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  • Matching the Job Title with Job Responsibilities


    A job title-to-responsibilities equation

    A friend of mine recently asked for my help in composing her resume, and once she told me some of the reasons she wished to work on her resume I could certainly understand the motivation. You see, my friend works as an Office Manager for a small business, and in that role she assumes all the responsibilities of an Office Manager; but she also partners with the company owner to set policies, works with freelancers on marketing materials, serves as a liaison between vendors and shipping service companies, and conducts calls for sales leads that are collected at trade shows.

    In other words, her title doesn’t encompass all of her job responsibilities and this has led to several potential employers raising concerns about the difference in her title and her overall position in the company, and wondering if she had exaggerated her importance on the resume. Such exaggeration was not the case however, because my friend’s resume reflected exactly what her title was and the responsibilities she undertook while holding that title.

    Many professionals run into situations where their title at certain current jobs is so specific to the company that it carries no meaning outside of the organization; or it implies that they are a level or more below their actual work responsibilities. The difficulty we face in these situations, and the manner in which we deal with them, must be accurately accounted for; and our professional experience must be adequately represented on resumes so that we can advance in our careers.

    Equivalence of title to responsibilities

    There is no easy way to address this, as you want to remain truthful on your resume; but you wouldn’t want your potential employer calling for a reference check and getting an impression that you lied about your work history, right? In fact, there is a debate among professionals about listing job titles versus job functions on your resume; and some people prefer listing their title as it is followed by a list of responsibilities, while others strongly prefer finding a way to rephrase certain job titles to encompass all job function(s).

    However, if you are in the job market and want to make the best of a difficult resume predicament, the best option is to find a happy medium and list your job title along with a few words that best describe your job function, before you begin listing your job responsibilities. It might be possible to write such explanations in the cover letter, depending of course on how many responsibilities need explaining; or you could prepare an addendum to the resume for this purpose.


    First, let’s explore making changes to the job titles as you include them on your resume; and if your title is unusual, or very specific to a particular organization, you should try to find an equivalent title that is well accepted and understood within your industry. For example, if you work as a customer support representative with responsibilities for a specific product and your title contains the product name, you can simply list Product Support Representative on your resume, while being careful to not exaggerate your title.

    Elaborate on work duties with confidence

    But you should not change your title so that it implies a change in responsibility or salary level; and do not change any area(s) of the organization where you work(ed), or change your title in a way that suggest you are directly reporting to a person in a higher position than that of your manager. Any such changes on your resume are dishonest, and will negatively impact your credibility with the potential employer.

    If your title implies less responsibility than you hold, choose the middle ground option described above by listing your actual title on the resume. For example, if you are a Product Support Representative but are also responsible for training new hires for your team, list your title as: Product Support Representative/Customer Support and New Hire Training. This is truthful with a little elaboration in your job title to include a brief description of your job function.

    Following such a title you must make sure that your resume includes power statements describing your actual job and the responsibilities associated with it in order of their importance and relevance to your career title. This method is preferred because you are honest about your title, but you are also indicating to a potential employer that your responsibilities are slightly different than what the title implicates, so that all your cards are laid on the table and there will be no need to worry later on about anything you stated.

    That having been said

    When all background checks, reference calls and due diligence searches are conducted, you can feel confident in the fact that any information provided about you will not conflict with anything you previously stated, because you did not misrepresent your title, or create a reason for anyone to raise questions about your credibility. Above all, your resume must be honest and you must do the best you can to remain objective when it comes to your job titles and functions. Just focus on the positives, and you are sure to have an impressive resume.

  • Work History Gaps Must be Dealt with Smartly


    Fill in all resume gaps

    Listing your professional experiences on a resume can be a difficult task, especially when considering the many elements a resume preparer must incorporate into the document, if it is to adequately serve the purpose it is meant to serve. Items like job titles, time frames, key responsibilities, transferable skills, and other such descriptions and attributes must be included and properly listed where and when appropriate. The process becomes even more difficult when these elements are in an individual’s work history.

    Potential employers will not have a way of knowing why there is a three and a half year gap in an applicant’s professional experience just by reviewing his/her resume. Moreover, the employer might wonder if you – in the case where you are the applicant – skipped over one of your past jobs because it does not meet the career objective you listed.

