Your Resume. Considering that you cannot even apply for a job until such time you have written your resume, it only makes sense that you do so before you even start looking through the classified ads. In this respect, an employment resource guide can be invaluable in that it can help you in gathering all the necessary information and then putting it down on paper. Remember, your resume should not only show what professional experience you have, but it should also highlight your skills and the education you have. Above all, it needs to be written in such a way so that it stands out from the crowd, bearing in mind that hiring managers receive numerous resumes and you want yours to be noticed. Providing you use a good employment resource guide, you should then have a blueprint for a first class, professional looking resume.

Discuss Your Desires With Friends and Family. One of the best resources in terms of job leads is your friends and family members. Practically all employment guides will suggest that you speak to your friends and family members in order to determine whether or not there are job vacancies at the different companies they work for. Of course, friends are also sometimes able to advise you as to whether or not the company they work for is busy hiring.

The Value of Newspapers. As you no doubt already know, classified ads are one of the first places people look when they're searching for a job. The only problem is that you are not the only one looking in the classifieds, in that there are hundreds, if not thousands of others doing the exact same thing. Once again, an employment resource guide can help you to determine which adds are worthwhile pursuing and which ones you should simply choose to ignore.

Make Use of Online Job Boards

Get In Touch With Those Companies That Interest You. If you know of any particular companies that you would like to work for, you could of course go ahead and cold call them. In addition to calling them, you could send in your resume together with a professionally written cover letter. Remember, not all companies bother advertising each and every position which becomes available, and as such, you just might strike it lucky. If you decide to take this approach, then your cover letter should ideally allow some room with regards to your choice of positions. Furthermore, it should also place some emphasis on your skills and any experience you may have which the company may deem as being beneficial.

Follow Up. After you send your resume and cover letter, give it a week or two, and then follow up. An employment guide will tell you to include in your cover letter that you will be following up within a certain amount of time. Do include this information, but then make sure that you actually do it. Give the hiring manager a call; ask if they have any questions or if they need any further information.

The importance of being creative. The job market to day is vastly different to what it was in the past, in that many industries, businesses, and corporations are quite literally flooded with applications. With such a tremendous amount of competition it can be extremely challenging to have your application noticed, and to have it stand out above the rest. In order to achieve this, your application needs to be as creative as possible. In other words, you need to come up with something which a hiring manager will find to be interesting and tempting. For example, you could go as far as including a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation outlining any relevant experience you may have, as well as your various skills and accomplishments. If you find you're at a loss with regards to a creative idea then of course you should check with an employment resource guide.

Write a Thank You Note. Any employment guide will tell you that the interview does not end when you walk out of the office. No, that hiring manager is thinking about you, considering you, all the while talking to and thinking about many other applicants. Keep your name fresh in that hiring manager's mind by sending a thank you note after the interview. Keep it simple and brief, telling him or her how excited you are and how you see yourself contributing to the company or project. Also thank them for taking the time to see you. It could be the one thing that sets you apart. And in this market, that is exactly what you want.

Expert Resumes: The Latest Tips

It seems no matter how good we have it, we all want a better job. That means keeping track of job listings, networking, tracking down leads, analyzing potential employers and scheduling interviews. But these depend on other people, word of mouth, and the quality and quantity of job postings available at any given time.

Only your resume gives you total control over how you're perceived by potential employers. It doesn't have to be a passive job listing with subjective information on why you think you're a great and wonderful person (which of course you are).

You need a high-impact career marketing piece that takes full advantage of the paltry 10-60 seconds of attention most resumes receive.

Perhaps you don't think of you're a very good writer, and just don't like "writing about yourself." You're not alone: even published authors and top-flight executives who visit my office tell me they have trouble writing a decent resume. They also tell me, "My resume isn't perfect, but I'll explain myself in the interview."

However, you may be the perfect candidate for a position and still not get the interview, for no other reason than your resume. Resumes are typically used to exclude people from positions more often then include them; whomever is left in the 'potential' stack gets called for an interview.

The bottom line? What employers want to know from each person "sitting" on their desk is: What can you do for me? How can you fill this job effectively? Why should I talk to you?

