Shiny New Resume

Why you? Answer the critical job search question

Judy Douglass — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:38:07 +0000

As a job seeker, you have to be able to answer the question, “Why should someone hire me?” It can be a question an interviewer asks but even if it’s not, being able to articulate why you would be an asset for the company is something to consider and research. Knowing why someone should hire you can raise your confidence and let hiring managers know you have thought about what you have to contribute to their organization. Companies are looking for people who can provide a benefit or benefits to the organization. Successful applicants communicate that through resumes and interviews. The answer you want to give to the question, “Why should I hire you?” is one that indicates you are the best candidate for the job.

Answering this question involves knowing what you can contribute. The contributions can be both general and specific to the company. Your resume outlines your quantifiable experiences and skills. A question about why you should be hired is your opportunity to expand on your contributions and skills that are not as easily quantifiable. You will want to have prepared for this question as much as possible. Commit what you are going to say to memory so that your answer comes easily and without hesitation. Keep the focus on the contributions you can make to the company, not on yourself.

Find out as much as you can about the company, including their philosophy and mission. Compare your job experience with what the company does. Does your experience fit nicely with the company? Do you have specific skills that would increase their revenue or streamline their processes? Do you have experience using the software needed to perform the job? All of these are things an employer wants to know about potential hires.

Break down the job you are applying for into parts. Address each part specifically with examples of how your previous experience either prepared you for or mirrors the job you are applying for. Be as specific as possible with your examples, citing accomplishments and efficiencies that benefited the company.

Answering the question of why you should be hired allows you to show the motivation and dedication you have for the position and company. It gives you the opportunity to talk about what you, specifically, have to contribute. You should highlight your interactions with colleagues and coworkers. One way to do this is to think about what you are known for. Are you flexible and able to deal with change? Do your associates look to you for problem-solving advice? If you are at ease making presentations to either clients or staff, include that as part of your list of valuable assets. These are the types of skills that might not be on your resume. Incorporate those skills into your response.

Highlight the fact that you are knowledgeable. Let the interviewer know your experiences in the field and the insights those experiences have provided. If the experiences gave you new knowledge, include that information. Let the interviewer know how you keep up with new information in your area. This lets the interviewer know that you are actively involved in the field and its developments.

The emphasis on why someone should hire you needs to be on the qualities and skills you can contribute to the work environment. That doesn’t mean you can’t mention your hobbies and interests. Most companies are looking for people who are well rounded. Including a small bit of information about your non-work activities gives the interviewer a glimpse at your personal life. If you mention that you are a passionate soccer player, you may even find that the company has a team. One caution here is that if you are passionate about a hobby, be careful not to get too involved in the details of your interest during the interview. Just a quick note about what interest you, no more. Tying your interest to a passion for new ideas, challenges and skills make it appropriate for an interview.

If you are prepared to answer the question regarding why a company should hire you, your answer can be what sets you apart from the other candidates. Answering with specifics and confidence makes you a poised and professional candidate. Knowing how you will respond takes some of the anxiety out of the interview. The answer you provide will differ for each interview, but the basics will be the same. Tie the work you have already done, the qualities that make you who you are and your enthusiasm and motivation for the job to the position you are applying for. And remember, the best answer to this question is the answer that indicates you are the best candidate for the job.

Professional resume writers help answer the critical question: What sets you apart? Build your confidence with a Shiny New Resume! Our resume writing process insures an excellent, uniquely tailored resume as well as a clearer picture of how to articulate what you bring to the table (and other candidates don’t). Get started at ShinyNewResume.com.

Credit history and job search

Judy Douglass — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:19:59 +0000

Many employers have begun using credit histories to screen applications for available positions. The employer wants to know how responsible you are in handling your finances. Employers don’t generally have access to your FICO score, but they can see if there are tax liens or judgments against you. Employers have access to any public information regarding your history. It is illegal for a company to check your credit without your permission, although saying no to a credit check raises the same concerns that bad credit does.

Certain jobs will, by their nature, require a credit check. Those include any job in supervisory, managerial, professional or executive positions at financial institutions. Positions that require the handling of money, such as cashiers and bookkeepers may require a credit check. Jobs that fall under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, involve national security or are for a state or federal agency also fall into this category.