    It is also not unreasonable for a prospective employer to assume that you did not work at all during the omitted time frame; so it is not in your best interest to intentionally skip any information in your jobs history. Simply (honestly) explain any gaps. There are a few general rules about resume gaps that could help to guide you through:

    Rules of the ‘resume gaps’ road

    1. Any unaccounted-for time that is shorter than three months does not need to be explained. Having a 60-90 day period between jobs is not very unusual, and often goes unnoticed within the structure of a resume anyway. However, any gaps extending beyond three months should be addressed in your cover letter or an e-mail. Whether you had personal or professional reasons for not working, the gaps in your employment history need to be explained as you don’t want to leave the employer to make their own assumptions.
    2. Be honest! We can’t stress this recommendation enough. If you are honest with your potential employers, you might not have to worry about them checking your references, doing a background check, or surprising you with questions in an interview.
    3. Don’t exclude months of your employment from the job listing. You are better off explaining the gaps in your resume than trying to cover them up, and you’ll likely discover that honesty is really the best policy when it comes to your resume.
    4. If you have held jobs that are not applicable to your career objective, list them on your resume anyway. Rather than create gaps in your resume, explain why you held jobs outside of your chosen field in your cover letter, or in an email to your potential employer. Again, whether the reasons are personal or professional, explain yourself honestly and don’t leave room for assumptions on the part of your potential employer.
    5. Regardless of the reasons for the gaps in your professional history, it is important that the tone of your cover letter and your resume remain positive. Do not sound apologetic!– Life happens and you don’t need to be sorry for taking time off from work for good and/or justifiable reason(s). Be positive! And show your potential employer that you never lost focus on your career.

    Diligence, honesty and education pays off

    While we all agree that life often takes unexpected turns and understand that there will be circumstances which result in resume, we can always consider the following actions in order to stay competitive in our field:

    • Apply our time and experience to volunteer positions, community projects, consulting and/or freelance work.
    • Take a class at a community college or at the community center that improves your work-related skills and allows you to interact with people of similar professional backgrounds.
    • Read about new developments in your field, get a subscription to a professional publication/magazine, or get the newly published books that discuss changes or improvements in your profession.

    Most of all, be honest and stay positive, because you can’t change your work history, so do your best to show your employer that you are a perfect/best candidate for the job by focusing on your experience and your education, as well as highlighting your achievements and your qualifications.

  • About Chronological and Functional Resumes

    Use of a chronological resume

    The typical resume is a one-to-two page document summarizing an individual’s career objectives, professional experiences and achievements, as well as his/her educational background; and while there are numerous ways to format a resume, there are two basic resume styles. The chronological resume and the functional resume.

    As its name implies, a chronological resume is one that lists your experience and education in order, beginning with the most recent jobs or achievements. This type of resume is sometimes also referred to as reverse chronological resume, because the order of which items are listed begins with the individuals’ last or current employment details and continues in reverse order to the first or oldest employment details.

     

    A chronological resume is generally preferred by –employers, since they will want to know what job an applicant currently holds so that they can better asses his/her qualifications for the job in which s/he has interest. The same is true for an applicant’s education since a potential employer would rather know that applicant’s most recent scholastic achievement. By listing experiences and education in reverse chronological order, a job applicant shows his/her potential employer the overall career progress s/he’s made.

    Emphasis on employment history

    Such reverse listing also helps in determining the length of employment at each organization, and indicates any gaps in the individual’s career (in case of gaps, make sure to address them in the cover letter as to not lead a potential employer to believe that s/he is omitting information on purpose). If you are the job applicant, a chronological resume should list your current job, as well as two to four previously held positions.

    However, you should not skip any employment information intentionally; and if your employment history is long, or if you have held jobs further in the past that align well with your current career objective, you can address these qualifications in your professional profile or in your cover letter. Chronological resumes are the most commonly used style, and work best for anyone who has had some professional experience.

    When a functional resume is useful

    Functional resumes focus on the individual’s qualifications, not his/her career timeline, because this style of the resume highlights what skills that person has, rather than where and when s/he acquired or utilized them. In other words, if you are an applicant writing a functional resume, you would forego listing your experiences by job titles and, instead, your resume will contain sections titled by your skills such as verbal and written communication, customer satisfaction and project management, among others.