Use a Profile to Focus on Keywords --

Pre-digest your information; boil it down to keywords related to essential skills and abilities. These can be as basic as sales, marketing, client relations, target marketing, project management, budget planning or forecasting.

Once you have these items, group similar words together and list your level of proficiency, for example:

Skilled in sales, marketing and new business development, including full responsibility for account acquisition and management. Proficient in total project management, from technical staff training to product design, development and rollout in major national markets.

Comprehensive experience in finance, accounting and C-level audits, including strategic planning, team training, quality control and client relations. This gives you total control over how you're perceived by employers. Without this section, you're basically a victim of your work experience and education, and what if your most recent experience isn't related to your current career goals?

Consistently Market Your Skills and Abilities --

Steer clear of fluff words such as "Self-motivated, hands-on professional with an excellent track record of..." Let's face it. The first two items in this sentence could be said about almost anyone. As for your track record, let the employer decide if it's excellent by reading about your abilities (on top) and your duties and accomplishments (under the Employment section).

This can be the most difficult task on any resume, and it has to be written just right. If it's subjective or contains ideas that can't be verified through education or experience, then don't include it, or you'll lose your credibility. Consider getting advice from a Certified Professional Resume Writer who typically won't charge for a review.

A Title or Objective? --

Think of a basic Title or Objective for the top of your resume. This is typically very brief, just one or two words: SALES / MARKETING or ACCOUNTING / FINANCE, or something as simple as EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP. Give the reader some idea of where you're coming from, and generally where you want to go, without blocking yourself from consideration for other positions.

Employment and Education Sections --

Now your writing must consistently verify, support and quantify what you've stated in your Profile section. Help the reader actually see you at your last position by spelling out daily duties most relevant to your career goals. Quantify how many people you supervised or trained, explain types of clients you work(ed) with, computers utilized, and most important, results.

What are/were your achievements? Give facts and figures like budget amounts, how much you've saved the company over how long, awards, recognitions, etc.

Avoid the ubiquitous "References Available upon Request" at the bottom of your resume. If employers really want references, they'll ask you. Consider "CONFIDENTIAL RESUME" at the top of your resume, and/or stating this in your cover letter. Always respect the reader's intelligence!

Research the company's brochure, annual report and job advertisement, if any, and tailor your resume as much as possible to the position.

Final Thoughts --

Although personal networking is the best way to get a job, an excellent resume can open doors all by itself, and is still required in many networking situations. Of course, a brief cover letter should be targeted to the hiring authority whenever possible.

Tell employers what you know about their operation, and why you want to work specifically for his/her company. Make them feel like they're the only person getting your resume. Consider this: a resume that's only slightly more effective than the one you have now could help you get a job weeks, or even months faster than your old resume.

Resume writing is an art form in itself, and there are few hard and fast rules. You need a complete, professional job search strategy, and your resume must be a key part of that strategy. When you implement these ideas in the next update of your resume, you'll almost certainly get more interviews.

Networking - It's One of the Most Successful Job Hunting Tools

What is "networking" and why it is one of the most successful job hunting tools?

Networking is establishing new relationships with people who can help you in life, your job or career transition. One of the most important career management skills you can develop is the ability to network.

Unfortunately, for some, the thought of working a room" or placing business cards into other people's hands can be intimidating. But networking does not require bold tactics to be effective. In fact, it's this perception -- and others -- that discourage many job seekers from networking in the first place. Like anything else, you will become comfortable after a few attempts and you will be pleasantly surprise how well you are received.

Make a list of friends, business contacts including competitors. Advertise your job search by letting these people know you are looking and ask them who they know or suggest you contact. Consider information interviews as great sourcing tool and proactive tool for you to market your credentials.

Do the same with any professional groups or associations you either belong to or know of. You do not have to be a member to ask and receive their help.

Read trade journals and the newspaper business sections for company and people movement. You will be surprised by how many old and new contacts you can make.

Network for Life -- Once you start networking, continue to make it part of one of your life functions. Volunteer your time for community functions. Join professional associations. Try to get to know more people in your personal and professional circles and find out what their personal and career interests are. Document your contacts.

