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Tag: your potential employer

  • About the Content and Formatting of Resume Headings


    The basics of resume headings

    The first and most prominent item on your resume is your name and contact information. Your name is typically in the largest font, standing apart from all other text on your resume. A common mistake made by many professionals is trying to emphasize their name in a special font type. As it is difficult to anticipate which software and version your potential employer is using, you run a risk of not knowing exactly how your name will appear on their screen.

    In view of the above it is advisable to stick with basic font types like,– Arial and Times New Roman which are two of the most commonly used, and are least risky when it comes to formatting your resume, and you should also be mindful not to go overboard on the font size. For example, your name should be in point size 14 or 16 and all other headings should be in 12 or 14 point font, while the remaining text of your resume should be in the range of 10 and 12 point font.

    Along with your name, the very top of your resume should contain your mailing address, your email address, and at least one phone number where you can be reached. It is best to include a physical mailing address instead of a P.O. Box, whenever possible; and you should never include an email address at your current place of employment (yes, it happens). A helpful hint about listing your email address is to make sure that it contains your name, as this helps you appear more professional.

    Resume inclusions reflect professional image

    You can create a free email account with one of the leading providers of such service, e.g. Gmail, MSN, Yahoo, etc. and it might be helpful to have one email address as a point of contact for your job search. At least one phone number should be listed; but make sure to indicate if you are listing a home or a mobile number. If you have a professional website, the site address can also be included along with your contact information.

    Please note that you should only provide a website address if the website does not contain anything that is personal, or any personal identifiable information (PII) because the only reason a potential employer may want to look at a website is if your professional portfolio or a copy of your resume can be found there.

    Whether you decide to create a chronological resume or a functional resume, you will need to separate the information by with the use of headings; and the best advice you’ll get anywhere is to keep the section headings professional and stick to the basics. Don’t try to come up with creative titles for your professional summary, or for your qualifications. If you use a chronological resume the following sections/titles should be featured:

    Contrast in resume heading styles

    • career objective
    • professional summary (optional)
    • professional experience/work experience/experience
    • education
    • publications/special achievements (if applicable)
    • qualifications/skills
    • references/references and portfolio

    A functional resume is slightly different, and the headings you choose will really depend on the skills you’re trying to highlight. Features should include:

    • career objective
    • education
    • professional skills/professional qualifications (this section will include sub-headings as they relate to specific qualifications you want to promote, such as communications, customer relations, management positions, etc.)
    • work experience/work history (if applicable; should only include dates, titles, companies and locations without listing responsibilities)
    • volunteer work/activities (if applicable)
    • references

    To conclude with…

    The above mentioned features are typically those that are found in chronological and functional resumes; but you might want to do a little research on resume styles to find sample resumes of professionals in your industry; and if the need arise, simply adjust these headings based on your field, but be mindful of keeping the content consistent across industries.

    Stick to the basics, and don’t try to be creative in order to stand out, because a professional and polished resume will get you noticed. So do your best to create a resume that is error free, and which best supports your career objective.

  • 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.

  • Resume writing from scratch


    Getting started

    Facing a blank page when you are trying to write a resume can be very scary. You may think that you don’t have enough to say about yourself to fill a page; you may be wondering just how to list all of your skills and experience within a single sheet of paper. To get started, ask yourself some questions about your past jobs and your career goals.

    Before you even begin writing a resume, define the exact reasons why you need one. While this may sound simple, it takes more than saying, “I want to get a new job.” Consider your career objective first. Make sure that your goals are specific in terms of industry, position title, and future professional achievements. Once you are clear on the type of job you are seeking, it will be much easier to compose a resume that highlights your expertise in the area of your interest.

    Research on format

    Once you have your career objective developed, do some research on a resume format that is most commonly used and may be most appropriate for your industry. Search the Internet or check out the books in your local library to get a better idea of what well-written professional resumes look like. Once you find a format that best suits your field and your career objective, use the same layout to get started.

