Screening Job Applicants – What Really Goes On Behind Closed Doors

The first goal of any hiring manager is not to find a candidate, but to ELIMINATE unqualified candidates. Most hiring managers reading your resume will take the pile of up to 500 letters they received and try to separate the definite “no’s’ (Don’t Call) into one pile and the interesting resumes into the second pile (Might Call). They then go back and eliminate again until what they have is a manageable pile (5-10 max) of pre-qualified candidates (To Call).

Getting into the second pile (Might Call) is your first goal. The first cut may take you from a stack of 500 resumes to a smaller yet still intimidating stack of 20.

At 20 resumes, the reader will spend 2-3 minutes on each resume versus just a few seconds the first time through. The objective here for the hiring manager is to take the stack of 20 down to a more manageable 5-10 resumes mentioned above.

At 5-10 resumes, the reader will be spending some quality time reading what you have written. They may be highlighting and making notes about the things that interest them the most or closely align with what they are looking for.

A few more resumes will be eliminated during this round, but not necessarily put back into the Don’t Call pile. These candidates go into the Might Call pile but will only be called only if the hiring manager cannot find enough qualified candidates from 4-8 resumes they have left. This is the To Call pile that you want to end up in.

The hiring manager begins to make some calls and do some initial phone interviews. From here a few more people may be eliminated for a variety of reasons. Some of the people may have already taken other positions or the hiring manager does not like the candidate enough to invite him or her in for a face-to-face interview.

The hiring manager will keep interviewing until they have invited 3-5 people in for a personal interview.

As the realistic numbers I’ve indicated above reveal, in order to be invited in for an interview, you’ll need to have a resume and cover letter better than 495 other candidates. Notice I did not say you needed more education, better experience or more years on the job than the other people applying for the same job. You just need to have better paperwork…”you just need a better story.” This will be the topic of a future article.

About the Author
Jason Adams is President of Street Smart Sales and Marketing and author of the highly acclaimed book The StreetSmart Job-Changing System. For more information visit www.StreetSmartSalesAndMarketing.com

Article source:
Screening Job Applicants – What Really Goes On Behind Closed Doors

How to make a good resume

Resume

Author: kabeer khan

How to Make a Resume

Because of the volume of resumes employers receive; most of them now use some kind of resume tracking or applicant tracking system. This automates many of the tasks necessary for tracking candidates, and also makes it possible for an employer to find a resume they received months or years later. As a result of the technologies used, its important to keep your resume in a certain format that will be correctly read and interpreted by the systems. This used to be referred to as a “scannable” resume because of the hardware that used to scan paper resumes into the computer. Now, career websites and resumes received via email are “parsed” and stored in a database.
Once your resume is stored electronically, employers use keywords to match the stored resumes with their open positions. In order to find the resumes, employers (and recruiters) use keyword searches, usually a boolean search.
Because of the technologies involved in parsing the resume, it is important to keep the format of your resume very simple and somewhat plain. This means that you should generally avoid fancy fonts, graphics and and other “special effects” that don’t always make it through the technologies correctly, at least for your electronic resume (you might want a more elaborate version to hand out at job fairs, but it really isn’t necessary). A resume that is not formatted correctly won’t appear in a search for matching keywords, which greatly reduces your chances of landing interviews. I have seen some resumes come through with “gibberish” as a result of the writer trying to use charts or pictures on their resume.

Resume Format >>>
Here are some practical tips for formatting your resume:
• Use a simple font. Do not use a decorate font. Times New Roman and Arial parse most accurately and are the “standard” fonts for business communication, which your resume is.
• Use a standard font size. For business communications, fonts of 10 and 12 points are the norm.
• Avoid using charts, pictures, tables or graphs in your resume. These rarely make it through. If you have information that needs to be in that format, consider an addendum to your resume or, perhaps, a web page that you have created that stores the information, with a link to the web page from your resume.
• If you are applying for a job where it’s important to show off your formatting or creative skills to land a job, such as a Web Designer or Graphic Artist position, distribute copies of your fancy paper resume at interviews. Better yet, send both a fancy and plain resume format, or create a fancy Web resume and portfolio, and include the URL in your emailed resume or cover letter
Technical Resumes – Tips, Samples, Examples and Templates

Your resume remains one of the most important components of your job search. A well written resume that gives the employer an accurate view of your skills will help you stand out from the crowd. Here are links to some of my favorite resume tips, resume samples and free resume templates. I have also included links to some actual resumes of employees I have hired in the past for various technical companies.

Resume Writing Tips – How Not To Write a Resume
A recent poll of technical recruiters and hiring managers asked for the top “pet peeves” – things they see on resumes and cover letters that make them less interested in speaking with a candidate. These make great examples of how not to write your resume.
• Use of the current “tense” in all jobs on the resume.
• Writing the resume or cover letter in the third person.
• Too many grammar and spelling mistakes.
• Use of tiny, tiny fonts (10 pt or less) so as to cram as much information into the resume as possible.
• Photos on resumes (this is a cultural preference).
• A listing of their personal interests and activities.
• Sending a resume attachment named 41808res.doc – use your name or descriptive label.
• Writing the resume using table formats (columns).
• Using a resume that is password protected (without sending the password).
• Including references – but not professional ones – just friends and co-workers.
• Having no contact information on the resume or including a phone number that is no longer valid.
• When a candidate’s email address is not appropriate for the work environment. Example: BigFoxyMama@.com
• Resumes that are too long. Most seem to feel that general descriptions pertaining to work history for the last 10 years is sufficient.
• Resume stuffing, for example, listing of every software application you’ve ever touched as a “skill”.
• Education written so its not clear if the degree was obtained.
• Job hopping, which could be contract positions but it’s not explained. (If you have been on short term contracts, make sure you clarify that they are contract jobs).