    This resume style is recommended for college students seeking internships or their first jobs out of school; for those with no professional experience; those who have not worked for some time; or for career changers. While potential employers will appreciate the overview of your skills, you should consider using a chronological resume if you have any professional experience; or you can even use a combination resume over the functional format.

    Combination resume: A hybrid of resume styles

    A combination resume, although not often discussed, has become a popular format in recent years; and as its name implies, it is a combination of chronological resume style and functional resume style. This hybrid style allows professionals to highlight the qualification they have that are critical for the job of their interest, while at the same time listing employment and educational history in reverse chronological order.

    A word of caution, however: Don’t try to do too much when using a combination resume, by going over board with the type and number of sections you include in your resume. It is best to keep the information listed – even in the combination format – to what is relevant for the job. The same rules apply for each style. Don’t exceed two pages; simply tailor your resume to your career objective and put your best foot forward in order to get the interview, and eventually the job you desire.

  • To Write the Professional Summary of a Resume


    Your resume-projected personality

    Employers rely on well-written resumes to screen potential job candidates, as well as to determine how they will fit into their work environments; especially in today’s competitive job market where, in many instances, employers look through job search web sites such, as HotJobs.com and Monster.com, to find job applicants with the skills, education, experience and professionalism that fit their staffing needs.

    These employment search web sites, along with many of the hiring companies’ own online applications, require candidates to upload their resumes in order to express interest in a specific position. Without an opportunity to send a personal email or a cover letter, a job applicant must make sure that the resume s/he uploads expresses his/her personality in addition to listing professional and educational experiences and achievements.

    Adherence to this guideline will mean that the applicant must include a professional profile or summary to begin the uploaded resume. This allows said applicant to market him/herself through a narrative. If, for example, you are the applicant in search of a position that meets your requirements and suits your qualifications; this section will allow your potential employers to learn something unique about you and your career, as well as to get a good feel for your communication skills.

    Exclude non-career related personal info

    To write an effective summary, you should first understand what information should not be communicated in your resume. While a summary provides an insight into what is unique and competitive about you, it is not a place for you to convey any personal information (PI) that does not relate to your career. Information such as ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and affiliations, etc. should be left out of your resume.

    While descriptive of who you are, this information is not relevant to your potential employer for the purpose of pre-screening your qualifications for their opportunity. Additionally, the summary should not contain your previous professional experience, unless you can clearly demonstrate how such background can be of value in your future career development.

    Beware of generic statements such as, “I am well organized and detail oriented” since employers want to hear your unique voice and get a sense of your communication skills while reading the summary portion of your resume. So using generalizations about your abilities will lead potential employers to believe that you are either a poor communicator or are using such statements to fill up space on your resume.


    Big, bold, well-crafted, professional you!

    Your summary should be in the form of a short paragraph, or bulleted statements containing only several sentences; and while there isn’t a sentence limit, as a rule this should not use up more than one quarter of the page. More specifically, your summary should begin by a headline that summarizes your professional title and/or your professional statement, while emphasizing your title by featuring the headline in bold and larger font, as it allows your potential employer to grasp who you are in a direct and succinct manner.

    Consider, for example, the following structure:

    Financial Planning Professional
    Achieved Double-Digit Return for All Clients through Well-Balanced Financial Portfolios

    It is also important that this title is well crafted, as it is the first impression your potential employer will have of you. Keep in mind that there are three things a well-written summary should address:

    1. Your experiences and skills as they relate to your ideal job
    2. What you can bring to the organization and the open position that no other candidate can…and;
    3. Your professional goals

    Even though your resume summary is written by you, it should be composed in third person vernacular and present tense; and as such it should be thought of as a summary of what one of your best colleagues would say about your professional achievements. It is also important to reinforce your title, and sell only the experiences and skills that meet your career objective.

    Customize, review, upload, hook, done!

    If you have multiple career objectives such as, you wish to get a position in either marketing or public relations, you should develop separate resume summaries for each of the objectives. A summary can also include a brief bulleted section highlighting only a few vital competitive skills that you bring to the table. An example of an effective summary would be as follows:

    Successful financial planning professional with over 15 years of personal and retirement planning experience. Managed a small financial planning firm, achieving double-digit financial returns for all clients by developing personalized investment portfolios. Leader in development and professional growth of four other financial planners in the firm through effective and motivating mentoring strategies.