Make and take advantage of opportunities to help others in your networking circles. It is a very rewarding experience!

Appearance Matters At Job Interviews

Picture this: You are tasked with interviewing candidates for work in a food manufacturing facility. The job requires maintaining high sanitation standards, meaning that hairnets and beard restraints, coupled with long sleeve shirts and long pants must be worn in a wet, hot, work environment. The first job candidate for you to interview walks through the door wearing a gold chain, cut-off shorts and sandals. He is not wearing a shirt, and is sporting a mane of un-combed shoulder length hair. On the strength of the information alone in this true story, should he get the job?

You're Selling Yourself
When preparing for a job interview, whether with one person or an entire team of people, it is important to remember you are representing a salable product: YOU. The way in which you walk, speak and appear makes an impression.

Much has been said about the importance of personal appearance by job candidates when going to job interviews, yet examples abound every day of people getting it wrong. Here are a few things to remember when heading out the door to that hard-won interview.

I used to know managers who said they decided on a job candidate at the handshake. Studies show this is quite common. In that brief moment, it is not what you say that may matter most to them, but what your appearance says about you.

Tips:
Candidates interviewing with organizations having casual work environments are especially prone to error in knowing how to dress. Because all not casual clothing is suitable for every work environment, you must determine what is appropriate to wear to the interview. Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance club, exercise session, and sporting event may not be appropriate for a professional appearance at work.

Clothing that reveals too much cleavage, back, chest, feet, stomach or underwear is not appropriate for most places of business, even in business casual settings. Additionally, clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled, and is generally unacceptable if torn, dirty, or frayed. Clothing having words or pictures that may be offensive is unacceptable, but clothing with fashion brand names conservatively displayed (e.g., Dockers, Izod, etc.), is usually okay.

Proper dress for an interview in a business casual environment does not necessarily mean wearing a suit and tie. Even if the interviewer is sitting there in a t-shirt and jeans with big holes in the knees, it is best practice for you to present a clean, neat appearance, and be dressed to a higher standard than the workplace/job requires. Candidates are never down-rated for dressing too well, but frequently are for not looking the part.

Make a Good Impression
Please remember to take a good look at yourself through the eyes of an interviewer before going to that interview, take steps to dress appropriately, and work hard at closing the "sale." Oh, what happened with the candidate mentioned at the beginning of this article? He was not considered a good job fit and did not get the job.

Resume Writing: Cover Letter Tips That Will Land You Quality Job Interviews

The dreaded cover letter.

I admit it. Even the best of us at times cringe when we have to write the cover letter. After all, intuitively it seems so redundant. What can I tell this employer that he isn't going to read in my resume?

At least that's how I used to think. Now I understand that the cover letter is meant more as a formal introduction, the chance you have to explain how you discovered the job opening or the company.

It's also an excellent chance to display those now well-developed direct-response copywriting talents you have.

Instead of making the cover letter just another letter that introduces you, write it with a bit of flair so that it creates a curiosity about just what your true potential is. A well-written cover letter can do more to advance your resume than you would ever have thought possible.

Where do you begin?

Here are a few tips to get you started.

1) Always address your cover letter to a real person. If you don't know the name of the person, call the company. This one action is far more important than you can ever know. Not only does it show you have initiative, but a letter addressed to Human Resources or Department Head will not receive the attention it should.

2) Use benefit-driven copy. Do a little homework. Find out something about the corporation that is relevant to your profession. Then use this as a reason.

Example: "Widget Corp. represents the largest producer of high-quality widgets, my experience in the accounting field would complement fit your high-pace needs nicely."

3) Show the reader that you went that extra couple of miles to research even a little about the firm. It's a sad fact that the majority of applicants probably did no research. Also, be as specific as possible when talking about the company for which you're applying.

4) Make your enthusiasm shine through. This goes without saying. Your potential employer wants to hire someone who really wants to join them and contribute to their organization's mission and goals. They would rather hire someone with enthusiasm and the drive than those who appear to care less whether they get the job or not.