Top 7 Tips for Effective Resumes
Ever hear the saying “you never get a second chance to make a first impression?” Your resume gives a potential employer a powerful message about what kind of employee you would be. With only a few seconds to capture the attention of the reader and showcase your extensive skills, you need to make the most of your resume. Read on for resume tips and tricks.
1. Resume Tip 1: Spell Check and “Reality Check”
Before you submit your resume, make sure you give it a spell check using your word processing software. After you spell check it, have someone else give it a quick “reality check” to make sure that the spell checker didn’t miss anything and to make sure that you didn’t make a mistake that your computer can’t catch. It is important that you get a second set of eyes to look over the document that could be responsible for your next job.
2. Resume Tip 2: Not Too Long, But Not Too Short
How long should your resume be? This is always a tough call. Some experts believe a one page resume is the perfect length. I would disagree, unless you really have few skills and experiences to share. Go into enough detail to give an accurate view of your skills, but not so long that the reader falls asleep. You do not need to list every project you have ever worked on. Summarize, but be inclusive.
3. Resume Tip 3: Formatting Counts
Have 2 versions of your resume available. One to be viewed online, and one to be handed out at in-person interviews and job fairs. Fancy formatting with pretty fonts, lines, boxes and bullet points just does not make it through on most computers. Anything you send or submit online should have very basic formatting (spacing and paragraph breaks, for example).
4. Resume Tip 4: Keywords are Key
When an employer searches a database, they use keywords. In general, they expect the results to be representative of what they are searching for. This should mean a couple of things to the resume writer:
• Include relevant keywords in your resume, because this is how you will be found.
• Don’t stuff your resume with keywords that are not relevant of your experience. A list of keywords that do not represent your expertise should be avoided.

Check out How to Make a Resume for more on keywords.
5. Resume Tip 5: Include the Basics
A technical resume should include the following information sections.
• An objective: 1-2 sentences describing what you want, customize this for the job you are applying for.
• Education: Any degrees you have completed or are working on, as well as relevant classes or certifications. Only include your GPA if it is very high.
• Experience: List your past employers and/or major projects you have worked on. Start with the most recent.
• Technology Summary: List only the technologies you know well.
6. Resume Tip 6: Have Multiple Versions
If you are in more than one role (or have skills that may fit more than one role) you should have multiple versions of your resume available that highlight those skills. For example, if you have years of experience as a software engineer, and also have project management expertise, have two resumes: one highlighting your software engineer experience and another highlighting your project management experience.
7. Resume Tip 7: Make Your Resume Viewable
Recruiters and hiring managers like to search and “source” for candidates. If your resume (or bio) is not someplace where an employer can find it, then they don’t know you exist. In addition to the regular job boards.

Resume Writing – Guidelines for New Grads

Resume Writing – A Guide for New Grads

Purpose of Resume Writing
When you are writing your resume, it is important to keep in mind the purpose of the resume. The resume is meant to spark interest in you as a candidate. Your resume writing should be with the intent to get an interview, not a job offer. It is not meant to list every single course, skill or accomplishment you have. Remember, resumes get interviews, not jobs.
The resume should do the following:
Create a positive first impression. This is done by showcasing your communication skills and making the resume easy to read. The resume should be succinct and easy to follow.
Tell who you are. When you are writing your resume, you are telling the reader who you are and why they should consider you for a position.
Describe what you have learned. Especially for a new grad, your resume should highlight the courses and projects that are applicable for the job you hope to be hired for.
List your accomplishments. Your resume should highlight any special accomplishments you have achieved. If you made a 4.0 while working full time, were awarded a special scholarship, or received special recognition of some kind, it should be listed under your accomplishments.
In order to make your resume pleasant and easy to read, you will want to follow some resume format guidelines. The resume format is important because you want to make sure to keep the reader’s interest and, ultimately, be called for the interview. A poorly formatted resume, one that is hard to read, contains many errors, or doesn’t flow well, is not likely to accomplish your goal.
Resume Format – General Guidelines
The following guidelines follow typical resume format and business letter writing standards. These a general resume format rules:
• Font size of 10 or 12
• Perfectly typed with about a 1 inch margin (even if sending via email, since it will likely be printed out)
• Use only one font. You may vary size for emphasis, if necessary.
• Do not use different font styles. If you need to call attention to something, you can bold it, but use this sparingly.
• Avoid all-capital letters and italics as they are difficult to read.
Resume Format – Section Titles
• Begin your resume with a heading which includes your name, address, phone number and email address. This is usually centered at the top or left justified.
• Omit personal information such as age, sex, or marital status.
• The resume objective states the position type you are seeking. It looks very professional if you tailor the objective to the position you are applying for. Other than that, don’t make this section too narrow.
• A well organized technical skills or career skills section can be placed after the objective. This should include skills in which you are at least proficient.
• The education section should identify your training by listing the university(s) attended with degree(s) conferred, major, and grade point average.
• The work experience section comes next and details the most recent positions or areas of expertise first and continues in reverse chronological order. Project experience can be listed here if you don’t have any formal work experience. I also see many graduates add internships and their larger projects in this section.
• The accomplishments section comes last and highlights specific areas in which you have excelled, including leadership activities, memberships, and honors or awards.
Before Writing Your Resume
Before you sit down to write your resume, it is helpful to think through a couple of points. The first is to think in keyword terms, because employers will use them to search for resumes.
Some general keyword examples:
• Ability to … (delegate, supervise, etc.), analytical ability, detail oriented, problem solving, results oriented, communication skills, team leader, lead
Some technology industry examples:
• Software, systems, UNIX, Linux, SQL, Oracle, java, .NET, Operating System, CAD, Mechanical systems, Design, OO Programming, SDLC, coded, programmed, administered, engineer, programmer, developer, network, Cisco, Microsoft
Tips for Resume Design
The following tips for resume design will help ensure that your resume is easy to read and can be parsed to a resume database properly.
• Keep the resume design simple. Using a standard resume template will help with this.
• Use standard font styles (Times New Roman and Arial are standard.
• Use a font size from 10 to 14. Font sizes of 10 and 12 are standard, with some titles and headings in a larger font.
• Avoid ‘fancy’ styles (italics, underline, bold, fancy fonts etc.).
• Do not use horizontal or vertical lines, graphics, charts, tables or boxes. They don’t parse well to resume databases and they often print out looking funky.
• Use bold fonts for section headings.
• Use common names for section headings (i.e., Education, Experience, Technical Sills, etc.)
• Put your name at the beginning of the resume, with contact information on separate lines, immediately following the name. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to have to read through the entire resume to find an email or phone number.
• Avoid abbreviations, except for popular acronyms.
• Be concise in your descriptions of projects and work experience. Longer is not necessarily better!
After the Resume
After the resume is written, make sure to proofread. See these Resume Tips for more ideas that will help ensure your resume gives the best first impression possible!
Print the resume out, to see how it looks for a manager that might prefer hard copies. Adjust any spacing as necessary. You will want printed resume copies to take with you to job fairs and interviews.
Sample Resume – Experienced New Grad Resume Sample
Resume Sample – New Grad
This resume sample is from an experienced new grad. Use this resume sample as a guide for writing your own resume.