Since your credit history is a factor companies are using as part of the hiring process, it’s wise to pay attention to what can create a negative picture for potential employers. You need to be aware of what the agencies that report credit are saying about you. You can check your credit for free using AnnualCreditReport.com, the only online free credit service authorized by the Federal Trade Commission. Here you can pull your credit files from the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. Correct any errors by filing disputes with the agencies.

Pay your bills on time. Make at least the minimum required payment. Continue making on-time minimum payments, as this is the number one factor in determining your credit score. If you are unemployed and can’t make your payments, work out an arrangement with your creditors. They will typically work with you and may even lower your interest rate. Don’t add new credit or debit cards. Even if you are pre-approved, opening several accounts in a short period of time can make you seem to be a credit risk.

If you don’t already have one, start a savings account. This will give you a resource to use if you are having problems meeting your monthly obligations. It’s much better to use savings than to live on credit. You wont have interest payments if you’re not in a position to have to rely on credit.

Live within your means. Limit your purchases to things you need, not things you want. If possible, switch to a cash only or mostly cash spending pattern. Credit cards are a great convenience but they make it easy to spend above the amount that’s in your budget. Unless it’s essential, don’t make any major purchases on credit while you are conducting your job search.

Employers cannot check your credit without your permission. Once you know the company will be conducting a credit check, be proactive. Discuss the issues that may be uncovered by a search of your credit history. Employers are more interested in how you handle the difficulties that arise than hiring people with perfect credit histories. Being honest and forthright about your financial situation is a better way to handle credit irregularities than to let the employer find out through a report. In tough economic times, you may have circumstances that employers may empathize with (perhaps keeping up with medical bills during unemployment). As long as you are up front and honest about your history, you still have a shot at getting the job. Waiting until the employer finds out and makes judgments with half the facts is typically a losing proposition.

Generally, employers are more interested in background checks like criminal history or identity verification. Since there is a potential inclusion of credit history in the screening process you need to make sure you are prepared to answer any questions or concerns that may arise. If you have great or good credit, you should not face any problems regarding credit checks by employers. If your credit is less that great, be sure to take the steps needed to make yourself aware of the situation and work with your creditors to clear up any problems or misinformation.

Increase your chances of job search success with a professionally written and designed resume. Professional resume writing gets results – and probably costs less than you think! Get started at ShinyNewResume.com and work directly with an experienced resume writer to craft your perfect resume.

Make sure the interview you is the real you

Kary Aycock — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:00:39 +0000

If you can’t get hired being yourself, it’s not where you want to work. Interviews are generally not fun, but if you’re not comfortable showing your true self at work, you have some work to do on yourself. Don’t create a disconnect between who you are and who you want to be. It will eventually derail your happiness, your career and your personal relationships. Be who you want to be.

Eliminate the attitude that “professional you” clocks in and out. You never know how your professional and personal lives will eventually collide (and they probably will). Make sure that’s a good thing by being completely honest and real in your professional and personal life. There’s nothing wrong with working hard and playing hard, making fitness, family or something else a high priority, but finding a workplace that shares your values is the best case scenario. Pick the right professional path and you’ll find yourself growing valuable personal relationships alongside it.

Don’t let an interviewer dictate who you are. Interview styles vary, but you shouldn’t let their approach affect your game. Rehearse your key messages and questions and obsessively research the company so you’ll be cool and confident during interviews. Be prepared for the question “What do you know about me?” from the interviewer and listen carefully to the questions you’re asked.

Don’t let a casual interviewer turn it into a casual conversation – it’s still an interview and this isn’t your new friend. If the interviewer seems distracted or uninterested, remember you have their attention for a reason. It might not be the best timing, but if they were truly and totally disinterested they would have canceled your interview.

Don’t get taken by a super positive interviewer. Thinking you already have the job is no way to win in an interview. Some people just feel good making people feel good; their positive attitude is not necessarily because you’re a shoe-in for the job.

Domineering interviewers aren’t necessarily domineering managers; try to resist the urge to go toe-to-toe or walk out on an authoritative interviewer. Exceptionally contrary interviewers might be testing you and your response to challenges, so don’t get agitated and show them you’re incompetent at dealing with jerks. Truth is, it’s a necessary skill for many jobs, so keep your cool.