5) Include a 'call to action'. The call to action could something as simple as "Don't hesitate to contact me." Or "I look forward to hearing from you." "I would be happy to discuss in further detail how I can be of benefit to your firm." Be mildly creative here. But make it clear that he can - and should - continue this relationship. Just make sure the reader knows that you desire further contact.

Job Interview Tips When Applying For a Physical Therapy Job

Generally speaking, there are job interview tips that apply to just about every job that you are ever going to apply for in your life. For example, you are going to need a firm handshake at the start and end of just about every interview that you actually go through. You are going to need to be able to answer questions confidently. You are going to need to make eye contact. These are all basic things when it comes to job interviews.

However, different industries will have different specifics about their own job interviews that you should definitely keep in mind. Physical therapy job interviews have skills that are largely opinionated in nature. Different people will have different ideas of the best tips to follow. Below is our understanding of what makes a physical therapy job interview a good one.

People Skills

The first thing that you are going to want to do is show people skills when you are at a job interview for a physical therapy job. People skills are very important in physical therapy because you need to use them on the patient. You need to use them to keep the patient as comfortable and at ease as possible during the therapy process and of course you need to use them in order to help deflect any negative feelings the patient may express towards their current physical situation. Just about every good physical therapist is great with people and that is why this is an important skill to show.

The best way to show these people skills in an interview is simply to use those same people skills on the person doing the interview. You don't have to treat them like a patient, but you should certainly go ahead and make sure that you show them the abilities that you have when it comes to relating with patients. The more you do this, the better things will be for you when all is said and done.

Experience

In this day and age, experience is what really counts when it comes to a physical therapy job. This is actually another general point, but there is a specific reason for it not being included in the introduction. When a person's physical wellbeing is at stake, you can easily argue that experience is more important. Therefore, it is not totally out of the ordinary to earmark experience as being something vitally important for advancement in both career and salary in the physical therapy industry.

If you are trying to get a job as a physical therapist, you should definitely be thinking about playing up your experience in the job interview. Don't go too overboard however as you don't want to come across as a braggart or as an arrogant person. Just point out that you have the necessary experience and talk about how that experience has changed the way in which you operate. That is usually good enough to impress just about anyone that would interview for a physical therapy job.

Top Secrets of the Perfect Career Search

Every day I talk with top professionals and executives looking for a better job. But deep down, they know they want more than a job - they want more fulfillment at work.

They need to see a greater value and satisfaction in the 40-50 hours of brainpower and expertise they put forth every week. They have excellent skills and experience in their industry, but now they're faced with finding a new position, or expanding their career, and have very little background in that department.

They ask the same questions you might ask: "Where should I start? Whom should I talk to? Should I just start calling recruiters?"

Finding a job is a job in itself.

It all starts on the inside: Step back, do a gut check, take a holistic approach and ask yourself:

1. Why consider a job search in the first place?

2. What's really going to make me happy on the job, 40-60 hours a week?

3. What trajectory do I want my career to take?

4. If I start a search, what are the first steps to take?

#1: Why consider a search?

This is your key to success because it targets your motivation. In Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life (Zondervan) he says you need to get right with God. This cuts to the core of your spirit, your personal dream, and your overall satisfaction.

Is it all about money? (hint: that's almost never the case). A greater career challenge? Are you stressed out or just tired of your boss and the working conditions...or are YOU the boss and just bored with the industry, the company or the people around you?

Write down a few keywords or sentences about your real motivation and level of commitment. How much time are you willing to spend creating a resume, learning & conducting internet research on target companies, calling them personally and doing personal networking? Will you keep track of your calls? How long can you be unemployed?

#2: The Satisfaction Factor

At this very moment, what do you want to DO with your life? What are you lacking in your current position, and what's going to really satisfy you on the job, regardless of job title, industry, location or money? We hear "Life Is Short" all the time. Yet most of us are content to remain in our comfort zones. Only when that becomes unbearable do we reach out for advice and support.

Don't let your pride or ego prevent you from working with a certified career coach. Coaches can prove invaluable in helping you come to terms with where you are and where you really want to be. They can assess your current value in today's marketplace, and help create a plan to get you position that will maximize your talents.