James Shah
1255 University Avenue
Sacramento, CA -95825
(916) 555-1111
jshah@email dot com

Objective
To obtain a challenging internship/full time position in the field of Computer Science and Software Engineering.

Education
M.S. in Computer Science, California State University, Sacramento, CA, USA GPA- 3.7/4.0
B.E in Computer Engineering, C.U.Shah Engineering College, India GPA-3.8/4.0
Skills Inventory
Programming Languages: BASIC, C, C++, VB6.0, PROLOG, COBOL, VC++, HTML, DHTML, J2EE, JSP, JAVA, ASP, ASP.NET, C#.NET, PHP, XML,JCL
Communication/Network Protocols : TCP/IP, Mobile IP, VoIP, 802.11
Operating Systems: UNIX, Linux, SUN Solaris, Windows NT, Windows 2000 server, HP-UX ,Mainframe
Database: Oracle 8i, SQL, MS Access 2000, FoxPro, Microsoft SQL server 2000, MySql server 5.0, DB2

Experience:
Intern Data Analyst, May 06-sep 06, Vision Service Plan (VSP):
Migration of Metadata web site:
Phase 1: Move the Old Web Site to new IIS server: Since the Metadata web site was running on old IIS box, we were facing the speed and crashing issues everyday. So the first phase of this project was to move the current structure of Metadata web site which is ASP pages and MS Access Database to new server.
Phase 2: Migrate the Database from Access to DB2: Due to the business need and reliability issues, Data base of Metadata was migrated from Access Data base to DB2 Database. I was responsible for designing the new database schema, conversion of all the queries into the DB2 compatible format, as well as change the ASP code to fetch correct data using DB2 database.

Phase 3: Change the Front end: To make the Metadata web site more user friendly, I have re design all the ASP pages and added some extra facilities which can help the user to find information easily. The new front end is more organized and meets all the standards of VSP intranet.
Projects

Data mart design and implementation for Engineering Dept of CSUS (M.S. Project): To maintain the quality education of CSUS, design the web site and accept the feed back from the users i.e. faculty, students and workers about the quality of education, current majors offered by CSUS, Courses offered, Lab facilities as well as the education level of faculty members using ASP.NET and store that data into data mart using OLAP facilities of Analysis Manager of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and generate useful reports using Pivot tables of MS Excel. The current statistics are on MS Access 2000.

Data link layer: Designed and implemented a data link layer services using UNIX and C – Socket utilities. The Project provides all the functionalities of the data link layer like flow control, error control using CRC-16 protocol, piggybacking, and compression using algorithm at client and server.
Execution of the Instruction Using Pipelining: Using Hardware Language, Verilog, implement the 5 stages of the pipeline with nop as a detection and correction of the data hazard between multiple instructions, which are executing simultaneously in the pipelining and also generate the corresponding control signal using hardwired and microcode logic.

Voice Recognition: Software that can recognize the voice identifies the pitch of the tone and makes a graph of the comparison, and telephony application to record your messages. Online Hotel Booking: Developing a 3-tier application for hotel booking using J2EE, JSP, JDBC, My SQL Server 4.1 and HTML, Tomcat Server.
Design basic Compiler Utilities Using SML: For a given source code and gral’s grammar definition, provide parsing which can convert the given source code into abstract syntax, provide static semantic to validate the given code, provide dynamic semantic to generate the desirable result for given source code.
Solve problem definition using various Algorithms: Develop various Algorithms such as Divide and Conquer, Backtracking, Dynamic Programming, Branch and Bound to solve given problem.