    When listing your personal information at the top of the resume, include your address, home and/or mobile phone number, and your email address. A helpful hint about listing your email address make sure that it contains your name, as this helps you appear more professional. You can create a free Yahoo email account; it also maybe helpful to have one email address as a point of contact for your job search.

    Experience & education

    Before you begin listing your experiences, make sure to list them out on a separate sheet of paper, in chronological order, starting with the most recent job you had (possibly the job you are presently holding). List up to five previous jobs you have held, although make sure that your resume does not exceed two pages in length. Make sure that are listed in order; don’t skip any of your employments as this will create gaps in your professional history.

    When listing your education, start with your college attendance and move to your most recent accomplishments. If you never attended college, make sure to include any courses, even if they were taken as training at your previous jobs, which will help in showcasing your qualifications. In terms of skills, make sure to list, in bullet point form, all of the abilities that confirm that you are the best candidate for the job you are seeking.

    References upon request

    You can omit references from your resume, but let your potential employer know that you can provide them if necessary. You can do so in the cover letter or by including a line at the bottom of your resume that simply states, “Professional references available upon request.”

    As your final check point, ask a friend or a family member to review your resume, and give you feedback. Having a second pair of eyes can help you correct any typos, or even bring to your attention anything that appears unclear or confusing. A well-written, error-free resume will help you put your best foot forward and get the job that exceeds your career goals.

  • Identifying Your Skills to Get the Job


    Shun the “unfit” label

    When applying for a job, it is paramount that you identify your strengths and weaknesses in addition to being prepared to address them in conversation. By knowing your attributes, chances are that getting the job you really want will surely get easier.

    However, you should not be too confident since overconfidence is one of the common mistakes that plagues job applicants. Appearing too confident, or giving the impression that you are somewhat of a know-it-all, will only get you labeled by the interviewer as unfit for the job.

    Identifying your skills

    That having been said, let’s begin with first things first: Identify your skills. This is your ticket to get that job, and you should be able to articulate your abilities and expertise as best as you can. Many people have a hard time communicating their skills and abilities as this is sometimes seen as bragging when done socially. But you should not be shy or afraid to discuss your skills when pursuing a job; especially one that requires such skills.

    In fact, it is important that you convey to your potential employer what your talents are; and in that situation be able to sell your abilities to that employer. Your ability to do so will be instrumental in getting the job that you really want. Just as important however, is that you do not appear arrogant or condescending while being careful to avoid selling yourself short.

    If the interviewer asks you about your strengths or what separates you from the other applicants, you should be able to readily give a suitable or acceptable answer. So before you even go to the interview part of the process, your resume should highlight your skills and talents for the prospective employer to take a look at.

    Types of skills

    There are two main types of skills: Hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are tangible in the sense that these are things you do like. For example, knowing how to operate different kinds of machinery, knowledge of a specialized computer program, ability to type fast, skills on using various types of tools, credentials regarding special crafts, etc.

    Soft skills on the other hand, are skills that tend to be rather abstract in nature, like personal qualities. This may include, for example, being a good team player, having the ability to work on your own, being enthusiastic or organizational and decisive.

    The Steps to Follow

    List your previous jobs and acquired experience

    First thing you’d want to do is make a list of all the companies you worked for and the things you learned from those jobs. There will be a lot of things to list and you should be careful enough not to forget even the smallest details of activities you participated in or organized. It is also a good idea to list the volunteer activities you participated in.

    Include a list of your hobbies

    Although it might sound trivial at first, it is also very helpful to list all your hobbies. There are a lot of abilities that your prospective employer may get from your hobby list, a list which might also provide some insight into your personality.

    For example, if you were part of the school’s debating team, your employer may deduce that you have good analytical skills. If you were a champion chess player, your employer might interpret this to mean you are good at making critical decisions.

    Think of your daily routine and the things you do and often take for granted. Are you an organized person who always keep your things in proper order? Are you an extrovert who can easily make friends in a matter of minutes? These may seem ordinary to normal things to you, but your future boss might think otherwise.