Grace and charm come much more easily with practice. There’s not much to worry about when you’re well rehearsed and totally comfortable expressing the most valuable things you bring to an organization. Knowing about the organization and interviewer can help put your value proposition into focus for the interviewer. In short, you can’t be too prepared.

Get comfortable with your unique value proposition by working with a professional resume writer online. Professional resume writers build confidence by drawing out your most marketable accomplishments. Get started at Shiny New Resume today! We’ll make you shine!

Beating the salary negotiation beast

Kary Aycock — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:11:20 +0000

We’ve covered the basics of salary negotiation before, but here’s what to do if you can’t deflect the killer question.

It’s best not to be the first to name a number in salary (or any) negotiations but the reality is in most cases you won’t get through the process without numbers. Unless you’re able to network into a position so you can skip the online application and phone interview, chances are you’ll need to give a salary expectation. Not a range, not “based on the position” or “negotiable,” but cold, hard numbers. Not fun, not necessarily fair, but true.

Try to turn the salary question around if possible, with something like “What range did you have in mind?” But also realize that might not work. Online applications are notoriously unfriendly to these kinds of questions: expect that you’ll have to type in digits to apply for some jobs. They may also ask for a salary history, which doesn’t seem fair you’re trying to move up (way up) and you’ve been a superstar in your industry. Bottom line: it sucks, but you’re best served to just answer the question if you want the job. Don’t ever lie about your salary history; they may check with the IRS.

Be extremely prepared with verifiable sources stating what comparable positions in your area are paying. Research as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to call and email people in your field if a Google search doesn’t render the information you need. The more information you have to justify your salary, the better. Justification and specificity are your friends here. If you can prove your value you’ll be far more likely to get what you want. Also be sure you understand the compensation package well; 100k a year for an 80 hour work week is far different than 100k a year for a 40 hour work week with 6 weeks of paid vacation. It’s also a lot different from a salary with a bonus structure that has the opportunity to total up to 100k per year.

Once you nail down a salary number, be prepared to talk perks. The pay is important, but so are weeks of vacation, flexibility to work from home, whether or not personal appointments like doctor visits count toward PTO, overtime expectations, health insurance, retirement and other benefits.

Get the big number out of the way first, then see how much more you can get on the benefits side. Don’t forget to ask how long before benefits kick in – and you’d be smart to ask for a shorter waiting period if there is one. Even if you don’t get exactly what you want on the salary front, you might be able to make up for it with perks.

Also ask about mobility: what are the natural steps up in the company and how often you can expect opportunities for raises or promotions. Mobility can easily make or break an offer, but don’t get too caught up in the future opportunities or the employer is likely to think your eyes are on the next thing instead of the job you’re being hired for. Your primary focus needs to be the job at hand, but it’s also important to have perspective on the job in the context of your career.

A professional resume writer can help you figure out your superpowers! Invest in your future with a Shiny New Resume that speaks to your unique value and weaves parallel stories from your past to your future. Get started working with a professional resume writer online today. We’ll make you shine!

Are You Applying to Fake Jobs?

Judy Douglass — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:47:41 +0000

Searching for a job has plenty of challenges. You have to put your self on the line, show yourself in your best light and exude confidence. Each time you submit a resume or fill out an application, your expectations are that you will be considered for your qualifications and skills. This is what happens with a legitimate job posting. Unfortunately, there are some people who are scamming job seekers in order make money or obtain private information. Being informed is the best way to avoid falling for any of these scams.

Most people would like to work from home and be well compensated for their time. Unfortunately, there are scams out there to take advantage of that. Job scams and fake job postings are abundant on the internet. Legitimate job postings name companies, have contact names and don’t send you to a link that’s not connected to the company.

Scammers come in many types, but the two most common job scams are postings for jobs that don’t exist and ads that lure applicants into a commitment for job services or a multi-level marketing enterprise. Job services promise that you will get a list of jobs after your fee is paid. Multi-level marketing companies are investment opportunities, not actual jobs. Some scammers are paid by the number of clicks to a given website, so those will direct you to another website. Each time you click, the scammer gets paid. These clicks don’t put you any closer to finding a job; they are a waste of time.