For many, it's a chance to stand up and help others; you discover whole new challenges. You meet new people, create new relationships, and find greater value and substance to your days, and that's priceless.

#3: The Big Picture

Take the long view; don't be afraid to dream and imagine greater possibilities, meeting new challenges, and making a positive difference in the lives of others. This is your trajectory.

Talk it over with your spouse, good friends you trust, your Pastor, or co-workers who can keep a secret. Don't rush this; take some time and sleep on it. Think out of the box. I built a career helping others with their careers, yet certainly never thought I'd write six books on resumes and career marketing.

#4: Strategy and Execution

OK: So you've done some dreaming and pictured yourself in the ideal opportunity; how do you get there? Get online and search for job descriptions; talk to anyone even remotely related to the position or industry.

When you're sure about the skills you want to use, sidestep the fear and market your abilities. Track down the names and numbers of key players to contact and line up informational interviews to gain information about the job market, their company direction, their challenges and how you can help them. Such interviews can lead to job offers, it happens all the time.

Studies show only 5%-10% of jobs are filled through internet job sites and bulletin boards. Yet many executives, including those in our Career Workshop at Willow Creek Church, spend hours online seeking the perfect job. But Personal Networking is the single most effective approach to finding - even creating - the ideal opportunity. In fact, 60-70% of all positions are filled through Personal Networking: people who know people.

Real networks are created one call at a time, one person at a time. It can be slow and frustrating, but we see it work all the time. A good career coach can help you perfect the skill of calling companies and creating a 30-second snapshot of your best value and benefit.

Some Final Thoughts: A job search is a chance to assess where you are right now. We all know life is short, and no one else can make it meaningful for us. It's up to us to get right with God and move forward with greater confidence and determination. It's up to us to use our gifts to add greater impact and meaning to our lives and the lives of those around us.

Seize the day.

Data Entry Jobs Online-The Variety of Jobs Available

A number of data entry jobs are available online. You will find different types of jobs such as Database management, transcription, Accounting and secretarial to choose from.

Nowadays, you will find a lot of data entry jobs online. Even if you have little experience or no skill you can still apply and do a data entry job. Data entry jobs are of different types. You can choose from a variety of jobs as per your skill and requirement. Remember to choose a data entry job that you will actually enjoy and not think of it as hectic or burden.

For those who are unaware of the work offered by data entry companies, here is a guide to help you. Few of types of work offered are listed below. This will give you a general idea of what to expect from a data entry jobs online and choose accordingly.

* Database management: Database entry and management is a common job available online these days. This type of job work is slowly gaining pace and number of jobs increasing. No much training is required and even if required you will be given so through email correspondence. The critical factor in database management is accuracy. * Transcription: This is another common type of job available online. Various works related transcriptions can be found online. One type is audio transcription in which the provider listens to an audio file and then transfers whatever he hears to a document. Audio files work well in the system of medical, interviews, legal, research work transcriptions and much more and hence you will find many transcription data entry jobs. * Accounting or bookkeeping: This is also often in data entry jobs. Accuracy is very important in this type of job as you are dealing with expenses. You might require high level knowledge for this type of work. * Secretarial: In this type of data entry jobs online you will find formatting, typing and composing memos and letters using the standard forms or maybe audio files given to you. You might be required to have secretary experience.

How to prepare for CAT Exams

Common Admission Test (CAT) is an entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Through this exam students get the chance to take admission in world renowned IIM's to purse their Post Graduate level Management Degree. On the basis of CAT score, the students can take admission in many other B-schools of India.

In the present competitive environment every organization, whether it is private or government, selects the employee on the basis of his skills and knowledge. The main purpose of conducting the competitive exams is to evaluate the candidate on the basis of his skills of understanding the concepts, sharpness of mind and knowledge. When it comes to competitive exams like CAT, the process becomes more harder than it generally goes. For this purpose, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) held common admission test for all the students aspiring for the career in business administration. This test is followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interviews. The institute conduct this exam to select the cream candidates among all. Here the question arises that how to prepare for CAT Exams. The candidates who study smartly are the winner of this game.