    Your decisions

    Deciding what career you want – After listing all your skills and all the things you do well, it is then time to decide what field or career you want to pursue. Select the skills outlined on your list and partner them with the employment you are seeking. Always take time to consider if your skills are relevant to the job which you are aspiring toward.

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    Don’t worry if you have to remove some of the skills from your list. It is also important to include on your “skills list” any abilities the prospective employer will likely value, depending of course, on the particular employer.

    Stand by what you write – You should be realistic about your skills and the level of expertise you are capable of. For example, if you indicate that you are a very organized person, then you should be able to show this to the interviewer by being able to organize your thoughts and effectively use the time that was given for your interview.

    It is important to know your skills every time you go job hunting because you should always put your best foot forward. Good luck!

  • Creating a Warm Contact List for Job Hunting


    Warm contact list

    Usually when you are looking for a job, you would ask for help from family and friends, in the sense that you would contact these folks to ask for information on current job openings, business opportunities and tips.

    Your family, relatives and friends belong on your warm contact list since the warm contact list is comprised of people with whom you have, or have had, a personal relationship or association. So an example of a warm list contact might be a former classmate, office mate or neighbor, not to mention a brother, sister, aunt or uncle.

    In view of the above we have provided a selection of individuals who may be included in your warm contact list.

    Relatives, friends & associates

    These are people are always willing to help you in your job search or business venture. They will be able to provide you information if they have it, or refer you to trustworthy people who will be able to assist you. If they were to introduce you to some of their contacts, they can surely provide you with honest and reliable information regarding the person you are going to be associated with.

    Members of the church, political party, social club or fraternity or sorority – You probably would not have expected it, but people who share the same faith, beliefs or hobbies may also help you with finding a job. You may have a different career from theirs, but they might know somebody who is in the same field in which you are seeking employment or will be able to help you in your career.

    However, depending on your level of association with them, they may think twice about giving their opinion or thoughts about their contacts. Their opinion can sometimes help you in developing a strategy on how to approach and ask for help from their contacts.

    Those you buy from

    People who sell you things – You may think that your relationship with these people is purely based on trading goods and services, then paying for them. However, people who sell you things are also sources of information when networking.

    Since these people sell their goods to different types of individuals and businesses, they might be associated with somebody who belongs to the same field that you are seeking employment in, or have heard information about your target job from their other clients.

    These people will also be happy to help you, since they know that maintaining a pleasant relationship with you means a stable business for themselves. Also, you having a good job means you have increased your purchasing power, and then it could also mean that you may purchase more from them.

    Past workplace buddies

    Former employers, colleagues or co-workers – Maintaining a good relationship with previous employers and colleagues has more benefits than you can imagine (it pays not to burn bridges?). This is the reason that most people try their best to iron out any difficulties with their previous employers even if they are no longer associated with the company.

    Aside from the possibility that your potential employer will call previous employers when they review your job history, former employers and colleagues are also good sources of information relating to that field.

    When you ask for help from family and friends, there is a possibility that the information they provide you with is just from another source. They may not be able to give you first-hand information or detailed information unless they also work in the same field that you are seeking employment in or would like to return to.

    Things are very different when you consult former employers and colleagues from the same sector. They will be able to provide you with valuable information and may also be able to clarify such information and answer any questions you may have.

    Your professional orgs’ members

    Members of your professional organization – If you belong to a professional organization related to the field in which you are looking for a job, you can consult that organization for current postings from the members. If you don’t belong to any such organization, consider joining one since this will be beneficial to you career growth.

    A professional organization can provide you with unbiased information on current job openings from its members. The organization can also give you details on the company profile and even on current market and career trends.

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    These are the most important people that you should include when creating a list of your warm contacts. It is better if you contact them all so you can have as many options in your job search as possible. When you talk to them, tell them that you are actively seeking a job.