Large job sites, such as Monster.com, are particularly vulnerable to fake job posts and job scammers. With the volume of posting on a large job site, verifying a legitimate post isn’t easy. Scammers learn how to break through the filter that’s blocking them. They come back each time with new ways to get through.

Although there are many legitimate jobs posted on Craigslist, it’s a great place for job scammers and fake job postings. Most of the site is free to anyone who wants to post an ad. There is no screening process to determine the accuracy or legitimacy of a posting. You have to be your own screener in these cases.

Both Monster and Craigslist are very large sites. That doesn’t mean that smaller job sites are not going to have fake job posts or job scammers. Knowing what to look for can help you avoid wasting time or getting involved in something that isn’t productive for your job search.

What to look for

A fake job posting often directs you to a hard sell for career services that promise to provide you the necessary skills for the job that was advertised. You would be asked to pay for that training with no guarantee of a job. In addition, the fake jobs can be phishing expeditions posted by identity thieves to garner sensitive information. The postings to watch out for often ask for personal information such as bank account or social security numbers. Here are the red flags to look out for.

The job title is not specific.
The job title doesn’t match the job description.
The job description is perfect. Great hours, salary and benefits. Anyone would want this job. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The salary or hourly wage is too good to be true.
The job pays very well but requires no experience. In general, salaries are based on experience.
The salary range is strangely specific $13.43-$32.43 or very broad $35,000-$65,000.
The posting is oddly worded or contains misspelled words.
You get a response from a foreign country asking you to handle accounts receivable/accounts payable.
There is no job contact information.
A link directs you to a multi-level marketing site or the link redirects you to another site.
You are asked to sign up for web-conferencing to get training.
You are asked to register at a job membership site.
You get a response telling you that your resume has been reviewed and accepted when you haven’t sent a resume.
You keep getting the same auto response to your e-mails.
The return e-mail address is a free e-mail provider such as yahoo or Gmail. Legitimate companies usually have their own domain.

Steps you can take

When you are using the web to search for job postings, use it to research the postings as well. Legitimate companies do not post job listings that require you to pay or provide sensitive information to get an interview. Scammers try to stay one step ahead to avoid the filters and other blocking techniques job sites use to prevent fake job postings. That means that looking for legitimate job postings requires that you be as informed as possible about what types of listing may be fake or may be phishing. A proactive attitude can protect you and keep you on the right path toward a job.

Never give access to your credit reports or other sensitive personal information.
Research the company posting the job.
Research the name of the person who is listed as the company representative.
Report postings that aren’t for an actual company.
Investigate “work from home” positions thoroughly. There are legitimate jobs, but many are scams.
Never give money for a list or information.

Shiny New Resume can make sure you land a real job with a superstar resume and cover letter. We’ll help you dig deep to empower your resume with your most powerful and relevant accomplishments. Click here to start working with a professional resume writer online today. We’ll make you shine!

Top job boards for 2011

Kary Aycock — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:58:29 +0000

Niche job boards can be a helpful tool in your job search, but if you’ve read any of our other articles you already know that job boards are one of the least effective ways to look for a job. The statistics are clear: only 13% of external hires in 2009 were attributed to job posts. Read the CareerXroads Source of Hire Study for more detail.

That said, the more targeted the job board the more luck – and less competition – you’re likely to find. Here are some of the best according to recruiters and job seekers at WEDDLE. If you believe the survey, health career job seekers might be the luckiest among us when it comes to niche job boards – at least 8 of these are health career specific.

WEDDLE’s top 30 job boards

Hire a professional resume writer and designer and be 100% confident your career is presented in the best light possible. We’ll make you shine! Get started today at ShinyNewResume.com and your Shiny New Resume could be ready for that new job application before Monday. Prices are down-to-earth, especially for an investment that could land you a new job, better pay and a new perspective! Get started with a professional resume writer online today!

How to resign on excellent terms

Kary Aycock — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:47:05 +0000

Quitting a job is stressful, but resist the natural urge to feel guilty about resigning from a position. Stay positive and helpful throughout the process to make the most of this important transition. You never know when an old colleague will resurface in your career, so it’s important to make sure people remember you in a good light.