Design SRS for Iguana Vision Inc.: As a part of SDLC, Design the SRS document to specify the functional and non-functional requirements as they pertain to the intended product to be designed by Iguana Vision, Inc for Single Medical Provider Franchise. The scope of this document is to describe the proposed inputs, outputs, problems, proposed logical & technical solutions to those problems and project management aspects which can help to take design, development and validation related decisions. Here Client wishes to expand their medical practice by providing a single provider franchise license with turn key software to manage the business. One key portion of business management is the scheduling and management of client appointments for different types of services using Use case diagram, ERD, Data Dictionary, Class Diagram and UML modeling.
Relevant Courses:
• Mobile Computing
• Programming Language Principles
• Advanced Computer Networks
• Database Design
• Data Model &Data Management System
• Data warehousing and Data Mining
• Software Engineering
• Telecommunication Network Management
• Algorithm and Paradigms
• Computer Architecture
• Data Mining and Data warehouse
Honors & Activities
Presented a National Level Paper on “Hacking” at C. U. Shah College of Engineering and Technology, Surendranagar, India.
Lead the Technical Committee in and organized Technophile State level symposium.
PROFILE: Sincere, Hardworking, Self Motivated, excellent written & oral communications skills, quick-learner, Team-Player, Able to adapt to new work environments & situations, possesses responsible leadership qualities.

Example of a Software Engineer Resume

oe Employee
555 Main Street
Sacramento, CA 95628
myname@myemail dot com
(555)555-1111

SUMMARY
A results-driven, customer-focused, articulate and analytical Senior Software Engineer who can think “out of the box”. Strong in design and integration problem solving skills. Expert in Java, C#, .NET, and T-SQL with database analysis and design. Skilled in developing business plans, requirements specifications, user documentation, and architectural systems research. Strong written and verbal communications. Interested in a challenging technical track career in an application development environment.
Experienced in:
• Engineering web development, all layers, from database to services to user interfaces
• Supporting legacy systems with backups of all cases to/from parallel systems
• Analysis and design of databases and user interfaces
• Managing requirements
• Implementing software development life cycle policies and procedures
• Managing and supporting multiple projects
• Highly adaptable in quickly changing technical environments with very strong organizational and analytical skills

EMPLOYMENT

E*Trade Financial, Sacramento, CA July 2002 – Present

Software Engineer (Customer Service Systems)
• Re-engineered customer account software systems used by brokerage teams. Web developer for user interfaces to trading inquiries, support parallel systems.
• Developed and implemented new feedback system for users concerns, bugs, and defect tracking regarding use and functionality of new interfaces.
• Coded web designed interfaces using Java, XML, XSL, AJAX, and JWS.
• Support system for existing intranet for employees, including designing and developing the Advantage@Work system company wide.
• Code and support provided through ASP.NET, T-SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle 9i.
• Collaborated in the development of in-house development of new banking software interfaces. Supported existing legacy system to provide newly created cases and insured they were available in the systems in parallel until legacy systems were retired.
Intel Corporation, Folsom, CA Jan 2000 – Jul 2002
Systems Programmer (Remote Servers and SSL Product Analyst)
• Deployed and tested Remote Installation Services(RIS)-Server Installs on Windows XP.
• Focused deployment of Server builds and handled some client builds.
• Modified Visual Basic applications for use in post-server builds for customizing builds.
• Researched RIS and Active Directory for future deployment world-wide. Presented findings to both the Networking Operating System Network Technology Integration team and the Microsoft Joint Development Team (JDP) at Intel. Produced a document binder for RIS and Active Directory to follow the project to the next team representative.
• Wrote bi-monthly progress reports, participated in weekly staff meetings and JDP team meetings designed to develop white paper processing.
• Provide technical support to the SSL team, managing inventory.
• Participated in testing and use of new SAP system as it was integrated into Intel.
• Managed Chipset products for IO Business Units.
CSU Chico, Chico, CA 2000 – 2002
Business Department (Visual Basic Teaching Assistant)
Computer Science Department (Supervisor MS Office Suite Teaching Assistant)
• Supervised all lab assistants, guiding them with student project development.
• Provided one-to-one guidance with Visual Basic programming instruction techniques.
• Wrote small program projects for assignments.
• Presented structured learning labs where students could ask questions regarding Visual Basic Programming construct and syntax.
• Prepared structured teaching guides pertaining to chapter material that complimented the lectures by the professor.
• Provided customized software for tracking student progress throughout the semester. It included reporting for the professor on assessments, projects, homework, lab work, attendance, and overall grades.

SOFTWARE SKILLS
Experience with:
• Databases: MySQL, Oracle, Access, SAP
• Software: Microsoft Office, Remedy, Microsoft SQL Server, DB Artisan, Eclipse, Visual Studio.NET, FrontPage
• Languages: C#, Java, Visual Basic, ASP, XML, XSL, JWS, SQL, and T-SQL
EDUCATION

CALIFORINA STATE UNIVERSITY, Chico, CA
BS Computer Science/ Business Minor
4.0/4.0 GPA
COLLEGE OF THE SISKIYOUS, Weed, CA
AS Computer Science

3 sample of General resume

Sample: Resume

FirstName LastName
87 Washington Street
Hopedale, NY 11233
Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: xxxxx@xyz.edu

EDUCATION

XYZ UNIVERSITY
Hopedale, NY: BA, American Studies
Cumulative GPA: 3.93

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY STUDY ABROAD
University of Trier, Germany (Summer 2005)

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Washington, DC: Washington Semester in American Politics (Spring 2004)

RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL EXPERIENCE

U.S. Department of Education
Intern, Office of the Deputy Secretary (Spring 2005)
• Generated concise written synopses of current legislative action for use by the Department, Congress members, and the general public through the ED website.
• Researched and presented to policymakers several successful school design and construction projects to support the Administration Schools as Centers of Community proposal.
Washington Semester Independent Research Project
American University (Spring 2004)
• Examined how the increasing dependence of needy students on federal loans instead of grants for higher education has affected college access and enrollment; culminating in 65-page paper
Historical Society of Saratoga Springs
Research Assistant (Spring 2003)
• Researched archival materials, wrote text panels and selected objects for a historical exhibit on Saratoga in the 1930s

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Vice President/Academic Affairs
Student Government Association, XYZ University (2003-2004)
• Chaired 60-member body representing each academic department and student perspectives on curricular issues
• Participated in college-wide policy decisions concerning such ethical issues as the sale of cigarettes on campus
• Made detailed oral and written presentations of curricular reform actions in public student fora
Presidential Search Committee
XYZ University (2002-2004)
• Served as one of two students on a college-wide committee to nominate the sixth President of XYZ University, through all stages including:
•
o A detailed self-study of institutional needs and goals to determine selection criteria
o Search for, and hire of, a higher-education specialty consultant
o Written evaluation of each applicant, interviews and final recommendation to the Board of Trustees
Honors Forum Council
Student Body Representative, XYZ University (2001-2002)
• Set goals and guidelines for the first two years of Skidmore?019s innovative, comprehensive honors program whose mission is to increase intellectual engagement and academic rigor in students?019 freshman and sophomore years

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Student Alumni Society: Founding Member (2002-present)
Committee on Academic Freedoms: Student Representative (2002-present)
Skidmore Orchestra: French Horn (2001-present)
American Studies Club: Secretary (2001-present)

COMPUTER/LANGUAGE SKILLS

Proficient in written and spoken German
Extensive experience with Internet Explorer, HTML, Lexis-Nexis and Microsoft Office

Sample 2: Resume

FIRSTNAME LASTNAME
67-61 75th Street
Any town, NY 00000
(555) 555-5555 xxxxxxxxxx@aol.com 87 Washington Street
Hopedale, NY 11233
(555) 555-5555
xxxxxxx@xyz.edu

________________________________________

EDUCATION

XYZ University
Bachelor of Arts, May 2000
Major: Psychology. Minor: Studio Art
Hopedale, NY

BRITISH AMERICAN COLLEGE OF LONDON
Student during the semester of Spring 1999 London, ENGLAND

EXPERIENCE

Fall 1999 AMERICA READS PROJECT
Tutor
• Assisted children ages 6-7 with the fundamentals of reading
• Aided with capitalization, punctuation and printing
• Read stories aloud, entreating children to address content
• Helped with other activities, from math assignments to art projects
• Eased frustration by providing support and encouragement Hopedale, NY
1997-1999 XXX CAREER SERVICES

Office Assistant

• Gathered alumni career surveys and updated hundreds of data files utilizing Microsoft Access
• Maintained employer literature and credential, counseling and recruiting information files
• Compiled materials needed for mailing of credential requests
• Performed various administrative duties Hopedale, NY
Summer 1999 CITYARTS, INC.
Intern
• Researched corporate and foundation funding sources, using resources at the Foundation Center
• Drafted preliminary correspondence with possible philanthropists
• Prepared grant applications and supporting materials
• Helped with fundraising events such as benefit auction
• Provided general office support New York, NY
Summer 1999 MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART

Artist Assistant

• Supervised young participants in painting workshop
• Aided children in the creative process by providing support with painting
• Assisted the lead artist in all phases of project implementation, from hanging canvases to cleaning workspace New York, NY
Fall 1995 NEW YORK PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP
Volunteer
• Collaborated with others to rebuild a brownstone in Brooklyn under the auspices of Habitat for Humanity
• Recruited others to participate in NYPIRG meetings and events
• Posted material around the Queens College campus which advocated public awareness of issues Flushing, NY

SPECIAL SKILLS/TRAVEL

Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, Netscape, and research databases, including PsychInfo. Travel throughout Europe.

Resume Sample 3: Resume/Student

FirstName LastName
email: xxxxxxx@xyz.edu

PRESENT ADDRESS:
XYZ University
Hopedale, NY 11233
(555) 555-5555 PERMANENT ADDRESS
155 Essex Street
Anytown, CT 00000
(555) 555-5555
________________________________________
EDUCATION

XYZ University, Hopedale, NY
Candidate for Bachelor of Arts, May 2000
Major: Government 3.83 GPA Minor: Business 3.87 GPA

The Williams School, New London, CT
High School Degree, June 1995

WORK EXPERIENCE

Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., New Haven CT, Summer 1999
Completed a rigorous internship working closely with retail and institutional brokers examining US markets and industries. Researched and analyzed equities, derivatives, and bonds utilizing Merrill Lynch computer systems.

Hartford Superior Court, Hartford CT, Summer 1998
Conducted in-depth project studying daily flow within the courthouse including data collection and analysis utilizing Microsoft Excel. Participated in data correction and filing in both criminal and civil case flow offices.

ACTIVITIES/SERVICE

Social Integrity Board Chairman, XYZ University, Fall 1999 – Present
Appointed by Student Government Association Executive Committee and confirmed by Student Senate as member of Social Integrity Board. Adjudicate and sanction students in violation of the XXX Student Codes of Conduct. Lead board members in delivering opinions and sanctions to students in hearings and written form. Conduct cases in close collaboration with Head of Residential Life and examine XXX’s social policies and honor code.