  • Entry-Level Jobs 101: 4 Must-Know Tips


    For most people, aiming for a higher position at once is the key to job search success. However, some people know that in order to succeed in the job market, they have to, literally, start from scratch.

    This means that people who want to grow positively in the working world; they have to learn the basics and fundamental principles of working, how it is to love the work most people do, and how to establish a good working relationship with his or her colleagues.

    In order to enjoy all of these, one must submit himself or herself to an entry-level type of job. This refers to a job that requires minimal skills and expertise with no experience requirement needed.

    Because of its nature, entry-level jobs are characterized by low salary, require physical work, and sometimes need field work.

    Most often than not, people who are into entry-level jobs have very low hourly rates and may or may not entail insurance. This would mean that any hospital expenses caused by accidents that happened while the worker is at work may or may not be compensated by the employer, meaning there is no guarantee or whatsoever.

    What’s more, most entry-level jobs are on a part-time basis. Examples of entry-level jobs are receptionist, apprenticeship, those who are working in a fast food restaurant, customer service, cashiers, etc.

    Contrary to popular belief, entry-level jobs should not be ignored. What people do not realize is that entry-level jobs offer more than just low wages. These jobs are the foundation of all other positions available in the job market.

    In most cases, people who start to work on higher positions right after they graduate from college are easily bored from their work. What is even worse, there is no room available for personal growth and career advancement.

    Entry-level jobs are the stepping-stone to success in careers. So, for people who wish to grow and be promoted to a higher position, here are some tips that they can use:

    1. Workers who are in the entry-level position should show enthusiasm, efficiency, caring, and love for his work.
    2. They should master their skills and hone their craft.
    3. They should be an expert on customer service.
    4. They should know how to impress a customer who happens to be seeking an employee who knows optimum customer service.

    These are just a few of the qualities that must be employed by an entry-level worker in order to advance to a higher position. And once he reaches the top, he knows that work is definitely something worth valuing for.


  • Best Jobs


    Empolyer outlook

    In a recent study, employers have said that they are likely to be 12 percent more graduates this year than last year. It is the first projected increase since the year 2000. In another study, a projected 60 percent of US businesses plan to employ the same number of graduates this year as with last year. That is an increase of fifty-five percent from last year, according to the CERI (Collegiate Employment Research Institute) at MSU.

    Some studies indicate that US Corporations and businesses will employ more graduates with a bachelor’s degree in business, biological and physical sciences; and those with construction management, engineering degrees, health care and accounting will also experience an increase in hiring from their ranks. Other fields will have a slight decline.

    Expert advice

    On the average, companies are hiring forty three percent of its interns to fulltime and regular positions. The expected increase in the hiring of graduates coincides with an expected growth forecast of the economy next year according to a recent survey by the Federal Reserve Bank. A lot of companies are coming out of a slump and are now hiring their interns and looking for more. A lot of companies are also posting jobs and coming to different campuses on recruiting tours.

    Most experts advise that during the holidays, whether you’re looking for permanent employment or internship, it is a good time to step up your search. Take advantage of the holiday events you’re going to attend, discuss what you’re looking for and your goals. Businesses don’t want to be flooded with calls and faxes of resumes. They will probably rely on word-of-mouth to get a handful of candidates and the holidays are a perfect time to network.

    What to expect

    Companies will hire more students earning bachelor’s degree in business and management, physical and biological sciences. Engineering, health care and accounting degrees also would experience an increase. Other degrees will experience a decrease in hiring

    Businesses expect to employ about the same volume of MBAs this year as last year. Businesses have found employees with bachelor’s degrees being able to do some work being done by MBAs.

    It will be harder for graduates with computer science degrees to find work.

    Companies are more likely to employ students who have undergone internships. The work experience, they say, makes a lot of difference. Federal agencies will employ more graduates but not nearly enough to offset the decrease in hiring by the state and local government agencies.

    On average, starting salaries will increase by 1 to 2 percent.