    Key competencies include:

    • Personalized portfolio development
    • Financial forecasting
    • Retirement portfolio management
    • Development on-going professional growth strategies

     

    Much like your overall resume, your summary should be well-written and error-free; and you make sure to review your summary and customize it as necessary for the various opportunities of interest. An effective summary will help you “hook” your employer, and it should sell you as a primary candidate for the particular job, while leaving your employer with a great first impression of you.

  • Structure and Objective of an Internship Resume


    Aligning education with experience

    There is a special style of resume known as the Internship Resume; and as implied by its name, this style of resume is composed with the goal of obtaining an internship in a desired field. While Internship resumes are known to be chronological in format, they have a different set of goals than a resume created for purposes of acquiring a full-time professional position.

    First and foremost, the objective is not to further an individual’s career, but rather, to gain experience and skills in a given field in order to expand on his/her education, an asset which will later be instrumental in obtaining a position in that particular industry.

    Second, internships do not require professional experience; they are simply a way for college graduates and other youngsters who lack experience to gain such experience which can later be utilized to obtain a full-time job using what was learned during the internship.

    Third, these types of resumes are more focused on academic achievements than on work background, because applicants must demonstrate that the desired internships are logical extensions of their studies. With this in mind, college students – new or returning – typically utilize this resume style to get their foot in the door with companies they might ultimately desire to work for after graduation.

    Resume conveyances of priorities

    Much like any other professional resume, the internship resume should contain an objective with which the applicant conveys to a potential employer how such an internship aligns with his/her studies; what s/he can bring to the table; what s/he hopes to gain out of the experience and how s/he will apply the newfound skills once s/he is out in the professional world. Essentially the applicant is convincing a potential employer that s/he is the best candidate for the internship, and that s/he will learn the most, as well as the fact that the experience is integral to professional growth.

    If you are, or will soon be the subject of an internship resume, keep in mind that when composing your resume for an internship, you will need to highlight your education first. However, you should do more than just list your previous degrees, or degrees in progress. Point out the classes you have taken that qualify you for the internship, and indicate how your major is in line with the internship and how this experience will help you in your future studies.

    After you indicate your objective and your education, list your qualifications, and make a list ahead of time of all the skills that qualify you for the internship. Review your list and prioritize it because most frequently made mistake in resume writing is in not prioritizing the supporting information and allowing most of your strongest skills to fall at the bottom of the list. Consider what qualifies you for the internship and list those qualifications first so that your employer recognizes that you are a great fit for the position.

    Resume should include all your skills

    Your work experience can help, but is typically not a make or break point in getting an internship, but if you have any work experience, go ahead and include it in your resume. You should also make sure to prioritize your responsibilities as they relate to the given internship and be mindful to indicate any experience you have in sharpening your inherently employable skills: skills which extend beyond your education and technical abilities, such as communication, customer relations, team work, taking charge, etc.

    As indicated earlier, applying for an internship is somewhat different than applying for a full time job; but along with your internship resume, you will want to submit references. For any employment experience you’ve had to date, include your supervisor’s name, title and contact information so that your potential employer can obtain any information that might prove helpful to you, like recommendations.

    In addition, it will be greatly benefit you to have recommendation letters from your professors, because they can identify your skills in terms of your dedication, work ethic, enthusiasm, interpersonal communication and interaction with others in your classroom. Employers look for these skills because they want to assure that you will be a good fit for their team, even if your role is short term.

    Ask for and include recommendations

    You might also want to ask two or three of your professors for their recommendation. Simply provide them with the contact information of your potential employer, including an email and a physical mailing address, so the letters can be mailed to that employer directly. Or, ask your professors to place their recommendation letters into sealed envelopes before giving them to you in order to assure that the information is confidential.

    If possible, include your transcripts with the resume as this will be a great indication of your commitment to your education, providing of course that your grades are good. Your transcripts can only help in getting you the internship. As a final step, proof your application materials; and feel free to seek assistance from your school’s career center. You have only one chance to make a great first impression so– do it well, and you should be in good enough position to get the internship of your choice.

     

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  • 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.