Tips-Preparation of CAT Exams
Here are some tips that will help the students who are going to enroll in CAT exams.

First of all, students should find out their strengths and weaknesses and should try to convert their weaknesses into strength by working hard on their weak points. Collecting the study material from the coaching institutes, the students should start to study on a regular basis.

Students should not try to avoid coaching classes because they play a crucial role in organizing their study habit. Some students are good in managing their study time, but some are unable to go with a proper strategy. These kinds of students should immediately join the institutes and should try to be a good manager who can easily organize their study time in a good manner. Therefore, organized study is the primary factor to achieve the goal of getting through the CAT exams.

The candidates should check the dates of examinations regularly in order to give equal attention to each subject. They should also believe in themselves and their abilities. When they take any task to perform they should not help themselves putting their hundred percent.

Time management is also one of the most important skills that can help them in cracking the competitive exams. They should make a time table for each day and should study according to it. They exactly should record their weekly data and analyze their performance graphically. The candidates should have a command on each subject. The four main subjects are Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Comprehension Test and General Awareness.

The most important thing is that they should regularly increase their knowledge by giving adequate attention to each subject. Well, a conceptual knowledge can be helpful in cracking the CAT exams. This can come only solving questions papers on their subjects at the regular interval.

Other most important thing is that how they can sharp their mind because a sharp mind can easily clear these exams. The candidates should also solve sample papers as many as they can do because this trick help them to run their mind fast and to reach them to their desiring goal.

The students should have a habit of reading some good newspapers and novels. The best thing would be if they try to read those articles in newspapers that they hate reading in normal circumstances. This is because CAT is not going to giving their favorite passages. Without any doubt, English as Second Language reading is the best method to hone their English skills.

On a final note, the candidates should not focus only on written examination. They should also enroll themselves in GD sessions keeping themselves updated with current affairs. The students, who do not want to join any coaching institute, can take help from any public forum offline or online for practicing GD and Interview sessions.

The CAT exams do not seem to be hard nut to crack. The candidates can crack them, if they approach them with pre-planned planning and positive thinking.

English Job Interview Techniques

Trying to interview for a job that requires you to speak a language other than your native language can be very intimidating. Not only do you have to prove your qualifications for the position to your interviewer and sell your personality, you have to do it while speaking a foreign language as fluently as possible. Fortunately, most interviews follow a similar formula, so there are ways to plan ahead on how you are going to answer some common questions that you might be asked.

Most interviews will start off with a casual, informal greeting. It's important not to be thrown off by this. While the rest of the interview will likely be in a mostly professional tone, a friendly greeting is intended to help you relax before asking the tougher questions. The interviewer might simply ask you how you are feeling, or they might ask other simple, non-business questions. You should try and give a relatively short answer - you want to acknowledge their question and show your understanding, but you don't want to turn it into a whole conversation.

One of the big focuses of any interview will be on your qualifications, including your education and your past work experience. Here, it's important to remember to use the past tense. If you're talking about coursework that you completed or a job you no longer have, be sure to speak in the past tense: "I studied business at..." or "I worked for..." If you're talking about your current employer or you're still enrolled in classes, then you should use the present tense. Also, when talking about your education, be sure to mention what courses you've taken in English.

One of the trickiest parts of an interview is explaining your particular set of skills to the potential employer. There's a strong chance that there are many aspects of the job that you are applying for that are things you haven't dealt with in the past. You need to be able to show the interviewer how the experience and skills that you do have can be applied to the position that you're trying to get. You may want to spend some time prior to the interview learning what sort of responsibilities you'll have at the job you're applying for. Then, think about your skills and past experiences and try to make a connection.

Another tip when interviewing for a job in English is to pick out some words ahead of time that you can use to describe yourself, your abilities, and your past experiences. Consider using words such as reliable, enthusiastic, innovative, personal, and other adjectives that describe your positive traits. This both displays your comfort level with the English language and shows the employer what you have to offer them.

The most important thing to remember when applying for a job in English is not to be too nervous. While a potential employer will want to know that you're a competent English speaker, they will also understand that you English won't be flawless. In fact, many people who speak English natively don't speak it perfectly. If you make a mistake, don't worry too much about it or you'll just end up making more mistakes because you're nervous.