Student Speakers Bureau Member, XYZ University, Fall 1998 – Present
Allocate funds to various organizations throughout the XXX community to bring speakers to campus.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Microsoft Office 2000
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Access • PowerPoint
• WordPerfect
• Lotus 1-2-3 • I.E. 4.0 and Netscape 4.6
• Adobe PhotoShop 5.0
• HTML/Web Publishing

About the Author:

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Resume

9 Keys to Job Search & Career Success

In recent months, the job market has become increasingly competitive. But even as the economy slows, and there are increasing numbers of job seekers in the job market, there are many professionals who have been incredibly successful in conducting fast, effective job searches. What do they have in common? How are they doing it? Here are nine tips to speed your own job search and drive it to a fast, successful conclusion.

Know what you want and go after it. Starting a job search without knowing what you want will almost certainly end in frustration. Think about it: If you don’t know what you want and what your job target is, how will you know who to contact and how to conduct your search? If you are uncertain about your career goals, it is critical that you spend some time and energy now – before launching your search – on self-introspection and analysis. Knowing what YOU want, what YOU are passionate about, and what YOU bring to the table will provide you with a confidence that simply can’t and won’t be matched by many of your competitors in the job market. This is the crucial first step to any job search and is essential for long-term career success as well.

Know and sell your personal brand. When you think about your next career move, how would things be different for you if employers and recruiters actually sought you out? Personal branding (the process of clarifying and communicating what makes you and your unique value proposition different and special) allows you to make a name for yourself. It differentiates you from your peers and helps to position you as a leader in your field – as a specialist and an authority who knows how to do a job and fill a particular niche in the workplace better than anyone else. Once you are clear on your personal brand, you can use it to project a cohesive brand image and value proposition throughout all your job search activities, and do so in a way that addresses the specific concerns of your target audience. By knowing and promoting your brand, you achieve instant, precision-like focus that positions you as the ideal candidate for the specific type of opportunity that interests you. You gain immediate competitive advantage.

Be able to clearly articulate who you are and what you have to offer. While this may feel uncomfortable to you, the simple truth is that a job search is a sales and marketing campaign: a sales and marketing campaign in which YOU are the product. Through the process of personal branding, you must identify what differentiates you and paint a compelling portrait of your unique value proposition. But, don’t stop with just promoting this in your resume and then become tongue-tied when someone asks about you and your candidacy. You will hear the “what do you do?” or “tell me about yourself?” questions over and over, both during your job search and throughout your entire career. Don’t wing it! Preparation is the key to confidence and the key to making a lasting, positive, and memorable first impression. Be ready with a 30-60 second pitch that immediately and confidently conveys to the listener who you are as a professional and what it is that you offer.

Make their first impression your best impression. Take a hard look at your resume. Like it or not, your resume is your first introduction to most employers, and your only chance to make a good first impression. Effective resumes are highly focused marketing pieces that are strategically written and designed to sell YOU as THE best solution to a potential employer’s needs and problems. Your resume should be written to convey and illustrate your unique value proposition, with succinct “stories” that differentiate you from your competitors in the job market. Does your resume accomplish these goals? Is it focused effectively? Does it accurately present you in the way that you wish to be presented? If not, it is time to rewrite.

Network, network, network…and then network some more. At least 80% of all the jobs are found through the “hidden” job market, also known as the “unpublished” job market. These are jobs typically landed through word of mouth and referrals as opposed to answering ads, posting your resume to internet databases, or other techniques meant to target the remaining 20% of all jobs in the published market. It stands to reason that if the vast majority of the jobs are to be found in this hidden market, that you should spend the majority of your job search time working to crack it. There is no more effective job search technique than networking. So, even if it feels a little uncomfortable at first, just get out there and do it. Make networking a part of your daily routine and plan to spend the majority of your job search time on networking activities (approximately three-fourths of your time is a good estimate). The more you network, the faster your current job search will come to a successful conclusion and the faster and more successful any future job searches will be.

Plan and execute a multi-pronged job search campaign. Yes, networking is essential, but other job search techniques are also important. An effective job search campaign is a multi-pronged one that includes the strategic, planned, methodical use of a variety of job search approaches. Answering ads alone is almost never enough. Neither is working with headhunters, using internet job search sources, or researching and targeting specific employers. But, when you combine all these approaches with networking, carefully evaluate and prioritize the approaches based on relative effectiveness, and then launch an integrated, multi-pronged job search campaign, you will always come out ahead. The best job search is one in which the job seeker approaches it as if it was a job itself.

Build a support team. While your preparation will certainly ease the whole process, job searching can be a grueling and very stressful experience. So, I want to remind you that you don’t have to go through it alone. You should build a support team around you of people who can help you stay motivated and on track while giving you honest feedback and helping you stay accountable to the goals you set for yourself. Family and friends, past and present managers, your peers and colleagues, financial advisors, and professionals in the careers industry such as career counselors, coaches, and resume writers all make excellent people to add to your team. By assembling a good mix of people to support you, from a diversity of backgrounds and professions, you will receive a variety of different perspectives, ideas, and insights that can be very helpful. You should consider joining a job search support club or group – a local one if one is available or an online one. If you have been provided with outplacement services by your former employer, by all means take advantage of the office space and resources offered. The point is that you don’t have to and shouldn’t conduct your search in isolation. Surround yourself with a team that will help and support you. Above all, recognize when you need support and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance and guidance.

Always follow up. Following up on all of your contacts and your activities can do more to influence your success in achieving your job target than anything else. A hand-written thank you note or a more formal, typed thank you letter after speaking with a networking contact, attending an informational interview, or after attending an actual job interview can make a lasting positive impression that gives you a distinct competitive advantage. A follow-up phone call on every resume you send, whether it is a resume sent cold, in response to an ad, or based on a referral from one of your networking contacts can make all the difference in whether your resume is actually read and considered or not. A consistent method of follow up is key and you must make the time in your schedule to do so. Follow up will positively influence decision-makers, it will help key the process moving along, it will show your interest and your professionalism, and it will position you above the competition.