Part 1: Preparation

Read the company policies so you know exactly what you’re in for in terms of vacation pay or forfeiture, insurance and other details. If you’re going to lose it, be sure to take vacation well in advance of resigning. Don’t expect a good reference if you take 2 weeks of vacation and give notice the day you get back. Learn more about the process of leaving your job on the best possible terms in this article.

Part 2: Doing the deed

Give your employer as much notice as possible, but keep in mind that company policy could dictate an immediate departure once you give notice. Be prepared by tidying up your desk and cleaning up your computer (deleting personal files and emails) before you have the conversation.

2 weeks notice is the old standard, but since that’s typically not enough time to find a replacement in a professional position, 4 weeks notice is appreciated in most circumstances. You should try to find out what’s normal and expected in the company; it could be 6 weeks or more depending on the position.

Unless you work 100% remotely, you need to give notice in person, not by email. Follow up with a written resignation letter with your final day clearly spelled out. Be professional and honest about why you’re leaving, but keep the tone positive.

Give notice to your supervisor first. Resist the urge to start talking about your departure with coworkers before you give your official notice. It’s unprofessional and could end up backfiring.

Offer to recruit and/or train your replacement. Show gratitude for the opportunity and professional development you’ve acquired at the current position. Don’t give too much detail; make it about the opportunity not about what’s wrong with your current position.

Counter offers are rarely worth considering. If you had the motivation to interview for another position, your current job is probably not the best place for you, even if they raise your pay, up your vacation or otherwise sweeten the pot. Learn more about evaluating job offers in this article.

Part 3: Leading up to leaving

Those last days or weeks are always awkward. You’re feeling like a lame duck and it’s hard to get anything done. Here are the keys to making the most of the time.

Resist the urge to take shots and criticize what’s wrong at the company. It will make you look bad and you’ll alienate your coworkers in the process. You’re not going to make any friends by being negative or bragging about how great your new position is. Keep the criticism to yourself.

Don’t reciprocate (or take it personally) if your boss becomes difficult. Hiring is a challenge and turnover doesn’t reflect well on managers. Realize that your departure is adding to their workload and their negative attitude might be a subconscious reaction. Take it in stride. Be gracious and polite in the face of adversity.

Connect with your coworkers on LinkedIn. Easy enough to do, but also easy enough to forget. Just adding them to your social network might not be enough either; think about which (if any) of your coworkers you’d like to continue connecting with and set up lunch, coffee or happy hour within a month of your departure.

Scrub your work computer. Remove all saved passwords, personal emails and files. Clear your internet browsing caches and history. Save any email addresses and contact information you might want in the future.

Are you ready to compete with professionally written resumes? Work with a professional resume writer and get noticed! Hire Shiny New Resume to create the perfect resume that demonstrates your unique value. Get started today at ShinyNewResume.com – we’ll make you shine!

How to be a great resume writing customer (and get the most out of the process)

Kary Aycock — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:06:43 +0000

You’re smart enough to hire someone else to write your resume, but here’s how to be a smart customer and get the most value out of your purchase. Short and sweet is our goal – for both your resume and the process – but we can’t have you blending in with everyone either.

Writing your resume is a 2-way street. We’re not a resume mill or typing service, so if you were expecting to just upload your existing resume and download a new one, we might not be the right resume service for you. Since resumes are personal documents that must speak to your unique value proposition, our professional resume writers work personally with all of our clients to ensure the best possible product.

Know what you want. Your resume writer will have a much harder time helping you if you “just need a job, any job.” The best resumes are tailored not only to the industry you work in, but to the specific job descriptions. The more your writer understands about what the employer wants from their next hire, the more effectively they can write your resume to meet that need. Spend some time looking at what’s out there that interests you before you engage a professional resume writer. At the very least you should find a couple of “dream job” listings so your writer will understand what you’re looking for.