Human Resource Jobs on Craigslist: Save Time Searching with These Tips

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Do you want to use Craigslist to find a human resource job? To save time and see the best results searching Craigslist.org for human resource jobs, please continue reading on for a few helpful tips.

Instead of Browse, Search for Jobs

Browsing jobs on Craigslist has its benefits, but it could take you hours. If you live in a large city, you may have one hundred or more jobs posted that fall into the category of human resources. Human resources is generally used to describe the practice of working alongside and assisting other employees, but many hiring manager mistakenly label other positions, such as secretaries, as HR jobs. Searching allows you to get targeted results, which are jobs you want to apply for.

Expand Your Search Beyond Your Location

Craigslist is city based. To search human resource jobs, you select your state and then the nearest city. When you search, you search just your location alone. This is okay if you want to stay local, but you may run into a few problems. What if you live in between three cities listed? What if an employer accidentally listed their job in the wrong category? What if you want to relocate for the right job? You miss out. Craigslist does not allow multi-city, statewide, or nationwide searches. You must download a search tool to do this. Luckily, most are free.

Make Your Search Phrases Relevant

Whether you perform a traditional search on Craigslist.org or download a free search tool, choose your search words or phrases carefully. As previously stated, many jobs can fall into the category of human resources. You will get a wide range of results by browsing, so search instead and search wisely. It is best to start with standard phrases, such as “human resources,” or “HR.” If you are looking to perform certain tasks, such as payroll or interviews, include this in your search phrase.

As previously stated, search more than just your local city page to find human resource jobs worth relocating or those listed under the wrong city. Visit MotionT.com to download the free Craigslist Reader today.

Recruitment In Oil & Gas Segment Is Profitable Through Agencies

Oil & gas companies do their recruitment duties through elegant recruiting agencies. The main function of oil refineries are revolving around the production of gasoline from crude. They require a huge quantity of manpower for their projects including high class engineers and technologists. Side by side they need HSE officers and managers, operation engineers, socialist design engineers, petroleum technologists and several other profiles for doing diverse kind of high specialty jobs. To arrange for the adequate work force, oil companies depend on oil & gas recruitment and transport recruitment agencies, which are particularly suitable to furnish the desired workforce to the refineries in a great manner.

The oil& gas recruitment agencies have their own process of selection of candidates for the refinery jobs. Desiring candidates apply for a job in refineries and have to pass through several interview sessions to reach the final selection stage. The recruitment is done to offer best workforce to various clients. The refineries are keen to complete their staffing requirements with the active participation of recruiting agencies so that they are able to get qualified and able people in their staff force. Recruiting agencies are very stern in maintaining quality of man power and take only highly skilled persons to maintain their good will.

Oil & gas recruitment agencies check the validity of each paper of the candidate so that there is no complication at a later stage. The agencies have quite a bit of experience and their past records are really bright in getting appreciation from the clients. They give every possible effort to choose the best in the selection of man power from the level of the ordinary worker to a highly skilled technologist. They take guarantee of each selected person for a fixed time and take the responsibility of repatriation from the overseas country.

The oil companies have found that the recruitment of manpower through the agencies is profitable and they always depend on this system whenever they require manpower. The recruiting agencies have a fool proof system to examining the worth of an engineer or a technologist by means of sophisticated interview sessions, which clearly clarify the exact credibility of the person being interviewed. The examinations that the candidates are to appear are tougher than the ordinary ones and only a capable person with experience can come out of the test in a positive note. This is appreciated by the client oil companies, who find the candidates suitable and fit for their work. This mutual understanding between the recruiting agencies and the oil companies is a matter of pride to both of them which they cherish.

Another important point that the recruiting agencies work for is the maintenance of time frame given by the client oil companies. Recruiting agencies arrange the interviews and selection in such a way that various clients are able to get the desired work force at the right time. This part of the operation is well appreciated by the oil companies so that the economics of the oil refinery project is kept under control. This is one of the key reasons as to why the major oil companies depend on agencies for oil & gas recruitment.