Adopt a “failure is not an option” attitude and make finding a job a job itself. Celebrate your accomplishments daily and weekly, but recognize that a successful job search requires persistence and consistent effort. The more “feelers” you put out, the more contacts you make, the more resumes you put into the hands of hiring authorities, and the more face-to-face interviews you go on, the faster you will achieve your job target. It can be difficult to remain motivated when you don’t immediately see results but remind yourself that job searching is a process and that it takes time. Reward yourself not just for the results, but for the effort.
About the Author:

Nationally certified resume writer and career marketing expert, Michelle Dumas is the director of Distinctive Career Services LLC. Through Distinctive Documents http://www.distinctiveweb.com and her Executive VIP Services http://www.100kcareermarketing.com Michelle has empowered thousands of professionals all across the U.S. and worldwide. Michelle is also the author of Secrets of a Successful Job Search http://www.job-search-secrets.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – 9 Keys to Job Search & Career Success

Finding Unposted Jobs

One thing you should keep in mind during your job search is that not every position will be posted publically. Not all companies list their available positions in the newspaper, job websites, or elsewhere.

Even if there are no public job offerings posted anywhere for a particular company, it never hurts to send in a resume. New positions become available all the time, especially in larger companies, so you never know when you might send in your resume at just the right moment.

I always make a list of some of the companies I most want to work for. Then I send a resume out to each of them immediately. I just send it straight to their human resources department, hoping they will have an appropriate position available. I can always apply for individual positions later if any open up.

The great thing about sending your resume in when there are no positions available is the fact that you have less competition. There will be many people applying for positions that are listed, but if you happen to send in a resume at a time when a position is available but not yet listed, you will have little to no competition.

Even better, if you happen to send your resume in when an integral employee has recently left the company, you could end up getting a job mroe easily simply because the company is desperate to replace the employee as quickly as possible.

I wouldn’t go too crazy sending in a resume every week, but once per month is probably fine. Some HR directors may not appreciate seeing resumes so often, but others will appreciate your tenacity. Think of Bud Fox in the movie Wall Street. While his tenacity didn’t pay off for a long time, once he eventually had the opportunity to meet Gordon Gekko, he was told just how much attention his tenacity had gotten him.

Don’t make yourself a pain in the butt for the company, but being persistent just might help you get your chosen position at the right time.

Using Employment Agencies

Employment agencies aren’t just for finding temporary positions. Many of them have a wide variety of permanent positions available, and even temp positions can turn into long-term employment. In fact, some companies hire almost all of their long-term employees through temp agencies, because they get a chance to try out employees without having to worry about the commitment of offering them a permanent position immediately.

If you’re having trouble finding employment through standard means, you should certainly put in applications with some of your local temp agencies. You may even be able to find employment agencies that specialize in headhunting in your chosen field. These companies would certainly be able to put you in touch with some important people!

Don’t treat interviews with employment agencies as any less important than you would if you were interviewing directly with the company you most want to work for. You never know when the interviewer at the agency might be able to put you into a position in that company, and even if they can’t now, that doesn’t mean they won’t be able to in the future.

You should put just as much effort and seriousness into an agency interview as you would any other interview. The impressions the agency interviewer gets from you may be passed on to companies who could hire you, so it’s vital to make a good impression.

Above all else, always remember that a temporary position is not always a bad thing that you should turn down. If you are offered a temp position in an excellent company, you might want to think about taking it. Not only will you get some valuable industry experience, but you could end up being hired on a permanent basis based on your performance. You would also have a better chance of being hired at that company later if they had a permanent position open up than if you had never worked there at all, so treat temp jobs just as seriously as you would a permanent position. If nothing else, you might be able to get a great industry reference from your time there!

Job Search Referrals

When you apply to a company for work and they don’t have any positions available for which you are qualified, you may be able to get them to refer you to other companies that may have positions available. When you apply for the job, if you are told there are no positions available or that the job you applied for was given to someone else, you can politely ask the individual if they know of any other companies that may have similar positions available.

Additionally, don’t overlook friends and family as potential sources of referrals. Someone you may know just might know someone who works in your chosen field. You may never know unless you ask, so if you’re having trouble finding a job, ask around. Your aunt, cousin, or old college roommate may not work in the field you do, but they may know someone who does. It never hurts to ask around.

Don’t forget about employment agencies. They don’t just hire for temporary positions! Some employment agencies may even specialize in recruiting for your chosen field, or they may specialize in finding long-term employment. So don’t overlook these companies as potential sources of jobs.

Finally, it never hurts to become friends with people in your industry. Attend trade shows and hang out where they congregate. The more people you meet and become friends with in your chosen field, the better your chances will be to find a position when you’re looking. If you have friends at most of the top companies in your field, you will always known when positions come available so you can be first in line to apply.

And you never know when one of these people will be promoted into a position where they could actually have some say in the hiring process. That guy you met who works in a mail room today might be promoted into human resources next month!

Online Job Searches

Searching for a job can be very daunting, especially if you are in a field with limited posisitons, or if you live in an area where jobs in your field are very rare.

In order to have the best possible chance of finding a job, you may need to perform a job search online. If jobs in your field are hard to find locally, you can search all over the country or the world if you use the internet.

In the past, it was quite difficult to look for jobs in other areas. You would usually have to go to your local library and hope that they had current newspapers for other areas where you could located potential positions.

