Dos and Donts in Writing a Resume

Dos and Don'ts in Writing a ResumeWhen you're getting ready to start looking for a job, the first thing you need to consider is which do's and don'ts in writing a resume. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is doing the things incorrectly. It's best to avoid those things as much as possible and focus on sticking to the most important things first.You can start with the dos of writing a resume by making sure that the resume is neat and organized. In this case, you'll want to make sure that all the information you've provided is categorized properly. You don't want to have pages of information scattered around in the resume.The next set of dos and don't in writing a resume deals with what you actually write. Although the writing should be written in a professional way, if you are a perfectionist then don't be. As long as you have a clear understanding of the job description, you should be able to include the necessary information in the resume without too much trouble. So, don 't let the fact that you didn't use the proper terminology or grammar stop you from getting the job.Also, don't get stuck on whether or not you should include a cover letter with your resume. Although this will certainly help you get more interviews and job offers, it is also likely to slow you down. Cover letters are mainly for first impressions so your resume has to stand out from the crowd if you're trying to get the job.Also, you need to keep in mind that doing and don't in writing a resume include emphasizing that the resume is meant for a specific person. Don't use the title of your resume as your introduction; instead, use words such as 'about'describing' or something that more directly describes the position you're applying for. Make sure that the words you're using accurately reflect the position you're applying for.Do you know what dos and don't in writing a resume means? Basically, it just means that you need to look at what the position you're applying for is all about. If you don't look for the job, you won't find it. So, just make sure that the information you're including is as clear as possible so that when you're submitting the resume, employers will see exactly what they're looking for.Dos and don'ts in writing a resume also mean that you need to be very precise about the information you provide. Don't include information that isn't applicable to the position you're applying for. Remember that the resume is used to get more interviews and more job offers so it's best to stick to the basics.

Phone Interviews How to Prepare

Phone Interviews How to Prepare Phone interviews are becoming an increasingly common first step in the hiring process. For hiring managers, they’re a more expedient way to narrow the applicant pool. When I was working as a recruiter, I would often ask for a brief call to discuss the résumé, and from that short interaction determine who I would invite for a longer, in-person interview. That way I didn’t waste valuable time on applicants I’d otherwise nix five minutes into an hour-long in-person interview While a time-saver for people like me, the phoner is yet another hurdle for candidates to overcome on the road to getting a job. To pass the bar with flying colors, you’ll want to do the following: 1. Focus on the words you’ll use. In a live interview, you have your presence, your hand gestures, your smile, and eye contact. And all those non-verbal cues can be used to establish credibility and develop rapport. Communication is 80% or more about these non-verbals. But on a phone call, all of this is taken away; you have only 20% of your power. You are left with the words you choose, the pace at which you speak, the inflections you give, and the clarity of your articulation. It is that much more important that you focus on these verbal communication skills as you prepare for the interview (see steps #2 and #3). 2. Do a practice run Don’t just wing a phone interview. Practice in advance. A great way to do this: Leave a voicemail message for yourself with an interview responseâ€"talk about yourself or explain why you’re interested in the job. Then assess how you come across by phone. Do you sound enthusiastic? Do you speak clearly? Do you have the right volumeâ€"not too loud, not too soft? Do you speak at a good pace? Are you concise? 3. Align yourself to the job description No one gets hired on the strength of the phone interview so you’re not trying to close the deal right away. You’re simply trying to get to the next round, and establish that you are strong potential match for the job at hand. Therefore, plan what you will say based on how it matches to this job. When you give an overview of what you’re doing, highlight where your current skills and expertise overlap with the job requirements. When you talk about why you would consider leaving, mention things that this new job offers, thereby confirming your interest in this very job. 4. Remember that it’s a conversation. In a live interview, you can see that you need to wrap up your answer and move on if the interviewer’s eyes are glazing over, he glances at his watch, or he leans forward to interrupt you. In a phone interview, you won’t get any such clues. So keep your answers concise, and leave space to ensure that your interviewer can get in a word and ask the next question. This ensures you’re covering everything the interviewer needs to move you to the next round. Caroline Ceniza-Levine is co-founder of SixFigureStart ® career coaching. She has worked with professionals from American Express, Condé Nast, Gilt, Goldman Sachs, Google, McKinsey, and other leading firms. She’s also a stand-up comic. This column appears weekly. Read more from Caroline Ceniza-Levine: 3 Ways Women Can Get the Raises they Deserve 5 Ways You’re Sabotaging Yourself in Job Interviews How to Cold Call Your Way to a New Job

SWOT Analysis For Your Career - Work It Daily

SWOT Analysis For Your Career - Work It Daily A basic tool used in strategic planning is SWOT analysis. This is where you take a hard look at your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, and plan accordingly. I am a firm believer you should perform this analysis on your career at least once a year. Strengths Make a list of all your strengths. In particular, consider what skills, knowledge and experience you have that makes you indispensable to your employer. Also consider what the demand for these skills is in the marketplace. I knew a fellow who was what I would call a professional Sniffer â€" he was able to smell fragrances and detail their makeup, components, and quality. Although he was pretty secure in his job, there are not a lot of jobs out there for this kind of skill. So, he had to decide whether he wanted to take the risk of counting strictly on those skills to secure his future (he took courses in project management and moved on, by the way). Think about your technical as well as your soft skills. Do you know how to program in .Net? Understand SEC reporting requirements? Additionally, are you great at motivating teams to peak performance? Are you the one that the executives call upon to use your diplomacy skills to facilitate tricky work sessions and drive consensus among various stakeholders? These are the strengths that make up your value proposition. You also need to consider company politics in your assessment, so now review the strength of your relationships with people who can influence your career. How is your relationship with your boss? How about the people who influence your boss? Do the same analysis for your peers and staff. This is extremely important since we all know a competent person who didn’t succeed because he or she was not aligned with the right people. Weaknesses Now, take a hard look at yourself and list the areas where you can improve. Look at the positions you would like to have and identify the skills, experience, or knowledge that you are lacking. Consider too the relationships that influence your career and detail where important relationships either don’t exist or need bolstering. It is generally a good idea to brainstorm with your buddies to get an outsider’s view. Opportunities Let your mind wander to the possibilities that surround you. Is your boss or another manager going to retire? Are there new projects or initiatives coming up? In particular, look to see if there are other areas of the business that you can contribute to and gain a better position. Look both within and outside your company. Did you gain strong SEO skills that make you a valuable catch to other employers? Many people discover there are real opportunities available they had never considered before. Threats What can go wrong? Consider such things as a shift in management, budget cuts, downsizing, outsourcing, mergers, acquisitions, your health, and even someone getting promoted to a position you wanted. This is where you can let your internal Gremlin run wild (the little voice in your head that tells you the sky is falling) and list everything that comes to mind. Now that you have this list, make a plan. I like to start with the opportunities because many times people have uncovered positions that they would really like and hadn’t considered before. So, identify where you would like to be, then review the strengths and relationships you can leverage to get there. Also, consider the weaknesses you need to overcome. Prioritize your biggest threats and make a plan to neutralize them. If you have never done this, try it as it is a proven method to build actionable plans that will lead you to success. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!