How to be Successful in an Interview - Easy to Understand Tips and Advice

A prospective employer can often learn as much about a job candidate from their body language in the interview as from what they say.

What exactly do we mean by body language? Well it is the way in which we conduct ourselves and our demeanour; it is the way we look, move and sit that sends out signals to others. Our body language can let them know how we feel, whether we are afraid, aggressive, confident, intimidated and a range of other feelings and emotions.

In an interview it is important to send out the right signals, to make a good impression. You need to be able to show that you are interested, enthusiastic and relaxed. Do not slump or slouch in your chair. You should sit back and look the interviewer(s) directly and be prepared to engage with them confidently. You should make eye contact with the interviewer and other members of the panel if appropriate. Great care must be taken with use of the hands when responding to questions or talking to the interviewer. It is accepted as good practice that the hands be used whilst talking in order to emphasise points you wish to make. Over use of the hands can be distracting and may leave the interviewer with the impression that you have an untidy mind. Never fold your arms when you are interviewed as this immediately puts up a barrier between you and the interviewer.

Interviews can be stressful and learning how to cope with this stress by being aware of ones body language is vital to success.

Almost every interview or application form will be looking for you to answer this question. So, what is the perfect answer to the question, "Why do you want this job?" Here is the perfect answer although you will need to tailor it to suit your exact situation ...

I want this job because I feel that I possess all the necessary qualifications, qualities and skills, to enable me to be successful. I believe that I fit the person specification perfectly.

As I have detailed in my CV I am able to work independently or as part of a team. I use my initiative and do not need to wait for others to tell me what to do. My people skills are highly developed and I have a good record of being able to bring out the best in others. I am confident in dealing with people at all levels of responsibility and should the need arise I am comfortable with members of the public.

The job will also allow me to develop the skills I already have and acquire new ones. I see this as an opportunity for me to progress my career development. The challenge that the job presents, is something that I will enjoy tackling. I am at my best when faced with problems that need to be solved quickly and successfully. I am certain that I can make an impact and bring benefit to the organization and to myself. The job is a logical step forward for me and if I was appointed then I feel you would not be disappointed.

So there you have it, the winning combination to secure your dream job!

Employers: How to Search Resumes on Craigslist to Find Qualified Candidates

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If you are a small business owner who needs to hire new employees, you may consider posting a “now hiring,” sign in your window or placing a job posting online. This is a good idea, but, with the high rate of unemployment, you are likely to get many applicants. Unfortunately, most of them may be unqualified for the position. This wastes your time. Instead of reviewing hundreds of resumes and applications, use Craigslist.org and their resume section. You can search the resumes online to find the perfect job candidates.

To perform a traditional search on Craigslist, visit the website and select your state and city. You are now on your local page. You can use the search box on the left to search resumes, but you must first change the search’s default settings to resumes. When searching, use relevant phrases. There are a wide range of resumes listed on Craigslist. You don’t want to browse hundreds of them, especially when you are looking for something in particular, such as customer service or sales representatives.

As previously stated, the traditional method of search is to visit your state and city page and then perform a search. When doing so, you search that page only. This is, honestly, the only true flaw of Craigslist.org. With the high rate of unemployment, many Americans are interested in relocating for the right job or one with the potential to grow within the company. If you can offer your employees this, target more than just your local city page. You should search resumes statewide or at least a few nearby cities. Craigslist.org does not allow multi-city searches, but you can download a free Craigslist search tool. These tools allow you to perform nationwide, statewide, or multi-city searches.

Now that you know how to search resumes posted on Craigslist, how can you find the best job candidates? When you search with related keyword phrases, you should get tailored results. If you searched with sales, you will get a list of resumes for men or women who are seeking a sales job or have worked in sales before. Read their resumes. If you find qualified candidates, use their contact information to arrange an interview. Even if you believe you found the perfect candidate on Craigslist.org, keep looking. Schedule a number of job interviews. Always remember that things usually look better on paper, so have a backup plan in place.

As previously stated, you can use Craigslist search tools to expand your resume search and find the perfect employee. Download the free Craigslist Reader at MotionT.com to get started.