Month: July 2015

Evaluate and List the Qualifications Employers Want


Guided by the job description

When applying for a job it is important for an applicant to read the job description as thoroughly as s/he possibly can before submitting the application; because a lot of what employers are actually looking for in their potential associate is written right in the job description and requirements. In fact, an applicant should review his/her resume against the job description and requirements listed in order to make sure that s/he has covered everything the employer is looking for.

If you, as a job applicant, can address all requirements of a potential employer with the information included on your resume or in your cover letter, you will be on the right track for getting that job. However, there is a whole list of skills employers look for that are never spelled out in the job description. These are a category of skills which can be described as inherently employable, which are certain skills beyond your technical knowledge and qualifications that make you a great professional in your field.

Inherent employable skills

Don’t panic because you already have employable skills inherently, although you just may not think of them as critical for getting a job. These inherently employable skills have been grouped in eight categories:

  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Initiative and enterprise skills
  • Planning and organizing skills
  • Self-management
  • Learning skills
  • Technology skills

Now that you have read the categories you are probably thinking to yourself, yes, I do have those skills! But did you ever think to list them on your resume? Most people focus on their professional achievements and responsibilities, and they often skip these skills in favor of those which are job specific. However, more and more employers look for these skills on a resume. Your potential employer wants to know that you are a team player, that you communicate well, and that you will show initiative when needed.

Showcase all your valuable skills

While you may think this is implied by your interest in the available position, employers like to see these skills to be specified on your resume or in your cover letter; and the best way to demonstrate these skills is through your experience and under your qualifications. Point out the initiatives you have participated in that required you to work in a team environment, under a deadline, or as a self-starter. Demonstrate your loyalty through pointing out your accomplishments at an organization and how they benefited your team as a whole (not just you).

You can showcase these inherently employable skills in your cover letter by openly showing your enthusiasm for the available position; stating your commitment to your career objective; indicating your motivation and your integrity; and showing that you are, above all, unselfish and credible.

These skills are as critical to your ability to do a great job as your professional experience and education are; and employers often look for someone who will be a great fit on their team and in their organization; someone who works well under pressure but also has a sense of humor and a good balance between their personal and professional life.

Above & beyond the job qualifications

Review your existing resume! Does it contain any inherently employable skills? If not, make revisions to incorporate this category of skills you believe are innate strengths. If you are unsure, ask your friends or family for an objective opinion so that you can get a better idea of how you are viewed as a person as well as a professional by people around you see you.

Keep these attributes in mind as you compose your resume and your cover letter, and especially as you are taking part in interviews. These skills can be the difference between the ability to do a job you qualify for and exceeding goals to grow in your career.

Sources of Industry-Specific Resume Samples


Resume writing: Investment in time

If you’ve pursued more than one job or position in your lifetime, you’ll probably agree that writing a resume is a difficult task, regardless of your level of experience with the process; and while the content of your resume is critical to the effectiveness of your overall document, the layout and format utilized are equally as important. If you are about to write a new resume or update an existing one, you should start by researching different resume styles and find out which best represents your field.

The biggest mistake made by individuals when composing their resumes is using a generic template that comes included with a given text editing software like Microsoft Word. These templates are usually outdated and very difficult to format – not to mention that they do not transfer well to online job applications. Avoid the quick-fix utility of such resume templates, and invest some time in finding resources that will provide you with up-to-date and helpful ways to compose a winning resume.

The easiest and least expensive way to find samples of resumes in your specific industry is to run a search on the Internet; but before you get started, a word of caution: consider the sources of information before you decide to utilize any of their suggestions in your resume. You will come across web sites that promise to teach you how to write an exceptional cover letter in three and a half minutes. Don’t believe these gimmicky claims!

Consider the resume sample source

Just be mindful of anyone making promises that seem “too good to be true,” because unless you choose to hire a resume writing service, obtaining resources on resume writing should not cost you any money or obligate you to a long-term commitment. If you are unsure of the integrity of information you see or the credibility of any source providing it, simply find another source and compare your findings.

A great online resource for resume writing and composition is Monster.com, who is mostly known for their job search database; but along with their database, they offer a variety of other information and services for individuals looking for employment. Under the Career Advice tab, you will find a wealth of information on your job search, salary requirements, advice by industry, and information about perfecting your resume.

In addition to articles about your job search and resume-related message boards, Monster’s Resume Center includes a variety of resume examples for professionals in a number of different industries. From administrative assistants to web designers, everyone can find career management tools that best fit their career objectives at: Monster.com Career-Management

Pros & con basics of resume writing

This page shows you samples of functional and chronological resumes, traditional resumes and sample cover letters, so it is important that you take the time to review these samples; and don’t be afraid to copy the formatting for your own resume (of course, you are advised against copying the actual text from their resume sample). But proceed with confidence because the information is provided by a source that is most certainly reliable.

If you are among that group of individuals who already have a draft of their resume, and are looking to make updates or revisions, check out the Resume Makeovers section of monster.com for a great look at the before and after resumes of real professionals: Go to Monster.com Resume Samples to take a look!

It is important that you review these samples, even if the industry is not applicable to your line of work, because doing so will teach you the basic pros and cons of resume writing where you can see why some things work and why others don’t; and you will also be able to chose the best ways to highlight your qualifications. Of course the same rules apply to copying content: do not copy another person’s work. However, use these resources to your advantage and create the resume that best represents you in the eyes of potential employers.