Working with your writer isn’t hard, but it does take some time and energy. Talking about yourself is difficult for most of us, but don’t let that distract you from the task at hand. You made it this far – now get the most out of what you paid for! Start with our resume writing self-assessment to get an idea of the kinds of questions your professional resume writer will ask: http://shinynewresume.com/articles/2010/04/10/resume-writing-self-assessment/

We write resumes all the time – we know what we’re doing. If you don’t understand the way something is presented on your resume, ask us why. We’ve probably already thought through the options. Most people are much more comfortable listing job descriptions and dates than really talking about who they are and what they’ve done. We’re here to help you stand out from the masses – trust us enough to help you do it.

Responsibilities and job descriptions vs. achievements and distinguishing features. Job descriptions are far, far less important than your distinguishing accomplishments. Responsibilities aren’t indicative of performance, but accomplishments are. Your competition will more than likely have similar job histories, and employers need to know what makes you different. If you don’t show them your distinguishing features up front and center, your resume is likely to get shoved in the “no” pile with most of the other candidates. More about the achievement-driven resumes we advocate (and why!) in this article: http://shinynewresume.com/articles/2010/08/19/be-proud-how-to-rewrite-your-resume-with-achievements/

Once we’re finished with your Shiny New Resume, consider tweaking your resume a bit for each position. Tightening up the focus and terminology to really target what they’re looking for can be very effective. Consider your Shiny New Resume a baseline and rearrange, add and remove as you notice the priorities of the position and company. The employer spent time writing the job posting; make sure you give it equal attention. Research the company to find out what you can about their company culture and human resources needs. The more you know, the better you can make your resume match what they’re looking for. More about targeting your resume for maximum effect in this article: http://shinynewresume.com/articles/2011/01/12/targeting-your-resume-for-maximum-effect/

We’ll make you shine! Invest in your future with a professionally written resume that will help you stand out from the masses. Work 1-on-1 with an experienced professional resume writer online at Shiny New Resume. It’s relatively cheap, easy and will probably get you hired weeks faster than writing your own resume. Where else can you get such a dramatic return on your investment? Get started now at ShinyNewResume.com.

Why no one is calling you back. Hint: It’s probably your own fault.

Kary Aycock — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:59:09 +0000

You’re sending out resumes like mad and no one’s called you back for an interview. Truth is, it’s probably your own fault. Here we tackle the top problems you’re likely to make when sending out those Shiny New Resumes.

Your resume isn’t tailored to the position. No one is looking for a jack-of-all-trades. Companies want to fill a specific position. Show them why you’re a better fit – for that position alone – than anyone else. If you don’t use terminology that matches the job posting exactly, you’re making the reader work too hard. They like the words they used in the job posting; be nice and use their words in your resume and cover letter.

Your cover letter is impersonal or you didn’t bother to send one. Show some enthusiasm. Don’t send it as an attachment. Don’t make an excuse about why it’s not attached and please, proofread it. Twice. If you’re sending the same email to apply to multiple jobs, you can bet it doesn’t stand out from the others received and will be ignored. Too many cover letters read like this (I’ll spare you the capitalization errors):

To Whom It May Concern:
Please find my resume attached. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
John Jerk

If you don’t have enough time to address the recipient in a personal cover letter, they certainly won’t find time to open your resume, much less read it. It’s stunning how many people send out attachments with no cover letter and expect to get a call back.

Photo attachment. Don’t. Ever. Immediate deletion for SO MANY reasons. Unless the employer asked for a photograph (unlikely unless you’re an actor or model), they don’t want it. Many employers are required to toss these out for fear of discrimination.

You forwarded your response to a different job post. You know that shows up super obvious in any email client, don’t you? Again, if you don’t have time for me I don’t have time for you. Immediate deletion.

Your cover letter is too much about you. The manager doesn’t care about the personal circumstances leading to your job search. I’ve seen way too many cover letters with “I’m relocating…” or “I just moved…” or “I’m currently unemployed because…” or “I need employment ASAP…” It’s not helping your case. No one wants to hire someone who’s desperate. Your cover letter needs to be about what you can do for the company.

Your cover letter is too long. Keep it short and directly relevant. I once received an application for an office assistant that led with their master’s degree in Oriental Medicine. If you didn’t take the time to figure out that’s not important to me, I don’t have time to bother reading your resume.