These days, it is very simple to look for positions all over the world just by using some of the online job boards. You can find a job in any field, anywhere in the world, simply by performing a quick search online.

You can also send your resume electronically, so you don’t have to worry about it getting lost in the mail or having to have more copies printed if you run out.

Searching for a job online is also a huge time saver. Instead of dropping off resumes locally and having to drive all over town, you can just email resumes out to the companies you locate online.

The major problem you will have to deal with when searching for jobs online comes when you are selected for an interview by a company that isn’t in your local area. You can request a phone interview, but this won’t always be possible. Some companies may require you to be physically present for the interview, so you should be prepared to travel for job interviews if you’re going to be searching for a job outside of your local area. Remember, you may or may not get the job, so it’s up to you to evaluate your chances before you spend the time and money to travel out of town for an interview.

After the Interview

While the job interview is very important, what you do after the job interview is also critical. If you just sit around waiting for a call, you could be letting some other applicant take your job right out from under you. Be proactive!

After a job interview, you should send a follow-up letter. This is basically a thank you note that lets the interviewer know you appreciate the time they took interviewing you, and how very interested you are in the position.

You want to be sure to include the following:

• Sincere appreciation for the time the interviewer spent interviewing you
• A reminder of some points in the interview that you really enjoyed
• The hope that you will hear from the interviewer soon

The point of this note is to be respectful and appreciative. It is NOT to beg for the job. It is NOT to remind the interviewer of your qualifications. It is NOT to ask the interviewer to contact you faster or give you the job.

The pupose of this note is solely to show the interviewer that you are extremely interested in the position, and that you are the type of kind, respectful individual they would like to have working for their company.

If you do not hear back from the company for a couple of weeks, you could always call the company to ask for the status of your application. Just mention that you are highly interested in the position, and since you hadn’t heard back, you were calling to find out of the position had been filled. If it has still not been filled, you could politely ask to speak to the interviewer and remind them how interested you are in this particular job, and tell them you’re ready and willing to start immediately if they wish.

If you still don’t hear back, you should probably just wait, and spend some time applying for positions at other companies. If you aren’t able to get the job after the follow-up letter and the phone call after two weeks, you probably won’t. You can’t afford to spend time waiting around forever.

Preparing for a Job Interview

Preparing yourself for your job interview before you go is an important way to make sure you don’t screw up your chances of getting the job during your interview. While there may still be candidates that are more qualified than you, you don’t want to lose the position to a less qualified applicant simply because you didn’t do well in the interview.

There are a few key things the interviewer will be looking for:

• Confidence
• Explanations for any shortcomings
• Passion for your field
• Intelligence
• Responsibility
• People skills

You should work on these issues, especially one very important aspect. You need to be able to explain any shortcomings on your resume to the satisfaction of the interviewer if you want to have any hope of getting the job you’re applying for.

Let’s say you have plenty of experience, but no formal education. The interviewer is probably going to tell you that the company mostly hires college graduates, or they are going to ask you why you feel qualified for the position without an education.

You need to be able to explain why your experience, your drive, and your passion outweigh your lack of education. If you can convince the interviewer that you will be a valuable member of their company, your education won’t matter so much.

If you have a large gap in your employment history, you need to be able to explain why. Were you traveling around the world to get experiences that would prepapre you for the position? Were you taking some extra classes? Were you ill at the time, but better now? Whatever the reason, you need to be prepared to explain it in a way that will show the gap as a benefit, not something negative.

Finally, you need to be sure you can explain why you are no longer working at each of your former jobs. It is very common for interviewers to ask why you left your former positions. You need to be able to explain why, without looking like a whiner or irresponsible. If you were fired, say so. But give the interviewer a good explanation as to why you were fired and why you wouldn’t make the same mistakes again. Your honesty will be appreciated. You may have quit because you felt you weren’t happy with your prospects for advancement, or because you felt you could not learn anything more at your current position, or because you needed to move to a new area of the world. Whatever the reason, try to make it sound like a benefit.

Dressing for Jobs Interviews

The way you dress for your job interview will have a major impact on how well your job interview goes. It is not only possible to dress too casually, but it is also possible to overdress for the occasion. You need to be sure you dress appropriately for the position you are applying for.

It’s a good idea to wear something just slightly above the level of dress you would be wearing to work each day. If most of your coworkers would be wearing khaki pants and dress shirts, you might want to dress similarly, with the addition or a blazer. If most of them would be wearing designer business suits, you should dress this way for your interview. If you would be wearing jeans and t-shirts to work, you could wear slacks and a dress shirt to the interview. The only time you shouldn’t dress at or slighly above your potential coworker dress would be if you were applying for a specific type of job.

For example, if you are applying for a job at a tattoo parlor, you might not want to wear slacks and a dress shirt to your interview. You might end up looking stuffy or foolish. In a case like this, you would just wear whatever you would normally wear to work, just making sure that your clothes are clean and free of stains, rips, or other unintended damage.

Color is important. Red signifies confidence, and will give the interviewer a vibe that you are intelligent and strong. Blue is calming, and will help relax the interviewer and put them at ease with you. You don’t want to wear too much color, because it can be shocking and overpowering, but a tie or scarf in one of these colors can make a big difference.

Whatever you decide to wear, make sure it is in good condition. Your clothing should be clean, free of stains and tears, and ironed smooth if necessary. Pleats should be pressed, shirts should be free of wrinkles, and clothing should not look old or worn out.

The way you dress is going to have a big impact on how you are perceived. Be sure to give a great first impression, or it may be the only impression you ever get!

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