You ask the employer to ignore information or otherwise do something for you. Totally unacceptable, but I’ve seen all of these in cover letters. “Use this phone number or email address instead.” “My current job is not on my resume.” “Call me only during these hours/days.” “Reply to me so I can send something else to you.” “Call me about the position before I send my resume.” Don’t send more than one email and expect someone to bother assembling your cover letter and resume for you.

Your cover letter is all about your degree. If the position requires a degree, every single applicant has one and the details are available on your resume. Unless it’s your top qualification (probably not), your degree doesn’t belong in your cover letter at all.

You sent the email from HotDrunkGirl77@whatever.com. JustYourName@ is the only appropriate email for a job search.

You sent the reply from another company’s email address. It shows a reckless disregard for that company’s assets and time. If you take advantage of their resources you’ll take advantage in your next position. It should go without saying that if there is anything like this at the end of your email, it’s getting deleted:

Notice: This email message, including any attachments, contains information belonging to XXX, Inc. and its business units…

Cutesy signature. It shows a lack of professionalism. In a competitive job market, any little thing is a reason not to open your resume. Your pink cursive signature is fine for friends, but not for a job search email. No university logos, photos or quotes in your signature either – all are unnecessary risks.

You’re not qualified. If you don’t meet 100% of the requirements, you’ll probably be ignored by logic and you might be ignored by law. Don’t stretch your experience and apply to things you’re not qualified for – it’s a waste of your time and theirs.

It’s always better to fly direct. Search firms aren’t always aligned in your best interest. HR might not understand your value. If you know the company is hiring, apply directly. Better yet, leverage your network and apply via someone you know who works there. The best way to get a great job? Come recommended.

You’re not paying attention. Too many job seekers get busy with nonsense and miss the phone call or email that says “Hey, we want to talk to you!” Time is not on your side. They’re going to move on to the next candidate if they don’t hear from you quickly.

Too many replies, not enough time. If 300 people respond in 3 days, they might not find time to respond to yours. Get a Shiny New Resume and stand out from the masses. Network into a company to circumvent the noise.

Maybe they messed up. The job was filled before it was posted, or close to it. Canceled project, unforeseen circumstances, really it could be anything. It probably wasn’t a scam; so keep sending resumes if the company keeps showing interest in receiving applicants.

Improve your chances of getting called back!

1. Stop blaming the economy (and everything else). There are a lot of jobs out there; trouble is the people doing the hiring only want the very best. They want to hire someone smart, enthusiastic and ready to work hard, and it’s harder to find than it sounds.

2. Don’t wait for an opening. Show some energy toward your industry. Demonstrate how you can help a company grow. Tell them about the mistakes they’re making and the things they need to fix. Solve a problem. Devote some time to learning about the business operation and how to help them make money.

3. Know what you want. This might be the hardest of the bunch, but an unfocused job search will almost always be unsuccessful. Even if you do find something, chances are it’s not the kind of job that will make you happy. Do some soul searching and know what you want before you waste someone else’s time trying to figure it out.

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Resume keyword secrets (shh, there aren’t any)

Kary Aycock — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:54:40 +0000

People talk a lot about keywords and keyword rich resumes, but the real key words are the ones listed in the job you’re applying for. Tailor your resume to emphasize the individual company’s “keywords” for the job you want.

Show proficiency and genuine interest in your industry by using keywords from industry publications and news in your resume. This applies whether you’re an interior designer or a finance executive. If you want XYZ job, be sure you’re up on the latest trends, competition, award winners and other XYZ news. Be up to date – both on your industry and on who your local industry players are. Better yet, learn how the company fits into the industry landscape.

Be sure to customize your cover letter and resume with an emphasis on what you can provide the employer. Match what’s important to them, not you. You might be very proud of your sales award last year, but if you’re trying to break into biz dev, your account management background may be more important to the employer. That doesn’t mean to leave out the sales award, just prioritize based on what the employer emphasized in the job call.

There’s no secret list of keywords that company databases screen for. If you read the qualifications and job description carefully, you already know what the keys to that position are. If you want to be thorough, comb through 5 or 10 job postings that have the same job title and verify you’ve included the core concepts from all of them. You should still consider customizing your resume for each position.

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